Goyard

You know how a few years ago, Bottega Veneta, a brand that has been around for ages, just started to creep up everywhere? Well the latest age old brand to creep up on us is Goyard, a french brand that has a history all the way back to 1853.

This intricate logo and signature handpainted initials and stripes represents 150 years of serving exclusive clienteles such as the likes of kings, queens, maharajahs and movie stars.

Like Louis Vuitton, it all started with the mega expensive suitcases.

And like any good mercenaries, they proceeded to ladies hangbags. The cheapest of which, is the flimsy tote bag on the left, which costs a grand total of $845. I've seen them in real life and they so do not look or feel $845.

After developing the typical styles of handbags, naturally they moved onto colors. All their styles of handbags comes in the many colors above.

And the next step? Why, exclusivity of course. They cooperated with Barneys and viola- the Barneys exclusive white Goyard bags! But I must say, love this color. Its soo much more easy to match and young then the other colors.

Apart from Barneys, these bags can now be bought at Harvey Nichols, Takashimaya and various other upper class department stores around the globe. They are even in the process of opening a new flagship store in San Francisco, right below the Westin Hotel on Union Square. See what I mean by creeping in on us?

Chanel Flap Bags

I was going to write the title "classcial Chanel bags" but then I realised that these classical bags must have a name so I went onto the Chanel site and found out that the classical Chanels are actually called the Chanel flap bags. While the Chanel flap bags are always considered very classical, I always thought they were meant for women who are middle-aged, say over thirty years old? Or at least over 25.

Young celebs everywhere are proving my belief wrong. Here are a few lucky girls who have been spotted holding the Chanel flap bags recently:

Ashley Olsen

Mischa Barton -When I think of her, Miss Sixty jeans with a Chanel flap bag automatically spring in mind.

Lindsay Lohan

Christmas Present Ideas

According to my sister, most of the christmas presents I suggested in any previous posts (such as in Christmas Beauty Goodies last month,) are all fabulous but way too expensive to give to a friend. And thinking back in those early years of high school when you feel you simply had to give almost all your friends christmas presents, you'll realise that obviously, you had to find presents that were somewhat personal, pretty, and most importantly cheap. Now that we're a bit older, we call this shopping on a budget.

Now finding cheap christmas presents is no easy feat. Fortunately, many brands use this oppurtunity to make gift box sets. One excellent and good-for-community brand is Body Shop. Body Shop makes a huge variety box sets -and most of them are extremely affordable.

Body Shop Almond Oil Daily Hand and Nail Cream -my sister owns this and it smells absolutely delicious. Everyone needs a handcream, esp in winter.

Body Shop Mango Trio Gift Set -Includes a body wash, body butter and sponge. I'm a HUGE fan of Body Shop body butters. They smell sooo yummy and is sooo moisturising. People who have tried the body butter keep going for more. Once my friend even request that I buy her one for her birthday.
Apart from beauty/body product gift sets, there are some great cheap gifts which usually would look boring but make great presents because they are just so classical and your friend would definitely have a chance to use it.

Claires Faux-Pearl Stud Earrings -Mega boring and cheap, but pearl earrings are just so useful, even if they're fake pearls.

American Eagle Outfitters Campus Gardens Scarf -So pretty! And I think this blue works for all skin tones.

Urban Outfitters Horizon Sunglasses -I was so amazed -these sunglasses are now on sale for only US$4.99! These will probably suit most face shapes and white is going to be so 'in' next season!

Skinny Scarves

I was going to talk about skinny scarves so long ago, but I totally forgot until last night when Barneys Girl and I were chatting about top fashion items women need this year and the next. So we decided that everyone should own a skinny scarf next year, that is if you don't already have one from fall.

In the Burberry Prorsum FW05 show scarves were everywhere, esp skinny scarves. It looked so cool -the skinny scarves sort of looked like ties except way less obvious. With this season's skinny scarves, go mono-color.

The wonderful thing about skinny scarves is that you can buy them in high street and high end stores.
Urban Outfitters XL Skinny Scarf with Contrast Fringe -This is one skinny scarf that will actually keep you warm!

Gap Skinny Cable Scarf -Another great, affordable skinny scarf. It's not the most exciting thing, but it will compliment perfectly with this year's skinny jeans and effortlessly cool look.

And of course, the super casual, super cool look from Stella McCartney for H&M. This is a demonstration on how to wear the skinny scarf without looking boring.

For a more formal occasion or if you're wearing such a girly outfit that a cool skinny scarf wouldn't match, then wear an embellished scarf. These two beautiful scarves are from Free People. Love the pearls and sequences!

Twiggy

What with the finale and all, we've all had a healthy dose of America's Next Top Model lately. But today, I just wanted to bring your attention to their new judge this cycle-the international fashion icon-Twiggy.

What with all the craze about her in last few years, the movie and the mod movement, you would've thought she was dead! But obviously, since she's on the show, she's not. And unlike icons in the past who just fade away as their looks fade away, Twiggy continues to be an icon. Because come on, do you know any other 56 year old that looks like THAT? Even with the amount of plastic surgery and botox injection it probably requires to look like that at 56, it doesn't look too tight AND she still seems to be able to have a variety facial expressions-although I wouldn't have known that the girl on the left is actually the woman on the right if not for ANTM. So here, I would like to commend Twiggy and her plastic surgeon on a very impressive aging process. For more proof, check out tonight's ANTM cycle 5 "review" and watch out for Twiggy!

Cartier Limited Edition Ring

So the other day, I caught sight of the latest Cartier limited edition ring. And it is just THE most romantic thing!

So basically, it is two rings, the silver "cartier" one on the outside and the gold one with "love" emblazoned on it on the inside. The gold ring inside is attached to the outer one with a screw, which allows it to be completely hidden by the silver layer, or turned up to 90 degrees with it. You can wear it as a ring AND as a pendant to a necklace when its at 90 degree angles. It even comes with a black string with silver edges. As well it SHOULD since it costs over $2000USD. But I just LOVE how the word "love" is hidden behind the normal old silver layer to be revealed at choice. Its like a silent declaration of love! Wow, that sounded incredibly sappy. It must be xmas and all that love in the air. Sigh. If only my true love were to give THIS to me for xmas. . . . . . and its not just me either. It has been voted as THE most wanted xmas present by the ladies in a local magazine *hint*hint* guys ;)

Christmas Parties Preparation II

If you have all the time in the world to prepare for your Christmas party-as we all deserve-then have some fun and go all out with the Christmas spirit! Having looked and looked I've concluded that we ladies look best in red for the festivities. Have you seen that really romantic looking display window for Banana Republic with the girl in a red dress and the guy in a dark blue velvet suit?? *fans self*

And you can go about it more formally in a dress, like this gorgeous strapless red one with gold prints from Anthropologie, this one is just perfect for Christmas! Or you can approach this more casually with a red velvet embellished blazer from Free People. But if you want something not quite so embellished that you can use all the time, there are also many beautiful plain red velvet blazers out there you can think about. Personally I'm dreaming about the one from BCBG. . .

And then, you can match everything with these GORGEOUS bag and shoes from Anthropologie. The nuetral color makes it a perfect match for anything and. . . well you just cannot help but LOVE it and WANT it!

And don't forget to accessorize! Add a little color to your outfit with green crystal earrings from Urban Outfitters (you can only get away with wearing red/green for xmas!) or with jet black necklaces like this one from Banana Republic.Happy partying everyone!