Everyone had a little confusion about my recent whereabouts. Well, so was I. Because all this time, the e-ticket on my hand says, "Melbourne International Airport" and thus, I thought I was going to have a willy-good time in Melbourne. Think: all the nice warm fuzzy stuff people have told you about Melbourne.

Actually not. My final destination is in fact, Geelong - a city one hour's drive from the airport.

Because of this little mistake, I've been monitoring the wrong weather forecast, thus brought a couple of clothes unsuitable to battle the 11degrees freezing f-king-finger-biting wind. Considering two-thirds of my time was spent at the barren isolated airbase (a 20 minutes' drive from my ocean-facing apartment), the wind was so strong that it gets to my arse. If I were to run in the wind's direction, let's just say Usain Bolt is peanuts.

Road to Almost-Nothingness

The Mother told me that stacked platform sandals were all the rage in her teenage years. It seems that fashion is always recycling itself, but with modern twists added to the effect. Boho, shift dress, rocker-punk chick, Jackie-O glasses, aviator, lace and etc.

So I couldn't help but wonder, what's next?

I remember The Mother has a pair of vintage RayBan. Not the most flattering modern design of all, but it has great sentimental value to The Mother (I assume).

Hello! John-Lennon

[Continued here]

I’ve always been a hat-buff.
Evolved from just a simple baseball cap-fan, I’m now so fascinated by the intriguing erotic sensual display a trilby could bring about. Like jeans - you have high-waisted, low-risers, vintage, rough-it-out treated, boot-cut flarers, skinny cigarettes and God-knows-whatelse.

Trilbies come in an array of textures - soft-felt, tweed, straw, rafia, cotton angora, and wool. A myriad of personalities one could metamorphose into when a trilby is donned - Italian Smooth Criminal, Cuban Beach-Bummer, Rat Packer, Hip-Hop Diva, Jazz Crooner, Smart-Arse Detective, Country-Side Recluse. Since Singapore girls prefer the lazy Boho look (i.e. clothes lesser the better in this hot climate), a straw/rafia trilby surely can smarten the tired sloppy look, giving it a retro edge. Besides, since everyone complain Singapore is so damn hot, cannot be too fashionable, then wear a hat lah!

What say you?

I've been coveting for one of these for far too long. And by a stroke of luck, I chanced upon this almost-delicious-enough-to-eat pair of ruched flats in deep auburn from SCHU.


I haven't been a fan of flats until recent. I wasn't bowled over by Mary Jane flats especially when it made its first appearance last year. Lanvin's ballerina flats aside, those on sale at Far East and Bugis Village were merely al cheapo wanna-bes. And I wasn't that gungho to allow a pair of poorly-made flats to kiss my feet all over with blisters. (Bizzare but true. Even flats can give me blisters if quality is as shite as arse.)

Candy-licking teeny-bopper girls may find those canvas/cardboard-made flats appealing (and very cheap). But I wanted a good pair of flats with character - one that doesn't says 'sloppy'. Because flats, unlike those 3-inch wedges, tend to make one look 'flat' if matched with already unappealing clothes. And it disgusts me to see girls who walk in a gauche manner when in flats.

Except for a pair of white ballerina ruched Mary Janes, I've stayed away from flats. I find the designs too boring. Of recent, perhaps in an resurgence of flats in the summer trend, more shoe shops have came up with more likable designs and wearable quality.

Charles & Keith patent pumps in ombre

Miumiu ruched patent flats with rhinestones

Kate Spade is having a semi-private sale online which, in my opinion, is very redundant since it is already having an online sale. Anyhoo, Mr. Ex-Editor-of-a-Trashy-Mag asked for my opinion on which shopping bag has to get for his girlfriend.

He showed me a few pictures and I thought they were so-so. I like Kate Spade for its youthful colours but seriously the sale items weren't worth looking. Then in his (sick) mind, my dear friend showed me the Volterra Rue in black (see above).

I couldn't help but to tell him it's ugly. In fact, in my exact words:

'It's farking ugly.'

When it comes to style and taste, I have never been so blunt to another homo sapien's choices. So what if it's cowhide with 14-karat light gold plated hardware and only costs US$249? Tumbled leather like such spells AUNTIE in bold all over! And that shape... I guess it would sell out if you throw it to a bunch of mid-age office ladies who have spent their last 10 years working as admin in offices in Shenton Way.

The Mother doesn't even own such hobo! (I won't allow it too)

The dear friend explained that he liked the weaved handles. Right right, weaved handles can be great but if only they look like this.

Montana Bag in Tan from Jocasi (http://www.jocasi.com)

I know I know... what is Gie doing with another new purse bag?

Swearing off retail therapy is not what I do best. Sticking to self-made promises ain't my forte neither...

The Best Friend and I were window-shopping while I complained endlessly about this. I thought a cuppa Godiva Dark Mint Choco Shake would have calmed me down but still... Then my eye caught hold of an worn-out-looking purse bag.

"Man I could swing this purse across her face," I thought out loud. Visual of an horizontal stroke plays before me.

I casually stretched out my hand to bring forth the bag for a closer look. One feel of the texture and whiff of the material; LEATHER! The warm rich musky smell of leather enthralls me. Can anyone get orgasm just by taking deep breaths of leather?

Normally I wouldn't be attracted to the looks of such bag. But it feels so right on me. (Or at least that's what I think) I swung the bag front and back and thought the purse bag could come in handy when I need to whack the life outta molesters or robbers. Swing it and whack 'em! Hmm... and a sale item too... An approval from The Best Friend, I made a beeline for the cashier.

All I did was to rub on a good dollop of Nivea cream and voila! Baby's got its colour back and now is as good as new.

Who wants to have a firsthand taste of a cow leather purse bag swat in the face?

Just get the bag and get outta here.
Just get the bag and get outta here.
Just get the bag and get outta here.

*****

Sometimes the inner demon is not the hardest to beat, because one forgets what the initial intent is anyway.

Today's morning was supposed to start off as a beautiful day. I could sing U2's A Beautiful Day a million times just to keep the upbeat mood alive throughout the day. Then my bag strap - from my less-than-a-year-old metallic green tote - gave way before I reach my office. Since I refused to go home with a red plastic bag full of stuff, The Colleague offered to accompany me to town to shop for a new bag

I've decided to head to Far East Plaza directly. No detours. No distractions.

"Shopping in Singapore is so unexciting," I lamented to The Colleague. I was sure the mental coaxing helped. If only there was a period guarantee.

Now it wasn't a deliberate choice of mine to get the bus to stop behind Ngee Ann City. The Colleague has a Takashimaya shopping voucher to spend and so I suggested us taking a look at her stuff before searching for my replacement bag. My wandering legs took me to the shoe shelves of Anne Klein. Without much thought, I very casually slipped on one half of a black patent wedge on display. And I held my breath. It simply meant the shoes has found its place - my feet.


Now, I've gotta explain myself. I don't buy shoes like it's not a daily affair. (Ask aJ!) If you insist, the last time I went googoo gaga over a three-inch stiletto was on 17 October last year! Now put four months of no-new-shoes and a 50% sale, I didn't need much consideration to make this pair of beauties under 'I NEED THIS' list.

I digress. Anyway the display piece was a size 7-half - somewhat too big for me. Just as I put on the other half, a Caucasian lady was whispering to the salesgirl and pointed to my foot.

"You could have this pair," I slipped the wedges off from my foot, "they're 7 and half."

"Aren't you having them?" she looked surprised that I'm giving up the beauties to her.

I was sure being gracious is the way to go, "Nah, they're a tad too big for me."

I turned around to ask for a size 7 only to find out that the display pair was the last pair! No way. I made sure the salesgirl called every outlet that exists on this island and wah lah! - Isetan Scotts. Double-checking the price tag, I made sure I was seeing the right thing - $125 price tag printed on sticker with 50% hand-written on it.

Me: So Isetan Scotts is offering 50% off too?

Salesgirl: Yap.

I thought life couldn't get any better. Perhaps it's just my luck - it turned out that Isetan Scotts has the wedges in size 6-half (another display piece) and 8. Blardy hell... I shooked my head in disbelief and tucked my size 7 feet into the size 6-half black patent wedges. I didn't care. I love it. I want it. I'll get it.

Me: It'll expand.

Salesgirl: Yes.

Me: Or I could get size 8 and have them altered? If we can alter clothes, leather shoes can be altered too, no?

Salesgirl (looking worried): Erm, no Mdm. I don't think so.

Me: Oh.

So I settled with size 6-half. It'll expand. I grabbed the pen and was about to sign the credit card invoice...

Me: Erm... Shouldn't it be 50% off?

Cashier: Yes. This is after 50%.

She walked to the shoe counter and did a check.

Cashier: Yes Mdm. It's $125 after 50%.

-swallows saliva-

The Colleague looked at me and I returned her look.

-pregnant pause-

Fark... And I put the blue ink down.

I officially own a $125 Anne Klein Maylin Black Patent Leather Peeptoe Wedges - half size smaller than my feet - from the display shelf. If only there was confetti falling from the sky, it would complete my day. I cannot stop wondering if this is my day or just my luck.

And that would include blowing my money on club merchandises. But to be honest, I haven't got a single Man Utd jersey, wrist band, cap or scarf. Maybe if the Man Utd Merchandise store had been opened when I visited Venetian Macau last month, I would have brought the whole damn store back home.

I've been laying my eyes on the club-endorsed luggage since I first saw it in the departmental stores some months ago. There wasn't enough reason for me to bring home another 26" long luggage then when the one in use was still fully functional. The Mother wouldn't approve of it. So I waited, for some sign or 'accident' to happen.

Then the New Delhi trip changed it all; my luggage was damaged during the trip.

I didn't waste much time convincing The Mother that I need a new luggage. A Man Utd endorsed luggage, to be precise. And trust me, it's The Dream Luggage a Man United fan could ever lay hands on.

classic black canvas with embossed club logo

stainless steel wheels for higher endurance

club logo on strong aluminium trolley handle

TSA number lock

I think I've found the near-perfect brand of shoes. *dreamy* Heels, pumps, peep-toes (to be exact).

Karen once laughed at me when I told her my colleagues are dressed in designer brands head-to-toe (well, almost!). Bvlgari earrings; Miu Miu bags; Toy watch; not-in-my-league top and bottoms. Horrible horrible. I thought I was going to be corrupted. Karen said I may well turn into them one day somehow.

It's true. Now my choices of footwear are so much influenced by them. Kat was raving to me her wise choice of buying all her pumps from The Shoe Loft (except that Prada pumps which she used to smack the life out of the moths in Sydney). All the ladies in my office would make their purchases monthly at Shoe Loft like a swarm of locust wiping out the entire corp of wheat. Something with that effect...

I brushed it off.

Then again I couldn't help take a peek at the store when I passed by China Square this noon. With Yann, I excitedly entered my soon-to-be shoe haven. Oh my... I am not one who buys footwear every other week. Sorry, but my feet are too precious for a lousy pair of fake patent leather pumps from Far East Plaza or any other shoe shop that think they are selling wearable shoes. This explains why I don't have a wardrobe full of shoes. But when I get a pair, they better to really really good. Anyway, a pair of patent leather peep-toe caught my eyes.

"I like..." I whispered to Yann "Don't know on sale or not"

I know a pair of shoes is The One right after I slip my feet into 'em. I know. And the feeling is right when I tried the peep-toe on. Absolutely. Gosh they are so right about this... The insoles made of pig's lining softly wrapped around my heel. Nice. Even Yann agreed I should get it right away! But it's not on sale... I furrowed my brows a bit and the rest is history.

"Please speak to my sugar daddy!" I grinned at the sales lady.

"Hi sugar daddy, it's $xx." she smiled at Yann.

Other than keeping a collection of the badges of all the trade events and exhibitions I've been to, I probably do have another indulgence hobby to keep myself occupied!

I thought one classic pair of sunglasses (think: aviator) can last me for a very long time. Like I can gladly dump away all other $39.90 FarEastPlaza bags and stick to one Hermés Birken Kelly bag (if ever I have one!). But I can't. Maybe one pair of shades for casual weekends and one for... corporate Mondays. So I got two. Maybe one for the beach to keep off the sand in the wind and the salty seawater when I go for jet-skiing. So I got three. Maybe one of a lighter shade for not-so-glaring-sunny-days. So I got four. Maybe one oversized gradient lenses more for i-feel-like-being-LA-gLAm-days. And now I'm addicted and cannot help walking past the store without admiring those beautiful shades until the sales assistants chase me away.

If I'm any wealthier, I'd probably own a whole cabinet full of shades and they will be kept behind the crystal-clear glass for all to admire. My first pair is an aviator with tinted skyblue lens and a few stick-on crystals at the bottom corner on one side of the lens - an inspiration from Charlie's Angel the movie. I thought it was cool. And the tinted lens trend came back to fashion last year for awhile, though skyblue may still look a bit tacky... Anyway I hid it away and forgot where it is now.

There should be more than 6 (pictured) if I want to include those I bought for The Mother . Blame it on her - she bought me my first pair of sunglasses when I was in primary school. I would always look up to her in awe as she slides her shades on and stepped out of the house like a true blue taitai awaiting for the paparazzi to furiously snap pictures of her in her oversized shades. -shakes away mental visual-

Yours truly is, by the way, obsessed with Bvlgari's eyewear collection. -ahem- Yes, it is Bvlgari's store assistants who nearly needed to drag me out of the store.

Take for example its basic deisgn - Bvlgari Bvgalri Wraparound. Slick.












My personal fave is the Cicladi Wraparound. Take notice the details at the hinge - Bvlgari-engraved spinning discs. Details details.











I'm beginning to appreciate white frames and Bvlgari's Astrale Acetate (Special Edition ) makes sure I fall in love with the backcome trend.










Now who's afraid that blardy sun?

and condom cases too... Apparantly - according to Miss High-Street Fashionista Karen 'Carrot' Yue. High-End boutique stores like such never seem to run out of ideas to rip our hard-earned dough off from us. LV didn't just stop at useless pen case, it even has shoe care kit! How the fish would I have the heart to dump my seasoned Nike running shoes into a 'completely waterproof and highly scratch-resistant' Monogram canvas that comes with wipe cloth, shoe horn, exclusive Louis Vuitton cream, protective spray, waxing brush and crepe brush???

Hmm, maybe I could...

Gah! As if to compensate for the lack of a COACH bag, Karen succumbed to a woman's most undesirable indulgence by blowing her budget for a... MP3 player holder. From where? The big G. Not Guess! GUCCI DARLING GUCCI! That biatch said 'Yes I hereby take thee to be my lawful MP3 Player Holder' without batting her eyes.

missybrowneyes is an incidental blogger who would gladly start switching to the use of tampons, if she is able to claim ownership of a Louis Vuitton tampon case.

There was a slight dip within when Wanjun and I realised that her friend didn't buy me the Hamptons Weekend Watercolour Stripe Coach Wristlet from the States. Everyone else's order was accounted for except for mine and two other colleagues'. Poor Wanjun felt so bad, but I assured her that all is well if she give up the samples of Coach's new fragrance to us. -evil laughter-

But I'm not disappointed yet because very soon, I'll be going to Paris.

Paris, je vous verrai bientôt!

I cannot make up my mind.

Is it this...


Wiggly Dress
Hypnotic flower pattern sets the illusion of a va-va-vroom silhouette.




















Or this?


Ann Taylor Apple Mint Dress
A demure facade's behind sees a naughty & cheeky nature














Oh did I say what the occasion is? My cousin's baby's one month celebration. But well, -shrugs- I still have one more month to keep my options going. What say you?

I'm singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin', Singin' in the rain

I know my birthday is eight months away and Christmas is not even near but... but it's not a crime to want to get something for myself on the pretext that.. that I NEED a NEW BAG!



Gryson's Saddle Moni in Grey









Is this grey? More like mushroom brown hue, no? Ahh... I can already smell the butter-soft cowhide leather...

I WANT THIS!!!! I WANT THIS!!!! I WANT THIS!!!!

Girl + Clothes + Sale = Utter Lawlessness

Attributes include: hogging the fitting room, constant posing in front of the mirror, quick snatching of those (poor) pieces of cloth

Determining factors are: bargaining percentile & the current vogue
Secondary factors could be: her fave colour? personal fetish for ribbons & laces? or just because everyone else has it?

I may be no blind trend-follower but am certainly one befitting example of an al-cheapo sucker for bargains.













Proudly donning Raspberry Top by Martina Pink (@ Tangs)

[her lousy speakers are blasting Believe Me - Fort Minor]