Yay or Nay -- Proenza Schouler PS1 Large Linen

Everyone knows how I love the Proenza Schouler PS1 Messenger and how I've been tirelessly persuading the duo to come up a version for guys. I guess the message never got to them, or they're just being stubborn. 

On the verge of tripping into 2011, my need for a PS1 continues. I spotted this linen version from the Spring collection at AlohaRag, a website based at Hawaii that carries indie brands from Proenza Schouler to Rick Owens. The description on AlohaRap calls this PS1 bag a large version, which I think is the perfect size for a guy. But the PS online shopping site calls this a medium and is around $200 cheaper (Not very Aloha for AlohaRag). 

I decided to forgo this one and calm myself back to my desperate wait for a bona fide PS1 bag for men

But I can't help wondering what if *********** 

So what do you guys think?  

I Can't Get Enough of You -- Little Prada Gifts That Make Life Wonderful!

Prada Iconic Sail Boat Key Chain

Edward and The Prada Valentine "Mistress"

Prada 2008 Olympic Games Limited Edition

 Below: the most practical wallet that I ever owned

To quote Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory:" What's life without a little whimsical?" He was referring to the umbrella carrying adhesive ducks on his bath tub. (yes, I'm a big fan of big bang) These are the whimsical "ducks" of mine.

Each of them reminds me a moment of joy: the moment when I received it from a friend; the moment when I spotted under a pile of discounted accessories at a outlet store at Hong Kong; the moment while I was in Beijing during the 2008 Olympic Games.... It's these little surprise that makes life wonderful.

The fuss-free wallet is on sale at Barneys.com 

Happy Holiday to My Mom, Round 1 -- Bottega Veneta Houndstooth Intrecciato Tote

Another of my many obsessions is getting my mom, one of the two most important people who care me probably even more than as I care about them, the finest and the most beautiful things in the world. She's the only person that I admire and her life story is the only book that I'll never get bored reading.  

I do sometime get overboard with buying her presents, according to my taste, especially around holiday season. But nothing makes happier than watching her enjoy all the luxuries because she deserves them all. 

This Bottega Veneta Houndstooth Intrecciato Tote is from past season, probably fall 2009. I was reluctant to get it for her because of the larger than life price tag. I knew she'd be mad if she ever found out the price. I somehow bumped into this bag during a recent visit to the BV flagship store at New York, and it is still displayed on the shelf with a price tag of about $2600. It was just brutal for a tote bag, even with the heavenly pattern and shape. 

So I turned to the almighty eBay, the best place to shop for past season goodies. And surprise, surprise! I found a brand new one with almost 70% off! What a miracle! 

The one thing that I just can't resist from this bag, besides the houndstooth intrecciato, is the distorted shape. A laid back and casual shape that is already fixed into the leather trim, no matter how you carry it. I've never seen any craftsmanship like this :) 

If you're on the edge of freak out for last minute holiday shopping, check out the Cruise collection on BottegaVeneta.com. 

They're also available at following on-line retailers:

NeimanMarcus.com

Netaporter.com

SaksFifthAvenue.com

Since I won't be able to give it to her until February, the Chinese Spring Festival, I might carry it myself for a while :) 

Let it Snow Let it Snow -- Band of Outsiders + Sperry Limited Edition Chukka

The first snow scattered DC today, with sizzling rain afterwards. Most people are upset for the sudden temperature drop, but I'm just so happy to bring out this Chukka boots, also called Turf boots, from a continuous collaboration between Band of Outsiders and Sperry Top Sider.

The shearing and the suede surface make it ultra light and comfortable. The crepe sole, a signature style for Chukka, is so thin and soft that it's like wearing a Christmas stocking. You can wear it with tongues sticking out or utilizing the extra eyelets to lace it up as a ankle boots.

I like how the model is styled with this particular boots in Band of Outsiders 2010 lookbook. Very boyish and fun. I hope I could pull of a pair of sweatpants like that: casual but stylish...

If you like the collaboration, you should definitely check out RevolveClothing.com or SperryTopSider.com for more styles :)

Source: gq.com

Weave Me A Dream -- Bottega Veneta 2011 Cruise Collection

 My Little Fragile Heart Stopped A Beat When I Saw this Beauty (below) 

and continued to tremble 'n tremble ~~
Lagoon Nero Faded Vintage Calf Tote 

I prefer luxuries that are quiet and subtle. And the experience of appreciating these beauties can be so uplifting. No rampant monograms that are so determined to invade the world, or "dusty" logo that has lost its gloss on their way to mass production.  What's the signature "logo" or " monogram"  of Bottega Veneta? The fine craftsmanship of intrecciato woven leather; the iconic shape and heavenly colors; the dedication to real luxury: perseverance in its traditional handiworks against mass production, just to name a few..

The Lagoon Nero Faded Vintage Tote from BV's cruise collection illustrates the essence of a BV bag: the intrecciato, the soft calf leather with colors out of this world,  and the inimitable shape. And the craftsmanship:

This wide, muscular tote is made of thick, smooth calf and distinguished by a degrade fade. A "vintage" texture is created by adding a top layer of darker color which is wiped off, beautifully accentuating the natural pebble grain. 

So beautifully touching ~~ Can't wait to fondle them one by one - -!

And the 2010 BV Ad campaigns are the best of all, and you'll spot my Intrecciato VN briefcase:) 




Source: Bottega Veneta 

Retro Redux -- Prada Navy Cropped Peacoat from Fall Winter 2010

The last bit of green before Winter smears

My beloved Balenciaga Patch Sneaker 

Delicious Eye Candy: Prada Fantasy Look Book of 2010

What more can I say? It's Prada. The heavenly grains on its most coveted Saffiano leather says it all: the history of bold innovation, with nostalgic revisiting of classics. A fancy monogram or a notable logo doesn't even qualify you as a "status symbol", a term only for Prada. It's the spirit of persevering in breaking down and reformation that made Prada Prada. 

I guess there's alway a special place for Prada in everyone of us, a place that admires and appreciates the boldness and the imagination, not necessarily a place that usually impulses us to buy. Many of its collections are just too beautiful for ordinary life. Just like their renowned fantasy look-book, these clothes are made for fairies at wonderland. You'll probably need some pixie dust to pull it off~~ 

The fairies do come down occasionally and let us ordinary people join the party. A wardrobe seemingly retro-inspiried, but since its Prada, it's never real old. Techno fabrics, reinvented proportions, and those big comfy knit collars are only a few tricks get you fascinated... I'm still enchanted, are you? 

The Prada US online store is finally here! Check out their Holiday gift collection :) 

Burberry Prorsum on Gilt.com -- Grey Melange Color Block Pullover from Summer 2010

Skeptical as I am, I often find myself fell into all kinds of sales traps. The classic "limited edition or limited time offer" is the one that breaks my purse strings again and again. Here's another trap that we're so sickly-happy to fell into: the most successful of all on-line sample sales site, Gilt.com.

I've been a member since its founding and contributed my fair shares to its growth. It has become my lunch time ritual to check my email and to find out what designer brands are on sale. I got very excited whenever there is Jil Sander, Burberry Prorsum, Marni, or Band of Outsiders, just to name a few. These are among my favorite names that the site often carries. Limited stocks and limited time slot for shopping can really push your buy buttons until you smash your piggy bank into pieces.

The site is a great place for treasure hunting for past season pieces that you missed. But I have to say the price is not always "past season". Many of its collections can be found on my favorite on-line outlet store Yoox.com, and a bit cheaper too~~

I also like to browse their products for home and design. I've bought many gifts such as designer linens, porcelains, and toys. If you need ideas for gifting, go check out their very inclusive gift stocks!

These two pieces are actually from one of their blow-out sales for Burberry Prorsum. I was so thrilled that I was able to grab these two before anyone else. The grey melange shirt is perfect for the coming winter and the fitted long sleeve is great for working as a motorcycle glove. See, I told you. They do sometime have products worth the fuss! .... Oh, please don't get in my way when they stock Burberry Prorsum.... I get C-R-A-Z-Y ~~

Dior Homme Napa Leather Duffle Bag -- Nappa Nappa So-pa Soft-a

This is the bag that got me through the whole Summer and now it's time for it to rest. Made of genuine napa calf leather, the bag feels as soft as your most intimate area (wherever that is). Effortless minimum design and the versatility makes it great for everyday use. The bag can be carried cross body or on shoulder as a messenger bag. But I prefer hang it on my shoulder and let the bag just reaches my upper torso (reaches the side of upper torso, or say, rib). Is there a name for that kind of bag? Anyway, it looks very relaxed and masculine, although many women's bags are carried this way.

I don't like heavy-duty bags for Summer. This is more of the toss 'n pick-up type (soft, but very durable since it's napa leather). I like the way it looks when it's not stuffed. It's like a big black fortune cookie (or wonton) that transforms its shape accordingly to your movements...

I've long lost interests in Dior Homme bags since the golden days of Hedi Slimane and I'm having a dry spell for its clothing line too. I still remember the thrill'n chill the first time I met the iconic Deville Bag.... ohh .... the good old days ~~

Fun fact: the napa leather a special sun tanned grain leather, a method originated at Napa, California. Yes, where the wines also come from :)

Another version of this bag is still available at Saks.com