Meet Miss Vintage CC

When I go shopping, I love lugging my sister with me; whenever I am about to buy something on impulse, she will talk me out of it with her “if you don’t buy this, you can save up to buy a Chanel” - and that probably stopped me from impulsively splurging like 1,000,000 times.

Ever since I started work in Jan’09, I have invested in 2 Chanel bags. I know what you’re thinking. How on earth did I manage to buy 2 Chanel bags within a year given that I’m not a lawyer or a banker, but just an average fresh graduate.

Beats me.

But, lo-and-behold. These 2 babies have really been a great investment. I purchased my 2.55 a month before the price hike, saving me at least $500. I am also thankful that I grabbed it before the craze started. As for my East-West, it was a 2nd hand buy from my sister - she was investing in another Chanel piece and wanted to sell it to a dealer - ha! Grabbed it before that dealer had a lucky find!

And now, introducing my 3rd love. Meet my first vintage Chanel. And probably my first vintage item…

Miss quilted classic flap in bronze lambskin and gold hardware. She was produced in the 90s and must have been owned by a careful buyer, because she is in such pristine condition, she looks absolutely new!

The best Christmas present that my sister has ever bought me! Love, love, love.

What’s in the dust bag?

Mmm, CC spotted! It’s vintage. Note the CC embossed on the lock. Newer bags don’t have these anymore.

Voila. Ain’t it gorgeous? I love it. Look at the sheen. Can’t believe this baby is more than 10 years old!

Another look at this baby. I’ve never owned a lambskin before, so I’m a bit wary of how to baby it. After all, I never did baby my 2,55 or East West.

And for now, meet the current family of CC bags.

Love the dose of colour. Thanks sister! Perhaps one day I ought to take photos of my sister’s entire CC bag collection. She has more than I have.

For now, I’m crossing my fingers to add one more to the collection.

Blessed Christmas folks!

Shall upload a recipe soon!

Chanel Cruise Collection 2010

Chanel Cruise Collection is ready in stores.

The accessories collection seems to draw its inspiration from the Byzantine times.

Unfortunately, I’m more incline to my Asian roots, so this season’s accessories collection didn’t speak as boldly to me as their Fall collection’09 where they included Jade into the accessories.

But, here are some pieces from the collection for you to oogle at.

The bangles:

The necklaces:

The earrings:

But the bags, they are screaming my name…

I like their small leather goods as well.

The copper blue is a definite hot seller.

Animal Prints

On Saturday, I squeezed in some time to browse TopShop’s new collection. I was instantly attracted to this animal printed tee. The moment I grabbed it off the shelve I was like, “Woah… What has gotten into you Val? 10 Years ago, you would have said that this reminded you of garish aunties who heart their leopard prints.”

Shucks, does that mean… I have aged? How horrifying!

A week ago, I was still dissing my sister’s strange passion for stripes and plaits. Gosh, the sailor stripes is as passe as balloon skirts. Someone please tell the fashion house to stop making pretty dresses ugly by putting elastics at the hem! It annoys me so. I have something against plaits too so I told my sister to quit wearing plaits to avoid looking 10 years older or to risk being mistaken for being a farmer.

Anyway, in less than a minute after grabbing the tee, I convinced myself that the look will be alright, as long as I matched it with skinny jeans and swing my 2.55. Just do not pair them up with clashing tights or leopard prints.

Alas, the material and the cut of the tee could not convince me to part with my money.

So it went back to the shelf. But for now…. Doesn’t the other printed tees look fabulous?

Alright, I’ll compromise… I think this Tee on the left is the winner. After the surge in interest with Coco Chanel. It seems that motifs with Paris prints is back in fashion once more.

Pair it with tights and rock it with high heel boots. Throw on studded bangles.

Now that’s a look I really like.

Christmas Buys

Christmas is my favourite time of the year.

I’ve bought all my cards, have thought about what I’m going to give to my friends this year, and am in the process of planning parties.

Christmas is also a fantastic time for self-indulgent, as all merchants flood you with their Christmas specials.

I simply heart Shu Uemura and their Tsumori Chisato collection. Love the cute kitty.

I was also pretty tempted to stock up on some body shop gems. I have this thing about buying their hand wash. And their Christmas limited edition hand wash seems so divine.  They even have it in almond!

And I really love their body butter. Although I have to say I use it quite differently from most people. I pamper my feet with them. My favourite is grape fruit.

And let’s check out one of my favourite have-it-all store, Muji…

The recycled kimono collection makes good presents for friends.

Moving along to fashion bites, Miss Self Fridge stocks up on some awesome clothes. Where fierce and girly chic mix.

But this Christmas what I really want to stock up on….

Are these…

From Nars:

Their blush in Orgasm, concealer brush, and small domed eye or eye contour brush.

On the lighter note, I was rather tickled that Nars actually came up with this gift set.

From Jill Stuart:

I hope that the perfume smells as nice as it looks. And the blusher simply oozes cuteness.

Booties Unite!

One of the fashion statement that eludes me is the booties. I can’t carry off these fierce looking shoes to save my life - it makes my ankle look swollen and turns me into a buffalo.

Some shoes I reckon, are just meant to be for some and not others.

I’ll just stick by trusty dainty 4 inch stilettos and pour studs over them instead.

But in the mean time…

Booties from Neiman Marcus.

Delicious, delicious, delicious….

Naomi meets Safari

It’s rather unfortunate that I’ve fallen sick… Even though the doctor says that it is the seasonal flu, I’m still feeling pretty bummed.

So, in between taking medication and snoozing away, I spend some time flipping through the stack magazines on my table. And came across these awesome pictures of Naomi.

A cheetah and a croc? No wonder Naomi is one of the reigning models in the world, despite her reputation as a diva.

All pictures were taken from Bazaar Magazine Oct’09.

F-e-i-r-c-e!

Chanel Reissue Tragedy

My sister alerted me to a disturbing news. It seems that the House of Chanel is up to their tricks again.

It is apparent that they want to focus on producing the CC Classic Flaps handbags and will not produce as many Reissues. Being a true Reissue fan, I’m utterly distraught.

Since the reissue was re-released in 2005 to mark Chanel’s 50th anniversary, it has won the hearts of many. With its dainty Mademoiselle lock, user-friendly chained-straps and distressed look, it wasn’t difficult to see why the Reissue struck a firm friendship with its fans out there.

I had originally planned to acquire a Jumbo Reissue in a light colour sometime in the next two years. That will add depth to my current collection of Sisters Matt Black 2.55 and Black East-West. It does not only allow me to carry more stuff during the day’s activities, it also colours up my outfit.

Alas, my dream may never materialise - with the craze of sudden purchases from all its fans out there! I heard that Matt Black 2.55 is hard to get in quite a lot of places. (Thankfully I purchased mine already, before the price increase and before this crazy hunt)

What a sad piece of news for the day.

Can you imagine the resale price of the Reissues? But, no way am I parting with mon bebe.

What tragedy.

Hermes Cuff Bracelet

Some accessories are meant to last a life time, and kept as heirloom.

Hmmm… The lure of Hermes.

Hermes gold-plated cuff bracelet with white enamel taken from my sister’s wardrobe.

Chanel Surprises

Lo and behold. People breathe!!!

I have no idea whether to count myself lucky or what, but I actually… got it!

The jade is a little lighter than I had expected, but it’s okay because if it were any greener, it might be harder to match clothes. I have another pair of mini jades and when paired with certain clothes I look like a tai-tai when I wear them, so I need to be very careful.

Anyway… on the long story of how I clinched this beauty.

I walked into Chanel with my sister, and as a usual practice, we asked to look at the costume jewellery. So the SA took out two trays full of earrings, and as we were scanning, I IMMEDIATELY spotted this pair of earrings, grabbed it, and asked for a new pair. The SA told me that it was a new pair because they had only put it in the tray for 30 minutes. (It was so new, they hadn’t even had the time to key it into the system).

I was so excited, I asked the SA why did they have this piece once more - because another SA had told me no new shipments will come in for this pair of earrings. Apparently, this was sourced from overseas, and they just had one pair to spare.

As I was trying on the earrings, I was partially afraid that someone will come and say they want to try the earrings too. But thankfully, they were interested in the interlocking CCs only.

My sister on the other hand, was pretty happy with her purchase. I like her purchase too! I’m so lucky to have a sister who loves Chanel - wait, she was the one who exposed me to Chanel. ;P

Here’s what she got (PS: I don’t really drink, they are just presents from my friends):

CC earrings with crochet rabbit that I bought from Teddy Thotz.

It is a spring summer collection, and we have seen it sitting in the tray since the beginning of the year. Never realised that it was this pretty till now. So what we have learnt from this episode is: 1) if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. 2) always try the accessories no matter how big they look, because they just might look fantastic on you.

Bliss…

Co Co Cocoon and Lily Allen

Lily Allen is the latest muse of Chanel. And the first Chanel collection that she is featured with is the Co Co Cocoon bag.

Soft, slouchy, quilted, and space-age looking; the Cocoon bag is a tad like the Chanel shoppers’ bag from the Cruise collection that was sold in stores early this year. I am not exactly a big fan of the shoppers’ bag, since it is a  bit soft and seems too delicate for me to throw my 101 shopping things in - I rather lug my hardy Neverfull around for such occasion.

I have to admit though, the Cocoon bag is a way much better spin off - or improvement would you say - from that of its predecessors. In particular, I quite like the quilted ones. It seems appropriate for a leisure lunch out with girlfriends and comfy enough to go travel shopping with.

Nonetheless, I”m an all-time big fan of the 2.55 and the East-West bag regardless, and my loyalty stays sealed.