Archives for November 2018

5 Fab Bags I’m Eyeing

November 27, 2018 by Tina Lee Leave a Comment

I’ve been harping on and on about having a baby so here’s a welcome break! Let’s talk about my favorite topic, designer bags! With a new bebe on the way, getting a designer bag should be the last thing on my mind but here we are.

Not really actively trying to get a bag next year (thinking of skipping 2019 altogether) but if I have money to spare, I would love to add any of these bags to my collection:

Celine Classic Box

Although things unfolded the way they did when I tried sourcing two bags a few months back, I’m still pining for this little beauty. I do believe that once I snag a classic box, my collection would be complete. You ever get that feeling? Lawrd knows I do! I love the simplicity of the Celine Classic box bag, the clean lines, the simple hardware, the fuss-free look of it.

If I had it my way, I’d get the box in the shade burgundy and gold hardware. I feel that this combination enhances the vintage-esque look of the bag. Neutral shades like Camel are also a great shade for this specific design.

I wish I could get a brand new bag but this is quite a pricey purse and I’ve no idea why. It’s a simple bag but somehow, it’s almost as pricey as the Chanel classic flap. Since having a baby, I may have to get a pre-loved one instead of a brand new box. This could be the first time that I’d get preloved anything. I don’t know how to feel about that but as long as the condition is pristine, I’m all for it.

I found three trusted resellers who have the bag in stock, all in mint or “almost new” condition. I’m quite convinced God is testing me. I wanted to get one now but after spending most of my earnings on the baby (and buying two designer bags, like, a couple of months ago), there is just no way that I’ll get another bag at this point. I will be saving up for next year if I could though!

YSL Lou Lou Bag

I am digging the YSL Lou Lou bag, especially the one in small, it’s the perfect size for moi:

Been eyeing this bag since last year! She looks so pretty, no? Yes, it’s a dressy bag but I cannot help but be drawn to the luxurious, quilted leather and the instantly recognizable hardware. I also like the shape of the bag. For a dressy bag, the shape is kinda practical. It looks like the Lou Lou small could hold a lot of stuff. I bet this bag is more affordable than the box bag too (I was right!).

Initially, I want this in burgundy leather with the gold hardware. I don’t know, I love the vintage vibe of burgundy and gold, such an elegant pairing! But I heard about YSL’s hardware issues. Apparently, the all-black/gold hardware are just antique silver hardware covered in a black/gold coating. Worse, these are prone to chipping. No bueno! This made me change my mind, I will go for black leather with silver hardware then.

Incidentally, I passed by the YSL boutique at Shang while shopping for baby stuff but I avoided it like a plague. I wanted to stay as far away from temptation as possible! My husband was low key eyeballing me, sorta waiting for me to step inside the boutique but I was like, NOT TODAY SATAN! then trotted away like a crazy person.

Celine Luggage Nano

I’m still on the fence about this one but again, if it’s the design, I am digging this one too. Initially, the luggage design wasn’t doing it for me until Celine came out with the Nano. Anything mini is sho sho cute. If I could have it my way, I’d like this in black pebbled leather with silver hardware, exactly like the one in the image below. Ugh, so pretty.

The reason why I’m not too keen on getting this bag is the price relative to its size. After getting the Gucci Marmont camera bag, I realized that a small purse might not be the best for my needs. I do like the option of having a small purse and there’s no way that I’d sell my Marmont but I can barely fit my essentials in it. Getting another small purse might not be the best choice as of the moment, which is kind of ironic considering all the bags on this list are relatively smol. This particular handbag is not only petite, it’s incredibly pricey too. Still no clue why Celine bags are as pricey as Chanel’s, can somebody enlighten me?

Givenchy GV3

I do have a soft spot for Givenchy, the quality of my nightingale is amazing! The first bag that I got after I got over LV was Givenchy so I wouldn’t mind getting another one for my collection. None of the classic or newer styles really speak to me until I saw the GV3. It gives me biker chic vibe, something that I’ve been down with for as long as I could remember. I love the bad girl look of it, the chain, the shape, the buckle, what a masterpiece! Goth but in a vintage-y way, so unique-looking!

I like this better in silver hardware although the gold hardware and black leather look nice together as well. I bet I could fit a ton of stuff inside this purse too. I know this purse is expensive, seeing that the purse is always done in two or three different leathers, hahahaha! I haven’t seen any retailers showing this off but I suppose the boutique is carrying this style already? Not really sure because I haven’t been to a Givenchy boutique in quite a while!

Gucci Ophidia Shoulder Bag

This has been on my radar since last year and I’m still pining for it. I’m actually enjoying my Marmont and has been wearing it every chance I get so I think small purses aren’t so bad after all. I dunno, I’m so indecisive about my feelings when it comes to carrying a small purse. Most times I dig it, other times I abhor it.

I adore the Ophidia’s vintage design and the gorgeous details, I love everything about the 90s after all. The only thing that’s holding me back from getting this bag is the monogram material, which kinda goes against my minimalist sensibilities. I feel like I’d have a hard time matching this bag with the right clothes, you know? Still, I love the look of the Ophidia, especially the purse above.

Also, the pointy corners will wear out in no time at all. It’s the reason why I avoid bags with pointy corners, no matter how much I love the design. Fendi’s BTW is a great example.

The Bag I’d Choose is…

If I were to choose which bag to get next year, it’s the Lou Lou! Wait, it’s a toss between a preloved Celine Box and the LouLou in small but leaning strongly towards the latter. I dunno man, I can’t get these bags out of my head! I can see myself wearing the Lou Lou all the time because the shape, size, and the style are just perf. But I don’t know if I’d be completely happy getting this bag first before the Box, what if I end up regretting it?

Again, I’m trying to skip 2019 but I called YSL the other day, cuz, you know, research. I found out that they’ll have fresh stocks of the Lou Lou next month and all the black ones are sold out. They only have light pink and burgundy in stock. I also found out that this bag comes in two types: single chain and double chain.

The single chain was launched first and from my understanding, the double chain was just introduced recently. There is also a top-handle version of the LouLou, I’ve seen it online and it’s so pretty.

Finally, the SA said they won’t be putting the Lou Lou on sale this holiday season because it’s a new model. In case you want to snag this purse for yourself and you’re from the PH, I just saved you a phone call. I also inquired about the price, of course. It’s hella expensive, as expected.

Borealis Crystals: My Experience Ordering from an Online Seller

November 12, 2018 by Tina Lee Leave a Comment

Remember the post I wrote about push gifts? Well, I tapped an indie jeweler to make several rings for me. The rings will be a gift from the husband to commemorate Damien’s birthday.

Now, I know several online jewelers and was lucky that I got to work with a couple of trusted, talented artisans. But since it’s the holiday season, orders were pouring in and they could no longer accommodate more. Damien will come sometime in November and December so I decided to have this project done by a new-to-me seller. You can read all about it here. I chose Borealis Crystals because they posted a beautiful pair of rings in the exact design that I wanted, just as I was looking for a jeweler! That was a serendipitous experience right there, guys.

Borealis Crystals is an online jewelry store owned by a husband and wife team, Jared and Cza. It’s a proudly PWD-run store that specializes in handcrafted, made-to-order gemstone jewelry.

Borealis Crystals: Ordering Online

Ordering online was done via Instagram as per usual. Guys, since getting married, getting pregnant, etc., I discovered a shitload of amazing sellers on Instagram. The platform really made online shopping so easy for me. However, you gotta be careful especially if you are buying pieces of fine jewelry. Always work with trusted sellers.

Initially, I inquired about the rings that they posted. I asked if they do solid gold rings since I was told that those were plated silver. Cza said yes, they do the rings in solid gold also. That’s when I explained that I am looking for the same design for a push gift. I basically went on a long, winding monologue about needing three rings, etc. and being unable to commit to having the set made since Damy isn’t here yet out of curiosity, I wanted to see the quality of their work… and so on. That’s when I ordered one ring made with my birthstone, which is an aquamarine.

The process was pretty standard, I asked for an order form. Cza was kind enough to show me the store’s guidelines as I filled up the order form. Apart from providing my contact details, I also outlined the important features of the ring, the size, the gold grade, the setting, the size of the gem and so on. She asked for the setting design, treatment of the precious metal, etc. Once all of these items were settled, Cza informed me that the lead time is 3 weeks. I made an initial payment (50% of the total cost) and that’s it.

Since I was in the midst of decorating the nursery, I didn’t ask Cza for updates and she didn’t give any. I heard back from her two weeks later, informing me that the ring has been completed. That was a pleasant surprise, the ring came a week early. She also showed me a quick video of the final product. I settled my balance and received the ring, like, three days later. It was such an easy breezy transaction. Overall, Cza was so easy to talk to and she seems like a really cool person. The ordering process was smooth and fuss-free.

Getting the Ring

What I like most about Borealis Crystals is that they’ll send you a picture of the proof of shipping. Back in the day, this was a standard practice. These days, however, most of the online sellers I’ve dealt with, they don’t send out the proof of shipping anymore. You’ll have to ask for updates and even then, they won’t provide the proof of shipping so you just wait and assume that the package was delivered.

After excitedly peeling off the bubble-wrapping, the ring came in this tiny sinamay baggy. The baggy was secured with a ribbon and the tag comes with a handwritten note, which I thought was such a sweet gesture:

So, I literally laughed out loud when I opened the sinamay baggy because inside, there were two freaking flat tops chocs. If you know me, you know that I have a bit of an obsession with flat tops. My husband used to buy me a couple of bags of these as pasalubong from work (he was still the boyf then) and I would go through a bag in one sitting. It’s unhealthy, yes, but dude, flat tops were my jam since the 90s. These little touches, I love them. Certainly a first for me.

Okay, going back to the ring, above is the entire contents of the litol sinamay baggy. The ring came in a tiny, clear, acrylic case. Et voila, here’s the ring:

I thought they did such a great job with the ring. The bezel is quite neat and even as you can see. It’s basically the reason why the shop caught my eye in the first place. The thickness of the band isn’t too thin, it’s just right. The ring isn’t as hefty because it’s a dainty ring although it doesn’t feel cheap either.

The gemstone is clear and sparkly. I hate my birthstone BTW. I feel that it’s such a simple stone compared to, say, a diamond or a sapphire and it dulls so quickly too but it does look pretty when paired with gold, as you can see!

Here’s how the ring looks when worn. I feel that Borealis Crystals’ sizing was accurate. Some jewelers, the sizing isn’t accurate. My fingers grew from a 5.5 to a 7 guys, none of my rings fit these sausage fingers anymore. This ring is a size 7 because I was planning to wear this in my middle finger. Hopefully, once the pregnancy ends, my ring size will be back to normal and I can go back to enjoying my ring collection in peace. Overall, the quality of the ring was great! I feel that the price point is just right, the ring itself seems durable, the gem that they picked was so fine.

If there’s one thing that I’m not too happy about, it’s the size of the gemstone. I did say it was me who chose the size of the gemstone (supposed to be 2 carats) but it looks smaller. I’m thinking about getting a bigger stone and having that set into the ring once I’m ready to order the two other rings.

Final Thoughts

I’m quite happy with the ring I got from Borealis Crystals. I have plans of having the rest of the set done by them. I love the reasonable price points, the handpicked gems, and the level of commitment the owners have when it comes to making these beautiful pieces of jewelry. Cza and Jared were easy to work with, the lead time is pretty good, and the quality of the product is terrific. I wish the size of the gem was bigger but overall highly recommended.

Push Gifts: What are Thooose?

November 3, 2018 by Tina Lee Leave a Comment

Since this is my first pregnancy and I’m a spoiled brat, I will be getting a push gift from the hubs. So what’s a push gift and what is the purpose of it? As the name implies, it’s a gift that a woman gets after literally pushing a watermelon-sized human being out of her lady bits. Us mothers get all the credit for creating life but it seems that’s not enough, we need push gifts, hahahaha!

So you know I love fine jewelry and all so that’s exactly what I will get as a push gift. Most moms tend to buy pieces of jewelry embellished with their baby’s birthstone. That’s what I’m going for but I won’t focus on the baby’s birthstone alone but ours too.

You know I love old English literature, British period films and dramas, etc., so I wanted a classic gemstone ring in a design that’s similar to what Lisa Eldridge sells:

I have worked with different online-based jewelers in the past and I wanted to tap Yani of Little White Pouch for the second time around. I loved the piece that she made for me the first time and the quality was amazing.

Unfortunately, it is the Christmas season and she’s inundated with work. Yani assured me that she will squeeze me into her schedule though I’m not sure if she’s ready to commit (she posted an announcement on her Insta store telling interested clients that she’s out for the rest of the year because she has her hands full)!

This is the reason why I talked to other online sellers. I found a new-to-me online jewelry store, Borealis Crystals. It’s a husband and wife team actually, Cza and Jared, the shop specializes in fine gold (as well as plated) gemstone jewelry. It’s worth noting that the shop is PWD-run, which I thought was an amazing cause. Initially, I wanted to wait until Yani is available again but Borealis Crystals posted some of their recent work and I was impressed by the evenness of the rings’ bezel:

I inquired about the design and they said these rings were for a client and these were done in gold plated silver. I have a feeling the client and I were gunning for the same Lisa Eldridge rings seeing that the client in question had the rings done in the same colored gemstones that Lisa ALWAYS wear:

The two rings that you are seeing in the image above were essentially the reason why Lisa launched a gemstone ring collection! Anyway, I was blown away by the evenness of the bezel. Some bezel rings, sadly, have an uneven bezel and that ruins the look of the ring. I wanted to see the quality of their work in real life but was not ready to order the actual push gift. Push gifts are given when the baby is born and Damy is still baking in utero. I should give birth by the end of November or early December so choosing the birthstone is a little tricky for me.

To satisfy my curiosity, I ordered a ring in my birthstone, which is aquamarine. I was planning to get three rings anyway, one done in aquamarine, another in Amethyst (the hub’s birthstone), and London Blue Topaz (November) or Tanzanite (December) for Damy, all done in solid gold. These rings will commemorate Damien’s birthday as well as represent our little family. I’m a firm believer that all good things come in 3’s!

I was told that the ring will be completed in 3 weeks. I just wired the initial payment and settled the rest of balance once the ring was done. Surprises of surprises, the ring was done a week earlier than anticipated. I should write a separate review about the buying experience just to let you guys know what went down. Anyhoo, the ring came in the mail yesterday and my new bauble was packed in this litol sinamay baggy:

I will post pics of the ring once I complete the review! Have a great weekend, everyone!