Bags

What I Got for My Birthday (Of Course It’s a Bag)

April 15, 2021 by Tina Lee Leave a Comment

When I started my bag collection, the plan was to get one bag from every fashion house that I like. So far, that has been the case. I’ve always wanted a Celine box but frankly, I don’t like the bag enough to pay 200K for it. No bag is worth that price, in my opinion. I could get a secondhand bag but each time I tried pulling the trigger, I chicken out. Hearing how delicate the leather is or how difficult it is to use, I just couldn’t justify the price.

So I decided to trawl the vintage market for a Celine macadam Boston bag. I dove deep into the market that, at some point, I got obsessed. I was so close to getting this gorgeous beige Boston bag in pristine condition but the leather handles were a little too dry for my taste so I didn’t get it.

Anyhoo, I then found out that the brand created a fresh collection of maxi-minimalist bags that feature the retro-style Triomphe monogram – inspired by Arc de Triomphe. The monogram is very similar to LV, actually but instead of vachetta leather, Celine’s mono was paired with vintage-y cognac leather trims.

Let me just make it clear that I didn’t get the Celine mono because it looks like LV. In fact, I am no longer wearing my LV monos as much as before. I guess my preferences change every now and then, pretty sure I won’t feel the same in a few months.

There were lots of fabulous bags in the collection but one bag stood out because of its simplicity. It’s the bucket bag! The Celine Triomphe Canvas Medium Bucket Bag, to be precise.

I wanted it in a small size but my contact says it’s sold out. I found a seller that has the Celine Triomphe canvas bucket bag in medium on hand and it’s on sale. Needless to say, I bought the bag.

I did try to resist getting the bag. In fact, I waited for a little less than two weeks to decide if it’s a go. I talked myself out of getting the bag several times and I was sorta winning. But then, I started feeling sad because I had my heart set on this bag. I felt like I had a hard year and I didn’t get a bag last year so I’m depriving myself kind of? I know that’s ridiculous especially since a lot of people had it worse but well.

I finally made up my mind to get the bag. I told myself (several times) that if the bag hasn’t been sold yet, it’s meant for me. And she waited guys, she waited. The vintage Celine Boston that I liked didn’t wait, it got sold after like, a week, and all the while I was thinking back and forth if I should pull the trigger but I’m happy I didn’t because now, I have this one.

About the Bag

Traditionally, bucket bags have a drawstring closure, a design element that I dislike so much because it’s taxing to keep pulling the material every time you’re opening the bag. And when the thing snaps from so much wear, you have to find a replacement pa.

That’s why LV’s bucket bag never appealed to me, I hated the damn drawstrings. The Celine Triomphe canvas bucket bag in medium doesn’t have a drawstring. It has a single snap closure in the middle. Getting stuff in and out is easier and won’t cause too much wear on the material.

I also like the shape because it doesn’t stick out too much when you wear it as a crossbody bag. That’s because the base has a rectangular base, not a round one, another plus for me.

The canvas material is thinner than LV, which is a letdown for me. I thought Celine’s quality would be better. The interior of the bag features a fabric lining while the leather trims are made from calfskin leather.

I love the leather trims, they’re quite resilient but not stiff at all. I think the trims are resistant to water, unlike vachetta. Plus, the color is a nice cognac and not cream like vachetta. I did treat the bag before I stored it just to ensure that the trims are pristine.

The Celine Triomphe canvas bucket bag in medium has no inner pocket inside, it’s just a gaping hole. The straps are attached to the sides and the sides were reinforced with thin leather strips. Overall, the design is quite simple, something that’s very Celine.

The only thing that I am quite wary about initially, was the size. This is a medium and it’s a pretty huge medium. I’m a 5 1′ on a regular day and a 5 2′ on a good day and though I’m pretty chunky at the moment, that bag is still huge.

The gold hardware is a nice touch, it goes so well with the cognac trims and the brown mono print. The hardware feels nice and hefty although there’s not much of it because the design is very simple.

I bought the bag under a layaway term and timed the last payment to my birthday. Unfortunately, around that time, NCR was on the verge of a lockdown so it took weeks to get here.

Pros

The bag is super lightweight: It’s a great one to use if you’re running errands all day and you need a bag that could keep up with your busy lifestyle. I used my Prada Galleria recently and lord, I swear it was heavier than I remember. I love the style, I love my bag, but man, she’s hefty. I let the hubs carry my bag na lang, I don’t imagine letting him carry the Celine Triomphe canvas bucket bag because it’s so light.

Love the retro styling: The reason why I bought this bag was because I was hunting for a vintage Celine bag in a similar monogram. I just love how vintage-y this one looks, it’s such a classic piece!

Simple design: There are no heavy hardware that bog down the functionality of the bag. It’s very easy to wear, easy to use, and heck, easy on the eyes too.

Cons

Doesn’t *feel* like a designer bag: The canvas material is so thin, it’s too lightweight. I know it’s a designer piece but it doesn’t feel like it at all. I know I overpaid for this bag.

Quality could be better: I am seeing a bit of unevenness in the stitching on the inside where the leather straps are attached. I wish this part was more even. No it’s not fake, the seller is trusted and I know how to spot a fake naman. I feel like the brand pretty much just slapped on an archived design and called it a day.

Basic design: There are no bells and whistles to speak of. The simple design can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your preference. I like it but I am missing some things that are often associated with luxury bags, like fancy hardware, some heft, or at the very least, a nicer interior lining.

I feel like Celine isn’t as high-end as other high-end brands like, Fendi or Givenchy talaga because I can feel the difference in the construction of the bag. But then again, this bag is cheaper compared to the higher-tier Box Bag. perhaps the quality of the most expensive Celine bags are better than these revival pieces like the Celine Triomphe canvas bucket bag in medium? Who knows.

About the Seller

I bought the bag at The Bag Hub, a Pasig-based designer leather goods company with a strong IG following. The experience was okay, the folks were nice. I was planning to get the bag in person at their office because I used to frequent the place but the lockdown happened and the bag was shipped to me after the restrictions were eased.

The bag came with the original paper bag, the dust bag, a tag, and the bag itself. No care cards but that’s fine.

So to sum up, I like the Celine Triomphe canvas bucket bag but I feel like I overpaid for it. Do I regret the purchase? Slightly but only because I feel that the bag only got prestige because of the brand name, not because of the flawless quality. Still, I would happily tote Ms. Thang on my next milk tea date with the hubs.

Bag Care and Maintenance: How I Clean My Bags

November 27, 2020 by Tina Lee 1 Comment

I haven’t used most of my bags during the quarantine for obvious reasons, I rarely ever go out. Now that the contagion is somewhat contained, we’re starting to see businesses opening up and there are now reasons to go out – although we only do so when absolutely needed.

There’s been a lot of construction going on in our house right now. After the bathroom renovations, we are getting our garage ceiling fixed which means the kids are sleeping at grandma’s house. Now that we have more time to ourselves, I’ve decided to finally clean my bags. I haven’t cleaned them in over a year guys.

Granted, most of my bags could pass off as brand new. I am very, very careful with my bags and I know how to take care of them properly.

Here is my entire collection:

As you can see, I love blue bags, hahaha!

To clean my bags, I use the traditional process of clean, condition, and protect. I use these products:

Step 1: Clean

I start with the Collonil Clean + Care – it’s a foamy leather cleaner that lifts dirt and grime off leather materials. It’s a lovely product, very light and very effective. In fact, this was the only product that was able to remove the stubborn leftover jean stains off my vachetta leather. Prior to using Clean + Care, I used two different Collonil products to remove the leftover stains to no avail. This was able to remove the stain completely, it was amazing!

Pump about a dollar size of the foam on a soft clean cloth. Apply directly on the leather material and work that ‘ish in. You’ll start seeing the cleaning cloth getting dirty as you work the product in but there’s no color transfer unless you are removing the jean stains.

Step 2: Condition

I used to have the Delicate Cream and I use it to condition my leather bags but when I ran out, I bought the more potent cream – reinigungs creme.

According to Collonil PH, this product is meant to clean and condition the leather material. I use it mainly to restore the suppleness of my bags. I store my bags in our bedroom and most times, the AC is on so the leathers tend to dry out much faster. This cream adds moisture to the bags without the shine.

The cream is quite heavy and it smells lemony. Just apply directly onto the leather. I don’t apply too much because I don’t want the bags to feel greasy although this dries down completely.

Step 3: Protect

One of my favorite Collonil products is the Carbon Pro, an aerosol-based waterproofer because it protects delicate leathers from liquid spills! I first used this on my Nightingale and then on my pristine vachetta leathers and it worked like a charm. What’s so amazing about this waterproofer is that it does not leave unsightly streaks. Of course, don’t apply too much because you don’t want to oversaturate the material with the stuff.

Thanks to Collonil Carbon Pro, I was able to finally buy a neutral bag! I used to avoid light-colored bags because of the jeans stains (I was always in jeans and I wear black trousers most of the time). The product won’t stop jeans stains but it acts as a barrier so that when you clean the bag, the jeans stains lift right off.

I usually apply two coats of Carbon Pro so yeah, I spend a lot of money on this waterproofer. I apply the first coat, leave the bag to air dry and then wait until the next day to apply the second coat. This way, I’m sure that the material is evenly coated with the stuff.

Storing My Bags

Maintaining the Bags’ Shape

I don’t have a walk-in closet – hehehe – so I just store my bags in my closet. I fill the bag with crumpled tissues, rolled tees, anything to stuff the bag to retain their shape. Then, I store them in their dust bags but I make sure that the handle is not in contact with the body of the bag. This is super important, sometimes the extra pressure from the handle leaves a mark on the bag itself. This is especially true for the LV mono and the Prada Galleria.

My Galleria, in particular, is prone to sustaining marks because of the soft leather so this one is always sandwiched between two structured bags to keep its shape. The handles are also stored upright. I do this by kinda twisting the dustbag strings around the handles.

Lots of Silica Packets

I then add at least two bags of silica packets inside each bag and within the dustbag. I also filled two small rayon baggies with more silica packets for good measure and stored these in my closet. THEN, I also bought several big bags of charcoal dehumidifier bags and set them near the packed bags. You really want to minimize humidity to avoid mold growth guys. Super important!

… and basically that’s it. I try to air out my bags at least twice a year. This year, my bags were neglected but they’re still good as new with zero trace of molds because they were stored properly!

Bag Talk: Mystic or GV3?

March 25, 2020 by Tina Lee 1 Comment

Let’s ignore the apocalyptic crap for a moment and talk about bags, shall we?

I will definitely be abstaining from getting a designer bag this year because, hello, baby number 2, but! I can’t seem to get Givenchy bags off my mind, specifically the GV3 and the Mystic bag.

Mystic

GV3

When worn:

I mean, they look so good! And yes, I’m really digging the camel color right now.

Honestly, I am gravitating towards the Mystic bag but I have a similar shaped bag already and I feel like it could a bit too boxy against the body. I love the GV3 initially but the suede sides, I don’t know.

Before the contagion happened, I was planning on snagging a bag in June or July, just in time for the mid-year sale but now, everything’s up in the air.

How are you, btw? Watching anything good on Netflix while passing the time? I’d love a good K-drama reco, let me know!

Reveal and Review: The Balenciaga Bazar Shopper

September 25, 2019 by Tina Lee Leave a Comment

As promised, here is a review of the Balenciaga Bazar Shopper. I’ve been wearing the bag frequently and I am enjoying the experience.

The Bag: Balenciaga Bazar Shopper XS

The Balenciaga Bazar Shopper tote was launched in 2016 for the house’s Fall/Winter collection and it certainly perplexed fashionistas because of the inspiration behind the design: Thailand’s ubiquitous sampeng bag. It’s literally inspired by a market bag, guys.

This bag comes in so many colorways, most of which are quite colorful. I’m not into colorful bags at the moment so I had my eye on the color and black combo. Since that’s nowhere to be found, I opted for the sky blue and gray combo, close enough.

My bag comes in XS aka the Mini size. I believe the bazar shopper comes in five sizes – but don’t quote me on that – the XXS, XS, Small, Medium, and Large. I usually don’t like bags that stand too tall and since the Bazar’s lambskin material softens over time, the larger sizes lose their structure even more. The XS is more structured so it doesn’t lose its shape.

Also, the small size is too big for me. I’ve been wearing mini bags as of late and the small is too dang clunky to wear, I can imagine. I also don’t like the way the top slouches when you put a lot of stuff in the bag so I opted for the cuter size.

The Quality

The inspiration behind the Balenciaga Bazar is a cheap market bag and I feel that the design reflects that. No, the bag does not look cheap but it emulates that aesthetic if that makes sense.

For starters, high-end designer bags tend to have tone-on-tone stitching. That’s not the case with the Bazar, the stitching is white against the black leather trims and the white thread stands out – a little too starkly, to be honest. That’s part of the look.

The stitches are also fewer than the usual, just 4 stitches per inch, which is supposed to “mimic the inexpensive craftsmanship that you would find in a traditional market bag.” That’s not to say that the bag isn’t durable. The seams are reinforced so the cheapened appearance is just that, for appearance.

The Bazar is crafted from supple lambskin, which might’ve been treated to achieve its somewhat glossy, crinkly finish. This is the first time that I’ve touched lambskin leather and it feels so nice. I sort of understand the hype over lambskin Chanel classic flap now. The material is thinner than any of my calfskin leather bags for obvious reasons but the lambskin reduced the weight of the bag. It’s so fucking lightweight.

The striped leathers were stitched together to create the “body” of the bag, which also adds to the durability of the purse. As far as the quality goes, the Bazar is one sturdy bag.

The Details

The bazar has palladium hardware. As much as I love gold hardware, I think the silver hardware looks better in this particular colorway. I like the quality of the leather, it does feel durable but is so freakin’ lightweight. All of my bags with the exception of this one are all made from calfskin. The bigger ones can be hella heavy at times. No such problem with the Bazar XS.

I love the strap, the length is just right. I can wear it as a crossbody or shoulder bag and the Bazar does not look awkward at all.

Although light, the strips of leather are actually reinforced – especially the bottom! The Balenciaga Bazar has two zippers, which I thought was a great touch. The zips do not glide as smoothly as I would like, however, but that’s just a minor thing, not a deal-breaker at all.

This is the third mini bag in my collection and honestly, there is nothing mini about it. It’s a sizable bag for sure. It fits my makeup pouch, my continental wallet, key holder, wet wipes, and even my foldable umbrella.

Even when filled to the brim, the Balenciaga Bazar still has room for more on either side of the interior. Both sides have size pockets for more stuff, one’s an open pocket and the other one’s a zipped pocket. If you love the look of mini bags but you’re not used to the cramped space, you will definitely love the Bazar!

The Cons

The hardware feels light. It’s not flimsy at all, don’t get me wrong, just light. I’m so used to my other bags having hefty hardware, I guess. Also, I feel that the top part of the bag that zips up will soften and deform at some point. The extra flaps get in the way when I get my stuff in and out and if I use the bag often, these parts will be the first to deform.

Mod Shots

Final Thoughts

In all honesty, this is one of the best bags I’ve purchased. Don’t let the size fool you, the Balenciaga Bazar is one roomy tote. It’s stylish with a classic shape, the color combination is sooo cool, and it makes any outfit pop. Even when full, the Bazar mini is able to hold its shape, something that’s not possible with its bigger siblings. I favor structured bags and the bigger Bazars are definitely slouchy so I feel that I got the perfect size.

AuthenticBags4Sale: My Experience Ordering from a Personal Shopper

September 23, 2019 by Tina Lee Leave a Comment

Well that didn’t take long, did it? I mentioned a blog ago that the next bag on my list is the Balenciaga Bazar Shopping Tote in XS. I had a particular colorway in mind but sadly, it’s no longer available anywhere. I wasn’t *actively* searching for the bag but one of the online sellers that I follow on Insta was posting Balenciaga bags and I felt compelled to ask if she has it in stock.

She said that her EU partner could search for the bag and that she will give me an update. I heard back from her later in the evening and she said there is a bazaar with a similar colorway to the one that I wanted, asking if I’d like to get it:

Do I want this bag? Do I want it? I’ve only been searching for her for what it felt like forever! Yes, please!

Ordering Online: The Buying Experience

Yes, the name of the shop is generic-sounding and trust me, the fear of being scammed was real. I actually understand why she named her shop AuthenticBags4Sale, it was done for SEO purposes. And it works for her shop so there you go.

I noticed that unlike other sellers, Ms. Cza does not depend on celebrity endorsements. I thought that was refreshing. Most, if not almost all, of the shops I follow would either post pics of celebrities praising their shops, celebrities wearing their goods and tagging them, or snapshots of celebrities “following” their shop to add credibility to their business.

I’ve no problems with this practice but I feel that some sellers tend to get too full of themselves after getting a lot of praises from celebs.

Ms. Cza posts all the client feedbacks she gets on her insta-shop but she doesn’t make a big deal out of celebrity raves. I don’t see them at all, actually. Ms. Cza has been in the biz since 2013 and though I followed her insta-shop for years, it was only now that I got something through her.

I will write a separate bag review soon!

Getting the Bag

The entire transaction was smooth, Ms. Cza is so nice, unlike some personal shoppers that I’ve dealt with before. Essentially, I paid a downpayment once the order was confirmed and the balance was paid until the bag arrived in the PH.

This deal was strictly done online, I don’t think Ms. Cza has a showroom. As soon as I paid the bag in full, the bag was shipped to me the next day. It was so fast, guys. I was expecting the bag three to four days after I paid but it came the next day. Ms. Cza and her team are no fool.

The bag was packed in a sizable cardboard box. It was bubble-wrapped and was packed with care. The paper bag was folded neatly underneath the bubble-wrapped bag and the rest of the inclusions were inside the bag itself.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the entire transaction was easy breezy. Ms. Cza is amazing and her team is awesome. I was so happy with the way the entire deal went that I’m thinking of buying other bags through hMs. Cza na lang. She’s so easy to talk to and the bags are legit, make no mistake, so I highly recommend her.

And yes, the bag is the real deal, it was obvious. That’s precisely the reason why I’d like to buy from Ms. Cza again and again. All the stuff she sells are available on layaway too, so this is the perfect time to snag your dream bag.