Tory Tory Tory

I'm totally inlove with my new Tory flats. I was really hoping to score the silver reva but Lane Crawford only had them in gold and black. I couldn't resist so i got the gold one even if it wasn't my first choice.

No regrets...




I can't wait to have it in silver and black (Yes, im that kind of shopper - If I like something, I usually get it in all colors - terrible terrible habit!). A friend of mine is getting it for me in the States. Now, I have to patiently count the days till my new Tory's arrive.

Abaca, Cebu

Shopgirl was in Cebu last weekend. I tagged along to get away from Manila. But I didn't even have time to hit the beach .. boohoo. We tried to book in Shangri-la's Chi Spa but it was fully booked.. another boo

But the romantic and exceptional dinner in Abaca Resort made up for everything lacking in my quest to make the most out of my quick R&R.

I was eager to share this piece of heaven with all of you. Took some photos for your visual pleasure. Hope the pictures speak for itself. It’s a MUST to dine in Abaca when you are in Cebu.

I give it a 5/5 – no kidding!

Perfect ambiance, delectable dishes, friendly staff, beautiful interior and landscaping – nothing short of perfection.

It’s the perfect hideaway with only 9 guest villas (talk about exclusivity)

** Abaca Resort is featured in Metro magazines June Issue

THE "24 HOUR"

Next on my bag shopping list is definitely Gerard Darel's Silver Python skin bag. Dubbed as THE "24 HOUR" this arm candy is made of precious python skin, coated with a fine layer of silver metal.

I love how the bag is metallic but is not as bling-bling and riveting as other metallic bags this season. And plus points that this baby has no logo or screaming monograms. Don't know why but lately, I've been having some serious issues with brands that have too much logos (ok, except Goyard *snicker*) or bags that everyone just seem to have

**The harder to find, the more I must have it

This Parisian design house has been owned and managed by it's founders since 1971. Charlotte Gainsbourg, GERARD DAREL’s muse, is an accomplished musician, and actress. Her album 5:55 topped French and International charts and she is rapidly becoming one of the industry’s most sought after actresses.

Charlotte's mother is Jane Birkin, more popularly known as the woman who inspired the iconinc Birkin.

PIERRE HARDY

PIERRE HARDY, remember this name because soon you will be coveting everything this man creates. - Bagsnob

A PIERRE HARDY bag was one of the contenders in my quest for a bag purchase in the most romantic city in the world.. PARIS!

I was choosing between a PIERRE HARDY, MARC JACOB’s Stam bag (doesn't matter if it was last seasons "it" bag.. Im all about the style baby!), BOTTEGA VENETA's Intrecciato Veneta, MIU MIU, or BALENCIAGA.

Guess which designer I chose?

It was a tough choice since I could only go home with one big bag purchase (small purses and a clutch here and there are easy on the conscience (and pocket) making these purchases ALMOST guilt- free.

One of three MARIA LUISA shops was solely dedicated to PIERRE HARDY shoes and bags. Maria Luisa is a chic quaint boutique, which carries different designer labels (Think Homme et Femme). So yes, I did spend a lot of time touching, inspecting and drooling over their goods.

I love PIERRE HARDY's simplicity and understated elegance. I love how he DOES NOT smother his bags with logos and unflattering insignias. I love his inconspicuous clean lines and his signature piping.

More on PIERRE HARDY:

Pierre Hardy Shoes began his career with Christian Dior's shoe collection in 1988. Pierre Hardy Shoes was recognized for his achievements and soon was collaborating with Vogue Homme International magazine where he was in charge of the show page, editing and illustration. Since the 1990's, Pierre Hardy Shoes has been very busy with different projects. Pierre Hardy Shoes has been designing the men's and women's shoes collection for Hermes, handing the Art Director of Sequoia, and becoming the professor at the "Ecole Superieur des Arts Appliques". Pierre Hardy also worked as the art director for the "Young Designers International Festival in Hyeres" from 1992 to 1997.

Pierre Hardy Shoes launched his successful, self-titled collection in the summer of 1999 and began his first collection for men in 2001. He then became the creative director for Hermes Jewelry and also designs the shoe collection for Balenciaga. Recently, Nicole Kidman chose his sandals for the Screen Actors Guild Awards and requested custom-made sandals for the Academy Awards ceremony. In October of 2003, the first Pierre Hardy store opened in Paris.

The SECRET

So im sure everyone has heard of THE SECRET.

The book talks about the law of attraction and how our positive thoughts determine our frequency. This frequency works in such a way that the world conspires to get what you want...

" You are a human transmission tower, transmitting a frequency with your thoughts. If you want to change anything in your life, change the frequency by changing your thoughts"

It makes it sound like everything and anything is in our hands.. All we have to do is have positive thoughts = positive frequency!

On a shallow note, true enough.. Last Feb, I couldn't stop thinking about the blue GOYARD St. Louis PM and... Alas, I was able to get it on an unexpected trip to HK.

Actually, once I've set myself to acquire or achieve something more often than not - my goal turns into REALITY.

So ladies, NEVER STOP DREAMING! =)

Im baaaacckkkk!!!!

Im baaaccccckkk!!!!

Where do I begin? I’ve been on a blogging hiatus for almost 2 months and let’s just say that the past 2 months have been the happiest and most interesting 2 months of my life.

I’ve been traveling.. I was out of the country for almost a month – Asia, around Europe and Asia again… You can literally say that I’ve been living in a suitcase, transferring from one hotel to another. Coming home to Manila for a day then jetting off to another country the next.

It was all about packing and unpacking and let’s not forget the SHOPPING! SCRRREEEAAAMMMM!

Milan was the BEST! I was able to visit LUISAVIAROMA - the bags and shoes were to-die-for!!!!!

Of course any trip wouldn’t be complete without a bag purchase … So the bags will make a debut in the next entry =)

Disaster

WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?

Was it just me or did your mouth drop too when you saw this?
Sienna up and about in her pantyhose!
i must admit she has some pretty cute outfits BUT this ONE is just WRONG and totally unexplainable

And the killer legs and pretty face just can't quite justify this

H&M in Hong Kong

Yes, my dear friends, H&M will open their first store in Asia on March 10, 2007 at Queen's Road, Central, HK

Shriek!!!!!!!! Finally, an H&M store within our reach!

H&M is set to open another store in Shanghai Spring of 2007

Here's my shameless open letter:

• Dear Retail Giants in Manila,
  
  Please take this opportunity to consider franchising H&M as they are now willing to expand in Asia.
  
  Filipino’s would love to have H&M alongside Topshop and Zara.
  
  Love,
  Shopgirlmanila
  

Fox Trot

Talk about serious traffic-stopping stilettos
Christian Louboutin’s coming strong spring 2007; this “Fox Trot” Louboutin peep toe is fierce, its strong stance on a too-tall heel, its silver piping highlighting a bad boy black patent leather.

(photo's from the bagsnob)

Christian Louboutin's Yoyo Zeppa slingbacks in nude patent with white raffia platform. Very pretty, though I can imagine how hard it is to keep the white raffia platform - white; especially with the pollution here in Manila

Other drool-worthy Louboutin's

Louboutin's on display at Lane Crawford, HK

Arm candy withdrawals

(photo from NY Times)

• Withdrawal - The act or process of withdrawing, as:
  a. A retreat or retirement.
  b. Retreat of a military force in the face of enemy attack or after a defeat.
  c. Detachment, as from social or emotional involvement.
  d. A removal from a place or position of something that has been deposited.
  e. Discontinuation of the use of an addictive substance.
  f. The physiological and mental readjustment that accompanies such discontinuation.
  

My situation would have to be both c & f.

Yup, you read it right – The thought of losing the Goyard St. Louis bag is giving me nightmares.

Just got back from a Christmas Holiday and I can’t stop thinking about the green St. Louis PM that I so wanted BUT didn’t get to buy. I went back to the store 2 times - thinking, contemplating... Boohoo…

Though now I think I’d rather get the blue one. Whatyathink?

The St. Louis is so ME, it’s functional and big enough to carry my life around.

I’ve lived by the rule my mom taught me – “When shopping and you see something that gives you butterflies in your stomach but you’re not quite sure if you need another bag/ shoes (or if you can’t afford it) put the item on hold and sleep on it, if the next day your stomach still cringes from the thought of it, then it’s time to BUY”

And yes, the bag is haunting me and giving me nightmares. Perhaps, the bag is not meant for me, at least for now… *wink*

Happy New Year everyone!