...storage?

It's obvious from the number of blog posts about handbags and purses that I have a problem. Not a shopping problem, a storage problem!

I currently store my bags in a Ikea Billy bookcase in our bedroom. And you can see I'm already stacking vintage Guccis and Roots, Fraudas, prized Coach classics, Banana Republic and Rudsak bags that really must be treated with more respect. I've already moved the the larger bags to Rorygilmore's room (she is away at school), but even then I feel these lovelies deserve a better showcase.

Can you suggest any better solutions? Where do you store your handbags?

...shop your closet

Club Monaco's latest collection

Club Monaco's latest collection is classic. So classic in fact, that it turns out I already have many similar items in my closet. Consider the picture above, and what I dug up in my closet:

JCrew cashmere coat, $129, purchased online, Jan 09
H&M white silk dot blouse + scarf, $25, Feb 07

Gap Always Skinny black jeans, $35, April 10

Marc by Marc Jacobs purse, $400, purchased from Bloomingdale's Orlando March 10 spring break

Club Monaco gold driving gloves, $30, Nov 09

Franco Sarto leopard mary janes, $60, Winners August 10

Not exactly the same but just as good or better, IMO. Best still, I didn't have to spend a penny because instead of going to the mall, I shopped at home.

Being the compulsive shopper that I am, I couldn't stop. I found other former wardrobe faves that I'd almost forgotten, but now look forward to wearing this fall. Many brought back fond memories of where and when I bought them. (Note: I took these pictures in my ensuite bathroom, and added the 'Keep Calm' poster for fun.) You'll notice I used the same skinny black jeans to style, but any old slim black pants will do. And with most fall outfits, it all starts with the jacket.

Michael Kors leather jacket, $150, purchased on a shopping trip to Buffalo w Claire and Maria, Dec 08

Gap white blouse, $30, purchased Sept 08

Gap Always Skinny black jeans, $35, April 2010

Barneys motorcyle bag, $200, purchased from Barneys outlet near Honolulu after NCL Hawaii cruise, Aug 06

Coach animal print kitten heels, $150, purchased San Diego Nordstrom Rack, Aug 07

Comptoir des Cottoniers short sleeve twill coat, 50 euros, purchased Paris 6th arr, Jul 08 (best trip ever, sigh*)

Anne Klein lion brooch, 1980s

H&M striped tee, $9, Feb 10

Scarf, gift from Chris&Jade  

Gap Always Skinny black jeans, $35, April 2010

'Balenciaga' black giant part time, Pacific Mall, Oct 2009

Black pointy stilettos, $90, R2W, Nov 05

Banana Republic little black dress, $20!, purchased fr San Diego BR outlet, Aug 07

'Chanel' necklace, Pacific Mall, Apr 10

Banana Republic red croc satchel, $85, Dec 06

Black pointy stilettos, $90, R2W, Nov 05

I received a lot of compliments when I recently wore this little black dress that I purchased long ago. Good for my wallet, and great for the ego too. I love the 'Mad Men' silhouette of this dress, even though I bought this before I ever heard of Jon Hamm.

I had a great shopping trip this afternoon. I especially love that I've had many of these items for years. I realized I don't need to purchase any other basics this season, possibly just add few inexpensive accessories.

Lesson learned: before buying anything, shop your closet!

...mah jong

Well, that was quick (the hiatus, I mean)... It's amazing how desperation can drive my resourcefulness. Anyway...

I die! When I go to heaven..this gorgeous Jean Paul Gaultier mah jong couture collection would be in my living room. Assuming of course that when I get there I won't worry about how to clean the shiny dark floors, whether I should remove my shoes, how to properly descend on the floor level lounger. But as impractical as this is, I love everything about it... the various shades of black and white, the classic style hollywod print, the touches of red. How heavenly would it be to come home to this...

And here is JPG himself, all decked out here in stripes while sitting on a matching striped chair that's on a matching striped rug in a room wallpapered with stripes. love love love.

...rejected!

Just when I was feeling inspired again, the damn server rejects any images I try to post. So until I figure this out (or get a new mac or ipad), I'll have to take a blogging hiatus.

...salami

Those darn sporadic technical issues uploading images to my blog? Not so sporadic, because I can't post pics again. What's a lonely blogger to do on a Friday before the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend? Let me just refer you to this must read photographic investigation from gawker that made me smile. I couldn't have posted anything better myself... this is why blogging is fun.

You can thank me later.

...bracelets

These Tiffany bracelets are so pretty. Rorygilmore just loves them, and stylishly stacks a number of them on her arm. Of course, hers aren't even real silver, because these baubles, Tiffany or not, can cost a fortune. And why not? They're classy AND classic, can be worn to school, work, or a dressy evening, future heirlooms...

If you're interested in sterling silver bracelets just like these (without the Tiffany engraving of course) for a fraction of the price, let me know. I'll hook you up ....

...success!

via Simply Luxurious Life

It looks like I can upload images to my blog again... yay!!! Isn't this the most inspiring quote? And so appropriate too...

...collection

Club Monaco's new collection

Ugh. I have to confess...I use my employer-issued laptop for blogging. And now I can't seem to add images on my blog due to added security measures, or whatever... It's time to spring for a personal laptop, probably a refurbished Macbook pro that possibly my sister can help me score. (Update: technical issues fixed, for now...)

I'm just DYING to post pictures of the new Club Monaco collection (IN STORES TODAY!) but I can't. Trust me though, it is beeeauuuutifuuuul. You will want to buy everything in it. I'm craving the faux fur coat (which I swore I would never get, b/c I bought a leopard coat 3 years ago), the leather skirt, everything! Read here.

just my style... except for the hat, I can picture me going to No Frills in this...

On second thought, I have several similar things like these already, like the striped scarf, and the camel coat. Hmm, time to shop the closet. That's another post.

Another 'me' outfit... except if it were cold to enough to wear a coat, I wouldn't be wearing peep toes, no matter how fashionable.

...facebook

I just LOOOOOVED 'The Social Network'. There was a lot of hype -- the cast on all the talk shows, the early reviews were all raves -- so I wanted to see it, but had little expectations. It's all talk, no violence, no action, very little sex, but so intelligent and engaging that you won't want to leave your seat or waste a second to chat with your movie buddy, even if you know how it all ends.

The reviews claim that it's a masterpiece, the movie of the decade, defines a generation, blah blah blah. Comparisons are being made to Citizen Kane (ok, I can see why), and Oscar noms are predicted for everyone. Well, that remains to be seen.

On the other hand, the movie is being widely criticized for its negative portrayal of women, and Asian women in particular. Look, I'm an Asian woman, and I wasn't offended. It's a movie! Just sit back and enjoy it for what it is.

Most of the performances were brilliant, especially Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield. However, I was right about Justin Timberlake. He was the weak link ... hated his voice, his face, his delivery, ugh. I suppose he's trying for all the major awards -- he's already got Grammys and an Emmy, I guess he wants an Oscar too. Puhleez, he does NOT belong here. While we're on the subject of the boys in the movie, Armie Hammer (real name Armand Hammer, lol) was gorgeous as the Winklevi.

Rate: A+, that's right, it was better than Easy A. Yes, it's that good.

PS, I'd post a picture of the very very fine Armie Hamer, but I seem to be experiencing technical issues adding images. That is really unfortunate because he is prime eye candy. (Update: fixed for now, obviously...)

...books

Oh happy happy day! My Amazon order arrived on my doorstep this afternoon and I can't wait to start reading. As I slashed open the box, I wondered "Will I be as excited to download an ebook to a Kindle or Ipad?" hmmm.
First of all,

My Hollywood by Mona Simpson

Rorygilmore brought this book to my attention, via a review in People. It's about life in Hollywood, which is a typical chicklit location, but what attracted me to this book is that one of the main characters is a Filipino nanny named Lola. I want to play her in the Lifetime movie. Sold!

Next up,

Never Let Me Go

When I went to the screening at TIFF, the audience was much more passionate about the book than they were excited about the movie adaptation. That's a good enough recommendation for me. BTW, I didn't pay any attention to Andrew Garfield at TIFF, but now that I've watched the facebook movie, I can see why they hired him to be the new Spiderman. I wished I'd asked him a question, or at least taken his picture... he's going to be a big star someday, but he just didn't do anything for me in this quiet movie.

And finally,

Freedom

...just because it's Oprah's latest book club selection. Usually her selections are so depressing (the Wally Lamb book for example), but I love her classic choices...'One Hundred Years of Solitude' and 'East of Eden' are two of my favorite books ever. So I'll give this a chance.

I may be on a blogging break, but I'm sure you understand.

...fashion subtraction

I've been craving a Balenciaga Giant Part Time bag forever... .but what could I get for that same amount of money? Let's see.... 

Balenciaga Giant Part Time - $1895

EQUALS



1. Gap Really Skinny Pants - $45



2. Marc by Marc Jacobs Visionspring bag - $48

3. Ipad - $549

4. Joe Fresh faux leopard coat - only $89

5. Jo Malone grapefruit cologne - $100

6. Jcrew Caryn dress - $188

7. Tory Burch Sophie wedges - $295

8. Michael Kors rose gold watch - $250

9. Jcrew Icon wool cashmere trench - $325

I could get 9 OTHER things that I'm craving, and with $6 to spare! How ridiculous is that?

...tv

Parenthood on NBC. Lauren Graham as Loreilai Gilmore deux.

How I wish I could write that I've not been blogging because I've been going to yoga daily, working out, eating healthy, socializing, decorating and cleaning the house, trying new recipes, reading and improving my self constantly. How I wish...

The truth is, since we've been back from vacation and then Rorygilmore moved away to university, I've not done much. I wake up, have a cup of coffee and some kind of carb and calorie heavy something (a whole full size bagel, buttered and topped with cream cheese or a dollop of ginger jam), and login to start work, usually in my daily uniform of yoga pants and a striped tshirt. Then the boys come home, we have dinner, and then I make like a couch potato for the rest of the night....and then do it all over again the next day. It's the curse of the virtual employee. Well it's possible I'm depressed, but for now I'll blame it on the new crop of fall tv shows.

I'm a tv nerd. Growing up, my sibs would go swimming or biking or playing with the neighbours, and I'd memorize the tv guide to plan my week. It is nothing short of a miracle that I'm not a 500 pound hermit... so I'm a 125 pound hermit. The joke around our house was that if I was hooked on a tv show, it would soon get canceled. Ever heard of the 70s tv shows 'Beacon Hill' or 'Apple's Way', or the 90s classic 'Relativity'? This was before the PVR or DVD sets were invented, so I scheduled my life around these shows. ugh.

Anyway, here are the new shows I'm hooked on. I'm afraid to tell the producers or actors to start looking for new jobs now, because with my luck...


The Whole Truth on ABC. Love Maura Tierney!

Hawaii Five O ... this might actually stand a chance.



I hoped this was the new Lost, but...

I hope at least one of these shows will be back next year. But I wouldn't count on it.

...ponytail

I am going to the hairstylist this evening. Yep, the usual root touch up and fixing of the highlights. Beyond the colour problem, I just don't know what to do with my hair. It's too long now and I'm attached to the length but I don't want to cut it. And you know that when your best look is a ponytail, it's really time for a cut.

Still, I'm not the only one who wears their hair up these days. Look at Lauren Conrad and Marion Cotillard, who are both super stylish. I might just dare to go out like this one day...

images via bellasugar

...reviews

Carey Mulligan at TIFF. Waiting fan is Rorygilmore I think.

It's officially fall. One of the things that makes the end of summer in Toronto almost bearable is the film festival. If you're not familiar, movie stars come to our fair city and screen their Oscar hopeful films. It's a great festival because regular folks get to watch movie screenings, not just industry types or press. So Rorygilmore and I have been going for a few years. Now, you know I'm a big movie fan, but I'm really a movie lover as opposed to movie star stalking fan. That is, unless I know for sure Keanu Reeves or Jon Hamm is going to buy me a drink or offer to sit next to me at the theatre, I'm not hanging outside a hotel waiting for them to come out and cross the street. So If I want to see say, Clive Owen, I'll pay to see his movie. Clive, by the way, is as tall, dark, and handsome as you would imagine. This year I was sitting outside the Yorkville Anthropologie finishing a sudoku puzzle when Rorygilmore caught Jon Hamm crossing the street from the Four Seasons to the Hazelton. The closest I ever got to a real celeb was the time I was trying on boots next to Marisa Tomei at Holts (the year she was promoting 'The Wrestler')....Memorable only because Marisa was wearing a really short dress/tunic, struggled with her boots like a 2 year old, and seemed to forget her underpants. You get the picture. That's the closest I'll get to fame.

Anyway, this year we went to the gala screening of Never Let Me Go, the much hyped movie adaptation of the famous novel. My grade? B+... and that's generous. That's Carey Mulligan pictured above, at the TIFF screening. Best buzz  at TIFF that night was for her dress, which was fabulous!!! The less you know about the story, the better. That's almost impossible and the movie gives 'the secret' away much too early. And then it's just a really slow movie where nothing really seems to happen. Carey was fine and may even get another Oscar nom. Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield (who is the next Spiderman)? both soooo skinny.

Then R and I watched The Town. It was much better than I expected, so I'll give it A minus. I fell in love with Boston when we were there this August, but the Boston of 'The Town' isn't Newbury Street. Ben Affleck is so handsome and directed a good cast, including Jon Hamm (who is just ok in this), Blake Lively (surprisingly good), Jeremy Renner (perfect) and Rebecca Hall (meh). By the way, Mad Men is having a great season, no? Last night's episode was devastating, and 'The Suitcase" which highlighted Don and Peggy's relationship, is my fave episode of the whole series so far.

Finally Rorygilmore and I watched Easy A. My grade? A of course. Emma Stone is adorable, awesome and dare I say it? the new Lindsay, hopefully with a better fate. It's a fun, funny, and somehow smart teen movie, which I'm obviously not above enjoying even at my advance age. Emma is starring in the movie adaptation of The Help, the book I so enjoyed this summer. So that's something to look forward to.

Next up for me? possibly the facebook movie, though I think Justin Timberlake should really just stick to music.

...ina

In my next life, I want to be Ina Garten. Or at least, I want to be the spawn of Ina and Jeffrey... only thinner. Working from home, I watch the Food Network a LOT. Ina is my absolute favourite. Love her Hamptons home, her barn, her kitchen, her voice, all that butter, her sophisticated rich hungry friends. She's always so happy. Probably because her husband, the jovial and always affectionate Jeffrey, seems to be away most of the week (he used to be a Dean at Yale, I think) and she gets to stay at home, cooking up a storm, and entertaining her handsome gay friends. I'd be happy too. Note of course, they're childless.

Liz Lemon loves Ina too. Watch this.

...reserved

Limited edition Marc by Marc Jacobs tote

I've commented on the silly emails I sometimes receive from the upscale Canadian retailer, usually snarky comments. But I couldn't ignore this one. Naturally, I made my reservations right away. How could I resist? It's by Marc Jacobs, for a good cause, less than $50, and a limited edition. Limited edition? hmmm... possible hot item for ebay?

I know what you're thinking... ugh. Another handbag post!

...revenge

Kate Gosselin, People mag cover

Say what you will about Kate Gosselin -- unfit mother, horrible wife, ballbreaker, nag, delusional famewhore, worst dancer ever on DWTS. But man, she looks absolutely fantastic these days. Once famously hugely pregnant with 6, then compact and muscular, and now long and lean and in the best shape of her life. She, apparently, accomplished this by eating healthy and running daily. I think she's inspiring. And for the record, I wouldn't have behaved much differently than she did if I had 8 little kids and a no good husband. Good for you, Kate. Read about it here.

Looking good is the absolute best revenge!

...classic

Longchamp le pliage praline medium

In my travels, I noticed that the chicest and most elegant women carry a le pliage. I know it's not pretty, and I have my (large) share of handbags, but this is my current favorite. It's the most practical everyday handbag you'll ever own. You can stuff your big wallet, cell phone, a hair brush, small makeup bag, a paperback, sudoku puzzle, small bottle of water, and carry the bag gracefully on your shoulder.

I long for Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang, but those It bags have expiry dates and frankly, weigh at least 7 pounds empty! Contact me if you want one... I'll go to Paris and buy one for you!

And damn, now I am craving the matching scarf.

...uniqlo

uniqlo

It's fall... the most depressing time of the year for me. As soon as August ended, the weather turned dreary and chilly. The only good thing about the season is the fashion. We have no choice in Toronto. One day you're wearing your short shorts and then you're looking for your parka.

Isn't this beige sweater from uniqlo absolute perfection? I am craving fall clothes  Will I even find this in Canada?

...rue

My gosh it's been ages since I've blogged...and I promised myself I would be prolific -- blogging daily and often. If this blog were a houseplant, it would have died 4 weeks ago. Well anyone who knows me, knows I don't do plants.

I've been on vacation -- physically, and then from the internet. But I'm back. We've so much to catch up on.

Today is the launch of the new online shelter magazine, rue. Now, I've been a magazine addict since the age of 10. I get excited seeing new issues of my favorite magazines at the newsstand. I analyze the cover, review all the feature stories and can't wait to open them up. I have 4 double bookcases at the top of our stairs full of issues of Vogue, Elle Decor, Living Etc, Vanity Fair, Domino, Oprah. Those are the ones I hang on to. I usually discard the fashion mags, Glamour, Instyle, but only because fashion has a shelf life. But you'll see recent or current issues of all of these on my nightstand, under the bed, the bathroom, yikes. I used to spend a fortune on magazines. Now with the HST and the internet, it's hard to justify dropping over $10 a week on something disposable.

Thank goodness for online publishing. The new rue is both fun and elegant, and full of inspiring pictures, but it's not the same as print, staring at a page, bookmarking it, tearing out your faves for your inspiration board. But, hey it's free.

via rue. This is so me!