Summer is here

Summer is here...so is some subconscious new shopping spree
I totally was not intending or had intended to buy anything. But, in the past month, I have been spending so much I have lost tab of how much. Is it the weather or what? everything I see seem to be eye-appealing, a good buy and much needed.
I have added another pair of Roger Vivier, Salvatore Ferragamo and Burberry wedge. Even I consciously know it sounds totally crazy ! cos it is 3 shoes in a span of a month and I havent't even got my increment yet.



Then there came the random thought that a Vivier clutch would look wonderful to hold on to in a cocktail (which never happen in a million years)...
Or the white rimmed sunnies I thought would look great at the beach.....
And the cutesy alma bag I thought can go with summer jumpsuits....
Really this has got to end!
P.S. damn the ASOS package is also on its way

Stepford Wife: Tip #1

Stepford Wife: Tip #1 Be as Meek as a Mouse I have lost count of how many women I have come across who always belittle their intelligence when being around their husbands. The reason (I believe) is simply because men has ego and no men fancy to be dominateed or to be seen as the less smart partner in a marriage. Of late, I have also begin to realise that it does not matter if I am the best litigator or the most ferocious and capable at work, the moment I turned my key into the doorknob at home I have to immediately shake off everything I was at work and be as meek as a mouse to keep my man happy. So it does not matter if I am the one that brings back the loaf of bread or butter, with just the turn of a doorknob, my intelligence quotient has to dive from 240 all the way down to 40. I have to be incapacitated, blondie and needie even though inside I am screaming and fighting myself like hell...

Parenting

I was in a cafe reading my book when I overheard a mother confronting her teenage son together with her gay partner. It was quite obvious they are a gay couple since I could not think of any other reason why a mother would wish to lecture her son in front of a mere friend. It is just not in the typical Asian culture to teach your broods in front of your friend/ friends as family issues are always dealt with behind closed doors. The mother was generally very calm and patient in confronting her son over some behavioural issues and over some nasty things her son had apparently said about her mother's friend (i.e. the gay partner). The mother's gay partner was relatively less patient. Judging from the way she dresses, her "friend" does appear to be the dominating partner in the relationship. I was trying hard not to pry or look their way, but the gay partner does not seem to care if she was heard judging from the tone and volume of her voice. Honestly, I could not help but feel bad for the teenage boy for being humiliated like this in public and even more so for being humiliated by her mother's gay friend. I can empathize with the mother's heartache for seeing her son disliking the gay partner. But, I wonder if she has tried looking at this from her son's perspective. It is generally difficult to grow up with a single parent in this society and why would anyone think it would be any easier on this boy to have to accept the fact that his mother is gay. I bet it has never crossed her mind that she and her gay partner could be the root to all issues. I am not against the gays but I am all out against selfish parent. I am not a parent myself yet but I would think that all parents should always have their children's interest in mind before leaping to any life changing decisions. If they are not ready for a lifetime commitment then do not start brooding like rabbits.

Stepping into Space

Space, located at Montervachi, is Prada's outlet in Italy. Situated just outside of Florence, Space is likely to be one of the reason why women return for fashion pilgrimage every year.

This entry will cover directions to Space and also the basic survival skills you would need.

Train tickets could be bought at the Firenze (Santa Maria Novella) SMN station. Don't bother buying your tickets over the counter unless you can speak Italian. Generally, Italians should be nicer than the French but from my own experience the older generation Italians can be quite a pain in the arse. It was funny how the woman behind the ticket counter claimed she speaks no English but when I told her "Fuck you" , she suddenly knew just enough English to fuck me back. To put it simply, I was on the verge of leaping over the counter to (literally) punch the woman behind it.

Anyways, there are quite a number of auto ticket machines in the station. They are fairly easy to use although I would recommend that if you are travelling with your partner, do have 1 person keep a watchful eye of your belonging. As Florence is relatively small, we simply checked the schedules to Montevarchi on our first trip to the station on the auto machines so that we could grasp our schedule the day after and not run like headless chickens. Do also take note of the time you will reach Montevarchi as this is important if you want to be the first in line or at least the first 100 shoppers let inside Space. See below for opening hours*

Once you reach Montevarchi, if you are Asian, you should run to exit the station and to look out for the taxi stand (which is not really a stand) but it is on the left side of the road if you are exiting the station. There will not be many taxis there. When I was there last November, there were only 3 taxis and I was lucky to get into one because some dumbf asians ran out on the main street thinking they would be able to stop taxis physically and therefore (I presume) missing the 3 taxis on the left. If you could not get a taxi, you should consider sharing a taxi with someone who has as Montevarchi is quite a quiet town and there are not many strolling taxis. Vice versa, if you are the one who managed to get hold of a taxi, you would be asked if you wish to share. I did share my taxi with a Korean girl since this would mean I do not have to bear the EUR20 taxi fare to Space.

Please do remember to either fix a time for the taxi driver to come back to pick you up or if you do not mind making roaming calls, you could pick up a name card from the taxi driver. You would need this because Space is located in the industrial side of Montevarchi which is super quiet and secluded. Therefore, if you do not book a taxi beforehand or have a taxi number in hand then you would just have to chance on taxis dropping off at Space (which is not advisable since this is not within your control).

Once you are there, press for a queue number and start physically lining up. There is a cafe just right next to Space where you could grab a quick breakfast. You are likely not to be the first one there but just make sure you are within the first 100. There will be heaps of bargain inside you would not want to risk not being in the first 100. Generally, Asians being Asians would grab everything they see once in there. So there is a reason why being in the firsts 100 is important. You will find many Koreans grabbing bag as if they are priced in Wons but the staff would constantly remind that one can only hand hold 4 bags at a time Alternatively, you could have them kept at the counter in which you would be told you are obliged to pay at the end.

For ladies

For Prada & Miu Miu bags, expect prices within the average range of Eur 200 to Eur 600.  For shoes, they are priced from as low as EUR50 (but this would usually come in very limited sizes). Do also keep a watchful eye for bags on "Special". These are usually bags which are slightly damaged. However, they are only priced from as low as 1/3 fraction of the retail price. The on "Special" bags are randomly brought out by the staff and snatched up in no time by the Koreans. So keeping a watchful eye is of paramount importance.

For men

Generally, the mens' clothings and shoes are much relatively cheaper compared to the ladies for some unknown reasons. My husband bought a pair of Prada khaki for EUR50 and jeans for EUR70 while Prada polo t-shirts are priced from EUR50 and shoes are averagely priced within the range of EUR100- 150 per pair.

 * * * * *  

Happy shopping ladies!  

Opening hours of Space    

Screen shot of the auto machine showing the train schedule to Montevarchi-Terranuoava

This is how Space looks like on the exterior

The best bargain bag I bought from Space. This was the very same Prada bag I wanted to buy for retail price in Italy and it is also Prada's most wanted bag for 2 seasons now- The "Saffiano Lux Tote". I was surprised to have found only 1 piece of this bag on special- Eur 300. Reason it was on special was because the bag was slightly damaged. I certainly do not mind paying just 1/3 fraction of the retail price since wear and tear are inevitable anyways. This bag still retails at EUR 900.





Breakups

I have a friend who had just broken up in a relationship. Well, time wise speaking, it is not literally “just” as the break up took place about half year ago or perhaps even longer since I did not keep track of time and it does feel like seemingly forever. Honestly, “break-up” has not been a topic within my circle of friends, which I believe is normal since most of use have phased out from this stage.

Sure, we have been heartbroken once, twice or more in our younger days from crushes, infatuations or real dating and I can totally empathize this particular friend. As friends, I have given her the time and space to grieve in my presence. However, I have to admit (guiltily) that my empathy and sympathy have slowly turned to annoyance. I ran out of comfort words and I just want to stop repeating those few standard lines of “you will get over it” and “you will find someone better”. I have really done my best. Despite it all, she is able to somehow still let her past seeped into every where and every thing we do together. I do get that breakups can be a painful experience. But, for her to take what seem like forever to get over can be devastating to not just her but to friends around her as well.

I had in the past spent 10 years or so ran in circles mulling over one particular man (whom I stupidly believed (in hindsight) was the “love of my life”, “my soul mate” and “the only man would marry”). I thought we connected and so I waited only to have found out that he hooked up and married to someone else. So when I said I understood and I empathized, I meant it. I have been there, done that and felt stupid after that. Every time I look back in hindsight, I go “DAMN”. “DAMN” because I believed I could have added so much more to my “palate” while I still had my youth and obviously before I settled down. Had I been able to get over that particular man very much sooner than 10 years, I would now have so much more interesting and “palatable” stories to ponder upon now.

So this is wishing my friend would stop believing in "Titanic love" and *hush*hush* move on soon enough before she finally come to realize youth was so beautiful and priceless... once upon a time.

Xoxo



Perhaps many ladies out there are ardent lovers of luxury and expensive bags, clothes and shoes. But, just how far would you go in pursuit of your inner desires?

Some would say "they are just bags" while some would go as far as offering their body in exchange of bags. But just how far would one go? I think it is enough that we are born a "weaker" gender in the society, it is wholly unnecessary to bend down to men to affirm this point. To bend in the name of succumbing to your superficial desires for expensive bags, clothes or shoes is just beyond words.

Save some self-respect and self-worthiness out there comrades! Remember money can buy you everything else in this world but it can never buy you class. You can carry all the Chanel you want but you will never be Coco Chanel.

I too am an ardent lover of luxury and expensive bags, shoes, clothes and everything. But, I believe in working hard and saving hard for them. It is not because I do not have what it takes to go on the “short-cut route”. However, I relish the idea of looking at myself in the mirror every day to see just how much I have achieved in life, physially and spiritually.


Xoxo

Kate Spade Offer

If you have received the following promotional Kate Spade offer via Facebook and have been wondering if this may be bogus or not. Please note that this offer is only issued for use in the United States. Therefore this promotion does not apply to any Kate Spade stores outside of the United States.Kate Spade online does not unfortunately ship to international destinations as well.

Xoxo
Your detective