Balenciaga Wallet

E's anniversary gift was this blue Balenciaga wallet with silver hardware.  I love the size and the color.    Bought at the Manila store.

Another Goyard St. Louis PM

My third Goyard St. Louis is in yellow, reflecting my political sentiments in March 2010.  I enjoy using this particular bag because it is a burst of color.

Hermes Cape Cod Automatic Watch

My Christmas gift to myself.  It was love at first sight, the Cape Cod Automatic watch with double wrap-around strap in orange calf skin leather.  Got this at the Manila store.

More Prospects

Just found out about the Proenza Schouler Keep All (Small) which I think is more appropriate for my needs.  The long double handles allow the bag to be carried on the shoulders as well as the arm or hand.  The size is just right which could fit my Macbook Air and all my things. And a lot more affordable too, at Euro 965 via www.luisaviaroma.com.

Also via www.luisaviaroma.com,  I found the Mulberry Taylor in the color that I wanted.  This is priced at Euro1,289.17.  Slightly more expensive than at www.net-a-porter.com.

Prospects

I believe that setting goals keep us going.  For me, bags mark milestones, such as:  well-executed projects,  bearing with difficult situations and losing weight.  And so, I promised to reward myself with some (if not all) of these, as long as I achieve my goals.

I've been looking at Proenza Schouler's PS1 satchels for quite sometime, but don't really know where to find them, except online.  The large size is priced at GBP1,721 at www.net-a-porter.com.  and that I think is my ideal size.  However their neon green color is what I'm going for.  I'm just not sure if they have it in large.

 I'm also interested in the Mulberry Taylor.  Which can be handheld as well as worn across or as a shoulder bag.  They had this in grey a few months back.  But for now, it is available in black.  Priced at GBP1,084 via www.net-a-porter.com.

Now the Loewe Amazona is my current love, but haven't taken the plunge yet because I've been having difficulty with top handles.  It gets kinda tricky when you have to carry your computer, shopping bags or other things.  But they really are beautiful bags.  If ever I'm getting one in a combination, I will be getting the magenta-lipstick combination, priced at Euro1,600  via www.loewe.com.  The single color is priced at Euro1,400.  The slate blue is really nice.

Now, I just discovered the Loewe Alas, which is a lightweight tote in napa leather in the most delicious colors.  I don't have a pink bag yet, so this will definitely be it.  Priced at Euro750.

Chanel Maxi Bowling Bag

My latest acquisition is the Chanel Maxi Bowling Bag in red patent.  I just love the stunning color and it fits my iPad.  It is a bit heavy though. But so far, it's been worth every Euro!

Balenciaga Classic Day

Got this to celebrate a new job!  As always, I purchased this at the Manila store just because I love the staff there.  This one is in Seigle, a favorite color of many bag fans.

Chanel Mademoiselle

This is from Chanel's Mademoisselle collection, which has Blake Lively as it's brand ambassador. Got this in Hongkong last April 2011, after lining up twice. Yup, it took me two visits to decide if I wanted it. The is a bit small for my regular workday (this is the Large size, Maxi would have been a better choice), but I've used it several times -- not without editing items from my bag, of course. This is perfect for a night out.

Goyard Crossiere 35

Goyard produced a limited number of bags in silver, and am lucky to have one of them. A diversion from my favorite St. Louis, the Crossiere is similar to LV's speedy, but slightly longer horizontally. I use this with my silver Tory Burch Revas:-)

Balenciaga Day with Rose Gold Giant Hardware

My love for Balenciaga continues, and this emerald green Balenciaga Day with Rose Gold Giant Hardware is another welcome addition. Love that it holds so much yet the bag itself is light. Bought this from the Greenbelt Manila branch in December 2010 as a Christmas gift to myself :-)

Celine Mini Luggage Shopper

The "It" bag for 2011, the Celine Luggage Shopper is now the favorite among celebrities and bag lovers. This comes in several sizes, the Mini is best for everyday use. This is the tri-color version and I just love it!

Chanel Grande Shopping Tote (GST)

My first Chanel bag, which I bought in October 2009. It took me some time to take the plunge for Chanel, but this got me hooked! I love the chain handles. This is a bit heavy though, and has no enclosure, but it is definitely the perfect accessory that brightens up any look. I use this on special occasions where red is the theme, Valentine's and Chinese New Year!

Goyard St. Louis PM

My second Goyard was a Christmas and Anniversary gift from E (December 2009). I love that this bag is so light. Except for the tiny detail that you would have to take care because there is no enclosure, this is a perfect travelling bag. You can fill it up and it wouldn't be much of a drag :-)

What's In My Bag

I've always been curious about what other ladies carry in their designer handbags. Here's what I carry:

- Bath and Body Works Hand Sanitizer
- Chanel sunglasses bought in Chanel, Ngee Ann City, Singapore
-Louis Vuitton Epi French Purse bought in Paris in 2004, yes seven years ago and it's still good!
- Blackberry Curve
-Fino checkbook holder
- Nokia E71
-Louis Vuitton Epi Coin Purse
- Banana Republic perfume

Louis Vuitton Damier Neverfull GM

On a business trip to Singapore, lucky me got to stay at the Fullerton! Here's my room with my LV Damier Neverfull GM:

Initially available in Japan when it was first launched in 2008, I just thought that I had to have it, especially since E was really scheduled for a business trip to Tokyo in October of that year. I love the size of this, and the durability. I would literally bring everything in this bag including a stapler, my netbook, a book and paperwork, in addition to all my essentials. I love it too that I don't have to worry about dirt because of its dark color. I've travelled with this bag and found it very useful in winter when you have all these winter accessories like scarves and gloves which you usually remove when indoors.

Chanel Classic Flap

I didn't really think that I would own a Flap, but on our recent Singapore trip, I fell in love with this one. We went to Marina Bay Sands to look and see what the big deal was, and we now know why! The Chanel store had two levels! I must admit that for this bag, it wasn't love at first sight. I wanted the black version -- but another girl saw it first before me and she never let go of the last piece.

I would have to take extra special of this because of its light color, and knowing me, I'm always clumsy. But I really, really love it!

Tumi Computer Bag

Business travel almost always requires me to bring my laptop computer, and I hate having to carry two bags while travelling. This Tumi computer bag solves the problem. It carries my computer as well as my personal things that would normally be inside my handbag. It is a bit heavy though , and is worsened by the weight of the computer. Oh well, can't have it all, unless I'm issued that Apple Mac Air I guess...

Bought at Macy's San Francisco in January 2009.

Louis Vuitton Damier Keepall

Our favorite form of de-stressing is a staycation in a hotel in town. And for those short breaks, we bring along our LV Damier Keepall which we bought at the Louis Vuitton store in Southcoast Plaza (the meeting place and shopping mecca of very wealthy "Real Housewives of Southern California") in Costa Mesa, California during our US trip in January 2008.

Cambridge Satchel Company Batchel

My love for teaching and large bags led me to this. Haven't used it though, as my husband uses it as his laptop bag for work. For more information visit their website at www.cambridgesatchel.co.uk.

Chanel Large Shopping Bag

On E's business trip to Hong Kong in August 2010, I asked him to buy this. He bought this at the Canton Road shop in Tsim Sha Tsui. I really love this bag, it can fit all my things for a day at work: 2 mobile phones, a wallet, eyeglasses, sunglasses, perfume, USB flash disk, ballpen, checkbook, calculator... you get the picture. I've also used this for travel, and it is perfect!

Balenciaga Laptop Sleeve

Needed something to cheer me up, get me excited and inspire me at work, and the Balenciaga Laptop Sleeve does just that! ( October 2010, Greenbelt Mall, Makati).

Balenciaga 10 Year Anniversary Edition of the Classic

This limited edition was created especially for the 10 Year Anniversary of the Classic "Motorcycle" Bag. This version in black leather has the embossed lizard finishing, and the interior is in leopard print. E bought this for me, my second Balenciaga Classic City (July 2010) in celebration of my retirement after 20 years of working!

Prada Briefcase

Gave this to my husband for work (June 2010, Greenbelt 4, Manila), but can't resist borrowing it from time to time for my laptop computer. It's such an elegant briefcase, perfect when you want to make a good impression.

Balenciaga Large Sunday

My third Balenciaga is a Large Sunday (it has a smaller model) in the yummy color Murier (September 2010, Greenbelt 5, Manila). I just found it accidentally at the Greenbelt branch while malling and I fell in love with it. The size is perfect, roomy enough for work but not too big for the weekend. It only has top handles but the drop is lower, allowing me to carry the bag on my shoulders, very much like a tote. This bag always merits comments whenever I use it, because of the beautiful and attractive color.

Surprise Gift from E

Just came from a glorious vacation in Singapore to celebrate New Year and our 14th Anniversary. We stayed at the Hilton where the Mulberry shop was also located. I went in to look, touch and carry the Oversized Alexa and loved it. However, I couldn't decide just then and said I would seriously think about it.

Upon arrival in Manila, my loving (and so generous) husband handed me his anniversary gift! Oh wow, it was a really really nice surprise! The Alexa is made of buffalo leather so it is tough and not that prone to scratches, but weighs almost the same as the Balenciaga City. It is also more spacious and can be worn across the body because of the longer straps.