BAG REVIEW: The Pre- Christmas Online Sale Season!

Ahhh the advent of the sale season has caused many a baghag to sigh in frustration. Christmas bonuses are still a bit far away *scoff.. not like I’ll even have a Christmas bonus to begin with– I have no sponsor or employer!!*. Bah. Let me not bore you with more grumbles about being unemployed at this time of the year *muwahaha pathetic!!*

Joining the sale bandwagon is eluxury.com, where bags like Isabella Fiore and Juicy Couture got marked down. I find it kinda sad that some bags go on sale, because I feel bad that others probably paid full price for them when they just came out. It has happened to me many times in the past when I paid full price for a bag, only to find out that the bag goes on sale and gets marked down by 20% after a few months. Arrrg. Perhaps that’s the reason why Louis Vuitton has always maintained a loyal clientele– because their clients get assured that the bags they purchased don’t go on sale after a few months of them being on the shelf. I can still vividly recount this incident when I had asked for a discount on a pair of LV lomboks because the shoes that fit me were the display pair– and the display pair was already dirty. Instead of just agreeing to sell me the shoes at a lower price (thereby moving old stock), they told me that they will just reorder. Of course I didn’t end up ordering a new pair, but that incident clearly illustrated that the brand just won’t go on sale even if it means they will be able to “move” their old inventory. Here are some of my picks from eluxury.

Isabella Fiore Heidi handheld leather bag. Now you probably know I’m not the greatest fan of I.Fiore bags. I was really never into the heavily embellished styles (Fiore bags are known for embellishments). I like my bags to be “clean” and free from distraction because I am already distraction myself (hehe fashion victim!!! OhmyGawd, AnnaS who saw me at Avilon should already know my nasty style *gulp*. Thank Gawd no fashion police at the Zoo!!). Anyway this bag is quite nice because of the detail of the leather (yes! Free from embellishments!). Priced now at $285 (from $475), this would make a nice purchase. Although the bag is small, I do appreciate the work on the leather.

Wait. So I have just said I’m not into embellishments. Might I make this exception? I like clutches with embellishment. This Isabella Fiore Fergie clutch certainly caught my eye. This is a reason why– for evening wear, I hardly go with embellishments. I’m definitelyno style star, so I like more somber and solid colors (more often than not) rather than something attention grabbing (although I won’t mind wearing a Pucci gown hahaha). So it’s only befitting that a little oomph to my outfit would be an embellished bag. I like working with opposite sides of the style spectrum–casual wear (happy, colorful) = solid colored bag; evening wear (bordering on boring/ gloomy colors) = happy happy bag! At $195 (from $325), this clutch is great. It will work with blacks for sure, and you can also wear a solid color which is present on the clutch itself. It’s the oomph to the blah.

L.A.M.B. Verona large bowler. I love etoupe (taupe) colors. And etoupe with white trim? Classy! This Verona bowler is already a classic shape (already a winner right here), and pairing the overall etoupe body with white racing stripes? Precious! Priced from $800 originally, you can walk away with this bag now for just $559.

Ahhh I’ve been immersing myself in the world of Betty Suarez (Ugly Betty), and I love love love the way how she can pull off being a fashion victim. She is really hilarious! *Sigh* I miss the realm of magazine publishing, and I think I count myself as fairly fortunate to not have earned the ire of my editors because of my style *or non- style* (‘coz I was a really sloppy dresser! hehe sorry for ruining the magazine’s image hahaha). If I had to do it all over again, I’d probably be the magazine’s Ugly Betty with Fabio in tow. Oh but I promised myself that I would always carry a nice bag *muwahaha*

But wait, this bag is Ugly Betty worthy!! Bo ‘Em Maya tote for just US$98. Yes, perhaps it’s a little too expensive but it’s a statement bag hehehe. It may not scream “Guadalajara” *muwahaha classic!!!*, but it’s got that ethnic feel to it. I’d probably carry this bag, but I won’t pay $98 for it, no matter what! Hahaha. (Available at neimanmarcus.com)

Chloe Denim tote. I’d carry this bag only if they lower the price further. Currently at US$540, the price used to be $830. Perfect. It screams Chloe (you’d have to have poor vision not to see that huge name embedded into the leather trim) so it’s a great thing to have that bag if you are having one of those “off”days hahaha. Available at neimanmarcus.com

Here’s value for your money. It may not be a Bottega Veneta, but it’s still a woven leather bag. Elliot Lucca St. Barts white intrecciato tote. It’s a nice big bag, and white bags are always nice to have. Priced at US$171 (Not a bad price for a bag carried by Neiman Marcus!).

Speaking of white, Gryson’s white leather tote, which was sorta on my secondary bag wish list, the very same bag is now on sale from $995. Now down to $597— what a deal!! This could conceivably be on the list of things that I want for myself this Christmas!! WooHoo!

Whee, Christmas is coming soon (haha Halloween’s not even around yet and I’m already talking Christmas!!). Today that I came to Tresorie, I saw all these super cute Christmas decor on display! (I was away over the weekend–haha my “days-off for the month” as a sales lady haha). My friend PT who owns Santa’s Workshop, did us the favor by skipping Halloween (because we get frazzled by scary stuff haha) and heading straight for Christmas hahaha. Santa’s Workshop pieces are now available at Tresorie (haha something not bag- related for once). Priced from Php 185 up (yes! Cheap!). I should mention too that Santa’s Workshop pieces have also made it to Neiman Marcus! (PT exports to the U.S.– PT is big time!! Woohoo!! ).

So start off your Christmas early and come by to see the Neiman– worthy decor of Santa’s Workshop at Tresorie 🙂 *no, I’m not shamelessly plugging, I wanted everyone to see PT’s stuff because they’re soo cute!!* Hah! 😀

P.S. I’m so proud of my friend EAI— Tinsley’s dress was worn by anchorwoman Bernadette Sembrano yesterday (and I also heard she wore something from Tinsley today)!! Ms. Sembrano went to Tresorie a few days ago and liked the clothes and bought a few pieces 🙂 Woohoo!!

Later hags!

xx
Mrs.T