TRAVELOG: Thebaghag’s Union Square adventure

*Big sob*, my one (and so far only) trip downtown has depleted my vacation moolah– and Barneys hasn’t even opened yet! *Afraid!!* No, I didn’t go on a ridiculous shopping spree that would require a shopping escort to carry my goodies (oh and how I sooo wish! If I did, Lady Becks would’ve been so proud haha). I know I have been a good girl– knowing when to say “no” to a sales pitch (ok so this time I did not succumb haha) does merit a pat in the back (so, pat me in the back!!).

When we got to the city, we only had a good 2 hours to walk around. I went to Goyard (need you ask? hehe) to check out their custom hand- painted St. Louis pm totes and I walked away with a funky one 🙂 Oh and let it be known that Goyard is not planning to open in Manila (contrary to all those rumors that had been swirling around in the past month or so). I guess this piece of news is 100% accurate 🙂 *beams… feeling VIP with so-called privileged info haha…NOT*

Also went to Hermes, where I espied the latest Hermes color,”cafe”. (can you see it in the photo? haha) It’s a rich brown color, much much lighter than ebene, and almost quite the color as cocoa– somehow this cafe color looks so rich.. I saw the cafe color on a 32cm Kelly with gold hardware (yummmy). I also espied a black clemence Lindy 30cm with gold hardware!!! It’s the 1st time I saw the Lindy with gold hardware– and I love it! *heart* But no, this baghag can’t buy another lindy. It’s way more expensive than a Victoria, sadly (also because the Lindy is lined in leather. Victoria is lined in toile canvas). Oh and sorry about the photo– there were roadside workers who were washing the streets with some high powered water hose and I didn’t wanna be washed away with the dirt *hahaha* so the photo I took of the bag is rather puny.

Louis Vuitton. *Whistle* They took up the whole corner with their new store. Huge place. Lots of super nice clothes. I even boldly tried on *while fully knowing I cannot afford to buy it* a black jacket which cost something like US$2,850. Haha now I know what an expensive coat feels on my not-so-supple human skin *muwahaha*. I was also shown a huge silverish fabric clutch by this super nice SA that I had befriended 😀 (sorry no photos 🙁 not allowed) I would’ve ordinarily loved it (fabric was nice), but I hated big clutches because I cannot (read: don’t know how to) carry them! Pffft. Ooh and I loove this dress on their window…

Marc Jacobs. Check out that bag wall! *dreamy look* The quilted bugatti is there but the boutique was already closed 🙁 🙁

Chanel on Maiden Lane. A tweed shirt dress with a utilitarian belt. Interesting (and matronic?). The very boutique where I first laid eyes on the Chanel bag (which I ended up buying at I. Magnin after 3 months of near- starvation hahaha. And I ended up buying it at I. Magnin coz this Chanel boutique was already closed by the time we got into the city from Suburbia hahaha).

It was off to the Cheesecake Factory at Macy’s for dinner. *Aiyayay cheesecake!!* We sat outdoors and had a view (well, actually a view of the next table *snicker I knew what they ate*).

Since it was quite chilly, I ordered a warm green tea latte which was muy delicioso!

Tomato Mozarella salad with crumbled blue cheese and greens. *Sigh I wish I can just eat this for my meals daily in Manila coz it’s soooo good!*

For my main course, I had the Bistro Shrimp Pasta (lemon-basil-cream based sauce with popcorn shrimp, fresh mushrooms, arugula). While this dish is excellent, I couldn’t finish it because I was already wayyy too stuffed from the salad! (I think I’m losing my magic touch when it comes to eating a lot 🙁 I could finish this before!) My DM and Aunt on the other hand, had grilled porkchops– don’t order this dish coz the pork’s too tough.

What’s a visit to the Cheesecake Factory without having a sample of their world famous Cheesecake? And oh geez, so many to choose from*shrieks*!

Finally we chose. We had the tres leche cheesecake (which tasted like the Philippine yema haha). Not bad, but I don’t really have a sweet tooth, so I only took two small bites out of this slice. 😀 *A moment on the lips, forever on my hips…* (Gulp)

Here’s my loot for the whole trip (and don’t get all suspicious on me because I am telling the truth! You can officially say that the baghags who read this silly blog are wayyy more qualifiedto be called baghags than I. *sob*) Goyard black/tan st louis with gold hand- painting (yes, with gold paint and technicolored shadows! yay! and yes, I know the bag is soo cheesy with the tutti frutti colored “GOYARD” spelled out, but I love it. Goes to show what a label whore I truly am haha, although I have yet to use the bag… Hmm will I use the bag?!), a Bea Valdes bag (Confession: I succumbed!!! Hmm do I really need a beaded evening bag?), and 2 pairs of flats 😀 There. I revealed my loot (and also my second thoughts muwahaha).

Ugh. I’m so wishing I was there at the sale today! Hags, tell me all about the Doña Consolacion Anniversary event ok? And SHARE YOUR LOOT WITH ME!!!

xx
Jackie T.