Bags Under US$1,000 + Socialclimbing baghag hits the PMAP party

Ahhh that was refreshing. I got caught up the other day purging all my old photos (and rather useless actually– I mean most photos were friggin blurry). My Mac has been liberated from all that space- consuming junk! 🙂 Wheeee… actually it’s not really because of the Mac’s recent “liberation” that got me all “refreshed”…

I got my plane ticket today and I am heading off to a much needed month-long vacation with my DM. Once again, DM is my sponsor for this trip (Ok, ok. I’ll let you all in on a little secret– DM has been our sponsor for all those family vacations with my DH and the kids for the last 6 years. And no, it was most definitely not my in-laws who paid for all those trips *contrary to what you may think eh? ahhhhhh :)*, and it most certainly can’t be DH and I paying for them, coz we’re both perennially broke and impoverished muwahaha– so damnit you better take me seriously everytime I utter the words “I’m broke”!!).

Now you all know about our travel perks and our shameless freeloading (from my own family even haha) habits. *Muwahaha* wanna get the guy to commit to a materialistic baghag? Wear a shirt that says “Marry me, travel free” and then get the follow up “Stay with me, Travel free” shirt post- nuptials. I mean, look at me… Married for 6 years already 😀 *guffaw guffaw* Then again you can always regale them of stories about your frugality (make sure you cross your fingers in the back when you do tell those “stories” hahaha entrapment!) *Muwahaha* Oh gosh I’m such a badass today! My baaaad!! *Whistles* & *Innocent look* 🙂

Ok enough 4-1-1 (coz you already know by now that when I say I am poor, that I really AM poor!!!! I just get “sponsored”… helloooo freeloader!!) I’m flying off to the U.S…. errr that’s assuming my passport arrives in time. I just had my visa renewed and while everyone in my family who got their visas renewed already received their passports, I still haven’t gotten mine– and it’s been 7 days!!!!!!!!! 🙁 *major pout*. The sucky part is, I’m soooo looking forward to this trip too. Soooo to kill time, (and to keep me from thinking that someone ran off with my passport because I looked too “nondescript” in the photo that anyone can pass as me *sob paranoia galore!*), I turned to Neimanmarcus.com for comfort (just like every other materialistic baghag who reads this blog haha).

Goldenbleu Caldwell Patent Satchel. This is not such a bad “basic” bag. Although this bag has no markings whatsoever that it is designer, I am sure it is very well made, hence the pretty hefty pricetag of US$865. The design vaguely reminds me of that Hermes bag that still remains identified (from my previous HK photos post). *P.S. it’s actually called “Lorraine”. Thanks -NS- :)*

Juicy Couture Equestrian It Girl Leather Satchel. While I refrain from buying Juicy Couture (it’s just not my style), I couldn’t help but notice this beautiful bag. Here I go again with the favorite style– the bottom zipped compartment. This frame bag is doing it for me and I actually see myself carrying it. Priced at US$450, this is quite a good style and not very
JC.
Elliot Lucca Large Satchel. I can’t help but remember my old Louis Vuitton Vienna Mizi bag (which I no longer have). This bag is a wee better with an extra shoulder strap. And hey check out the price! It’s just US$228. For this price, I’d definitely get this as my schlepping bag!
Kooba Ryan Python Embossed tote. Very Vuitton meets Burberry in terms of tote style. The buckle is a nice touch, but again this style has been done in different versions. Which only means one thing, the style is a seller. This Kooba is priced at US$625. (Wow, Kooba bags are becoming more expensive…)
Oh dear. I just realized all the bags I’ve been talking about lately are either in black or brown. Is this a sign that I am reverting back to the basic colors of bags? *shocker* I still want colors, colors,colors (no matter how gaudy I look, really. As long as there’s a burst of color). Looksie– I wore a midnight blue Tinsley shirt with teeny floral prints (very comfy), but I just HAD to have my photo with the Goyard orange fidji *haha green/midnight blue/ orange… I know, garish right? * But I don’t really care, I was comfortable with all the colors haha 🙂

And nowwwwww…. For the main event of the day (night): Mrs.T went socialclimbing again after a month long (or has it been two months) of hibernation (because of my acne farm! Yuck yuck yuck!!). I was DaphP’s handmaiden for the night hehe (she invited me to the event or else I’d be officially considered a gatecrasher if I had attended it on my own *muwahaha*). The event was the anniversary of the PMAP or Professional Models Association of the Philippines’ which was held at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Manila Peninsula (wheee my favorite hotel– because they have excellent scones, and they house 2 of my fave stores, Jul Dizon and Janina 😀 *drooooools*).

I saw a lot of old acquaintances which included Solea’s Emi Jorge and Bvlgari’s Mario Katigbak
Helena Belmonte with Puey Quinones
Repertory Philippines actress Ana Bitong with her beautiful mom (she is really gorgeous!)
And ta-daaah, Liza Ilarde Cuenca (her hubby owns The Steak Room!!), Jackie T, and Proudly Filipina host Daphne Oseña Paez. Loooove their beautiful skirts! Liza’s is by Ferdie Abuel, while Daphne’s is Comme des Garcons. I looooove their look– so classy and so totally chic! Made me look so totally… lost hahaha. While they were in perfect form for Fall/ Winter, I was still stuck in my Spring/ Summer phase with my floral column dress *oye at least I wasn’t wearing something gray anymore since that seems to be all that I wear most of the time haha*. Never mind my summery look. The rainy season which was supposed to park itself by this month is still nowhere in sight as of this afternoon haha. So I still feel I am excused (of course the fashion editors whom I met that night would probably think otherwise, but no matter. I loved my gown. Made me feel ethereal even if that’s the furthest from the truth haha)

So anyway, we hags were lucky to be early enough to enjoy the Moet et Chandon that was going around (yup the bubbly was served in those pink “tulip flutes” that we were holding). Too bad we only got “one round” of the bubbly. When we went back for seconds, the bar was already “out” *sob… so much for my planned bubbly overdoze which could’ve result in one silly baghag reaching near nirvana without even buying a bag hahaha*.

The show was interesting, with designers showcasing their newest creations. Joey Samson, Rajo Laurel, Rhett Eala, Ivar Aseron, Dennis Lustico, Jojie Lloren, Vic Barba, and other designers went all out to support the PMAP. We sat at the front row, and got to see all the clothes and the models real close (a bit too close actually, but how fun haha– I espied Joey Mead wearing a pair of Chanel platforms, and another model wearing the miroir Louis Vuitton criss-cross slings :D)

Towards the end of the show, the whole ballroom was suddenly engulfed in blackness. Music died, and lights followed suit. That was not supposed to happen… But haha all the lights and music must’ve burnt some fuse somewhere back there haha. That glitch didn’t dampen the mood of the crowd, because we media guests (or rather Daphne and guest– guest being me) were to take home the token event loot bags hehe. This, my dear hags, is the very cause of my existence as a social climber, and the very bane of my existence as a *cough* fashion journalist (hahaha it’s the very reason why no sane person would want to hire me to work for his/her company anymore *muwahahaha freeeeloader!!*). Come on, feel for me baghags. It ain’t funny when you don’t have any source of bag income! Hehehe. Bah. I’m happy tonight anyway, whether or not I have that glam job. Because I got to take home THESE– Marie Claire, Preview, and Mega Magazine, and a nice giftbox from Essences, Rustan’s.

And what, pray tell, is inside the box? More Loot!!! The freeloading baghag hit paydirt tonight!!! *Muwahaha* Check out the good stuff from DIOR!! Oh oh, let me share something with you– I’ve been something of a “beauty freak” lately (what a juxtaposition– beauty/freak…) haha. Since I’ve grown dark bags (unfortunately they’re no Hermes black crocodile birkins or I’d be a millionairess) under my eyes, I’ve sorta been hoarding all these beauty products that promise to lighten dark circles, etc. And yeah, don’t forget the reason I went into “hiding” in the first place–acne farm remember? And soooo, while the night was still young and most of the model folk and mere mortals trooped over to Fiamma for the after- party, mamas DaphP and I had to head home to our families. After the checking in with the kiddies, I parked myself in front of my Mac to blog for you hags 🙂 And after this, I shall attempt to get some much- needed beauty sleep (to prevent the acne from plaguing my farm.. err face haha). Tomorrow is back-to-reality day– yet another work day as a sales lady with my partner RDV. *Hehe we actually just end up chatting about food. again. hahaha– and I soo look forward to that!!!*.

I guess this about ends this loooong post! DaphP, thank you so much for inviting me again. I really had a blast! And oh yeah– I must shout this out loud to you here because you are way too modest to accept it– Girl, you’re soooooooo totally a BIG TIME celeb!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Later hags! I really do pray I get my passport already 🙁 *sob* The bags are already waiting for me on the other side of the world– for me to test drive them! *Snicker*

xx
Mrs.T