On a fish stick budget: Bags under US $1,000

No, I have not abandoned my blog, I had merely taken a quick rest because I just can’t seem to stop coughing. It’s this damned allergy that I can’t really quite know what to make of, and it’s just getting my throat all bloody and scratched up *hence loss of voice*. I was a pretty bad goiley yesterday– I had to *take note, HAD to!* eat the chocolate-caramel apple that HT and AG made *Congratulations to HT by the way, who is 2 months pregowego!*. So this morning, I woke up again with a scratchy throat, no better than the day before. My bad. But if you had tasted the choco-caramel apple, then you would not even have thought twice! 🙂 It was deeelicious!!!

Today, I dropped by to see CandyD at Jul B Dizon Jewellery Salon (branches located at Manila Peninsula Hotel/ Edsa Shangrila Hotel) in between my errands, and we got into this discussion about what else, jewels. *Bah, it’s either bags or jewels. And I’d opt for the former because I don’t have a budget for jewels, but that won’t stop me from ogling!!*. They have pieces that are in the 20K pesos range *Yes!! Not all jewelry pieces are THAT expensive, you’d be surprised!* (They have these beautiful flower rings that are made from carved agate or opal or other beautiful stones and are set in oxidized silver– perfect lil cocktail rings, I tell ya). I forgot to take photos of the rings *duh*, but will try to pass by again and take shots of them when I get the chance. Pffft, what was I saying? Oh, well anyway, Jul B. Dizon’s Jewellery Salon will be having their huge, huge sale by month end, and everything will be discounted! So if I were you, save up and head over there to fulfill your once-a-year bling quota *helllooo Valentines’ Day!*. 🙂

By now I’m sure you all know that I have caviar taste with a fishstick budget 🙂 I came across these spectacular pair of diamond pear-shaped cage earrings designed by none other than JAR, and I was just so floored. It was magnificent *and this word still does not do justice to these earrings!*. Tag price? Estimated to fetch between US$500,000 – US$700,000. *Jaw drops* (photo credit: Christie’s). But hey, if you have this kinda money, I would highly recommend that you make a bid for these. JAR jewels are rare to come by. You have to either know this elusive jeweller personally, or at least be highly *take note, HIGHLY* recommended by someone who knows the jeweller personally or he won’t even see you (even if you set up camp outside his Place Vendome shop). These earrings are just sooo *sigh* perfect! *Major sob… caviar taste… fishstick budget!*

I am better off sticking to bags 🙂 Sorry about that off-topic about jewelry. I simply couldn’t resist! 😀 *muwahaha caviar taste on a fishstick budget indeed!* I passed by Greenbelt 4 this afternoon rather quickly to just pick up something, then passed by Louis Vuitton to check out the fur multicolore messenger bag and waist bag. Hmm, you know what, it doesn’t look too bad. It looked rather comfy 🙂 But for Php 700K++, I think better just get an alligator- trimmed one. The fur bag looks cute only if you live in sub zero temp zones 🙂 Not in humid Philippines! You’d need to put that bag on AC forever! *shock electricity bill*. But nevertheless, it was really worth looking at up close.

I went to check on Kitson to see their latest bag inventory. I came across this beautiful L.A.M.B. saddle alston bag with its racing stripes, which reminded me of *guess the brand!* 😀 I like that it’s coated canvas and has these teeny monograms as well. The shape is a classic *Speedy in disguise*, and the black leather trimmings give the bag a little extra class. For US$550 at shopkitson.com

Another bag that caught my eye is a Michael Kors Square Satchel. Though at first glance, it looked too “chunky” and more mannish, I began appreciating the style (either that, or I’ve formally defected into the “dont-even-go-there” bugly bag club *hehe*). I like the thick contrasting straps that work nicely with the dark brown body. Two-toned bags work better than a plain single- colored one. Character, hags. Your bags need some character 🙂 Those “buttons” sit real well with the bag. It has that Mulberry appeal. (If I didn’t know this was MK, I would’ve mistaken this for a Mulberry!). Priced at US$398. Not bad at all!

The former designer of Marc Jacobs designed this Gryson Olivia bag in chocolate. The bag is a favorite of Nicole Richie and it’s easy to see why. The bag seems real featherweight, has adjustable shoulder straps (that are detachable) and has short braided leather handles as well. It’s a relatively simple bag with only that braided handle as embellishment as well as this functional exterior pocket. The design finishes off nicely by being able to get unsnapped on its sides to make the bag larger. For US$795, I’d like to get one of these sometime this year *ugh, purse ban… I hate this purse ban!*

SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT: Anyone interested in a Balenciaga Black Motorcycle Office (Work) Bag? The bag was only carried a few times by its lovely owner. It’s still in pristine condition, with all the trimmings still complete. Fairly hard to find a black one since it’s the most versatile color in the collection too. Priced at Php 72,000. So if you are interested, give me a holler *er, text will do since I am still croaking* at (+63916) 758-0857.

I need to sleep now, hags. I had been taking Nyquil the last few nights, but natch my cough wasn’t getting better. Hello, it ain’t a cough! *Kicks myself in the head* I swear this so-called allergy better get me thin already… I dare not weigh in at my doctor’s…. too scared. Gimme a few more weeks of wearing a super tight girdle *muwahaha woops, did I reveal too much info? hehehe* and an all-veggie diet *which rightfully includes potato chips haha*. Then I’ll gladly weigh in 😀 (Hooo boy, seriously, it’s especially hard to lose that extra holiday weight since I just looove food too much to give it up!) Ooh ooh and before I end my post….

BRAG-A-BAG: GL bagged this beautiful Gucci monogram tote on her recent trip to Greenbelt 4, and at a good price too! Congratulations to another baghag who has successfully been sucked into the vortex of designer baghogging 🙂 You’re now one of us *WooHoo!!*

xx