Céline - Boston Tote

Meet my current bag obsession - Céline Boston Tote:

It also comes in other colours but I am particularly fond of the blue (pictured above) and the red but it doesn't matter because it is sold out pretty much everywhere. Oh well, it gives me more time to save up for one!

Céline - Boston Tote (CAD2,500)

Aruna Seth - Butterfly Love

Remind me again why I no longer live in the UK? Oh, that's right. I met the love of my life and ended up settling in Canada. But it's times like this when I wish I was still living in my 350-square foot apartment from a stone's throw away from the London Bridge. *sigh*

Meet Aruna Seth - the next Tamara Mellon but with all the actual shoe-making talent. Her shoes are exquisitely designed and beautifully embellished. They say her shoes are extremely comfortable due to a special padding. I am currently loving her sparkling crystal butterfly line:

Aruna Seth - Price ranges between £195.00 - £470.00

My Scratch Map

I want this scratch-off map - mounted and framed but without glass:

My Scratch Map - £14.99

Linvin - The Queen of Love Red Passion

Absolutely love the idea of adding a splash of colour in the livingroom to give it a modern feel. What better to do it than with a brightly coloured throne fit for a queen?

Livin - The Queen of Love (USD1,050.00)

Sarah Louise Dix - Couture Upholstery

I've always wanted to fill up my living room with one-off pieces because the idea of matching furniture in one space seems rather dull and boring. I quite like the idea of re-upholstering antique chairs and mixing old with new, which is exactly the reason why I absolutely adore these vintage, mid-century modern furniture by Sarah Louise Dix:

Inspired by the construction and form of clothing, these pieces include elements such as corsetry or even entire incorporated garments. Prices range from CAD800.00 and up but really, how can you put a price on such modern guilty couture pleasure?

Hem Gems

I am a born again lover of flats.

I used to always wear heels no matter how much they pinched my toes or how many blisters I got from wearing them all the time, everywhere. But having lived in the UK where the streets aren't quite heel-friendly, I was forced to try wearing flats. I started off with baby steps, slipping into flats on my way to and from work but wearing heels in the office. Although I felt stubby and somewhat less polished in flats, after a while, I started to wear flats all the time. Unfortunately, not all my trousers and jeans are hemmed to my flat-shoe length so I've had to choose which trousers and jeans to shorten to match my flats and which to keep long to wear with my heels. And the choice hasn't always been easy - I know of two pairs of jeans that are in my closet that haven't been shortened because I want to wear them with both my flats and heels. At times, I've also been guilty of wearing my heel-length jeans with my flats and letting my jeans drag.

Enter Hem Gems - Stylized pins that allow you to temporarily hem your trousers without having to pay a tailor or forgo the instant gratification of getting trousers the right length:

Available in rivets or pyramid studs in packs of 8 for USD19.99.

Goody - Spin Pin

I have long, straight, thick hair. I love to wear it down most of the time but more often than not, my hair gets rolled up into a bun in the afternoon. But other than just using a boring black elastic band to hold my hair up, I don't use other hair accessories because most of them look too tacky (in my humble opinion). So when I came across Goody's spin pin, I was intrigued because it is very simple in design and, based on the reviews, it supposedly works. I went searching for it all over local drugstores and Wal-Mart but couldn't find one to try. Then when I was in Seattle this past weekend, I ran into a Wal-Mart and found one but only in the blonde colour (which is a brassy, gold colour). I ended up buying one just to try and ... boy, this spin pin really works!

All you need to do is gather your hair into a pony tail (no elastic required), twist it into a bun and spin one pin through the bun and another one through without crossing the other pin. No other pins or elastics required. It stays put and looks better than using an elastic band! Now only if I can find these in the brunette colour ... then I'd buy at least half a dozen!

Tory Burch - Foldable Shield Sunglasses

This is such a brilliant idea - foldable sunglasses that can be slipped into our small clutches and handbags! No more having to rest your sunglasses on your head or over your shirt because the sunglass case won't fit into your purse.

Tory Burch - Foldable Shield Sunglasses (USD175.00)

AC Milano by Jeffrey Campbell

Remember back when wooden clogs were like the coolest thing ever? Well, they are baaaaack but this time, they are super sleek and a lot less chunky. Slip these on with a pair of tights or those funky ankle and knee-length socks that are all the rage for this fall:

AC Milano by Jeffrey Campbell (USD125.00)

You Are Awesome - Necklace

Because it's always awesome to be told that you are awesome:

Hand-made sterling silver necklace by yellowgoat on Etsy (USD83.00)

One Shoulder Black Dresses by Theia

I've avoided purchasing black dresses because, well, they can be very dull and boring to wear to black-tie events or cocktail parties (who wants to blend in with the crowd? Not me!) so it is refreshing when I come upon black dresses that gets my adrenaline going. Here's one that I am totally in love with (minus the black belt - it cuts the flow of the dress!):

One Shoulder Evening Gowns by Theia (USD795.00)

And a shorter, flirty cocktail version:

Belted Black Cocktail Dresses by Theia (USD595.00)

Trumpette - Baby Gift Boutique

Buying a gift for a child has become so much more complex in this materialistic world in which we reside. But there are some good websites out there dedicated to feeding our addiction for brand names and fashion even for newborns and toddlers. I came across Trumpette, a baby gift boutique that sells extremely cute items (mostly socks, tights and shoes) that you may not find in your local stores. Here are some of my favourite picks:

Metallic Mocs - (USD31.50)

Silly Soles - (USD38.50)

Toddler Jenny Golf - (USD29.50)

Enveloppe Sofa

Is it a bed or a sofa? A bit of both it seems.

Enveloppe Sofa is designed by Inga Sempe and mimics a bed with pillows. This fluffy and soft "nest" is made of a base bed with a mattress and a long cushion with loose ends which can be put where you desire. It is created for both adults and children and comes in 140 different colours.

Pretty cool, huh?

Birkin Wannabes that I Want!

I am not a fan of fake goods or imitation handbags but when someone cleverly turns an iconic handbag like Hermes Birkin bag into something that mimics pop culture, who can honestly resist?

Priced at USD45.00, I can't wait to get my hands on one or two or five of them in different colours. Unfortunately, these aren't available anywhere but Asia (Taipei apparently) and likely won't make it across the ocean to North America if the lawyers for Hermes see them first. For my gals in Hong Kong, keep an eye out for me and grab me one in orange/fuschia/baby blue (in this order of priority) if you can!

Post via Bag Snob

LuLu*s - Italian Ice Top

Yesterday was officially the start of summer but the weather in Vancouver has been unpredictably not very summer-like lately, which is quite a bummer especially since I am starting to see more pretty, summery tops to throw on over a pair of jeans or shorts like this one:

Italian Ice Top (USD41.00)

Marc by Marc Jacobs - Petal to the Metal Flap Pouchette

For the past few months, I've been obsessing over which crossbody shoulder bag to get and finally, after months of browsing, I've decided that this is the one:

Marc by Marc Jacobs - Petal to the Metal Flap Pouchette (CAD220.00 or USD228.00)

** Update: This flap pouchette is actually no bigger than the size of my hand! What can I possibly fit into a bag that small? No thanks. The search for my perfect crossbody shoulder bag continues!

Gap - Butterfly Coverup

Once in a while, if you search hard enough, you find a piece or two worth purchasing from the Gap. This one is a winner for being so darn cute:

The Gap - Butterfly eyelet tunic top (USD24.99 - on sale!)

Miss Ferriday Flirty Romper

What do you get when you combine lace and tropical colours in a romper? This little flirty number:

Miss Ferriday Flirty Romper in Tropical (USD169.00)

Leaf-It

Some ideas are just too darn cute to pass up. Why didn't I think of turning sticky notes into something more decorative like leaves?

And if I had known about this a few weeks earlier, I might have seriously considered using them as an alternative to a guestbook at our wedding (although our wooden bench as a guestbook was a brilliant idea as well!).

Leaf-It (USD6.00)

Regina B. - Romantic Fringe Handbag

Oh my goodness. How awesome is this flapper-style purse?

Regina B. - Romantic fringe handbag (USD300.00)

Check out the website for all kinds of goodies: http://www.reginab.com.

Repetto + DC Comics = Flash Ballet Flats

There have been some debates amongst fashionistas worldwide about whether Repetto makes comfier flats than French Sole and vice versa. My personal preference is Repetto but only because I believe I was Marie-Antoinette in my past life and am in love with almost anything remotely linked to the French. But even for French Sole fans, you have to agree that the limited edition collaboration between Colette and Warner Bros. is ingenious. I am particularly fond of these "Flash" ballerina shoes:

These ballerina shoes were inspired by the superhero, The Flash and are designed to keep the flash of lightning of his great male powers and to put it in women's feet! You can't make a cuter statement with your shoes than that!

Repetto - Flash ballerina shoes (USD255.25)

Tory Burch - Perforated Wedge

I don't normally like wedge heels because I find most of them to be too clunky, heavy and stuffy. I also dislike summer wedges because they put too much pressure on your toes if they don't secure around your ankles (and even if they did go around the ankles, I despise ankle straps because they tend to make my legs look more short and stubby) and I generally shy away from thong-like wedge flip flops because they are generally not comfortable. But geez, never say never with these sexy yet practical-looking wedges by Tory Burch:

Tory Burch - Marci Perforated Lace-up Wedge (USD375.00). Would love to pair them up with capri pants or just simple black tights.

And I am also secretly craving this Oxford wedge shoes:

Tory Burch - Victor Perforated Wedge (USD325.00)

Longchamp x Jeremy Scott

Every gal must own a Longchamp pliage bag. It's the perfect bag for no-fuss, daily wear or for traveling. Grandmas and mothers love it because it is super light-weight and younger generations love it for its simplicit. But if you don't already own one, well, here's a good excuse to finally add one to your wardrobe. Jeremy Scott has teamed up yet again with Longchamp to create this fun, eye-catching canvas tote for the Longchamp 2010 Fall/Winter collection:

It's the perfect colour combination for the fall. And for just USD221.67 (179.00 euros), you don't have to worry about saving your next pay cheque to pay off the bag!

Sergio Rossi - Crystal Cage Bootie

Yes! I'm back!

Excusez moi for my sudden hiatus from blogging. I had a wedding to plan and attend but now that I'm finally a Mrs, I can re-channel my focus and energy on finding hidden gems and sharing them on my blog.

So first up on my list of updates is this gorgeous crystal-encrusted eye candy:

Sergio Rossi - Crystal Cage Bootie (USD1,550.00)

Vera Wang - Spring 2011 Collection

Can I just say ... how beautiful these gowns are?

I love the softness of the ruffles in each dress. Looks almost cotton-candy-ish-cloud-like. And though the dresses seem quite simple in the pictures, you'll be amazed at the amount of detail that you can see in each layer of the dress. Absolutely stunning.

Bravo!