Lambskin vs. Caviar Leather?

I know I've been on a shopping rampage lately but one of my goals by the end of this year is to treat myself to a Chanel Classic Jumbo/Large Flap Bag for my 20th birthday present! 

To me the Classic Flap Bag is timeless, elegant and will definitely not go out of style. Its definitely an investment piece that I'll cherish and pass down to my further generations.Chanel is known to increase their prices for the classic flap bag almost every single year. In August 2011 the Jumbo Flap Bag retailed for $4550.00CAD. This past weekend (March 2012) I went to the Chanel boutique and the price of the Jumbo Flap Bag has increased to $4900.00CAD - this being said I'd like to get mine this year before the prices increase once again! I definitely would love to get it in black with silver hardware. I'd get more use out of a black bag and it, being my first Chanel I would definitely want no regrets in getting any thing that I wouldn't use!

The hardest part for me right now is to narrow it down to whether i want the bag in Lambskin or Caviar leather...

Lambskin is very soft and buttery that gives the bag a very luxurious feel/look and shine! However, Lambskin has quite a bit of set backs. Its very prone to dents and scratches - even to the zippers from the bag itself can leave marks and indentations on the lambskin. It can't really be cleaned therefore the bag is super high maintenance! Lambskin is also very prone to fading of the color as well as after using the bag you would have to store it by stuffing the inside the bag to keep its shape. Lambskin is more flimsy and can lose its shape over time. I love the look and feel of the lambskin but am totally a klutz. I feel as if I were to get it in the lambskin I would ruin it before its lifetime is up. 

Caviar is a textured (pebbled) leather that is more stiff and durable. Its more water resistant and stain resistant, if anything were to get on it you could easily clean the bag by wiping it with a cloth or a bit of water. Its super low maintenance and its a leather that you could use all the time without worrying. I prefer the look of the lambskin over the caviar but being more practical, I would use the caviar more often without being super anal. Plus, its a more structured bag so I wouldn't have to care so much about storing the bag after I use it. 

Ahhh ! I'm so torn between the two leather types :( help please ! 

Guess what I got....

THE LOUIS VUITTON INSOLITE WALLET !!! 

after lots of consideration, I finally made the decision to get the Insolite wallet in Damier. Its versatile and I could use it as a clutch whenever I don't feel like carrying my purse around. The zip pocket also fits my iPhone4 perfectly! and with 12 card slots its not quite enough for ALL my cards but it will do:) I also got my initials stamped on the inside of the wallet. I love how Louis personalizes the pieces like this! I chose the colour red to match the inside lining of my speedy. I'm so happy ! It costed me $655.00CAD + tax. its a beautiful peice.

held as a clutch

and while I was browsing around Holt Renfrew waiting for my wallet to be stamped, i stumbled upon ....

Marc Jacobs iPhone 4/4s case!

I saw a silver one last week and asked the sales associate if they had it in the Rose Gold colour cause it would be absolutely PERFECT if they did. She said they haven't gotten them in yet. Lucky me, one week later: I happened to stumble upon the 2nd last Rose Gold case! It is super cute & goes so well with my rose gold accessories. It costed me $45.00CAD + tax.

my puppy Cookie <3 

Pro: the case is super cute & light so it doesn't weigh your phone down

Con: made of plastic. I thought it was made of a heavier material which would somewhat justify the price. 

*Photos make the case look "gold" but they're a true ROSE GOLD. 

LV Wallet

I've been on a hunt for the perfect wallet for my speedy. I have lots of cards that I need to bring around with me and I need a change pocket in my wallet! Im so undeceive & I think I've narrowed it down to 2 wallets;

LV Insolite Wallet; ~$665.00 CAD/USD

• 12 credit card slots
• 2 zippered pockets
• 2 flat pockets for paper
• comes in Damier, Damier Azur, Monogram, Monogram Multicolore Canvas ~805.00CAD/USD (Linings: Figue, Litchi, Orange, Citron) 

I really love the look of this wallet & how it's so versatile. You could use it as a wallet and if you don't want to carry your purse for the day, you could use it as a clutch! It has 2 zippered pockets on the inside which I love because it gives the outside a more smooth surface opposed to having the zippered pockets on the outside. 12 slots isn't quite enough but I'll settle for 12 compared to regular wallets with 9 slots. I love the look of the Monogram Multicolore Canvas! Its so original because no Multicolore Canvas will ever look like another. The colour pattern is totally different from each leather item. the one thing that I dislike about this wallet is that it has 4 brass snaps on the inside to secure the wallet. Its not very secure especially if you were to fill your wallet and used it as a clutch. The snaps could pop open whereas if it was a zipper it would be more secure. 

LV Long Wallet Origami; ~$705.00CAD/USD

• Rear zippered coin compartment
• 12 credit card slots
• 2 large interior bill compartments
• 3 smaller interior bill compartments
• comes in Damier & Monogram

This wallet is very unique as you can see, the inside of the wallet is shaped in different angles giving it the "origami" folds while the outside looks like its folded like an envelope. I've never seen something like this before! It looks gorgeous. This wallet has the zippered pocket on the outside which is a downside for me because if you were to put coins in the back it would make the wallet push outwards giving it a bumpy feel & look. This wallet also has the snap buttons for closure which i don't like.

SIGH! decisions, decisions! :( so hard to make a choice between the two! I'm so torn!

Technology Needs Style too

Black Marc Jacobs 13" laptop sleeve - $65.00CAD

It's super cute & the inside has a really nice luxurious fleece lining

I bought mine at Aritzia & they come in a wide variety of colors!

February Hits & Misses

Hits :) 

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

Anastasia Beauty Express for Brows & Eyes in Brunette

Chanel Vitalumier Aqua in B30 Beige- Sable

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light Plus

NYX Cream Blush in CB08 Hot Pink

Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Mascara in Black

Carmex Lip Ointment

1) Chanel Vitalumier Aqua is AMAZZZINGG. Its my favourite foundation of all time! It leaves such a beautiful finish on your skin. Your real skin peaks through the foundation leaving it look like you're not wearing any foundation! Its leaves a super light feeling on your face that dries almost instantly. For the best application I apply it with my fingers. I've tried using make-up brushes with it & just found that I waste more product. Its about light to medium coverage & I love the way it smells - as with all the Chanel products, they have this rose-florally scent (similar to Chanel Chance Fraiche purfume) to them thats just so yummy! (the smell isn't over powering though). & not to mention it has SPF 15! another pluss !!! <3 approximately $50.00CAD

2) MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural has been my go-to quick fix if I'm lazy to do my make-up or if I'm heading out just to do some errands. I use it with my MAC 182 buffing brush & it leaves quite a bit of coverage. I've gone back and forth with this powder for the past 3 years and its still one of my favourite powders. $29.00 on the MAC website. 

3) NYX Cream Blush in Hot Pink has been my go-to blush this month mostly because during the winter time my cheeks get really dry & using blush powders just highlight the flakes on my cheeks! This cream blush blends very well & its super pigmented! Use sparingly! I've worn less make-up this month than I usually do & I believe that wearing a bright pink blush really pulls your "no-makeup, makeup" look together & makes you look fresh!  $9.99 on the NYX website. 

4) Carmex Lip Ointment is my #1 lip balm! I had jaw surgery this month & my lips were super chapped. This product has totally saved my ugly chapped lips! When in doubt use Carmex. Carmex has a really strong medicine-y smell & taste to it. At first I hated it but loved the results it gave me so I kept testing it out. 4 years later: the smell doesn't seem to bother me anymore! I actually kind of enjoy it... $1.50-$2.00 at drugstores. 

5) Benefit Hoola is a universal bronzer colour for most skin colours! It suits me so well & doesn't give that "orange" cast like other bronzers do. & it's lasted me quite a while. It comes with 110g of product and I've had it for about a year and haven't hit pan yet! Im quite sure I paid $30.00+CAD but its going for $28.00 on the Sephora website. (maybe US pricing?)

6) The Anastasia Beauty Express for Brows & Eyes has changed my life completely! My brows are now more fuller looking & it complements my face a lot more than before. Mostly due to the stencils that the set comes with! You can purchase the stencils separately. The brow powders in this kit is the perfect shades of brown. Some brow powders tend to be more on the burgundy / reddish side but this one is more on the grey spectrum which is more flattering. The highlight shades/eyeshadows are also amazing & they're super pigmented! The shimmery champagne colour is personally my favourite because it looks gorgeous on your brow bone & your inner tear duct! I paid about $55.00 CAD but its going $39.50 on the Sephora website.  (maybe US pricing?)

7) The Laura Mercier Full Blown Mascara is AMAZING! I have pathetic short, flimsy eyelashes mostly due to being asian & religiously wearing false lashes for the past 3.5 years. I got this mascara in a sample tube that I got in my Laura Mercier 500 Point Perk from Sephora in December 2011. This mascara gives me so much length & volume that its CRAZY! My all time favourite mascara before had to be the Dior Show Original but I think this is my new holy grail mascara! I'm definitely purchasing it in the full size tube once I'm done with this one! $24.00 on the Sephora website.

Misses :(  

Lush Colour Supplement in Light Yellow 

Hard Candy Glamoflauge in Medium 313

Beauty So Clean Cosmetic Sanitizer Wipes

1) Lush Colour Supplement (foundation) was a miss for me mostly because I hated the way it felt on my face. It had a sticky texture to it & I had to use quite a bit of product just to get light-medium coverage! You have to mix the Lush Colour Supplement with your moisturizer & doing so I think this made me look super duper oily! You definitely need to powder & It didn't last very long either. It started to fade away after about 3 hours of initially applying it. It comes in 4 colours which sucks because if you're in between tones & colours you have to buy 2 pots and mix them together to make your perfect match. They come in either pink or yellow tones. Nothing in between. $15.95 on the Lush website.

2) Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer, from what I heard, is a dupe for the Make Up Forever Full Coverage concealer & the Kat Von D concealer. This concealer is disgusting. Yes, disgusting. I never thought I'd use the word "disgusting" to describe a make-up product but theres always a first for everything. This concealer claims that it could cover up tattoos which is a complete LIE. It has medium-heavy coverage but in no way could it cover up tattoos. Not in a million years! It leaves a super oily feeling on your face. I felt so dirty having it on my face. I wanted to wash my face immediately & I should have because this concealer broke me out !! $6.00 on the Walmart website.

3) Beauty So Clean Cosmetic Sanitizer Wipes are a complete waste of your money. I heard so much hype about Beauty So Clean from the beauty community on the internet so I went out and purchased their Sanitizing Wipes. I thought they had some special ingredients or that they were something amazing, turns out they're just alcohol wipes that are made in miniature sizes for your "smaller make-up items." If i had known this I would have saved my $12.00 and just purchased some generic alcohol wipes which have done the job for a fraction of the price.

Purse To Go for the Louis Vuitton Speedy 35 Damier

After having my first Louis Vuitton bag for about a week, I've been extremely careful with it making sure that I don't ruin the canvas as well as the inside lining of my bag.

 I've done quite a bit of research on the Speedy Damier & found that the Speedy's sag heavily & that the red fabric on the inside of the Damier fabric could be ruined easily by a pen mark or a makeup spill for example and there wouldn't be a easy solution to clean it. This lessens the value of your bag. (Louis Vuitton bags hold their value far more than other bags such as Gucci & Coach). Another con of the Speedy is that it has no pockets except for the 1 flap(which barely fits my iPhone 4). 

Speedy35 Damier. Structureless. 

Frustrated with all these issues that come with my beautiful bag I was determined to find a solution. I came across a forum where other Speedy owners posted about the; "PURSE TO GO" (http://www.pursetogo.net/)

"Purse To Go" is a transfer liner & organizer for your bag that makes it easier for you to switch bags without the hassle of moving each item 1 by 1. 

I was interested in the "Purse To Go" because I could use it in a multitude of ways;

1) holding the shape of my Speedy so it doesn't sag too much (I personally like the way it sags but just not to the point of where it looks like a Hobo)

2) protecting the red inside lining

3) providing many pockets for organization! 

Sizes;

Small = 9"L x 4.5"H x 2.5"W - 6 pockets - 2oz

Large = 12"L x 6"H x 3.5"W - 7 pockets - 2.5oz

Jumbo = 15"L x 7.5"H x 4"W - 8 pockets - 3.5oz

Extra Jumbo = 18"L x 9"H x 6"W - 7 pockets - 6oz

Louis Vuitton Sizing;

Speedy25 = 1 Large or 2 Small(for more pockets)

Speedy30 = 1 Jumbo or 2 Large(for more pockets)

Speedy35 = 1 Extra Jumbo or 2 Jumbo(for more pockets)

Speedy40 = 1 Extra Jumbo or 2 Jumbo(for more pockets)

Neverfull PM = 1 Large

Neverfull MM & Galliera PM = 1 Jumbo

Neverfull GM & Galliera GM = 1 Extra Jumbo

Prices:

	Original	Print	Pocket Plus	Zip-Up
Small	$15.95	$18.95	$20.95	$20.95
Large	$17.95	$20.95	$22.95	$22.95
Jumbo	$19.95	$22.95	$24.95	$24.95
Extra-Jumbo	$22.95	$25.95	$27.95	$27.95

They come in a wide variety of styles as well as colours for you to choose from.

For my Speedy 35 Damier I purchased the Extra Jumbo in the Red Pocket Plus to match the original red lining. 

I purchased my Purse To Go through eBay. (They have an account for Purse To Go) for $27.95CAD + shipping

It came in about 1 week. 

My Speedy 35 Damier with the Purse To Go Inside Zipped Up

A look inside my bag with the Purse To Go

Purse To Go  

As you could see the Purse To Go lining matches the inside of my bag PERFECTLY.  From the colour and down to the way it fits my bag. Seeing the Purse to Go in Extra Jumbo initially I thought theres no way it could possibly fit inside my Speedy 35. It looked way too big! But once you place it inside your bag, there could not have been a better fit. I'd definitely stick with the size reccomendations. You could hardly tell that I have the Purse To Go inside my bag and Im just so amazed this product! The Purse To Go is also reversible so you could flip it inside out & its washable! 

Cons: I like the way my Speedy sags a bit but having the Purse To Go in kind of makes the bag look unnatural and somewhat boxy. But I think in time after I fiddle around with the Purse To Go I could make it more pliable and less boxy. 

Overall, I definitely, definitely recommend this if you have issues with switching bags or if you just want to protect & utilize your Louis Vuitton to the fullest! 

Fashion Haul!

I just recently had surgery so I've been staying home a lot recovering. With that said, I've had lots of time to shop online as well as in stores.

I'm subscribed to Daily Look. (join!  http://www.DailyLook.com/?refMemberID= -875170067918012541). For those of you who don't know what it is; Daily Look is a online subscription site in which they send you e-mails about outfits that they style together daily. You can purchase the whole outfit for $100 and under or you can buy the pieces that you like from the outfit! Its totally free to sign up & this way you get a personalized look every day! I purchased pieces from 2 main looks;

1) "Scoop Neck Chiffon Tank with Back Detail" - $36.99CAD

back

front

2) "Classic Sailor Stripe Blazer" - $49.99CAD

front

back

3) "Classic Patch Pocket Blazer" - $59.99CAD

front (the blazer is bright orange!)

back

4) "Sleeveless Button Down Shirt" - $38.99CAD

front (ivory colour)

back

I'm very satisfied with the products that I purchased! The quality isn't the best but for the prices that they are its not a bad deal. The tank tops definitely aren't made as well as the blazers that I purchased. I usually wear between a small - medium and I purchased all of the items in medium. (online shopping can be deceiving especially if the products are made in asia! asian fits are smaller!) So I went with the higher spectrum of what I usually wear. & they fit perfectly. The shipping took almost 3 weeks which is ridiculous! I e-mailed them about 2 weeks in wondering about the tracking and I didn't get a reply until a day before everything came in. & they said that they didn't know what  happened to the packages since it had left the United States. Which I thought was bogus because shouldn't they be somewhat responsible for the packages until they reach to the customer? ANYWAYS. Enough ranting! Overall I would purchase from Daily Look again. I really do enjoy the products  

A few things from Forever 21;

1) "Leopard Print Top With Tie" - $29.80CAD. 

2) "10 Eyeshadow Palette" - $7.80CAD (naked palette dupe!)&& i know its not "fashion" but it is from F21 ! 

I purchased this palette on a whim. I didn't expect too much knowing that its from F21 & that nothing will ever compare to my Urban Decay Naked Palette 1&2. But it was only $7.80? Why not. Well did they prove me wrong! This palette is extremely pigmented. I would expect to have maybe 1-3 colours out of the palette then to be the "rotten eggs" of the bunch but not a single eyeshadow was crappy! they're super good! My only complain is that the packaging is super lousy. It feels super cheap (well it is...) but they could've done more with it! The eyeliner that came with the palette is another surprise! Its quite creamy & glides on very nicely. Definitely recommend it! Its a good dupe for the Naked Palettes 1&2.

 3) Green Laced Tube Dress W/ Belt - $28.80CAD

4) Sheer Military Style Dress - $29.80CAD

From the Online Apple Store;

Michael Kors Horiztontal Tote For Macbook Pro Up to 15" in MK Monogram;

middle pocket is for your macbook!

zipped up

I've been looking for a bag to bring to school where I can carry my 13" Macbook Pro and some school supplies. I was browsing the Michael Kors website and found this bag. Unfortunately they don't ship to Canada unless you call a toll-free number & set up the purchase. & the stores didn't carry this bag with the zipped pocket for your Macbook.  I didn't want to go through the hassle of calling them so I went on the Apple website knowing that Apple sells Michael Kors products. Luckily they had the exact same bag! & I got free shipping! The bag was $284.00CAD. When I got the bag in the mail, it came in a GIANT box. Unsure of why Apple placed a bag in such a large box I opened the box anyways puzzled. It turns out that the box fits the bag almost perfectly. This bag is HUGE! It didn't look so large online but holding it against my body it totally didn't suit me! I think I'm going to return this bag. :( wahh still on the hunt for another school bag!

......

&& Last but not least... 

MY NEW LOUIS VUITTON SPEEDY 35 DAMIER! (purchased instore) 

AHHH im so in love with my new Louis Baby! I've wanted this bag for so long and I finally decided to go purchase it. I was undecided between either 35/40 and whether I wanted the Damier or the Monogram. I decided to go with the Damier because not as many people have this print compared to the Monogram and the leather handles on the Damier isn't patina (surface of the leather ages through time from natural oils in your hands, weather etc) so it could consistently look clean & I wouldn't have to be so careful with the handles. I decided to go with the 35 rather than the 40 because the 35 suited my body better. I tried both bags on & what I thought I initially wanted, 40, was huge on me! The 35 looked much better on my body (5ft3inches, 128lbs) 

I LOVE IT SO MUCH! <3 <3 best investment ever! 

Clear Acrylic Makeup Organizers

I've always been on the hunt for a system to organize my makeup! I have quite a bit of makeup and I can never find a efficient way to expose all the items in a way where I can see what I've got to use! I'm currently using 2 Sterlite plastic 3 wide drawer organizers from Walmart that are kind of crappy. Sure, they store my makeup but I have to stack everything on top of each other for them to fit. I wish I had more drawers that were more shallow. 

Sterlite 3 Wide drawer Ogranizer

 Some of my lip products (top view)

 Lip products stacked on top. So hard to see what I actually have:( 

Watching all the seasons of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians", "Khloe & Lamar", "Kourtney & Kim Take New York," the list goes on and on! I noticed that Kim and Khloe have the cutest drawers to store their make-up! It looks like it stores so much makeup with only 2 drawers! I love how they're clear so you could see what you have in each drawer and I love how each drawer is shallow so you don't have to stack products on  top of each other! & they're so chic! 

Kourtney playing with Kim's makeup

I did some research and found 3 acrylic drawers that look very similar to what Kim & Khloe use for their make-up. Forewarning: they're not cheap! :( 

OPTIONS:

1) The Clear Cube: http://www.theclearcube.com/

The Clear Cube is made of acrylite acrylic which they state on the website as; "being the highest grade of acrylic."  The cubes are custom made as they're ordered and they also custom make the cubes to your preference! They also ship internationally. Shipping to Vancouver for 1 drawer is $222.07. They sell the dividers separately aside from the 5 drawer wide clear cube. 

 4 drawer clear cube (1 open hinged top drawer, 3 equal height drawers & 1 double height drawer) = $300.00 USD

5 drawer clear cube (1 open hinged top drawer & 5 equal height drawers) = $300.00 USD

5 drawer wide clear cube [closest to kim/khloe kardashian's] (1 open hinged top drawer, 5 equal height drawers & 2 grid inserts) = $350.00 USD

The Clear Cube 5 Drawer Wide Clear Cube - $350.00USD

2) Sherri Blossom Clear Acrylic Makeup Organizers: http://www.sherrieblossom.com/

The Clear Acrylic Makeup Organizers are made of Lucite by Dupont which is stated on the site as; "one of the world's most beautifully coloured acrylic." They also stated that they are the the top acrylic organizer company on the market. You recieve all 3 dividers when you purchase a Makeup Organizer. I believe they ship internationally(not 100% sure). It costs $96.90 USD to ship to Canada. 

Icebox Wide (1 top opened drawer, 5 equal height drawers + 3 dividers)[closest to kim/khloe kardashian's] = $375.00 USD

Shorty Wide (1 top opened drawer, 4 equal height drawers + 3 dividers) = $308.00 USD

Icebox Skinny (1 top opened drawer, 5 equal height drawers + 3 dividers = $345.00 USD

Shorty Skinny (1 top opened drawer, 4 equal height drawers + 3 dividers) = $308.00 USD

Sherri Blossom Icebox Wide - $375.00 USD

3) Muji Acrylic Cases: http://www.muji.us/store/storage/acrylic-cases.html

They ship to USA & Canada. On the site they don't state what the cases are made of. I would assume a cheaper acrylic than the ones from Sherri Blossom and The Clear Cube because the price points are on 2 different extremes! They charge a $4.00 handling fee for fragile items and you could only order 2 pieces per order. It costs $22.95CAD to ship to Vancouver. 

Acrylic 3 Case Drawer = $24.75

Acrylic 2 Case Drawer(large) = $25.25

Acrylic Case 2 Drawers with Lid (large) = $26.75

Acrylic Case 5 Drawer [closest to kim/khloe kardashian's] = $27.95

Muji Acrylic Case 5 Drawer - $27.95

In my opinion I would love to own The Clear Cube 5 wide drawers. They look super classy & chic! & they look like they're made of a better acrylic than the rest. I think I would have to purchase 2 in order to fit all my makeup in it. I just don't have the heart to splurge $700+ shipping = $1000 on acrylic cases at the moment! I've read up on reviews on the Muji Acrylic Cases. They're a bit too shallow. About the size of a quarter! Most of my foundations are larger than that so I don't think it'll work out. Let the money saving begin!