THE COUNTDOWN

It's been raining in Vancouver...but we've still managed to keep working...only 3 days left to the launch party!!!  So exciting yet so challenging since Taylor and I are doing everything ourselves (with some helpful friends of course).  We are hoping to see all our friends&family and their friends&family on thursday to celebrate with us!!!  See you guys soon!

http://www.leboudoir.co/



WHAT TIME IS IT???

We spent the whole day taking outfit pictures, which will be added to Le Boudoir's lookbook on daily basis.  So, here is my question: what will be the best time to post???

le Boudoir is coming...

Le Boudoir 's preview is finally available...and to celebrate it all, we will be hosting a launch party and sample sale on Dec 2 2010 at 6:00p in Vancouver.  If you live in the Greater Vancouver Area (or not), come by 689 Abbot St - Lobby Convention Room (Tower A), Vancouver BC to have the first picks!!!

(just done tagging one of the many many racks of clothing not including a table of accessories and rows of shoes) 

I'm finally in Vancouver since yesterday afternoon for the set-up of Le Boudoir, our online consignment shop. Since I got here, my girlfriend/partner, Taylor and I have been sorting, tagging, pricing, eating and drinking until 5amET!!!  I have to admit, altough it's a lot of work, I haven't had this much fun in a long time!

ARM CANDIES

After my "Let's take a minute..." post which included snapshots of the current favorites of my shoe collection, it was requested that I do a similar post on my purse collection. 

I started collecting purses a while back, not only because I love purses, but mainly because I imagined myself handing down my collection to my daughter...Well, I guess I'll be holding on to them a little longer than I have hope now that only have a son...

With price tags of designer handbags going up faster than my stock portfolio, I can only justify to invest when there's longivity and versatility to the overall design and household brand.  I guess I'm just boring in that sense (I would prefer to think I'm wise??).

My current favorites, from left column, top down:

YSL, Marni, Givenchy, Alexander Wang, Hermes
Hermes, YSL, Pierre Hardy, Hermes, Chanel
Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Balenciaga, Chanel, Chanel, Hermes

p.s. Missing some of my "older" current favorites, including Gucci (don't judge), Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Mulberry and Chloe, that are stored at my mom's.

MAIN EVENT - Stuzzichi

While celebrating Xavier & Angie's birthday, we had the opportunity to discover a new italian restaurant: STUZZICHI.  It's a cozy little place (did you see the fireplace?) on 358 Notre-Dame, in old Mtl, that serves fresh pasta and home-made tiramisu, the two most important dishes for me while judging an italian resto.  We enjoyed the tasting menu and multiple bottles of wine, of course. It's now definitely on my favorite list!

OUTFIT DU JOUR - Like a t-shirt

I finally wore my Alexander Wang skirt today to the birthday dinner of two close friends...so comfy!!!

Shirt - Ralph Laurent; Skirt - Alexander Wang; Bag - Balenciaga; Shoes - Modern Vintage

OBSESSION DU JOUR - the touch of Denis


My most recent obsession & acquisition of Denis Gagnon's Fall 2010 Collection are these arm warmers.  Made with butter solf leather and shaved shearling, they are extremely warm.  The zipper detail adds toughness and sensuality...oh...so Denis!  Now, if only I can get my hands on that dress made entirely out of gold zippers...

BECOMING A BALLERINA - the Chignon

Yes, I want to be a Ballerina this holiday season.  And I need to start with a perfect modern chignon like the one above...needless to say, I highly doubt that the final outcome will be so pretty.  Well, one can always dream...To make my life easier, I got the new Goody Spin Pin at Walmart yesterday.  I figured that they were only $6.97 and refundable in case they don't deliver what the commercial promissed.  Once home, I did a test with a quick low bun and inserted one pin downwards and another upwards and voila!  Not only they held my bun in place without any extra products, they were even jump/dance/shake-proof!

 

I love ingenious little things that make my life easier and won't brake my wallet!  Next: the make-up!

OUTFIT DU JOUR - Hello Lover!

I HAVE A NEW LOVER...and I think this time, it's gonna be a long-term affair...

Jacket - Nico Nico; Top - Madison Marcus; Pants - Zara; Purse - Hermes; Belt - Barbara Bui; Shoes - Modern Vintage

Going to the WILD WILD WEST

It's official: I'm heading to Vancouver next thursday for 2 weeks!   It's going to be Ayden's first trip, which stresses me a little...but hey, it'll be good practice for our Asia trip next spring.

On my agenda:

• Organizing the launch party for my project (details coming soon!!!) with my friend/partner
• Visiting friends & family
• Overloading myself with delicious Asian food
• and shopping of course!

NEW TOY: T3 Bespoke Colorlock Press

Went shopping at Winner's yesterday and came home with this new toy: T3 Bespoke Colorlock Press!!  I have to admit that it first caught my attention with its unbelievable price ($49.99 instead of $250!!!  Still regular price at T3's website).  I then realized that it was part of T3's professional line.  Sold!  After some research online, I found out that this straightening iron can be used on both damp or dry hair and is actually meant to condition and lock in colour while styling at the same time!  It comes with dual voltage, which means I can travel back to Asia with it.  After testing it this morning on my freshly washed and air-dried hair, I think I found my new favorite toy!!  The only downside is that it cannot curl hair like my 1" straightening iron...oh well! 

Go get it while they're still available at Winner's!

OUTFIT DU JOUR - Zip!

Inspired by Denis Gagnon's fall collection, I tried to incorporate the zipper touch to my outfit today.  Obviously, the outcome is not nearly as couture as Denis' pieces...

Jacket - Zara; Sweater dress - Zara; Legging - Winners; Purse - Miu Miu; Shoes - Modern Vintage

I MISSED THE ANGELS!

I have been so busy with sample sales and my new project (will give you guys more details very soon!!!) that I completely missed out on the Victoria Secret fashion show!  Although not so much of a fashion show but rather a fantasy show, this year's costumes are 100X more lust-worthy than last year's.  Ah...I sometimes fantasize of becoming an Angel...if not for the fame & money, at least I can add HOT on my resume.

(source: Tommy Ton for Style.com)

OBSESSION DU JOUR - Ballerina inspired

BCBG                                                                BCBG

3.1 PHILLIP LIM                                            AGENT PROVOCATEUR

DIANE VON FURSTENBURG                                   RED VALENTINO

Just like most girls, I wanted to be a ballerina.  To me, ballerinas are like princesses with talent!  But my obsession for ballerina inspired clothing has only resurface when I recently saw pictures of my friend who attended a wedding in Hong Kong.  She and all 10 other bridesmaids were dressed in light pink dresses and all coiffed with a chignon bun.  "So pretty!" I thought to myself.  I must incorporate this look for the upcoming holiday season...

SAMPLE SALE - Clarins

I'm a big sucker for luxurious bath products, especially those that smell so good you want to eat it!!!  "Le Couvent des Minimes" is actually a Spa Hotel by L'OCCITANE in France.  It has the same bath & body collection as the famous french brand but simply repackaged under the spa's name.  I first discovered L'OCCITANE during a stay at the 4 Seasons Hotel and became instantly intoxicated by the miniatures selection in my bathroom (I love hotels with luxurious miniatures).  So without saying, I was thrilled to find the whole line at the Clarins sample sale.  I grabbed the Skin Softening Sugar Scrub in Honey & Milk and in Verbena & Lemon, the Verbena & Lemon Body Milk and the Verbena & Lemon Invigorating Recipes.

I also threw in my shopping basket a back-up of my Nuxe Huil Prodigious Or.  If you haven't tried it, it's a MUST.  This dry oil can be used on hair or body.  I personally use it on any exposed skin and it gives me a beautiful golden glow.

OUTFIT DU JOUR - I'm ready!

I'm ready...I'm ready for yet another sample sale.  Don't laugh, sample sales are not easy: the waiting in line outside in this cold windy weather, the battle for bargain items once inside and the even longer line-up for the cash...well, I'm READY.

Vest - Zara; Sweater - BCBG; Pants - Rich&Skinny; Purse - Balenciaga; Boots - Modern Vintage

GIRL CRUSH - Christine Centenera

To me, Christine Centenera is the epiphany of "cool".  Everything she wears, she wears it with an edgy yet non-chalant attitude.  Nothing looks too pretty nor too avant-garde.  And I love that she's not a former model turned editor (she's the fashion editor for Harper’s Bazaar Australia), but a rather average height and size girl, thus giving the rest of us hope that fashion is not solely meant for those 5'11" 115 lbs girls...however, we are still lacking the editor worthy waredrobe...well, Zara will do for now.

OUTFIT DU JOUR - Can I hide behind you?

I love capes.  A nice cape is the perfect outwear for one main reason: provides camouflage when you feel "blah" while giving high impact style to your outfit.  I have so many capes/ponchos, but always end up reaching for this one...I know, I shoudn't play favorites...

Cape - Zara, T-shirt - no name from HK; Vest - Club Monaco; Jeans - Rich&Skinny; Boots - Modern Vintage; Purse - Balenciaga