A few weeks ago, I attended Purse Prime’s Private Bag Spa Session, and here’s what I took home with me:

Hand Sanitizer, Bag Holder, Dust Bag, Bag Care Guides and a 10% discount

Honestly, this pocket-sized hand sanitiser is something new to me, albeit I’ve been very aware of its omnipresence as a dangling item on most ladies’ totes. Even my friend M has one, but I’ve never jumped into the bandwagon. Perhaps, it doesn’t hurt to bring one this time around in lieu of my ol’ bottle of ECHOstore hand sanitiser spray, does it?

I’m happy to get a 10% discount treat. Hmmm…I’m thinking of getting an Apple Garde Rain & Stain Repellant for my Nike Leather Laptop Bag. It looks like [is] a real mess right now, because of the rain stains.

Love My Bags Bag Dehumidifiers

It was so nice of Meya of Love My Bags to hand me this pack of bag dehumidifiers, composed of four 10-gram packs of silica gel. I admit I was guilty of throwing silica gel packs found mostly on bags and shoes as if they weren’t important. Little did I know is that silica gel plays a significant role in keeping leatherwear stench-free. Now, I know better! It also helps prevent unpleasant odour from clothes that are stored inside the cupboard or closet for quite a time.

Apple Suede & Nubuck Cleaner, Apple Leather Cleaner, Apple Leather Care Conditioner and Esquire Patent and Patina Cleaner (back, not shown)

Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without these bag care samples (in 10ml purse bottles) from Apple and Esquire.

Apple Leather Cleaner & Apple Leather Care Conditioner Road Test

Apple Leather Care Conditioner & Apple Leather Cleaner 

I put two of these samplers to the test. I tried primping a vintage LV Epi Leather Pouch using Apple Leather Cleaner and Care Conditioner.

Here’s how the pouch looks after:

Except for the dent on the base (see bottom center) and some tiny permanent stains, the leather cleaner removed the icky dirt that’s been sitting on this old pouch for sometime. Notice that the colour stands out more, apart from its dull condition prior to cleaning.

Dirt from the cotton wool.

I also noticed how it’s made the pouch look shinier and feel much softer after I applied the leather care conditioner and buffed it with a brush.

Close up on the front

Back

You’d really want to touch the leather! It’s really super soft, a far cry from its stiff beginnings.

Purse Prime Bag Care Guide

I compiled Purse Prime’s complete bag care guide for your viewing pleasure.

Visit Purse Prime on Multiply

You can make the most of your curves simply by following a few fashion rules. Here, we have rounded up the best rules that apply to larger ladies. These are simple things that can work for all shapes. So, take a look and see if you can apply any of them to your daily wardrobe, whether it’s evening dresses or casual wear.

ELLOS Silver Tube Dress – £ 39.00

1. Figuring things out – you should have a good idea of what body shape you have, so research what is best for your shape as this can make a huge difference to your finished outfit.
2. Dark colours – while black is slimming, we do not want to encourage the larger ladies among us to live in it. Colour can give you a certain glow and hiding behind swathes of black clothes won’t enhance anything. Use black where appropriate but don’t be afraid to use colour. Pear shapes should wear dark on the bottom and light on the top, apple shapes or vice versa.
3. Go A-line – this is the best style to flatter all body types. A-line dresses or skirts will go in at the waist and then flare out, skimming over the hips and thighs. Great for disguising larger bottoms and legs.
4. V-necks are also a good look as they create length on the torso. A longer neck is slimming and this will also draw attention to the bust rather than down towards the waist.
5. Stripes – there is a bit of a myth about stripes and that larger shapes should only stick to vertical stripes. You CAN wear horizontal stripes but choose wisely, it is the type of stripe you wear that determines how they make you look. Vertical is the preferred option as they create length.
6. Heels are good for giving you a little extra height and therefore you will appear slimming. They do wonders or legs, making you look far smaller and more streamlined.

This post is in association with our friends at ELLOS UK

Glasses are a far cry from just something to help you see these days. They have become an item of fashion royalty. It has got to the point where people who do not need glasses wear fake ones so that they can be in fashion.

So, what are the most extrovert glasses on the market? Sadly they are not of the ilk that Elton John wore in his early career. It is safe to say that they are slightly less dramatic and a tad more stylish.

To find the most glamorous glasses you have to look at the designer ranges. First call is Chanel. They tend to stay chic and sophisticated with a traditional black frame. But when you look closer you will see that they have diamonds or pearls embedded on the side. For men, the tortoiseshell look seems top of the deck, with a largish frame. All the Chanel glasses scream class and sophistication, with the added bonus of frivolous materials on the edges.

Image fr Google.com

Prada on the other hand seem to have opted for the more colourful approach. With stunning reds, vibrant blues and electric purples you will really make a statement with these glasses. The range I particularly like are the ones that are black on the outside rim and then a vibrant colour of the inside. This keeps your glasses looking sophisticated, but you know you have a splash of colour hiding behind your ears!

Finally, you have the cat eye glasses that are all the range for women. Most designers have their own take on this shape, with added embellishment to attract more custom. However, wherever you buy them from you will be guaranteed the traditional cat eye flick to the corner and the bulbous rounded edge at the opposite corner. You will look stylish and slightly extrovert, exactly what is needed in this fashion obsessed world.

© Victor Shymsky – Fotolia.com

If glasses aren’t for you, then you may try contact lenses instead. They can also be as fashionable as the glasses, and are also available indifferent shades and styles minus the bulky frame. www.getlenses.co.uk carries a wide range of brands such as Acuvue and Freshlook. I totally recommend the latter, as I used to wear a pair of contacts before.

This post is in association with our friends at GetLenses UK.

Let’s take a quick break from PFW Holiday 2011 reviews as we bring you this special feature.

French Connection Bex Beaded Dress – £135.00

There are many different styles of dresses. We’ve all seen the floaty maxi dresses, the pretty summer dresses and the long, sweeping evening gowns, and we’ve all heard of a cocktail dress; but what exactly is it?

Well no doubt you’ve all seen the famous Pretty Woman scene where Julia Roberts goes shopping for a cocktail dress and comes back with an exquisite red dress. But the idea of exactly what a cocktail dress is has changed over time, so let’s take a quick look at what a cocktail dress is and its history.

The length of a cocktail dress today varies—it can be a short, glitzy dress that’s perfect for the dance floor or a longer, 50s style dress that you’d wear to a wedding or event. Previously cocktail dresses have been longer, either ‘tea length’ where the dress falls to just above the ankle or ‘ballerina’ length, where the dress falls to the ankle. Anything longer is generally considered to fall into the evening gown category.

Cocktail gowns in the mid-20th century were determined by the fullness of the skirts—the more sumptuous, the better. The fullness of the skirt made the dresses suitable for balls and other black-tie events.

The term ‘cocktail dress’ was coined by Christian Dior, who used it to describe his range of early evening wear, way back in the 1940s, so cocktail dresses have been around for a while, and as you might expect they are a wardrobe staple for women everywhere.

Morgan De Toi ruch detail dress – £75.00

Today, cocktail dresses can mean a number of things—they are generally determined by a fitted, formal style that can vary in length. Cocktail dresses don’t tend to be as formal as they once were, and shorter styles are popular for women going on nights out or to parties and are often referred to as prom style dresses rather than cocktail dresses. You can find a great range of them online if you visit www.very.co.uk/ and you’ll find the perfect cocktail dress to suit you! They carry brands such as Miss Sixty, Pepe Jeans, Morgan De Toi, French Connection, among others.

This post is in association with our friends at Very UK.

Of course, when it comes to multicolored and/or multi-printed frocks, it’s best to keep the rest simple. Lay off piling too much accessories! Or, go pick something which hue is pretty much close to your garb, so that it won’t go overboard with the rest of your ensemble.

Here’s some of my favorite picks from the runway:

This hot skinny pants from Balenciaga is one of my favorites, as the figure-hugging canvass is abstractly painted with an effusion of lines and patterns making such piece a masterpiece. Paired with a simple, basic black  sleeveless top with linear yellow trimmings and slides, you got yourself an alluring spring break that’ll melt the ice away!

Dries van Noten shows an opulent mix of patterns, whilst keeping all things simple Monochromatic wraparound long sleeved top is paired with multi-printed blue ankle pants. Finish off with black and white pumps and shades to give spring a retro vibe.

This Marc by Marc Jacobs sunny yellow belted ensemble with blue and black linear patterns brightens and revivifies this lolita.

All things are matching with this Carolina Herrera multicolored printed ensemble. Best should you prefer something that’s structured and spic and span in a most likely neutral hue.

I haven’t had a nice pair of rubber shoes for ages. I had a couple or three before during my college years, but disposed them already (well, I actually handed down one to my younger cousin).

Ever since I vowed myself to exercise, I started shopping for sportswear. The first thing that came to my mind was getting a new pair of rubber shoes. Some of my friends love jogging, so I might as well join them on the fun run. And so, without further ado, I got this cutesy pair of Nike Training Shoes after months of pondering whether to get one or not!

Nike Training Shoes in Grey and Pink

I opted getting one with a neutral hue, since it’s easier to pair it with other colors. I’m not really much of a rubber shoe person to boot.

Right now, I’m also practicing Bikram Yoga. I love Nike dri-FIT ‘coz it’s really, really comfortable even if you sweat buckets. It lets your body breathe, and keeps it cool even under warm temperatures. And so, I recently got 2 pairs of Nike dri-FIT pants, in addition to a pair of pants and top stashed inside my closet.

On the other hand, I also got myself some Nike dri-FIT socks to keep my footsies dry after hours of jogging.

What I wore:
Multi-Print Dress – Bayo
Stilettos – Vincci
Braided Belt – Thrift Shop in Divisoria
Bangle – Thrift Shop in Marikina River Park
Cosmetic Case (used as clutch) – Burberry

So, what to bring then?

*(L-R) Goggles from Speedo, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 50+ Sunblock, Two-piece Bikinis from Speedo and H&M*

Quite frankly, I do not see a point lugging a mammoth-size bag and pack in bulk, not unless you are coming along in a huge group or staying for a time. Clearly, the weather gives us an ease when it comes to packing, since clothes to don are definitely smaller and thinner.

However, just mind the few basics:

1. Bring a sunblock. Your spf buddy in a bottle is this season’s mush-have BFF. You may love the sun, but I don’t think you’re gonna enjoy loving your stinging, sunburnt skin later on. Moreover, it helps your skin fight against premature aging. You’ll know what I mean by reading this post.
2. Keep in mind: Goggles and gadgetry. For sure, you’re gonna need this in order to make your beach escape more fun and hassle-free. Goggles, for instance, protect your eyes from getting reddish and irritated by the pool’s chlorine or by the beach’s high-sodium waters. I, for instance, also bring earplugs in addition to combat pressure sickness underwater. Gadgets, such as an underwater camera, watch or inflatable lifesavers help you capture those moments impeccably, whilst keeping you safe and secure.
3. Wear a Swimsuit! Of course, never go swimming sans wearing your swimming gear. Your swimwear surely has a lot to offer, aside from flaunting your curves or flashing your washboard abs. May it be a two-piece bikini, a one-piece boyleg swimsuit, trunks or boardshorts, these fashionable garments help you move along the water and swim better.
4. Pack Enough Clothes & Addons. I know you’re gonna wear your swimwear all day and night long, but of course, you still need some clothes on! Remember to pack enough clothes, depending on the duration of your trip. Keep two-piece clothing (aka tops and bottom) in pairs, so does your lingerie! You may have an option to pack some coverup, should you fret exposing your skin too much and need to take some cover.
5. Lastly, one pair of flipfops could do wonders. Of course, exploring the rest of the beachside is something you ought to do once there. A pair of flipflops can take you afar without actually hurting your footsies. Not to mention, wearing them always feel refreshing. Once in the beach, ditch your shoes and grab your nifty flipflops.

And oh, I just forgot to mention. If you’re not staying in the hotel, make sure to bring most of your toiletries. At the end of the day, you must always head for the real shower! Another, it does not hurt to bring an extra, waterproof case to stash your wet garments inside.

All in all, enjoy Summer by smiling for thing in the morning. It’ll surely give your day a blast!

Instead of buying heaps of clothes made especially for uber-cool weather, I just indulged myself layering my existing clothes. Of course, I also shop for some stuff in addition. Weather’s such a blessing there, since I have more reasons to pull off a stylish garb.

Last April 4th, we visited Antwerp–one of the largest cities in Belgium. I decided to be tinged mainly in blue, as I donned  a blue flowery scarf, blue-green tights and a flowery bluish tiered skirt! I got in touch with the animal life as we barged in Antwerp Zoo beside the  Antwerpen Centraal station. Then, we decided strolling on the busy bricked streets of Antwerp, where we found lots of picturesque landmarks,  monuments and shopping districts (hence, stressed the last part). We decided to go inside Bozzy, one of the many gift shops we passed by that sells Belgian bric-a-bracs and other stuff. I got myself some keychain and makeup!

Next, we visited H&M, one of the few fashion havens where you can hoard loads of clothes and accessories without actually burning a hole in your pocket! Here, I got myself a basic newsboy cap for only €4.50 (will blog about it soon!). And for some sweeter indulgence, I got myself a box filled with pralines at Devinas and a specialty chocolate brownie ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s!

What I Wore?

Ha-ha. This is not my most flattering fashion pic, but I guess this shot highlights all the stuff I wore during that day.

Blue scarf with black and silver flowery prints – Thrift shop

Green-Grey anorak – Zara

Baby blue tank – Mango

White short-sleeved collared shirt – Guess

3/4′s button-down Grey cardigan – H&M

Blue flowery tiered skirt – Kamiseta

Blue-Green tights – Lucky Doll Store at Mutiply

Black boots – Matthews at CMG

Sling bag – Lacoste

Thanks to my feverish browsing of Style.com, I am in the verge of getting a few new additions to my sketches, as I embrace 2009 with a bang! Starting off with some polka-dotted pieces.

Here’s a few inspiration for this season’s trend:

Going Sophisticated?

Valentino never fails to give some sensuality and sophistication to every outfit, no matter what cut, print or fabric it may be. I so love this flowy tube polka dot dress. Not only that it possesses the basic colors that characterize the minimalist in me, but also it gives a sexy, ladylike feel that donning it makes me look instantly gorgeous! This is so perfect for posh candlelit dates.

Dressy, Casual, Chic

This maroon and gray mini-dress with a huge waist belt (resembling that of an obi) from Iceberg is nothing but LOVE. This is a perfect dress to wear for chic, dressy corporate nights. It also imbibes a sexy, womanly feel without going overboard–hence, showing too much skin. Plus, a tinge of berry polka dots makes this piece pop out from its boring “gray” state.

The Playful, Funky Betsy

There’s this inner child in me that makes me want to wear a super funky dress. Thank heavens, ‘coz Betsey Johnson gets to have these pretty funky pieces that’s never an eyesore. This black-and-white mini dress with black satin bow imbibes the funky chick that surely stands up from the rest of the monochromatic line. It’s hard to pull off a mere black-and-white ensemble without looking run-of-the-mill. This one really makes a statement, and proves it. After all, it’s made by Betsey.

Steal and Save

Don’t have enough bucks to spend, consider these two equally fabulous pieces from Heritage 1981 and FCUK!

This F21′s Heritage 1981 Purple and Grey Floral Silk Dress is a must if the temperature’s rising and you’re stuck in a tropical island. This costs $26, which is a perfect steal!

This French Connection “Fast Tullah” Sleeveless Brocade Dress adds some spunk to every outfit, just like Betsey Johnson’s. It’s on sale right now at Macy’s. Save some bucks with this dress for $114.45 apiece.

Images from: Style.com, Macys.com and Forever21.com