My Pre-trip Shopping Saturday...

Can Shopping be 'Hectic'?

I know I have been blabbering how I want to stop shopping and stuff...but I keep posting more and more shopping posts. To be honest, the recent shopping trips are pretty 'guilt-free' since most of the time I use all the vouchers I redeem from my credit cards or birthday vouchers from Club 21 to offset the purchases.

So this weekend, I shopped at the Takashimaya 15th Anniversary Promotion event...which offers some good deals such as my Agnès B Duffel bag. But most importantly, since I will be staying with my friend in UK...and imposing on them, it is only right for me to show my appreciation for their hospitality. Thus, I have been racking my brains to find some nice gifts for them. Last weekend was my 'research' shopping expedition to see what's available and where to get them. This weekend I have to buy the gifts already as time is running out! The gifts will have to be portable enough to carry to London. I am leaving for UK next Tuesday evening. Very excited!

After much scouring around, I made a decision to get something from DKNY. The designs in DKNY have improved so much. The store design is pleasant and inviting with lots of space. There is one leather bag that gives off such a New York city vibe that I immediately fell in love with. Unfortunately, the silly idea to make the shoulder strap super long and yet non adjustable puts me off. Such a waste of a good bag design. Moving on, I picked my gift and quickly paid for it. The DKNY SA helped me to wrap up my purchcase. I was expecting a normal wrapping paper. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised. Aparently, they had this white foam material as an exterior wrap. I have not seen this before so I find it very unique and interesting. Very innovative gift wrapping! The finishing touch was a nice deep red ribbon that made the whole gift looked even more stunning. Good job DKNY!

The next present hunting was tough...I am totally lost on what to buy. I had something in mind already but I cannot seem to find it here in Singapore at the right design and colour. Somehow something was always lacking. So praise the 'lady luck' that I decided to give a last shot at Hugo Boss at Ngee Ann City, since I remembered I bought something similar to what I want a few years back there. To my relief and surprise, I was right, they do have the kind of style I want for my present:-) Happily, I bagged my item and the lovely SA did her magic on the gift wrapping. It came in a sleek black box with Hugo Boss embossed ribbons and a gift card. How luxurious!

Mission completed, just in time for me to attend the CK Calvin Klein fashion show at 3pm. Venue was the boutique in Ngee Ann city. When I made it there at 3pm, the guests had filled up all the seats. I was fortunate to have a front row seating next to where the models will turn to exit the 'cramped' runway, so I can see all the details of the clothes and of course drool over any handsome models walking by:-P Maybe even wink* at them? Hahaha. I am too 'chicken' to do that. Finally as a souvenir, a nice printed catalogue was left on the seat for you to drool afterwards.:-P

The in-store fashion show was small scale. Not as lavish as an actual show, but it was nonetheless nice. The designs at CK Calvin Klein have improved so much, they all looked on par with the A-list brands. Prices have also risen so you can see the quality and design improved as well. Not comparable to A-list brands, but enough to be good. I especially love this season's womenswear. The heavy emphasis on cuts and draping made the clothes have an intellectual appeal to them. You need to have good design concepts in order to pull off clothes that wraps and folds nicely to the body. The open toe booties for women are simply breath-taking as well. For a moment there, I wished I was a girl, cos I would have bought that in a heart beat. So gorgeous.

As for the menswear, the bags suddenly looked so chic with the models carrying them. The power of seduction of runway presentation was clearly immediate and effective. I loved a dove grey leather tote bag which had an incredibly affordable price tag. And a 'to-die-for' wool short pea coat in black that you can wear many ways. My gosh, I was utterly tempted, especially with a 20% discount promotion exclusive during the event. (Fret not if you missed the 20% discount, this Sunday will see the 20% discount offered by the rest of the CK Calvin Klein boutiques.)

An eventful happy day which started with exchanging my Agnès B Duffel bag because of missing keys, then shopping for presents and then the fashion show. It ended with a crappy movie, 'Eagle Eye'...which was a letdown. Spare yourself the agony of being bored...wait for DVD or even better...miss it entirely:-P

Of course, no shopping day will be complete without my trip to Zara and my obligatory dressing room shot:-)

Time to pack and do last minute shopping errands again today!

(I am wearing Dolce Gabbana 'Moth eaten holes' Brown Deep V-neck tee (My mum thinks I look like a beggar wearing that, since I looked too 'poor' to buy tees without holes, I did explain to her that my 'holes all over' tee can buy me ten new tees at Zara.), Zara reversible beige cotton jacket, D&G audacious fit jeans, 'Love' metal bracelet, D&G logo buckle belt in metallic gun metal colour (Women's belt), He by Mango strap sandals, Dior Homme Guitar necklace and Gucci ring.)