bags

Falling for Kate

/ iamsupercarla / Leave a comment

For those of you who just tuned in to my blog (naks), I want to state right off the bat that I am not a girly girl.  I am subtle girl.  Pogi girl if you may.  But there’s only one thing that turns me into a full on floral loving, bow donning, polka dot hugging girly girl:  Kate Spade.

They have a couple of local stores here in the Philippines.  Although I really love the accessibility, I have to hate customs and taxes for almost doubling the price of their products.  Worse, I can’t even buy online when they’re on sale because they’ve already set up a local store.  So while I look for ways to buy their sale items, I explore their new arrivals.

The Spring 2013 catalog is filled with golf references but these are the pieces I fell in love with the most.

L-R: Avery Capri, Robbie Skirt

L-R: Avery Capri, Robbie Skirt

L-R: Dawn Dress, Rhys Dress, Rosina Dress

L-R: Dawn Dress, Rhys Dress, Rosina Dress

L-R: Roslyn Top, Shannon Top

L-R: Roslyn Top, Shannon Top

The clean lines, solid colors and simple shapes just draw me to this collection.  They’re quite preppy too.

But of course I cannot deny that I loved Kate Spade bags primarily.  I mean, who wouldn’t?

 

Clockwise from top: Battery Park City Ruthie, Cabana Tile Sydney, Garden Grove, West Valley Valentine

Clockwise from top: Battery Park City Ruthie, Cabana Tile Sydney, Garden Grove, West Valley Valentine

Come on!  You have to admit these pieces are just charming.  I like the fact that they’re so tastefully crafted that these can easily go from corporate to casual.

And let’s not forget, those charming iPhone cases!

L-R: Petula Stripes, Get Carried Away

L-R: Petula Stripes, Get Carried Away

These two are fantastic additions to an already witty line.  I swear if I just didn’t drop my phone so much, I would have opted for these charming ones instead of a clunky Otterbox.

Which, by the way, I am very grateful for, given that I drop my phone for some reason at least twice a week.

Le sigh.  I wonder what else could come my way.  Looking at pretty things certainly brighten my mood, but the fact that I have decided to be more prudent and channel my funds to more meaningful causes just brings so much pain to my heart.

Or rather my shopping heart.  It’s a different one altogether.

And given that I had a pretty awful day in the office, I’m glad it’s these sweet little nothings that perk me up.

These and phone calls that last forever.

Good night everyone.  See you tomorrow.

—–

Images from Kate Spade | Shop their latest collection here

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The mistake of browsing Piperlime

/ iamsupercarla / Leave a comment

I’ve been wanting to make a purchase on Piperlime.  It’s part of the Gap stores (Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Piperlime and Athleta), so when a friend of mine asked about Gap, it was almost instinctive to click on Piperlime.

Piperlime has all the things a little lady like me wants.  The bags, the shoes, and the Rachel Zoe picks.  I mean, come on.  She’s the most sought after stylist in Hollywood and the fact that she gives her two cents worth means this store is fashionable, stylish and (because of its consortium) affordable!  So yeah, I did some Web window shopping of my own.

I love that this bag transforms to however I want it to.

I have always loved Kate Spade for her colors, but most of the time, I can't really "work" them. I'm not a color gal. Imagine my glee upon seeing this big bowed beauty. Ahhhh. Just precious.

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My admiration for Liz

/ iamsupercarla / Leave a comment

It’s not a surprise.  This brand has been a household name since its launch in 1976.  So even when the world’s first woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company passed away in 2006, many clamored to make sure the brand stays.

Liz Claiborne.  Ah.  Nothing else would sound quite as exquisite.  Liz Claiborne, a Belgian-born American designer started her own line of clothing when she became frustrated how clothing companies do not have outfits for working women.  She founded Liz Claiborne Inc in 1976, earning $2 million in its first year.  The brand was such a success that by 1978, its profits were $23 million.

I didn’t know this until I researched, but apparently, Liz Claiborne changed the way we shop.  I know for men it doesn’t really matter because it’s a vain activity, but how Liz Claiborne marketed her products changed the way malls are designed now.  She is the first designer to have insisted that her collection – clothing, handbags, shoes, purses and accessories – be put together on the department sales floor instead of separating them into clothing categories.  Because of that innovation, we no longer have to find a shirt, then a pant, then shoes to coordinate an outfit.  Liz Claiborne made sure we had everything we needed in one area.

Liz Claiborne retired from active management in 1989 and succumbed to a long fight with cancer in 2006.  Her line is now exclusively distributed by JC Penney.

To some, this might sound like a blonde post – ditzy and vain.   Early this morning, I purchased a Liz Claiborne Heritage wallet and I remember the first time I got a Liz Claiborne (thanks, Ate Mel).  It’s so simple and chic and somehow it made me feel like I’m making a smart decision.  The brand is such a statement, almost becoming a staple in every working woman’s closet.  It’s amazing how a simple frustration did that.

And that department store idea?  It’s so simple.  I wish people who have such simple ideas that can possibly provide more comfort and ease in the way we live muster enough courage to speak out and suggest it, if not do it themselves.  God knows we need simple ideas lately.  The big ones just keep fucking us up. 

So yeah.  I’m hoping to win that bidding war on eBay for that Liz Claiborne patchwork satchel.  May the spirit of Liz Claiborne guide my purchase.  :)   

 

Bag ’em. Take ’em and go.

/ iamsupercarla / 2 Comments

Current fascination:  shoes.  But I can’t be talking about shoes all the time.  That’ll only make me look like I’m trying to be that Imeldific.  Though I do have a goal of having enough pairs to wear one for each day of the year.

Anyway, looking at my closet, not only do I lack proper clothes, but I also lack bags.  So I headed back to my world at Chictopia for inspiration and a lot of ladies there have great choices.  From Alexander Wang to Balenciaga, H&M to Urban Outfitters, Forever21 to vintage items, these ladies have it all.  Now the next step would be having them all in my closet.

And by them, I mean the bags. :)

So yeah.  I am in dire need of shopping and everything superficial that will make me instantaneously happy.  Even for just five minutes.  Or at least the purchase period.  But then again there’s that looming piece of news I am yet to receive.

Hmmmm.  Take them and go. :)