My Shopping Conquests... Here & There... Everywhere...

Sharing a few snapshots of my recent shopping conquests... from all over...

Topman grey and denim chukka... marked down to just S$39
from S$79

Stitch iPhone Case... a gift from JW

Agnes b. le chance bag... dark salmon color... mandarin collared...
 long sleeved shirt... EXIT badge... all for S$50

Agnes b. Taiwan mook... All About Christmas

Simple cotton tote... printed... in 3 colors...

A gift from IL





Finally got my hands on... Marks&Spencer "I'm full of chocolates" Bear Pouch

I have been drooling over this cute little bear pouch... full of chocolate balls... ever since I laid my eyes on it... but the S$19.90 price tag kept me at bay period...

http://borntoshopforcedtowork.blogspot.com/2011/11/drooling-over-marks-christmas-gift.html

So when Marks&Spencer had their Christmas goodies reduced after Christmas... I dashed down hoping that the price of this little bear was within my reach...

It was reduced... BUT... it still cost S$15...

I was not ready to fork out that much for it... so I continued to wait... fingers crossed and checking on it every time I passed by a Marks&Spencer... to see if it has been reduced further...

Good things do come to those who wait... not always... but it did... in this case...

I was at Paragon's Marks&Spencer... when my patience paid off...

Finally... I got my hands on... one of my very own... Sandra Isaksson... for Marks&Spencer... Christmas 2011 creations... "I'm full of chocolates" bear pouch...

Made of soft fur felt... the plump little bear... with his furry paws and white ring around his neck... big round tummy... with a zipper behind...

Unzipped... to reveal a little bag of red foiled chocolate balls... which was a tad too sweet for my liking... No loss... it has always been about the bear anyway...

I intend to use it as my ezlink pouch... and it fits perfectly...

Marked down to just S$9.90... it's a beary good steal...

Drooling... literally over... Ramen Champion... and... Missing a very... very dear friend...

RG, CT and I were at the airport yesterday... T3... to do a very sad but much needed task... to sent off our dearest KW... KW will be off to London to pursue his studies to one day become a lawyer...

Even though we had months and months to psyche ourselves up for it... it is still not easy...

Bon voyage mon petite monchichi... we will miss you so much... study hard yah...

After hopefully not too a drama goodbye... 3 sad souls had dinner at Ramen Champion at the basement of T3...

It's not a stand alone restaurant per say... it houses a few ramen restaurants namely... Gantetsu, Menya Iroha, Ikkousha, Tai-Sho-Ken...

We were handed a scan card at the entrance before we were seated... think Marche concept... moved around the limited space while we pondered on which ramen house or type of ramen to have...

Point to note... all the chefs hail from Japan... so authenticity in taste is guaranteed...

Once we have placeed and paid for our order... we were given a round disk like... very space age looking... timer... with a sticker indicating the name of the ramen house we ordered from... so no confusion here... in case anyone forgot whom they ordered from...

When the timer goes off... our ramen is ready to be picked up... no waiting around... how cool is that!!!

Gantetsu - King Chasu Ramen

I chose Gantetsu and had their King Chasu Ramen... which was yummy... with a thick pork bone miso broth... soft charsu and springy ramen... reminded me of those I had in Japan recently... which brought back memories...

Our 1st dinner in Tokyo Genki Ramen in Ikebukuro

Which honestly to me... didn't felt that good... emotionally... because the taste and smell of ramen... the restaurant decor... done to look like the quaint little alleys... like those in Japan... where most of the best tasting ramen shops are... only serve to remind me of our recent trip to Japan... and how much fun and joy we had with KW around...

He is the sweetest... honest... pure joy to have as company always... and we will miss him terribly... especially RG...

My Shopping Conquest... Maquia Magazine

I was at Kinokuniya.... with no intention of getting any books or magazines... just to renew my privilege card...

But...

I just couldn't resist... when I saw the GWP for Maquia... March 2012...

It's nothing 'branded'... just a generic black flat pouch... but what I liked is the design on the pouch...

Printed to give the illusion of the top of a trunk luggage... complete with handles... straps... lock and key...

It is pretty well made... with the print vivid and clear... good sewing... sturdy canvas... but unlined... and a little too flat...

At S$18.70 before Kino member discount... it is not cheap to pay for a generic pouch even though it is a collaboration with Japanese model/actress??? 38 years old...平子理沙... whom I am not familiar with...

I bought it because I really like the pouch and was feeling cash rich from ang paos... ha ha ha...

My Shopping Conquest... Agnes b. ... Point d' Ironie Tee

One of Agnes b. iconic symbol... is the the point d' ironie....

Created by French poet... Alcanter de Brahm... at the end of the 19th century.... the symbol... Point d'Ironie is a punctuation mark... used at the end of sentences.... to point an ironic passage within a text...

Not only has the symbol appeared in her designs in the form of printed tee/polos... accessories... there is also an atypical periodical... simply....The Point d’Ironie...

The idea for such a publication originated... following a discussion between Agnes b., Christian Boltanksi and Hans Ulrich Obrist in 1997...

Six to eight issues are published every year, each one designed by an artist who makes it his own...

Given free of charge... distributed in a scattered way - 100,000 copies are spread around the world....

Available in museums, galleries, book shops, schools, cinemas, and at Agnes b. stores worldwide...

Honestly... I don't think I have ever come across a copy at any of the Agnes b stores/counters here...

But I did see and fell in luv with this...

Purple grey Point d'ironie tee... from Agnes b. F/W 2011...

At 40% off... It's a... "I am surprised it has not been snapped up"... kind of a steal

My Shopping Conquest... Porter International Bag of Joy

Porter International had their Bag of Joy event today...

This Bag of Joy is very similar to the Fukubukuro sold in Japan...

The concept of Fukubukuros (福袋) is an age old tradition in Japan... originating from the Ginza Matsuya Department Store... where they were 'invented' some 100 years ago... during the late Meiji period...

On... before or after... Japanese New Year... which is the same as the Western New Year... Many Japanese retailers will set up shelves of fukubukuros either in their shop or right outside...

These fukubukuros are grab bags filled with random merchandise... and than sold at a discount of usually 50% - 70% the contents retail value.... think... sale items stuffed in a paper bag... or bag... or even luggage...

Sounds good???

But here's the catch or where the word "fuku" or luck comes in... one does not know what's in the bags!!! It's all by luck whether you get items that you luv or need or like or been longing for...

Most retailers will indicate sizes if its clothing... or the gender the bags are meant for but other than that it all depends on ones luck...

So of course... Porter International... being a subsidiary of Porter Yoshida of Tokyo... would hold such an event as well... but being branched in Taiwan... it is held in observance of the Lunar New Year instead...

This is the second year Porter International had held such an event at their Wisma Atria store...

This year's event was made even grander with the performance of a traditional Lion Dance before the event was opened to the public at 12 noon... If one had a priority queue pass... those get to shop 1st at 9am!!!

Looking at the numbers on the bags... I think there were at least 200 over bags available... But when I arrived at about 3pm... there were less than 10 bags left...

The bags were all secured with a very well made lock... etched with Porter International logo... After some quick touchy feelly... Hee Hee... I settled with bag number 56... I paid and was handed the keys to the lock... It's a generic key meant for all the generic locks and was similar to the ones from last year...

The items inside were wrapped together in bubble wrap... which means even with some fondling... one still really can't tell what is inside exactly...

Did I make a right choice with 56??? I think I did... very good choice in fact...

An olive colored coated canvas shoulder bag... perfect for shopping on rainy days... slung across and close to the body...

A matching billfold... I just luv matching accessories...

A dark brown coated canvas coin and tissue pouch... no more excuses not to carry some tissues on me... 

Porter International 10th anniversary figurine... Mr Porter... from 2011...

With a price tag of S$59... This is an item I would luv but would never pay for...

Mr Porter is made of sturdy vinyl... fully poseable... a handsome face... dressed in a black porter outfit... with magnetic porter hat that could be taken off (heart!!!) and... a Porter bag... with Porter's signature mini torchlight... How cute is that!!!

Overall... I am very pleased with the items... Especially Mr Porter...

IMO... I may only have 4 items... some bags had 5 or 6... but personally... I thought the 4 I got... as much more suited for me than some of the items I saw others found in their bags... mouse pads... key chains... tee shirts...

At S$158 per Bag of Joy... I think mine was a.... lucky well worth the price tag...  joyful steal.

My Shopping Conquest From Vincci... Chocolate Brown Leather Flat Clutch

JW and I popped in to JB today... for a massage and to have some dinner at PappaRich...

Of course... no trip into JB will be complete without a visit to Padini Concept Store... to check out their labels... SEED... Vincci... Padini Authentic...

Although Padini is currently having their sale... most of the items that were on sale... at 50% - 70%... however are left overs from their previous sale... Nothing to rave about...

What's note worthy though is... all their new arrivals are also being offered at 10% - 20% off...

New from Vincci are a series of mid sized flat clutches in faux leather... black, cream, chocolate brown... as well as shiny patent... red, orange, forest green...

How could I resist... especially when they only cost MYR44 after 20% discount... approx S$18...

Vinnci faux leather flat clutch in chocolate... fully lined with a interior zipper compartment and slot... magnetic clasp...

Perfect for days when I don't have many things to carry with me steal...

My Shopping Conquests... Sport b. ... Leather Belt... Polo Tee

I picked up some Sport b. items... right before Chinese New Year...

From Sport b. F/W 2011 collection...

Sport b. black leather belt... with distressed brass buckle... etched with Sport b. scripted logo...

Sport b. Polo Tee in azure... 2 Sport b. buttons... with a Sport b. embroidered phthalo blue guitar pick shaped felt logo at the chest... emblazoned black lightning bolts all over...

These 2... possibly... classic items are 'seen' once again in Sport b. S/S2012 collection... a sure indication...  the polo tee having a white felt guitar pick at the chest... but the belt looking exactly the same...

At 40% off their retail price of S$115 for the belt and S$145 for the polo tee... it's a... great way to have 'classic' pieces... steal

Drooling... literally over... Pine Garden's Lychee Martini Cake

JW celebrated his birthday on 23rd Jan... 1st day of Chinese New Year...

In celebration of this once in a lifetime... possibly... coincidence... I got JW a birthday cake...

My 1st ever time as well... in over some 10 years we have been together... I have never gotten him a birthday cake before... Don't know why... just never...

Strange yah ???

Anyway... this year I did...

From Pine Garden's... a neighbourhood confectionery... famous for their take on... creations of 'exotic' cakes... From Blackforest to Citrus Drop... to Pulot Hitam... to Cat Mountain King Durian... to their very famous Lychee Martini Cake...

The moment the cake box was opened... a strong scent of martini wafted out... the cake itself was moist and soft... with the cream coating... thick but not overtly so... sweeten with the taste of lychee... a touch of martini... it was light and refreshing... rivaling many a 'branded' bakery and confectionery...

I was torn between their Bailey's Chocolate and Lychee Martini... but chose the latter... as it was more unique...

The plus point... the price of Pine Garden's cakes are extremely affordable...

Check out their website...

www.pgcake.com/

Needless to say... everyone though 'stuffed' reunion dinner and yu sheng... polished off half of the cake...

At just S$39... for a 1kg cake...of such tastiness and quality... it's a steal...

My Shopping Conquest From Japan... Street Jack Magazine GWP United Arrows Watch

I picked up a copy of Street Jack... Japanese men magazine... while in Tokyo...

Street Jack collaborated with Japanese label... Beauty & Youth United Arrows to present... a digital watch as GWP for their Jan 2012 issue...

.
This was an inexpensive way to get a Beauty & Youth United Arrows item... since most of the main line items were costing an arm and a leg...

The watch itself is simple... very 'old school'... a small square face... black plastic strap with contrasting white buckle... 'scouring' details... the usual digital functions... Beauty & Youth printed label...

At just JYP880... about S$14... you get a United Arrows item plus a good read... or rather browse... since the magazine is in Japanese...

Kinokuniya Singapore has limited stocks of this magazine... at S$26.20 before members discount...

My Shopping Conquest From Japan... Sweet Magazine GWP Marc By Marc Jacobs Gift Set

Before my trip... I mentioned that Japanese magazine... Sweet... Jan 2012 issue had a Marc by Marc Jacobs GWP...

So I was on a look out for it... in Tokyo... but was disappointed to not find it... till I realised it was only to be released on 12 Dec 2011...

Of course I was up bright and early on that day... which happens to be the day we were going to visit the happiest place on Earth... Tokyo Disneyland...

I made fast pace to the nearest Family Mart... grabbed a copy... and dashed home... the magazine clasped firmly im my hand...

Unlike those sold in Kinokuniya Singapore... these magazines are considered local magazines and are available in abundance at every convenience store... newsstands... bookstores...

In fact... no shrink wrap here... instead almost all Japanese magazines with GWP are sold with the 'gift' ... tucked in between the pages and secured with either elastics or string...

How cool is that!!!

I paid only JPY720... which is about S$13!!!

This GWP really blew me away...

2 MBMJ zipped pouches... of a substantial size... made from a soft to touch polyester material... with MBMJ stardust jumble print in contrasting black and white... Marc By Marc Jacobs embossed faux leather label on the front... thinly padded... nice even stitching...with contrasting 'silky' lining...

My only itty bitty grouse is... the lining can get stuck in the zipper at times while closing or opening...

Just have to be more aware...

On top of the pouches... there is also a 2012 desk-top calendar!!!

Made of card stock... with a MBMJ stardust jumble printed frame and colorful monthly pull-outs... it even features all the important holidays in Japan...

This is one of the best ever MBMJ GWP... compared to last year's Sweet Jan issue GWP... also a MBMJ item... a tote bag... that looks like the MBMJ paper carrier but in canvas... granted its more sturdy...

Kinokuniya just restocked on this magazine... but stocks are very limited...

Price is S$21.50... before Kino members discount...

My Shopping Conquest... Online... ASOS & River Island Leather & Bead Bracelets

I bought these bracelets... a while back... online... from ASOS...

I luv the colors and textures... allowing for different combinations...

Great for daily wear... dressed down with berms and tees... or dressed up with chinos and checkered shirts...

They looked great when layered with metal bracelets too...

Versatile and sturdy... they 'served' me well during my Japan trip...

No worries of tarnish... easy to care for... just make sure to 'air' dry them after wearing

Still available online at ASOS... but at a much much reduced... 70% off... price...

Drooling over... Marc By Marc Jacobs Le Mouse Earrings

When I first saw the MBMJ F/W2011 Le Mouse ear studs...

Hmmm... ???

As much as I love whimsical... and technically speaking... a mouse can be considered a forest animal... I was not impressed...

That was till I saw it in person...

Not only was it very well made... with intricate detailing... the little mouse was all curled up to form a little round 'stud'... I was sold...

But once again... the S$70 price point kept me at bay...

When MBMJ had their sale recently... I saw that the pair was on 50% off... to which JW promptly paid for it... and presented them to me as my Christmas present...

Thank you JW...

At just S$35... it's definitely not a mousy steal...

Drooling... literally over... Roasted Wheat Tea & Mochi

I have always been a fan of Japanese roasted wheat tea and mochi...

I was able to indulge in these 'treats' on an almost daily basis during my holiday in Tokyo last month...

In Japan... one could buy cold roasted wheat tea or any green tea... the most popular being those by Ito En... not Pokka... and mochi at any convenience stores or 24hr chain stores like Lawsons or Family Mart...

The selection for mochi is mind boogling... from traditional azuki to strawberry to green tea to exotic mangoes...

I would always try to wind down with a cup of cold roasted wheat tea and the largest monchi I could find... while I skype with JW...

Miss that... Much...

Drooling Over...Calvin Klein Jeans Key Fob

I first saw this at the Calvin Klein Jeans counter at Isetan... pre Christmas...

It was luv at 1st sight...

There are 2 designs available... with dog tag ( I heart.)... CKJ  lettering leather charms... which I stop 'hearting' the moment I lifted it up and saw how 'cheap' and flimsy looking it was...

Thank you to IL... who presented me with it for Christmas.

Made of stainless steel... the CKJ key fob comes with a key loop for keys and leather/metal dog tags...

Can't wait to 'launch' it for CNY...

Drooling Over... Marc By Marc Jacobs Standard Supply Tote

MBMJ Standard Supply Tote in Denim...

New for S/S 2012...

This denim tote features 'M' banding at the front and back... Stenciled logo lettering at front and a Marc by Marc Jacobs leather logo patch at back... leather flap/velcro closure.
Totally drool worthy... this tote has been done in canvas before... in assorted colors but never in denim...

Available online at US$198...

I love denim totes... I bought a MBMJ Special Item tote in coated denim last year online... it has remained my most fave bag till now...

Made of coated denim... the bag feature stenciled lettering... gold hardware... MJ zipper closure...

Another recent 'Best Buy'... is this MBMJ Miss Marc small tote...

Not of denim but grey cotton canvas...

No doubt it is a very basic... very simple tote... no zips... no closure... just a Marc By Marc Jacobs label... embossed in red leather...

What made me parted with my Isetan vouchers for it was... the print...

Miss Marc... (my 1st Miss Marc item)... and my fave... forest animals...  owls... rabbits... bears...

With Miss Marc saying..."J'taime Marc"

Me too Miss Marc... Me too "J'taime Marc"...