Cravings :: Louis Vuitton Indian Rose Collection

Hello Everyone!

In the past, I never was particularly interested in Louis Vuitton other than for its Neverfull GM (the huge tote bag) and the iconic Speedy 25. However, recently they released a collection of monogrammed patent ("vernis") leather in a hot fuchsia called "Indian Rose". Since this collection has come out early this spring/summer, I've been constantly looking at it!

I was debating of getting one of the smaller items, like the Zippy Coin Wallet, Cosmetic Pouch or the Cles Key Pouch (above) such that I can have my very own piece of the collection, but the price is really hard for me to swallow. The Zippy Coin Wallet is $500 and the Cles is $370! Likewise, I was really drawn to this collection because of the Alma BB pictured below.

It was inspired when I was looking at the Instagram of HRH Collection! She makes the bag look so cute. Sigh... why does this bag have to be so expensive!

Aside from the price, considering my student lifestyle, a bag in monogrammed bright patent leather may call into question my financial status. I really like this bag, but I also think that the monogramming is quite ostentatious? But I guess for $1,550, you probably want to most ostentatious bag so you have more bang for your buck (like a pair of Christian Louboutins vs Jimmy Choos - you want the red lacquered sole to show for the amount you paid!). Additionally, I come from a middle-class society, so people around me would most likely recognize the logo but also question my finances for it? Additionally, I also feel its slightly disrespectful to be flashing a pricy bag when others around you can't really afford various necessities or swimming in debt (though that is their problem). Likewise, I wouldn't wear this in a workplace as it is too flashy. So what is the practicality of the bag for me (despite the handles and the crossbody meets my physical handbag credentials)? The other question is how long would I enjoy this bag for? Is this just a phase or something I really really really love? Do I really want to spend a month's worth of rent on a bag that I'm only going to love for a short time?

Anyways, inspite of all my worries, I've also found another bag I really love in the same colour! The Monceau BB.

I also really like this bag! In addition, there are photos online of Miranda Kerr wearing it and it looks really good on her! (Plus it doesn't hurt that Miranda Kerr is one of my fashion icons/celebrity girl crushes)

And the Elle September 2013 feature on Miranda Kerr's closet shows it lounging comfortably in her shoe closet.

And the promotional pictures from Louis Vuitton makes it look very classy dressed up - which means it has the ability to be dressed up or down!

I like this just as much as the Alma BB because the patent leather isn't monogrammed so it isn't quite as ostentatious. But the fact it isn't monogrammed and is smooth patent leather means that fingerprints and scratches are more visible. Lastly it is $1,7300 - $180 more than the Alma BB.

Plus for the same amount of money, I can put this money towards my "Chanel Flap Fund" (where, if I would like to buy it before I turn 25, I need to save $200/month to account for prince increase and taxes by the time I'm able to purchase it -- I'm a little behind on this since I don't save $200/month just for my Chanel bag) or another bag from another designer that is more practical for my lifestyle, like Marc Jacobs (cheaper and less questionable), Prada (more timeless) or the Paraty Bag from Chloe (not well known, no logos).

Anyways, what do you guys think? I'm just trying to write down my thought processes here to see if it's really worth saving up for. It's also a seasonal colour so I don't know how long its going to be in stock for or when it's going to be discontinued since I'm not familiar with Louis Vuitton sales patterns (ie: Chanel season items are snapped up literally within an hour, well not quite but within the day).

Thanks for reading!
elle xx

PS: Wrong colour but I just saw Wendy from Wendy's Lookbook also has the Monceau BB but in Rose Velours! I really like Wendy as a fashion icon as her style tends to be very iconic and timeless. She really thinks about her purchases in the long picture (though recently she's been going more trendy but generally quite timeless).

PPS: I really dislike the Louis Vuitton website! It's really slow and it takes forever to find what you are looking for! >:(

Cravings :: Summer 2013 Wishlist

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to share some of the bags I have been lusting over for awhile. This list is extremely tailored down to the main five bags I most definitely like to see in my bag collection one day!

Most desired to least: Indian Rose Alma BB, Latte Rockie, Caviar Jumbo, Sea Green Mini Mac, & Cobalt Blue Chyc - this priority system is mostly based on how much I like the bag, the practicality of the bag for my lifestyle, product shelf-life (ie: limited edition), and colour!

Thanks for letting me share my fashion desires!

With love,
elle xx

Cravings :: Designer Purses - Summer 2012

Thanks for reading!

elle xx

Shopping :: Current Bag Wishlist

Hi Everyone!

Long time no post - and with good reason! I just got back from my trip to Italy! I visited Rome - on business - and then took two side trips to Florence and Milan! I also managed to travel to the infamous SPACE outlet, which is the official Italian outlet for Prada and Miu Miu! Unfortunately, I was silly to pass up on two Miu Miu bags that cost 390 euros (thinking at the time it was expensive without doing research on Miu Miu prices) to find out later that they were in stores for 900+!!! I am definitely kicking myself and if any one of my dear readers ever hit up SPACE and is willing to help a poor girl out with lack-of-shopping remorse please message me - I will actually pay you! Hahaha but anyways this has got me wanting a new purse for everyday since I retired my Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier (after being in daily use for approximately 2 years) approximately 3 weeks ago.

So I am on the hunt for a new everyday bag! I haven't found anything yet that fits my requirements/liking as well as my budget.

Here are some bags that are on my bag wishlist - although they may not be very "everyday" like nor within my budget hahaha...

This one I saw in Italy for 1100 euros, which translates to ~$1400 CAN which costs $1700+CAN in Canada... This particular bag I was looking at since January and I still lust for it. I also went to Prada in Italy 5 times to look at it, yet I didn't buy it cause I felt guilty cause I'm not making as much as I used to... but in hindsight I kind of wish I bought it cause I would have got 12% VAT tax refund on the 1100 euros making it ~$800 cheaper than if I were to buy it in Canada. I absolutely love the colour... and I know after this season this colour is no longer going to be produced... :(

Prada Saffiano Luxe Tote

I never really liked this Louis Vuitton "Alma" style in Monogrammed Leather, but once I saw these colours in Epi Leather I made the exception to put them on my wishlist. Though these bags are quite steep in terms of price - steeper than the Prada bag! Thus, they will only remain on my dream wishlist and not my save-super-duper-hard-skip-meals-work-extra-off-jobs-and-put-more-hours-in-at-work wishlist.

LV Amande Electric Alma

LV Indigo Alma

  This was the bag I was going to buy in SPACE for 390 euros and then stopped... for what reasons I have no idea. I was crazy! :( *the one that got away* Though the one I was going to purchase was more blue-grey in colour. - Does anyone know if this is at the Prada Outlet in NYC Woodbury?

Miu Miu Mini Bow Satchel

I've been looking at this bag for awhile (and now it is on sale on ssense.com) but I'm still on the fence whether or not the bag will look good with outfits cause I find the shape slightly bulky...

Marc by Marc Jacobs Fran

I love the leather (I am in love with saffiano leather...) and the colour of this bag, but this tote was just too big for my liking, though I just stopped by Holts today and they just released a smaller one (but was unable to find the stock photo).

Michael Kors Large Lacquer Pink Saffiano Tote

I'm also crazy addicted in love with things with studs - hence it should come as no surprise that I am lusting after Alexander Wang's Rocco Bag! Though this is a lot of money and I'm worried that my obsession (literally obsession) with spikes and skulls may dissipate, my logical self is telling me I shouldn't buy it/wish for it.

Alexander Wang Rocco

I also adore Chloe's Paraty bag!!! I think it's pretty cute and perfect with the short and long straps! Super functional and cute!!! It also kind of looks like a nose to me though @___@ but hahaha nonetheless cute!

Chloe Mini Paraty Bag

Lastly, I saw this bag in the sales table at Holts today - It normally retails for $1195 and is on sale for $699... I put it on hold and left the store. The sales associate even called me back at store closing to see if I'd claim it but I missed the call. I know tomorrow morning it is going to be put back on the table since I didn't purchase it and it's a sales item but I can't get over the $700+tax price, especially without doing my research (which is also why I didn't buy any purses at SPACE - stupid stupid stupid - next time I go - NO THINKING !!! ><) I talked to one of my friends and she said I should buy it (LOL what an enabler - that's my job!) and if I change my mind I should sell it. Normally, I'd ask my mom if she thinks its a good idea, but I just recently came back from Italy (with the respective haul to match - but with no designer purses X___X) so I know her answer... What do you guys think? There's a 24 hour full refund policy... It's more pricy than Marc by Marc Jacobs since it's from Marc Jacobs' higher end label Marc Jacobs. PS: I love the colour too >_<''

Marc Jacobs Small Fulton

Oh! And of course what bag wishlist would this be without the infamous Chanel Jumbo Caviar Flap? A girl can dream! LOL my mom always says - with taste like yours, how do expect to find a boy who's going to even get near you? (My answer is always - I'll just work harder!!! Who needs boys??? - I have yet to think of a witty come back.)

Chanel Jumbo Flap in Caviar Leather

With love,

elle xx

OOTD :: Green Plaid

Hello Everyone!

First OOTD of the year! Today, I was just hanging out with some friends. We watched Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol (highly recommend it!) and ate dinner.

So here's what I wore today!

Now I understand why lighting is so important for OOTD photos! The lighting in the succession of photos I took weren't all the same so it didn't look as seamless as I would have liked!

{ Outfit }

Plaid Shirt :: Hollister & Co

Decorative Tank :: Abercrombie & Fitch

Super Skinny Jeans :: Hollister & Co

Belt :: H&M

Shoes :: Coach

Purse :: Louis Vuitton

I hope you liked it!!!

Thanks for reading! (And WOW! 48 followers?! I'm so flattered!!!!)
elle xx