A perfect everyday tote from Tod’s

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A handcrafted pebbled leather tote by Tod’s, in white. Photo: Geoffrey Pereira.

For those who love quality made products, but dislike designer goods with too many monogrammed logos (most often Louis Vuitton and some Gucci items), Tod’s with their philosophy of sophisticated and elegant luxury goods might be a brand whose products you could explore.

This white pebbled leather tote from Tod’s for example is crisp and clean in its design lines, complementing most work day outfits. The craftsmanship on this bag is impeccable and the leather is weighted though not so heavy that you’ll find it cumbersome to carry.

The allure of this bag is in its timeless simplicity, where less is often more when it comes to what is fashionable through the ages. It has just two silver hardware hoop-latch buckles on either side of the bag for opening and closing, and it can easily hold a 12 to 13 inch sized laptop together with A4 sized documents.

The rolled handles ensure a comfortable fit to the shoulders and you won’t find the weight of the bag slicing through your blouse or jacket when carrying the bag.

For more designer handbags such as Chanel, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Prada and this Tod’s tote as pictured above in white or sand colour, please contact Jaimie Lim.

Coloured gemstones, adding lustre to any dress

Posted on by cheryl

A natural ametrine (amethyst and citrine combined), weighing 42.75 carats, set in 18k white gold and diamonds.
Jewellery design: Cheryl Marie Cordeiro. Photo: Kevin D. Cordeiro.

In keeping with most Asian traditions, where gold is given to a newborn as a form of savings they could wear, I was introduced to yellow gold jewellery, mostly given as gifts, at a very young age of about five or six years old. Since I couldn’t wear jewellery to school, the tradition was that I bounced around in rounded gold ear studs and slim gold bangles during the festive seasons of Christmas and New Year’s. As a young girl, I loved the melodious tinkering of the bangles that went with my every movement.

What began as the traditional festive wear of jewellery when I was younger, has today blossomed into a love and passion for well-crafted fine jewellery. These days, I find myself unable to resist the glitter of fine jewellery with large coloured gemstones, and try to keep a small collection that can match the clothes in my wardrobe.

Duo-toned ametrine. Basket setting in white gold ring.
Jewellery design: Cheryl Marie Cordeiro. Photo: Kevin D. Cordeiro.

Sourcing my own stones is part of the delight in jewellery making and collecting, where I sometimes meet with the gemstone cutters in person to be able to pick out the most alluring stones. Coloured gemstones are not very expensive in themselves, so a lot of a stone’s quality comes from its cut, polish and finish. This duo-toned ametrine I fell in love with the instant I saw it and was happy to ask my favorite jewellers to set it in a fitting ring of my own design.

Side profile snapshot of the stone and the ring setting. The stone caught and reflected brilliantly, the morning sunlight streaming in through the windshield of our car.
Jewellery design: Cheryl Marie Cordeiro. Photo: Kevin D. Cordeiro.

The ametrine sits in a basket setting with four prongs, one prong to each corner of the stone. It has a single fleur-de-lis on either side of the ring, created with 3 marquise shaped diamonds to each flower. Brilliant cut diamonds run halfway down either side of the shank of the ring.

Depending on the light and the angle, the stone goes from a crisp golden yellow to a deep grape purple. Yummy.

Bottega Veneta for a night out

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For an evening out: a Sue Wong silk beaded gown with a Bottega Veneta clutch bag. Photo: Geoffrey Pereira.

I first fell in love with Bottega Veneta bags in Italy, whilst shopping. The leather is buttery soft and the construction of their bags are neat, clean and smart, with no fuss buckles or closures on the surface to mar the design of the bag. Most of the intrecciatos come with a magnetized closure sewn into the bag, under the leather. The result is a refined and fumble free evening when carrying the bag.

This particular hand-woven intrecciato bag is a work of art that complements most occasions. The handles can be detached to form an elegant evening clutch for that special night out.

For more designer handbags such as Chanel, Gucci, Tod’s, Prada and this Bottega Veneta clutch as pictured above, please contact Jaimie Lim.

Chanel Allure eau de parfum

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Rojjana Petkanha for Chanel Allure.

I’ve always loved Chanel fragrances as they never seem to tire through the day.

Launched in 1996, Chanel Allure is a sophisticated mix of Oriental florals like Bergamot, Mandarin, Water Lily, Magnolia and Jasmine. Its complexity as a scent and its intrigue increases when a hint of Rose begins to come forth as the scent settles. It’s sensuously subtle vanilla base notes appears after the scent matures on the skin.

Depending on skin chemistry, I find Chanel Allure a parfum that can bring you from day to night. The lighter, young sophisticate beats of Allure compliments most occasions, in comparison to Allure Sensuelle, which is perhaps more suitable for the dark winter nights. The light powdery scents of Allure also brings me home to days when I was a child, laying snug and cozy under newly washed comforters.

Getting to love the seasons

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Under an ivory BCBG Max Azria mid-length puffa jacket.

After several years in Sweden, I’m beginning to understand the seasons, and I’m loving them!

Puffa jackets come in a variety of designs, where belted down jackets are seen most on the streets these days.

My favourite jacket to combat the nordic cold is this ivory down puffa jacket from BCBG Max Azria. It wraps around you like a warm blanket and you can look forward to some winter white, easy.

The silk scarf as accessory

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A 1960s classic way to wear the scarf on the head, as Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Queen Elizabeth II, Gina Lollobrigida etc. wore it.

I was introduced to the scarf (actually, a cotton bandanna) in my teens when I received one as a gift. I used it the most fashionable way possible then, like all my other girlfriends and that was to tie it around the ponytail. When meeting up with girlfriends, we’d say, “Turn around! Let me see!” and then it’ll either be “Wah! Pretty!” or “Oh.” meaning, it wasn’t such a rave review for the bandanna. We also wore bandannas around our necks cowboy style, a style I prefer not to don these days.

I’ve had the opportunity to collect many bandannas and scarfs of all types of materials over the years and I find the silk scarf to be one of the most versatile of pieces. The gossamer soft and sleek material allows for varied styles and uses, whether over the head, shoulders, waist or tied to a bag.
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A bold brollie for a rainy day?

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It seems like the heatwave that hit Sweden in high summer has given way and in its place are very rainy days. With grey skies, grey seas, grey pavements and people generally in black and grey outfits, I thought these lovelies found at Brolliesgalore in the UK would brighten up the days in the rain….

Tutu rose umbrella by Chantal Thomas

Not for the faint of heart or the self-conscious, this Tutu rose umbrella by Chantal Thomas features kicking legs with surrounding tutu layers. More than brighten up the day, I think it might even cause a few traffic accidents on the slippery roads out there.
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Suede luxe to Fall

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Pedro Garcia Xaide suede boots.

One of my favourite items to autumn is a beautiful pair of suede leather boots. With current trends, suede boots are found in all sorts of variations. A soft brushed leather that comes usually from the underside of lambskin, though these days, other types of skins are used such as goat, pig, calf and deer, the open pores of this leather means that it isn’t much waterproof or stain-proof. Still, the plush feel of suede boots is attractive and its suppleness allows for a relaxed though luxurious feel for the autumn.

Above are my current favourite suede boots from Pedro Garcia. I like the ruching details, platform front and sleek stiletto heels. The lighter colour is also a relief from the darker shades to be encountered in autumn / winter seasons.
Continue reading “Suede luxe to Fall” →

Judith Leiber minaudières and evening bags

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Fluted by Judith Leiber. This gold minaudiere or evening bag is decorated with Austrian crystals. It has a detachable chain strap and push down snap closure.

What inspires me are people who believe in themselves and who work in unending devotion to build and live their dream. Such ambitions as seen in Coco Chanel, Louis Vuitton and modern inspirations such as Tyra Banks and Donald Trump, often also produce unrivaled distinction in their work.

Judith Leiber and her work is one such inspiration of mine. Born in 1921, she began her own business and line of handbags in 1963 (retired in 1998). It isn’t only her exotic designs that are eye-catching as works of art (now found in renowned museums such as the Smithsonian in Washington, the V&A in London and the Met Museum in New York City), but her acute detail to attention and quality.

Evenings bags by Judith Leiber, made in exotic skins in basic wardrobe colours. Mini Twilight, a soft frosted python bag that is both a clutch and a shoulder bag. Red Shimmer, made of crocodile with magnetic flap closure and Austrian crystal trim. Grace, a black coloured bag in crocodile.

These days, Judith Leiber the label, carries more than bags, with eyewear, fine jewellery and crystal miniatures such as pill boxes. The items are sold in exclusive boutiques around the world and in the USA, there are just about five outlets in total, in Atlanta, Las Vegas (2 locations), Orange County, and New York City.

The current exclusive stunner from Leiber is this Precious Rose, handcrafted in the USA:

This minaudiére is crafted in 18k white gold with 42.56 carats of diamonds and approximately the same amount of pink sapphires.

Judith’s husband, Gerson Leiber is also an accomplished artist and a selection of both their works can be found at The Leiber Collection, at the Leiber Museum.

Purple: the new neutral?

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Some things purple to have in the wardrobe.

As Eric Wilson reports for the NY Times, purple is in.

On the US political scene, purple is the colour that represents the middle ground between Republican Red and Democratic Blue. Jim Moore, creative director of GQ also notes that a silvery shade of purple happens to be in vogue for men at the moment because it complements the myriad of grey fabrics of the season. So you see purple ties mostly, on men on TV currently.

While purple ties could be a staple in the men’s wardrobe, there are some current purples for women that caught my attention:

  • A Stella McCartney Cowl neck knit dress (top left of picture). This pull-on dress on wool, has balloon sleeves, a self-tie waist belt and it looks perfect for work or relaxed evening. Stella McCartney also goes with Italian sizing, so it’s perfect for the petite sized.
  • Purple Dannie stilettos by Pedro Garcia, Spain
  • Two purple ties, the darker one from Balancio, Australia and the other is a pink and lilac Ianthe from Liberty Tie, UK
  • An amethyst and diamond ring
  • A lilac polka dot bow tie from the Tie Warehouse, UK
  • Valentino’s Histoire patent tote bag in purple – I love the braiding details on that bag!
  • And below the Valentino Histoire is a violet crocodile bag by Forzieri, Italy
  • A pair of woven hidden platform pumps in lilac for the office
  • A pair of Gucci sunglasses
  • And a royal purple coat by Oli, UK

While I hardly think purple is the new neutral – since once used for a specific standpoint, it can no longer be classified as ‘neutral’, it is nonetheless a striking colour to complement most wardrobes.