My Summer Raffia Bag edit

What started as a few suggestions on a great raffia bag to be worn with summer dresses for a friend of a friend has snowballed a little; well, because I have a serious thing for raffia and wicker bags, I'm afraid, and got a little carried away, so many gorgeous options to choose from!

I can't get enough of the Loewe raffia bags.  I already own and use (soooo often) my basket bag and the slit tote; and would seriously consider adding this to the family were it not sold out. Have placed myself on the waiting list for when it is restocked though, just in case (directly at Loewe).

Loewe Slit Large tote (avail. at 24S and Matchesfashion and NAP) - I wanted a hands-free 'beach bag' but have been using it almost every day lately.

Loewe basket bag (have taken this with me to countless trips (the large pictured above is available at Matchesfashion, mine is the medium, which is currently sold out)

Another Loewe option I think is so cute is Gate leather and raffia bag (avail. from Matches and the super cute mini size at NAP)

This Cesta Collective bag is too cute! (avail. at Matchesfashion as is the opposite colour way here).

They also make such cute basket bags!

Camel and black lunch pail available at Orchard Mile

Savanna Bay raffia bucket bag by Heidi Klein (available at Matches)

Ok, so I have been telling myself "I don't need another raffia bag, I don't need another raffia bag", but after months of telling myself, I still just succumbed to this Albus Lumen x Helen Kaminski Figura bag, the top is lined in leather, and I'm not sure how practical it is (can update you when it arrives), but it does double as a home ornament, it's just so beautiful! Love its lines, relaxed yet sophisticated vibe.

Albus Lumen x Helen Kaminski Figura bag avail at Matchesfashion - also in black and dark brown brown and Net-a-Porter - also in olive and dark brown)

Carolina Santo Domingo small woven mohair and raffia bucket bag (available at Orchard Mile and Net-a-Porter)

Gucci Raffia tote (medium from Gucci, large from 24s)

Gucci Marmont GG small shoulder raffia bag (avail. from Gucci)

Gucci Marmont GG raffia small shoulder bag (avail. from Gucci in beige trim and green trim)  - these are definitely a dressier option that hardly looks like raffia, but thought I'd include them here in case it tickles someone's fancy.

I know, not raffia, but I have been lusting after this bag (and the rectangular version) since I first saw it, and think it's the perfect accessory for summer dresses day or night:Saint Laurent Kate small bamboo bag (avail. at Barneys and Saks) and oh my, had to include the same bag in wicker from Barneys.

In contrast, a much more relaxed (yet I find still sophisticated) vibe from Hunting Season: raffia and leather shoulder bag (avail. at NAP - also in a smaller size called the 'Lola')

Also like this cute Hunting Season trunk (avail. at Matchesfashion)

Sparrow's Weave (a new Australian-based label which I am absolutely loving) The Round wicker and leather top handle bag available at Matchesfashion

Sparrows Weave The Cylinder wicker and leather bag (avail. at Matchesfashion also so gorgeous in Burgundy )

Mango round raffia bag (on sale at MNG)

Ulla Johnson Raya bag (at Shopbop and Moda Operandi and NAP))

Kayu Lucie bag from NAP (also so cute in green at Amour Verte and pink from IfChic)

Ok, the large is quite large but so chic for daytime: Jil Sander leather trim raffia tote bag from Matchesfashion (cute smaller version - nighttime appropriate as well as day, available at Moda Operandi), when I first saw it my jaw may or may not have dropped.

Do you guys like any of the above? Any further recommendations for a good raffia bag that will go nicely with summer dresses?

xx

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Growing older, getting smarter...

Bag: Gucci mini Sylvie (at Gucci, Farfetch, Net-a-Porter, and MatchesFashion)

I recently realized that next year will be my 10 year blogaversary, which means in the almost 10 years since I first started my blog, a lot has changed in the last (almost) 10 years:  I have gotten married, had not one, but two children, gained a pound (or twenty), changed careers (more than once), it has been quite a ride, thanks to those who have been riding with me!

Last year I celebrated a milestone birthday, I won't tell you which one, but you can gather I am definitely not 21 (yeah, not even close, haha), ahem...moving on.  Thankfully (for me) I have never been one to panic about birthdays or getting older, I think it is because I see how young and sprightly my own mother is, and how neither of us really think of who we are in terms of how our age.  Age truly is just a number, really.

Having said that, there are areas that have started to think smarter about, about how to take better care of my body and myself:

Diet
I gave up eating two macarons for breakfast every morning when my daughter told me: "Mommy, when I grow up, I'm going to eat macarons for breakfast just like you". Eeps, talk about role model! I have tried choosing better fuel for my body, despite my love for food (I love healthy and unhealthy foods, I'm just trying to stay on the healthier side most of the time), not only because I then feel better (in the last few years my body has been increasingly telling me to eat better, as I certainly don't feel good when I eat too much refined sugars and such). And of course, being a role model to my children.  I am so diligent about teaching them good eating habits, I should follow what I preach, so that is what I'm trying to do now.

Exercise

Ok, I used to love exercising before I had children, and I know having children is not an excuse not to exercise.  But for the past 7+ years, I have not set foot in a gym, did 3 pilates sessions last year (and didn't follow through), and now my body is paying for it (and I don't even mean the many pounds I've gained), my back (and shoulder!) have finally said: enough is enough, and now I need to change my ways.  All those years of carrying kids with one arm, and bending over to take flatlay shots have not treated my body well, so I am determined to start moving again, and strengthening my back with pilates again.  I also want to start cycling regularly, I prefer incidental exercise as opposed to pounding a treadmill...

Skincare

I have been blessed somewhat in that I have never done much with my skin, and have gotten away with it.  My mom has nice skin and both my grandmothers did too.  In fact, my beloved maternal grandmother's favourite skincare product was simply Clinique's 'yellow moisturizer' (as I called it, now referring to its proper name: Dramatically Different Daily Moisturizer), which was a staple of hers for decades, proving that it is a bestseller for a reason.  In addition to using Clinique's 'yellow moisturizer' (DDDM) as part of my 3-step skincare regime I also love their 'Smart' serum and moisturizer (and treatment oil - not pictured below), because these products understand the particular needs of my skin, even before I even know what those needs may be.  It is a multitasker, whether you need to visibly erase wrinkles, even skin tone, firm or hydrate, it does it all, so I don't have to sit down and figure out the 1001 different products I need to use (it also anticipates a breakout before it happens - so smart!)

Tee: Uniqlo, Bag: Valentino (avail. at Farfetch and in black at Matches)

Fashion

Ok, this is one area I have never quite changed because of my age, and that is probably because I dress for whatever shape I am in, and not so much the age.  My love for wearing Mickey Mouse shirts and overalls has not changed, but I do find myself dressing for comfort more and more each days, even though I do love dressing up now and then.

What have you found yourself doing as you grow older, I mean, smarter? 

x

Post written in collaboration with Clinique Australia.

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David Szeto's 'In the Mood for Love' dress - Full Moon celebration

One of my favourite designers, David Szeto, was inspired by one of my favourite movies (for its fashion): 'In the Mood for Love' for his A/W 2008 collection, sharing the same title as the movie.  Needless to say, it is one of my favourite collections of his, and it is from this collection that most of my David Szeto pieces comes from.  In the movie, Maggie Cheung dons more than 20 qipao or cheongsam dresses, figure hugging, and in a plethora of prints and fabrics, they (and Maggie) steal the show.  My favourite David Szeto dress appears to be inspired by one of these dresses, and is brilliantly, beautifully and expertly cut to make it so the wearer can almost fake a Maggie Cheung slender body.  David Szeto is a genius when it comes to draping and cutting the fabric to highlight and flatter the female form...I thought it was the perfect dress to wear to my nephew's 1 month old 'full moon' celebration over the weekend.
 

 I lightened the pic hoping to show the detailing of the dress, but unfortunately I could not do it justice

 Dress worn on the right

 David Szeto dress, Gucci by Tom Ford heels, Celine Trio and Jimmy Fairly sunglasses

Dress worn on the left under the coat

You can buy David Szeto online at Shopbop, Barneys and Far Fetch.

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Two blasts from the past - Tom Ford for Gucci and Phoebe Philo for Chloe

One of my recent purchases has become a wardrobe staple, and a hard-working 'workhorse' of late: my Scanlan & Theodore boyfriend black jeans/pants.  Cropped, tastefully drop-crotched, they seem to work with any pair of shoes, from sneakers to stilettos, and with any outfit, from tee to blazer, to silk blouse.  I recently wore it with two favourite pieces in my wardrobe, a black and white embroidered blazer by Phoebe Philo for Chloe, and my Tom Ford for Gucci black patent stiletto heels.  Both from 'the good old days', that to me are as fresh as they day I bought them:

 Outfit details: Chloe blazer, Gucci pumps, Celine Trio bag, Scanlan & Theodore pants (Giorgio Armani lipstick)

Isabel Marant Dicker boots - which I wore during the day (available here, here, here and here),

Gucci patent studded stilettos I changed into later (no longer available, but I found a similar pair here). Arum lillies from my garden...

Pics via my iPhone for Instagram 

PS. You can follow me on Instagram HERE - I am afraid I update there much more regularly and daily than I do here...

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