Summer Essentials: Comfortable Wedges & Flats

1. Kork-Ease Ava  $99.99
2. Stuart Weitzman Alexlo  $179
3. A.P.C Wedge Sandal  $306.35
4. Tory Burch Camelia  $122.90
5. Taryn Rose Krissy  $197.99
6. Roberto del Carlo Leather & Cork Wedge   $401.27
7. Wallis Woven Strap Sandal  $84  (UK, here)


Currently,  I'm obsessed with finding a pair of comfortable summer sandals. Okay, a few pairs to be perfectly honest. What's that saying about a woman can't be too thin or too rich? Well, she can't have too many pairs of shoes either, says the lady who preaches the 1 in 1 out rule. After spending years in agony walking in heels, I want to be comfortable. I find it next to impossible to maintain a semblance of composure and grace when I'm in agonizing pain. Oh wait, it can be done. That is if I have a bucketful of botox injected into my face.

In fact, last month when I wore my skyscraper Stuart Weitzman wedges out, I ended up holding on desperately to the wall as I shuffled down the lane. The guys at the offices that lined the street had an eyeful. Not for the right reasons too. I want to add a couple of inches to my height without resorting to bone lengthening surgery. I want to be able to look chic (I hope), run, walk and stay upright for hours at a time. Is that too much to ask for? Thus began my search obsession for sensible heels.



1. Sam Edelman Gigi Sandals  $65 (or here and UK here)
2. K Jacques Orion Rouge  $224
3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Low Wedge Ankle Wrap Sandals  $156
4. Ancient Greek Sandals "Medea" Wedge  $266.67
5. Sam Edelman Trina Sandals  $100


After years, no,  decades of making lots of mistakes, I now realize that shorties like me need strappy flats. Not the ones that have lots of spaghetti looking straps that grip my ankles like varicose veins. I like to think it as KISS (keep it simple stupid).  I've found Sam Edelman Gigi or K Jacques Picon sandals to be very flattering regardless of one's height. Nude tones make a world of difference too. If you have legs like Gisele, in which case, kindly discard all my suggestions and just wear a mini everyday. If you've got 'em, flaunt 'em.

If I have a deep pocket (think Mark Zuckerberg's bank account), I'll say, what the heck, get them all. Common sense prevails. What I need to do is narrow the selection down to a sensible figure.

Market Day

The market comes to town once a fortnight and takes over the carpark. It's an opportunity to pick up locally sourced meat and vegetables which are unavailable in the large supermarkets. I never seem to get there early enough. By 11am, all the best produce are sold out. I've been told that there's a stall that specializes in Chinese vegetables but the trick is to get there by 8am at the very latest on a Sunday. I was probably an owl in my other life. I suppose I'll have to be desperate. I mean stuck in the desert without water kind of desperate to get there that early. I guess I shouldn't mention it's a 5 minute stroll from my apartment.

When the weather is good, the town center becomes a bustling and vibrant meeting place. The High St is jam-packed with locals and tourists alike all clamoring around various shops and street performances. Over the years, I've become rather adept at maneuvering through crowds and scooters driven by little speedy gonzales.







There's never a dull moment particularly during the spring and summer months where plenty of events take place right on the main pedestrian street. The church grounds become a picnic area where sun bathers gladly lie on tombstones to get a tan. I don't know about you but lying on/near a tombstone is just downright weird. I mean someone's bones are buried underneath.

Alfresco

Tomato tart

When I was living in New Zealand I used to take sunny days for granted. I mean, ozone hole and all. Who wants to get wrinkles or skin cancer? I'd walk out slathered in inch thick sunscreen. SPF 100, of course. Yeah, yeah. Friends looked at me in disbelief when I proudly took the tube out. I declared fervently that Lisa Airan, the stunning dermatologist from New York who has graced the pages of Vogue on numerous occasions once mentioned in an interview that the best preventative anti-ageing measures are genes and sunscreen. Can't do much about the first but will do my darnest about the second.

Caramelized onion tart

I'd be the one scouring for a well shaded table when dining al fresco. And then I arrived in the U.K where sunshine is a rare and precious commodity. These days, I behave like any normal English person. The minute the sun takes a peek through the clouds, I dash out like a prisoner who has been released from solitary confinement. I immediately swap my jeans for shorts or a mini shift dress for maximum vitamin D exposure.

Insalata Caprese, melon, baguette and crumbed fish

When the temperature hit a balmy mid 20s in the weekend, we dined al fresco in Tiphaine's garden and feasted on tarts, a very French summer fare along with Insalata Caprese, sweet honeydew melons and crumbed fish nuggets, washed down with bottles of wine and freshly made lemonade. We laughed, caught up and made new friends.

The hot weather was the perfect excuse for the kids to devour popsicles after popsicles leaving sticky residue on their faces. It was well after 9 pm when we trudged home, a mere 5 minute walk. That's the beauty of living in  a small town. You're only a few minutes walk away from anywhere. How did you spend your weekend?

Soaking in Bath

View outside the bedroom window

The only place my mother was keen to visit within the U.K was Bath. I've been to Bath on two other occasions (here and here) but there's something about this charming and refined town that I just can't get enough of. I thought I was pretty well organized trying to locate a decent B&B two weeks in advance but no, most were fully booked. Every single weekend for the following two months. Clearly, there's a shortage of accommodation in Bath.





Out of sheer luck, there was a vacancy on the following Sunday at the well reviewed Badminton Villa. It's a 15 minute walk uphill or a 5 minute ride in a taxi (costs £8). The twin room we were given was spacious and cozy. Despite the late check in as we'd decided to explore the city and grab dinner in town first, we received a warm reception upon arrival. Let's move on to the more important bit. The breakfast. My emotions are ruled by the state of my belly (note I'm not talking about the physical appearance). We were served toasts, an assortment of cereals, juices, yoghurt and fresh fruit followed by a choice of cooked breakfast. My scrambled eggs were cooked to perfection - moist, creamy and delicately flavored served with smoked salmon and Irish potato bread. Thankfully, the stroll downhill was much needed to burn off the massive breakfast.

Heather and Steve Clewley
Badminton Villa
10 Upper Oldfield Park
Bath
BA2 3JZ
Tel: +44(0)1225 426347
Email: [email protected]

Chic Raincoats

The average rainfall in England is 40 inches per year. If you hate the bedraggled look pretty much every day of the year, you probably wouldn't want to move to Dalness, a little Scottish town in the Highlands. They get 130.16 inches of rain per year. Now, let's jump across the Atlantic to get a comparison. Forks, an old logging town in Washington famous for its Twilight series connection receives 119.7 inches of rain while Arizona gets a mere 12.7 inches per year.




1. Petit Bateau Raincoat
2. Burberry Packable Trench Coat  (UK, click here)
3. Hunter Wellies
4. Burberry Brit Short Packable Coat 
5. North Face Stella Grace Jacket 
6. Barbour Biker Wellington Boots
7. Burberry Billie Khaki Parka
8. Seasalt Kellifray Mac Coat
9. SeaVees Off Short Tall Rain Boots
10. Burberry Equestrian Bridle
11. Penfield Vassan Anorak

Having been drenched more times than I can remember,  I've decided that the sensible thing to do is to invest in a decent raincoat. Umbrellas are useless on windy days. There's a plethora of raincoats in every color, shape and form but call it vanity, I don't want to look like I'm wearing a standard mac. Or God forbid, something floral complete with a plastic scarf tied under my chin. The common variety in the shops are more suited to mountain trekking but completely inappropriate for work.

The ideal raincoat has to be chic, showerproof, mid length and preferably with a hood attached for days when I can't be bothered with an umbrella. I've never thought much about wellies (rain boots) but after getting splashed by cars driving over puddles, I've considered waterproof boots to be extremely practical.

My favorites would have to be the two Burberry packable coats from the more affordable Burberry Brit range. What a brilliant idea. The trench can be folded and stored in the small pouch. The shorter version has a hood that can be buckled down when not needed. Just toss it into your handbag and save it for a rainy day.

Just out of curiosity, how do you cope with rainy days?

Etoile Isabel Marant Military Green Jacket

Coming from a relatively warm climate in New Zealand, it was difficult adjusting to the 4 seasons in 1 day type of weather in England. The temperature swings like a pendulum, going from one extreme to the next. The temperature hovers around 8 degree Celcius (45 F) in the morning when you walk out the door and climbs steadily to a high 22 Celcius (70 F) before plunging into the abyss by nightfall. No sane person would ever walk out of the house without an additional layer which could be removed or put on when required.





Outfit: Etoile Isabel Marant jacket (similar here and here), Karen Walker Flutter Sleeves dress (seen here, similar here) and The Kooples wedge trainers (similar here)

I've been looking for a casual spring jacket for the past 3 months.  I found this military green gem by Etoile Isabel Marant, thanks to Heather of Flying Fish in a Big Pond. She took us out shopping when we met up in Istanbul last month. She managed to fish this Isabel Marant military green jacket from an ocean of clothes at the large department store. I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of racks and had no idea where to start looking. If it wasn't for Heather's enthusiasm and bubbly personality, I would've gladly sat down somewhere and fought with Lil L for the iPad.

It has proven to be not only versatile but flattering thanks to the construction. You've probably seen the Karen Walker dress on numerous occasions over the past 2 years. A quick mental calculation revealed that cost per wear must be in cents by now. The practicality of having plenty of deep pockets to store my junk won me over too. Thankfully, the temperature is finally hitting the early 20s Celsius (70 fahrenheit) so it's time to say goodbye to my thick woolies.

The Kooples Wedge Sneakers

I know I've harped on enough about finding a pair of wedge sneakers similar to the Isabel Marant Bekket that'll fit my pixie sized feet. A reader wrote in recently to inform me that she saw a pair of Isabel Marant sneakers in size 35 at a shop I used to frequent in Auckland. Yay! I guess there's hope after all for people like me.







As I strode down King's Road on my way to Ash Footwear, I caught a glimpse of the most divine pair of nude colored wedge sneakers at The Kooples. I stopped dead in my tracks to have another good look. I've often heard friends of mine exclaiming how comfortable their heels are. I wondered if I'd ever have a chance to say that.  As I slid into shoes and walked around, I was amazed that I could walk rather comfortably. They're certainly not cheap at £220 compared to the alternatives in my previous post.

So far I've trekked up Farley Mount, went for a walk in the countryside and ran down the street in a bid to get to Lil L's school on time in these sneakers. I can safely say that I can run in heels now. This is quite a feat for someone who can barely balance on a pair of 2 inch heels. The cushioned insole and padding ensure a comfortable fit. The wide soles give more stability to the wearer. Unfortunately, The Kooples do not ship outside of European Union at this point in time but Ash offers good alternatives as well (available here, here and here).

English Countryside: Hursley & Farley Mount

I'm guilty of not exploring my backyard. I've been to Paris 3 times last year yet I've barely scratched the surface of the surrounding countryside. Thanks to our busy schedule, Sara, a fellow expat from the US and I haven't had the chance to catch for months. After a flurry of text messages, we happily ditched our kids (yeah, that includes the big boys aka husbands) for a lovely day out. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. The same rule applies to England.





We decided to check out a pub in Hursley, a small village which is also an important IBM center. Despite its modest size with a population of 800 (in 2005), it was once the country seat for the ruler of England albeit a rather short-lived period when Richard Cromwell, the third son of Oliver Cromwell (the dude who overthrew the Stuart monarchy) succeeded his father.

Right. Back to the pub. King's Head is suitably named as such seeing that King Charles I was beheaded thanks to Oliver Cromwell who later was put to death in a similar manner. Ouch. King's Head is a Georgian coaching inn built in 1810 on a busy route with many trade and passenger coaches passing through on their way to Salisbury, Winchester, Southampton, London and West Country. I used to think pubs are old, dark and dingy places with low ceilings and probably come with a couple of ghosts attached. Okay, so I've been to a few haunted pubs and will now avoid like the plague. The King's Head couldn't be more different. Beautifully decorated with wooden interior, it's a cosy place for the family to get together for a meal.





My traditional roast beef served with horseradish, buttered cabbage greens and parsnips was scrumptious. I was even more impressed with the sticky toffee pudding which was the best I've ever had. Forgive my shaky hands. I've come to the realization that one should never ever attempt to photograph on an empty stomach.

We did a mini trek up Farley Mount to catch a glimpse of fields laid out like patchwork. We could only gaze in silence and marveled at the picturesque scenery that's stretched out as far as the eye can see. There's even a memorial dedicated to a horse. Get this. The horse is called Beware Chalk Pit. Yup, for jumping into a chalk pit. How appropriate.







P.S. I'm often asked about my camera equipment. This was one of the rare occasions that I did not have my DSLR handy. I managed to dig out hubby's Panasonic Lumix LX3 compact camera and was astounded with the clarity and color of the photos (the countryside). It's no longer available but there's an upgraded version - LX5.

Hermessorize the Outfit: Fitted Blazer and Leopard print Flats

Outfit: Rag & Bone blazer (similar here), Hermes Ex Libris cashmere shawl, Uniqlo T-shirt, Repetto flats, James Jeans "Twiggy" (available here and here) and Hermes Evelyne

It has been raining non stop for the past 2 months. Okay, so perhaps I've exaggerated a tad. There were moments when the sun poked its head out for 10 minutes at odd intervals throughout the month. I'm so sick and tired of being wet that I've contemplated waterproofing myself either by spraying Apple Garde solvent (fabulous for leather handbags!) on the body or perhaps turning into a reptile. Or is there such a thing called stop-the-rain dance? I digress.

1. Etoile Isabel Marant Fargo Jacket  $427

2. Etoile Isabel Marant Rargo Pin striped Blazer  $535

3. Etoile Isabel Marant Fitted Blazer  $445

4. Asos Shrunken Boyfriend Jacket  $69.58

Thankfully, it was relatively dry over the weekend so I decided to dispense with the raincoat and boots which were nearly soldered onto my skin due to regular use. You've probably seen my Rag & Bone blazer on numerous occasions as it is a favorite of mine. The cropped and structured construction is flattering on a petite frame. While a black jacket is an indispensable must-have piece in a closet, I like the eye-catching contrasting black trim against the woolen grey exterior. Over the years, I've learned that the one button jacket works best for me. It gives an illusion of a waistline that those with a more boyish figure like mine lack.

1. Steven by Steve Madden slipper $95.99

2. Sam Edelman Gigi Sandals $65

3. Cole Haan Air Morgan Slippers $188

4. Tory Burch Reva Flats $225

5. Sam Edelman Cayla Flats $59.97

6. Elephantito  Ballerina $59.99

7. Repetto Ballet Pumps $259

Since there has been quite a bit of interest in my Repetto leopard print flats, I've hunted for similar ones online. Mine were from a few seasons back and a lucky find from Yoox. I haven't seen them since. I've also found a really adorable pair from Elephantito for kids. Lil L has been wearing this brand for years and they make the cutest shoes.


So, what's your current favorite outfit?

How to look after your Hermes bags

Over the years, I've managed to pick up a lot of information at the Purse Forum, thanks to the contributors there. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to glean helpful tips straight from the horse's mouth at the Hermes "Leather Forever" exhibition. I've always wanted to know how to go about looking after my Hermes bags, to preserve their condition despite normal wear so that I can hopefully pass them on to the next generation. A huge thanks to the artisans for patiently answering my questions which I'm sure had been asked millions of times before.

What's the most durable leather for everyday use?
Togo because it's calfskin unlike taurillon clemence which comes from a mature animal (bull). The latter will soften more over the years and become rather slouchy.


How should I store my bags?
Do not store them in boxes because the leather will dry and crack over a prolonged period of time. Let them breathe. Stuff them with acid free tissue but don't stick them into dust bags. (I put mine in a bookcase which has glass doors so the dust won't get to them).
 

What else can I do to ensure that my bags will last for decades?
Do not expose them to direct sunlight, wind or rain (oops!). You have to use them but not everyday. Rest them.These bags are like shoes. You can't wear the same shoes everyday or you will wreck them quickly.


I notice that parts of the bag (i.e. strap) is machine-stitched but for the most part, are hand-stitched. Why is that?
We machine stitch for aesthetic reasons too. However, we hand-stitch in areas where there is most tension or pressure placed for durability.


How often should I take my bag to "the spa"?
Never! Well, as little as possible. The leather has been stretched, distressed and processed. The constant cleaning and conditioning will weaken the leather (I was under the impression that I have to send my bags in for conditioning ever few years).

Hermes "Leather Forever" Exhibition

I jumped at the opportunity to attend the Hermes' "Leather Forever" Exhibition held at the Royal Academy in London last weekend. The visual and tactile display was a spectacular indulgence for the Hermes lover. I could only marvel at the creativity of the set designers who'd thought of different ways of educating the public about Hermes' unique tradition, mastery and artistry of leather goods.



Large pieces of tanned and processed skins (taurillon clemence, epsom, togo, box) dyed in the latest seasons' colors are hung on hooks for the attendees to touch. They'd also included exotic skins such as crocodile, ostrich, lizard and alligator, all neatly placed on top of each other. Unfortunately, photography wasn't allowed inside the exhibition or else I would've happily snapped away.

 

Courtesy of Hermes

It was a rare opportunity where the public was allowed to see firsthand the intricate and painstaking process of how a Hermes bag was made. There wasn't a machine in sight but plenty of traditional tools to cut, splice, stitch and hold the pieces of leather. The two artisans were forthcoming with information. I've decided to split the post into two  as it's not possible to pack so much into one. Here's what I've learned from the two artisans.

1. Most of the artisans would've gone to an external leather college before applying for an apprenticeship at Hermes. Nadia, one of the two artisans was a special case where she had no previous experience. After a rigorous interview process, 12 were chosen from 400. They were then put through more tests before the remaining 6 were accepted into the academy. To date, there are only 2000 artisans working for Hermes in France churning out bags for more than 300 stores worldwide.

2. It takes 5 years of apprenticeship to be considered an artisan. The artisan is allowed to choose the type of bags s/he wants to make. Some artisans only prefer to make one type of bag. Only those who have a rare talent are allowed to make custom orders as they will be involved with the design, construction and production of the item.

3.The most difficult bag to make is a Kelly. It's also the first bag that an artisan has to master before he or she is allowed to make other bags. The handle consists of 7 layers of leather compressed and then mold into shape by hand. It takes 20 - 25 hours to make a Kelly. On average, one bag takes 15-20 hours to make.

I walked out with a different level of appreciation for Hermes bags. Don't forget to check out Part 2 tomorrow!

Leather Forever 
6 Burlington Gardens
London W1S 3ET
 8th - 27th May 2012
10am - 6pm daily/ 10am - 10pm Friday
Admission Free

5 ways to Save Money

Lately, I've been inspired by my fellow blogger friend, Katherine of Feather Factor who posted useful tips on savings. It's so hard not to cave in to consumerism especially when I walk into Selfridges, Liberty or Harvey Nichols. I remember the time when I felt that I'd made a giant leap toward savings was when I was very focused on my investment goals. I'd devoured enough books to understand that the earlier one started to save and invest, the further ahead I'd be compared to someone who did so years later, thanks to compounding interest. We'd scrimped and saved to purchase our very first property, albeit a tiny flat right next to one of the most exclusive residential areas in Auckland. I figured that when the boom hit, there would be a ripple effect on the adjacent suburbs.

I'd fallen off the bandwagon now and then. I decided I needed to be a bit more vigilant about my spending habits. I still splurge every now and then because I feel entitled to my fair share of luxury goods. *grin*  I've noticed that £20 here, £50 there, the amount adds up to a sizable chunk at the end of each month. So here's what I've done lately:

Photo credit: Madison Public Library

1. Library and Free books
The library is my best friend. Hubby has a yearly DVD membership there which costs a mere £40. This entitle us to borrow any DVDs including new releases. Movie tickets cost £9 - £12 per person. Babysitting is another £20 - £30 on top of that which makes a night out to the movies a very costly practice.

Secondly, instead of buying more books from Amazon and finding ways to store them in our small flat, I get the books out from the library for free. These days, Amazon has a lot of free e-books you can download.





2. Cafe
I live right in town. In fact, I live minutes from the nearest cafe so it seems rather silly to go to a cafe when I have the goods at home. A cup of coffee and a slice of cake will set me back £6. I'd much rather have friends come by. Besides, home baked cakes and cookies are far tastier and they cost next to nothing. Moms often find it particularly stressful trying to hold down a conversation, control the kids and try to finish that darn cuppa at the cafe while avoiding glares from fellow patrons.

I normally chuck the kids into Lil L's room and shut the door so us moms have a bit of down time listening to jazz music and enjoy a piping hot cup of coffee.

3. Rail card
UK public transportation is possibly the costliest in the world. You can generally expect a return ticket for an hour ride into London during peak hours for 50 quid. Ridiculous, no? Buying a rail card which costs just under £30 a year will knock 30% off tickets outside the peak hours. That's literally hundreds of pounds of savings in one year.



4. Car
It's hard to make do without a car in New Zealand, Australia or the US but it's actually very doable here in the UK. I'm so sick of driving that I absolutely refused to buy a car when we emigrated here. Living in town means that I have easy access to all the amenities including public transportation. I walk everywhere. It's still a novelty that I don't have to get into a car,  drive and fight for a parking slot if I run out of milk. I love the fact that I no longer have to pay for fuel, insurance and maintenance which adds up to thousands each year.





5. Eating at home
 A meal for 3 at a family restaurant will set me back £30 easily. A meal at home costs a measly £5.


What are your tips on saving and investing?

Perplexing Trends

Thank you so much for the comments regarding mom bloggers which I'd re-read many times. It's heartwarming to know that there are others like me who do not want to lose themselves despite being a mom.

I'm not an avid magazine reader these days but one can't escape the clutches of fashion mavens. Their influence transcends every social and media platform. We're talking about highly intelligent individuals sprouting garbled declarations regarding fashions trends. Truth be told, there are a few that left me completely mystified.


Designer Pajamas

First up, the designer pajamas. Marie Claire called them instant classics. I'm not talking about PJs that one wears to bed. These Louis Vuitton PJs worn by mega stylist, Caroline Sieber (below) costs more than my Chanel Timeless clutch. I could purchase a set of silk PJs from Marks & Spencer for less than £50 and pair them with heels. The only problem is most schools and supermarkets in England now ban women from entering their premises in PJs. I guess that includes designer ones.

Photo credit: Street Peeper

Photo credit: IB Times

Jumpsuit

Traditionally, when one thinks of a jumpsuit, the attire they're referring to is most likely the one piece suit worn by parachuters or skydivers. If you shrink the size of the garment and add buttons around the crotch, it's now a romper suit for babies. The only thing is that the adult version does not have this remarkable feature so I often wonder how tiresome it must be if one has to use the loo. If you really must submit to this particular fashion trend, perhaps it is wise to reduce any liquid consumption to the bare minimum.

Photo credit: Style Junkee

Photo credit: Who What Wear