New Love - Dylan Kain

I have to thank my chic friend, Mandi for the introduction. It always makes me feel oddly proud whenever an Antipodean succeeds overseas. Dylan Kain premier accessories line was only launched late last year. It is the collaborative effort of two sisters - Bonnie Davis (music DJ turned fashion designer) and Whitney Gilmore. Here's a part Aussie part New Yorker brand that's setting the hearts of ladies around the world aflutter with their classic with a naughty rocker vibe handbag collection.

My first love is handbags. Nothing makes my heart palpitate at a super sonic staccato beat (not even Red Bull) than the sight of a beautiful handbag. I'm also impressed with their price point. Let's face it, in the world of over-inflated/subpar quality handbags, it's actually refreshing to see affordable bags that look......well, expensive.

I've got my eye on the Birkin belt as well as The Wax and The Ryder duffel bags. I'm bummed that the last 2 are sold out nearly everywhere. You can keep an eye on their website or if you're in New Zealand, superette. My brother's coming over to the U.K for a visit. He doesn't know it yet but it's time to stock up HIS suitcase with MY things. If you have a few minutes handy, do check out an interview with Bonnie Davis at Otis & Otto.

A Poignant Reminder

Amidst the busyness of the town center, one man huddled in his overly large and dirty coat with his head buried under a thin blanket, hidden away in a quiet alley. Unfortunately, it's an all too common sight despite the affluence of the town that I live in. It's a poignant reminder of how we're all a few paychecks away from being in the same situation. The shelter in town which receives a lot of financial support from churches and locals alike, work hard to assist the homeless. I spoke to a representative there and it struck home how these people could so easily be us.

A broken relationship or home, bankruptcy, redundancy and divorce resulted in a downward spiraling despair exacerbated by a dependency to alcohol and drugs. While I've been advised not to give money as it's usually spent on narcotics or liquor, a kind word, hot drink and food, warm clothing or a smile goes a long way.

**Image was captured on my phone today

Voucher Codes

I'm a bargain hunter by nature. I'd rather not to pay retail whenever possible although I know that at times it's unavoidable. Lately, I've had to do a bit of shopping just to stock up on bits and bobs for the colder months. It was surprisingly easy to save a few bucks which added up to quite a nice sum just by searching for current voucher codes. A discount of 15% especially if you're splurging on a designer item is quite a hefty saving. I've decided that in future, should I recommend anything on my blog, I'd be sure to add these codes if there are any available.  Besides, why spend more than necessary? Here are a few that I've used:

Shoescribe FALLWKND   15% off
Luisa Via Roma  FR10CJBA01  10% off
Neiman Marcus NMCUSP  $50 off $500 expires on 30 sept
Gap SAVE20  save £20 off £75
Uniqlo WELCOME14 £5 off orders over £45 Uniqlo
Liberty WOMENSAW13 £30 off orders over £150
Feel Unique   SAVE104SEPT  10% off orders plus free shipping

p.s. please share any voucher codes you've successfully used in the past week or two.

Instagram my life

Clockwise: Nice, Eze, Beaulieu sur mer and Nice.

Instagram is highly addictive, more so than chocolate. Who would've thought anything is better than chocolate? (although this fact is debatable depending on who you're asking and the time of the month) I've found myself refreshing my feed only the thousandth time by early afternoon and first thing in the morning when I'm barely alive and only coherent enough to mumble a few words in English (coffeeeeeeee!!!).

It's far easier to perform a covert (photography) operation with your phone. You pretend you're checking your email but you're actually snapping a picture of Laduree store despite the huge sign above your head stating "No Photos". Or snitching a shot of that handsome bloke in front of you. Not that you're a stalker or anything.......

Anyhoo.......here's a snippet of my life via Instagram taken with my Samsung Galaxy Note phone. Just to let you know, I'm still bombarding all my poor followers with a million photos of the French Riviera.  Obviously, I'm in denial that summer has officially ended.                                          




Clockwise: Eze, Eze, Eze and St Paul de Vence

I nearly jumped out of the bus window on the way to St Paul de Vence when I realized that I left my camera back in the apartment. You would've thought that I was suffering from a serious illness the way I was hyperventilating. I learned something new that day. The world did not end if I didn't attach my third arm (aka camera). Thankfully, I brought along my phone.


Clockwise: homemade guotie (pot stickers), french toast, Charbonnel et Walker truffles and Mariage Frers tea, pain aux raisin

The existence of Instagram has caused people to stand on chairs, assemble/shuffle every still object on the table to create a more pleasing aesthetic and generally pap their food to death before eating. So if you see a bunch of people at a cafe/restaurant furiously snapping and tapping away on the phone while leaving their food untouched, they're instagrammers and/or bloggers.



Clockwise: (streets in Winchester) The Square, The Square, park, St Thomas church


You know you've got an Instagram problem when
1) you're out for a walk and your young child tells you that the scenery in front of you will look great on Instagram.
2) you make your family who're ravenous and feral to hold 5 while you take photos of your breakfast/lunch/dinner from every angle. Never mind that their bodies are wasting away from starvation.
3) you greet your friends and before you're 5 minutes into a conversation, you Instagram each other. And they do the same. And ALL your feeds look like this "having an awesome time with @friendno.1 @friendno.2  @friendno.3 and @friendno.4"
4) #you #hashtag #everything #to #death
5) your emotions hike and plunge, not all too different from a heart monitor depending on the number of likes you get
6) you see the world and unconsciously try to resize it into a square
7) your outfit photo looks like this. "I'm wearing @asos jumper with my brand new @lanvin boots and awesome @jamesjeans"

**and if you want my heart to skip a beat, you can follow me on Instagram here (cookiesncandies)

7 Funky bargains for £65 and under

1. Le Specs Rapture Cat Eye sunglasses

2. Le Specs Noddy Mirrored Sunglasses

3. Moschino Gennarino iPhone 5 cover

4. Christys Madison Felt Hat

5. Mango Sweatshirt

6. Softcover Photo Book for your Instagram photos

7. Rivieras Leather Woven Slip-Ons

Most of my major fashion "investments" (the word sounds less frivolous than expenses) were purchased in the years leading up to the 7 B.C. That's the term I use when I try to elucidate the rationale behind my handbag obsession to my friends. Lil L is 7 years old now and B.C means Before Child, a period of time in my life when I actually had disposable income. These days, in an attempt to continue the Tiger Mom tradition that all Asian parents have unconsciously sworn to uphold, fashion expenditures have moved to the bottom rung after violin, swimming, art and blah blah and blah blah blah (let's not bore you with the details). Le sigh.....

My heart tends to skip a beat whenever I spot a good bargain. Lately, there have been a few. The Le Specs sunglasses are a fun and quirky addition without having to spend a fortune. I'm hooked on Christys hats after discovering that they are indeed handmade in Oxfordshire (with the exception of their panamas which are made in Equador) and cost a fraction of what other designer houses such as Maison Michel, Saint Laurent and Eugenia Kim charge for theirs.

I check my Instagram feed every few minutes - a sure sign that I need to attend IAA (Instagram Addicts Anonymous). These days, there are companies that stoke our obsession for the social media by allowing us to print as well as design your own book, calendar and coasters with your Instagram photos. Brilliant, isn't it? (says the IA - Instagram Addict). There are slip-ons and then there are statement slip-ons. I'm all for anything eye-catching these days. Speaking of teddy bears, there's nothing like having one for your phone. This adorable teddy bear iPhone cover will put a smile on your face even on a bad hair day.

Trending: Sporty Luxe

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Biker Chic  1  /  2  /  3  /  4  /  5  /  6  /  7

Smart Casual  8  /  9  /  10  /  11  /  12  /  13  /  14  /  15

I haven't lost my infatuation for track pants (sweat pants or jogging bottoms or whatever term the fashion industry bang on these days). Needless to say, I'm ecstatic that track pants are not only considered chic and fashionable again,  they're trending (as the cool people like to say) which of course gives me the perfect excuse to wear them day and night.These days, track pants resemble nothing like the baggy ones that I used to wear in my university days. Who would've thought that it'd be cool to wear lace tops and heels with the rather ordinary track pants?

I mean, what's not to like? They're comfy. Like really really comfortable. There's nothing more torturous and agonizing than having the waistband dig into your tummy especially after a particularly large meal or when you're on a long haul flight. Just discreetly loosen the drawstring and voila, problem solved.  J If you add a few accoutrements on the pants - say, a few zips, pockets, bling, more pockets (now we're talking!), you end up with a pair of really hip sweat pants which do not even look like proper sweats. It's a little like having a no make up make up look.
**Make sure you don't travel in a pair of track pants with tons of metal hardware attaached lest you want to set off the security metal detector. Like moi.

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I've made a number of mistakes and have finally worked out that a low crotch drop ain't going to cut it unless it's the chav or Bieber the Beaver  look that you're channeling. Slim and tapered legs are a must. Pure cotton pants will soften up and the fibers will stretch even more when worn so nothing baggy to start off with or else you'll end up "trending" dear ol' M.C Hammer too. I simply can't wear track pants without a drawstring because the waistband will just stretch and stretch and before you know it, they're sliding down my hips. And if you have young kids who like tugging your pants.............. (be sure you wear nice lace knickers just in case).

So what do you think of the current sporty luxe trend lately? By the way, do you know of any affordable caged/lace up/gladiator mid heels that I don't have to empty out the entire contents of my bank account to buy? 

Pass It Forward: 3 Fabulous Reads

It's been a long while since I've last featured a Pass It Forward post on Fridays. Naughty me.  Life gets in the way of blog reading sometimes. I have a list of blogs as long as my arm that I need to look at.  So here are 3 blogs/book that rock my boat at the moment.


Amanda Brooks of Amanda Loves Your Style

When Annie reviewed I Love Your Style by Amanda Brooks, I promptly logged on to Amazon and bought the book. It was down to earth, sensible and fun to read. I had a chance to catch up with Annie last week. "Have you read Amanda Brooks' blog?" she asked. "She has a blog?!", I gaped. At her urging, I checked it out and went through pages after pages after pages for hours on end. A style maven she may be but that's not what her blog is all about. It's a bit more like a personal journal of her current life as she splits her time on a farm in Oxfordshire and the U.S.



Kirstie Clements, author of The Vogue Factor

Okay, so technical it's not a blog but it's to do with fashion so that should count for something. This is the personal and detailed account of the fashion industry - straight from the horse's mouth or in this case, from Kirstie Clements, the former Editor-in-Chief of Australian Vogue. She was unceremoniously sacked last year which isn't an uncommon practice in the corporate world. It's a fun and riveting read with all the delicious and juicy tidbits about the fashion world that the civilians are always curious about but rarely get the unadulterated truth.



Noelani of Mon Petit Chou Chou

Bloggers are generally a friendly bunch of people who network because the very act of writing is a rather isolating activity. We meet people so that we can actually verbalize our thoughts as opposed to typing them out. When Anne and I met up, she suggested I checked out Mon Petit Chou Chou. Boy, am I glad I did. Beautiful photography, awesome recipes that had me drooling on my keyboard, varied posts - just the kind of aesthetics that I love. Noelani has just given birth to a beautiful baby girl, Daphne. Congratulations, Noelani!



 

Are we raising Generation I?

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We're breeding and cultivating a Generation I complete with the Me, Myself and I mentality. I know you're thinking......wow, Marlene, don't you think that's harsh? Perhaps it is. But I'm merely stating the reality in first world countries as well as in the emerging nations like India, Indonesia and China, thanks to the rise of global middle class.

We have less kids. We have more disposable incomes. We've experienced hardship (well, to a certain degree though that can't be compared to those who went through war or faced abject poverty). We want a better life for our little darlings. They're no strangers to iPad, iPhones, Legoland, Disneyland, Wii, Nintendo DS. They don't know what hunger feels like because we have a cupboard full of snacks. Just in case if they're hungry after breakfast, before or after lunch and dinner.

They're given options when they're dining. No wonder they're fussy. I'd be fussy too if I have minions (aka parents) to cater to my whims. Most households I know prepare 2 dinners every single night (though I understand that most kids can't deal with spicy food and neither can I). Then there are the helicopter parents (yes, I've been guilty of being one too) hovering to rescue our kids instead of teaching them to be more independent and to learn to accept consequences for their actions. I've always believed the best way to cure a child of their hitting/kicking/biting fetish is to give them a taste of their own medicine. There's nothing like experiencing pain to stop them dead in their tracks. Nip it in the bud or they'll grow up to become bullies.

The thing is how do they comprehend gratitude if they've never experienced hardship? Or instead of feeling privileged, it's a case of entitlement? How do they appreciate gifts when they get a mountain of stuff on their wish list every Christmas and birthday? There's a danger in this kind of love because it's like karma. Without learning compassion, kindness or even gratitude, how would we expect our "over-loved" kids to show those very important emotions to us when they're adults?

I found this "note" on a blog some years ago and I've got it taped on my wall as a reminder to myself.


Notes from a child  - Anonymous

1. Don’t spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for. I’m only testing you.

2. Don’t be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it, it makes me feel secure.

3. Don’t let me form bad habits. I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages.

4. Don’t make me feel smaller than I am. It only makes me behave stupidly “big”.

5. Don’t correct me in front of people if you can help it. I’ll take much more notice if you talk quietly with me in private.

6. Don’t make me feel that my mistakes are sins. It upsets my sense of values.

7. Don’t protect me from consequences. I need to learn the painful way sometimes.

8. Don’t be too upset when I say “I hate you”. Sometimes it isn’t you I hate but your power to thwart me.

9. Don’t take too much notice of my small ailments. Sometimes they get me the attention I need.

10. Don’t nag. If you do, I shall have to protect myself by appearing deaf.

11. Don’t forget that I cannot explain myself as well as I should like. That is why I am not always accurate.

12. Don’t put me off when I ask questions. If you do, you will find that I stop asking and seek my information elsewhere.

13. Don’t be inconsistent. That completely confuses me and makes me lose faith in you.

14. Don’t tell me my fears are silly. They are terribly real and you can do much to reassure me if you try to understand.

15. Don’t ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible. It gives me too great a shock when I discover that you are neither.

16. Don’t ever think that it is beneath your dignity to apologize to me. An honest apology makes me feel surprisingly warm towards you.

17. Don’t forget I love experimenting. I couldn’t get along without it, so please put up with it.

18. Don’t forget how quickly I am growing up. It must be very difficult for you to keep pace with me, but please do try.

19. Don’t forget that I don’t thrive without lots of love and understanding, but I don’t need to tell you, do I?

20. Please keep yourself fit and healthy. I need you.

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Slave To Hermes

The question I get asked the most, hands down, irrefutably........ sadly has nothing to do with my "wonderful" (aka acerbic tongue) personality nor "chic" (aka same clothes/different day) outfits. It's actually about my Hermes Kelly. What leather/size? Where did you get it? How much? How do I get one? Will you ever sell it? Which style should I get - retourne or sellier? What is it about this bag that's so fascinating?

I named this post - Slave To Hermes, a phrase coined by my friend, Anne of Ritournelleblog which isn't all that far from the truth. Rather apt really considering most of the delightful ladies I've met in the last 2 years have been from forums/blogs that exacerbated and fueled our obsession with the brand. Who knew that an infatuation with Hermes could lead to friendships that spanned the globe?

I've seen mature and normally sane women behaved worse than a pack of baboons fighting for survival at the Hermes sales. Even one of the world's greatest generals, Genghis Khan would've admired and perhaps learned a thing or two from their tactics, carefully planned strategies and sheer determination to conquer the mother of all H sales. I've dragged a few friends into an Hermes sale or festival and then get a phone call from their other half a couple of days later thanking me *insert sarcasm* for corrupting their wives. Hey, I'm just spreading the H love around.

Hermes is well versed in subtle "marketing" which is more of a gently gently method. Majority of the designer houses these days consider handbags as a money making machine. Little wonder seeing how many of us would rather spend our money on handbags but buy our clothes from Uniqlo or ASOS.  Great efforts are made to squeeze every bit of profit from the sales by reducing operating costs wherever possible. That could be moving their manufacturing abroad, increasing the price of the goods year after year or even using cheaper materials to line the bags.

Hermes, on the other hand, takes a different approach by showcasing their artisans painstakingly making each product by hand and steadfastly sticking to traditional craftsmanship. I mean, how could you NOT want an Hermes bag after seeing an artisan doing her neat double stitching trick and lightly hammering the edges of the leather.  You're practically investing in an heirloom which one day will be seen on the arm of your grandchild and maybe even your great grandchild. Besides....it takes approximately 20 hours to make a Kelly or Birkin. Surely that justifies the price tag of €5,800? Let's put it in a different perspective. A prized Hermes Birkin or Kelly does not depreciate like a luxury car nor does it cost a fortune to maintain. (How do you like my half baked rationale?)

Not that I can afford a stack of Hermes goodies but these 4 items are my current favorites. The Ex Libris shawl which I called every store in the U.K for months on end until they got tired of hearing my voice. I then found a stash of them at the sale. Go figure. I'm loving the Collier de Chien more and more because it stops me from turning into a middle aged boring ol' fart. As for my watch, I'll be lost without it or rather....I'll be late to everything.

Along the Cote d'Azur: Monaco & Villefranche sur mer

I've been to Monte Carlo three times now but I feel like I've discovered a different part of Monaco on each trip. This time, we did minimal shopping other than a quick dip into the tiny Zara store and Hermes. My major gripe about these so called luxury stores is that their service is very inconsistent. It's dependent on the store and the sales associate. Mine preferred to gossip with her colleague while I tried on a bracelet. Not cool at all. Heads up for Hermes addicts - if leather bracelets are your thing, then you'll be pleased to know that there are Kelly Dogs and Collier de Chien galore in neutral and the latest colors.

I loved the Japanese garden which felt like a calm oasis amidst the crowded beach. That was until large and aggressive tour groups invaded the park, promptly ignored all the carefully displayed signboards and shouted at us to get our of their way so that they can take photos.

Everything was so picture perfect that I felt like I'd stepped into a movie set. It was wonderful being transported into what I felt was an alternate universe where you see eye-watering wealth being displayed blatantly in a glamorous setting. Just so you know, that Repossi diamond was bigger than my eyeball.

You'd think that I'd get a chance to be a pretend megazillionaire for a day and people watch (as you do in Monte Carlo) in a nice restaurant. But no, the husband and child wanted McDonald's. No, you did not misread the fine print. Why, I hear you ask? Because HE wanted the French Tintin DVD and SHE wanted the small Little Pet Shop. Pffffffffffftttttt.........!














The view of Villefranche sur mer from the top is striking and stops you dead in your tracks. If you're taking the bus 100, I suggest you get off at Madone Noire stop (after Leopold II if you're coming from Nice) which gives you a bird's eye view of the town, Beaulieu sur mer and the peninsula. Colorful terraced houses perch on the hill with steps leading down to the beach. It's a little more rustic compared to the likes of Beaulieu-sur-mer or Monte Carlo but far more picturesque and charming. It's wonderful to wander around aimlessly and explore every cranny and nook of the little town.

If you're using Nice as a base, you can hop on Bus 100 to Villefranche sur mer, Beaulieu sur mer, Eze sur mer (take another bus to the village on the hilltop), Monte Carlo and its final stop at Menton. Bus 400 to Paul de Vence and Vence. Bus 200 to Cannes. Bus 500 to Grasse. Bus 98 to Nice Airport.
Click here for more information about the buses. The current fare per journey is €1.50 and you must remember to validate your ticket on the little machine inside the bus or else you may get a fine.

London Fashion Weekend

Outfit: Rick Owens leather jacket (similar), Uniqlo silk shirt, James Jeans Twiggy, Marni heels, Christys fedora, Hermes Collier de Chien bracelet and Hermes Kelly 28.

It's been a fabulous weekend. Exhausting and exhilarating. The thing about London Fashion Week is that you need to look totally bonkers in order to be considered cool, unique, edgy - all those overused words in the fashion world. Like the latex comic character statuesque lady/man along with her puffed up plastic puppy in the front row (check out my Instagram feed to see the pic). Everyone else looked appropriately nonchalant and suitably unaffected. Except me.

I got lost on my way to Somerset House and then troops after troops of uniquely (there's that word again) garbed individuals came trudging down the street. 3 plaits, blue lipstick, sort of harem pants, skirt that didn't look like a skirt but it wasn't culottes either, undefinable outfits etc. But totally cool. Rebel-esque, individual-esque. I may scratch my head in an attempt to understand some of the weirder outfits but I love that one's not restrained in expressing themselves in the London fashion scene.

How does a 40 year old woman on the chubby side (thanks to the infinite number of patisserie that passed through my lips in France recently) try to look somewhat "fashionable" when it's cold and wet outside? Wear a hat if I couldn't stuff my umbrella into my bag, a silk shirt because it keeps me warm (I'm convinced that the silk shirts from Uniqlo are just as good as Equipment, if not better. Don't be fooled by the low price), a leather jacket because it's waterproof and black to desperately appear slimmer. Speaking of weight issues, I was rendered speechless by some of the models who were so underweight and gaunt that bones were jutting out from every part of their body. On the flip side, I applaud some of the designers who stuck to their guns and used normal sized models who have hips and boobs.

After more than a year of trying to catch up, Annie of Insideology and I finally did. I felt like I was talking to an old friend. Later that day, Daniella of LellaVictoria and I stumbled into the nearest Starbucks and we speed talked. We had 1 hour before heading off in different directions. We promised each other to meet up more often rather than on Fashion Weeks. The next morning, I woke up craving for dim sum. All 3 of us hopped on the train to head off to Chinatown in London for some proper Cantonese grub. After some last minute tweeting/texting/emailing, Carin of Paris In Four Months and I got to see each other face to face for the first time. We were Hermes obsessed so many years ago on the the Purse Forum during our pre-blog days (and scarily enough, still handbag mad). How time flies.

What a privilege it has been to have met so many women (both readers and bloggers) from all over the world, thanks to blogging. We've shared stories and tips, cheered, encouraged and inspired one another.

6 Basic 100% Wool/Cotton Sweaters for £40 and Under

 

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I don't think I'm a demanding consumer. Just one with a discerning taste in fashion.  I know what I like, I know what I don't like and I know that in general, clothes that are made of natural fibers are better (breathable, pill less etc). I also don't have a spectacular budget to blow so shopping around means conscientiously looking at the fabric label, the workmanship and of course, the price tag. The gist of the matter is I like plenty of bang for my dollar (or in my case sterling pound).

I have a gorgeous Isabel Marant Etoile knitted sweater made of 100% cotton tricolor yarn. I was lucky enough to nab it at the summer sale. The funny thing, I get asked a lot about my other sweater. When I blithely utter "ASOS" and "£29", there were a few jaws dropped to the ground followed by looks of disappointment. I was expected to say something rather exciting like - Alexander Wang or Isabel Marant or even COS. The quality? Incredible. Considering how little I'd paid for it.

Lately, my fashion designer friend, Kylie and I have had several intense discussions about knitwear which she's producing for her next collection. We verbally dissected the jumper, though not too dissimilar to what I did with a sheep brain (ghastly stuff) in my first year of Psychology.  The way we were going on, you'd think that there's a science to making sweaters. First, the neckline needs to be slightly scooped to expose the collar bone but nothing too risqué. It's more flattering and slimming (especially if you've got a moon face like mine). Next, the armholes should be relatively narrow without the batwing effect. Again, it helps the sweater to drape better creating a more attractive silhouette. However, it mustn't cling or hug the body because you don't want to emphasize the bulges. The point to this is to ensure a loose fit so that there's room to layer but you don't want to end up looking like you're wearing a sweater 4 sizes too big.

My last point is more of a rant. Lately, I've gone from shop to shop to try on, feel, molest and eyeball my fair share of sweaters. All in the name of fashion, of course. There are many, I do mean, many who gladly charge £285 upwards for a wool/polyester/acrylic blend sweater. And then there is a handful that are made of 100% natural fiber (wool, cashmere or cotton) with the starting price of £19.99.

I'm an equal opportunity sweater wearer. I love plain V neck ones as well as the chunky cable knits. The merino wool and cashmere ones from Uniqlo are hands down, the best value for money. Or the other option is Saint Laurent which are incidentally sold out. The price for the privilege is £560. Yes, that's £560 for a plain v neck sweater.

If you're after 100% cotton chunky knits, you simply can't go wrong with these ones (in the collage) from ASOS and Mango. I've tried on the ones from Zara (too thin and utter rubbish polyester crap) and COS (too scratchy) and they were nowhere as good. The ivory and black cotton blend cable knit sweater from Mango (No.2)  is very similar to this season's offering from Isabel Marant Etoile. It's not wool but at nearly a tenth of the price, I can forgive Mango for the oversight.

What reasonably priced sweaters are you loving at the moment?

My Fall/Winter Uniform

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I thought I'd take a break from all the holiday posts lest I put all of you and myself into a snore inducing coma. Last Friday, I was still bathed in the sunshine bliss of the French Riviera until I stepped out of the house in my denim cutoffs nary sparing a thought of the plummeting temperature. I narrowly avoided the disaster of turning into a human popsicle. Well, I guess it's goodbye summer. I really shouldn't complain as it's been a brilliant summer. Besides, I'm far more suited to the seasonal weather changes than the tropics where I can only survive if there's such an invention like a portable A/C in a backpack.

So now, we're officially in the early stages of autumn. I'm hoping I've learned my lesson from the previous winter and be more prepared for the deep freeze. You know....think ahead and all that jazz which I'm remarkably hopeless at unless it's to do with food (my emotions and the level of my organizational skills are based on the state of my stomach). I've taken stock of what I wore the most previously which hopefully, will give me a good indication of what to buy and what to avoid this time around. I don't have a big budget so I have to be more conscientious when I'm shopping. Invest in a few designer pieces and purchase the rest from the likes of Uniqlo, Asos and Mango to name a few.

Despite the fact that I broke out in cold sweat and suffered pretty major heart palpitations when I purchased the Isabel Marant Kady and Rick Owens leather jackets, both of which have been worn all year round, thanks to the hormonal English weather. The first sustained and survived the previous long winter with aplomb and the latter garnered enough compliments that I'll continue wearing it - just to get more compliments, of course. And it made me look like I have skinny arms instead of bat wings. This won major points in my vanity book.

I've come to the realization that a black leather jacket isn't just an essential fashion item, it's a necessity in every woman's wardrobe in order to battle wind (windproof), rain (water resistant) and freezing temperature. Buy the best you can afford that flatters your figure and wear it over the next decade so that it'll look properly "vintage".  By then, the cost per wear will be in pennies so you don't feel all that guilty anymore over your expensive purchase. Brilliant (but slightly deluded) deduction, isn't it?

**I've had a few emails from some of you inquiring about the Helmut Lang jersey asymmetrical jacket. They were sold out previously but it looks like they're back in stock again. I've found them to be incredibly warm and perfect for layering when it gets even colder.

My favorite shops in Nice and Cannes

Living so close to London means I'm spoiled for choice when it comes to shopping. Besides, everything is available at my finger tips these days so the urge to hit the shops rarely surface. However, the one thing I love to do when I'm in France is to shop for items that are particularly difficult to find outside of the country.

Mellow Yellow



I was tempted to pay a small fortune to hop on a boat from Nice to St Tropez just to check out Rondini sandals. Or the other option is being stuck in gridlock just getting in and out of St Tropez, making it a 6 hour return journey. Admittedly, I've done some pretty crazy things all in the name of fashion acquisition - like hopping on a train and stopping in 4 different towns along the French Riviera trying to locate an Hermes Kelly bag. Thankfully, I'm a little more mature these days (though that remains to be seen depending on who you ask) so my next option is Mellow Yellow. Their leather sandals are extremely affordable especially during the sale season and the quality isn't bad at all.

Address: 10, rue Jean de Riouffe, Cannes




Durance




Diptyque is held in high esteem but their prices can be prohibitive. I've been looking for an alternative but preferably one that uses essential oils and contains no paraben. The candles and reed diffusers from Durance are equally impressive at a quarter of Diptyque's prices. The brand originates from Provence and their products are made of 95% natural and organic ingredients from the region. It's pretty difficult trying to find Durance in England and their range is small. You can imagine how ecstatic I was when I stumbled across their small boutique in Cannes by chance. I promptly stocked up on my favorite diffuser refills (rose and violette) which costs a mere 14€ for a 250ml bottle. I wish I wasn't in such a hurry because I would've loved to get scented sachets for the drawers.

Address: 14, rue du Maréchal Joffre, Cannes




Ekyog



What's not to like about simple everyday clothes that not only look good and affordable but are made of 100% certified organic cotton? Ekyog is readily available all over France but they don't ship internationally.

Address: 10 Rue d'Antibes, Cannes



Santa Maria Novella




Santa Maria Novella is fairly well known these days but there's nothing like stepping into their small boutiques where you can test and sniff the products to your heart's content. The apothecary has been selling their wares since the 1200s. The original products that were formulated by the monks so many centuries ago are still being sold today.



Custom order Repetto



When I first started wearing Repetto flats more than 7 years ago, they were ridiculously difficult to find outside of France. Slowly, they gained notoriety after getting a stamp of approval from a number of celebrities. These days, they're everywhere BUT you can now custom order your ballet flats in thousands of combinations in two locations. You choose the lambskin leather, trim, ribbon and heel from a list of colors longer than my arm (250 and counting). You could do that at their rue de la Paix store in Paris but it's always busy whereas the one in Cannes is relatively quiet. Do ask for Velerie.

Address: 65, rue d'Antibes, Cannes




Depot Vente





I've always found depot-ventes to be a treasure trove. You just never know what kind of holy grails you might dig up. There are quite a few dotted all over Cote d'Azur but these are the two that I've personally checked out. Luxe Mademoiselle (41 rue de France) and another just across the road. Unfortunately, I'd lost the business card for the latter and can't remember the name. The owner at Luxe Mademoiselle has personally handpicked each item in her small but exquisite boutique. On the day I was there, I saw a number of Hermes bags and vintage Chanel jackets. Prices are high so don't expect a bargain. The depot-vente across the road is more reasonably priced with Hermes cashmere shawls selling for €380.


I'm by no means an expert on the Cote d'Azur region but do share any tips or shops that you love if you've been there before.