my pretend closet: L&S travel purse

Am still hung-over from our recent trip. And I realized I still haven't found the perfect travel purse. Over the years, I've experimented on my collection of purses - mostly the cross-body ones or the ones with handles long enough to hang from my shoulder. But none of them has proven to be the perfect travel purse. I brought my nylon Prada on our recent trip. It rained a couple of times so I was thankful for its water-resistant material. It was also lightweight and surprisingly roomy, allowing me to stuff 3 sets of hats, gloves & scarves, among my usual purse essentials. But searching for things inside it made me feel like a talent-less magician pulling out the oddest non-rabbit things from his hat. I must have unnecessarily panicked a million times, thinking my sunnies or camera was missing after wading through my bag's contents over and over. I did bring a bag organizer - used it during the flight to hold our passports, e-ticket, boarding passes, etc. But I felt it made my bag overly bulky that I took it out during our daily sight-seeing.

So I was ecstatic when I discovered the multiple compartments of the OG bag by Lo & Sons! It has a compartment for EVERYTHING!

Seriously. It has a padded pocket for a laptop, another padded pocket for a tablet, almost 10 other compartments (some zippered, some open)...

... including a pocket for shoes! Yes, shoes!

You can wear slip-on flats during the flight (so it's  easier to go through the x-ray inspection and more comfortable during the flight) then change into sneakers or oxfords with laces or heels when you land! I can also imagine packing a pair of heels in there while I go out & about during the day's sight-seeing then slip them on for dinner & drinks in the evening.

Watch this video of how you can pack all your carry-on essentials into the Lo & Sons OG bag.   

I also love the idea of the key leash! Is it obvious I dig through my purse often for my keys?

And what makes it the perfect purse for going through airports is its adjustable back panel that allows you to secure the bag over your trolley luggage's handle! 

And yes, its nylon material is water-resistant! No need to worry if it rains or if Shamu splashes water on you with his tail!

And despite the extreme functionality of this bag, it still looks stylish and chic! It isn't shown here but it also comes with a detachable messenger strap which I imagine will look effortlessly chic as the OG hangs from your shoulder and your arms can swing freely as you walk (vs. clipped like the leftmost photo below). 

I love that it's a structured bag. Slouchy bags just force you to dig through your purse to find your things (I talked about my Cole Haan crossbody here with several compartments that currently makes it the best-for-travel purse in my non-pretend closet. It is quite slouchy though so I still end up wading through the big compartments.). I also love how the OG's nylon material (and army green color) tone down the structured shape for casual travel days. 

Gosh, I so want to bring the army green one into my non-pretend closet, but sadly, it's still out of stock. The black one is in stock though and I am quite smitten with the lavender lining.

Plus, one of my fave blogs, http://homesuppliesset.blogspot.com/, is offering a 15% discount code in time for Mother's Day (you just need to have it shipped to a US address)!

But I really looove the army green version with the black leather trim (as you know from here, I am so drawn to this color but would prefer if the lining were pink as I posted here. Admittedly, the camel lining the army green OG actually comes with is pretty too)!

I've decided to sign up for the wait list for the slightly smaller OMG.

After all, I'm pretty tiny (5'1") and the OMG can also pack a whole lot of stuff!

Isn't it the perfect travel purse? 

Sadly, it has to stay in my pretend closet until it comes back in stock. Derek Lo of Lo & Sons did email that they "usually give a discount for those who are patient and wait". So for now, I will be patient and wait... :)

Photos from deliciouslyorganized and lo&sons.

Click here for previous posts from the My Pretend Closet series.   

my pretend closet: boyfriend pajamas

I am so drawn to these vintage-style - or as J.Crew puts it, "borrowed-from-the-boys classic" pajama sets. Am not usually a pajama set type of person: I wear a tee with my typically printed pajama pants. But I am loving these sets with a boyish charm!

There's always something sexy about borrowing your man's clothes - whether it be his crisp, white shirt or jeans. And boyfriend pajamas are no exception. Especially this nightshirt version.

Too bad my SIL already left New York when I found these PJs. I hope I can bear to wait 'til she flies back there to order them from J.Crew. For now, I am willing them to stay in my pretend closet rather than in a tempting (but not shipping-cost-free) box to Johnny Air Cargo. 

Photos from annnniegirl, acupofjo & j.crew.

Click here for previous posts from the My Pretend Closet series.

my pretend closet: COS

During my last trip to Hong Kong, I discovered COS (Collection of Style), a brand of tailored, architectural pieces. I was so drawn to their classic, minimalist and structured silhouettes but I had known then that I was taking a break from work. I didn't think their sophisticated dresses and coats - despite their simple & clean lines - were appropriate for lying on my bed or lazy-boy couch or for bringing the kids to and from school.

But I was so smitten with their colors! They had all my color obsessions: seafoam green, lavender, apple green, coral and mustard.

And I love that their Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection still has these yummy colors! What a happy bright touch to the usual dark colors of this season!

Awww, if only we had Fall and Winter in Manila (or if I had my old winter-cold office to dress up for)...

But since I don't, H&M's premium brand COS' collection will have to stay in my pretend closet for now. Though I have to say it was incredibly hard to resist shopping in such a beautiful store!

 

 

It took all my willpower to keep myself from trying on those pretty-colored clothes. But I did try on those white wedges and I have to admit, if I hadn't lost my shopping mojo here, they would have made it to my non-pretend closet.

 

Photos from cosstores, here and here.

Click here for previous posts from the My Pretend Closet series.

my pretend closet: Olivia's jacket

I've been smitten with this jacket of Olivia Palermo. I love that the olive safari bodice is paired with leather sleeves. But I have no idea what brand it is or where to get it.

I actually saw a similar one on sale in Zara during my recent trip to Hongkong. My shopping buddy K even tried it on.

But I wasn't very happy with the collar and the length of the Zara version. I just looove how Olivia's jacket can be buttoned up all the way to her chin. I also like that the leather sleeve is longer than the olive bodice.

Maybe if this older Zara version were available, a jacket inspired by Olivia's would be hanging in my actual closet now. 

But it wasn't. So Olivia's jacket will just have to remain in my pretend closet.

Photos from manilafashionobserver, zara and here.

Click here for a previous post on Olivia Palermo's style. Click here for previous posts from the My Pretend Closet series.

my pretend closet: gingham

I've been smitten with gingham for a while now. Such gingham shirts have eluded me though. Wouldn't you love to have all these colors?

I like the idea of gingham peeking out of a jacket.

Now isn't this the cutest pair of shorts?

I even like it on the hubby.

I've also been wanting to get gingham bedsheets.

I spied gray & white ones at Muji, but they don't have them in King. And the Dwell Studio ones, I needed to think about for a while because they weren't as easy on the pocket, especially since we have a total of 7 pillows on our bed. But by the time I went back to Rustan's for them, they had already gone out of stock. So I doubt there will be gingham linens at the Home/Table Dwell Studio end-of-season sale that is going on until July 31. 

Oh, I wish I could find this gingham happiness in the shops here in Manila soon. Until then, here they are in my pretend closet & even pretend linen drawer.

Photos from pinkwallpaper, jcrewing, chance and here.

Click here for previous posts from the My Pretend Closet series.

my pretend closet: Celine box bag

It started with the seafoam green version here. But seafoam green or not, I am still crushing on the Celine box bag. I know I'm obsessed because I am loving it in any color now.

But because I've sworn off purse-chases here (proudly, I've been a really good girl) and because it is incredibly expensive (have you seen how much it costs?!), I am glad I have a pretend closet. Or I will start justifying it in my head as a timeless classic.

I can pretend to wear it on my shoulder like the blue one above. Or as a clutch.

But my favorite is with this cape here.

Swoon!

Photos from here.

Click here for previous posts from the My Pretend Closet series.

my pretend closet: mixed-color shoes

I have been smitten by this shoe from Zara. But it has eluded me. I didn't find it in the Zara stores in Hongkong and here in Manila, by the time I got to Zara, there was one last pair in stock - and it wasn't in my size! And maybe because I can't have it, I've been wanting it more. I looove the pop of yellow! And how it's paired with gray snakeskin because as you know from here, I have been captivated by gray & yellow lately. I like the mix of beige and black - a design sensibility that took me a while to love (see related post here). See? It's turned into perfection in my head!

Thank God for the mix of colors in these Pierre Hardy shoes I found during my pretend-shopping spree (read: surfing)... 

  

And this Manolo Blahnik with a mix of apple green and warm neutrals...

And this SM Parisian by Rajo Laurel. This one actually eluded me too last year. But I did get the purely black version. And though mine doesn't have the pop of the purple & gray combination, I have been loving how comfortable they are! Surprisingly, I can run in them!

But of all the mixed-color shoes I've spotted this season, I am so thrilled that the one that didn't get away was this particular shoe. Zara Hongkong was so fully-stocked with this that my friends K, C & I all bought ourselves a pair each!

I find them uber sexy! And I just looove that of all the mixed-color shoes in this post, this is the one in my non-pretend closet!

Photos from pierrehardy, here, here, here, here and here.

Click here for previous posts from the My Pretend Closet series. 

my pretend closet: khaki coat

The khaki coat has been haunting me these past few weeks. My first sighting was on a chic little girl on the Hongkong MTR last weekend.

Then while shopping in Zara after hopping off the MTR, I spotted this khaki trench in the kids section...

Then Manila Fashion Observer's Christine Dychiao lured me into the khaki coat obsession with this half-sleeved coat with a stylish oversized collar. I love how effortlessly smart this look is.

I think the half-sleeves make it perfect for Manila. After all, it's not like we get cold Hongkong weather here.

It's from this New York brand called Hatch made for women who are expecting or not. So they're perfect for during and even before & after pregnancy. And since I'm at my fattest these days (see related posts here), its swing silhouette can hide my bulges. :)

Actually, am loving it in every color. Even in this olive green...

Ooohh, I wish these Hatch coats were in my non-pretend closet!

Photos from acupofjo, zara, manilafashionobserver and hatch.

Click here for previous posts from the My Pretend Closet series.   

my pretend closet

I am loving the androgyny in DSquared Pre-Fall 2012 Collection. Who would have thought a prep schoolboy's argyle sweater could look chic with cropped pants and heels? The tough and edgy styling of the preppy elements epitomizes the good girl gone bad theme of the collection.

And while these menswear-tuxedo-jackets are tailored for a woman, the cropped pants and pointy heels make them even sexier. 

In my pretend closet are all 4 of these cropped pants. I would even have the brown and cuffed-gray ones in many other colors! I'd also have the gray tuxedo jacket but I'd lose the bowtie and maybe throw in a neon yellow belt. I'd also love to have a hot pink version of the smoking jackets in my pretend closet.

Photos from everythingfab.

Click here for previous posts from the ever-changing My Pretend Closet series.    

my pretend shopping

It's been a busy, busy week. Even my weekend is filled with errands and a work event. So I snuck in some pretend-shopping online at Zara.com. Here are the things in my pretend shopping bag...

I am smitten with the subtle color-blocking in this two-tone skirt from the August 2011 Lookbook.

I just love the shape & structure of this dress with zipper details...

I am also eyeing this Patchwork Court Shoe and these Celine-isque Mini Shopper Bags (though I need to check out if these minis can hold all my things)...

I love that pretend-shopping can tide me over until I get the chance to actually step foot in a Zara store. :)

Photos from Zara.

Click here for previous My Pretend Closet posts.

  

my pretend closet: j.crew maritime dress

This Maritime Dress from J.Crew's Spring Catalog makes a repeat appearance in their Midsummer Must-Haves. So I thought of trying to dress it up for the workweek and the weekend...

A Parisian look for the boardroom. Structure, leather and heels to make the summer dress office-appropriate. Relaxed but polished pieces for an elegant weekend.

Among my favorite pieces are the:

• Reed Krakoff Wide Vermeil Cuff - Reed calls this rectangular hinged bangle "modern geometry". I never thought Math could be this stunning.
• Jennifer Meyer's Initial Pendants - Katie Holmes has been spotted with a diamond disc pendant with an "S" for "Suri". It's so sweet for a mother to wear her kids' initials around her neck. They're $1,500 a piece so it's a good thing I only have 2 kids. Haha!
• DVF Linen Wedges - Am in love with the sculptural heel, the dark wood of it against the linen straps!
• Etch-A-Sketch iPad Case - I don't even have an iPad. But this fun case is actually making me consider buying one.
• Reed Krakoff bags - I love the black nickel hardware of these bags, the mixed materials of the new Boxers and the gym bags in Techno Green or Peacock Blue.
• Reed Krakoff Navigator Shades - "A strong design is balanced by the ethereal quality of translucent frames." This is how Reed describes these sunglasses. And in this ivory color? How can one resist that?
• I also like the Michael Kors Knotted Belts and the Isharya Luna Drucy Agate Necklace.

My pretend-mall has the following shops (read: where the photos are from): J.Crew, Net-A-Porter, Reed Krakoff, thisnext, thefind and getahead.

What about you? What's in your pretend closet?

my pretend closet

This is my pretend closet - my imaginary dressing room of wardrobe ensembles I am dreaming of these days. Though am seriously considering ACTUALLY buying that Zara shopper bag...

BOARDROOM CHIC
1 TOP Studio Dinner Jacket  and Vest Top from Zara's March 2011 Collection
2 EARRINGS David Yurman White Freshwater Pearl with 18K Yellow Gold
3 BAG Plaited Shopper from Zara
4 MOBILE CASE from DVF. And as DVF.com says, "Your life is on your phone, doesn’t it deserve a little DIANE too?"
5 PANTS Narrow Leg Studio Trousers from Zara's March 2011 Collection
6 BRACELET a fabulous discovery of www.101gramsofeyecandy.blogspot.com: The Sutra Bracelet. 18K yellow gold Sutra link bracelet in bold size from DVF. And as eyecandy describes, "each link is engraved with the inspirational words: harmony, integrity, peace, abundance, love, knowledge, laughter, freedom and creativity." If that isn't a style piece, what is?
7 SHOES Christian Louboutin Newton Point Toe d’Orsay Pumps. Sexy, sexy, sexy!

DRESS-DOWN FRIDAY
1 TOP the perfect white button-down shirt is, of course, from... J.Crew!
2 EARRINGS applesofgold talks about hoop earrings as the oldest earrings ever unearthed by archaeologists. It was worn by royalty sometime between 2,500 to 3,000 BC and yet continues to be a fashion staple today. Timeless elegance. 
3 WATCH TS7900-1 from Chotovelli, an Italian brand that specializes in big watches. This particular one is 52mm. They have even bigger ones! And they're available in Manila now via www.italwatchmanila.com. I looove the camel strap of the one above, but it's a plus that you can find additional straps (for other color - and cheaper - options) for your Chotovelli E Figli Pilot Watch from the Asprey kiosks in many malls in Manila.
4 BAG this Mulberry Alexa in Oak needs no introduction after its sold-out status last year. It's in-stock again via Net-a-Porter (but this photo is courtesy of myfashionlife).
5 PANTS J.Crew Veranda Pant
6 SHOES Dr. Seuss Converse Chuck Taylors showcasing the stripes of the Cat in the Hat's hat!

CHILL-OUT WEEKEND
1 TOP striped fun from Zara
2 BAG featured in Massimo Dutti's 2011 Lookbook
3 BRACELET Oscar de la Renta Cabochon bracelet
4 BOOK Before Every After is a novel written by a Filipino and is soon to be released INTERNATIONALLY. It follows the story of Shelley, a young widow who discovers that her dead husband may in fact be very much alive - which would be wonderful if the bearer of this news wasn't her 32-year-old husband's 32-year-old grandson. Shelley's search for answers takes her from revolutionary Paris to medieval Prussia to ancient Venice, and finally to a place where she discovers whether love is truly everlasting. Follow Samantha Sotto in her countdown to her debut novel's release via www.theslightdetour.blogspot.com.
5 SHOES sandals from Zara

my pretend mall will have these shops (read: photos were sourced from):
www.zara.com, www.saksfifthavenue.com and www.jcrew.com.

What about you? What's in your pretend closet?