SS06 Bags Trend I: Gold Chains

One of the biggest bag trends this spring/ summer season are the chains (mainly gold). This usually means that instead of that usual leather shoulder strap or handle, it's a chain. This 'chain' trend ties in well with the 'utility' trend of clothes.

As we all know, Chanel has had that whole leather-intwined-with-chain thing for years. So why are chains suddenly the trend now? Well Marc Jacobs started the chain thing a few seasons ago, and together with Kate Moss's influence on the fashion world, chains quickly infiltrated into many designs...
This season, bags from Louis Vuitton not only had chains as the bags' handles, but chains were printed all over them.

Marc Jacobs' own line has the largest selection of such bags -and most of them are gorgeous. They really give a fabulous twist to Jacobs' typical bags. I esp love the Quilted East/West Frame Bag (the second picture.) It's sooo chic and classy.

Top Shop are now selling a range of bags that were 'inspired' by Marc Jacobs and Chanel. This dark blue clutch with the half bow is actually quite pretty, but the chain is unfortunately a bit over-chunky.

Since I can't afford the real MJs or Chanels, I bought the Top Shop white quilted clutch just last week, figuring it would be great for a night out. Usually I wouldn't recommend such an obviously 'inspired-by-top-designers' bags, but these Top Shop ones are quite well made.

This beautiful bag is from Bottega Veneta is obviously designed for the super rich and refined women (ie. Veneta's typical customers.) The chains look so shiny and flawless it's a bit worrying to think what will happen after the bag gets used.

Anna Sui has got the ultimate girly, bohemian-style bags. They show that bags with chains can also be great daytime bags. can't decide whether I like the white leather floral bag more, or the gold leather butterfly bag more!

Speaking of nights out, this Anya Hindmarch Katrina evening bag is just too sophisticated to resist! So simple, yet so stylish. Caution: only carry this bag if you have a dress that is just as glamourous to compliment with.

And lastly, let's not forget Chanel. I love how this bag incorporates the classic designs of Chanel with a dose of youthful features, such as the cute bucket shape.

What does your shopping list look like?

At the beginning of the school year, I subscribed to The Economist in an attempt to become more knowledgable. Admittingly, I have only read the articles that have anything to do with retail and science & technology. So in last week's issue I came across an interesting article called Signs of the times.

The abridged version is that retailers now put flat panel displays which show a constantly rotating series of advertisements, mixed with news and entertainment in "high traffic" parts of the shops. Marketers are loving this way of advertising because according to the Point of Purchase Advertising International, an independent trade association, more than 70% of purchasing decisions are made in shops. Most people, after all, write "beer" or "shampoo" on their shopping lists, rather than specifying particular brands.

I found this interesting because well, I have never even thought about the psychology of shopping lists before. For me if I'm listing out beauty products, I always specify which brand and if necessary, which product. For example, in my most recent shopping list, I wrote "Head & Shoulder shampoo", and in one of last summer's said "Lancome Hypnose". I can't seem to buy beauty products without doing crazy research and thinking beforehand, which is probably why I always know exactly which products I want before venturing shops.

One of my friends tells me that she writes down the product type she's planning to buy, such as "shampoo", and usually knows which brand she's planning to buy in mind. So I'm curious, what do you put on your shopping lists?

Spring's FINALLY here!

Its officially SPRING! To celebrate the arrival of spring after another cold long bleak winter, we have prepared some prime spring pieces for you to feast on and get into the mood of spring:

The nautically inspired bag by Luella.

Big white quilted bag (the perfect size for school!) from Marc by Marc Jacobs.

GORGEOUS sling backs with flowers also by Marc by MJ.

Chunky Chloe platforms.

Miu Miu platforms. Sigh. Miu Miu never fails to produce beautiful footwear.

Polka dot platforms from Anthropologie.

This floral dress from Free People just shouts of spring (and me-I want it!).

The perfect cocktail party dress by Robert Rodriguez.