Seattle Premium Outlets

Because shopping in Canada is ridiculous, we go across the border to shop in Washington state. The nearest outlet mall is in Burlington, WA at The Outlet Shoppes at Burlington. I think the main drawing factor there is the Lululemon outlet, where they sell gym bags for just $75, apart from the usual yoga wear. Hate to disappoint you though, prices aren't that far off from the store. Like hoodies are $80 versus $98 retail. Other than that, it has the usual outlet staples, Carter's Gap, Van Heusen, Nike, etc. Then there's Nordstrom Rack in Lynnwood where I recall seeing these sick silver Sperry Top-siders back in 2005. If it's the Apple Store we have to go to, then we head out to Alderwood Mall.

A little farther off is Seattle Premium Outlets in Tulalip, WA - from the same folks who brought us the Disneyland of outlet shopping: Woodbury Premium Outlets. It's not as huge, and the selection of stores? Not as impressive. But if you live in Washington or Vancouver where most people (not all, but most) dress up in North Face/Columbia jackets, hoodies & sweatshirts most of the time, I guess this is as good as it can get.

The photos make the place look dreary, but hey, this is Washington, land of Twilight, ahehehe:

Unlike Woodbury which is an outdoor outlet mall in the purest sense, Seattle Premium Outlets is canopied throughout...

It has the following stores that would suitably make the average shopper happy:

But none of the mind blowing ones that Woodbury has aka - Chanel, YSL, Marni, Chloe, Bottega Veneta, Frette, Loro Piana etc. Ah, there was a Burberry there, and they had this amazing army green raincoat for little boys that would fit me, about $200. But I have way too many military jackets already and at $200, nice, but no thanks.

I did buy a wallet for my sister at Kate Spade. A pretty leather one that was less than $75. Seriously. I think Kate Spade here has the best deals. Bags were on sale, and then up to an additional 60% off. I think you could already buy a bag for $100 or so. Canvas pouches starting at $30, nice pasalubong or you can hoard it to give as gifts when an occasion pops up.

Then there are the usual stores for the kiddos:

And the guys would have these:

Dada was disappointed with the Brooks Brothers here. He wanted to buy a couple of suits but they didn't have his size. I think Brooks Brothers at Jersey Gardens & Woodbury would still have the best selection of styles and sizes.

Dada and I only shopped here at J.Crew, we got a lot of shorts to gear up for Singapore's summer:

And of course, I had to take an outfit shot inside J.Crew, heeheehee:

Isabel Marant sweatshirt dress & scarf, Wolford tights, cardigan from Splendid, Hoss Intropia leather jacket, clog booties from No.6

Vancouver 2011: Little Lawn Daisy

Fallen cherry blossom petals on grass, so dreamy and romantic. I feel like I should be wearing blush sandals with a silk chiffon dress, carrying a straw basket filled with freshly cut flowers 

from a nearby meadow

You know how ads or packaging for weedkillers would have little lawn daisies (actually, the proper name is daisy fleabane) on them? Well, I always thought it was a shame to kill this type of weed because they look so cute. Like tiny little flowers on grass.

Apparently, Berry likes them too. When Angkong plucked out a daisy from the grass and gave it to her, she was so thrilled, you'd think she was 16 and her crush gave her a dozen roses, hahaha!

Gap parka from Ate Carissa Carale, Zara jeggings from Auntie Kaye Yao, 

 Trumpette boat shoes from Uncle Toni and Tita Sarj

She wouldn't let go of it, and held on to it until we got home. So precious. She also held it ever so gingerly between two fingers, like a dainty little girl and not the "Destructa" (our nickname for her because she's in that stage where everything she comes across turns to smithereens) that she can be.

I also think Berry's look suits our lovely backdrop. Pretty in pink and red. I was the jarring image in grey and black leather. This was the same photo that came out in Style Bible, my look "inspired by downtown NY and French girls".

Striped top from Saint James (French), a cardigan from J.Crew (bought in Prince St.), 
a Hoss Intropia leather jacket (Spanish, but the showroom is in downtown NY) with J Brand jeans (uhm, got this at Barneys but downtown girls shop there too), Isabel Marant scarf (French), Celine luggage (French) and clog booties from No. 6 (Centre Market Place in Little Italy)

Vancouver 2011

Ok, I've become so acclimated to Singapore's tropical weather, I am back to getting cold faster than I can say, Brrrr! Not that I am complaining. The cool 10°C weather was a welcome respite from the heat. Plus, that meant I could wear my cold weather gear, after investing on some nice ones back when we were living in the US. Ahihihi!

Hoss Intropia leather jacket, H&M scarf, Sunday shirt from Blackmarket No. 2,

$10 skirt from H&M, tiangge tights, clog booties from No.6, Celine luggage tote

It's hard to justify my old purchases you know, so cold weather destinations are always a good excuse to say, "See, so glad I have these!" But this was a travel light kind of trip, had no choice because traveling with a toddler and her things is no joke.

So guess what I packed:

1 pair of booties

1 pair of wedge sandals

2 pairs of flats

5 shirts

2 pairs of jeans

2 pairs of tights

1 pair of pleather shorts

2 jackets

plus unmentionables.

Oh! And one tote bag. That's it. I have never traveled so light in my life. Another reason was, we were traveling from LA to YVR, and US Airlines charge by the suitcase, so pffft. Such a shopping downer.

Not that I could shop much in Vancouver too. The tax is a killer! Where do Canadians shop? (Well, I know the answer - across the border! I have one post on that - Seattle Premium Outlets! Watch out for it! Was planning a trip to tax free Portland, but too long of a drive, hehehe!) So, my next couple of posts on Canada will be more of where we ate, what I observed, and the new friends Berry & I made (Hi Kaye & Florence! Hello Cherie! Wonderful seeing you after so many years Gracci!)

Oh, and I managed to check out a beauty fair at the Vancouver Convention Center in downtown Vancouver, where they mostly featured salon supplies and products. This place is amazing! Such a green, modern, cavernous venue for trade shows and events: 

Of course, had to stop by Holt Renfrew, the Canadian version of Barneys:

Holt Renfrew is home to contemporary labels like 3.1 Phillip Lim, A.P.C., Alexander Wang,  Opening Ceremony and Rag & Bone, plus luxury labels of course - you know, the usual: Balenciaga, Celine, Marni, Prada, YSL...

I love their window display. Their play with prints (check out that Banana Print skirt from Prada on the left) is just so inspiring. I am not a print person, but this makes me want to wear prints all the more.

Holt Renfrew
737 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1E4, Canada
(604) 681-3121

Los Angeles 2011 Day 2: Rodeo Drive

The following day after we arrived in LA, we went out to do a bit of shopping. Take note, shopping of the errands sort and not splurge shopping, hehehe. Dada took photos of his girls while we were getting ready to go out:

I think my outfit today will look good with Mommy's ballet flats...

Hmmm, I am liking these patent loafers a lot more...

Berry's top: a dress from Ralph Lauren, Gap skirt from Amah & Angkong, 

Trumpette tights, Repetto Jacksons

tunic top from AllSaints, leggings from American Apparel, H&M scarf, 

leather jacket from Hoss Intropia, Repetto ballet flats

Lighting is nice there, I want an outfit shot there too! - Berry

With my new Duckie - a gift from the hotel front desk, how sweet is that!

Same outfit, this time worn with Trumpette boat shoes from Tita Sarj & Uncle Toni

Soon after, Trina and Jun came by to pick us up so we can go tick off the items in my shopping list - but first, we had to pay a visit to my holy grail of sorts in Rodeo Drive!

Driven around in my stroller in Rodeo Drive, that's how I roll. - Berry

Barneys New York, in case you don't recognize that distinctive awning

We also passed a couple of boutiques I wouldn't dare enter into, because I do not want to fall into temptation. Not that Dada will allow me to, one look, and I know it is time to head out the door. So, why bother. Bitter ba?

Berry also finally got to meet the adorable Tia, and I finally met Belle (my sister's SIL and my online buddy,  now real life buddy) as well. Belle's friend Liza, the Rodeo Drive veteran (and in this case, our photographer) was there to navigate for us. These girls are all super fun to shop with. They just know which stores to take me to.

Rodeo Drive was fun! I loved browsing the shoes at Barneys, Neiman Marcus and Saks. And the bags, O.M.G. Too bad I was not there to shop for big ticket items. Well, window shopping is enough for me these days anyway. Talaga!