Singapore & Shoes

Gianvito Rossi at Takashimaya

One great thing about shopping in Singapore is that all the shoe brands I've been stalking these days seem to be concentrated within a 1 mile radius. 

Actually, make that all in one roof. That of Ngee Ann City, with Takashimaya, Celine and On Pedder just a skip and a hop away from the other.

Since I find the shoes in Singapore more expensive than in the US, I usually just try on shoes there, and then stalk my Net-a-Porter picks until they go on sale.

But actually, things get interesting online. I find that while shoes at Net-a-Porter US are cheaper vs the Philippines, when you set your country to Singapore at Net-a-porter, it is also much cheaper vs the US and the Philippines. Has to do something with taxes, because as far as I know, they don't charge taxes if the CIF value of a product is below $400.

Gianvito Rossi (S$890)  at Takashimaya. I'm a  size 6 for these red pumps but 6.5 for the black version

Take for instance. The Rossis are US$539 in Singapore, US$545 in the US and US$645 in the Philippines. Of course, the US comes out cheaper because shipping is free, but if you have to Johnny Air it here, then you'd spend at least $10.98 for express shipping to Manila anyway. Better to pay the $15 shipping to a friend's house in SG and get the help of frequent traveler friends who will happily bring your purchases home for you, like I do (Hi Naomi and Sara! Heehee!).

Saint Laurent two-tone loafers ($960) at On Pedder, size 36

 S$1000 for Celine skater sneaks? Eeeek! Wish these came in half sizes, the 36 has my toes hitting the tip while the 37 falls off my heel when I walk

Now that I know my sizes on these babies, the waiting begins. I am so ready for sale season, hahaha.

Oh, and for those who want to know where to get ladies Salt-water sandals in Singapore, check out Soon Lee on Haji Lane.

Save for the colors on back-order, they have quite a variety of colors on hand:

 

Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Road #08-05
Singapore 238873
Tel: +65 6233 9991  

Soon Lee
73 Haji Lane
Singapore
Trading Hours
12:00pm - 9:00 pm daily
1:00pm - 8:00 pm on S

Box Me Now!

So that I may come to my senses and accept the fact that me + the classic box bag =  will never be. Unless I hit the lottery! I know some of you girls are lucky enough to afford these, so for your benefit, let it be known that these are now available at Celine in Ngee Ann City. I will just live vicariously through you!

Check out this baby:

Droolicious! If you can afford it, go! Meanwhile, girls who work with the same budget as mine shouldn't feel left out with this neon madness! There's a new line of Cambridge Satchels out, in fluorescent colors! schu is accepting pre-orders now! Email schushopmanila@gmail.com to reserve! Warning though, it may take a few days to reply because we are swamped with orders! But we will get back to you for sure!

Happy Lemon & Celine Day

Tuesday was a happy lemon day! Berry and I went to Tanglin Mall for her trial class at Gymboree. We tried out Play & Learn, which is totally different from her music class back in the US. I don't think she liked it as much, or maybe because it was just something different from what she was used to. We might just go for a Music Class next, we're doing a trial class with Kindermusik too.

Anyhoo, we just walked all the way from Tanglin Mall to ION Orchard, because I was craving for something cool to drink, and I was thinking, Happy Lemon!

I got the Tea Latte with Black Pearl Sago, in JUMBO!

Then we passed through Wisma Atria, and I saw a mirror inside Isetan. Uy! Pang-outfit shot:

shirt: +J Uniqlo, trousers: Topshop, flats: Lanvin

Incidentally, I got these pants on sale at Topshop the day before. I've always wanted those skinny J Brand Houlihan cargos, but they were too expensive for something so trendy. My friend Kat found $25 skinny cargos at Strawberry in Manhattan, but it just never occurred to me to check the place out when I was there. So, when I found these pants in my size on the sale rack, I was like, Wootwoo! But I was still not ready to buy. At the counter, the SA told me Citibank cardholders get an additional 10% off the sale price! Aha! A sign! Ok, sold!

By the way, here's Lucky Plaza. This is where all the Filipino groceries, remittance centers and cargo forwarders are. The place has a Greenhills Shopping Center kind of feel, prior to the renovation. Saw a lot of salons here too! Has anyone ever tried having their nails done here?

Oh, Berry and I went to Ngee Ann City of course, to check on my wish list items. My birthday is coming up, and a girl can dream right?

Oh weird, funny story. Today was really just a peek from the outside, looking at the totes longingly. But yesterday, oh my, Berry & I happened to pass by and like a helpless paper clip, I was drawn into the store by a magnetic field of force, called Classic Box Bag and Luggage Tote. I mean, just look at that wall over there, see if that won't make you want to go inside and burn a hole in your pocket, even if that pocket has been burnt many times over.

The mini luggage totes are priced at SGD 2250 to 2500, and the small one is SGD 3500 thereabouts. I've touched and felt the mini luggage tote up close at the Celine store inside Isetan at Shaw House two weeks ago, and my goodness, they are heavy, but gorgeous! You can actually tuck in the sides so that the bag is closed totally, but it just looks cooler when it's open.

I asked an SA if they had a black Classic Box Bag in medium (small is SGD 3800 and medium is SGD 5500 approx, they had the medium bags in caramel & red and a small black ion display. Ok, confession, I really want the caramel, but knowing that I was going to walk out of the store empty handed, and I didn't have the heart to disappoint my accommodating SA, I asked for the one not there, eeee! Am I the only one who does this?).

When she said it was sold out, but she could ask stores overseas for stocks and handed me a pen so I could jot down my details, I had an out of body experience and found myself writing down my name and number on their book, when I could have just said, "No thanks, I'm just looking!" Because hello, I had no business going inside the store in the first place. Most importantly, where am I supposed to get the money to pay for a box bag? I strongly recall promising myself I was only going to admire this bag and not buying it ever. But it felt like there was this spirit inside me doing the thinking and moving for me. Deep down in my psyche, we were having a conversation,  it was telling me, "You will get this bag, trust me! Plus, the luggage tote too! Really!" Talaga ha!

Well, libre mangarap, so with that thought, Berry and I went home. Here's Berry feeling grown up and pushing her stroller by herself. She enjoys doing this, she's the only toddler I've ever seen on Orchard Road doing this.

Oh by the way, Joni! I've been using this Rootote JFK tote bag as a diaper bag for months now! It's only now that I got a picture to show you! Super thanks for this! I love it! And it's become a reminder of the many adventures Berry and I had on the streets of NYC. Sigh...

And now, I leave you with a shot of my shoes (aka Happy Feet?). Till our next walking tour! Let's hope that one comes with happy shopping news!