Is Hubby better than Monkey?

I was wondering what to write today...agonising for the past hour and still not able to come out with something incredibly interesting. I glimpsed into what happened to me over the past few days, and absolutely nothing exciting. I was working, stressing out about the sales in the shop, snoring in yoga classes, touring around Singapore cos I took the wrong bus and nothing worth mentioning. I am not complaining that my life seems a bit mundane and routine.

Anyway, what about a riddle?
I was into Hubby and Monkey. I like them both but sometimes I try not to be too greedy. Hubby was rich, but Monkey can make me go bananas! Both are pleasantly sweet and never fail to put a smile across my face. I started off with Monkey but it got a bit out of hand, then came Hubby and I liked the interesting bits. Okay, I am fickle-minded and can't make up my mind when it comes to something as enjoyable as these. Oh well, should I not have the best of both worlds?

And when it comes to bags, I want the best of both worlds, but at least it is not at the expense of my waistline. I will get both simply because they are in different style and complete my overall looks.

Oh! The answer to the riddle is about Ben and Jerry's ice cream! Chubby Hubby and Chunky Monkey. Delectable!

Bag your stress away

I didn't feel rejuvenated after a week-long conference cum getaway. I am back into reality! I could feel " my long time friend" called Stress creeping back into my life once I stepped my foot into Changi Airport and breathe in the S'pore air. Am starting to wonder is Singapore too stressful a place to live/work?  Or is it something wrong with me?

It is the perfect time of the year to travel in March, perfect for getting a cool refreshing dip in the sea in the warm sun. Thankfully I managed to spend time with myself. I still had mornings and evenings for myself after all the meetings were over. I would be thinking about bags, new bags, coming collections, how to get the best price for exclusive pieces. After traipsing half the city, I felt a sense of comfort and proud being a S'porean. On the last morning I sneaked off to the beach to have my alone-time: to drink in the sun and breeze, to watch the waves and surfers and to swim around in the cold water. Lovely.

I thought I could radiate some serenity once back in office, and get all my pals so jealous of me as they slogged in the office all week long. Yes, I thought.... By the time I finished unpacking my luggage, I felt I just unpacked a ton of stress and to-do-list back into my home! Where were all the yummy chocolates and sweets I bought? They just turned into something undesirable. I decided to go for Yoga even though I was severely jet-lag. I found myself snoring while laying on the mat for at least 10 seconds, if not more. I was that tired.

Anyway, I cannot offer anyone any magic potion to deal with Stress. I guessed we have dealt with it before and "our friend" will be lingering whether we like it or not. Somehow I am sure, we will manage to keep "our friend" within its threshold and not get too close to us.

Oh well,  I am going for Yoga now and dreammmming of bags.

My bags arrived yet?

I went away for a short trip hence the long silence. While I was away from home, many things happened in the world and the shop. The most aired topic on TV is nonetheless, the catastrophic series of event in Japan and the much forgotten (by now) Libya. I was about the unleashed my complains about the delay of the arrival of the new bags, but after second thought, I realised how trivial the matter was as compared to the many homeless Japaneses,  to one of my close friend who was recently diagnosed with cancer and to a colleague who is healing a broken heart. What is my problem ? As Einstein says " this is the theory of relativity". Let 's not go into science. What about our new bags that had just arrived?

Well, to be honest, I must admit that sometimes thedeborahshop screwed up. Aren't we all human and let's give it a chance. Recently I made an order of some bags, Fendi and BV. I know we are a bit late on the summer collection but I really wanted to go for the high fashion pieces and not the usual ones which you can find in the Boutiques here. To cut the chase, the bags ordered was hijacked by another company as they are able to buy more than us. Competition! So, in the end, we only managed to secure about 10 bags and some coming in April, finger cross.

Here are some snap shots!

    
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Fendi Silvana- great bag for work



Fendi Fabric shopping tote

Fendi classic-No.3- great for work

So come on down and check it out.

p.s many apologise for those who are waiting for the new arrivals. We are sorry that it took so long.

Writing about bags

I browsed people's blog, mostly reading their write ups about bags. One of my favourite is purseblog. I think the team had put together updates of the latest collection of handbags, together with celebrities styles. Having said I have also noted that the content is geared towards America viewpoint  and so some of the recommendations may not be that applicable to us (Singapore). Of cos, I do read our local writings about bags and I wonder how thedeborahshop fair.

I am not an exactly a writer in the making per se. I grew up watching loads of TV, reading trash and hardly lifting a pen to write. I never develop a habit to write diaries cos my brother would steal and read them. I am still struggling to find topics to write and how to make this blog interesting. Well, I've learned that writing is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent playing solitaire on the computer. I took ages to get one posting out, please pardon my lack of discipline.

Now, back to business:-


Marni BMMP101TN4, $1250

 Casual, multi fabric, lined with silver studs. Again I have to emphasise that studs give bags a 3D look and a bit rock chic elegance to it. At first glance, this bag does not appeal to me. Over time we actually develop a liking to this bag and I hope you can see it dawns on you too.

take 2!

Take 3!

The craze of Marni bags have certainly not caught up in locally as much as we will like to see more diversity in brands/labels. We carry a few pieces safe looking design of Marni bags in the shop to choose from, playing with fabric and style of bag. Safe choice does not mean boring. It means a bag that we can use it all the time and functional.

Just buy it

I begin to notice that when a woman shops for bags, their better half will often sit on our Italy imported transparent chair and going 'yes or no'. Often than not, the men will inevitably say ' if you like it, buy' or 'just buy and let's go dinner'. And 90% of the woman will end up not buying any. Ladies, why don't you just buy the bag? I would have buy it for a simple reason cos I like it.
I believed, in general women want their men to say politically correct stuff that is pleasant to hear. Men had pick up signs from past experiences or by reading woman's magazine in order to understand their woman better. In general. men tend to stay clear from any trouble and will not want to get into a long drawn sulking silence so they will say what women want to hear. Of cos, I am not saying that this applies to all, but somehow in my observations of our customers. After all the two words" just buy" could be seen as a reverse psychology. When the man says 'buy', the woman is probably thinking, ' ok, he is generous and knows that I really like the bag, that's good enough" and for the man " I hope she won't buy cos all she needs is some attention to show that I care"

So in the end, both are happy except for the sales person in the shop. I am not advocating that we should spend on an expensive items without consulting our partners. But, please don't use shopping as an excuse to test each other out. There are much better way to show care and concern. It is not about setting a bar to see if men can get pass it in order to find out if this man really loves you. Relationships seems complex to me, maybe I think like a man. I will bring my man shopping cos he values add, not just forking out $$ to make me happy. To all men reading this blog, shopping with a woman is like spending time together, understanding her taste. It is never about how much is she going to splurge this time.
Have fun shopping and doing things together :) 

Why women are drawn towards buying bags and shoes?

I started a new regime, which is to exercise at least once a week. I finally signed up for Yoga last week after much procrastination. I feel energised and less guilty with all the chocolate I have been downing. It was indeed a new beginning and I do hope to be able to keep to this resolution.

The night before my Yoga classs, I was a bit concern of what I should wear. I am not exactly fit or have a tone body to die for. I have fats around my tummy and cellulite at the back of my thighs. I don't have a long lean body that could pull off anything I wear. I was close to being in distress. I spent 2 hours in front of the mirror inspecting myself. Long tights, sleeves t-shirt, short tights, baggy T-shirt...etc. I was trying out all my outfits that could be worn to the class. After agonising for 2 whole hours, if not more, I decided to heck it.  In the end I wore the most unflattering pair of track pants and T-shirt.

My Celine Gym bag. Available in thedeborahshop

 However, I dont have such a headache when it choosing my bag and shoes. I grabbed my Celine soft leather gym bag and my usual Nike trainers. Somehow, I gathered the reason why ladies are drawn to buying bags and shoes. I shop for bags and shoes more often than buying clothes and so do most of my gal friends.
First, we dont have to queue for a fitting room to buy a bag or a pair of shoes. We don't have to remove our clothes, put on the new clothes, take it off and put our clothes back on! And then, we decided to get a different size or a colour, or a different size with a different colour, and repeat the steps all over again. With bags, we can try on a bag within 10 sec, look at the mirror and see how the bag look on us without feeling embarrass that the zipper is going to burst. The best part of all is that we never feel fat when buying a bag!

Should we then not adorn clothes that matches our bags and shoes, rather than the other way round? Since shopping for bags and shoes seem easier, right? I am wondering what to wear for my next yoga class.

My debut bus ride

With the rising cost of petrol, I decided to use buses and MRT as my new mode of transport. It was a daring move for me as I don't remember how to balance on buses anymore especially with my 3 inch high heel. The last time I took a bus was 15 years ago.

I vividly recalled, I used to board buses by flashing my student bus pass. This has not changed, I mean all are pre-paid,right? This is how our government use our money to invest to make more money for themselves.  These days we tap the EZ-link card on the machine (at least don't have to show the bus captain our geeky photo ;p).  Yesterday, I decided to give myself an orientation programme. I remembered how orientations were like in school, always filled with games and tons of new people to know. However,  this orientation was a serious one, literally finding out directions. I checked out the bus numbers, the route, the cost, distant, timetable..etc. I was ready for my orientation. I wore T-shirt, a pair shorts and comfortable running shoes. I carried a small Gucci wristlet, inside it, were my housekeys, Ezlink card and my phone, incase I needed some assistance. So off I went. I was feeling half excited and half anxious. It's a Saturday afterall, I hope there's not many people so I can get a seat in the bus. With the research I had done before hand, I was confident that I will not be lost.

The bus (very spacious and comfy with aircon, unlike 15 yeears ago) arrived and brought me to my destination. The ride took 30 mins and 10 mins waiting time. I observed my surroundings all the time ( else I won't know where to stop) and everyone could tell I was a newbie in the bus. Having reached my destination, now I have to figure my way back home, which I realised it was not simply crossing over to the opposite side of the road and take the same bus back.....I was frantically trying to find someone to ask for directions. The place I was in was not exactly bustling with people, on the contrary it was quite ulu on a Saturday afternoon. After walking for 10 mins under the hot scorching sun, I was perspiring as if I just ran 10km. I needed some tissue, water, umbrella and maybe a pair of slippers. I felt miserable.

I wish I was carrying a bigger bag such as this:



Tods D-Styling Bauletto, S$1920




Dolce & Gabbana, S$1800



Burberry, S$1800

Marc Jacobs, S$2300

I need a big bag as I always have a lot to carry especially during days like this when you are on the foot, running places. You want to know what goes into my bag? I will throw in a book to read when I am waiting, a water bottle, my diary, ipod, phone, a small bag of keys, a cosmetic pouch, card holder, wallet of cos and not forgetting my sunglasses and an umbrella for hot days like this. Those bags above ( no black) above can go well with both casual and office wear. There is another reason for big bags, I can spend one less day in the gym!

A toast to all!

I know a trendy and sophisticated lady who is also full of energy. The shop loves her as she exhibits exuberance and makes the whole shop light up with her vitality. Her mannerism is none other than charismatic and candid. She would tell us about the blunders she made during her holidays. Once, she climbed a mountain in Japan with her Chanel bag and high cut boots cos she did not check the itinerary for that day. Everyone was clad in track shoes and slack, she was the exceptional. Nevertheless, she conquered the mountain in her stiletto boots while protecting her prized Chanel bag at the same time. What a determine woman and nothing seems to stop her. We were indeed amazed!

She comes to the shop once a while but before that she will call up and ask
" hey! any new Prada bags? ( high pitch tone- which means excited)
" yes, we have the sought after leopard prints Prada bag which is soooo exquisite.
" OH OK ( an octave higher- more excited) I will come down now!


And she bought: Ta....da!

Prada zany animal print, calf hair handbag, S$4000

To go with: Ta..da!

Prada leopard shoes, S$1600

The rest is history. One happy trendy customer who knows her fashion and style.

The main motivation for sharing this is not to boast. It is about friendship we have established over the months and years to come. We have many baglovers customers who became our friends. What make this customer stands out is not about her spending power, it is about her as a person. She treats us as her equal, with courtesy and respect. Thanks Pam :) And thanks to all who has been an avid supporters of thedeborahshop.

Each of us has certain qualities and expertise which is unique. A contractor has the skills of carpentry, a bus driver has the technique of doing a U-turn, which I believe half of us has problem even with our cars, let alone a bus. We serve everyone the same as they step into our shop. We don't judge what you wear, whether you are housewife or a student, whether you are buying a bag or just browsing. We endeavor to serve you as best as we can.

Hope to see you in the shop.