The new year is well under way and I am going through my luxury wish list to see which items I still like and which are not my style any more. I like to think luxury items over before committing to such big purchases and sharing my wish list with you all, I think, is a great way of exchanging ideas; plus, a lot of you wanted to see more luxury-related content on this blog.
I like to treat myself to the occasional luxury bag or luxury accessories. They are material things, yes, but I have always liked looking at them and dreaming of one day being able to afford them. Of course, I don't go and buy every single luxury item I like because I'd be bankrupt before I know it and I do like to do my research before, but more on that in another post.
I will be sharing my current shoes and accessories wish list with you guys. I will be sharing my bag wishlist in another post so as not to make this a super long post.
Shoes
♡ Dior - J'Adior Slingbacks
When I was in Venice looking to buy the My Lady Dior bag, the J'Adior Slingbacks in Technical Fabric caught my eyes. I had a look at them and they felt comfortable but I didn't buy them because I didn't want to be distracted from getting the bag. I then added them to my wish list and I would really like them in this beautiful red colour. What I'm not sure of is the heel height - 10cm or 6.5cm? I guess I have to try them both on again and see which one feels best.
Dior J'Adior Slingbacks - images from www.dior.it
♡ Sophia Webster - Butterfly Flats
I'm always looking for chic flats and I have finally found a pair which can literally take me from day to night when I don't feel like wearing heels (it's rare but it does happen!). These come in different colour combinations but I have narrowed it down to these two but I have yet to decide which one I am going to get.
Sophia Webster flats - images from sophiawebster.com
Accessories
At the moment I am only interested in two pairs of Dior earrings. One is the Secret Cannage pair which has the same pattern as the Lady Dior bag and the other is a more delicate pearl and gold pair. I will not be getting them both but I still have to decide which is my favourite and which pair I would get the most wear out of between the two.
For the past three or four years, it has become a bit of a tradition for me to buy myself a luxury gift. Hey, I survived another year during which I would have worked hard in all aspects of my life, so I guess a little extra special treat won't hurt! This is going to be a long post so make yourself comfortable and read through if you're interested in knowing how I chose the bag and all the drama it took to get her home!
So, back to the subject, this year, I hit the big 3-0 and this was one of the most rewarding years yet so I wanted something really special. I knew I was going for a bag so I had my eyes on four contenders. Number 1, the Chanel Classic Flap; number 2, the Chanel Boy, number 3, Lady Dior and number 4, the Diorama.
I had been eyeing the first two for what seems like a thousand years but I knew I wouldn't bring myself to spend almost €6000 on a bag so I quickly put them in the wishlist again, not be resurrected for the foreseeable future. That left me with the two options from Dior - the classic Lady Dior and the contemporary Diorama. I like both bags as they are both styles I would wear but I was more inclined towards the Lady Dior for a number of reasons. First off, it is a Dior classic; an iconic piece from an iconic fashion house. It has historical connotations (I'll get into this in a minute) and it's overall elegant and ties well with my style. I guess for me, she was a natural choice.
When we went to the Dior cafe' in Japan during our honeymoon in July, I couldn't help but ask to see the bags up close so I could decide on a colour and size. I wasn't planning on buying it there though as prices for luxury goods in Japan are extortionate. At this point, I was between the mini and the My Lady Dior (or as it is now known, My ABC Dior) which is the small size. Being only 5 feet tall, any size from the medium upwards is too big for my frame and I feel that the bigger the bag gets, the less elegance it conveys.
Fast forward to two weeks before my birthday, and hubby surprised me with a weekend getaway in Venice. I researched the bag a bit more in a bid to settle on a size and colour and I was determined to get it from Venice. In the meantime, life had other plans. The Dior boutique in Venice only had the blush pink colour in the mini size which I decided was too small to fit my phone in so it was a complete waste of money for me but I did try the My ABC Dior in other colours to see how it looks on me and what it fits. I didn't think much of them not having the bag there as I figured I could always buy it online, only to discover that they don't ship to Malta 😒.
With no further travel plans yet, my brain was working at the speed of light to figure out a way of getting the bag so I emailed the Dior customer service and also messaged a friend who lives abroad to see if she would get it for me (which she agreed to! thank you, you know who you are 😉 👼). In the meantime, the Dior customer service team were looking into the matter for me and to cut a long story short, they found the exact bag I wanted at the Florence boutique and they called to bear the news. I agreed to pay the additional shipping fee of course and the bag was delivered last Monday afternoon, safe and sound! Here's a little tit-bit; the bag was shipped on the 24th of October which incidentally is the death anniversary of Mr Dior. Words can never thank the Dior staff for their exceptional customer service, including at the Venice boutique where we were served by the loveliest of ladies and she walked me through the bag and other articles I was interested in seeing. So now, without further ado, here she is in all her glory!
I promised I would tell you the history behind this iconic bag, so here goes. In 1995, Lady Diana was visiting Paris for a Cezanne exhibition and the First Lady of France at the time, Mme. Bernardette Chirac presented this iconic bag to Lady Diana as a gift. Following this episode, Lady Diana was seen carrying the bag multiple times and her being elegance impersonated, it was only apt for the house of Dior to rename the bag as Lady Dior.
What really drew me to this bag was the sturdy structure, which I always look for in a bag, whether it's luxury or not and the cannage quilting pattern, which is inspired by the Napoleon III chairs. I also like the sound the handles make when moved. Mr Christian Dior was a very superstitious man and he was fond of lucky charms and astrology, believed 8 was the perfect number and he also loved gardens. The bag is an ode to all that Christian Dior loved - from the DIOR charms on the front of the bag to the elegantly tapered structured sides reminiscent of the Dior dresses, the bag has timeless written all over it.
The previous edition of the My Lady Dior featured more coloured charms such as star signs if I'm not mistaken but now they have changed them to letters, the number 8, a bee, a star and a heart. In fact, the bag has been renamed to My ABC Dior, which is the one I have. It comes with a leather strap that can hold up to 6 charms (3 are included in the price then it's €50 for each additional one), therefore you can personalise it to your liking, hence the bag model being called 'My' Lady Dior. I chose to have my name spelled out.
Here's another curious fact - did you know that it takes over 140 pieces to make the Lady Dior? The craftsmanship is really alive in this bag (see video further up) and I love that fact that the hardware is in champagne gold as it goes with both gold and silver jewellery. Oh, and the last curiosity I wanted to share with you is that if you look at the handles when they are open horizontally, they spell, C D - Christian Dior! This bag, same as the mini size has a flap opening as opposed to the zip opening on the larger sizes.
The inside of the bag also has the cannage pattern on silk chocolate brown lining. The bag has one large compartment and has a zip pocket at the back on the inside and another pocket on the front on the inside as well.
Now for the price. Dior have increased their prices this month and this bag has gone from €2950 to €3200 so an increase of €250. Apparently, most of the big fashion houses tend to increase their prices this time of year so if you're eyeing a particular bag or leather good, now is the time to buy before it goes up again.
If you've made it this far, thank you! That means a lot to me 😊 I hope you enjoyed reading through this post and learning a bit about an iconic piece of fashion history. Now excuse me while I go plan some outfits with this bag as the stand-out piece!
Catching on from Part 1 of Places to Visit in Japan, today I will be sharing with you some other fun places to go to as well as others that have a more hefty price tag but are totally worth the splurge, just because most of them are only found in Japan and well because a little luxury never hurt anybody.
Miscellaneous
Kyoto Tower, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree Kobe Tower & Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Admission: Price varies but admission to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is free
Almost all the big cities that we visited while in Japan have some form of a tower which you can go to to see a 360° view of said city. It is worth going just before sunset to see the city lights come to life especially in Tokyo and Kyoto - they really are a sight to behold! Apart from enjoying city views, these towers host all kinds of restaurants and shops too.
Nishijin Textile Centre
Admission: Free, workshops at a price
The Nishijin region in Kyoto is renowned for its handmade silk weaving and kimono making. The Nishijin Textile Centre provides a one-of-a-kind experience where you can sign up for weaving workshops and also see a 10-minute kimono show while there. You can also shop for some handmade gifts for family and friends back home from their vast selection of products.
Dotonbori
This part of Osaka, near Dotonbori river is one you just cannot miss! It is best to go at night and take your time strolling along the street and savour the different foods. One you cannot miss, Takoyaki (fried octopus balls) which are a speciality of Osaka. The food displays are out of this world and don't miss your chance to take a picture with the Glico man!
Seiko Museum
Admission: Free
The Seiko Museum in Tokyo is worth checking out even if you're not that into watches. There's a full history of timepieces, from the earliest ones to the more modern ones and I think everyone will appreciate the visit. It is advisable to book a time slot beforehand though as the museum is quite small and like that you are guaranteed entry and a more enjoyable experience.
Galaxy Harajuku
Admission: Free
We stumbled upon this tech nook purely by chance while strolling Takeshita Dori in Harajuku, Tokyo. We entered because Mario wanted to check out some gadgets to go with his new Samsung Galaxy S10 phone and not only did we ended up buying a wireless charger and earbuds, we got to spend around 3 hours in the store trying out the various activities and experiencing the phone's features. Even if you're an Apple lover, you should definitely check this place out!
Totally worth the splurge!
Universal Studios Osaka
When visiting Osaka, a day at Universal Studios is a total must! The admission fee is hefty, I know but it is totally worth going if you love theme parks and an adrenaline-filled day. Of course, try to go there before they open so you won't have to queue in long lines for hours on end and plan your trip wisely. If you're not fussy about wanting to sit next to your partner on every ride, queuing in the singles line will help you shorten your waiting time significantly. I recommend you stay until the very end of the day and watch the parade too!
Yamazaki Distillery
Another one to do in Osaka. The Yamazaki Whiskey Distillery is an excellent place to visit if you like whiskey. Book the tour before you go to be guaranteed a spot, alternatively, you can go into the museum and unveil the secrets of some of the most prestigious Japanese whiskeys. We even did a tasing session of their premium whiskey selection.
Totti Candy Factory
Chances are you've already heard of this one before - the famous candy factory where the giant rainbow cotton candy is made and sold! The largest one will set you back 900 but we loved taking pictures with it and eating it of course!
Maid cafe & Otter cafe
These are somewhat of a tourist trap but cute animal and maid cafes are part and parcel of the big Japanese cities' culture. We went to both a maid cafe in Akihabara and an otter cafe which we stumbled upon by chance in another part of Tokyo. The prices are ridiculous but if you're up some a bit of unusual fun, just go for it!
Robot Restaurant
The king of tourist traps but oh so worth it! The world-famous Robot Restaurant in Tokyo is a must-visit. We literally left this for the last minute because when we arrived in Tokyo we still had a week and a half to go and this was an expensive stop. Ultimately, we caved in and decided to go so I made a reservation online and we went on our last night in Tokyo. The show is out of this world and we really enjoyed the robotics, laser show and dances! Steer clear of the food though as it's not that great and costs the earth for nothing.
Oedo onsen
When visiting Japan, visiting an onsen is a must. The Oedo Onsen in Odaiba, Tokyo is perfect for first timers like us. You have to allocate a day for it though so you can enjoy all the facilities apart from the thermal baths. You can dine, watch TV and even sleep here! Be careful though because purchases made here add up.
Cafe Dior at Ginza Six
I saved the best for last! This is probably my favourite splurge spot in all of Tokyo. Located at the Dior boutique in Ginza Six, the Dior Cafe' by Pierre Herme is one every fashionista should visit while in Tokyo. Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? Also yes! The food is delicious and the pastries are to die for! I loved the decor and it is perfect for a little celebration of sorts :) Plus you'll get to eat out of Dior tableware!
That concludes my recommendations of places to visit in Japan. If you're heading there anytime soon and have any questions, just ask away! Curious to see all the stuff I got from Japan, there's a haul coming up soon as well!
Surprises are always welcome, especially when they come in chic, black packaging signed Saint Laurent. My better half is definitely a keeper; he surprised me over the weekend with the YSL wallet on chain that I have had my eyes on for the past few months. He was able to get the last one in black on their website and after just three days (he ordered it on Sunday evening and it was delivered on Wednesday), my baby is finally here!
About Saint Laurent
As much as I love the Italian way of dressing, my heart has always favoured French designers more, maybe because of my love for their capital; thus, YSL or as it has recently been rebranded, Saint Laurent is one of my favourites.
The French fashion house was established in July 1961 by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé making it one of the 'youngest' French luxury brands when compared to Chanel, Balmain and Dior for example, yet the brand is intricately etched into the history of Parisian high fashion. The house of Saint Laurent has revolutionised fashion from the very first of their creations and continue to do so to this day. In remembrance of such a legacy, the Fondation Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent opened a museum last year in the very heart of Paris, housing over 5000 garments, sketches as well as the designer's working tools and some personal artefacts.
Unboxing
On to the fun part, unboxing! Everything comes packaged in Saint Laurent's signature sleek black box including receipt, return forms, authenticity card, care instructions as well as a personal message from my beau :) The bag originally comes with a styrofoam sleeve around the chain but I have already taken it off.
The designer name of the bag is Saint Laurent Monogram Envelope Chain Wallet In Black Grain de Poudre textured matelassé leather which essentially means that the bag is made out of grained leather and has a quilted texture. I chose the one with silver hardware but it also comes with gold hardware or black chrome hardware. Other colours are also available but since this is my first luxury handbag, I opted for black to make sure I get maximum use out of it.
The bag is the perfect size to carry around when all you need are just a few essentials. I intend to use it mostly for weddings and special occasions so the size is perfect for me. Also, compared to my petite stature it looks perfect. It is made in Italy out of 100% calfskin leather and features a snap front closure.
The inside features one zip compartment, a bill compartment at the very back and 6 card slots. There are no other compartments on the back of the bag. The chain is made out of the same leather as the bag and silver-toned metal. I favoured this strap over the one made entirely out of metal because I think it is more comfortable. The chain is not adjustable but can be removed to use the bag as a clutch. Alternatively, I like the look of the bag when worn across the body for a sportier feel.
What fits inside the bag
Let's have a look at what fits inside the bag now. Having six card slots, I will probably skip carrying around a small wallet but for the sake of this post, I will be using a small card holder just to show you what I can fit. Basically, I can fit my mobile phone (currently Samsung Galaxy S6), card holder or small purse, tissues, one lipstick and keys. I think that is more than enough to carry with me.
That's it for this post :) Do let me know if you have any questions about this bag. I also intend to post an update when I have used the bag enough to be able to address how it wears etc. but in the meantime do let me know what you want to know more about it.
Part of my birthday celebrations was of course a special dinner with my better half at Il-Wejla by Taratun at Smart City. We had to postpone our dinner for a week later but I wanted to share with you what was still technically my birthday outfit.
These pictures were taken the day after though because I wanted the best possible light for this outfit. I went for a classic little black dress paired with some new items that I got and was gifted for the occasion and my Gianvito Rossi pumps.
Of course the star item in this outfit is the monogrammed Burberry scarf. It came in very handy once we were out of the restaurant into the rather chilly air. I love the dress too - the cut flatters my frame and figure and the lace detail at the back is just gorgeous! You all know I am obsessed my Gianvito Rossi's so it was not up for discussion which shoes I was going to wear and I completed the outfit with my boyfriend's gift - the Furla bag. I must admit I felt quite special in this outfit and I even wore my Rouge Louboutin lipstick and Loubilaque to complete the makeup look and add to luxury factor. Oh and for the record it did last all throughout the meal without the need for retouching!
