Customize It!

I'm one of those people who's seen perpetually digging in her handbag in a futile search for keys, Metrocards, checkbooks, and what have you. I always have mounds of crumpled up receipts tangled up with my iPod earphones and random pairs of chandelier earrings. Utter madness.

I realized sometime last year that I seemed to be the only person who had this problem among my co-workers. When I investigated, both ladies excitedly showed me how they kept their belongings stashed in these sleek color-coded, croc-stamped purses. (They didn't buy them together, mind you. They had ordered these custom-made bags through different sources in Manila.) I checked the label, and then it was my turn to squeal in delight! The purses were made by Buffet Bags, a line that my very good friend Nina Cruz established with her mom when we were still in school. She started out doing these amazing reversible canvas hobos and eventually moved on to more sophisticated satchels. The amazing thing with Buffet Bags is that they have a full range of different materials for you to choose from if you want a specific bag made. Check out the swatches below, for instance, that can be used to make a checkbook holder:
Pretty cool right? And the designs of their bags are really clean and classic, which I love.Of course, since the products are made in the Philippines, prices are quite good. This bag above comes to just about $18.75. Those checkbook holders? $6.25 apiece. Crazy right? I don't know if Buffet Bags ships internationally (shipping would cost more than the product, I'd imagine) but if you have family in the Philippines, ask them to bring you one of these babies!

Back from paradise

We were away for the long weekend, playing in the snow in the Adirondacks. Back to regular programming shortly!

Mary Janes

Mary Janes are such essentials in a woman's wardrobe (What else would you wear with a Catholic schoolgirl uniform or a Snow White costume, after all?) and yet I do not own a pair. It has been bugging me for quite sometime, so today I buckled down and started a search. The problem is, I saw the most exquisite and therefore most expensive Mary Janes first. Now how can I find anything that'll compare to this ...

... or this ...

... and if Carrie Bradshaw swooned at the sight of these mythical Manolo Mary Janes in the Vogue closet, who am I to look past them?

Why couldn't I have been born into a ridiculous fortune meant to be lavished on shoes?

Prêt-à-Portea

Love, love, love this post from The Moment Blog. The BG Restaurant at Bergdorf Goodman has imported the Prêt-à-Portea concept from the Berkeley Hotel in London. Pastries inspired by Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Michael Kors, Thakoon, Oscar de la Renta, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Marchesa will be served alongside Mariage Frères tea and the optional glass of Veuve Clicquot Brut. Prices run from $45 to $60—a smidgen pricey for high tea, but far more affordable than getting the actual thing!

I am positive reservationists are fielding tons of phonecalls but you can try to make a booking by calling (212) 872.8977. Prêt-à-Portea runs from February 13-20.

So Blair Waldorf

Isn't it? I can totally picture the Queen B wearing this cape over a red shift and paired with a little beret or a headband. This merino wool and cashmere blend cape is 50% off at Nordstrom, going down to $294.90 from $595!