Sweet Birthday Gifts

It’s been a week since my birthday and I am still feeling high over the (almost) week-long celebration I had!    Not to mention the sweet gifts I got from my family and friends =)

From AJ, I got this FitFlop pair in perfect pewter color.  I’ve been eyeing this pair for some time and I’m so happy I now have it!

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I prefer these slide Fitflop sandals over thongs.   It’s more suited to my flat feet.   The thongs are also good but they make my feet look bigger hehe.

This new pair brings my collection of Fitflop sandals to 3 (actually there’s 5 but I’ve retired  the other 2 after more than 3 years of walking on them).

Here are the stock photos I’ve kept of the other 2 in my collection:   I have another pair of  slide sandals in black …

…and thong sandals in brown:

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It’s pretty obvious that I love Fitflop, noh?   They’re my casual, outdoor and shopping shoes all at the same time!

Meanwhile, I received these cute cupcakes with the letters of my name from my colleagues at my former department.  Aren’t they sweet?  I miss them all!

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Then my former Manager (who became a very good friend of mine) gave me this lilliputian Nina Ricci L’Elixir perfume.  It’s so small (containing 4ml perfume) you can mistake it for a candy!

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From Pia – Trung Nguyen coffee beans + country mug from Starbucks Vietnam!

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And from Denise – TWG Tea Bags!   The flavor will remind me of Christmas everyday   =)

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And because AJ and I now cook, Denise gave us a bottle of Himalayan Salt and Bourbon Vanilla.   The himalayan salt will be perfect for grilled steaks or porkchops, while the dried vanilla fruits is an excellent addition to AJ’s homemade custard!

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And last, but not the least, there is Liam’s gift which is equally thoughtful and sweet – a letter to his Ninang Tita!   Read it here!

A big thanks and hugs to all who remembered me on my natal day.   It’s your thoughtfulness that made the my special day extra special!

 

My Modest Shoe Collection

Have been meaning to write about my shoes.   I used to be very serious with my shoe collection that at one time I owned about 30 pairs.   But most of them were black pumps that I wear to the office.    I used to hoard Nine West, Enzo Angiolini and Aerosoles shoes especially when they’re on sale.

I soon realized that I own so many and of the same style that I decided to sell some of them on eBay and kept only a few that I continue to wear to this day.   I also belatedly discovered that my feet loves Mark & Spencer – they fit like gloves and are very sturdy.   I have 3 pairs of Mark & Spencer shoes right now, all office shoes, and I have not tried any other brand since.

This is the first pair that I bought and it’s more than 2 years old already.   I like the “Mary Jane” inspired style and the low heels, perfect for meetings outside where I usually bring lots of papers with me.   There’s no risk of tripping or slipping because the width of the heels are wide, but not too wide to make it look like school shoes.

This black patent pumps is also from Marks & Spencer, with kitten heels that I love.   I used to wear 4-inch heels before but my legs began to ache on them already (I really am getting old hehe) so I am now after comfort, rather than style.   Kitten heels are perfect for me – I can stand all day in them and not get cramps after.

I also have this black ballet pumps still from Marks & Spencer that I keep in the office and wear around in my work area to give my feet a rest from wearing heeled shoes.

There’s also this Enzo Angiolini pair that I use sparingly these days.   It’s a dark brown leather pumps that I use also for work and it makes me feel really confident when I’m in them.

This is actually a “baby” to my much higher-heeled black pumps, also from Enzo Angiolini, which is currently on sale at my eBay store:

Now for outdoors, I wear my trusty FitFlops 95% of the time.  That’s how I love it.   I never get tired of walking when I’m in them.   And that’s really true.   So even though fake versions of this one have proliferated in the market, I buy only the authentic ones because I am paying for the comfort it brings, not just the look or style.

I have also recently discovered Native, and thanks to my sis-in-law Juvvy, I am now a proud owner of this neon pink pair, which I wear on Fridays (because that’s our dress-down day) or on weekends when I want to give my FitFlops a rest.

Lastly, I have a “wild card” pair that I wear when I’m feeling “stylish” (which is very seldom haha!).   I bought this locally-manufactured Katy & Carrie pair at a bazaar last December and I get lots of compliments every time I wear them.    The pair has a wedge sole in canvass coating, and a nice design that reminds me of YSL’s popular Tribute platform shoes.

I counted 8 pairs and if I will include my Adidas sneakers and trekking sandals from Columbia (which I didn’t take out from their boxes anymore for this “pictorial”), then I have 10 pairs all in all which I think is a modest number already hehe!   What do you think?

Do you also love shoes?   What style/design/color do you collect or love to wear?

 

Fashionistas’ Darling Sneakers by Isabel Marant

Isabel Marant’s sneakers has become a fashion must-have and celebrities have been caught wearing these sneakers with concealed wedge heels.

Alicia Keys wearing the "Willow" leather and suede sneakers

Miranda Kerr in Isabel Marant's "Bekket" sneakers

Emma Watson is ready to do some running in her "Betty" leather and suede sneakers. Taken during her commercial shoot for Lancome.

Anne Hathaway looks stylish and comfy in her "Beckett" wedge sneakers

I personally like the black Beckett sneaker wedge, it goes with any color and looks understated, too.

To shop for these fashionable sneakers, click away to  La Garconne‘s website.   Each pair costs about $760.00.

Photos are from nitrolicious, upscale hype, celebrity fashion and heights of fashion

 

Silver Mary Jane Pumps from Miu Miu

Ohh, I am loving this Mary Jane Pumps from Miu Miu – it’s in silver! 

It’s very stylish without compromising comfort.  It can be paired with bright-colored shorts for casual wear, or with this metallic cocktail shorts from Lanvin for a glamour evening look:

 

Available online at Net-A-Porter.

 

Seeing Stars with Dolce & Gabbana

My picks from Dolce and Gabbana’s Bright Star Collection:

Star-cutout Leather Pumps:       

Large Brass and cyrstal star earrings:                               

Star-detailed leather clutch:      

Brass and glass crystal charm necklace:    

Star-embellished mini-textured leather tote:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a starry, starry collection!  Available at Net-A-Porter.