Roberto Cavalli Eva Snake Cuff Watch

Roberto Cavalli Eva Snake Gold Plated Cuff Watch $535

My mom just called me on the phone from Vancouver and told me that she had to phone me so that it wouldn't seem like she is favoring my little brother (who is in Singapore) by phoning him all the time. She has free long distance to both US and Singapore, so the number of phone calls to me should equal the number of phone calls to my little brother...but I know that is probably not the case. Hahaaa...It's the first time in a long time that my little brother (21 years old) has been apart from her while she has gotten used to me being away, after I moved to NYC, Taipei, and now LA. Poor mom probably misses my little bro to bits.

Anyway, both my mom and dad were born in the year of the snake. Though my mom is one year younger, she is a Aquarius who made it right before the Chinese New Year of her year. My dad said that if there were only another snake in our family, then we would be prosperous. Why and how that is, I do not know, since I do not question the ancient art of Chinese astrology.

In any case, I've been thinking for a while that snake bracelets would be awesome for my mom, because it is the year she was born in, and because it fits her "aura". She is small and dainty, and seems a little weak sometimes. The snake should add some animalistic (or rather, reptilian) energy to her being. Also, snake bracelets are very elegant, and my mom looks extremely beautiful when donned with items like that (so much so that I've often jealous of her transformation~). Plus, this Roberto Cavalli Cuff Watch is both a decorative cuff and a watch!!! I mean, a girl's gotta keep track of how long the party has gone on and how much longer she needs to keep smiling before she can go home for her beauty sleep, right?

So, my conclusion is...my dad should buy this for her. Or......I can ask Poeticcrap (my elder bro) for the money...coz I sure don't have any >_<~...

My only complaint to Roberto Cavalli is, WHY make this only gold-plated?!? That makes it feel more like cosmetic jewelry than a REAL one.

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Crystal Snake Cuff by Roberto Cavalli $350.00

Shhh...there is a Private Sale at Vivre right now, so you can save 30% off through Sunday November 23rd, 11:59pm EST. Use promotion code PRIVSALE08 at checkout to get the discount. I am particularly enamored by this crystal snake cuff by Roberto Cavalli. "A faceted amethyst-hued crystal stone crowns an ornate silver-plated brass and zinc snake as it curls around your wrist." My mom and dad are both born in the year of the snake and fortune tellers have told them that if they had a third snake in the family, they would become very prosperous. So I thought, in addition to trying to find girlfriends for my brothers that are born in the year of the snake, I could in the meantime try to introduce more snake-like elements into my life? Well, at the very least, this snake cuff is majestic and mysterious. And what can I say? I love purple.

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If I have all the money in the world...

Roberto Cavalli Elongated cashmere cardigan $2,290

Elizabeth and James Orchid trapeze blouse $295

Helmut Lang Slim leg pants $345

Alexander McQueen Button trim boots $1,745

Isharya Daisy filigree cuff $265

Mulberry Snakeskin oversized shoulder bag $2,495

If I have all the money in the world, this is the ensemble I would wear. I was attracted by the ruffles in the Elizabeth and James Orchid Trapeze Blouse so I decided to put together an outfit inspired by it. But mostly, I just wanted to carry that Mulberry Snakeskin oversized shoulder bag. It looks so sumptuous and glamorous, I'm sure this Mulberry bag will make a statement with any outfit. The two zippers on the side expands the bag if you needed it to. Think of it as a YSL Uptown bag turning into a YSL Downtown bag. Fab? I would say so. It doesn't close with a zipper up top, but instead employs a magnetic closure and a lobster clasp to hold the bag contents safely in the bag. Personally, I am fine with that because I love easy access to what's inside my bag. I know some people may hate it because they constantly spill and scatter the contents of their bags. And to those people, I say "you are a bigger klutz than I and you deserve the trouble of having to zip open and close your bag each time you take something out or put something in. Good riddance to you!"

So what do you think? Is the ensemble too much?

Ok, fine, if you find the purple on the Mulberry competing too much with the green on the Trapeze blouse, I will substitute the bag with another gorgeous bag from Anya Hindmarch. There, Happy now?

Anya Hindmarch Vigo python shoulder bag $2,495

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Collaboration Cohort 02: Who did it best for H&M?

After having been away from Vancouver, B.C., Canada for a year, I came home to a pleasant surprise as Holt Renfrew (the equivalent of Nordstorm or Barneys in the States) moved their downtown base from a cooped up corner of Pacific Center to an adjoining independent four-storeys building. This made room for Holt Renfrew's old space to be filled with new shop stores such as H&M, which was originally unavailable in Vancouver. Yes, we Vancouverites used to have to suffer a 3.5-hr drive to Seattle for good shopping. It is just getting better and better now that many big American stores are finally offering shipping to Canada, and stores like H&M are finally entering the market here. Getting back to the story of partnership. How did H&M, the Swedish fast-fashion giant, keep itself globally relevant all these years? It's simple, really. With the names of Karl Lagerfeld (2004), Stella McCartney (2005), Viktor & Rolf (2006), and Roberto Cavalli (2007) in H&M's history of annual designer collaboration, it is no wonder people keep going back for more affordable H&M fashion. (See pictures after the jump.)

Upcoming this year, H&M will be joining hands with Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo in making an avant-garde collection for the first time. Rei Kawakubo has been one of the most prominent mavericks that have been experimenting with and defining Japanese fashion since 1969. Her label, Comme des Garcons (French meaning "like boys"), has collaborated with other big names including Louis Vuitton, Levi's, Speedo, Nike, Lacoste, and Chrome Hearts, in the past. As usual, the Comme des Garcons collection at H&M will hit the worldwide market in early November, and this time, it will correspond with the opening of H&M's first stores in Tokyo, Japan: 10,000-sqft store in Ginza and 16,000-sqft in Harajuku. One of the unconventional things Kawakubo did for fashion was to create a line of unisex fragrances. And this will be one of the items in the slated H&M collection, which will also include accessories and fashion for women, men, and children. If Comme des Garcons style is best described as "unpredictable", can you imagine what the upcoming H&M collection will look like?


See Comme des Garcons collections on style.com
Also, try to catch one of Comme des Garcons' guerilla stores in person before they evanescence.

Pictures of previous H&M collaborations

Karl Lagerfeld (2004)

Stella McCartney (2005)

Viktor & Rolf (2006)

Roberto Cavalli (2007)

Tell us who you think did it best for H&M! Leave comments.

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Roberto Cavalli Croc Print Clutch vs. Anya Hindmarch Piano Python Clutch

I have clutch mania. Exotics light up my eyes. I constantly drool while looking at Carlos Falchi, Nancy Gonzalez, VBH, and the like. It's no wonder this Roberto Cavalli Crocodile Print Clutch caught my eye. I had to take a second look to see that it is, in fact, croc print. This Robert Cavalli Croc Print Clutch reminds me of Tod's lizard clutch with elements of Chloe (Saskia) spirit worked into the front clasp. The gathered sides also really call out to me. Available in basic patent colors (biege and black) at Net-a-Porter (Singapore & HK) for £555.49/£519, this bag is sold out on Net-a-porter USA. This really proves the point that traveling is good, or that having friends globally can come in very handy.
Or that's what I thought, until I saw this amazing gold Piano Python Clutch by Anya Hindmarch on Net-a-porter (HK) for £540.23. My breath was taken away. Why wouldn't you buy a REAL exotic skin for the same price? And it's gold. Greek goddess gold.

Well... ...The biege or black patent are classic neutrals and the Robert Cavalli bag has a bit of a more interesting design... Yet gold goes with lots of different colors while being extra glamorous itself. Besides, Anya Hindmarch's bag has the cutest pleats and a bow that exudes undeniable ladylikeness... ... ...But then again... ...ARGH!

Which would you chose? Roberto Cavalli Croc Print or Anya Hindmarch Piano Python?

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