"You ask, What's in a name? I answer, Just about everything you do.” - Morris Mandel

I am not a large tote bag kinda girl.

I know, there are plenty of people who would happily list the merits of a large tote bag, how one can throw everything in and become a glamorous modern day nomad/girl-about-town. Agreed, but I prefer to travel light so I don't usually carry much short of the essentials and I find a larg tote bag kinda gets in the way and weighs me down especially when I'm running (buses, trains, sales) or when I'm trying to squeeze into a limited space (buses, trains, sales). I typically prefer smaller bags such as shoulder bags, satchels, hobos and clutches.

However, I've noticed pretty much every woman and her grandmother carrying a large tote bag, and the most common ones appear to be the Neverfull and the Le Pliage. Tres tres boring, ladies! The lack of individuality and creativity depresses me. They look so inordinately ordinary! Some have championed the St Louis as slightly more unique and fashionable, but if you ask me it's only 'cos it's not as commonly available as the other two.

Louis Vuitton Neverfull

Longchamp Le Pliage

Goyard St Louis

Anyway, out of curiosity, I surfed onto the Longchamp website and found out one can actually create a bespoke Longchamp bag! OK so I'm a sucker for all things bespoke, and before anyone I could say Anya Hindmarch I was happily clicking away at the colours for my imaginary Longchamp bespoke tote.

One can even choose the metallic hardware with the options of emblazoning one's initials as well as embroidering one's name on it. There's nothing like a bag with one's name on it to say "Mine, hands off!" Hmmm I might just consider getting one if that's the case. Yeah, I know, sucker.

And of course, I would never ever say non to this darling :

Bottega Veneta Cabat

“Will the people in the cheaper seats clap your hands? And the rest of you, if you'll just rattle your jewelry.” - John Lennon

I'll remember that the next time I'm at a concert.

But in the meantime :

Calabria Crest Necklace by Alex Monroe

Calabria Hoop Earrings by Alex Monroe

Charm Bracelet by Juicy Couture

“A woman's dress should be like a barbed-wire fence: serving its purpose without obstructing the view.” - Sophia Loren

So lovin' this DKNY ramie blend colour block dress

Aren't these Giuseppe Zanotti heels simply wicked?

“Only great minds can afford a simple style.” - Stendhal

I love the Academy Awards.

No, not because of the celebration of cinema blah blah and all that boring stuff, although I WAS quite miffed that The Curious Case of Benjamin Button didn't win anything big. But I guess it's all relative to its competition ... so I guess it had to concede that may the Best Picture win, hahaha.

Anyway, the reason why I LOVE the Academy Awards ... RED CARPET FASHION!

And my all-time numero uno uber favourite is :

Kate Winslet in Atelier Yves Saint Laurent

A close second is :

Marisa Tomei in Atelier Versace

And last but not least ... although I'm not a big fan of hers, those Lorraine Schwartz emerald earrings really are a brilliant touch to an otherwise slightly blah (I hate black for these occasions, SO boring) though well designed gown :

Angelina Jolie in Elie Saab

Others of note include the gorgeous gown on Anne Hathaway which looks so much better than the severe navy blue one she wore at the Golden Globes as well as Amy Adams in Caroline Herrera with a to-die-for Fred Leighton necklace ... although the dress kinda eminds me of a female Spidey, heh.

Anne Hathaway in Giorgio Armani Prive

Amy Adams in Caroline Herrera

Amanda Seyfried also look really good with her Veronica Lake inspired blond hair and brick red Valentino dress although I don't quite like the ginormous bow ribbon on it. Also, Reem Acra seemed to be a very popular choice for the award shows of late.

The nude Elie Saab on Evan Rachel Wood should have been on someone with slightly darker skin for a contrast ... and although I like the design on Natalie Portman's dress, the bubble pink is horribly offputting. I thought Jessica Biel's Prada dress could do without the excess frontal fabric which destroyed an otherwise lovely gown. I don't know why Miley Cyrus always manages to look decades older than her actual age on the red carpet, and I REALLY preferred Melissa George's gown at the Golden Globes, sigh.

And most importantly ... where in the world was the consistently elegant and luminous Cate Blanchett???

Overall, I still think the Golden Globes was a better showing fashion-wise.

“I have a trunk containing continents.” - Beryl Markham

The Centenary Collection

The Orient Collection

The 2008 Limited Edition : CANDY

Am uber in love with Globe-Trotter's hand made luxury travel trunks. Never mind that they're prolly not as practical and abuse-friendly as my trusty but pedestrian red Samsonite two-wheeler ... they're sooooooooo GORGEOUS!!!

They would go so well with my private jet and personal porters.

“Above all, remember that the most important thing you can take anywhere is not a Gucci bag or French-cut jeans; it's an open mind." - Gail Rubin Bereny

Yes well I believe that was before aforementioned author saw this:

Le Bag So Rock Chic : YSL Seven

“Take, if you must, this little bag of dreams, Unloose the cord, and they will wrap you round.” - William Butler Yeats

I have a big crush on:

The Celine Orlov : the younger and more affordable Birkin