“Mere colour, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways.” - Oscar Wilde

It all started when Maman and I went shopping and she picked out a drab navy blue silk shirt dress by Marc Jacobs, which led me to lift my hands in dismay and announce:

"Couleur, maman! Non plus sombres!"

I'm tres tired of black and dark shades like navy blue and chocolate ... it's supposed to be spring still, and with all that depressing news going on in the economy, I think we should wear some bright colors to lift everyone's spirits, especially our own.

Which is what brings me to the dress du jour :

Just Cavalli Print Dress

Few do excess as well as Roberto Cavalli, and this strapless tie dyed print dress with a draped back and clever ruching detail throughout is a fine fine demonstration of his appeal to the younger crowd for Just Cavalli.

Anyone remember the scene where Carrie Bradshaw fights with Aidan Shaw over her Roberto Cavalli dress? Boys, do not I repeat do NOT give your missus an ultimatum between beloved fashion item and yourself. Because you might just lose. By a fairly wide margin.

Of course, a dress however spectacular, never quite hits the wow factor without accessories :

Louis Vuitton Louisette Small Ring

Louis Vuitton Crown Ring

The first is part of Louis Vuitton creative consultant Camile Miceli's Louisette collection and nestled within its petals are pink sapphires, rubies and diamonds. Tres exquise. The second is a collaboration between Camile Miceli and hip hop singer Pharrell Williams, and is made of pink gold adorned with pink sapphires and diamonds. A perfect combination of sophistication and ghetto street cred.

These have been out for ages, but I only just got into the accessories groove. What can I say, I'm a late bloomer.

“I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes.” - Oprah Winfrey

I remember when I was given the mandate to buy a pair of shoes, regardless of budget. I knew immediately where I would go, and it wasn't down the yellow brick road to Manolo Blahnik or the red soled path of Christian Louboutin.

It was to the hallowed haven of the 'Shoemaker to the Stars' :

Salvatore Ferragamo Carla Pumps

Salvatore Ferragamo once studied anatomy at the University of South California to understand intrinsically the science of the body in order to fashion shoes that not only looked beautiful but fitted and felt wonderful. Indeed, he became so successful that once one goes Ferragamo, there really is no looking back.

Now that I have the basics right, next step up the shoe ladder will be his most famous creation :

Salvatore Ferragamo Cage Heel

“Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it you can never get it back.” - Harvey MacKay

If I had to choose, I would pick a quality watch over jewelery any day, especially if that particular watch was :

Patek Philippe Twenty-4 Caliber

However, being a lowly slave close to the bottom of the corporate pecking order, I can only dream and aspire to owning that particular pretty piece of horology.

In the meantime though, I can please myself with this objet d'art :

Issey Miyake TWELVE

I love it's minimalist design and how its beauty lies in simplicity and elegance.

“The pink sheep of the family.” - Alexander McQueen

Growing up, I never was a girly kinda girl, and memories of childhood consist of being dragged through the girls' department in the shopping mall and being made to try on dress after frilly dress by an aunt who insisted on one for my birthday each and every year.

And like every single rebellious teenager, I rebelled and stubbornly refused to wear skirts and dresses and staunchly hung on to my cords and jeans. My mother used to exclaim, "You'll never find a husband dressed like that!", although the connection between sartorial and spouse I never quite got, even to this day.

Anyway, to her utmost relief, I grew out of that phase and decided I quite liked dresses afterall. Well, not only because they were kinda pretty, they also appealed to my practical 'slip on and go' approach to dressing, instead of having to puzzle over coordination. Also, I was too lazy to iron two pieces of clothing instead of one.

Neither was I into the color pink. Although I admit to owning several items of pink clothing, it's hardly one of my favorite colors. The color pink seemed to scream of abject kawaii-ness, and brought with it visions of Hello Kitty and various other unpleasant saccharine associations.

However, I realised that if said item was in hot pink as opposed to pastel, it was an entirely different game :

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania dress

In the spirit of pink and on the subject of lesser-known labels in my previous post, I also actually really like this tote bag :

Lancel Premier Flirt

Now, I have a rather romanticised relationship with Lancel.

Years ago on my maiden trip to Europe, my bag decided to break.

On Champs Elysees. In the middle of a downpour. In front of Lancel.

So I took it was a sign from above and went in and bought my first quality leather bag.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

"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?