Cartier Classics (Jewellers since 1847)

Ballon Bleu de Cartier, 42mm steel (bottom). Pasha C de Cartier, 35mm steel (top)

If Tiffany & Co. has its little blue box, then Cartier has its red. To own a piece of classic accessories, you have to include one of Cartier's. We, each own one of these beauties.

His large convex sapphire floats on his wrist, resembling the curves of a balloon! While trying to be funky, a classy blue sapphire dons the turning crown. Together with antiquated Roman numerals on a guilloche dial, the watch repossesses its elegance.

My polished white-faced enchants with its sharp satin-finished bracelet; reflecting light modestly yet smartly! Big date mechanism was hot on my pursuit. The screw-down crown cap, attached to the case by a small chain shares my illusion of being a pretty mariner! There is never a dull moment with the Pasha.

Both were attached with blued steel hands, a noble color created by heating the steel to the highest possible temperature for a certain period of time. Love Cartier, for often toying with the rules of elegance.

An Angel for an angel

My newborn niece the Lord had given, and we have only well wishes for her - 乐, 恩

For He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you in all your ways.

In their hands they shall bear you up,

Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

Psalm 91:11-12

Poh Heng 916 Baby Anklet (22K-916 $72.50/gm)

Timberland Footwear

Timberland leather shoe ($59, stock clearance sale)

It was Valentine's evening and the shopping mall was quite deserted. We thus landed a very good bargain for the store's last pair of a genuine leather shoe, in my size!

Ric and i are faithful customers of Timberland for the past 10 years; our shoe racks are made up primarily of their footwear from sandals, slip-ons, hiking, boat shoes and city work shoes, adoring its guaranteed comfort, foot support and fashionable design. And when Timberland goes on sales, their reduced prices would be very much competitive to other regular shoemakers.

If you haven't found your ideal shoemaker, it's worth giving Timber a try. Their factory outlets in IMM and Changi City Mall will give you an edge over your buy.

Audemars Piguet, AP

Lady Royal Oak

Initially, i didn't agree to buy this diamonds studded Audemars Piguet watch - it was too expensive for the occasional wear and i didn't want the attentions drawn on such. But donning a similar watch to match Ric's Royal Oak on functions and dinners was a musing thought that's tempting enough to cause wavering.

Getting the green light, Ric placed order with a cash deposit week before the birthday. But dues to low stock availability, it was only month later that he got ringed up by the retailer that the watch had arrived. Sheepishly, the man tried to surprise the woman with the procurement ;)

It is an implicit beauty - finely brushed stainless steel finishes with quality certified diamonds that sparkle in minimum light conditions. On the wrist, it is formally subtle, never crudely pretentious. This is certainly one of my prized piece.

How the couple had loved to lock arms now...

Beijing D8 - Shoppings!

Intime Lotte @ Wangfujing Shopping Street

The itinerary for our last day in Beijing, that's today, was to shop till we drop at their 西单, Xidan Commercial shopping streets, akin to our Orchard Rd, but much larger in life... in fact, shopping malls in Beijing are often intimidatingly huge in scale! And 王府井, Wangfujing is surely an iconic shopping street that you've got to set foot in.

But Ric had taken quite ill today and had to be resting; so let's just talk about some of our shopping experiences and buys in the past few eventful days.

Original/ Copied Concert Dvds (¥15, S$3 per disc)

Starting with my last loot from 经典音像 DVDs today!

Ric had helped in some of these selections when we visited their distant outlet 7 days ago. This afternoon, i was bored in the hotel and sneaked down to their nearby shop, just downstairs! for more to feed my addiction. Here are their 4 locations in Beijing.

We have always bought concert DVDs from China for its excellent quality, especially the Blu-ray copied; but Beijing is exceptional for its large collection of Classical Symphony DVDs while concerts of Hong Kong/ Taiwanese artists were absent!?

In Singapore, such Classical Orchestra performing DVDs are expensive.

Hongqiao Pearl Market, 北京红桥珍珠市场

We had paid Hongqiao a repeat visit yesterday morning for some good quality product as souvenirs for families back home, and we were not buying the pearls ;)

Beijing's Hongqiao was like Shanghai's Xiangyang, infamous for their sales of pirated bags, wallets, clothes, belts and shoes of world's famous brands! If you like these dazzling brand logos, you could land some pleasing buys; we went for the good finishes product (that they were trying to imitate) but without the branding.

Best thing about here? You are welcome to bargain.
Remember to bargain down about 70% from the selling price. Excise your discretion, in cases where the selling price could be upped much more. But leave the seller some profit, and it'll be a win-win happy transaction :)

牛角梳, Ox Horn Combs and Massaging Horn Sticks (¥60, S$12) 

We were introduced to these China Cow horns by our China friends, when we start touring the country... some 8 years ago! Being of anti-static nature, the Buffalo's horn was said to improve hair luster too; our families loves the comb and we never fail to bring some home whenever we travel.

The product has its origins from Fujian, or the Xiamen and was not commonly found in Beijing. We were lucky to have these nice ones from a Panjiayuan Market stall.

Spectacles frame with lenses (About ¥180, S$36 per pair)

Within walking distance from the Panjiayuan Market is the 眼镜城, Panjiayuan Glasses Market! Select your frame, bargain the price, have your eyesight tested and you collect your spectacles in 20mins.

The price of owning at least 1 of these most fashionable pair is too little to resist!

100+

可多, Kodo

The other night when we were at the Nanluoguxiang remember? I didn't mention the many souvenirs/ gifts shops here. They sell fun stuffs that are cute and pretty rather than a necessities ;)

Heart-shaped Measuring Spoons set (¥9, S$1.80)

I got these from Kodo that has heart-warming inscriptions like, "A pinch of joy.", "A dash of tenderness.", "A spoonful of affection.", "A heap of love."!!!

H&M black ankle socks x5 (¥49.90, S$10), belt (¥49.90, S$10)

And to Singaporeans who were queuing and jumping for joy when H&M opened their flagship store in Orchard Rd just this month, you should be here. H&M stores were easily located in all their shopping streets!

We stumbled on 1 at 崇文门, Chongwenmen shopping street while getting some local products and sweets from the opposite 新世界商城, New World Shopping Mall yesterday.

H&M are as ubiquitous as Uniqlo here.

Tongren Wuji Baifeng Wan, 6gm pills x6  (¥57.60, S$11.52)

And we never missed out on Beijing's many renowned pharmacies, the most prestigious of them all, the 同仁堂, Beijing Tong Ren Tang.

A women's nourishing pills of Chinese medicine, i was wowed by its elaborated embroidered box! Perfect for a gift, yeah!

Vintage Watches!

Art & Mechanique Incabloc

I am a sucker for antiques! Antiques watches, telephones, typewriters, it could be anything! Shall we look at my new purchases which Ric sourced out <3 from a reliable watch dealer? - a 1960’s vintage gents dress watch from Art & Mechanique.

Had actually loved a clear faced, 3 hands watch but soon discover that the sub-seconds dial could be such an elegant classic. The gold plated case looked great and fitted my small wrist snugly.

Omega Seamaster 600

This ivory 34mm was a special edition produced for launching the Omega 600 calibres in 1960's. Love these plexi crystal gentlemen who looked forever understated and clean!

Mido Commander Ocean Star Date/Day

And finally, i ended my search for vintage ladies dress watch from this Mido reproduction. The champagne silver M7169.4.71.1 was a 23.5mm that runs on automatic ETA 2678 and keeps perfect time. 'Day' display was in French as the watch comes from Europe stock; "VIE" reads FRI in English.

The hour markers and hands have a very retro look about them, and I have to own 1 of these nostalgic collections that comes with the legendary integrated bracelet and clasp!

Think i have enough for now ;))

Chopard Happy St.Valentine 2009

"Diamonds are happiest when they are free."

Karl Scheufele, President of Chopard.

Chopard Valentine Special "Happy Sport in White Ceramic" for The Hour Glass

Ric had generously bought the watch on 13 Feb 2009, 2 years ago, just a day before Valentine's Day. It was in fact the very last piece of the limited 300 pieces that was specially assembled for The Hour Glass in 2009.

I had a whirl emotion of delight and confusion of owning my 1st 'Happy Diamond' collection by award winning designer Ronald Kurowski (in 1976); a rather expensive quartz watch.

But the charming 35mm dia. condone the impromptu purchase by mesmerizing me with its dancing diamond-encrusted heart that spin round the dial gracefully like a top! Instead of just gliding across plainly. At that instant, i was captivated.

Sandwiched between double sapphires crystals, the clarity of the mobile diamonds from jewel maker, Chopard was evident. Year by year, i wear the watch on each St.Valentine's Day..

Poh Heng Jewellery - for Sis's Wedding

916 Necklace & Bracelet Set (22K-916 $64.50/gm, 24K-999 $69.50/gm)

Yes, Sister wedding is to be held in March this year. Well knowing that Gold prices had reached an extortionary height, we still wish to get her the customary gold pieces for keepsake.

Poh Heng Jewellery is where we swear by for guarantee Gold quality - its gold pieces don't seem to tarnish nor lose its shine after years! And as a mark of recognition, Poh Heng accept trade back of their gold jewelry wear at just 5% cut off to-date gold prices, this gave us such assurance.

Wishing you matrimony bliss, Sis..

Gifts Selection...

Ric and i, we don't insist on preparing presents for each other on Anniversaries, Birthdays or the Festive, unless it so coincide that something caught our eyes then.

Ric saw an Esprit bag last week which i deny the buy as it was a normal priced item. "Unless there's a discount, else please don't get it." i was adamant.

This evening, Ric surprised me with a similar, or i could say a much befitting bag for me! Also from Esprit, but at a 50% discount ;)) He had saw the bag while Christmas shopping for his nieces and nephews the afternoon. Yeah, i love my new roomy huggable bag!

A credit to Ric, he's always there for my shopping of any sorts! Carefully considering its fashions, cuts, value and practicality. He helps me dress better; feels better about myself ;)

Nomos Glashütte

NOMOS Ludwig

NOMOS Glashutte watches are made in Glashütte, Saxony, Germany. And there are standards for Glashütte watches.

"A watch may not be sold as a “Glashütte watch” unless at least 50% of its caliber’s production took place in Glashütte: if a manufacturer buys 100 euros worth of parts elsewhere, then he must carry out at least 100 euros worth of work in Glashütte. Glashutte is home to four important watch companies. The other three are: A. Lange & Sohne, Glashutte Original and Muhle."

Looking extraordinarily simple and beautifully naked. We were drawn to the elegance of NOMOS's sleek, timeless design. Notice also the tempered blue steel hands.

The 35mm dia. Lidwig runs on a manufactory caliber with manually wound movement that's capable of 42 hours power reserve; and sits coolly on my small wrist.

What does NOMOS means?

In Greek, it's "Law" and "Order". I like that.

A BirthdaY Present... or 2

This is Ric's advance birthday present for me. The 40mm Rolex Submariner "no date", a diver's watch that's built to withstand sea pressure at a depth of 300metres (1,000 feet) and extreme conditions. You seldom see Rolex watches without the date cyclops, right?

In fact, sports watches in the early days deem 'date' not a necessity. So for the first 12 years of the manufacture of Rolex Submariners, no version had the date complication.

That's what i like about it - a piece of history. And its slim but well muscled fit for the lady's wrist.

Gave Ric a 44mm Rolex Deepsea Sea-dweller that's capable for handling sea depth of up to 3,900m (12,800 feet)! Maybe we are going diving? No?

It's both our birthday in October, today's his ;)

Happy Birthday my love...
And how deep is your love?
"Deeper than yours." is always Ric's answer.

Small Antique Watches..

You love antique? I do.

Just when the fad is going for big watch, my heart goes to these petite sized antique watches of about 1cm diameter. Cast in full white gold, these mechanical winding watches cost about S$3K to own.

The only grouse, once you cut the bracelet to fit your wrist size, you have to get it weld back by a jeweler should you wish to lengthen it, and even that wouldn't guarantee you a perfect symmetry of the original.

The above were of Eterna and Rodania brandings, others may include Omega, IWC, Universal...
Just to share; but i do wish to splurge on 1..

Swarovski Crystal - Erika & Elvis!

Swarovski launches their new pendant collection! And the naughty look of Elvis poster really caught my eyes outside their Suntec City boutique.

 Retail S$430, with necklace

Erika (smaller in print) is the kind looking little fairy who smiles and glitters in multi-coloured crystal without the devilish head 'antenna' of Elvis, and i adores Elvis scornful looks!

Elvis (in limited production of this Season) comes as a magical beetle pendant on a ruthenium-plated chain. His movable wings set in rusty epoxy and multi-coloured crystals, sparkle and glitter...

I do not have to own 1 though; i simply admire the designs.
All that glitters is a girl's best friend ;)

Crocs Sales!

White Pharma, Turquoise Athens in Sea foam ($20 each pair).

My dream for a White Crocs comes true today at the Crocs Singapore Expo Sales.

Unknowingly, i've bought a Pharma that's a particle compliant shoe, popularly used as a facility shoe in the Electronics and Pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, or a Cleanroom. Cool!

The Turquoise Athens is for Mum but in my size 4 in case she doesn't like them. And am glad she does :) Let me note: Hers to be 1 size larger than mine.

(I survived the Crocs sales today after being in the queue for an hour and finally entering the hall filled with fervent aficionado of Crocs! Mine is a petty buy; compare to others who are hauling bagful of shoes to the queuing payment counters!)

My 1st Crocs!

No, we wouldn't pay so much for a pair of Rubber shoes.

Crocs shoes are made of special Croslite material that's a proprietary Closed Cell Resin (PCCR) material which is NOT Plastic NOR Rubber.

Orange Off Road ($64.95), Mens Disney Athens ($49.95)

Super comfy wear but we've only got them now cos' of the hefty price tags. At this weekend Metro Warehouse Sales, we bought them at $25 per pair. It's a steal!

I had meant to buy Beach, the original Crocs model but none came in my size during this Sales.

I do wish to own more than a pair. Just receive this Crocs Sales notice from Ric. Be there or be sorry :) I'm dreaming of a Crocs shoe...