The 5 toe separator flip flops

My darlings,

I came across this product and it freaked me out.

 No offense to the Japanese inventors, I am sure they had good intentions and they're probably very comfortable. But they just look like shoes for aliens. 

I keep envisioning a skinny green alien, with those on.

And here's a little about these alien flip flops:

Look at those toes and how they're sticking out separately! hahaha..

What a delightful piece of footwear.

My favorite phrase would have to be "...delightful sense of oneness..." Could this be the national symbol or the national mascot or footwear for the next national campaign promoting "Oneness" and togetherness and unity.

(Picture credit: http://sg.bestbuy-world.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=103&products_id=8592)

Men at sales

I often wonder if this is a Chinese, Indonesian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Singaporean thing, that the guys are just whipped by their women? Never have I seen, in any other culture or race or country, where the women make their men stand outside the sale store, waiting for them or stand in line at the cashier while the woman carries on shopping. In fact, the men will handle every thing from holding the clothes, to lining up, to paying for the stuff, to carrying the shopping bags. 

I just don't know what those guys are thinking. I completely understand the woman controlling her man, but hello guys. Wake up?

Even though the shop's already reached it's maximum capacity, women are shoving and snatching things, the men are just taking up space, following their woman around like a pet. And they're going "Excuse me.." "Sorry..." as they navigate their way through the crowd.

MEN, WAKE UP! You deserve a say in this. Or am I wrong to think that they don't really want to be there? Could these men be enjoying it because they get to ogle at a sea of women while their woman is completely occupied with deciding which cardigan to try on? I have seen the guys check the other women out. It just makes me feel uncomfortable, a man in a female territory. It's like a woman going into the men's section. Guys do feel a little violated.

-SB

It's getting veeeeery dangerous out there!

Platform heels are everywhere! Sprouting like mushrooms and to my horror, I saw platform clogs among the platform heels. 

 

Imagine this, but without the peep toe. Platform clogs are by far the most hideous looking platforms out there. 

I gotta say, the usual platform heels aren't too bad looking, they're pretty nice if done right. 

However, I have to admit, nothing freaks me out more than seeing platform shoes. 

Is it getting really dangerous out there that women have to wear a form of weaponry to defend themselves? Cause those shoes could kill! I don't think any guy would ever mess with a woman in platforms, coupled with killer heels. We're talking a big whack between the legs with the platform sole and once you're down, a deep stab in your eye with the pencil thin heel, and you're a goner. Down long enough for the woman to get away from you or to teach you something you'll never, ever forget!

(credits: clog - http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/mules-and-clogs?fts=jeffrey+campbell+shoes, heel -http://www.charleskeith.com/shop/productinfo/SL1-60280013/hwindex.htm#)

Winter bride or the wicked witch gets hitched?

I came upon this window display at Ion Orchard a couple of days ago... 

I can't decide what the theme of this window display really is. I'm thinking "Winter Bride"?  Or "The wicked witch gets hitched on Christmas"? What do you think darling?

Either way, the little fake Chihuahua is quite adorably malicious. 

SB xx

The stamp cards

Hello darling,

I want to talk about the ever so popular stamp cards that shops love to give out as a form of loyalty marketing. "Get a stamp for every $30 spent!" And four stamps later, you land on a circle that entitles you to a $10 voucher. 

How fun is that? You look at the card and think "Only one more to go to a $10 voucher! :D"

Now my dears, before we get too excited about this, let's not get carried away. What are we really getting back here? After spending $120, (Four stamps of $30) you get $10 back? That's 8.33%. Would you seriously shop in a place that gives you a rebate of 8.33% after visiting them four times?

I'm not saying it's bad, but have you ever stopped to realize this?

TANGS gives its members a 6% rebate with each item you purchase, regardless of price. And during special sales that happen quite a few times a year, members get a 12% rebate. And that is exactly why I am a TANGS member.

-SB 

Velvet in the tropics

Hello my darling,

I was shocked to see a collection of different colored velvet slacks and pencil skirts in a particular shop that has outlets in many places in Singapore. (Velvet in tropical weather? It's true that this brand isn't local, but did they not bother to do any market research?) Unfortunately, I was unable to take a picture of this nightmare for your entertainment. Oh no, don't get me wrong, I'm not mistaking corduroy for velvet. The slacks and skirts I saw were velvet darling, VEL-VET.

I like velvet sweatpants, I think they're fun and comfy. But velvet slacks and pencil skirts are just passe. Has been. Finito.

And as I walked out of the store, to my horror I saw a collection of shocking, electric, hot pink long sleeve tees, tank tops and turtles necks. The long sleeve tees had a very shiny, silver threading tracing the round neck collar. Erm, honey, blinding much?

This shop will from now on, affectionately be known to me as the little shop of fashion horrors.

Till next time my darling.

Shopping Biatch

Tis the season to be fancy

Hello my love,

And the Christmas season is here, malls and Orchard Road are decked in glitz and glamor. No such thing as a simple Christmas, oh no, the glitzier, the better.

I gotta say, Orchard Road, the deep pink, shiny wind chime looking things that hang off each Christmas tree wire formation that line the road, twinkling in the light as the wind blows at them, along with the silver....Wait a minute, is this Christmas or Deepavali decor? (Purple Christmas tree picture credit: http://hoflich.com/Peter/blog/)

Metro at City Square Mall has several Christmas tree displays, lavishly decorated according to different themes. And how is it that the trees have not fallen under the weight of the over the top decorations? There's always tasteful and the other extreme, gaudy.

The trees are covered with ornaments and streamers, pretty large ornaments, glittery balls and masquerade masks just to name a few. The first thought that struck me was - Oh My God. Simple as that. Who puts masquerade masks and feathers atop a Christmas tree?

Oh puhlease, I'm no prude. But feathers, masquerade masks, big bells, streamers, glass balls - All on the same tree at the same time. There are just no words....

Happy Holidays my darlings, don't forget the glitter nail polish. ;)

Shopping Biatch XOXO

Battle of the nail polish

Hello my darlings,

As you know, nail polish is a staple in a woman's beauty regime. We all yearn to have a nice, wide array of colors to choose from - Same philosophy for lip gloss.

But lately, there have been, I feel, a madness for overpriced nail polish which are obviously overpriced because of its high demand due to branding.

I've never been a strong believer of the school of thought that expensive stuff is good stuff. I'm more concerned about looking for value for money. If the expensive stuff really is better, then I'm getting my value for money. But if it's just grossly overpriced, then I'll most likely give it a pass.

So what I'm trying to say here is, the overpriced nail polish isn't bad, but it isn't worth its value.

Let's take for example, Revlon. I was so unimpressed with the thin brush, lousy consistency of the polish and it chips after just one day! The nail polish is so thin and the thin, stiff brush results in lousy application.

OPI is all the rage now. Great stuff, but the matt colors disappoint. They are clumpy and too thick. Very difficult to apply. The issue I have with OPI is the crazy price. Going at $23.50 per bottle on an average. That's as much as a bottle of nail polish from Estee Lauder, which by the way, isn't impressive.

I tried nail polish from MAC and though the colors were great (as expected), the consistency was way too thick and it took forever to dry.

I got sick and tired of these expensive, over priced nail polish (I even saw a Japanese brand, half the size of an OPI bottle, going for S$18! At Far East Plaza. Now that's day light robbery)and decided to give the cheaper contenders a try.

What I really am looking for and what is really important in looking for a good nail polish is color, consistency, richness, brush, lasting anti-clumping abilities and fast drying.

THEFACESHOP has awesome value for money nail polish going at S$2.90. Great selection of colors. However, the consistency becomes awful after 3 applications.

Etude house - Good stuff! It isn't cheap, but it isn't expensive either. It's a reasonable price of $5+

I couldn't stop myself when I went to Aries and looked at the amazing selection of colors for their house brand and one called "Bisque" with beautiful packaging! Ironically, Bisque did not have a shade of bisque.

Aries wasn't bad for the price of S$2.90. But what really blew me away was Bisque.

It was only S$2.90 and the brush is soft and of the right size. The consistency is amazing! I bought a pale purple. With just 1 coat, I was able to have a nice rich color. And it was so smooth and so easy to apply, it looked as thought I grew purple nails! Amazing stuff. I bought two other colors - a light pink and a dark, tinted brown. Beautiful consistency. Just beautiful.

The darker colors can last up to 4 days without major chipping and the light pink lasted about 3 with major chipping.

I'm not saying that all the cheap stuff is great, I've tried some pretty bad, cheap crap. But you shouldn't give the cheap contenders a miss. You might just find a rose among the thorns. Your true answer to getting value for money.

SB out.

My October entry

Hello my darlings,

Yes, it has been a while. A long while. Believe it or not, I decided to give malls a rest. That's right. I wanted to refresh my mind, rid of all the comments and feelings I had, from the very beginning I started this blog.

But do not fret my shopping darlings, I am still THE shopping biatch. Rest assured, the bitching will keep flowing. For as long as I am passionate about shopping, I will keep nagging about the flaws and praise the well deserved praises to the high heavens. Nothing excites me more than to find something to sing praise about! And yet, nothing makes me madder and more sarcastic, than to come across something that disgusts me.

The shopping biatch is back. XO

-SB

The importance of window displays

Window displays make or break a shop and its collection. A good one can really push sales for certain featured items. I feel a stab in the heart when shops do not take their window displays seriously - not that it should be taken TOO seriously. You catch my drift.

I'm not talking about spending a bomb on window displays or putting in too much effort all year round, a simple and meaningful one can do wonders.

Here's the inspiration for this entry....

What on earth?! How did this happen? How could this happen? Why did this happen?!

At the rate this shop is going - they might as well not display any mannequin at all. Look at the choice of clothing on the mannequin. The tousled tuft of hair is one thing, the choice of clothing is horrific!

Ugh, I am disgusted and upset. It's no laughing matter - I don't think anybody wants their kid dressed like a 30 year old man.

SB out!

Probably the worst sale ever!

It's that time of year again my darlings - time for the Great Singapore Sale (GSS).

It's shit. And I'm being lenient in saying that. Here's why:

If it's a "GREAT" sale, then it should live up to its expectations. "Great" is just one level below "Fantastic" and not synonymous with "Shitty".

This year, local shops and overseas brands alike have sale sections and nett sections - simultaneously in the store. More often than not, the nett section takes up more space than the sale section. The sale section is not more than 30% off for decent merchandise and 50% off for clothes so bad, they might as well be rags.

You can't even begin to imagine the sheer disappointment I felt when I went shopping week after week since the GSS started, only to feel that the sale is meant to get rid of clothes not worth buying, even at a low price.

Really retailers! Toss out the nonsense and bring in the good stuff at good prices. Now that's a "Great" sale!

The only sale that was worth going for, was the Mango sale. Well done. For the rest - Shame-On- You! The Mango sale was great because they had extremely decent clothing at very low prices and the entire shop was on sale! No nonsense with the nett section and sale section thing. The whole damn shop was on sale. That's just how it should be and no other way.

Other retailers had 50% off torn clothes, stretched out/worn out clothes, stained clothes etc. These shouldn't be 50% off, they should be tossed out or sold at 90% off. And horror of all horrors, I saw stuff that I had seen at a previous sale months ago.

The problem is that there's a trend going around amongst the retailers to have a sale section in the shop all year round. So when the GSS comes around, they don't have anything good to put out on sale! So they take the left overs and pass them off as GSS sale items.

Where's the incentive to pay retail if you're gonna be on sale all year round? I might as well wait a couple of weeks or two months and that thing I wanted would be in the sale corner of the shop.

Can't tell you how many times I've paid retail for something only to find the price slashed by 30% two months later. Whatever items that can't be sold during a turn over (fresh arrival of new designs), should be kept until the GSS or end of year sale.

Till my next post my darlings - The GSS couldn't be more disappointing.

Sales people that say too much

Hello my darlings,

I find it necessary to address the issue of certain sales people saying too much. If you're in sales, please, PLEEEEASE ... never do this...

So I was at the Body Shop looking at some products on sale, particularly the face masks. A plump, bespectacled young sales lady, with her hair all tied up in a pony tail, including her fringe, she had porcelain skin and rosy cheeks, came up to me and insisted that I try the mask right then and there on my hand. I declined - big mistake - she went on for a full five minutes about HER experience using the different masks. From how often she uses certain ones, to why she likes certain ones, to which ones suit her on which day. And in between, she managed to shove in a secret - "Let me tell you a secret ok?", "yea?" I asked, to which she replied "Don't tell anyone but, I use a different mask every day." Followed by a giggle.

Thank you for the heartfelt session darling...here's my secret: I WISH YOU CAME WITH A MUTE BUTTON.

After she was done yapping away, she says, "Ok lah, don wan to disterb you." (Translated into proper English: I don't want to disturb you) and walks off.

A little too late for that isn't it darling?

And boy did she not mean what she said. I wish she meant it with as much sincerity as when she was telling me about her facial mask routine, because as I was paying for a purchase at the counter, she happened to be the cashier at that point in time (I always have such impeccable timing) and she went on and on about the wonderful latex sponges sold at the Body Shop and how I MUST get one because they're so good, oh the wonderful latex sponges sold at the Body Shop, I MUST get one, they're sooo good, oh the wonderful latex sponges...YOU GET MY DRIFT!

She shouldn't be wearing a name tag, instead, she should be wearing a tag that says "BEWARE- I YAP"...B-IY for short?

Just so you know, yapping does not sell - I didn't buy any facial masks or latex sponge.

Ciao my darlings. SB out.

My short reflection

Here's a question for you: Can you honestly go shopping without buying anything. Anything at all. Not even lip balm. Can you?

The restraint is impossible to maintain! What is it about shops and malls that make you want to buy something every single time you head out to one?

I say this because whenever I'm broke, I stay far away from any retail outlets. A trip out to a mall or shop must end with a bag of something, or I can't leave.

I need to learn the art of restraint in this area. It's a long and possibly impossible road to take.

But you know how it is, if you can't fight it, embrace it!

Love. SB.

Shopping hazards..3..2..1.

Hello my darlings,

I wanna address the issue of people being shopping hazards.

Nothing can be more unpleasant than coming across inconsiderate shoppers who make you want to do very unpleasant things to them. Here's my Shopping Hazard Top 3 Countdown....

Shopping hazard 3: The women with the big shopping bags

Yea sure I get it, you're splurging, having a great time, but being hit by your bags because you expect everyone to move out of your way - makes me want to do very unpleasant things to you. I've been scratched numerous times by the sharp edges of those fancy paper bags. To these women: It really ISN'T all about you.

Shopping hazard 2: The women with the redundant boyfriend/husband

Why do women bring their boyfriends or husbands to a sale?! Where's the logic in that? Ok, maaaaybe he handles the expenses and you need him to foot the bill - then get him to join you at the cashier. Don't drag your husband or boyfriend around the sale like he's your pet. We don't even have enough space to move about in a sale, last thing we need is someone redundant hanging around.

Shopping hazard 1: Attention seeking, noisy biatches

Really darlings, no one wants to know how you feel about a certain piece of clothing, bag or pair of shoes. NO ONE. So when you and your girlfriends start bitching or raving about something, keep it to yourselves. This means the following - no screaming, no screeching, no jumping or hopping about on the spot.

Silence is gold, shopping in peace and enjoying the ambient music is part of the shopping experience. Already, having to deal with the shoving and snatching isn't pleasant, the last thing any sane shopper wants is a screeching airhead or bunch of them.

I think I really need to reiterate this (since it's at the top of my list) - NOBODY CARES WHAT YOU THINK.

Disclaimer: These opinions are personal, general and for the sake of entertainment. They are not meant to offend anybody, just meant to highlight issues that need to be addressed.

Return of the Maxi Dress

Really darlings, is it time to see it again? Our friend the Maxi Dress?

Just a little over a year ago, it was "hot". Then came the short hiatus and now it'ssssss baaaaccckkk...

The problem is, like I said before, that if a trend has a short hiatus and finds it way back again, it just looks passe. It doesn't look new or refreshing. It just gives me the feeling of "oh, it's back." as opposed to "cool! It's actually back"

However, the good news is, designers have been refreshing the maxi dress and giving it a new look with new types of fabric and cuts. I'm talkin' chiffon and linen (not together on the same dress), although there are the typical cotton and rayon types. The upper part of the dress is no longer the usual spaghetti straps or tube tops - they're now available with fluttery straps, short butterfly sleeves and some with princess sleeves.

More printed materials are used and plain maxi dresses are almost non-existent. The prints are not quite the typical bohemian nor are they leaning towards the curtain type flower prints. The prints seem whimsical.

Even the tube top maxi dresses aren't just with plain smocking. They come with strings to fasten at the chest or an extension of the material to tie a bow with at the back.

So really, after all my bitching about this passe piece of clothing, passe as it may be, it has been reinvented. Just like a brownie with whipped creamed but instead of being topped with a cherry, it's topped with a blueberry.

Ciao my darlings. SB out.

Disappointing shopping trip

Hello my darlings,

I am utterly disappointed at the clothing shops at Far East Plaza. It used to be the place to go to for the coolest stuff. Casual, cheap clothing that's funky and fashionable.

But what did I see tonight when I was there? The same old stuff in every single shop. It's the kinda stuff you can find being sold on the local blog shops. It bores the hell out of me: Tailored dresses, frilly tops, see through tops, over embellished tops and dresses...What the hell is going on?!

I went there with every intention to buy cool casual wear. I'm talkin, cotton tanks, ribbed or non-ribbed, with awesome prints on them. Or casual tees. But what did I find? Stuff made for women who wanna look like dolls. Come on! Even the shorts had frills and little embellishments sewed onto them.

The only cotton tanks and tees were basics/plain and the usual little miss collection and vintage prints...like those don't get old (I say that with sarcasm. It's so over. Why don't they get it? It's so, oooverrr)

So that was one disappointing shopping trip to Far East Plaza. The whole damn place screams korean fashion, come shop for dolly clothes. Ugh!

Can't say that Mango's latest collection was any different. Frills, lace, tailored dresses, flower prints, ribbons, bows! MORE LACE!!

Looks like the lace, frills, bows and hideous flower prints are here to stay...for another season at least.

I've definitely seen enough of those....will someone please pass me a plastic bag? I feel sick.

Ciao my dears. - love, SB

The $9,400 Kinokuniya guys

Hello my darlings,

I was at Kinokuniya today at Ngee Ann City. I picked up a mothers' day gift and a birthday present for my sis.

I was at the cashier, paying for the books when I heard a woman saying..."Nine Thousand, Three hundred and Forty-Six". I turned to look, and there were two African men whipping out thousand dollar bills, hundred dollar bills and fifty dollar bills. I looked at the amount shown on the cash register...it really was $9,346. I couldn't believe my eyes, nearly 10 grand on books?! And they were paying it all in CASH?! Cold hard cash!

There was a whole pile of a wide variety of books sitting on the counter. I didn't observe what kinda books they were, I was way too distracted watching all that cash coming out of the man's wallet.

Now that's one crazy situation I'll never come across again in my life.

Till next time darlings, happy shopping.

Training for the Great Singapore Sale

One thing men would NEVER understand: Why women get so violent during sales.

The Great Singapore Sale is THE sale of the year. And I was at a mall the other day when I saw women training...in the mall...for the Great Singapore Sale. Well apparently, here're a few things you need to know to have a successful shopping experience...meaning...getting the great bargains and making sure you get what you want - not letting that gorgeous bag leave with some other woman! The only woman leaving with THAT bag...IS YOU!

You'll thank me for this...courtesy of Amore fitness...:

Step 1: Get ready to charge for that bag, sitting there on the shelf..only one piece..












Step 2: Some biatch got to the bag first! It's punch time...aim anywhere. Just make sure it'll hurt enough for her to drop THAT bag!












She's still clutching onto it.

Step 3: Knee her ... anywhere!












Step 4: Brace yourself for a counter attack...biatch, bag, hitting the crap out of you..DEFEND!













Sale's in June, you've got a month to train..all the best. Remember, it's not the strength..it's the technique! ;)

*This article was meant for the purpose of entertainment only and for no other purpose. Actual activity in the pictures was a Tae Bo demonstration by Amore fitness at City Square Mall.

Orchard Central vs Ugly Skirt

Hello my darlings,

Long hiatus...

I was planning to talk about Orchard Central (OC), about my experience there, checking it out, seeing for myself ... why all the bad publicity... here's what I have to say about OC: scary, trapped, anxiety, panic, acrophobia, sweaty palms, sad, buzz kill, glass labyrinth, claustrophobic and boring.

I was all up for talking about OC until I saw this SKIRT!! Totally overrides OC.

Hokay, when you go shopping and see a skirt like this...you know it's horrific enough to be stuck in your mind for a couple of days. So many questions come to mind, lookin at this skirt.

But the biggest question of all is WHY!:

1. Why was it designed
2. Why is it sold
3. Why was it approved for production
4. Why would the designer think it was fit for human use

WHY!

I wouldn't even wear it in the dark. I'd rather be naked.

TSB (The Shopping Biatch) out!

Charles & Keith

I take pride in talking about our successful local, high street fashion brand Charles & Keith. They sell sunglasses, belts, wallets, bags and shoes.
They have improved so much over the past 3 years, I applaud their taste and foresight.
What's great is that they have something for everyone in two age groups: The young lady and the slightly more mature woman.
The designs are "designer" and the quality is well worth the money you pay. The prices are so affordable you don't think much before buying that shoe or bag that you feel you can't carry on with your week without.
The store layout is classy and chic. The sales representatives are friendly and helpful.
I need to find something I can bitch about or this wouldn't be an entry for this blog.
I'm sorry C & K, but I have to do this.
So one of the things I feel could be improved, is some of the over the top designs, which I feel are a little scary. They look experimental and no doubt, they're on the sale racks and don't seem to be leaving them. So why do they keep designing stuff like that every collection?
It's not just Charles & Keith, but every brand seems to have some oddly designed pieces or weird eccentric ones. Why? Because we could live without them. Although I must admit that these pieces do provide a dose of comic relief while shopping. Wouldn't it be boring if everything was just so "nice" with nothing to laugh at or make fun of?
Ta my darlings. Kiss kiss.