Saturday, December 12, 2009

My Mon Monogram Speedy 30 in Burgundy & Ivory stripes

We were in KL on Friday as it was a public holiday for the state of Selangor. Our initial plan was to do some stock check and a little Christmas shopping but hubby suggested that we should visit LV store at Starhill Gallery since it's close by. Last night, he asked me what I'd fancy from LV and we went through the website together to decide on my choice of handbag. I'm a classic at heart so I've decided that I would want a Monogram Neverfull MM / Speedy 25 or a Damier Speedy 25 / Neverfull MM but hubby didn't like the latter so my options are narrowed.

So, after the stock check and lunch at Societes Cafe, we walked to the LV store a couple of blocks down. We knew what we wanted so we asked the Sales Associate to get us the bag. The SA showed us a Speedy 25 and Speedy 30 for both Monogram and Damier models. Somehow I prefered a 25 because of its dainty size and the bottom doesn't sink easily but a 30 would be more practical to contain Jacob's stuff. Beside, in terms of price, the difference is only RM100 or so. Hubby preferred a 30. Alas, we decided on a 30 and planned on returning the next day to get it. As we were about to leave, we were intrigued by the hot stamping services whereby they allow customers to have their name or initials stamped on the soft side of the bag. On that very day the hot stamping machine was located at the entrance of the store so we could see how they do it. I think this is very wise as it creates a buzz in the store. Usually, the hot stamping is done behind the store but due to the Christmas season, the machine is placed near the main entrance.

I wanted to get my Speedy Mini Lin 30 Dune stamped on but the queue was long and was told to return after 1pm. Since we are returning tomorrow, we decided to put that on hold and hop in to Pavilion to look for a gift for mom. As I was busylooking at one of their displayed Monogram Speedy 30 which has a yellow stripe and ABC emblazoned in the centre, one of their Private Client Relation enquired if we would be interested to have a look at the colour palletes available for the bag I was eye-ing. The PCR began explaining to us how it works and offered to show us how the different colour palletes would look on the bags. After much persuasion, he then led us into a private lounge behind a tempered glass mirror. We were greeted by the warm lighting used in the room which consisted of a 3 piece sofa set with matching pillows nestled on the side and a coffee table in the centre. Sitting at the corners of the wall are displays of their classic handbags and a 32 inch computer touch screen where the Mon Monogram magic begin.

The PCR directed us to the screen and just as we were about to start, a bunch of 'colourful' women in their mid 50's, joined us. Much to the dismay of the PCR as they weren't invited in. Apparently they towed behind when they saw hubby and me entered the room. So, the PCR showed me the screen and demonstrated how we can personalised our monogram speedy (the Mon Monogram is only available for Monogram Speedy and Keepal). There are two kinds of stripes: (1) two thick stripes and (2) one thick stripes with thin stripes on both sides. Your hand painted initials (limited to only three letters) will be emblazoned in the centre of the bag. You can choose to have your painted stripes down right in the middle or have it painted diagonally on one corner of the bag. Once you have selected the type of stripes and style, you can select your two choice of colours from a pallete of sixteen vibrant colours available. Once you've confirmed your design, the SA will key in your name and address into the order page and send the order directly to Paris via a click of the mouse. The stripes and initials will be painted onto the canvas before the bag is sewn and completed in LV workshop at the Asnieres, located just outside Paris. And in four weeks, you can collect your Mon Monogram from your local LV store, freshly baked and personalised!!

Later that evening, I found out that hubby had signalled to the PCR that he would be coming back to pay for the order as he wanted to surprise me but the PCR let the cat out of the bag by saying "See you tommorrow". Hubby thought I heard it, which I did not. It was his Christmas gift to me.

The next day when we returned to the store, we headed for the LV store but the PCR hasn't started his shift yet so we had lunch at Pavilion. At 1pm, we were in the LV store again. Left my old Speedy Mini Lin with Sidney, the hot stamping expert who is skilled in hot stamping onto a Speedy (apparently others wouldn't agree to do it on a Speedy). Met up with the same PCR who took us into the lounge again for a final confirmation.

I've selected the vertical stripes (a thick stripe with two thin stripes on the sides) with two letters and a dot in between the letters. Being a classic fan, I've chosen a classic colour: Bordeaux (burgundy red to match the burgundy piping on the side) and Ivory colour. I think it looked fabulous. And I have to wait for a month!!

The price of a mon monogram is about 35% more than what a monogram will cost. A Monogram Speedy 30 is RM2750 but a Mon Monogram Speedy 30 will cost you RM3850.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Christmas Shopping

It's that time of the year again... Christmas is just around the corner. My favourite time of the year.

Went shopping yesterday with mum, dad, and two sisters. I got myself a pair of leather, hand painted clogs worth RM88 and mom got me two dresses - a cheongsam (RM139) and a casual dress (Rm58) from the Curve. It is her Christmas present to me and I told her "You already got me a skirt from Miss Selfridge" and she said "Nevermind lah". It was nice.



Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
Our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
Our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.
Through the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
This Christmas song was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane and made famous by Judy Garland in the 1944 film "Meet Me in St. Louis".

1 year old - in 3 DAYS!!

My little Jake will be truning 1 year old very very soon. At this point of of time last year, I was heavily pregnant and anxious for his birth. Now, the infant that I craddled in my arms a year ago has grown so much and this is his estimated vital stats:

Skin Colour - Peaches & Cream
Eye Colour - Chestnut Brown
Hair Colour - Light Brown with a tint of gold
Height - 76 cm
Weight - 11kg
No of Teeth - 4 (upper), 2 (lower)

Abilities
(1) crawl,
(2) climb,
(3) mutter a few words like pa pa, mum mum (when he is hungry), ma (as in Ah Ma, so Ah Ma's effort is not in vain), burd (as in bird), and ma mee (rare but treasured).
(4) roll tongue,
(5) do the 'tak tak' sound with his tongue,
(6) wave goodbye,
(7) bite and pull hair when agitated ( especially when his Ah Yee 'Jo Sin' disturbs him when he tries to nap),
(8) empty your purse (literally)
(9) smiles a lot
(10) sacrifice his precious sleep to keep up with the adults
(11) gives out a loud yell and grins cheekily when he sees Ma Ma, Kong Kong, Ah Yee & Joyce.
(12) eats almost anything

Character - very loving, affectionate, patient, has good temperament, well behaved, chi chai
Notable Traits - rarely cry and is talkative
Favourite Food (at 10 mths old) - rice with fried foo yong egg and kiong cheong kai (ginger chicken), parmesan cheese, spaghetti carbonara, chicken porridge, fish porride, beancurd (any style except cold).
Favourite Fruits - apple, orange, kiwi

So Jacob, when you're big enough to read and understand all this, you'll know how you've been as a 1 year toddler. Everyone loves you to bits.

And we celebrated your first birthday dinner on 5 Dec 2009 at Dave's Pizza in One Utama Shopping Complex. Let me recall what we ordered - Carbonara Cream Meatballs, Olio Mushroom, Olio Meatballs,1/2 meter Ham and Bacon Mayonnaise Pizza, Garganelli Pasta and Gralic Bread. You had a bit of Pa Pa's carbonara spaghetti and a chocolate cake Ma Ma bought for you. The food and company was great! Your Ah Yee has the pics in her digital camera.