Bag of the day - DKNY red handbag

It was raining, but doesn't stop me to wear red...

The bag is from DKNY 2012 collections in chino-red (£110).

;)

Mad about her: Cath Kidston

Cath Kidston Large Zip Bag (in Nottinghill Rose)

I bought this bag last week through the website sale. The retail price was £30 and it was on sale for £20. 33.33% off! I chose the free store collection option (standard UK delivery is £3.95 and free if you spend more than £50). I got a notification that the bag is ready for collection in one week time; quite a long period in my opinion. Yesterday, I went to the store and picked up my ‘new best friend’.

 

The lovely packaging... Love it!

Front view

Inside view. Little pocket

When I got this bag, I'm in cloud nine because I find it so handy! The long handle is totally brilliant. I own two carry-all bags, and so far, I'm very happy with it but this bag is at another level - the long handle. I can put everything in it that I need! School books, folders, food, water bottle and clothes! Not to mention the oilcloth material. It’s really helpful on rainy day... I can see myself using it as an overnight bag for trips or sleepovers and it's great for looking trendy and fashionable! But if the bag has the small pocket outside rather than inside pocket, it would be a perfect bag...

More on Cath Kidston at http://www.cathkidston.co.uk

Enjoy!

Review: Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm

Chubby Stick Moisturising Lip Colour Balm is a lip treatment with sheer colour that relieves dry, cracked lips and provides immediate moisturisation. The unique pencil-style applicator provides easy to apply sheer soft lip colour and rolls up for ease of use - Clinique

Oh my! Where should I begin? It took me 3 months before I finally gave in and bought this product. Not that I don't trust the product or the brand but simply because of the price; £16. Furthermore, I was with my trusted lip balm Nivea Fruity Shine Lip Balm (Cherry) for 10 years. So, obviously it was difficult to change. But sadly (or actually a 'greenlight' to buy), this type of Nivea lip balm is not available in the UK...

People keep comparing the Chubby Stick with Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain, but it is totally different things. Chubby Stick is more buttery in texture and moisturising.  It stayed (surprisingly) for a long time. It glides smoothly on the lip. This balm is highly rated by the fashion magazine and I once saw Nicole Scherzinger wear this balm in Peony Pink.

This chubby stick comes in 16 colours.  It weight 3 g - pretty decent amount of product. From my experience, it could last up to 3 months of usage (I used it 5-6 days per week). I'm not sure about other colours but from the swatch test at the counter, the colours are all sheer, not as strong as stated - again, it's not a lipstick. So, it will not have full coverage. I chose 07 Super Strawberry because I really into red lip. I can wear it alone or over-layer it with another lipstick for dramatic effect. I used this balm throughout winter and my lips did not get chapped even once!

The only con about this balm is the colour. I personally, strongly advise to not to buy it from on-line without testing it first. The colour / swatch is nothing like the shade shown in the picture. Totally different! I also read a lot of people got frustrated due to the colours’ effects on them. I strongly suggest you to drop by the counter and test it before you buy. After that, you can go ahead buying it on-line or just buy it from the counter.

I would like to recommend this product to you although I'm still not really satisfied with the price tag, yet I'm now using my second stick... I know Clinique is a luxury brand but for a lip balm? Hurm... Well, I just imagine that I am buying a Clinique's skin care. Nevertheless, it depends on you. For me, it serves its purpose; that is the most important thing. No wonder people preceded me are willing to pay £16 for a lip balm...

My verdict:

Price: 2/5

Colour: 4/5

Application: 4/5

Reliability: 5/5

Overall experience: 4/5

Muah!!!

Travel with style: Longchamp Le Pliage Travel Bag in Fir

The size is 45 x 35 x 23 cm (RRP £67). As you know, Le Pliage is totally a brilliant bag. Although it looked like a square bag, it offer a lot of space and doesn't add up to the scale as the bag itself is really light. So you can save you luggage weight allowance there. Plus point!

(Secret: There were two A2 sized paintings, travel documents, compact camera, DSLR, some clothes, chips, water bottle, and a lot of cheeses in the bag)

Travelog: Amsterdam - My top 10...

I just came back from Amsterdam; my second visit. I'm not going to write billions of words describing about my holiday, just 10 short conclusions...

#1 Accommodation in Amsterdam can be expensive depending on the season. I went there during Easter weekend. The city was packed by tourist and coincidently there was a fun fair at Dam Square, in front of Madame Tussauds. I stayed at Rozengracht area for €75 per night (twin room with shared bathroom). I guess that's okay looking at the location. You can find cheaper option outside the city area. A lot of hostel in the city area accommodated by young tourists / travellers  it might not suitable for family. 

#2 The self service machine in the train station doesn't accept foreign credit/debit cards. You have to buy your train ticket(s) from the counter with additional €0.50 charges. But you can use your debit card at the counter. You can buy tram ticket from the conductor or tram driver. They only sell 1 hour and 24 hours tickets (for unlimited journey). 

#3 Food. Not many options - just standard European cuisine. A lot of steakhouse - can be expensive. Also have a lot of kebab house. Allocate €10-12 per meal per person. Be careful on the price and additional offer, as a lot of restaurant didn't include the service tax (10%) and government tax (17%). The bread they serves you is not free. You might be surprise when you received your bill. Do ask if you're not sure before ordering. Amsterdam is famous for this particular chips/fries. Not that delicious, just plain chip with variety of sauce choices; €3-5. 

My favourite is the Indonesian food. In the centre of Europe, I'm hankering for Malay cuisine. I found this restaurant; Iboenda at De Clercqstraat 65, Amsterdam (tram number 13 and 17). This place serves authentic and halal Indonesian food. Price range €9-12.50 per person. Also offer set menu. Open from 2 pm 9 pm.

  Set Menu: White rice, 2 options of vegetables, egg sambal (chilli sauce) and 2 options of meat. Price €9.95

#4 Don't bother to walk around the city to find the cheapest cheese(s) and souvenir(s). The prices are basically the same; maybe 10-50 cents difference. Better to spend the time visiting city attractions. The best place to find all your souvenirs is Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market) at Singel River between Muntplein and Koningsplein in the city southern canal belt (Tram 1, 2 and 5). 

Typically they sell 3 fridge magnets for €5. Cheap! Also have simpler one for €1. You can sample free cheese in the shop. The seller are really generous with the amount of samples :) A lot of marijuana-theme merchandises sold such as ash tray, t-shirt, mug, paper weight even an ice tray. It’s up to you check first whether it is legal to bring back such merchandise(s). But official merchandise at museum shop can cost €5 and above. Maybe due to copyright. 

The most famous brand Henri Willig

#5 Red Light District - Next to Dam area. Overrated. It was totally different ambiance compared to my 2011's visit. Less crowded. Maybe because of the timing... I heard the authorities implement more stringent 'selling policy' towards visitors. Definitely the place for 'that' type of people. Tourists / travellers with children don't worry about this area. It is well 'protected' by red light post around (marking) the area. So you can know if you're entering the area. You must be careful when touching other people in that area. Your clothes / coat might contact with that 'thing' and might get you into trouble during immigration inspection. It is better for you to avoid the place. You can't even take photo in the area. 

#6 Careful with the Amsterdam's traffic flow especially for those with kids. Traffic in Amsterdam is madness as cars, trams, cyclists and pedestrians are sharing the same route. Extra precaution with the cyclist! 

#7 City attractions. There are a lot of museum in Amsterdam. Sadly, all museum charged admission fee. Even Rembrandt's reproduction paintings at Magna Plaza (shopping complex) has admission fee. So plan ahead which museum / attraction that you want to visit. The queue could be crazy. For example, people queuing for 100 meters ++ just to enter the Anne Frank House - its not even the original house. Start your day early and if you have chance to buy tickets on-line, do it!  

#8 Communication. Not a problem. Most Dutch speaks English very well. Just be careful with tickets and deals (combination tickets) terms and conditions. It might create a major misunderstanding. Read any small print carefully so that you buy the best promotion. 

#9 Shopping. Not much but Amsterdam has more American brand outlets compared to the UK. The souvenirs are more cheaper than Paris. 

#10 Expenses. In my opinion, holidaying in Amsterdam is still considered as affordable for both for single traveller or family, as long as you doing your 'homework' about what you're going to do. 

Amsterdam is really beautiful with unique architecture. Just pray that the weather has mercy on you during your trip.