I want: The Gap Dip-dye Boyfriend shirt

This outfit screams “me”.

Jeans: check! Ballet flats: check!

The only thing I lack is the shirt.

I love that the fit is relaxed, but still close to the body. And the ombre/dip-dyed treatment with the lighter blue bottom makes it more interesting than a regular solid-color shirt.

The only things stopping me from buying this are: (1) the price, although I justify it by the fact that it’s a 30-70 silk-cotton blend (I sure hope that doesn’t mean this is dry-clean only) and (2) I’ll rarely get to wear this since I wear a uniform to work everyday (I barely get to wear the clothes I already have).

But I want iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit (in a whiny, bratty voice). Arrrrrrgh.

Boots in a tropical country aren’t entirely stupid, right?

Before you answer with “yes, they are!” hear me out first.

First of all, I’m not talking about shearling-lined Burberry Prorsum. I’m talking about leather boots, not shoes to keep me from getting frostbite in subzero weather.

Would you laugh at me if I bought these?

Second, they’re flat and are of a reasonable lower-than-mid-calf shaft height, so they are not entirely impractical and unusable in moderate weather.

Third, they are a lovely cognac color that would go with practically every outfit.

Fourth, the country I live in is not ALWAYS warm. We get cold spells, too, like we’re experiencing right now. And it’s been a long one, lasting about a couple of weeks now. And besides, my family and I go up to Baguio a couple of times a year. I could use the boots there.

 

Would I care if you laughed at me if I bought these?

Fifth, they’re on sale! At 45% off!

So, have I justified buying them already, even if I live in a tropical country? Shouldn’t reason number 6 be enough? Reason 6 being that I really, really want them?

Stock photo from Zappos.com

I think I’m in Love

I never, ever should have gone in. If I’d only known the turmoil that fateful decision was going to cause, then I wouldn’t have stepped foot in the store. But how could I have known? I’ve seen photos of the Prada Saffiano Leather Top Handle Bag before, and it has never really drawn me in.

 

But when I stepped into the Prada store at ION Orchard in Singapore, the small version, on display on a table right by the entrance caught my eye. It was black, and the proportions were lovely, and I liked its no-nonsense box shape. I never really liked very structured bags, but this one really caught my fancy. And then when I saw the bag in a bigger size, I was doomed. I was in love.

 

The cobalt blue is absolutely gorgeous. It gives your outfit a bright pop of color, without being over the top. You could still have fun with it, but it would still be appropriate for more serious occasions or a very formal work environment.

I’m torn between the blue and the red. The red is beautiful as well, the perfect shade. Some reds tend to be too fiery, too fire engine red. On some bags that would be fine, don’t get me wrong, but with something as structured and as formal as this, such a shade would be inappropriate. The subtle but still unmistakable red still grabs the attention, but isn’t screaming for it.

It took my fear of debt collectors every ounce of self-control to not swipe away and go home with this baby. And I was definitely tempted. A Chinese woman who was came into the store a few minutes after I did bought one of only two pieces of the blue version, so there was an added “What if someone else buys it before I do?” panic added to my already confused state of mind. I had to leave for the airport at 9pm, and was at the store at around 8, so I had about an hour to think about it. I had the final blue one put aside under my name for the night. I actually wandered around the façade of ION Orchard for a few minutes, absentmindedly going around in circles, so lost in thought (yes, such is the effect of a beautiful handbag on a woman). It took frantic WiFi research, a Starbucks cheesecake slice and panicked text messages to friends to calm me down and convince me that buying it in such an expensive country as Singapore does not make sense at all. So, alas, I went home empty-handed.

But I still haven’t given up on this dream. I suppose it’s just not the right time. Besides, I haven’t even decided yet, blue or red?

photo from saksfifthavenue.com

I may have a problem

A ballet flat-specific one.

I’ve loved them since I seriously began caring about what I wore on a daily basis (college), and I’ve always had a pair on hand (or two or three) since then. Mostly black, but some gold or silver, and in a multitude of materials: leather, fabric, leatherette. There is just something timeless about ballet flats, something inherently chic and elegant about them. They look good with practically anything, dresses, skinny jeans, wide-legged jeans, leggings, shorts. And, except maybe for sneakers, nothing could beat them for comfort. They’re stylish and you don’t actually have to learn how to walk in them (as I need to with heels).

What more could a girl ask for?

Well, more ballet flats, for one thing.

Which is why I succumbed to the temptation, and ended up buying TWO pairs of flats last week. I was only in the market for one, because my current pair was literally falling apart, and my mom was actually threatening to throw them out already. So I really needed (ehem.) to buy a pair. I settled on the below, from Topshop. They were leather, and I liked the way they fit my feet. They are as basic as ballet flats could be, which is the entire point anyway.

I needed these

My second purchase, however, was entirely unplanned and, I admit, totally unnecessary. But, I absolutely COULD NOT RESIST. I came home from work and my mom showed me the pair she bought (in black), and within about 15 minutes, we were on our way to buy me a pair. They were so “me” and the leather was so soft, and they would go with anything, and they were classic but modern at the same time, and they were comfortable, and the two-tone was design was such a cute twist… Did I mention they were so “me”?

I DIDN'T need these.

Sorry, I’m rambling. I just really  need to justify the exorbitant purchase love these flats, and I can’t stop going on about them. So here they are. My Tory Burch Caroline ballet flats in Tory Navy/Tory Red.

They’re so lovely, they’re killing me. And, the things, I won’t even get to wear these at work.

Like I said, I have a problem.