Clarisonic Aria portable ultrasonic face cleanser brush. Perfect for frequent travellers.

I have 2 Clarisonic devices in my possession. A Clarisonic Plus, for use at home and an Opal, for my wrinkly eyes. Now, the Aria makes three.. But, I getting ahead of myself... let me start from the beginning.

I was lazy guy when it comes down to cleaning my face. For me, all it takes to clean my face is with soap (any kind of body soap that is within reach) and water. Simple and fuss-free. On one of my holiday travels to the USA, my colleague asked me to get something for her from Amazon.com. It was a Clarisonic deep cleansing brush. I was like, "what is this brush? How do U clean your face with it?". It was then that my colleague introduced me to Clarisonic. It seems like a good idea. Fast moving brush to lift off dirt, much like the brushes one sees at a car wash. But it was too expensive. There must be a cheaper alternative. I was not going to spend money on a "beauty" device. Lol.  I got myself an Olay Pro-X cleansing system. It works, but I wanted something better, something that can be used for the face, as well as for my back. Ah, the Clarisonic Plus is ideal as there is an option for an extension handle, perfect for my scaly back. So I got me a Clarisonic Plus. And the rest is history.

The Opal comes next. I needed something for the crow's feet around the eye area. So, on my last trip to USA, I got me an Opal. It works. Now my eyes are a little bit smoother, less of a crow. I like both of my gadgets.

I do quite a fair bit of overseas travel. The Plus to me is just too big for my toiletries bag and quite cumbersome as the charger is large and not portable. A new brush is needed. But, what to get? A Mia (cheapest and smallest)? Mia 2 or the Aria?

Mia and Mia 2 is out. Both vibrate at lower ultrasonic speeds that is not so suitable for thicker, coarser men's skin (as mentioned the the lovely sales person at the counter) My ideal choice would be the Aria. Why? It is a 3 speed brush, the same as the one I was used to with the Plus.

I got myself a masculine, discreet black Aria. LOL!!!!

The Aria uses inductive charging technology via its plink cable.

The cable is USB on one end and the magnetic charging head on the other.  This makes it easy for me to bring it around during my travels. I can just plug the USB cable to any of my iPad or iPhone USB adapters. I do not even have to carry the cumbersome stand or USB plug around. Small and light. Just the way I like it.

 

Alternatively, if one is not using it for travel, the plink cable can be attached to the stand and be used as a charging station. How neat is that.

For me, as I will be using the Aria for my travels, I will not be using the stand, just the magnetic charging head.

I am so glad that I got myself the Aria. My skin takes a beating whenever I am away from home. Breakouts and pimples always accompany me on my travels. But now, hopefully, not anymore. My cleansing routine will not be interrupted no matter where I am in the world. And that, makes a world of difference to me.

Louis Vuitton Celebrating Monogram range

I had a chance to view the bags from the Louis Vuitton Celebrating Monogram range. I must say, the bags are interesting. Some are also downright scary. Lol

All the bags comes with a special dust bag with the celebrity's initials and a monogram name tag.

Rei Kawakubo

First on the chopping block. Rei Kawakubo's bag.

I am like, what???!!!!!!! What is this? A bag.. with giant holes? who in the right mind would buy a bag that will probably spill out its contents in like seconds. However, I was informed that the bag comes with a drawstring pouch to ensure that its contents will not spill out.

I guess that much is true, but why would someone design something with giant holes. However, I was told that the design of the bag is so her.. She did something similar before in her designs...  Personally, I would not buy a bag with giant holes, though the perforated bag I own from Louis Vuitton is nice.

Christian Louboutin

I just love this handbag. The red wax detailing, the red pony hair leather at the back and the studs.. Simply stunning.

Frank Gehry

This is an interesting trunk/handbag. Petit, but hard. I love the curves.. Also, currently, the Louis Vuitton boutiques I visited had window displays that feature a collaboration with Frank Gehry. I find the displays interesting.. Nice sails.. And, on a recent trip to Chicago, I saw something similar, an outdoor auditorium, and it reminded me of Louis Vuitton and Frank Gehry.. True enough, the building was designed by him. Funny how something so trivial as a window display leads me to read up of architecture and buildings and the recognition of the designer. Lol. My friend was impressed by my knowledge on buildings.. little did he know..

Marc Newson

Oh these are cute bagpacks. So hug-gable and cuddly. These bagpacks are not only cute, but are functional as well.

There are compartments for laptop, pens, knickknacks. Can be accessed in a variety of ways, even from the back.

There is an opening (where the straps are) where once can access the pens and stuff in the backpack. How convenient.

There is also a hidden handle at the top...  Look closely and U can see the outline of the handle.

Cindy Sherman

I find the camera messenger bag designed by Cindy Sherman to be a dissapointment.

The handbag is cute. I just love the soft leather shoulder strap, the nice cute little poster and the tie strings. I am however very disappointment at the finishing of the bag. It looks raw and unfinished. Maybe that is the intention of the designer, but I think it looks really bad. What do I mean by unfinished. Here is proof.

See the leather handle bits sewed onto the strap. Also, once can also see the stitching where the stickers are sewed onto the bag. Also, the joints and bits of overlapped canvas can also be seen. I find that disturbing. Most luxury bags have nice lining hiding all the sewing and joints, etc.. This bag just looks bad internally. Maybe that is the intention of the designer. But, I think it is just lazy.

Karl Lagerfeld

Punching bags handbags

These are cute handbags....

 The attention to detail is amazing.

Internally, at the base, there is a hidden pocket with zip. I was told that the pocket is a good and safe place to hold money. Ah.... Why would someone want to hide money when a thief could just steal the whole handbag. lol

Personally, I find this handbag a bit hard to handle, especially the largest one. Try if for yourself, if U are at the boutique.

Boxing gloves

Oh, these are lovely gloves.

Maybe I should use these for my boxing exercise. Lol.. and it comes with a matching mat. Also, there is card with a QR code that comes with the bag that leads U to a website that teaches U boxing exercise in conjunction with the gloves and the matching mat. How convenient.

The gloves and mat is stored inside a matching bag that can be used on its own. I am not sure on what occasion I would use the bag, but, I guess, if there is a bag, there is a use for it.

I still cannot make up my mind on what to get for myself, however, if I were to get anything from this range, I will post an update. Stay tuned.

Louis Vuitton Mens Fall/winter 2014 part II

I thought I was done with  Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2014 bags and stuff.. But I was wrong.
I just met with one of the more handsome bags that Louis Vuitton had produced.

Meet the Travel Messenger in Mirrored Calf leather.

This is seriously one good looking bag. Will sure to turn heads, lol, since it is so bright and loud, but in a good way. The bag is made of calf leather and in silver, not reflective like a mirror, just a dull, almost tin like. Simply chic. I understand that the bag's zipper is similar to the ones used in Louis Vuitton waterproof bag line... which makes this bag waterproof, I guess.. but I don't think one would carry this bag anywhere near water. It even comes with a pouch to keep small things together.

The asking price for this bag... only $15900 sgd. Scary aint it.

There are other bags that makes up the fall/winter 2014 bags. Flat portfolio in 2 colors. Kindly note that these portfolio comes only with 1 handle. Not 2.. just 1.. go figure.

Fragrance Du Bois' Sahraa Oud - My love affair with Oud grows stronger

I just love Oud. Not just the stringed instrument, but the fragrance (Agarwood) as well. It all started some time back with a whiff of Le Labo's Oud 27, an interesting, stimulating, but, also a perfume that evokes polarizing views from people around U. It is either a U love it, or hate it kinda perfume. I did some research on Oud, its origins, its uses, and its place in religion. I was drawn. It got me intrigued. It got me excited. I even got me an Oud (from Brunei) essential oil as well as Rose Oud (made from 100% essential oils) from a fragrance boutique locally. I am so in love.

I tried some other commercial Oud based scent, but somehow, the scents did not evoke any interest or emotion, until I came across an article in the local papers about a fragrance house, Fragrance Du Bois, and their extensive use of Oud in their perfume. Not only that, the fragrance house uses Oud obtained from their sustainable plantations (they plant 1 teak tree and 1 Aquilaria tree (where oud is obtain)) in Thailand. I was intrigued, not only with their Oud fragrances, but also with the brand ethos. I made my way to Fragrance Du Bois boutique, which was just recently opened at The Fullerton Hotel, and got me something precious.

 

There are 8 perfumes in the Shades Du Bois range, the latest being Oud Noir intense (launched during the Singapore Grand Prix). I like them all, but somehow only 1 perfume stood up amongst the chatter of scents. lol.. and I took notice almost immediately. It is the Sahraa Oud from the Privé collection. I just love, love, love it.

Sahraa Oud

I do not know what to make of the perfume. It is intense, sensual, erotic, warm, enveloping, long lasting and evokes a sense of mystery and excitement. It is the Cassanova of perfume. All that, from just a whiff of the perfume on my skin. The longer I had it on, the nicer it becomes, more mellow, and a nice dry down at the end of the day. 

I understand that Fragrance Du Bois uses Oud that are more than 20 years old for this scent. I guess, Oud oils ages like wine, the older it is, the better the smell.

The bottle is also interesting. It is an exquisite handmade crystal bottle, people.

I got this from Fragrance Du Bois press release:
"Sahraa Oud from their premium Privé collection, a bespoke Oud fragrance with the added subtlety of Rose Absolute, capturing the essence of desert wilderness; the vastness of windswept sand dunes of the Arabian Desert combined with hope and elusive qualities of an oasis; strong, woody, musky with an intoxicating hint that reveals the fresh, sweet, sensual and stimulating scent of nature."
 I guess they can say it better than me. LOL

Guess what..... Sahraa Oud is also an Art and Olfaction Award Finalist, Independent Category. Icing on the cake.

The packaging

Sahraa Oud is packaged in a beautiful wooden (highly reflective) lacquered black box. Simply stunning.

Oh, U would need a key (provided) to open the box. This is to ensure that nobody else could get their grubby hands on your precious.

The perfume, on its velvet bed

The boutique

Array of perfume on display