It’s Friday and welcome to my first post on Online Shopping Inspirations. Today’s post is about designer handbags, almost every woman’s pride and joy! Yay!

Recently, I got my eye on a Gucci Joy Medium Boston Bag. This is one of the most traditional handbags from the line of Gucci Luxury Handbags. Made from GG plus fabric with contrast leather trim, this handbag goes well with any outfits from seasons to seasons.

It is in the classic Gucci shape, measures about 12½ x 8¾ x 6¾ inches and would definitely be easy to carry through the leather handles on top with 4 inches drop. It has a zip along the top and an inside zip pocket which adds to its overall practicality. It also has some D-ring detail on the side for added design.

I spotted this Gucci Joy Medium Boston Bag at Lime’s Collections two days ago. It is selling at SGD850 including home delivery (Retail price: SGD1160).

Gucci Joy Medium Boston Handbag from Lime’s Collections

As an introduction, I got to know Mei (owner of Lime’s Collections) two years ago when I purchased a Coach bag from her. In 2009, her blogshop was still operating on blogspot but now she has registered her own domain. She is a frequent traveler to US. She bought the bags from Coach Outlet stores and some high end departmental stores, and brought them back to Singapore.

Her collections have also expanded from Coach to Kate Spade, Longchamp, Burberry, Gucci and even men’s collections.

I’m still contemplating whether I should buy this bag from her because it’s not in my favourite colour. I prefer lavender or white leather trim instead of black (like this one). However, the price tag of SGD850 is indeed quite attractive. Do you agree?

Do check out Lime’s Collections today. If you’re also looking for a handbag, I hope you can find something that you like at Lime’s Collections.

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Do you have any favourite online shop that you would like to recommend too? E-mail me!

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With the world of shopping choices now, I enjoy shopping at the comfort of my home more than going to the mall. Not that I’ve given up shopping in the real world, but online shopping is more appealing to me now.

For busy mothers like us, I’m sure you’ll agree that shopping away with a click of a mouse is easier than going out to the mall with our kids in tow. Forget about the crowd, waiting time, travelling time etc.

I started reviewing shopping sites and blogshops early this year. My intention is to share with you great shopping websites, good bargains and interesting products.

Recently, an idea struck me that I should create a column in my blog for online shopping inspirations. This column is also opened to all readers to share their favourite shopping sites, or even their own blogshops!

I’ll name this column as Online Shopping Inspirations. As a start, I’ll write a post every alternate Friday to showcase some of our favourite shopping sites. Depending on your feedback, I may increase it to every Friday of the week.

So, if you have a great shopping site to share, feel free to e-mail me with subject line “Online Shopping Inspirations”. Please include your name, URL of the shopping site or blogshop, photos of your purchases (if any) and a few words on why you like this shopping site or blogshop.

I hope that this column can map the best shopping sites and make our online shopping easier (and definitely more fun too!). So, come and share with me!

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• Online Shopping Inspirations: Lime’s Collections
• Introducing MDS Collections + Giveaways!
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Have you ever experienced this situation before? You open the doors of a wardrobe bursting with clothes but you cannot find anything that you like to wear. It could be the clothes are too out-dated, your own tastes have changed or you just need a new piece to freshen up.

It happens to me quite frequently. As I don’t have a lot of time to shop for clothes in stores, online boutiques become increasingly attractive to me. But then, there are also impulse buys that looked good on the website but not once worn when they were brought home.

The garments may be too long, too short or of poor quality. Sending them for alterations is also another hassle. Most of these online boutiques do not accept refund. At the end, the garments are chucked aside, unworn and unloved.

Recently, I found a solution to the above. I’d love to introduce you all to my favorite online fashion store, MDS Collections. The prices are really affordable at this store – most dresses, tops, shorts and pants are priced between SG$26 – $50. The most exciting thing about MDS is that they have new arrivals everyday at 10am. Yay!

To be honest, I wouldn’t say that the quality of the clothing is exceptional. But again, it’s satisfactory for its price so I keep coming back to them. These are some of the dresses I bought from MDS recently, and I love them to bits. They are simple and lovely – all under SG$36!

And lately, I’ve had a fondness for wearing thin belts and I bought many of them from MDS to complement my outfits. MDS has a gorgeous collection of accessories too and their belts usually sold out very fast. Tips: You have to order quickly if you see something that you like.

Why I like MDS Collections?

1. As mentioned above, their prices are really affordable and I like their daily new arrivals.

2. Product information is readily available on the website – from the sizes, materials and description to styling tips on how to match the attire with accessories and shoes. Always check the sizes, and you can’t go wrong.

Tips: I’m 158cm tall and I choose dresses with shoulder to hem length of 34” and above. Otherwise, I find them too short for office.

Photo Credit: MDS Collections

3. You can return your orders for a refund if you’re not satisfied with your purchase. They will issue an exchange voucher of equivalent value once they receive the items. This is an interesting feature that most online stores do not have. This really solves the problem of unworn clothes that are chucked aside.

MDS Collections has two outlets located at Wisma Atria and Plaza Singapura. You can also visit their stores to try out their collections. Click HERE for their store locations.

Recently, I got two gift certificates worth SG$38 and SG$27, and I’d like to share them with you. You can use the gift certificate when you shop online at MDS Collections and you’re entitled to a discount from your total purchase. No minimum purchase required.

How to win?

1. “Like” my Facebook Fan Page if you haven’t.

2. Leave a comment “Liked” on this blog post.

3. Closing date: 15 September 2011, 12pm (GMT +8)

Two winners will be selected randomly. First winner will receive the SG$38 gift certificate and the second winner will get the SG$27. The gift certificate is in the form of discount code and it will be sent to the winners via e-mail. So, please ensure that you enter the correct e-mail address.

This contest is opened to all readers.

Good Luck and Happy Shopping!

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WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT! Congrats to Huey Ling (First Winner) and Celine Tan (Second Winner), you’ve won a gift certificate to shop at MDS Online Fashion Store. I’ll be contacting you shortly with details on how to use the gift certificate. And a big THANK YOU to everyone who joined the contest!

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Quite a few readers have e-mailed me to ask about my recent Prada handbag purchase from Hawaii. So, I’ll write a short post here to share with everyone.

[Note: I’m not affiliated with Joanna in any ways; I’m just sharing my shopping experience here as many of you are interested.]

As an introduction, Joanna is a Sales Associate at Prada Kalakaua, Hawaii who does mail orders with international customers. Prior to 8 Aug 2011, Hawaii was the best alternative for customers as their prices are generally cheaper than USA. But right after this date, the prices at Prada Hawaii have been matched to Prada USA prices.

Nonetheless, the US dollar has hit an all-time low against Singapore dollar now. So, I feel that it’s still a good time to shop. Yay! Even with international shipping, the prices should still be cheaper than buying from Singapore. You can e-mail Joanna to check the prices and make a comparison before you make your purchase.

Joanna’s e-mail address is kalakaua.boutique@prada.com. When you write to her, please indicate her name – Joanna on the subject title as all the Sales Associates in this boutique are sharing the same e-mail ID. To make a purchase, she will send you a Telephone Order Form. You will fill-up all the details on the form – your name, address, merchandise, credit card information and lastly, your signature. You can send the completed form to her via e-mail or fax. She will process your order and ship them via Fedex.

For my order, this is the details and breakdown of the costs:

• Item #: BN1336_QR1_F0002
• Description: Tessuto Gaufre in Black (Nylon)
• Price of Bag: US$1260.00 (~SG$1556)
• Fedex Shipping Fee: US$127.00 (~SG$157)
• 7% GST: SG$106.00
• Fedex Admin Fee: SG$10.00

        Total Cost: SG$1829.00

        Price in Singapore boutique: SG$2250.00 (it’s about SG$400+ cheaper!)

The 7% GST and Fedex admin fees will be charged in a separate invoice about a week after the shipment arrived. Payment can be made to Fedex by cheque.

As many of you may ask – how secure is the telephone order? I mean, it’s too risky to send our credit card and personal information through e-mail. Thus, I wrote to a few forumers to get their feedback. Apparently, all of them felt that it is quite safe given the good track record and positive reviews on forums. You can read that from Flowerpod, PurseForum and even Singapore Motherhood Forum.

With this, I was 99% confident to go ahead with my order. My bag arrived within four days after I sent my order form and I was so relieved.

One thing that is worth mentioning here – Joanna is a real sweetie. She is nice and patient in answering all my questions. When I was undecided over which sizes and models to buy, she sent me all the pictures of the bags for my consideration. She also shared her opinion with me. Last but not least, she personally inspected my bag and packed it nicely in dust bag and Prada gift box before shipping out to me.

Now, let’s check out these beauties (new arrivals) that Joanna shared with me though e-mail two days ago. Nice nice!

..

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Do you still remember the investment plan that I mentioned last week? That is with the thousand dollar savings each month from not hiring a maid.

I’m going to share with you the secret today. It’s going to be FUN. So, sit tight and fasten your seat belt!

Two weeks ago, I told the Husband that I plan to make some investment with the $1000 savings that we make each month from not hiring a maid now. He rolled his eyes and looked at me with full curiosity.

He knows jolly well that his Wife doesn’t know much about investment. Truth be told, I don’t even know the interest rates on my savings account.

He thought that I was just joking until the day when my “investment” finally arrived at our doorstep.

It came in a rather-dirty Fedex box, shipped all the way from Hawaii. This is it!

Let’s open and see what is inside. Nicely wrapped in bubble pack.

First clue revealed. It’s a PRADA gift box and dust bag!

The answer is – my new Prada Tessuto Gaufre BN1336 in black. This bag is oh-so- gorgeous that I can’t take my eyes off it the first time I saw it. It’s the kind of beauty that never goes out of style. It’s timeless!

This picture is unable to bring out the beauty of this bag due to poor lightning. In actual, the gold tone hardware makes the bag even more elegant. This bag is twice the price of the LV Neverfull that I bought earlier this year.

Now, that I finally owned it, I’m sooOoo happy!

The authenticity card from Prada.

The Husband couldn’t believe it that this is my so-called “investment”. He nagged for a while, but alas, he said “As long as you’re happy, it’s okay”.

“Of course, I’m happy, dear!”

With this, I’m determined to be the best of friends with Tefal, the iron and Karcher, the vacuum cleaner. I’m eyeing for another Prada or Gucci bag for Chinese New Year. Errmmm, maybe Christmas.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Online Shopping Inspirations: Lime’s Collections
• New Column – Online Shopping Inspirations
• Introducing MDS Collections + Giveaways!
• Buy a Prada Bag from Hawaii
• Online Shopping Makes My Day!