An Update!

Hello!! I know my last update was a while ago (last February) but I’ve been so busy/lazy to get onto WordPress to blog! I just recently got my first iPhone, after years of Nokias and a Blackberry and I must say I am liking it very much!

So I’ve started my pupillage in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia since January, and so far so good I’m getting used to working life but once I get home I really don’t have any motivation or energy to blog or even DIY! My weekends are mostly filled up and that pretty much leaves me with no time at all…

I’ve got so many DIY ideas lined up but executing them is going to take me more discipline! Though just a few days ago I managed to revamp a broken glass bracelet into a chunky one:

I’ll post a tutorial on it soon, super easy!

Kuala Lumpur’s great, I do miss home in Borneo loads but can you believe that pupils don’t get annual leave for 9 months?? Every day we miss will have to be replaced, therefore delaying our Call to the Malaysian Bar

It’s a quick update, but hey, follow me on Instagram: vorlotwen

Have a great weekend everyone! xx

DIY: Michael Kors Leather Nugget Pendant Necklace

I first saw this Michael Kors necklace in a magazine, thought it was quite cute until I saw the price: RM899.00 or $195.00! Eek! How ridiculous is that?! Sure, there’s a nugget but it’s not even a pure gold nugget. It’s just a golden brass nugget which really, is just a substitute for the real thing. Sure if I had all the money in the world I just might get it. However, I don’t…and I won’t.

So here’s my less than $5 DIY for the same look:

As I didn’t know it was leather, I used faux suede. If you do use leather, use a flat strip with a very small width. Also, leather has a better grip in holding things together than faux suede so use that instead!

Here’s what you need:

• Flat leather strip / faux suede
• Stones that have sharp ends
• Gold paint / gold spray paint
• 2 gold crimping beads
• 1 flat nose plier
• Paper to avoid staining any surface you work on

As I didn’t have gold spray paint on hand, I used gold paint which I used during my high school days many years ago! I was very surprised it was still working well! Make sure you are working on a piece of paper to avoid staining any surfaces you may be working on

Here I painted 3 different shapes of stones, I used the middle stone. I found these stones in my backyard back in Borneo. Make sure you know the difference between concrete and stone. Concrete stones actually break very easily! Paint one side of the stone and let it dry before painting the other side of the stone.

Once the painted stone is dry, make a loop around the stone and tie it!

Take one crimp bead and attach to one end. Take your pliers and crimp it! Do the same for the other end of the string.

Voila! You now have a Michael Kors-inspired leather nugget pendant necklace!

Michael Kors-inspired DIY necklace; ‘ XO’ necklace gifted by Designs by FaraM; Bodycon dress: Primark

Have fun with this easy DIY – even a child could attempt this! Now if you’ll excuse me….I’m going to rock my DIY

DIY: Funky Leather Gem Earrings

I rarely make my own earrings, preferring to buy them most of the time. I had bought these gems that can be sewn onto fabric, for another project in mind. However, it’s very common that some DIY projects just fail completely! So I had these spare black and silver gems. I was playing around with shapes, imagining how’d it be like if I had real gems to work with! Then an idea struck me then, and I decided to make a very simple but statement-like leather gem earrings! I still have tangerine-coloured leather from my previous leather collar studded project, and it provides an amazing pop of colour!

Here’s what you need:

• Leather (here I used leather in tangerine)
• Plastic gems (I used square and oval ones)
• 2 jumprings
• 2 earring hooks
• Tweezer/something sharp and small (not necessary)
• Hand-held hole puncher
• Pliers
• Scissors/knife
• Super glue
• Paper/tracing paper
• Pen/pencil

I decided on the above shape. 3 square gems stacked vertically ending with 3 oval gems. Put them into position on a piece of paper, and then start outlining it with a pen/pencil and ruler. This will take probably a few tries to perfect the measurements though you don’t notice it once you are wearing them!

Cut it out, and then trace onto the back of the leather. Cut the leather.

Before you begin sticking your plastic gems, place the gems in its positions next to the cut-out leather pieces. Then I started sticking!

Tip: Start with the side silver gems like above, so that the black square gems will not be placed too high or too low!

The earrings should look roughly like this when the plastic gems have already been stuck on with superglue. Wait for a few minutes for the glue to really set!

Once the glue has set, and the gems are no longer ‘moving’ at a rough touch – it is time to trim those bottom edges! Originally I was going to leave it be, until it looked better without the extra empty spaces. If you are smarter than me, you would have already trimed the bottom bits on the paper

Punch a hole in the middle at the top with the hole puncher! Alternatively, you can always just use something sharp to poke a hole.

Use pliers to attach a jumpring to each earring, and then attach the earring hook and you are done!

I really do love wearing these earrings because they look like statement earrings and they are so, so light! I will make more variations in the future but for now I will rock these ones

I hope you enjoy this simple DIY, and I’d love to see your creations! xx

GIG Spotlight: What I Want In My Bag (Beauty) for 2013!

What is GIG? Well it stands for ‘Girls Inspired Group‘ for all bloggers to inspire one another! It also acts like a community to bloggers where we can learn from one another. As one of the Co-Founders of the group, we are starting a new series called: GIG Spotlight where we launch a topic, you write a post, be on the spotlight and show us what you and your blog’s got! The series will be every fortnight. Your post will be featured across our GIG social media platforms so in that way, we hope you will gain new readers and followers!

This week’s topic? Beauty! Specifically, what I’d want in my bag. This is a pretty tough topic for me as I’m not very adventurous with beauty items (hence the cheek acne breakouts sometimes). I’ll still try, and you be the judge!

#1 A Make-Up Book

Enough said.

#2 Hair Products For My Sad Hair

The new Vidal Sassoon Pro Series line has something for everyone — whether your locks are colored or curly, dry or damaged, the six collections might just have the answer to your hair prayers (Color, Moisture, Repair, Volume, Smooth, and last but not least, Styling and Finishing)

- refinery29

The Pro Series line is what I need – my hair seriously needs all that help!

#3 A Fragranced Necklace

The necklaces feature secret “fragrance chambers” at the back of the piece and three different scent beads made out of high-tech fragranced resin: sweet Gardénia, spicy Orchidé, and warm Ambre. These three fragrances give the wearer the option of donning one fragrance or mixing and matching the different elements to create a custom scent.

- refinery29

I always like a 2-in-1! Beauty (fragrance) + Fashion (24k gold necklace). Fragranced accessories are now gaining popularity – and all it used to be was just fragranced paper, fragranced sanitary pads…

#4 CC Cream

…because I never tried the BB cream, and apparently the CC cream is way awesome-er than its predecessor. Also, because I read too much of refinery29 – article here!

#5 Entire O.P.I collection

Image source here

O.P.I’s nail polishes are amazing – unfortunately they are just too expensive to purchase on a whim. Each colour has its own name too which is too cute! I can only dream of having the entire collection… I wonder how many there are. Do you?

Phew! I am finally done with this post Join the fun with GIG

DIY: Peter Pan Collar Chain Necklace

Hello everyone! Here’s another easy DIY for you to try out This time, I was inspired by Hong Kong-based Geneva of the amazing DIY blog A Pair & A Spare in her book (big thank you to the significant other for the present!):

Geneva’s book has 40 stylish DIY projects and I’d do every, single one! It’s amazing! I’d definitely recommend getting it As peter pan collars still look like they’re staying in trend (it comes and goes), I find it wiser to make detachable ones just like my studded leather detachable collar. I’ve tweaked the measurements (originally 30cm in the book) on making this peter pan collar chain necklace due to the chain being slightly bigger than Geneva’s. The bigger the chain, the smaller the measurements! I made one in gold for my friend’s birthday, and another in blue as one of the Christmas presents for my sister-in-law

Here’s what you need:

• Delicate chain (I used 26cm) – Note: The thicker the chain is, the smaller the measurements!
• Jumprings
• Lobster clasp
• Pliers
• Measurement board or ruler

That whole length of chain will be divided into 3 chains. Use the measurement board to make accurate measurements but if you don’t have one, a ruler will do just fine!

• Measure the 1st chain into 18cm.
• Use the pliers to separate the chain from the rest.
• Then for the 2nd & 3rd chain, 8cm each.

The longer chain will be the ‘necklace’ whereas the two shorter chains will be the ‘collars’!

Get to the middle of the 1st chain (18cm) and add a jumpring. Then add the 2nd chain to the left of the same jumpring, and then the 3rd chain to the right of the same jumpring.

Tip: Do not overlap the chains when attaching to the jumpring – this is to avoid a ‘crinkled’ effect!

Use pliers to add a jumpring to each end of the 18cm chain. Then add a lobster clasp to one of the jumprings!

By now you will already have a necklace – with dangling chains from the jumpring in the middle! Look in the mirror and test where you’d like the shorter chain to droop from. Once you are satisfied, use pliers to attach the end of each 8cm chain to the 18cm chain.

Tip: Avoid attaching the shorter chain too high up on the 18cm chain/too high up on the neck as it would reduce the ‘Peter Pan’ effect and also give a ‘crinkle’ effect! Once you are quite happy, the result should be this:

Voila! Easy peasy Peter Pan collar chain necklace! With this neon blue, it contrasts well with a dark background like this black top. Instant chic! Enjoy this easy inspired-DIY xx

Featured: Cut Out + Keep’s ‘DIY Fashionista’

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a great time celebrating, whether it was big or not My new year started off well with me being featured on Cut Out + Keep which is a massive DIY international social site! One of the founders Cat Morley (who has done some 438 DIY projects!) approached the blog a while back to do an interview with them and to showcase some of my DIYs. In the article I talked about fashion, style and…DIY! I have two DIYs in the article which I hope you enjoy You can read the full article here. Thank you Cat for the lovely opportunity!

The DIY studded & frayed shorts is an updated (I added rivet studs) version from one of my previous DIYs and you can view the full tutorial I made here. In the second DIY, I had these spare rings found in a vintage shop (taken apart from a massive necklace) and so I made a sort of bib/statement necklace – super easy to do! You can view the full tutorial here

If you’re a budding DIY-er or would love to get more ideas on DIY, give Cut Out + Keep a look! Most tutorials you find are really quite easy – and there is so much talent out there!

I am currently away from Borneo in the capital city and had my first job interview with a prestigious firm today…and got offered a job for pupillage!!!! Ahhh God is great!

Goodbye 2012, You Have Been Amazing!

Today is the 31st of December 2012, marking the end of another year! Even though I only started this blog 8 months ago in May, I have gotten to know so many cool and inspiring bloggers it really does make you feel like a community such as at GIG. Some of my readers may have known me longer than this blog so I also want to thank you for reading and popping a comment here and there! Once the blog turns 1 years old I will hold a special giveaway – this is my own motivation so that I don’t stop being creative!

I am so very thankful for everything that has happened to me for the past 12 months. The okay moments, the amazing moments, even the bad moments! Nothing has happened by luck, by chance or by fate as I know that God directs and determines my steps. The struggles, the failures – all necessary in shaping me into a stronger person. The joy, the happiness and the successes this past year have also been immensely gratifying. Truly it has been a mixed kind of year but here I am, still very much alive so I thank God for that

Here are some of my highlights of the year in no particular order:

#1 A Curtsy For Queen Elizabeth II

Oh yes I did! Back in June 2012, I and other barristers-to-be (Bar students) from Lincoln’s Inn had an advocacy weekend retreat (not) at Cumberland Lodge; which is an educational charity in the middle of the Great Park, Windsor. The same grounds that the Queen resides at some months of the year which is in Windsor Castle! The Queen who is a Patron there frequents the grounds to the Royal Chapel on Sundays for a Church of England service.

That weekend I was there, word came around that the Queen might be at the Royal Chapel for Sunday service! Of course, some preferred to stay back at Cumberland Lodge but I went because I attend church anyway. There was strict security, we were not allowed to bring any handphones or cameras into the grounds so we left it back in our rooms. Of course, by this time we were not sure if the Queen would actually be there! The inside of the Royal Chapel is somewhat small, for someone like the Queen to regularly attend. As us students, barristers and other members of Lincoln’s Inn were seated I couldn’t help but notice a policeman (in normal clothing) sitting on my right. So I asked him this: Morning! So…what is a policeman doing here in church? Policeman: Well, the Queen likes close security. Me: …what?? The Queen’s here???? *insert nearly hysteric whispers* You’re lying! Policeman: *laughs* If you get out early later, you just might catch her!

I really didn’t believe him, until I walked out after the service and there.she.was. THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND!! Us Bar Students were introduced to her and we separated into two lines for her to walk pass. She gave us her best wishes in our Bar studies and gave each and everyone a smile and nod! She had her biggest smile on and oh, her skin looks amazing for her age! It really felt like one of those celebrity moments! She was literally only 2 feet away from me, and the most natural thing was to do a curtsy. Oops. The Queen was most gracious, and she was decked top to bottom in pink! Pink hat, pink dress, pink bag…oh it was too cute.

After the whole commotion, Lincoln’s Inn-goers started heading back to Cumberland Lodge. As we were walking towards the gate, suddenly came the call: Step aside! The Queen! So we did. Then as we watched the royal entourage drive past, we couldn’t help but gawk at the Queen in her dark green hatchback Jaguar. SHE WAS AT THE WHEEL! The Queen. Driving one-handed. Her bodyguard having a good laugh next to her.

Too.awesome. Totally made my 4 years in UK!

#2 Spending More Time For DIY

A collage of some of my DIYs

DIY has pretty much saved my sanity at times, especially going through a particularly difficult and challenging year. I also started my own personal project called ‘Project Revamp‘ (look at the tab above) where I take old/broken/unused things, give it a revamp and rock it! It’s always satisfying to create something that you can appreciate, plus there’s the added satisfaction that it is appreciated by others! It has been a fun learning process (figuring out how to do things), and I do enjoy selling and giving my handmade goodies as presents too! I hope to be more creative in the following year and share them to you To see some of my easy peasy DIY tutorials, click here!

#3 My Likeness Made Into A Game Character For “Shiftling”

This game called ‘Shiftling’ by Team Sprocket, is the brainchild of a long-time friend of mine; Tristan. They are based also on Borneo Island, specifically in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah! I was honoured that my likeness was made into one of the main characters (seen above) I find the game interesting because it has drawn inspiration from Malaysian culture and folklore, while giving it a very modern look and feel. There are going to be great things ahead of this and I hope to share it with you very soon! The game is due to be released in the Fall of 2014 (not too long now!) so mark your calenders!

#4 Getting Through Bar School

Getting Called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn, London

I’ll be honest and say that Bar school was way tougher than Law school. The Bar (BPTC) which is the route to be a barrister in the UK is automatically recognised in Malaysia (we do not have to repeat a Bar course equivalent) unlike the LPC which is the route to being a solicitor in the UK (there are few exceptions). While in the UK there are more and easier-to-attain solicitor ‘training contracts’, it is not the same for barristers where there are only a hundred (more or less) ‘pupillage’ places in the UK. Which means hundreds will be competing with previous Bar graduates, etc. Well, you get the picture. Also, the Bar is definitely a lot harder than the LPC (not my words!). That is the reason why you would see more Malaysians doing the Bar even if they do not intend to practice as a barrister because Malaysia practices a fused system (lawyers are both solicitors and advocates) and not a separate system like in the UK.

Decked in a wig & gown (both too large for me) for my advocacy exam in Bar School

Basically, Bar School was fun but challenging in a nutshell. There were sleepless nights from daily deadlines and lots of tears (from feeling useless). Oh, lots. It did toughen me up though, and the skills you learn on the Bar course like advocacy is priceless. I’m not familiar on how they teach the students in Malaysia but I am sure it is not as practical as the way the UK Bar course is laid out. I also made great friends on the Bar course because it was so intense! All I can say that is…thank you God for everything!

#5 Visiting More Of Europe

I used to travel quite a bit during my undergraduate days but during the Bar course I had limited time. I did manage to slip in a eurotrip in the Summer before flying back to Borneo though!

• Budapest, Hungary
• Vienna, Austria
• Prague, Czech Republic
• Ljubljana, Slovenia
• Trieste & Venice, Italy

#6 Edinburgh Fringe Festival

My signed CD!

The biggest arts festival in the WORLD! I saw so many acts, and had a fantastic time. If you are ever in Edinburgh during the summer (July-August) you must not miss this! See all my entries on the festival here Meeting ‘The Blanks‘ aka. ‘Ted’s Band’ from hit TV series ‘Scrubs’ was especially memorable too

#7 Partying Off The Coast Of Trieste, Italy!

Taking a boat to head to this manmade island just to party in Italy’s furthest region is TOO COOL. Look at the view of Trieste behind us! Thank you bellas for making it a fun night The open-air club is called La Diga if you wanted to know!

#8 Part Of Production Team Of Glam & Glory’s Fashion Show In Perth, Australia

Posing with the models backstage at the Glam & Glory fashion show and yes, that’s how petite I am!

I still have not written about my experience as part of the Glam & Glory production team for my sister-in-law’s fashion show in Perth, Australia earlier this month! In the picture above I have a piece of important paper in hand (I was the cue ‘manager’ on stage), and wearing a customised design (I chose the colour in daffodil) from the collection! It was a lot of work (like Bar school) but so much more fun. I even liked the stress My fashionista sister-in-law has commented on this: Lawyer with a passion for fashion!

So those were some of my highlights of the year – what were yours?

Happy New Years’ Eve everybody and here’s to a mega year ahead! xx

DIY: Revamp A Pendant Into A Wire-Wrapped Gem Ring

A very blesssed Christmas everyone!

What a year it has been! There’s been lots of ups, as well as downs but it’s best to always learn from both and move forward. There is one quote I’ve always remembered from my days of English Literature, in Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’: “The wheel is come full circle; I am here.” – Act V Scene III. Life has its down lows but our good times will start rolling back up again. It will never always be bad times, and vice versa. Though, if one has a positive outlook on things that is an added bonus. I always try to be positive because it is so tiring to be upset! That is why DIY-ing helps me relax through the difficult and also easy times

So here’s another easy DIY that I’ve been wanting to do! A wire-wrapped ring! My mum had given me a few trinkets over the years and this particular deep red gem stone pendant had several rhinestones missing. So here’s a simple way to change that pendant into a gem ring, set in place with wire. I hope you enjoy it

You will need:

• Pendant with a big stone/gem. Or gemstones.
• 12 inch of gold wire to wrap the gem
• Ring blank
• Hot glue gun / superglue
• Pliers

If you don’t have any pendant with gemstones, you can just buy gemstones from a craft store or jewellery store. You can either use superglue or a hot glue gun. I used a hot glue gun as the base of the gem was uneven. Use pliers to remove the gem.

Gem is removed! Make sure to do this slowly as you do not want to scratch the surface of the gem from using the pliers.

Position your gem on how you want it to be before sticking it. I actually did a boo-boo here as it was originally supposed to look like a ‘teardrop’ shape. However, I liked the end result!

Turn on your hot glue gun for a few minutes. Make sure it is resting on newspaper with foil beneath. The hot glue gun is ready once hot glue starts oozing out of its nozzle like in the picture above!

Slip the ring into something round and sturdy if you can as you will be using a hot glue gun. If you are using superglue this is not necessary. Squirt some hot glue onto the flat side of the ring blank, and then quickly press the gemstone onto it! Press the gemstone against the ring blank for a good minute or two. Once the glue cools it will stick really well.

Cut around 12-15 inches of the wire and start wrapping the gem (once it is already secured). The wrapping depends on your gem shape but opt for a “X” style of wrapping. You are now ready to rock that new wire gem ring which came from a broken pendant! Try it out with other stones

So go on…look into your jewellery drawers and find a big gemstone or anything funky! Wrap it with wire to make it look vintage I was rocking this ring so much that my mum took it from my finger saying: It’s originally mine anyway! +_+ Oh well! Another ring is in need then

Have fun! xx

DIY: Leather Studded Collar (Detachable)

Happy Sunday from Borneo! Today, tomorrow and then it’s Christmas Day Whatever you will be doing, have a lovely and blessed Christmas! I know my significant otter (pun intended) will be working on Christmas Day in the hospital on a long shift but I’m sure the patients and nurses will be happy to have such an amazing doctor on the wards

Lately I’ve been experimenting with more things and also because I’ve just got myself a hot glue gun I’ve been having too much fun just glueing things together (oops)! In my recent post here about peterpan collars I did say I planned to try making my own peterpan collar – one that is detachable as trends can fade so quickly! So here it is

In this post there are 2 types of collars: Peterpan collar (sweeter look) and a normal square-ish collar! As I’m not too much of the sweet/girly type I’ve added some gold spiked studs for good measure

My detachable leather studded collar!

Here’s what you need:

• Leather (I bought a bundle of orange leather off eBay a while back and still hanging around the house)
• Scissors (I used this as it’s all I have!) / Stanley knife (for better cutting)
• Tracing paper / baking paper (baking paper was easily found in the kitchen and works just the same)
• Ruler
• Pencil / light coloured pen (for marking)
• Hole puncher
• Gold spike screw studs
• String

First things first, how do you draw a shape of a collar?! Especially if you’re not that great a drawer like me? Easy! Do what I did. I took one of my dad’s old and unused shirts and cut out the collar as a template (or you don’t even have to cut it!). I placed the tracing paper onto the collar (like picture above) and just traced the right side of the collar. All you need to trace is just one side, as when you flip the tracing paper over it will be the opposite side!

Alternatively, if you already have a shirt which has some sort of Peterpan collar on it, you can use that as a template too!

Now you will have traced both collars onto the tracing paper. Remember, all you need is one side!

Next, place the tracing paper onto the back of the leather. Make sure once you’ve traced one side of the tracing paper, then flip it over so you can trace the oppositde side. This is to ensure you will get a symmetrical finish – you don’t want the same of both sides! Unless you want a right-right collar, or a left-left collar (hmm…sounds like an idea).

I prepared the leather (wetted & combed it before drying it under the hot sun) so that there isn’t too much loose fur when you cut the leather! I’m quite sure if you go to your nearest craft store they’d have readymade craft leather so you might not have to worry about the fur. Though where I come from in Borneo, there are no such luxuries…!

Remember to trace both sides, so you get a left and right collar!

The way I attached both sides is quite simple, 1 gold spike stud to attach them together!

So, make sure you know where you want to attach both sides. Use a hole cutter (I used the smallest hole) to make the holes on both sides. Screw the studs in and tighten!

Like so! You can adjust the width between the collars by untightening the screws and adjusting it (look into the mirror!). If you’re ready to finish it off like above, just make another hole at the top of each side, loop your string/ribbon/cord and you will have your detachable collar ready!

However, if you’re anything like me and love studding – just stud! Punch more holes, and add more studs I tried using pyramid rivet studs but those affect the texture/feel of the leather so I decided not to use them. Unless the leather you are using is very thick and hard then it shouldn’t be a problem!

So there you have it, a simple and fun DIY detachable leather studded collar!

I hope you enjoyed this simple DIY tutorial and it can be done in so many colours too – black would look especially good!

Have a great weekend everyone, happy holidays and a very blessed Christmas! xx

Still A Favourite: The Cambridge Satchel Company

Just 6 more sleeps until Christmas! For those who are celebrating, are you ready for it yet? Christmas is a day of joyous celebration because it was when Jesus came into this world

Present-giving and christmas tree decorating are now part of the festive season but who doesn’t like receiving a present or two? In this post maybe you can get something for your loved one! It’s no secret that I have been carrying a certain type of bag lately. More specifically, cool leather satchels from The Cambridge Satchel Company. Just click here to see all of my posts where I carry my CSC satchels!

Very classic, British-made and super funky yet old-school – these satchels which I knew about from 2010 while googling for satchels have become a firm favourite in my closet! My first bag was The Designer in Vintage Navy (14″) which was originally a collaboration between CSC x Urban Outfitters but soon became part of the CSC’s main collection due to its popularity. It had free embossing for that particular bag in the day so why not?

Currently I own 4 Cambridge Satchels (2 are embossed) and love them all! There are only 4 sizes of satchels: 15″, 14″, 13″ & 11″. For my height of 5’2″, the largest size is a little too big for me. I’ve seen the bag though and it has the biggest compartment space compared to the other 3 sizes so if you want lots of space – I suggest you get that

If you are wanting a size comparison between the 14″, 13″ and 11″ look no further!

The Designer in 14″ Vintage Navy; 13″ Cobalt Blue (Limited Edition); 11″ Silver Metallic

There is not much of a significant size if you do a direct comparison between the 11″ and 13″, or the 13″ and 14″. Only the 11″ will not have a card holder on the outer compartment as it is too small. The insides of the satchels may look narrow but I’ve stuffed a lot of things into any of these sizes before! It’s all about good stuffing For example in my 11″ I can fit my wallet, camera, mini umbrella & water bottle!  The leather is not soft, and is very sturdy. One may find it too hard at first but it does soften slightly overtime!

The 11-inch satchel is perfect for a handbag. Not too big, not too small. These bags make the perfect accessory from day to night! It’s also quite a dazzler. Once on a very steep escalator in the London Underground, someone below me suddenly poked me. Of course I turned around a little angry until the poker immediately said: Excuse me, where did you get your bag? Me: Oh! The Cambridge Satchel Company! Lady poker: Ahh I thought so! Is there a store? Lovely bag!

That said…

P.S: Please don’t ever poke someone who is riding a steep escalator! Someone could fall and you’d be paying for their medical bills (okay, there’s the NHS) or their “loss of income/enjoyment” and you won’t be able to get your lovely Cambridge satchel! +_+

Now the 13-inch satchel is slightly bigger than the 11″ which means you can fit more things! The outer compartment also has a card holder for you to put your namecard or to personalise I bought this satchel for an anti-bullying cause – if you don’t already know, the founder of the company, Julie Deane wanted to stop her daughter from being bullied at school and made these satchels to sell so that she could send her daughter to a private school. Bullying is never cool

This 13-inch satchel is a collaboration between CSC and ASOS! It’s not sold anymore, and unfortunately I have not had much wear out of this one because the straps were too long (as it didn’t have enough holes on the strap). My strong dad did however, punch more holes in the strap for me a few days ago so now I see myself wearing the satchel more now as it is at a good length!

If you can see, I’ve personalised my bag with a piece of pretty flower print and placed it into the card holder! You can do the same, just insert any pretty print into it

The 14-inch satchel! I wore this so much during my Bar course that I’ve decided to let it rest a little bit in its dustbag. This satchel is actually called a “batchel” due to the handle! I love the contrasting buckle/strap/handle and this original brown colour makes the bag such a classic. I also personalised my satchel with a beautiful print in the cardholder!

There are loads more other colours that you can check out at their website:

Their Fluro/neon range was what catapulted CSC into stardom when it caught the fashion bloggers’ world by storm! Even at their newly launched store (currently still a pop-up) in Convent Garden, they have a “Bloggers’ Corner” or will be having “Bloggers events” to say their thank yous! Wished I was still in London to see the new store but had left a week earlier before they opened Maybe next time!

If you’re still stumped on what to get someone for Christmas, then head over to their metallic section and see these gorgeous colours – they are oh so pretty for this festive season!

I’m making you spoilt for choice – check out other CSC collaborations such as with ASOS where there are satchels in matte AND patent leather. LOVE! Just note that only satchels bought from the main CSC website offer embossing Don’t worry though, if you’re ever in London with your unembossed satchel the Cambridge Satchel Company store will be offering embossing from January 2013! Yay!

Want to find satchels for a male friend/loved one instead? CSC has done collaborations with ASOS too for a men’s range!

Have fun looking (don’t get dizzy) and have a lovely week everyone! xx