It’s the perfect shade to match my Amrita Singh jangly janglies (a bargain from gilt.com, where else). And yes, they really are 18K gold plated. When I told my Indian friend that they are so, he didn’t believe it and wanted to put them to the bite test. Shortly after, I went to get my manicure done, and wanted to tell him that I got my nails gold-plated too, at the Chinatown goldsmiths haha.

I love my janglies; I used to trawl Little India for them. I’m also drawn to the noisy anklets and heavy heavy belts. Love them all. I really did wear them out, with my gypsy skirts. I still give them their due time occasionally. They feel so right on me. Did I mention that I do a mean Bollywood dance, and have actually been in an actual Bollywood movie before. If you want the whole story, catch me after several Old-fashioneds

Those are some of my oldest accessories from my youth; I’ve never really stopped embracing that eclectic and hippie side of me, though it does take the flush of youth (and a much slender figure!) to carry off some styles.

That was the time when Chanel and Hermes didn’t even come into my radar, safe for Hermes scarves. Contrary to the beliefs of some friends who came into my life much later, I’ve hardly changed from the good ole Carol who loved dresses that look like tea doilies and in moth-eaten batik prints.

I just have greater disposable income now, that’s all.

Don’t hate me just because I love H

Never go shopping (online or IRL) after a trying day, or after more than a couple of cocktails.

My very first Herve was bought at Pois after some very good marmalade martinis, at above-above retail prices. My judgement was so impaired, that I bought a top priced at three Herve Leger dresses on super-sale.

My second Herve Leger order in a space of two weeks came after a particularly bad day.

Just days ago, I had gone in to office at mid-day after putting in a 4am the night before. I had clicked on the Gilt.com email link to the day’s sale on my Blackberry. Thankfully, nothing grabbed my fancy except for this beautiful set of gold-plated Amrita Singh 36-piece Bangle Set, for a mere US$38. Good thing Gilt didn’t have the Tom Binns cuff on sale that day!