Current Obsession: Goyard Voltaire

I haven't even used my Boeing 45 and I am now obsessing on another piece.

After the delivery of the Boeing, I emailed Florent, my friendly sales associate in Paris, for a great service and asked if Goyard produces a catalogue.  Unfortunately, they do not have a full catalogue and you just have to discuss with your SA the type of bag that would best fit your lifestyle.

After discussing with Florent of my ideal bag,  sent me a couple of models including the Comores.  What I particularly liked is a new model dubbed as Voltaire. It is a semi-structured tote bag that comes in the traditional Goyardine canvas colours and a new grey tone.  It can be ordered and is expected to be in stock by May.

This Goyard addiction has got to stop.

Burn Baby Burn

We love Cire Trudon!


I'm a sucker for good candles.  I know, it is literally burning your money.  But how can you resist Cire Trudon?


Cire Trudon is the oldest wax producing factory and was the supplier to the royal court of Louix XIV and the great churches in France.


I still love Diptyque and believe that it burns better, however the scent infused in Cire Trudon candles are just unique.  The one that I got was a special edition for the 160th anniversary of Lane Crawford.  What is interesting is that the room smells wonderful (also because I have a tiny room in Hong Kong) even if it is not lit.

Fornasetti Fascination

We love Fornasetti!


Some people collect mugs.  Some collect spoons.  I collect plates.  Fornasetti plates to be more specific.


Fornasetti plates were started by Piero Fornasetti in the 1940's having created more than 11,000 items.  The most prominent is "Theme and Variations" series featuring the face of soprano Lina Cavalieri.  This series has reached 350 plate designs.


Fornasetti plates are not exactly cheap being priced at nearly US200 per piece.  Starting with the Plate Number 1 six years ago, my collection has now grown to 14 plates.  It is best hung on the wall in a group.  Twelve of my plates are now hanging in my sister's apartment in Manila and serve as the focal point backdrop in the living room.


Before completing a set of 12, I used the plates as a decor on my table in Hong Kong.  One time,  friend visiting from Manila was staying with me for a short vacation.  Come dinner time, he was about to use the Fornasetti plates.  Eeeeek!  I nearly had a heart attack.

Cuff Me

We love Paul Smith!


We started work on Tuesday (8th of February) as the feng shui master opined that it is the most auspicious day to start work.


Monday, being a free day, was the best excuse to go to the Paul Smith outlet in Ap Lei Chau.  My old Paul Smith cuff links broke last week after I dropped them as I was rushing to get to work.  After the Goyard purchase, I'm being careful with purchases these days.  I had to focus and head to the Paul Smith outlet first.


The tag indicated HK600 from the original price of HK1,000.  That's a buy.  I was drawn to its witty design wherein the letters have been distributed on a 1950's style hanging installation.  When I got to the counter, the price in their system was even lower at HK500.  Sweet!

The Boeing Has Landed

I was particularly excited to go to the office today.  Not for work silly.  But because my Goyard Boeing was scheduled to be delivered today direct from the Paris store.

The Goyard Boeing was designed as a plane handcarry luggage.  It comes in four sizes with lengths ranging from 30 centimetres to 65 centimetres.  Currently there are ten colours to choose from.  I got the classic black Goyardine canvas with black leather trim.

I chose the 45 centimetres as I think this will be the best size wherein you can still use it as an everyday city bag and handcarry for travelling.  After buying the Louis Vuitton Keepall 50cm, I realized that it is strictly for travel and it does get cumbersome and heavy lugging it around the airport as I did not get the model with the strap.  I guess this is no issue for the ultra rich who have assistants lugging their bags for them.

Given that the Goyard shops in Hong Kong (one in Harvey Nichols and another in the Peninsula) have closed, the best way to get these leather goodies is direct from their Paris shop.  I emailed the Paris shop and was pleasantly surprised with the excellent customer service.  I would say that the level of service and shopping experience is even better than when I went to the Rue St. Honore shop last year.

Here We Go, Here We Go, Here We Go Now...

So this is it.  Post Number One.


To start, I suppose you would like to know who is behind this. I am a 36-year old Pinoy expat living in Hong Kong for nearly four years now as a project finance analyst.  I started this blog to rant on various experiences overseas and at the same time celebrate life away from Manila.  Share my experiences and odd view on life.


Let's keep this first post short and sweet (as Heston's feast is now about to start on TV).  Welcome to my world.  Don't be too sensitive as I don't aim to be politically correct.  And don't take me too seriously as even I don't.