(This is my test post on WordPress. Gonna resume regular blogging soon.)
I made my way down to Books Kinokuniya Singapore (Kino) twice this week. The first visit was with my mom; we were just strolling/roaming. The second visit, however, was more fruitful. Armed with more cash (albeit a purpose), I headed straight for the Japanese Magazines section to snap up a few of my choice picks.
Whadya know, the one I wanted the most was all snapped up. (pun intended)
(TOMMY/tommy girl 2010 Spring & Summer Collection catalogue)
My mood went from devious “AHAH-I-SO-GET-TO-FLAUNT-THIS-LATER” to frantic “OMG-SEARCH-FOR-A-STRAY-COPY-NOW”….
Ya. Seriously.
Why did I want it so badly? I could eat (if fashion were a form of sustenance, that is) to my heart’s content on style.com. Well, Cecile of Chuvaness.com opines that “many magazines have taken to giving out “freebies” along with their latest issues…. to entice more consumers into buying magazines rather than getting their fashion fixes online.”
Let’s take a closer look at the TOMMY/tommy girl catalogue.
Nuff said.
Damn, I should start tracking the shipment arrivals. Kino conveniently lists down the mass orders of these magazines and prints out the estimated arrival date as well. These are displayed at the section itself.
So I was getting frantic, yeah? I had to ask three of the staff before either of them could assist me. Girl 1 was like, “Oh, I’m helping out another customer, can you wait at the Information Counter?” I wanted to reply with, “HELL NO GURL I WANNA STAY NEAR THE MAGS TO GUARD THEM ALL IN CASE I SPOT THE LAST COPY”
But I didn’t. I just waved her off with an impatient glare. (Tyra Banks would’ve been proud “Connect with your eyes…. I wanna see you look FIERCE”) Girl 2 was all “Information Counter” bullshit to me as well even though she was just two shelves away from most of the Jap mags but I’ll make concessions for her since she explained to me that she wasn’t familiar with the Jap imports.
Okay, I’ve got a confession. Girl 1 and Girl 3 are the same. Girl 3 eventually helped me out by checking the online inventory. I admit I was getting over the loss by then. I mean, there were so many others to choose from, right?
Like this Eley Kishimoto catalogue/lookbook that comes with a free umbrella.
Eley Kishimoto is a bit pricey, though. The catalogue is SGD 45.60 vs. SGD 29.60 for the TOMMY/tommy girl . Then again, I have browsed the Eley Kishimoto for Eastpak range of backpacks and her signature print was breathtaking in real life, not at all gaudy.
But wait. Here comes the climax.
I spotted a girl who looked like she overheard everything. You know how in a bookstore, you find yourself naturally looking over at the next counter to see what books they chose to purchase? Don’t judge a book by its cover; judge a person by the type of books they read.
Anyway, I noticed she was nervously clutching a bunch of Jap catalogues in her arms and FUCKING SHIT, I spotted the familiar colours of Tommy Hilfiger.
WHAT.
THE.
FUCK.
She had the *bleeping* last copy.
Yes, this picture you saw above is HER copy. Like, FML seriously. I just had to have my face rubbed in “SOUR GRAPE” powder. I stopped short of reaching over and grabbing it from her.
Me: Hey, you have the last one, I think. *points at what should’ve been MY copy*
Her: Oh yeah, actually I saw someone carrying it just now so I searched around this pile *points behind herself* and got the last copy.
Me: Hmm.. Did you just arrive? (I wasn’t listening. I was trying to figure out how to ask her to let me buy HER copy) (But at that moment, it wasn’t anyone’s copy yet. DAMN I could’ve grabbed it and run)
Her: Yeah….*trails off* (I think she could feel intense jealousy/anger vibes emanating from my trembling hands as she handed it to me to have one final look)
Me: I see… So, do you think you could, err.. let me have this copy? I’ve been wanting it for a long time…
Her: I’m sorry…
*RANT STARTS*
Me: I mean like I came here a week ago (exaggerating) and took a reference picture (the closeup in this post) so I could get it later and like, you know, there were a whole stack of them so I didn’t reserve a copy…
Her: Did you check with the Information Counter?
Me: *OMG SHE IS GIRL NO. 4* Yes I did…
Her: Sorry, cuz this is actually a gift for my friend (friend? yeah right, more like your ass) and I really wanna get it too.
Me: *IDEA! SUGGEST OTHER BAGS* Oh, so it’s a gift? Okay is it a girl? You could have like this one *picks up Agnes B book* with this nice jewel pattern or this one with a makeup kit or this polka dot one (polka dots are in right now, see “Miu Miu Resort 2011″)
Her: Sorry, I really want this one. Maybe you can try the other outlets? There’s one at Liang Court.
Me: No, I don’t think so. I mean, this Kino is like the headquarters so yeah, they would have the most stock…
Her: Oh okay, then.
Me: Could I just take a picture of it?
Her: Yeah, sure. *pretends to busy herself with her phone*
Me: *SOBBING INCONSOLABLY* (just kidding)
I handed it back to her and went to browse half-heartedly at other possible choices. But in my heart, I felt like the battle (I dub this the Royal Battle for the Last Copy) wasn’t lost yet. I didn’t want to give up yet. No one likes to settle for second best, you know.
*IDEA*
Me: Oh there you are! Hey, you know if you decide not to get this, could you find me? I’ll gladly take it.
Her: Oh, yeah sure. (Which if you think about it, is actually three answers in one. Oh. Yeah. Sure.)
Me: *smiles as politely as I can* (my eyes are reduced to slits so she can’t see that I’m actually looking daggers at her)
5 minutes later….
Damn bitch is at the cashier.
(This is a good song to add to the mood right now.)
Since I was already set on purchasing a “bag” from Kino, I didn’t leave empty-handed. Oh I could’ve rocked that TOMMY bag so hard at my upcoming outing at Universal Studios with my family, Tommy H. would’ve gotten the chills.
Okay! This HEAD PORTER catalogue was all over the place so I bought a copy. Hmm I even unboxed the freebie while seated at a spot in front of Zara (sales start today 1st July).
(Oh there was an Indonesian guy next to me with a Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite messenger bag next to me, so I asked him which one it was, as in the name of the model. He said he didn’t know; he just walked in the store and picked it. Then he proceeded to open the bag and took out his Nintendo DS and TWO Blackberry phones. TWO?! I have been lusting for just ONE (I’m a modest guy, LOL joke) for months and err, here he is with TWO)
(There was like an influx of Indonesian shoppers that day. What’s up? I even saw a former schoolmate, Brenda at the bus stop. [What is she doing at a bus stop. That girl deserves only cabs.] Gawd, her hair is so luscious.)
——————————————————————–
Oh, right. The HEAD PORTER bag.
(Fucking ugly foot ruining my picture not included)
I did not smooth the surfaces before taking a picture, because this is your first impression of the bag, which should be taken into consideration.
The inner lining.
This HEAD PORTER freebie comes in two patterns; one is a monogram, and mine is from the Special Edition catalogue which boasts the new Gingham pattern.
I could use a matching wallet. Hmm.
PS. I really wonder why I am sharing this great find with you. Yeah I know it isn’t a trade secret or some shit, but these famous blogs below easily drum up the demand/competition when they blog about it.
Bagaholicboy.com MBMJ Catalogue + Tote Bag
Bagaholicboy.com LV Monogramouflage Mouse Pad
I guess it is because I am a saint and whadya know, we could go back to Kino again to check out new arrivals and end up bumping into GIRL 4.
