What do a supermarket, children's bookstore, toy shop and
craft megastore have in common? Apart from allowing us to stock up on our day-to-day
necessities, these places also sell cheap and chic accessories.
During a routine trip to the supermarket, I was surprised
to see packets of stick-on earrings hanging off the racks of potato chips. Mind
you, those weren't the tacky and old-fashioned sort, they actually look pretty
decent. The other extremely attractive quality about it - the very low cost
starting from $1.95.
To the
market, to the market Say supermarket and an entire range of yummy
goodies come to mind. Well, discount the "beauty essentials" like
butterfly clips and ponytail elastics. We found these great deals at Jason's
Marketplace in the Raffles City Shopping
Centre.
Spotted: Butterfly Clips Price: $4.08 for pack of 12 Why we dig it: They are best for holding flyaway hair and
irritating fringes in place, so instead wearing the same old black
pins that prick at our scalp, we'll be glad to stick some butterflies
in our hair. [Image Left]
Spotted: Kids Sunglasses with cord Price: $2.04 Why we dig it: Because it's pink? Don't be turn off by the "kid"
tag on it, all you need is some attitude to carry these old-school shades.
Spotted: Ponytail Elastics Price: $4.03 for pack of 36 Why we dig it: Isn't this a bargain? There are more colours than the
rainbow in the pack, and we like them because they aren't rough on our delicate
tresses. Oh, and the little plastic flower detail? Nice.
Spotted: Decorated Ponytails Price: $2.76 for pack of 12 Why we dig it: Because they look so cute and fun without
being tacky? Did we mention the low, low price?
Spotted: Stick-on Gem earrings Price: $1.95 for 7 pairs Why we dig it: Don't have pierced ears? Stick away with these
hassle-free plastic diamante earrings. We love the fact that they
can also double up as body jewellery. By the way, they're non-toxic,
so no worries of getting ear lobe infections, or giving your special
someone a tummy upset if he nibbles too close.
Spotted: Butterfly pen Price: $3.83 Why we dig it: Alright, we did promise accessories, but doesn't this
pen count as one? Stick it in your hair, whip it out during lectures to copy
notes, turn heads just like Reese
Witherspoon did in Legally Blonde.
Grab all 3 colours for your equally babelicious friends.
[^top]
A good read Bookabaru
at Forum The Shopping
Mall stocks up on thousands of children's titles, little did we know that
they also carry a line of colourful and cutesy accessories. The owner of Bookabaru,
Ms Lynette Thomas, says the stocks are freighted in from the States and popular
items sell out within the month upon arrival. We especially like the new beaded
chokers and bracelets. Now, here's another reason to frequent the bookstore.
Spotted: Beaded Bracelet and
Choker Price: $6.90 and $12.90 Why we dig it: Simply because it's such
a basic piece and yet is able to add a dash of colour to any drab outfit we
might be stuck in for that day. While it doesn't cry "look at me, look
at me", trust us, people will look and probably wonder where you got this
fabulous understated piece of accessory.
Spotted: Assorted rings, clips
and ponytail elastic Price: $3.90 each Why we dig it: Don't have a stead? Just slip on the ring and make a lifelong
commitment to stay faithful to your love for bags and shoes instead. [^top]
Never too old to play We stumbled upon T.O.T.S (The Original Toy Store) and
found that they carry a really cool range of wooden accessories. From little
fishes to the letters of the alphabet, we sure don't mind learning our ABCs
again as long as we can wear these cheery and striking accessories, ones that
are sure to raise a few eyebrows. Although they may be a little pricey from
$6.90 to $22.90, but we reckon your collection needs some variation and hey,
the goods are imported from Germany and the quality is really good so it's definitely
worth paying a little more.
Spotted: Brooches Price: $9.90 (bear) and $12.90 (funny man) Why we dig it: The funkiest and fastest way to spruce up a plain tee
or shirt is to wear a brooch. These lightweight wooden ones won't weigh down
your top. And we checked, the pin is really slim, so it won't leave a big hole
on your favourite clothes.
Spotted: Necklaces Price: $19.90 to $22.90 Why we dig it: Because they are so pretty! 'nuff said.
Spotted: Hair Clips and Ponytail Elastic Price: $7.90 to $9.90 (hair clips), $12.90 (ponytail elastic) Why we dig it: You don't need to colour your hair to look nice, these
hairclips and ponytail elastics best complement jet-black hair.
Spotted: Bracelet Price: $12.90 Why we dig it: Instructions that came with
this "Frog Prince bracelet" read: Kiss each frog twice a day, once
in the morning and before you sleep. Do this for a week and the frog will turn
into a prince. We're kidding! Then again, it might just work, plus you have
3 tries.
Spotted: Assorted Rings Price: $6.90 each Why we dig it: The kitten meowed, the star twinkled, both fishes claimed
to know where's Nemo, kiddo Prince Charming winked at us and the cute shop assistant
tried to propose to this reporter with the heart ring! Yeah right! Still, we
think those rings are way too adorable not to adorn our digits with. [^top]
Turn on the spotlight Never imagined that browsing for cross stitch
threads or simply getting new tassels for the curtains will lead you to accessories
that hail from the Down Under? Neither did Ms Jennifer Lim, a secretary in her
late twenties who went on to purchase a bracelet that this reporter was taking
a photograph of. Yes, Spotlight, Singapore's
answer to all aspiring Martha Stewarts is where one can go for really cheap
Xcessories-lookalike, err, accessories, without even having to D-I-Y.
Spotted: Plastic Bangles Price: $1.99 to $2.99 Why we dig it: These candy coloured bangles remind us of those we can
buy from Warehouse or Miss Selfridge, sans the hefty price tag. Wear a couple
to look like a J- or K-pop wannabe, or just 1 for a playful effect.
Spotted: Assorted Bracelets Price: $2.29 each Why we dig it: These Xcessories look-alikes are so cheap, we almost didn't
believe our eyes.
Spotted: Flower elastic bands Price: $2.79 Why we dig it: Because this is just the thing to bring out any girl's
softer side. To look ultra feminine in just 2 minutes, gather your hair to one
side and tie them into a loose ponytail with this flower elastic band. Instant
results guaranteed.
Spotted: Shell bracelet and necklace Price: $2.99 and $4.29 Why we dig it: Because we can pretend to have gone to Bali when all we
did was to shell (no pun intended) out 10 bucks - spend $8 on these accessories
and another $2 on the admission fee to Sentosa for a tan to match. Brilliant
eh?
Spotted: Lace belts Price: $4.99 Why we dig it: It's not been spotted on anyone's hips yet, and it's a
nice variation from the usual chain belts. Go on, start a trend.
Spotted: Psychedelic scarves and groovy white
belt Price: $4.99 and $14.29 Why we dig it: Because we know that we'll definitely be invited to a
retro party once in our lifetime. The 70's rock!
Where to find them:
Jasons Marketplace
Raffles City Shopping Centre
#B1-01
Bookabaru Books
Forum The Shopping Mall
#02-05
T.O.T.S (The Original Toy Store)
Raffles City Shopping Centre
#03-36
