The Great Bag Debate

Five years later and I find myself with the same problem.

I'm looking for the perfect day bag and I can't find one.

It was five years ago the same problem prompted me to start Tiger Tem in the first place. Looking back, I appreciate what an ambitious venture it was, but what's life without some huge challenges?

My criteria this time round...remains spookily the same.
1. I'm not a fan of the status bag. The whole notion of a status bag, says too much about too little and is just a little too chav-tastic for me. Snob? Moi...you betcha.

2. I'm a leather lover

3. I'm open to colour.

4. I'm looking for an east-west bag (i.e. wide as opposed to tall), one that's roomy enough to fit my laptop

5. And I want something that has enough pockets to help keep my life in order.

6. Under $500. Credit crunch ain't no joke.




I am in love with this Alexis Hudson bag! I love the deep, dark, sexy bordeaux leather, I love the vintage inspired shape and I love the twist lock on the front. Dayum, I think I might have lucked out from the start. And the best bit?
Its reduced from $625 to $375 www.bluefly.com





Hmmm, another very understated bag that appeals to me a lot. This is by Brazilian designer Elisa Atheniense. I love the fusion of the snakeskin straps, the contrast overstitching and the buttery soft leather.
$443 www.tobi.com





This bag toes the line between a nice touch of glam and trying a little too hard so the jury's still out. But I like the soft grey leather and the stud details which toughen up the butterfly design on the front. The added touch of snakeskin looks great in the picture but I suspect there might just be a little bit too much going on for my liking.
Betsey Johnson Butterfly Bling (and they just had to kill it with the name).
$395 now $222 www.bloomingdales.com





This shade of orange is usually best left to Hermes but you know what, it works. I love the shape, size and colour of this bag. Its an absolutely fabulous $56 from www.baghaus.com but the only rub...its not real leather.




Who knew Badgley Mischka had launched a line of handbags? And all very moderately priced too. I'm liking the 'Sofia' a lot. Not crazy about the colour though. But its a great shape and size for everyday use. $455 www.saksfifthavenue.com







I love the star patchwork detail and embroidered handle on this Tracy Reese bag. I love the deep denim blue and the contrast the handle offers. Very, very cute.
$365 down to $179...just made it a whole lot cuter! www.smartbargains.com





Ohhh, I fell in love with Liberty all over again last year. Its always been of my favourite underdogs and the genius behind their new own brand accessory line has worked their magic with this Ianthe print leather bag. Love it, need it, want it.
395 for the mini, 450GBP for the small and 550GBP for the medium
www.liberty.co.uk




Another lesser known brand JJ Winters offers up this piece of fabulousity. Ok, the blue is a tad bright to get much play but I love it anyway. More of a posh beach bag truth be told than an every day bag, but we all need posh beach bags too. $460 www.shopharmony.com





Furla certainly seem to have a new design team in place since the last time I gave them so much as a glance. I hated that hard, stiff leather they used for their bags. It works great for the little leather make up bags and jewellery cases but otherwise...nah. But this, supersoft, chocolate brown bowling bag...I am loving. 335GBP.





But I have to say I'm still madly in love with this Tiger Tem baby from 2005.


And still even more in love with the Goldfinger. Which has hands down been the best selling bag we've launched. New plans in store for this year with the bags. The new Ikoyi spot should FINALLY be ready by easter...ok, lets just say by summer right?!

All I Want For Xmas Is.....

Dear Santa,

I think I've been pretty good this year so I'll make this really easy, as many of any of the following items.

They're not in any order of preference.

Thanks.



And for anyone else looking for ideas, this list will be pretty handy for any of the women in your life (wife, girlfriend, sister, cousin, BFF)






Santa, I'm not normally a make-up junkie but this just looks like crack in the form of a beauty box. There is something for everybody in here. I gots to get me a hit. And its only $48 from www.sephora.com



And for a little more girlie nonsense, I really do need a beanie replacement and I love this crocheted version from Portobello princess Domakaya.



I love a good book, and I've loved all Candace Bushnell books so far, so I'm sure her new romp, One Fifth Avenue will be entrenched in the upper echelons of debauched Manhattan society yet again....love it already. £8.99/$15.99 www.amazon.com


Another great book from Cecelia Aherne, which my Mac-napper stole when they stole my laptop (and no I can't/won't forgive and forget)...so I'd like to be able to finish reading the book I was half way through. Seems a bit like a modern day Scrooge tale, lots of lessons for us to learn over the festive season...so I hope Mac-napper learns a thing or two about MORALS.



Yes Santa, I know I still have an ipod, but its really really old and kinda on its last legs so I'd quite like a cute bew updated version. In purple preferably, thanks. www.apple.com $138


And while we're on the topic of techy bits and pieces, I'd love some new earbuds and yes I'm loving these buds embedded with a storm grey Swarovski gem. Cheesy? Yes very, so just load me up with a good dose of cheddar in the form of these. Thanks. www.swarovski.com



Oh Santa, after much deliberation between the iPhone and the BlackBerry I think I'd like a crackberry for Xmas please, the Bold preferably, or the Storm...whichever you find first.




I am in all types of love with candles from www.thewhitecompany.com. A Xmas supply of the very seasonally scented Winter Candles, then we'll switch back to my all time favourite candle EVER...cassis. Fabulous. One for every room please, with an extra few.


And while we talking www.thewhitecompany.com they have these fantabulous cashmere cable knit socks that I just have to have to keep my tootsies (toes) warm through winter.


And while we're talking warmth, how about this hard working travel set that I would undoubtedly use as much as humanly possible..reduced to a much more wallet friendly $150 at www. cashmereboutique.com A fabulously soft and warm cashmere blanket, eyemask and cushion cover...it might take me a while before I can afford to turn left when I step onboard but this will be a very nice way to trick my body into the illusion of luxury.


Something else that's popped up on my horizon, a bit of a reworked blast from the past ...anything with the classic Ianthe print from www.liberty.co.uk Like this fabulous cushion for £22.50.

>
And while you're in www.liberty.co.uk I'd love the classic Ianthe print silk coin purse too. £24.50.



www.smythson.com is the ultimate in premium quality leather accessories so how about a piece of that premium finery to house my jewellery collection. And yes, I'm loving this in the bright pink. $530.


And while you're dropping some major moolah in www.smythson.com I'd love the new Panama Diary in fuchsia croc as well. I get myself one every year but would be quite nice if beat me to it this year....thank you!



And what's a jewellery box without a fabulous piece of jewellery tucked away inside it. I'm in all types of love with these origami inspired earrings from Tracy Matthews, reduced from $185 t $68...fabulous.


Santa, santa, santa...I've had my eye on this table for AGES...and I still love it just as much as I did the first time I saw it. £385 requires some thought though. Its from www.grahamandgreen.co.uk and its an ancient Indian technique native to Rajasthan I think. No matter, love it. Want it. Thanks.



I know I really don't need any more bags but this one is so cute! From www.urbanoutfitters.com $28. Love it.

And most of all Santa, I'd love to see justice served to my Mac-napper. Something in the form of a freakish ma;function that gives them an electric shock. Not a shock big enough to kill them, not need for that over Xmas, but enough to scare the bee-jesus out of them...so they don't try to nick any more macs.

Tiger's Travel Tales

Well no great tales really but it is a copy of the text of the article they just printed in Genevieve (I'll update this post with a scan when I get the time).

For part of the summer issue, Genevieve asked me to give them my top travel tips for summer so here they are. Enjoy.

xoxo

Favourite Summer location and why it's your favourite.
(Hampstead Heath)

London. Boring I know but its always going to be home for me, I grew up in the UK and have family and close friends living there. Its the city I know best in the world and whenever I'm travelling anywhere from Lagos, I'll always pass through London. There's an ease with being in a place you know so well.

(Nikki Beach Marbella)

But for more exciting locations, I'd recommend Madrid, Marbella, Seville, Dubai and San Francisco.

Favourite Shops at this location
Coco Ribbon - Overpriced for the most part but its the ultimate girlie haven of a boutique.

The White Company - The best candles in the world. Yes, really.


Fenwicks, Bond Street - One of my all time favourite department stores and I'm in love with their shoe and accessory sections. You find things here that you don't find everywhere else which is always a huge plus and the look and feel of it is like a department store sized boutique.







(Liberty)

(Liberty)
Liberty, Regent Street - I love the tudor facade and its a real London landmark. I like the fact that it still has sections that look very traditionally British while other sections are state of the art contemporary. I'm not a beauty junkie but I defy anyone to go into their make-up hall and not find some exciting new thing you've never seen before that guarantees to make you look amazing. And their fragrance room...my world favourite. AND they'll always have a special place in my heart as after pounding the pavements for days, this is where I found my dress for my 21st birthday party.


Massimo Dutti....I'm in all types of love with this store. First found them in Spain, and it took a while for them to open branches in the UK. They're owned by the same company as Zara but I love their well cut, affordable, cosmopolitan European style.



Favourite food/drink there as well
A nice monster sized Chicken Caesar salad. There's a spot in Maida Vale that does one of my personal favourites. And I'm yet to find anywhere in Lagos that can match the standard. Do we get iceberg lettuce here?

I love seafood so I always look forward to a some good seabass, swordfish, tuna steak and salmon.

Tea with proper milk.

And really good sushi.

And a really nice seabreeze.




One item you always bring back to Nigeria when you travel
A stack of magazines. A smythson diary. And any new stuff I bought for myself, but even I've noticed I don't shop as much as I used to.




I travel a lot so I have certain travel rituals in place that always make my journey easier.


The big bag is by GoldenBleu (Tiger Tem is their first African stockist) and its the perfect travel bag size. And its patent which means it never looks grubby.


I always, always travel with a Tiger Tem travel set. it makes it so much easier in duty free to find your boarding pass and keeps all your travel paperwork, currency in the different pockets. Perfect.


I love Smythson and this tiny diary is perfect as it fits in the pocket of every handbag so it never gets lost. And after one gadget too many crashed, I'm a fan of writing things down on paper.


Always need a supersoft, big pashmina to wrap up and keep me warm with the supersonic air conditioning on board. Works a treat and I'm a huge pashmina fan and I have a LOT! But this leopard print one, my current favourite, was stocked at Tiger Tem but we've pretty much sold out now.


My much loved iPod, I love music and need it everywhere I go. And the headphones are so much better to use than the ones they give out on board so I use them to watch the films as well.


And last but not least a great book, just finished reading Khaled Hosseini's follow up to the Kite Runner. Loved it.

Dark Angels wear Black Halos

Oh my, oh my.

There's an uber hot new brand on the scene.

Black Halo.

The superior cut, unique shapes, finely crafted construction, feminine proportions give their clothing a seriously, seriously sexy vixen edge.

And with the global heatwave going on at the moment, why not do your bit and raise temperatures just a little bit more.


Did I say hot? Let me introduce the Black halo Keyhole Ruffle dress. This is definitely my favourite of the collection and it has MOI written all over it in capital letters. You just know it would fit like a dream and did I say uber-friggin-hot? It also comes in a very dark grey and black but I kinda like this one the most. And quite frankly I defy anybody to upstage you in this fabulosity. At $345 it requires a little thought, and a serious event. Maybe I'll just get married in it....


This is the Jackie dress and its been a hot favourite with celebs and fashionistas since it hit the stores. The simplicity, the asymmetry, the belted waist. Me likey. $345.


Oh they just had to take it up a notch by hiking up the hemlines. As a short dress fan, now, this is what I'm talking about. And as there's a little less fabric the kind souls have taken an extra $20 off the knee length Jackie price so its $325.


The classic black Jackie O dress (pictured left), chicly updated with body-conscious lines and boldly feminine ways. Asymmetrical draped neckline and shoulder flanges create interest, and while its definitely reminiscent of Roland Mouret's Moon dress(pictured right)...at $325 its more affordable than his was at a stonking $2125.


See the pleated detail at the bodice? Love it. Love it. And one more time for good measure...love it.

You know what? I'm going to have to try one of these babies on. Then make an early Xmas present request. That's the deal with expensive things. Always so much nice as gifts! ha ha ha ha.

No not really. I'm a big fan of work hard and spend that hard earned cash on things that make you feel/look even more fabulous than you already are. I tend to appreciate the things I buy myself a little bit more. As I mentioned earlier in the year I'm saving up for my Louboutins and I think I'll add this to my list. With the nature of my job, I think they'll both be part of my post-xmas loot. And I for one, cannot wait! This Xmas at Tiger Tem will most definitely be our best one yet....and what's a lot of hard work without any rewards? So Black Halo, keyhole ruffle, you're mine I tell you. Mine.

xoxo

Grab yourself a piece of Black Halo from one of these sites:-
http://www.neimanmarcus.com

http://www.bergdorfgoodman.com

http://www.intermixonline.com

http://www.singer22.com

http://www.pinkmascara.com

Just Add Jeans

Jeans are an absolute essential for any woman’s wardrobe and today we’re looking at the most simple basics that work for every woman, of every body shape. The well cut blazer, cute tank top, stylish belt, and glamorous shoes….is an outfit that works for a surprising number of occasions from work, to a dinner party, a spot of bar-hopping…you name it, Tiger Bites has it covered.


(Paige Premium Denim Hillhurst Jeans, Nickel Striped Jacket, 12th Street Cami, Paul & Joe Lovebird belt, Miu Miu patent brogues, Tiger Tem ‘Fulani’ bag)
Tailored jeans are a new hit on the denim scene and they offer an added level of smartness to an essential casual item. This outfit would be great for lunch. Teamed with a casual striped jacket and a cute cami it’s the perfect smart casual outfit. The belt adds a little sparkly and the patent brogues amp it up in the style stakes as this is one of the hottest styles for the new season. And the stylish day bag finishes off the outfit perfectly.


(J Brand Love Story Jeans, Marc Jacobs Jacket, Moschino striped tank, Tiger Tem butterfly belt, Gucci patent platforms, GoldenBleu ‘Luella’)
J Brand created the most sought after flared jeans of the season. They create a supremely flattering and sexy silhouette. Teamed with this superstylish take on a safari jacket, the sailor striped tank top the patent platform court shoes and the slick outsize bag…in this outfit, we’ll all know you mean business!



(Rich & Skinny Lush Flared Jeans, Alexander McQueen Tux Jacket, Alexander McQueen tank top, Roberto Cavalli crocodile belt, A.B.S. Allen Schwartz, Tiger Tem ‘Sao Tome’)
Hip new American brand Rich & Skinny have been a huge hit on the West Coast of America. The tux inspired jacket and gothic print tank make this a fabulous dinner outfit. The sparkly heels and clutch add a touch of sophisticated glamour which is topped off fantastically with the sought after Cavalli belt.


(Rich & Skinny Mahogany Skinny Jeans, French Connection dinner jacket, Oli Duchesse satin cami, Paul & Joe butterfly belt, Faith bronze Mary Janes, Christian Louboutin clutch)
New colours are big news with denim…this deep mahogany shade taps into that trend while still looking chic. The purple cami highlights the colour of the jeans and the cropped sleeve white jacket adds a quintessentially stylish retro touch. Accented with gold accessories and a splash of goes with everything leopard print, this would be a fabulous and headturning outfit for a night out.

Tiger Tem is MOVING!

Hey people,

Sorry for the distinct lack of posts but the NITEL strike left me sans internet for a few days and its all systems go with the Ikeja move. We will finally be opening our doors at our new branch on MONDAY! I'll put some pics up in a week or so as I know I'll be obsessively moving bits around until I feel it looks perfect.

We will be leaving our 22 Musa Yaradua location at the end of next week! A massive thank you for the amazing support so far. Its been a journey and a half, Nigeria is not for the naive novice!!! But we’re still standing….and we’re only just getting warmed up.

Its been almost 3 years and its served us well but in the spirit of embracing change (and a landlord that wants to redevelop the premises to yet another over priced high rise block of flats) off we go….to Ikoyi.

On Monday we will officially open doors for business at our first IKEJA branch. From 9am onwards. It’s a soft opening so pop in when you can and we’ll be organising a proper launch event at the end of May.

The address is 4 Ogundana Street, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja. Its at the front of Ivory Health Club which is where Bobby’s salon has been for years.

Its small but perfectly formed so I hope you enjoy shopping with us there.


And for the Island people that only visit Ikeja when they’re on their way to the airport..there will be a little bit of a wait I’m afraid!

We’re opening an IKOYI branch at the NNPC building in September. Its going to be fabulous, very fabulous. As I have copious amounts of time to work on the interior….and you know how much I love a new project. An unlikely choice of location but trust me when I say I know it will work!

But in the meantime I will be hosting a series of TIGER TEM AT HOME TEA PARTIES. The basic plan is in conjunction with valued customers, me and my team will bring Tiger Tem to you for an afternoon, with lots of our fabulously sparkly jewellery, sophisticated and elegant clutch bags, cheeky tshirts and of course lots of vino, some scrumptious scones, proper finger sandwiches, brownies, apple scrumble, and a selection of delectable bites.

The hostess gets some serious Tiger Tem perks, for providing the people (with their chequebooks) and we provide the fun, games, shopping, booze and food. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

If you’re interested in hosting a Tiger Tem At Home Tea Party, just email me on facebook or temi@tigertem.com. We can come to your home, your office or just about anywhere else you think could be a great location for a fun afternoon.

p.s. We’re working on the rest of the world too….Tiger Tem can now be found in 10 retailers across America, London and Dubai. I know its not many but it’s a start.


xxxx

Tiger's Daily Bite...Triple Threat

The last triple threat went down a treat so here's my next one.

I'm soooo getting this dress! It had me at hello.

You can never have too many LBDs.
Its strapless which is my favourite dress shape.
And the cute origami inspired shape is bang on trend.
www.nordstrom.com


I'm in all shades of love with this fabulous gold Hélène Zubeldia cuff. Its the hottest hue for jewellery at the moment, its got that ethnic touch and its a real standout piece. With this you need no other jewellery. And yes I fully intend to get one for myself! From fab new website www.bluevelvetboutique.co.uk


And what's a fabulous outfit without un petit peu de Tiger Tem? This clutch just sold out and I sooo wanted to keep one for myself.