As a self-proclaimed "city girl", you can sign me up for the hustle and bustle over the slow life anytime, any day. I'll pick a trip to New York city over a relaxing week in Maldives; I'll choose Tokyo over Kyoto; and I'll take a weekend in Bangkok over a weekend in Bali—you get the gist. Having been to the Big Apple thrice (and loved every second of it), I went on a three-week holiday in the US to explore the part which I've yet to go to—the West Coast—and filled my to-see list with touristy things that's apt for a first-timer.

Follow me on my travels to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco with my accessory of choice—the bags from Bvlgari's Spring/Summer 2019 collection. Small and sleek, the size may not necessarily be an obvious choice for a holiday, but trust me when I say that they pack a punch. Thanks to the pretty hues and eye-catching details introduced this season, the brand's signature Serpenti Forever bags turned out to be a real compliment magnet throughout my trip—and they're the perfect bags to lend my comfy-casual holiday look that extra pizzazz.

The City of Dreams was the first stop of my three-week holiday, and having heard so many wonderful (and not-so-wonderful) things about LA, I kept my expectations low and just enjoyed the moment. The number one thing to do on my touristy list is, of course, to take a picture in front of the iconic Hollywood sign, and our choice to take it at the Lake Hollywood Park was honestly the best decision. Just look at the view!

My choice of bag for a full day of sightseeing was the Serpenti Forever bag in candy quartz, jazzy tourmaline and glacier turquoise that reminded me a rock candy. The pretty-in-pink piece was an apt pick for the city, as it's reminiscent of LA's beautiful sunset. Radiating that romantic and dreamy feel, the carrier gave my rugged utilitarian look that sweet contrast. The lightweight bag also made my long day out a fuss-free one!


My favourite thing about LA: The food, of course! We had one of the best Korean spicy tofu stews at BCD Tofu House, yummy brunches at Blu Jam café and The Griddle café, and oh-so-delicious mid-day snacks at Eggslut and Leo's Tacos Truck. The foodie in me put the Yelp app to good use, and needless to say I was in #foodcoma all day, everyday.

To match my grey-and-black outfit, I opted for Bvlgari's Serpenti Forever bag in brushed metallic calf leather with a silver flap, complete with a mirrored lightning décor that givves the layers of rocks in the background that interesting contrast. The design—unlike most Serpenti Forever bags which are more feminine—takes inspo from the '80s, where punk rock and extravagance reigned. It definitely stands out against a sea of colourful Serpenti Forever crossbody, for sure.


My favourite part of the trip: As cheesy as it is, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the iconic fountain show at the Bellagio Hotel. Taking place every 15 minutes after 8pm, the water musical was choreographed according to the tunes of hit songs from the past and present. Located right in the center of the Las Vegas Strip, there's honestly no better spot to unwind after a whole day of shopping and sightseeing, and to soak up the Sin City mood. Viva Las Vegas!

Instead of a 10-hour drive to San Francisco from Las Vegas, we decided to hop on a flight that will get us to our final stop in less than two hours. After refreshing ourselves with some comfort food (we had one of the best Chinese food at San Tung), we headed to Crissy Field for a bike ride and also, to soak in the iconic views of the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. It was a relaxing afternoon.

Unlike the first two bags which I carried on this trip, this Serpenti Forever bag comes in a squarish shape and a top-handle that makes for versatile wearability. Crafted in smooth leather in a glacier turquoise shade (a nod to Portofino's picturesque harbour), take a closer look and you'll notice the tinge of pink that gave the piece an added allure. Although it may look compact, the bag was surprisingly the roomiest out of the three thanks to its wider frame, and compartments that help to keep all my knick-knacks organised.


My favourite part of the trip: The Alcatraz prison, hands down. Those who are close to me will know my love for all things crime-related, so it's only natural for the iconic site to be on my bucket list. Getting to spend a day touring the place, I thoroughly enjoyed doing the self-guided audio tour that gave me all the insight into the nook and cranny of the prison during its years of operation from 1934 to 1963. The ferry rides to and from the cell house was also an enjoyable moment. It was everything I had expected it to be and more.