More ZARA sales loot!

It's no big secret that I love ZARA and I am definitely one who window shops during the regular season and patiently awaits for sale season to hit in order to pounce on items on my "Wanted" list. Heh. Although I absolutely love the ballet lace flats, the pragmatic me couldn't see me wearing it a whole lot and even on sale at $59.90, I knew I had to return it with a heavy heart (which I did last week).

ZARA lace ballet flats

Once I returned the flats, I walked around the store to see if there were anything else on my "wanted" list that was marked further down. I had tried on a knitted orangey red dress while I was in NY for Thanksgiving and was hoping it would be marked down for Black Friday sales but alas, it wasn't. I came back to DC and never saw the dress in the store but the fashion gods must have decided to be kind to me for I found the dress, the only one hanging on the rack of dresses in voila, my size! The price on the tag was marked $39.99 and although it was still a little on the high side, it was well within my budget of $40 for dresses. Well, it rang up at the cashier for $29.99!

ZARA knitted (jersey) dress

Since I was working downtown today, I decided to check out the ZARA at Metro Center and I found yet another item on my "wanted" list! I had set my eyes on the watercolor scarf even though I had never seen it in the store but I was put off by the price even though it was marked down on sale online. Well, today I found the scarf in the store (after not seeing it online anymore) and the tag was marked $25.99 but as it rang up as only $14.99! *grins* The scarf is actually huge, much like an Hermes scarf and for that price, I think it's an absolute score!

ZARA Watercolor Scarf

Suffice to say, I am very happy with my ZARA sales loot amidst only a few items in comparison to my Summer loot but it's all good since I am still recovering from my Chanel splurge. As the saying goes, "if it's meant to be, it'll happen." Oh-so-true even for fashion scores!

Now, what did we say about a shopping ban? Heh.

ZARA Spring/Summer 2010 Collection

ZARA's Spring/Summer 2010 Collection is finally up on its website. I find the collection to be very Chloe-ish, if I may say so. Nonetheless, I am a fan of the earthy tones and the color palette that is used for this Spring/Summer collection.

Below are pics...






I am definitely loving the 4th, 6th and the 9th look from this collection. There is just something about a classic, crisp white shirt that oozes style and sensuality to me. Which is your favorite look from this collection? Do share!

New arrivals at ZARA and lemmings at H&M

As promised, here are some of the new arrival items that caught my eye, or rather pieces that I can easily incorporate into my existing wardrobe! Heh. I have some major wardrobe cleaning to be done. I have garments from a decade ago, which admittedly still fits me like a glove but my sense of style has definitely changed and therefore, those garments should be cleaned out! I am definitely in the process of streamlining my wardrobe and of course everything else that I have. One of my resolutions for 2010 is to have less clutter! Be forewarned that I am not responsible should you be experiencing some cross-eyed effect from all the stripes! Okay, no more rambling, let the pics galore begin...

I am definitely considering to purchase the navy raincoat as my current rain jacket is 2 sizes too big. Not to mention, the raincoat is only $19.90! Being greedy, I'd also like to add the trench coat ($129) to my wardrobe although I already own one but similar to my rain jacket, it's a tad big and doesn't quite fit as well although I have received countless compliments on it. Maybe it's time for an upgrade? Hah, maybe, just maybe. But it'll have to be on sale (yes, I am not shelling $129 for a trench coat!) I have to say till date, I have yet to step into ZARA upon return from mother land and perhaps it's a good thing.

I went to Bloomingdales and H&M at the mall across my work building on Wednesday and boy, it took quite a bit of willpower to leave empty-handed! I still have my eyes on the H&M pleated skirt and strapless LBD but we shall see how long I can hold out before I break down and purchase it!

Sneak Peek at ZARA's Spring/Summer 2010 collection

Here's a little sneak peek into ZARA's upcoming Spring/Summer 2010 collection. More to come soon!

What do you think? I am definitely a fan of the blazer in the second pic and the black pair of sandals in the first pic. The leather shorts looks very chic and on trend but just not necessarily my style.

Also, I have saved up a couple of new arrival items that I like but it takes me a bit of time to save the pics, edit, etc so I'll have to save that for another post!

ZARA December 2009 Lookbook

Okay, yes I know its January 2010 but what the hey, I figured I can still post the items I like from ZARA's December 2009 lookbook. I did see them back in December but was just preoccupied and didn't find time to blog about it.

Regardless, without further ado, here are some outfits or rather looks that I adore.

Yes, the epaulets on the shoulder is very trendy as its all about the 80s now and Michael Jackson might just call you to get them back. But overall, I like the outfit although I would not necessarily pair it with such a flashy belt. I am all about the classic look and being subtle and understated!

This is just pure classic. Need I say more? Except, I would much prefer the top to be in a different color as I should stay away from black! Heh.

This blouse is just so feminine and classic in my opinion. I feel like I can wear this with 8764253 things in my wardrobe!

In addition to these, here are two new arrivals that caught my eyes...

I may not wear heels all that often, but I feel these pair of heels can easily be incorporated into my wardrobe as it can be dressed up or down. It retails for $99 in stores.

*all pics are taken from ZARA.com*

I like this blouse for its simplicity. I dig turtlenecks as I have a long neck (hello, giraffe!) and the bow adds a touch of feminity to it. Of course, I am also a fan of heather grey as it is a nice neutral for change instead of black and white. This top retails for $25.90 in stores.

I have been holding back from visiting the ZARA store in my local neighborhood but I might just give in tomorrow. Hah, we shall see...

Outfit for the Day

Here's a rare occasion that I managed to snap a pic of my outfit after work!

Top: BCBG Max Azria (hand-me-down!)
Dress: ZARA
Tights: H&M
Boots: Banana Republic (Ebay find!)
Bag: Marc Jacobs North South Tote in Black

ZARA November 2009 Lookbook

The November lookbook for ZARA has been up on their website for a while and I could definitely incorporate the following outfits into my work wardrobe!

We have casual Fridays at work so the jeans would definitely work! Meanwhile, although i try to stay away from black for dresses and tops, the following dresses are definitely pretty and would warrant a place in my wardrobe if they came in a different color...

Oh ZARA, how I love thee... Now where's my money plant? Heh.

ZARA and Stella McCartney

Yes, I have been MIA-ing for a while but I am back! I have started my new job and I get to play dress up for work! Woohoo! Alas, my room doesn't get much light so snapping pic of my outfits are questionable. Besides, I am almost always rushing out the door in the morning while its pitch dark by the time I get off work (yeah, winter you know?). Pfft. Well, maybe I will get to feature some outfits hopefully soon.

Anyways, someone in a forum that I am a member of pointed out that a ZARA top is a knockoff of Stella McCartney's and must I say I am impressed? All the more reasons why I love ZARA! HAH!

Stella McCartney

ZARA

Which do you prefer? The original Stella McCartney version or the knockoff from ZARA?

Pretty Aprons and Outfit for the Day

Now I may not be a domestic goddess (and I highly doubt I will ever become one!) but seeing these pretty and fun aprons make me want to cook and bake, just like a Stepford wife! Well, you know just like Bree Van de Kamp in Desperate Housewives? Oh, and so 50s too!

Victorian black and white apron

Yellow canary apron

Cupcake apron

Japanese doll apron

Fluffy kitten apron

Don't they make you want to cook and bake just so you can wear the apron? Well, of course you can still wear the apron and be a "poser" and not cook and bake but er, you know it would be better if you do! Heh. At less than $30 and some of them even less than $20, you can now cook and bake happily in style in these pretty and fun aprons!

The seller Boojiboo also sells coasters and tea towels made out of similar pretty and fun prints on the fabric. I think these would make nice gifts for housewarming parties, Thanksgiving and of course, Xmas! Happy shopping!

*Kindly take note that I do not benefit from promoting this seller. I just happened to like the pretty things she has in store.*

On a separate note, here's my outfit for the day:

Top: Ralph Lauren (outlet find!)
Blazer: ZARA
Scarf: Thrifted from London as posted here
Jeans: Miss Selfidge (gift from Miss Faux-Fashionista!)
Shoes: Banana Republic (Ebay find!)
Bracelet: Glass beaded necklace from Uganda as posted here
Bag: Marc Jacobs Little Stam in Milk

A Black Box and Outfit for the Day

I went to pick up the little something that I purchased last week during a promotional event from Neiman Marcus and decided to wear one of the sundresses that I have. The main piece for the outfit was the dress and the rest just came along as I dressed up to head out.

Dress: Esprit
Blazer: ZARA
Skinny belt: H&M
Shoes: Banana Republic (Ebay find!)
Bag: Marc Jacobs Little Stam in Milk
Necklace: H&M and white gold necklace with star pendant
Bracelet: Forever 21 (the necklace that broke as mentioned in my previous post)
Pin: Thrifted as posted here

Curious to know what I picked up from the promotional event at Neiman's? Its a black box!

That's all I am posting for now. HAH! Yes, the frugalista in me splurged and indulged myself with a Chanel and I am totally doing this on purpose to keep you in suspense! Teehee.

Guilt-ridden shopping and Outfit for the Day

I went to meet up with a friend, S today who just recently returned from Uganda for her Fellowship and of course, we went shopping! We first went into one of my favorite stores, Club Monaco but we left empty-handed as even with markdowns the frugalista in me wasn't keen on paying the prices.

So, next up was H&M. I haven't been shopping in H&M for a while since I have been indulging in ZARA for quite a fair bit. I did pop by the store yesterday and saw a couple of cute stuff but didn't try anything on. I have to say that was a smart move for today, when I went in with my friend and tried the stuff that I spotted yest, it was a GONER! I left with a piece of garment and another piece on hold at another store as the one they had had a little snag on it. Pfft.

The items that I tried on were the jacquard strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline and a Chanel-esque tweed-like jacket which S mentioned is so Jackie-O. Heh. I bought the dress and will head to the other H&M in town to pick up the jacket tomorrow.

Jacquard Strapless Dress with Sweetheart neckline

Black & white Chanel-esque jacket

What do you think? I am thinking of wearing the dress for my brother's wedding at the end of the year. I will pair the dress with accessories and post that to garner your feedback.

On a different note, here's what I wore today:

Top: GAP
Jacket: Calvin Klein (outlet find!)
Shorts: The Limited (TJ Maxx find!)
Shoes: Banana Republic (Ebay find!)
Bag: Marc Jacobs Christy in Bordeaux
Necklace: Forever 21 and white gold necklace with star pendant
Pin: Handmade with some help from a friend (a costume designer!)

I have to say that I am disappointed though as my necklace broke. Boo! I was sitting and waiting at the Dept of Motor Vehicle to renew my driver's license before meeting up with S and have absolutely no clue how my necklace broke except it did! Thankfully I found the locket in my bag. I guess I will wear the broken chain as a bracelet instead and try and find a long chain to go with the locket. Boohoo! The lovely necklace was a gift from K, a super kind friend who indulges me with random gifts.