Instead of Packing
Instead of packing a suitcase full of clothes for my trip to England tomorrow, I ordered a range of basics from the Zara sale and had them sent to the place where I'll be staying. I'm bringing my carry on half empty so that I can fit all the new pieces in. I'm pretty sure this is the best idea ever because I'm thinking it will be super nice to receive a new little mini wardrobe upon arriving at my destination.
Instead of packing a suitcase full of clothes for my trip to England tomorrow, I ordered a range of basics from the Zara sale and had them sent to the place where I'll be staying.
I'm bringing my carry on half empty so that I can fit all the new pieces in. I'm pretty sure this is the best idea ever because I'm thinking it will be super nice to receive a new little mini wardrobe upon arriving at my destination.
As soon as the Zara sale began I was on their website scrolling through the hundreds of items that had been discounted. There was so much to pick from but in the end I settled on a few tank tops, a grey skirt and a striped dress. Perfect little additions to my wardrobe!
Photos via Zara
Zara, I'm coming for you
You might already know, I have a serious love/hate relationship with Zara. Love: because it looks like a little slice of heaven on the website. Hate: because in reality it's often quite crap.
You might already know, I have a serious love/hate relationship with Zara. Love: because it looks like a little slice of heaven on the website. Hate: because in reality it's often quite crap.
Every season I do the same thing. I troll the website repeatedly and make a mental wish list of all the things I want to buy. Then, I finally go into the store and accept the reality that we aren't meant to be together. I feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of stuff in the shop, get put off by the length of the line to get into a fitting room and always always dump my pile of clothes on a table and walk out with nothing.
Well, it just so happens that I'll be staying in a hotel that is a five minute walk from Zara this week and so I'm making it my goal to go into the shop and have a proper look at what's on offer. I really want the little navy dress with the belted waist, the pink chunky knit and the holy jeans. Oh, and the mules. I don't know why I've just been overcome by the desire to wear mules. Talk me out of it if you think that's necessary. Okay, I will keep you updated on what happens. Expect some frantic Instagram shots from the changing room.
Photos via Zara.
Reinvention
For some strange reason, the other day, instead of putting my black Zara skirt on around my bottom I pulled it up to my chest. Ooo, I stared into the mirror and did a little twirl. It flared out with quite a cute little shape. Voila. I had just gained, without spending any money, a brand new top.
For some strange reason, the other day, instead of putting my black Zara skirt on around my bottom I pulled it up to my chest.
Ooo, I stared into the mirror and did a little twirl. It flared out with quite a cute little shape. Voila. I had just gained, without spending any money, a brand new top.
This weekend I paired it with some grey pinstripe trousers and wandered over to Winterthur to explore some back alleys. I'm not going to lie, I had a massive cardigan and a coat on for most of the time. But the shape of the top was kind of lost when I had on all those layers.
So I stripped down and my absurdity managed to go unnoticed except for the hoard of kids that rode by on their bicycles shouting in German, 'You must be freezing!' Yes, I was. But, thankfully I've got Photoshop and the ability to zap the red tones out of my skin so... if I didn't tell you, you'd never have known that I was actually frozen solid.
Wearing Zara skirt (as a top), trousers and shoes. Moxham clutch. Vintage earrings.
// OH ZARA, YOU MELT MY HEART //
You might already know that I have a serious love/hate relationship with Zara. With that said, it might seem strange that I check their website almost everyday. I know it's dumb but, I have a weird obsession.
I can't help it though, the site is just so good. And, I've got to tell you, it just got even better with the release of the November look book. It is positively yummy. The knit jumpsuit looks like the most comfortable thing in the entire world to wear and the checked coat looks achingly similar to a certain little Stella McCartney one. The light grey slouchy turtleneck is exactly what I've been dreaming of. Plus, if I wore the black parka paired with skinny jeans I would look exactly like Emmanuelle Alt does when she's warding off the street style photographers at the Tuileries.
I'm sure if I went into the store though I'd discover that the knits aren't quite as soft as they look in the photos. The coats probably don't have buttons (which drives me cray-cray) and nothing will drape quite as well as it does on the models.
As a result, Zara, I will continue to admire you from afar.
Pink & Black
Lately I've been gravitating towards all black outfits. Maybe it's the gradual transition out of summer? Anyway, I threw in a bit of contrast with this nude pink leather jacket and a leopard print clutch. This is my version of transitional dressing.
Whenever I'm in the south of France one of my favourite places to go is Saint Paul de Vence. It's a tiny medieval town nestled on the top of a hill. It's filled with tons of art galleries and a selection of little restaurants. Each time we visit, we have lunch at an outdoor terrace and try to celebrity spot from the tourists walking by.
Lately I've been gravitating towards all black outfits. Maybe it's the gradual transition out of summer? Anyway, I threw in a bit of contrast with this nude pink leather jacket and a leopard print clutch. This is my version of transitional dressing.
Wearing: Charlie May jacket, Zara t-shirt and skirt, Next shoes and Lilifi bag.
Here is why I can't update my wardrobe
I have a serious problem.
The problem lies within my wardrobe. Literally, everything either doesn't fit or has a hole in it. I really need to make some updates. But I'm paralyzed, I just can't do it. I can't shop. This inability to buy something (anything) has left me wearing the exact same thing every day... over and over again. It's really bad and kind of embarrassing. Here's the thing though, I just don't know where to shop. I was blinded by the wondrous possibility that was Zara's new collection... oooh, ahhhh, it just looks so good.
So, I went to the website and scrolled through every section making a mental note of all the things I wanted to get (there was a lot). Yesterday I walked into the shop and was confronted by the painful reality that everything in Zara is absolute crap. The fabrics are cheap, the knitwear makes my eyes itch, nothing is cut well or hangs properly. Everything I have ever bought from Zara has gotten a hole in it the first time I've worn it. Bah. Why do I even bother considering it as an option? It's because so many bloggers buy the stuff and post it online and it looks so good in pictures but in real life it sucks. I don't want to have nasty fabrics draped over my body all day long.
Which brings me to my major problem: I can't afford what I want to buy. I don't want Zara's ill-fitting synthetic version of Stella's pinstripes (see above). I want Stella's pinstripes.
Oh, sweet beautiful Stella and her pinstripes.
But a single jumper will set you back nearly £900 and sadly we all know I'm not a Clarins heiress so that is out. of. the. question. So while I try to figure out this dilemma which has me wedged between glancing back-and-forth between style.com and Zara I'll just continue to wear my same old American Apparel t-shirts and jeans. Because the reality is, I would rather wear that then a nasty knockoff.
photos from zara.com and style.com
Being thankful...
My Thanksgiving didn't quite go the way the way it was meant to: there were no turkeys to be found (I failed at even getting my hands on a replacement chicken) so I made Greek salad instead. Normally I'd watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles but decided to go for the Sopranos. It all felt decidedly un-festive. There wasn't a big meal, no Macy's parade or football to watch and I couldn't even get revved up for Black Friday madness... it felt a bit like any other day. That was until I came across this post. It made me want to sit around a table and indulge in that cringe-worthy tradition of having to say what you're thankful for. And, if I did the things that would top my list would of course be friends and family. Despite them being spread across countless cities and countries it's always the best when you're reunited. Also, I'm pretty darn thankful for this little here blog and for the people (ehem, that you) that keep coming back to it . Unexpectedly, this has given me the opportunity to pursue all sorts of things I never thought possible.
Okay, enough with the sentimentals because I have something very important to say. I'm seriously obsessed with these boots - they have become the Converse of my winter. I wear them pretty much everyday and they are only getting better and softer and more wonderful. That is all.
Wearing: Zara jumper, Topshop Ambush boots, Moto leigh burgundy jeans, Sambag black snakeskin tote and black scarf borrowed from Charlie. Photos by Shini. p.s. Congratulations to the winner of the Cooee Designs giveaway - Emily from Wardrobe Block.
der Schweizer
For some unknown reason I'm craving all sorts of things that remind me of being a kid... like pony tails and little girly sandals with straps that go around the ankle. I've taken on a newly formed liking to pink and hearts. I'm not sure why this is happening.
The Swiss know how to do some things right. Like coffee and pretzels... but also Sundays. Just about everything is closed which can be frustrating if you're on the search for milk or sugar but it's actually pretty darn sweet. Most people can be found either sitting on their balconies, outside cafes, or playing chess in a little park that overlooks the Alps. As I spent most the weekend scrubbing the bathroom, mopping floors, and packing bags in preparation for moving flats... a Sunday afternoon spent drinking iced coffees and roaming the nearly empty streets of Zurich provided a much welcomed break.
For some unknown reason I'm craving all sorts of things that remind me of being a kid... like pony tails and little girly sandals with straps that go around the ankle. I've taken on a newly formed liking to pink and hearts plus each time I get an ice-cream cone it seems to melt so quickly that it drips down the sides and onto my fingers (surely the sort of thing you only see happening to zoned out little children en route to becoming seriously sticky). Maybe it's all this fresh air or the lack of a full time job... whatever it is, it's good and I'm liking it.
Wearing: pink satin sandals and leather miniskirt from Zara, white burnout t-shirt from Urban Outfitters, striped bag from Ikea with black Elizabeth Lau heart attached, Super sunglasses and YSL arty ring.
I want you.
Oh Zara, how I detest your messy shops and unhelpful staff. You're customer service is a shocker and the amount of faulty items I've seen strewn across your floors could stock an Oxfam twice over. I've got to say though, each season you've got me drooling over your pieces that are painfully spot on. The quality is questionable and the fabric composition makes me sweat but when you've got pink trousers, orange skirts, and pleats galore I find it impossible to resist your allure. So until I've got the funds to afford the Prada and Marc Jacobs that I truly want, your brights and neutral pieces will keep me feeling hot.
I could easily drop a grand in Zara right now. They've got my spring wardrobe nailed.
this bike has no breaks!
pride comes before the fall...
