Posts Tagged ‘Zara’

As an experienced shopper (a bit of sarcasm here- after all, every girl is one, yeah? lol but in any case… since I get asked a lot on where I get the stuff I wear), I would like to share some tips on where to shop for specific items to help make your shopping experience a productive and efficient one- oh, and also to prevent you from wasting money on the things that are not worthy.

1. Let’s start with Jackets:

H&M

While you have to do some search, they usually offer a great selection and very well-tailored jackets at an affordable price. As for other things, I’ve never really had luck with their accessories nor tops unless they are made in Europe with high quality material. Their leggings are made of cheap materials which make them become unwearable after a wash, and their pants just don’t fit right. Sometimes they offer high quality dresses which is very rare- and even when that happens, you’d better run because they will be gone before you know it.

*Note: They also offer very nice fitted button-up shirts for men for under $40. Try them once and you will be hooked.

2. Practical and durable Coats, Jackets, Cardigans, & Sandals:

Zara

While their products are not top notch, they offer trendy products at a reasonable price. definitely more expensive than H&M or Forever21, but it’s a great place to pick up a trendy jacket or coat, and sometimes accessories such as sandals and handbags as well. While  I find a lot of their bags cute, I prefer real leather which they usually do not carry- so that explains why I don’t own any of their bags. I do own a pair of their gladiator sandals however, which I absolutely love. <3

3. Artsy Graphic T-shirts & Skinny Jeans:

Mango

They have really cute casual tops to pair with jeans or leggings. I love their graphic artsy print tees. I also like their stretchy skinny jeans because they fit very nicely.

4. Dresses, Sweaters, Jackets, Skinny Jeans, Blouses, and everything else:

Miss Sixty

If you’ve been reading my blog, you know I’m a loyal fan. I absolutely love their creativity and quality of the products. Everything in the store fits very well, ranging from dresses to jeans to shoes. love. I just don’t dig their bags… no comment there.

5. Dresses, Dressy Tops (for work or parties), Coats, Jackets, & Ties for Men:

Ted Baker

Extremely well-made, high quality products ($$$). You get what you pay for. lol

6. Shoes:

Politix (Beverly Center):

If you are not from Socal, the name probably sounds foreign, but it’s a boutique specializing in Italian fashion ranging from shoes to premium jeans. I travel to LA once a while for their amazing collection of shoes that cannot be found elsewhere. I’m a huge fan of Italian shoes that are unique and high quality and they offer just that.

7. Men’s Dress Shoes & Ladies’ Hand Bags:

Bally

Every man should have a nice pair of dress shoes and this is where they can be found. Bally is known for comfortable, durable, yet stylish shoes- No further explanation needed. As for bags, the black shoulder bag I carry everywhere (literally) that I get asked about all the time is from Bally. I really have no idea what I’m going to do when it falls apart.

8. Watches:

Cartier

Aside from the fact that I’ve been brainwashed by my sister who’s been working for the company for quite some time, I’ve come to a conclusion that what I’ve been taught may indeed be true- that Cartier makes one of the best & stylish watches. If I had a choice, I’d pick up this Santos for those casual days and for more dressy occasions, a Rolex with diamonds all over (you know what? that’d actually work for the casual days as well now that I think about it.. but I digress). lol Out of all the watches I’ve seen, Cartier makes the best looking leather strap watches. My blessed sister gets to wear the watch of my dreams for marketing purposes but yeah, if I could just live for the present, I’d definitely get one, like TODAY. ahhh…

9. Work Pants:

Express

This is the ONLY thing I buy from this store. The Editor Pants are the best thing Express has ever made.

10. Leather Bracelets:

Kitson

Everything is way over priced so don’t even try unless you got a sugar daddy or have money coming out of ears or somethin’ (not that bracelets are an exception but they are just so cute I cannot resist them).

11. Suits, Blouses, Coats for both men & women, Men’s Sweater, Cardigan, & Fitted Casual Button-down Shirts

Club Monaco

Why is it that this place is ALWAYS packed with Korean people? Could it be that they carry cute suits and blouses; cute coats and endless collection of cute stuff for men? If you haven’t been here, you are totally missing out. Yes, it’s a bit pricey but I’ve never regretted shopping here. besides, more men need to shop here! **

12. Leggings & Opaque Tights:

Tomimito Shop, of course. haha.

On a serious note, the reason why I decided to sell these is because I had a hard time finding leggings and opaque tights that were unique, comfortable, and high quality in the states. Especially with the tights, I just could not find ones that were thick enough to reach the level of opaqueness I wanted to achieve. I had tried Express, H&M, DKNY, and various department store brand tights only to be disappointed over and over again- you know, you think you are buying what you want but once you actually put them on, they don’t turn out the way you had imagined. Every time it happened, I told myself that I’m only getting my money’s worth- but yeah, didn’t mean to make this post a commercial one but I just want to help those who are experiencing frustration like I did. Even with leggings, what’s up with the cheap material? Would you spend $20 for a cheap pair only to buy another within months, or buy a quality kind for $40 to wear everyday yet still last like forever? idk, I’m definitely the latter type of person. btw, one of my favorite fashion magazines says Black Opaque Tights are one of the must-have-items for women these days. Check it out. As they mention, opaque tights, when they are truly opaque and durable, can make your legs look slimmer. They suggest doubling them up, but as you can imagine, that can be quite inconvenient not to mention uncomfortable. Try ours (great news- they don’t need to be doubled up to achieve opaqueness!) I take pride in quality of our products and believe you will truly be satisfied. Try the Stirrups for a more dramatic effect to elongate your legs while slimming them!

I hope the list helps. I need your help now- I have yet to find a store that offers cute cotton-based undies (no, not Victoria’s Secret or Frederick’s, pls!). As usual, I want quality and style with an affordable price tag. Let me know!

Image Source: Google Images- various

I started layering up my outfits when I lived in New York for a practical reason (it gets freezing cold on the east coast as you know), but now I just do it because it’s fun… well, and it does get chilly at night in California too.

Another beautiful sunny day in Southern California… decided to head South for some fresh San Diego air-

I’m in love with cardigans these days- a great one goes with just about anything! Oh, and there’s my Bally bag again… hahaha

Gray Cardigan: Zara

Black Dress: H&M (Can’t remember… liked it so much that I got another one in gray, in thicker material)

Fishnet stockings: DKNY @ Marshall’s

Bracelet: Club Monaco

Necklace & Earrings: From a friend’s store

Suede Ankle Boots (not shown): About five years old, from a random store in NYC… I was sad b/c I ended up replacing them with flats after realizing how much walking I’d be doing upon arriving at Balboa Park.

San Diego Museum of Art

A mesmerizing encounter with “Picasso, Miro, Calder”… Interesting how artistically influential one can be to another.

…

Thought this little guy was quite cute despite my batrachophobia…

Btw, I’m loving my new sheets that I got from Crate & Barrel the other day at a ridiculously discounted price. I find myself looking forward to going to bed these days. <33

Need a perfume… Any recommendations? Donations are also welcome.