& Other Stories Haul

I need to diversify my wardrobe. Everything I own is either black, navy. from Club Monaco, Zara or Uniqlo. I'm pretty conservative with my purchases, but I do prefer to save and buy "quality pieces." Ideally, I'd love to be dropping dollars on Valentino and Chanel, but for now I'll settle with my holy trinity. While visiting my sister in New York she introduced me to one of her favorite shops, which in turn...became one of my favorite shops.

I got an email notification last week that their summer sale started and I couldn't help but buy a couple of weather-appropriate staples at their discounted prices! I was bad though, because I bought some full priced items as well...

Wrap Skirt,  $60 $30

A definite keeper. I loved this skirt at first sight, but I was a little afraid when I added it to my shopping basket. Previously when I was visiting the "& other stories" flagship store in New York I wasn't the luckiest in finding bottoms that fit me. I ordered the smallest size on the website, a 4, and it fits around my waist perfectly. Just for comparison, I'm also a 00 to 0 at Club Monaco. The skirt is made out of a thick Viscose and feels well constructed. It fastens with a hidden button and another set of hidden double hooks. Definitely worth the $30!

Stand Up Collar Blouse, $75 $37

I have mixed feelings about this particular blouse. I was really woo-ed by the model wearing the blouse on the website. I've also always been a fan of wearing a black bra with a sheer long sleeved top. It may be too scandalous for some, but I think it screams Pepper Potts...and really, who wouldn't want to be like her?

My problem is that this shirt wrinkles very easily and that I'm not a model. Where the model's arms fit this blouse perfectly, my shorter arms make the blouse's fabric scrunch up awkwardly around my wrists. I ordered this shirt in a Size 4 and it fits everywhere else except the sleeve length. It's very well constructed and I like the combination zipper and button closure, but I'm really undecided about the fit. I could probably make this work, but at the time I'm posting this I'm undecided on whether I should return it or not.

Graphic Top,  $90 $45

I thought this blouse looked really adorable on the model in the photograph. I expected it to be a little boxy and "large", but this makes me look like I'm a little kid pretending to be a robot. Way too boxy. The fabric is thick, stretchy, and feels great, but the shape is just so unflattering. I can't.

Definitely going to return this guy once I head back to New York.

Font Pleat Midi Skirt, $85

I felt like I needed more color in my wardrobe, especially spring/summer colors that aren't navy or black, so I wanted to invest in some cute skirts. I'm a sucker for mint and this skirt looked so clean on the model on the website I wanted to try it out.

Again, much like the wrap skirt above, this skirt just feels good. It's well constructed, the fabric is thick, and it has a quality combination zipper-button closure. I'm 5'3 and was partially afraid that this skirt would hit me mid-shin and make me look shorter. Thankfully this hits just above my knee and looks very ladylike. I'll have to steam it to get the wrinkles out, but this skirt is a definite keeper.

Flower Lace Blouse, $90

I'm obsessed with lace. All of my summer clothes are lace and silk. When I saw this top paired with their cute scalloped shorts, I just had to have it. Again, another definite keeper. I like the lace's design and I think it's cute and cheeky with the see-through back. It fits well, the quality is very tangible, and I just really like it! 

Another huge bonus for me is that all these clothes are machine-washable, although you do have to hang them to dry, and that is so convenient. All the clothes I purchase from Club Monaco are the dreaded "Dry Clean Only."  This really just shows my lack of foresight, but cute, well-made clothes that are easy to take care of are my ultimate holy grail. 

I think "& other stories" is quickly moving up to be my favorite shop. I think their quality for their price is amazing and I always feel like I'm getting well-constructed, timeless pieces that not many people have access to. Their prices are somewhat similar to Zara's, but the construction on their items far surpasses that. 

If you're looking to spice up your wardrobe, I highly suggest giving "& other stories" a look. 

Recent Aritzia Haul

I talked about my first "official" purchase from Aritzia here. When I heard they were having their 2013 Summer Sale, I decided to buy some basics that I've been eyeing for a long time. I must say, Aritzia doesn't have sales very often, but even when they do...the discounts aren't that great or at least...I don't "feel" like I'm getting a great deal on most items. I still bought things though, so I definitely fell prey to the hype.

Palmdale Bustier

Sorry for the weird lighting!

One thing that was on my must buy list were these lace bustiers. Through a revelation on my "true" bra size , I've realized that most of the bustier/crop tops that I've bought are ridiculously over sized, rendering them unwearable. Either the cups are too big for my tiny endowments or the band is too large for my rib cage...it was a disaster. I was measured, once upon a time ago, at a Victoria's Secret, as a 34 A and I've been buying that bra size ever since. In reality, I'm a 27 B, but since you can only order specialty petite bras online, in most stores I'm a 30/32 A. I'm a size XS in these Palmdale Bustiers and they actually fit.

Backfat

One thing that's a double edged sword is the stretchy back. With the stretchy back, I'm basically insured if I grow or shrink a little. However, I hate pulling this thing off over my head because I'm so afraid I'll like rip the lace or get makeup smeared all over it. I would have much preferred a zip closure...even though I know it probably wouldn't have "fit" as well. 

Purchase Link: Palmdale Bustier (White)

Original Price: $50 | Now: $45

Usually I don't condone buying the same item in different colors, but given the state of my current wardrobe I thought it would be a good idea to have some "staple options" to mix and match with. Black and White for some silky, flowy translucent shirts, under some hole-y sweaters, or even on their own. The black is exactly the same as the white and...as such...my feelings are the same too. =) 

For those of you wondering, these bustiers do come in other colors, I remember seeing a teal in store, but the only color online seems to be a bright orange.

Purchase Link: Palmdale Bustier (Black)

Original Price: $50 | Now: $45 

Capucine T-Shirt

Sometimes I'm a sheep. I've seen this shirt on girls in random places and I've always admired the "tulip" cut of the outfit. Since it's so long, and covers the bum adequately, I think this t-shirt is a good spring/summer casual item that can be dressed up for winter. I'm already thinking of wearing these guys with like pleather leggings and a big sweater.

It's just a basic tee that has a unique shape to bring a little class to any outfit. In this outfit, as well as most of my Aritzia purchases, I'm an XXS. I must say though, the one drawback for this shirt, is probably its tendency to wrinkle. I left it in the Aritzia bag kind of kicking around and it seems to have gotten very wrinkly...I'll have to steam or wash it soon.

The Capucine T-Shirt comes in a plethora of colors, I just decided to be boring and go with the light heather grey. Seeing as they have so many colors, their unpopular colors are the cheapest, starting at $24.99, with their more popular colors going up to $40. Unfortunately the heather grey shirt was something that fell under the $40 range. 

Purchase Link: Capucine T-Shirt (Heather Grey)

Original Price: $50 | Now: $40

Manuscript Blouse

Yes, I'm aware you can see my bra, but I sort of like the sheerness. Nothing inappropriate at least! This 100% silk shirt is just really nice and I think the stark grid pattern really lends itself to being dressed up or dressed down. I first remember seeing this shirt on a woman who was dressed in head to toe black, with a black blazer and black skinny jeans. She just looked SO SHARP. I wanted to emulate her. I was staring at her boobs a lot too. The grid pattern is/has always been one of my favorite patterns, especially since the long ago debut of the YSL Cage Sandal. Beautiful!

With this shirt I was, again, an XXS. The shirt also comes in the inverse color scheme, white background with a black grid,but in the white version the pattern doesn't continue onto the sleeves. For that reason, I think the black looks better. 

Purchase Link: Manuscript Blouse (Black)

Original Price: $95 | Now: $80 

Balzac Sweater

As you can probably tell from the photo, I was most pleased about getting my hands on this sweater. Again in size XXS, I think this sweater was a great deal, as opposed to everything else in my haul. It's a mix of cotton, cashmere and silk and feels nice. It's hole-y and cute, and again, can be worn during the spring or winter. The fit of this sweater is tight around the arms and the waist, but slouchy in the middle. I had tried the XS size in-store, but then it just looked too big on me. Although the sweater is tight in the arms, it's not uncomfortable and I'm sure will slightly loosen up in time.

In addition to the beige this sweater also comes in a dusty rose color that looked absolutely awful on me, but the option is out there if you can rock it!  The back is the same as the front so I didn't feel the need to include another photo. =)

Purchase Link: Balzac Sweater (Beige)
Original Price: $125 | Now: $85

One big caveat to buying anything from Aritzia is that all item are final sale even those purchased online. Usually I always veer towards online shopping, because I don't like the bustle and rush of sale events, but in this case when nothing is returnable it's probably best to go in and try things on.

I hope this post was helpful to you!

What's New Scooby Doo?

Fortunately this time when I went to Hong Kong, I didn't break the bank. =P Although it was hard since Hong Kong is almost literally made up of malls...My dad knows the pain only a male can feel when the three woman in the household go on a shopping spree. However, this time he'd be proud! I only bought two things! Which I'm loving o' course.

It's always hard for me to find rings...not only because my fingers are super tiny (size 3!), but also because my skin is really sensitive and allergic to a lot of the metals and alloys cool rings are made from. =/ Needless to say I'm very envious of Joey's ring collection. =P  Most of the rings I have are too dainty and small to "layer up" or "make a statement." So I've been looking for bigger more chunky rings to add a bit of variety to what I have. I found this beauty at Agnes B. Sport, it's designed to look like a feather wrapping around your finger...

I never realized how many branches Agnes B. had until I went to Hong Kong...her brand is so popular in Asia! Agnes B. Homme, Agnes B. Femme, Agnes B. Sport, Agnes B. Travel, Agnes B. Beate, not to mention her florist and cafe lines. It's crazy. I could pass on the bags though honestly...but I am more than in love with her jewelry.

The second thing I bought were these Camper Sandals. I wanted nice sleek simple sandals that I could just throw on and walk around all day in, meaning no heels, wedges, or pinchy hurty bits. I saw these and they were absolutely perfect. I hemmed and hawed about getting them for two days and I finally just took the plunge.

I'm in love with the non-symmetrical zipper detailing. I think it makes them look quite adorable. 

However, I was sorely tempted to buy these.

Aren't they the cutest things in the world?!??!? Eeeeeee!! I saw a guy walking down the street in the male version. his looked pretty dirty though....=/

I am a worrywart. It drives my boyfriend, friends, and family crazy...but my terrible worrywart-ness also translates into my shopping habits and tendencies! I always worry if I don't buy it now, they won't have it later or won't have it in my size or I'll regret forever that I didn't buy that certain colored thingamabob. This habit leads to many impulse buys. However now, after many years of worrywart-ting I've realized don't settle. Just buy things you like and will use, not things that are just cheap or the "last one left." Haha, it feels so good to say that! Hopefully this new developments will translate into other worrywartsome aspects of my life. =)

Here's more gratuitous food shots:

Cheers! Thanks for coming everyone!

+Love