Weekend Wishlist: The Zara Edition

// All from Zara //

Following my little shopping trip which resulted in many a Zara purchase last weekend, I'm finding myself a little bit obsessed with the place. There are so many gorgeous pieces I wish I had picked up, and every time I pop onto their website I find myself tempted even further. The funny thing is, although I've always liked Zara, it's never really been a shop that particularly excited me, yet now I can't get enough of it. I really think the quality and variety have come on leaps and bounds over the past year or so, and there are now so many iconic pieces being churned out it's hard to keep up. What I really love about Zara is how well-made their pieces are, and the way in which they are able to keep up with the trends while still remaining chic and sophisticated. I know that anything I buy from Zara will last me years, so I'm not all that put-out by the prospect of forking out for a blazer or handbag - when it comes to classic, timeless pieces I'd rather pay that little bit more than go for a cheap option that's going to fall apart in five minutes. I save the likes of Primark for the fast fashion and rapidly moving trends, which it does so well.

At the moment I'm mostly craving brightly coloured blazers. I love how they can be dressed up or down, and a good pop of colour is all that's needed to take a monochrome outfit into Spring. I'm also lusting after a really good quality handbag, as I tend to chop and change quite easily and as a result usually pick up cheaper options that don't quite stand the test of time. I'm after a spacious neutral or black bag that has plenty of space for all the junk I cart around, but that is also easy to organise so I don't find myself having to rummage it through it for my phone or purse, which would inevitably be residing right at the bottom. Of course, while seeking out such bags, it was impossible not to be drawn in by one or two of the brighter, more ornate looking clutches. There are some gorgeous beaded and embellished numbers in at the moment, and being the sort of girl who usually throws caution to the wind and just grabs whatever's prettiest, I'm going to have to exercise some restraint!

Footwear-wise, I'm looking to update my collection with some bright boots and shoes, and I must admit that I'm still partial to a bit of animal print or stud detailing. I know they've been done to death by now, but I love the fact that shops and designers are still coming up with new variations and managing to keep things fresh. I'm quite happy to see these trends continuing on into the next season, and I'm looking forward to seeing how they are going to be combined with more traditional Spring/Summer styles, as well as the lighter, fresher colour palette of pastels and pretty brights.

Last but not least, there are some stunning statement necklaces in for the warmer months, and personally I love to keep a stash of these to brighten up basics, as I find that they help me to get so many more outfits out of my wardrobe, and get me wearing items I might otherwise cast aside or reject as being a bit boring.

Have you popped into Zara lately? If so, what caught your eye?

xx

I've Just Got to Say.....

I absolutely cannot wait to get home and go shopping! I know I've mentioned this already, but it's seriously been hard times not being able to pop to the shops and buy some nice bits whenever I want! Ha, don't get me wrong, I am certainly not rolling in money. It's easy to pick up something new every week or two when you've got the likes of Primark and some good charity shops around, even if it's just a new hair accessory or a ring though, isn't it? Or a new eyeliner here and there. The truth is, we are all constantly buying things, it's just that we see them as such small things that we barely even notice. But what I have really missed is just having that freedom to pop into a shop and try some bits on - for me, that in itself is satisfying, and I don't even have to buy anything. That is, of course, I find something I just have to have!
I suppose I should explain why I have been so deprived of shopping! Well, I have been spending some time living in Brazil. When you come here as a tourist, your money goes a long way, but when you actually live and work here...well, it doesn't. Things like clothes are ridiculously expensive, and the range of cosmetics and accessories available in the area is, quite frankly, appalling! Besides this, there is a really annoying shop culture here, in that each and every shop is teeming with shop assistants, just 'dying' to assist you. The second you walk into the shop, one of them is on you, and even when you tell them that you are "just looking", they stick to you like glue, standing just by your shoulder the whole time you are in there. Um, pressure much!? I find this so frustrating and irritating that I usually leave the shop in under a  minute, empty handed, of course! Even worse, on the rare occasion that I have managed to stick it out, I have found myself being loaded up with an armful of clothes that the assistant has just 'decided' I would like! I HATE this! They always tell me that they are just my style, and 100% of the time they are so clearly not even close to being, and then out of politeness, I feel obliged to spend half an hour trying on said items! I feel I should also mention, at this point, that the reason for this 100% fail rate is not only that these workers are assuming they know me and my taste when they don't, but that quite frankly, the selection of clothes available where I have been living is atrocious. Rant over.
So, now you know why I am itching so badly to hit the shops back home next week! I LOVE being able to go into a shop and do my own thing, without being bothered by anyone. For a while now, I have been having to pick some clothes out on the internet and get my mum to send them over to me, which is not ideal as you can't try them on, so it's often a disappointment - plus they take about a month to arrive, by which point I have sometimes already gone off them and have set my sights on other items!
I have been obsessed with trawling the internet for exciting finds over the past month, but of course, you can't really go on the hunt for any vintage goodies or charity shops like this, although some of the sellers from London market stalls, like Shoreditch and Portobello, are now on line (check out http://www.galibardy.com/ for some gorgeous vintage and costume jewellery. The two cute little brooches pictured are from this site).
Well, anyway, only a week and I can indulge myself....can't wait!