Tag Archive | Shopping

Leaving on a jet plane.

We all want to look better than we do when we come off a flight.
We all want to be comfortable in the way too small, uncomfortable chairs.
We all want to have a handy place to safely hold our passport/boarding pass, wallet, iPhone and lip gloss.

We all need a cross body bag.

While I have never been a huge fan previously – I recently invested in one (credit to the Black Friday sales!!).
Having just traveled with my new purchase to Europe, I must say it was a great investment.

This DKNY cross body bag was not bulky but big enough to comfortably hold your essentials.
Loving that it leaves your hands free and is zipped so nothing falls out.
Overall a great traveling companion.

Next I just need to work on convincing my CFO (aka husband) that Louis Vuitton luggage IS worth it…

|Ev xo

Shoe Sunday…

Dec9

Although I was not going to go to the Black Friday sales post Thanksgiving…. they seemed to be calling my name.
Taunting me. Encouraging me.

Especially Bloomingdales. I mean I am practically next door to it. If the crowds are really that bad, I’ll just leave. Right?
Well, to my delight, it was near empty upon my early arrival (the early rising of children being a blessing on this day).

I had a goal, I had a purpose.
Shoes.
Black boots to be more specific. Practical winter boots that will be wearable in the NY weather.

Cole Haan Boots

Mission accomplished.
They could be worn in a NYC winter, however were still pretty with at least a small heel, and worked with jeans or a skirt.

Now for every practical pair of shoes, every girl needs a pretty pair of shoes.
And pretty is what I found.

Enzo Angiolini

Sparkly and fun. These are sure to brighten up any black winter ensemble.
All for a bargain price.

I left not only a very happy shopper with some fabulous shoes, I left feeling very mature, sensible and grown up.
In addition to my shoes purchases (and one or two clothing pieces)… I had actually purchased some amazing new pots and pans to further develop my culinary skills.
Black Friday – i love thee.

Until next year.
|Ev xo

A Year in the US of A

Nov28

A year ago today, I had the cranky immigration officer stamp my E3 visa and hand me my filled out i94 form.
I had officially arrived in NYC.

HELL YEAH!!!!!!
Thank you to my husband, who loved me enough to agree to move our family to the other side of the world where we knew no-one.

What a year.

Highlights include:
Mum visiting, Dad visiting, sister, brother and best friend visiting.
Travel to Niagara Falls, Cape Cod, Washington, Los Angeles – ESPYs, MTV Movie Awards, Chicago for Hotel Thrillist, Niagara Falls.
Shopping, spring in the city, fleet week, Halloween, dinners, brunch next to Marky Mark, new friends….

Spring

Chicago

Fleet week…

Spring in Central Park

ESPYs (LA)

MTV Movie Awards (LA)

My first Superbowl Sunday (GO THE GIANTS)

BFF

Niagara Falls

My sis!

Times Square

And most recently, a hurricane, a snow storm, our first thanksgiving and Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping madness (more to come on that!!).

Can’t wait to see what the next twelve months has in store…

|Ev xo

Planes, trains and Jimmy Choo’s

Nov17

My four-foot-nothing height has lead me to constantly seek that extra few inches.
So I live in heels. I can walk, jog, run, climb, cook, clean – you name it, and I could do it in heels.

Now there is a difference between being able to do something in heels – and wanting to.
I don’t particularly want to travel in them. I certainly do not, I repeat DO NOT, want to wear my precious heel on the NYC subway.

Pretty shoes, such pretty shoes, in the smelly, dirty subway. NO NO NO NO NO.
Shoes are like a work of art to me. I cannot and will not walk around carelessly destroying their delicate designs, scratching my favourite red soles.
I mean I did on occasion. Believe me I was not happy about it. I needed a solution to keep me sane on my daily subway ride to and from work.

If I was to be caught wearing flats, they better be pretty. Seriously.
Jimmy Choo flats – enter stage left. Gorgeous, comfortable and practical for the subway.

They have however had their time and I have literally worn them to death.

Ripped backs, lost JC plate, lost flower on one….
Goodbye to my Choo.

Obviously the proof of subway dangers lies in my unwearable Choo’s. But what now? Which shoe can replace my travel companion?
So some new choices need to be made.

Pigalove Black Patent/Silver Strass Flats
$1,595

Jimmy Choo WHIRL
Textured Glitter Leather Ballet Flats

Jimmy Choo WEBER
Suede and Crystal Ballet Flats
$550

Vera Wang Lavender
Jeweled Ballerina Flats
$275

Vince Camuto Evella Flat
$109.95

Gucci Logo Ballet Flats
$495

What do you think?

|Ev xo

Winter Wonderland

Nov11

Snow storm Athena covered NY and it’s surrounds in some beautiful snow.

Yes, the tourist in me was jumping up and down with delight as I saw snow flakes outside my window late Wednesday afternoon – meanwhile my co-workers looked at me and sighed. The sight of fresh snow did not hold the same dreamlike fairytale connotations for them, as they are accustomed to such sights and the implications for travel etc.

What is it about snow though?
The beautiful white covering makes everything appear magical.
I wanted to break out in spontaneous Christmas songs (we all know that snow equals Santa, come on now), and the snow-covered street lamps taking me back to far off magical lands like Narnia – ok am I off on a tangent now?

All this white did reinvigorate my love for the colour.
Fall, winter – sure who cares, you can wear white.

I know there are those who question white in the colder months. I for one say embrace.
OK so maybe not white jeans if it’s pouring out, however there are plenty of nice fall/winter days where white items can be a key feature of your outfit.

Below are some items that I am now salivating over.

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|Ev xo

Pink Passion…

Oct27

I am officially obsessed with pink.
And when I say obsessed, I am not referring to a mere weekly Gossip Girl habit…

Just to provide you with some context I could mention a few things – this pink blog, my Pinterest board dedicated to pink (would you expect anything else?), my work desk with bright pink stationary, the children’s bedroom and clothes (I swear I will turn them off being girly and they will become tomboys or goth’s), the multiple pink OPI lacquers, Pink dedicated Instagram account I ~~stalk~~ follow.
I am going to stop there however and not further divulge symptoms of my P-OCD (Pink Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), before you think me insane.

Surprisingly however, there is very little pink in my wardrobe. So little in fact, that one would never suspect my P-OCD.
Times however, they are a changing. I was determined to turn this disgraceful situation around.

Allow me to introduce you to my new Jean-Michel Cazabat shoes.
Not only is the shoe gorge, but I love to pretty packaging. It all add’s to the super-special shoe experience. Who else puts a heart in the box?!?!?!?

Hot pink and HOT – with some nice black detail and an amazing heel (taking me from 4 foot nothing to a much more acceptable hight).
Add to some skinny leg jeans or black opaque tights & skirts for fall.
Don’t be afraid of the pink, these shoes work with everything – we are talking super versatile!!!

Look 1 − 7 For All Mankind jeans, with black satin top and grey jacket (both a few seasons old and not even sure where from – mixing up the old and new!).
Look 2 – Zara skirt and the (same) black satin top with bow tie-up at the back.

Now all I need are some pink tops and skirts to infuse colour into my winter wardrobe.
Oh dear, I will just have to go shopping again (you totes twisted my arm).

|Ev xo

Headband Heaven

Oct25

The LV S/S-13 show – where beautiful headbands came to be reborn.

There were many things I wanted from the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 13 show – and can we just reflect for a moment on the featured carousel!!!

Seriously though, all down the LV runway we witnessed beautiful girls strutting with equally beautiful satin bow headbands. This season LV Hair was ALL about the headband.

It was classic…cute…girly. It would work on long hair, short hair, mid-length hair.
Dress it up, make is casual. It just works with everything.
To quote Veruca Salt “I don’t’ care how, I want it NOW”. Preferably in every color.

While I have no problem spending a few thousand dollars on a LV bag – the thought of spending an exorbitant amount on these headbands – whilst beautiful – did leave me feeling conflicted.

That said, I am all for channeling Blair (circ. season 1-2 especially) of Gossip Girl–

“I did not buy this at Walmart”

So… here are some of my fave and more affordable solutions…

(1) Gap, Red Satin Bow Headband $5.99
(2) Johnny Loves Rosie, Flat Bow Navy Polka-dot Headband $35.18
(3) L.Erickson, Double Loop Bow Headband, $24
(4) Sonia Rykiel, Green Acetate Headband $58.93
(5) Henri Bendel, No. 7 Enamel Headband, $28
(6) L.Erickson, Two-Tier Coco Bow Headband, $43.95

Go forth, and may the headband love your hair as much as we love it.

|Ev xo

Cuckoo for Coco (Chanel that is)

Oct18

SO – i feel like the world may have just spun off it’s axis….. not even joking.
I just encountered my first negative Chanel experience.

It’s ok ladies. Take a deep breath and have a calming Chamomile tea.
I can get through this.

Obsessed. The key word to describe my feelings for Chanel.
L-O-V-E the “double C” – i mean who doesn’t? No really – who? (furrowing brow in anger)

Then there is Karl, we’re on as first name basis… and don’t even get me started on the bags. I want each and every one.

My new Chanel Inimitable Intense mascara, delightful – the lip-gloss sample i received from the lovely lady at the counter, just gorgeous.
Everything they do is amazing. Elegant. Classic.

So you can see my conundrum when today the experience was devastating.
The mission was to find a BOLD lip color for this evening’s festivities – outfit was planned, this was the final piece of the evening puzzle.
After a robust conversation regarding bold pink versus bold oxblood tones, my friendly sales associate and I landed a striking Levres Scintillantes in Myriad.
Great, happy shopper departed the store only to discover (an hour later when sharing my newly found love of daring lip-gloss with a friend) that what was placed into my goodie bag was in fact a nude colored gloss. UMMM WHAT?
Racing back to the store (remember, this is an important piece to outfit completion for this evening) down a windy 7th Avenue – no coat – bumping into crowds.
I made it back to the counter, unable to find my original sales lady. After capturing the attention of another retail assistant I was informed they were sold out of that color.

SERIOUSLY??????????????????

So my outfit may now be ruined – and not sure I am able to make it to dinner.
Does this stop me being cuckoo for Coco??
Let’s be honest, NO. The reason it was sold out is because their products ARE SO GOOD!!
I must continue on and find solace in a different lip color for the evening.

I will leave you with a few parting words from Coco herself.

“Fashion changes, but style endures.”
– Coco Chanel

Chanel love forever.
|Ev xo

When shopping gods align!

Oct14

We have all had the shopping expeditions where you just can’t seem to find anything – rest assured that this was not one of those unsettling shopping experiences.

My “accidental” shopping expedition on Columbus Day turned up some serious goods.
It was like the shopping god was in cahoots with Cupid himself – and they had struck me with the “I LOVE THIS, I NEED TO BUY THIS” arrow. Damn it, like I really needed any more push toward a sales till.

Entering the treacherous world of deceiving mirrors – annoying shop assistants and pushy crowds… this day was unlike others.
Everything I grabbed off a rack looked lovely, furthermore everything seemed to look great on. There was endless shop interiors lined with amazing clothing goods all calling my name.
In a bizarre turn of events, it even seemed that I had dropped a clothing size (not possible with the food consumption I have been indulging in – there must be a mis-labelling situation happening) and EVERYTHING FIT.

While the inner shopaholic in me (yes we have all seen the movie when “Rebecca Blooomwood” lands a job as a financial journalist in New York City to support her shopping addiction and the bills pile up under her bed) was whispering in my ear “The limit on your credit card is merely a suggestion”.
Somehow I managed to grasp a hold back on reality and contain myself. Yes, wonders will never cease.

Besides…. there is alway next weekend right?
Bringing home three shopping bags, two weekends in a row is SO much better than bringing home six shopping bags from one shopping expedition.

My loot contained some great fall pieces. Classic and versatile.

Banana Republic Sloan Fit black pants. Fantastic for pumps or boots.
Mid-rise and super flattering (by BR’s own admission – this is their sexiest fit).
They will go with everything from longer less fitted tops (day or night) to tailored blouses.
These genius pants also come at a bargain price. It’s love.

Armani Exchange black embellished off shoulder top.
Cute with skinny jeans if heading out for a casual cocktail.
We all love a bit of decorative action this season, this top has just enough detail.

Armani Exchange Funnel Neck Moto Jacket – you need to keep warm in the cold NY fall, what better way.
This jacket works with most anything and has a fantastic cut.
Zip all the way up for the cute funnel neck look – or leave unzipped with a tank underneath for a slightly more sexy revealing look.

May the shopping force be with you.

|Ev xo