Inaugural Australian ZARA expedition

Panic, mayhem, bitchiness and no purchases marked my first visit to Zara’s flagship Australian store in Sydney. The words epic fail pretty much some up this shopping experience for me.

Honestly, you know my love of Zara – over the years it has provided me with leopard print skirts, floral maxis, smart blazers, tailored shirts, jeans, red suede heels…you get the picture. So imagine my devastation when my first trip to Zara Australia didn’t meet my (admittedly very high) expectations. I’m talking a Sex and the City 2 level of disappointment here ladies…maybe even a bigger let down than when I discovered Ryan Reynolds was married to Scarlett Johansen*.

Such was the devastation, The Boy had to buy me a Caramello Koala to distract me until I recovered enough to keep shopping.

Anyway back to Zara. Not since the great Myer Stocktake sale of 2006 (during which I worked in the heavily discounted lingerie department) have I seen so many women rifling through piles of wearable items, snatching things off hangers and queuing for miles outside the fitting rooms.

The atmosphere can really only be described as cutthroat.

My lack of enthusiasm for this environment meant that I most likely missed out on any good stuff still in the store…I mean where the hell was these?

Or any of these for that matter?

No doubt they were already sold out or secured in the arms of the blonde who spiked me with her umbrella in the haste to secure the one (and only) navy dress that caught my eye.

Life can be so unfair sometimes. 

*Of course I am aware that Ryan is back on the market…this analogy not only renews my hope that one day I will have a celebrity wedding payed for by People Magazine but also that Zara will turn itself around and start selling things I want to buy!  

Yo are you ready for this?

If you’ve been reading this blog you’ll know that I post about a whole range of things from nail polish to music to travel and fashion. But can I write a post combining all of these? It's worth a shot right?

Today I received a gift all the way from the boy in England (Travel: TICK!). It was a leopard print bangle and a black rose ring and I’ve been told that the Zara skirt I mentioned in this obsessive rambling is on it’s way to me as a belated B’day gift (Fashion: TICK)! I know. He’s the best isn’t he?

Anyway, this little surprise made me gleefully happy and I have been wearing both items around the house all day. I ‘accessorised my accessorises’ with my pajamas - Peter Alexander thank you very much - and digits covered in OPI’s ‘Do you Lilac it’ (Nail Polish: TICK).  See?

I love my surprise gifts so much and not least because they match my nails perfectly. Although considering that this nail polish is the perfect shade of purple and goes with pretty much everything that’s not really that impressive...if you haven’t already got it go and buy it NOW!

Aside from showering me with gifts The Boy also occasionally sends me music videos as part a long-running game of ours where we try to ‘out music’ each other (Music: TICK). Remember I posted about a band called Egyptian Hip Hop? That was a suggestion from The Boy. He sent me one last night but my computer doesn’t not want to play it. I think that lately it has become a little bit too accustomed to ‘teenage dreams’ and getting ‘slizzered’ so I can’t really blame it for not trusting me to play better quality music on it. My bad.

And BOOM there's a post! I ain’t no one trick pony people. I hope you enjoyed a little Daily lovin’ Fresh Prince style.


xx

A leopard can’t change his spots…but why would he want to?

I’ve previously mentioned my eternal love/obsession with leopard print on the blog but considering it is dominating shops, blogs, websites and the street at this particular fashion moment in time, I feel it deserves a post of its own.

Cue squeals and applause. I know. I can barely contain my excitement either.

So why leopard print some may ask…Seriously, do I really have to answer that???

Since the dawn of time (ok more like the first half of the 20^th Century) leopard print has signified glamour and sex appeal. It’s eye-catching, chic, and fun and has the magical ability to transform an outfit in an instant. Personally, when I wear it I feel instantly sexier and more youthful, and I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way! Honestly, what’s not to love?

Marilyn, Brigette and this semi-androgynous young model who looks a little bit like Liz Taylor all wore it. 

Minxy and chic don’t you think?

Modern day style mavens Nicole, Cheryl and Jessica embrace it too – unsurprisingly noone embraces leopard more than Queen Kate...except maybe Faux Fuschia that is.

Which is your favourite?

Now, I currently own the following leopard print items:

1. Motel leopard print dress (as featured here). Which I would probably wear every day if I could get away with wearing strapless mini-dresses to the office.
2. Leopard print pumps. So versatile and comfy.
3. Primark leopard print flats I bought in London in 2009. Yup you read that right. 2009. For 5 pound shoes that are 18 months old they are still looking surprisingly fabulous. On a side note I wore these today with my navy shift dress from Cue. Sound cute no?
4. Leopard print headband that can be seen here. This is pretty much the perfect accessory (especially for festivals).
5. A silk scarf my mum and I sewed about 5 years ago.

As you can see, despite my best efforts my wardrobe is lacking in the all important animal print department. I’ll admit it. I fail.

But all is not lost! I have plans to expand my leopard love like the Roman Empire (after my three month shopping ban is up of course).

This is numero uno on my wish list. I think it is utter perfection. Work and weekend appropriate, not too short, classic style – a few things I have come to expect from Zara. And before you go there I know they don’t ship to Australia but I may be able to convince the boy to buy it for me as a belated Birthday gift. 

Zara's Leopard is just that little bit different...

Clever aren’t I. Sometimes long distance has its benefits.

I would love a pair of these. I mean let's be honest., my Primark pair are going to die sometime and it’s best to be prepared.

I am also quite partial to this pussy bow blouse from Bardot and this other top from Zara. My friend M and I spotted it in Melbourne and I resisted from trying and buying. I’m not sure I could pull it off in real life. I think the Zara skirt will work much better for me hint hint.

Bardot on the left and Zara on the right

Now dear reader, my obsession is taking me to a dark, dark place and I think if I follow it down the rabbit hole some of my friends may actually disown me. I’m serious. We are verging on ‘I love your bracelet where did you get it’ territory (Please refer to Mean Girls if you don’t know what I mean).

So what exactly is this 'going over to the darkside' dilemma?

Well let me tell you. Lately, I have found myself attracted to the soft faux fur leopard print jackets populating stores and wardrobes everywhere. I want one. I mean I want one. I know what you’re thinking…you do too right? Right?? That’s weird I could have sworn…

Kate Spade has created my perfect match in this jacket. How can you not love?

Ok so I know this is pretty irrational, not least for the following reasons:

1. I would look somewhere between silly and ridiculous in it. I just don’t have enough of an edgy rock chick or 1960s sex symbol in me....or do I?
2. I live in Brisbane. A city not exactly known for a ‘jacket-is-a-necessity’ climate.
3. These jackets often walk a dangerously fine line between fabulous and tacky. The possibility of ending up in Katie Price territory is a fate worse than death.

I know. I am scared for myself too. 

Oh the perils of a leopard print love affair…what shall I do?? Seek out the perfect jacket and give in to my desires post shopping ban? Or is this a desire that should remain unfulfilled?

Please feel free to advise away!

xx