Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Ann Taylor :: $35 dresses (today only)

Ann Taylor is running an incredible promotion - today only, all sale dresses are under $35 (they range between $98 - $178). The promotion is no longer valid but you still can take an additional 60% off all sale styles including these dresses. Below are a few I am loving or you can shop the entire selection here
AnnTaylor$34.98Dresses_SydneysFashionDiary
Striped flare dress ($139 - now $34.98)
Pleated jumpsuit ($179 - now $34.98)
White eyelet dress ($179 - now $34.98)
Floral sleeveless shirtdress ($139 - now $34.98)
Petite shealth dress ($139 - now $34.98)
Petite white flare dress ($149 - now $34.98

Striped off the shoulder top :: white denim shorts

SummerOutfitIdeas_SydneysFashionDiary

Today, I have another patriotic-themed outfit for you. I bought these shorts years ago and they still remain one of my favorite summer staples. If you haven't noticed, off the shoulder tops are everywhere this summer. The high-low hem is so fun to wear. And the best part? It's under $15Outfit details: Zaful top c/o *size M* | American Eagle shorts *40% off thru Monday* | Quay sunglasses | almost identical perforated slip-on sneakers | Daniel Wellington watch

Monday, June 27, 2016

Neutral with a pop of red

ChanelNewMediumBoyBag_SydneysFashionDiary  

The start of 4th of July weekend festivities is only a week away so I though I'd show you a few patriotic-themed outfits this week. A pair of cut-off denim shorts is a summer must have. I got these years ago and am still wearing them every weekend. The midi length is chic and classy at the same time. For this outfit, I am pairing the shorts with my newly purchased top. I ordered a few things from Forever 21 last week and added this top as a filler (only $6). I ended up loving it. It's so comfortable, easy to wear and go with practically everything. Happy Monday, ladies! Outfit details: AE midi shorts *40% off thru Monday* | Forever 21 top | Chanel boy bag | J.Crew espadrilles *very similar here for under $50* | Quay sunglasses 

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Affordable and trendy sunglasses

AffordableTrendySunglasses2016_SydneysFashionDiary
{From left to right: Gemini in rose gold | Macaw | My Girl}

Summer is officially here and it's time to talk sunglasses. Having a history of macular degeneration, sunglasses are a necessity for me. My eyes are extremely sensitive to light. I used to love designer sunglasses. A few pairs that I previous owned are: Karen Walker Super Duper, Karen Walker Number One, Prada cat-eyeBurberry round frame. Once I discovered Quay Australia, my perspective about designer sunglasses has changed. My very first pair of Quay sunglasses was My Girl. You're probably sick of seeing them on this blog. I wear them non stop and I do mean non stop for months. They compliment my face shape, stay put and affordable. My second purchase was the Macaw. I was on the hunt for a pair of aviator sunglasses. I know RayBan has a ton but there is just something about RayBan aviators that do not fit right on my face. On the other hand, my husband loves them. Quay Australia has several styles and I ended up getting the Macaw. I brought them to Alaska with me and they have been a joy. My latest purchase was the Gemini. OMG! Rose gold sunglasses. They do look similar to the Dior Composit but for a fraction of the cost. As far as the quality goes, I don't have any complaints. For how much they cost, I think the quality is fantastic. If you're an Asian then you know finding the perfect pair of sunglasses is a tough task. I love all 3 pairs and am sure they won't be the last. How fun are these marble looking sunglasses? If you're looking for an affordable yet good quality pair of sunglasses, I highly recommend you check them out.

QuayAustraliaSunglasses_SydneysFashionDiary

Monday, June 20, 2016

Bloomingdale's extra 25% off sale (today only) :: Longchamp, Tory Burch and Burberry

Sorry for double posting today but this sale is just too good not to share. If you're missed out on the last Longchamp sale here, Bloomingdale's has several styles just went on sale. The best part? Take an additional 25% off all sale styles (including brands like Tory Burch and Burberry) with code SUNNY. Hurry, because the offer is valid only today! Everything mentioned below is at least half off (yes, you read it right). Happy Monday!


LongchampSale2016_SydneysFashionDiary
Longchamp large shoulder tote
Longchamp Neo medium tote
Longchamp backpack (reviewed here) - more colors available
Longchamp mini tote
Longchamp travel tote
Longchamp cosmetic case (under $30)

ToryBurchSale2016_SydneysFashionDiary
Tory Burch leather mules
Tory Burch logo sandals
Stuart Weitzman gladiator sandals
Tory Burch tall boots

BloomingdalesSale2016_SydneysFashionDiary
Aqua lace midi dress
Burberry red jacket
Mara Hoffman one-piece swimsuit
Ray-ban aviator sunglasses

Weekend Vibes

EasyWeekendOutfit_SydneysFashionDiary

MichaelKors5128Watch_SydneysFashionDiary AmericanEagleStripedShorts_SydneysFashionDiary

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Mar Y Sol Tote :: Lookalike for less

MarYSolToteForLess_SydneysFashionDiary

I am taking tomorrow off from work to have a mother daughter day with my oldest girl. I wanted to give her my undivided attention so this week's handbag chit chat is up a day early =) I really wanted the Mar y Sol "Caracas" tote for my upcoming vacation but couldn't bring myself to pay full price for it. While searching, I am so happy I stumbled upon this affordable alternative ***no longer available =(***. It's absolutely gorgeous! It's big enough for a beach towel and other essentials. The striped pattern is really fun and vibrant in person. Both totes are similar in size with leather handles - Mar y Sol: 14"(L) x 13"(H) x 5" (Drop), J. Jill: 17"(L) x 13"(H) x 4.5"(Drop). The J.Jill tote is currently on sale for $39.99. Those pom poms are not really my cup of tea so the J.Jill tote is a better option for my taste. Definitely worth checking it out! Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

MustHaveBeachTote2016_SydneysFashionDiary

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Hits & Misses # 21 :: Floral Shift Dress

FloralShiftDress_SydneysFashionDiary

Another hits & misses post today featuring a couple of items I received from Romwe. First up is this floral shift dress. I fell in love with the floral print. The pattern is even more vibrant in person and it is so perfect for Spring/Summer. However, I don't love the fit. It was completely shapeless on me when I pulled it out of the packaging. I was able to make it work by wearing the matching belt. I wore it a few times to work and got many compliments but if you're looking for a better fitting dress, I don't recommend this dress. Outfit details: Floral dress c/o *size S* | similar lace-up booties | Michael Kors watch *$90 off* | ZeroUV sunglasses | Quay sunglasses | J.Crew bag *almost identical option* | Colourpop lipstick in Lychee

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

The Designer Sale at Saks :: Further Reductions & Longchamp Sale

The designer sale at Saks is still going strong. Some designer items have been marked down even further! The sale selection was rather picked over but I found a few amazing designer items at unbeatable prices below:
SaksDesignerSale_SydneysFashionDiary
Prada card case (under $100)
Burberry trench coat (60% off!)
Burberry wool cape (60% off - would love to have this!)
Stuart Weitzman gladiator sandals (54% off)
Valentino cross-body bag ($1000 off)
Valentino pumps (half off! - if you're a size 8 or 9, you're in luck!)

LongchampLePliageExpandableTote_SydneysFashionDiary

On the same note, both the Longchamp duffel bag (reviewed here) and the Longchamp backpack (reviewed here) are currently 40% off. I can't say enough good thing about both items. I even recommend them at full price. They are hands down my favorite travel bags. You really can't beat it at 40% off! The rest of the Longchamp sale here

LongchampBackpack_SydneysFashionDiary

Monday, June 13, 2016

Summer Trends with Make Me Chic

FloralMaxiDress_SydneysFashionDiary


ZaraSuedeSandals_SydneysFashionDiary

The temperature is starting to rise so today, I wanted to talk about some of the most popular summer trends. First up is the high neck maxi dress. I am a huge fan of maxi dresses and this dress in particular is one of my favorites. Since the floral pattern is a bit fancy, it would be great for a spring/summer wedding. The fabric feels really nice and the dress itself moves beautifully with every step. One thing I wanted to point out is that the length is extremely long on me (5'2") even with my 4-inch sandals. I am planning to take off about 5" from the hem. I really like the high neck. It shows off the shoulder area beautifully.

FloralMaxiDress_SydneysFashionDiary

Up next is the matching sets trend that I am very into lately. They make choosing an outfit stress free while can be mixed and matched easily with other pieces. The elastic waist band makes it so comfortable to wear. The print was popular last year but I am still seeing it in current pieces

2PieceSet_SydneysFashionDiary

Friday, June 10, 2016

Introducing Miss Kelly...

HermesKellyOrange32_SydneysFashionDiary

I am so so stoked to introduce to you my ultimate dream bag - the Hermes Kelly 32cm with palladium hardware (preowned option here and here). The color I chose might come as a surprise to some of you. I always stick with classic colors or neutrals when it comes to handbags. However, when I came across this orange Kelly, it took my breath away. No one does color quite like Hermes. You can get basically any color you want from any brands but there is no other iconic orange like a Hermes Orange. Since I wear mostly neutrals, this beauty will add a punch of color to any of my outfits. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Rosegal Summer Wishlist

Summer is in full swing and I am always on the lookout for cute summer white dresses and affordable bathing suits. Below are some of the items on my wishlist from Rosegal:

RosegalSummerWishlist_SydneysFashionDiary

1. Pineapple print dress
2. White one-piece swimsuit
3. Swim cover-up
4. Straw tote
5. Sun hat
6. Striped dress

Sunday, June 5, 2016

Alaska Recap & Travel Guide

AlaskaTravelGuide_SydneysFashionDiary

As promised, here is a recap of our amazing time in Alaska. My husband and I have planned this trip for what seemed like forever. Born and raised in West Virginia, he is definitely an outdoorsy kind of person. Hence, this trip was right up his alley. A huge thank to my family for taking care of the kids while we were away. If you're planning to visit Alaska, I hope you find this post helpful.


Getting around:
It took 3 flights to get to Alaska from Ohio and a total of 14 hours (including layovers). We arrived in Anchorage at midnight and stayed at the Spring Hill Suites Marriott for approximately 5 hours. The midnight sun was a strange and exciting thing to encounter. We got up at 5:00 am the next morning and headed downtown to the Anchorage Depot. I highly recommend renting car. Having a car gives you the freedom to go wherever you want at your own pace and on your own time.

What to do:
  • The 4-hour train ride from Anchorage to Seward was very scenic. The train for Seward leaves Anchorage at 6:45 am and arrives in Seward at 11:00 am. We booked a 6-hour glacier cruise which departs at 11:30 am (more on that later). On the way back, the train leaves Seward at 6:00 pm and arrives in Anchorage at 10:15 pm. We saw some amazing wildlife including Bison, Dally Sheep, many Bald Eagles, Moose and one elusive Black Bear. The ride was smooth and comfortable with lots of room to move around and dedicated observation decks (inside and open air). Tour guides were fairly knowledgeable and all were very kind. Food and drinks can be purchased on the train. My husband and I fully enjoyed the ride.
  • Kenai Fjords National Park Tour: The entire trip was windy and colder than I expected. We thought it would be cold in the wind, but the doors were open the entire time, until we headed back. Definitely need a hat and scarf to go along with a wind/water proof jacket. We saw the Killer Whales, Beluga Whales in the Turn-again Arm, Sea Otters, Sea Lions, Humpback Whale. The cruise was bumpy on the way out once we got into open ocean. Lunch was served on board (but not drinks). My OOTD was this thick sweater, my new parka and my beloved Hunter boots. I was fairly comfortable during the 6-hour cruise.
  • Hiking in Girdwood: The drive from Anchorage to Girdwood takes about an hour with minimal stops. Traffic was light, with many opportunities to pull over to hike and take pictures at scenic locations. We stayed at the Alyeska Resort for the remaining of our stay. It's a charming ski resort with a full service Starbucks onsite (which is very important!). We took the gondola to the top of the Alyeska ski resort for a late dinner at Seven Glaciers. The view was amazing but the food was just average in my opinion. We hiked the Winner Creek trail and loved it. The trail starts from the back of the resort and is 5 miles long (round trip) of breathtaking beauty inside a rain forest. It has very minimal elevation changes which makes it great even for young kids. There are lots of great photo opportunities including the bridge that runs over the creek, the gorge, hand tram and breathtakingly beautiful greenery. Please be warned there are mosquitoes in the area.
  • Denali Flighseeing Tour: This is hands down the highlight of our trip. The next morning, we drove back to Anchorage for our flight with Rust’s Flying Service to Mt. Denali. We booked the Denali Glacier Landing tour and it was well worth every penny. It was a 45-minute flight out from Anchorage airport to Mt. Denali (North America’s highest peak at 20,310 feet above sea level). The tour lasts about 3 hours from 9:00 am to noon. We couldn't have asked for a more enjoyable day on the mountain-crystal clear blue skies. It was incredibly cool to fly over the glaciers. Our pilot did a fantastic job of narrating what we were seeing and pointing out ice fields and mountain tops. Landing on a glacier is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. If you're going to book one excursion in Alaska, I highly recommend a flight-seeing tour.
I hope you enjoy this little video we put together. I was planning to do a packing post for Alaska but honestly don't think anyone would be interested. I wore little or no make up on this trip. One thing I wanted to mention is how wonderful this Longchamp travel bag was (reviewed here). I was able to fit everything I need for a 5-day trip (no luggage, just this travel tote and my Longchamp backpack). They make travel a breeze. I wish we had more time to explore different parts of this incredibly beautiful and wild state. This was not only a vacation but also an inspirational experience. Regardless, we are very grateful that we were able to cross Alaska off our travel bucket list.

Saturday, June 4, 2016

Hits & Misses # 20 :: Printed Rompers

QuayAviatorSunglasses_SydneysFashionDiary

Sorry for my lack of posting this week. My husband and I just came back from our mini vacation in the beautiful Alaska. I will share our vacation recap next week. I am very happy to come back home in 80 degree weather. If you haven't noticed, rompers are my favorite thing to wear in the summer. I have said it a million times but rompers are just so easy to wear. Although, I must admit that going to the bathroom was a little strange. This romper is super cute in person. I love the print and the ruffle hem is adorable. Unfortunately, it's now sold out =(. Outfit details: Rompers c/o Shein | Quay sunglasses | Gladiator sandals | Chanel boy bag

PrintedRompers_SydneysFashionDiary