Tuesday, November 29, 2016

My first experience with Rent The Runway

RentTheRunway_SydneysFashionDiary  

A few weeks ago, I made a quick trip to San Francisco to attend my cousin's wedding. The wedding ceremony was held at the beautiful St. Dominic's Catholic Church. I have combed through my closet and there was nothing formal enough for the reception. I didn't want to purchase something that I know I'll probably never wear again either. I decided to give Rent The Runway a try. There are so many options to choose from. It took me awhile to narrow it down and I ended up renting this gorgeous sequin dress for the night. The process was pretty seamless. The dress arrived on my doorstep as scheduled (I chose a 4-day rental). After the reception, I put the dress back in the bag and dropped it off at a UPS location. The return label is included in the original shipment. I got so many compliments that night and felt great in it. Christmas and New Year are just around the corner. If you don't want to spend money on something you'll only wear once or twice, I highly recommend Rent The Runway.  This would be the perfect dress for NYE. RTR offers 30% orders $50 or more with code GT2016, I had a great experience and would 100% do it again. Outfit details: Mark & James by Badgley Mischka via Rent The Runway *size XS* | Tom Ford sunglasses | Chanel WOC

PetiteFriendlyFormalDress_SydneysFashionDiary BadgleyMischkaPixieDress_SydneysFashionDiary

Monday, November 28, 2016

40% off Stuart Weitzman Highland & Lowland

I wasn't going to post about Cyber Monday deals because they're almost the same as Black Friday deals. However, this sale is just too good not to share. I know I blogged about these Stuart Weitzman boots to death lately but they rarely ever go on sale so I had to share. The Highland and the Lowland are 40% (!!!) off right now. I suspect the sale won't last long. This is the lowest price I've seen this season. As of right now, most sizes and colors are still available. **Update**: If your size is no longer available, check out Stuart Weitzman website, they're running the same promotion on their boots. On a related note, if you're interested in pre-owned luxury items, Fashionphile is offering 10% off their entire store with code FP10 (first time ever!). I've purchased from them in the past and the experience was great. My picks are: Chanel chevron WOC so black (stunning!) - see the same one on me, Chanel new medium boy in caviar leather (amazing price - $1000 less than retail) - see the same size on me, Hermes Kelly 32 - see it on me

StuartWeitzman40%Off_SydneysFashionDiary

Two-tone Bomber Jacket :: Saint Laurent Sunset Bag

BurgundyBomberJacket_SydneysFashionDiary

Sharing an outfit I wore a few weeks ago when the weather was still mild. This bomber jacket is the perfect layering piece. I love the two-tone design and could this color combination scream Fall more? Has anyone scored any good deals on Black Friday? I feel like Cyber Monday sales are the same as Black Friday sales for the most part except some retailers offer free shipping on all orders. If you're interested in checking out my top ten Black Friday sales here. Happy shopping =) Outfit details: Banana Republic skirt | c/o Chic Me bomber jacket *50% off* | Banana Republic booties | Saint Laurent Sunset bag | Michael Kors runway watch | Quay sunglasses

SaintLaurentSunsetBag_SydneysFashionDiary

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Top Ten Black Friday Sales 2016

Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy Thanksgiving! If you're overwhelmed with all the Black Friday sales, you're not alone. I am too =) However, I did spend some time last night putting together a list of 10 best sales going on right now. Take a look below if you're interested.

J Crew Lady day coat in red  

1. J.Crew: 40% off your purchase which they have never done before. My picks: Lady day coat *best seller* - read my full review here | Icon trench in plaid *on my Christmas wishlist* | Sperry winter boots *own these and love | lace top *so gorgeous*

BlackFridaySales2016_SydneysFashionDiary
2. White House Black Market: 30% your full-price purchase + free shipping. My picks: Lace sheath dress | lace dress | midi skirt *perfect for the holidays* | velvet shoes *super gorgeous*

VictoriaSecretBlackFriday2016_SydneysFashionDiary
3. Victoria's Secret: 50% off all sport bars and pants + $15 off $100. I think VS is somewhat overpriced but for 50% off, they're worth considersing. This is a great opportunity to pick up some new workout clothes to kick start your New Year's resolutions =)

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

A neutral outfit

FallNeutralOutfit_SydneysFashionDIary  

We all know that the "no white after Labor day" rule is no longer valid. Anybody can totally rock those white jeans into fall and even winter. For this outfit, I decided to pair my trusty white denim with an oversized sweater. This embroidered sweater caught my attention because of its interesting details and patterns. They add eye-catching elements to an otherwise basic outfit. For under $20, I am honestly impressed with the quality of the sweater. On a related note, these jeans are currently 50% off if you're interested (my full review here). Outfit details: Express jeans | SammyDress sweater c/o | Banana Republic suede bag | WHBM mules | Tom Ford sunglasses

BananaRepublicSuedeBag_SydneysFashionDiary

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

40% off :: Gucci, Givenchy, Prada, Saint Laurent, Valentino

SaksDesignerSale1_SydneysFashionDiary

Saks is running an incredible sale on some of their designer pieces. You got to be hurry because this won't last long. Below are some of the best ones I've seen (all 40% off):

- Gucci Soho disco bag *sold out*
- Chloe Drew bag *sold out*
- Burberry wool coat
- Valentino Rockstud pumps
- Chloe Marcie crossbody
- Givenchy Antigona satchel
- Prada cuir tote bag *sold out*
- Prada saffiano lux tote *sold out*
- Prada wallet on chain *sold out*
- Saint Laurent Sac De Jour
- Valentino Rockstud tote

Monday, November 21, 2016

Windowpane Car Coat

Black&WhiteCheckCoat_SydneysFashionDiary

I stalked this coat non-stop last year but unfortunately, my size was sold out so quickly. A windownpane coat has been on my mind since then. The minute I saw this coat, I knew I had to give it a try. The coat turned out to be a keeper. I wish you could feel the fabric. It's so soft, lightweight and comfortable to wear. I packed this coat with me for a weekend trip to San Francisco and it was perfect for the occasion. Outfit details: Make me chic coat *size XS*| ASOS jeans *my favorite* | Tom Ford sunglasses | Chanel wallet on chain

EasyFallOutfit_SydneysFashionDIary Black&WhiteCheckCoat_SydneysFashionDiary

Friday, November 18, 2016

24 hour in Chicago

A few weeks ago, my girlfriend and I took a quick trip to Chicago for some great food and shopping. We planned this trip for what seemed like an eternity but since we both have kids, it's easier said than done. Thanks to the husbands for staying home and taking care of the kids so we can have some time to ourselves. We took a bus from Ohio to Chicago and got there around 10:30 a.m. We stayed at the Hyatt Centric The Loop and everything was wonderful. The hotel is located in the heart of everything. Michigan Ave is just a few blocks away. After checking in, we headed to Splurging Turtle to grab something to eat. I've heard so many great things about this place and their popular Tan Tan ramen. It was indeed delicious. After filling our bellies with warm food, we headed out to do some shopping along the Magnificent Mile

SplurgingTurtleChicago_SydneysFashionDiary

I've been to Chicago several times but this was my girlfriend's first time. I just wanted to make sure this trip was all about her. Plus, I only had one thing on my list to purchase. We literally walked from store to store, checked out everything her heart desires. The one thing I planned to purchase was this Cartier Love ring. I have always admired its simple yet elegant design. If you live in a state that does not have a Cartier boutique, you can have them ship the item to your address to save some taxes. I "saved" 10.25% on this purchase. I feel bad for those who live in Chicago. Their sales tax now highest in the nation. If you purchase something that is available where you live, you only have to pay your state's sales tax. Also, Cartier offers free engraving on some of their jewelry pieces. I had our names along with our wedding date engraved inside the ring. I really love the way it turned out. I wear a 4.5 ring size (48 mm). I did go up a size (49 mm) for added comfort.

CartierLoveRing_SydneysFashionDiary

They said time flies when you're having fun and it's so true. We originally had a reservation at The Signature Room but came 5:30pm, we still haven't done with shopping yet. We decided to cancel it. My girlfriend did end up purchasing the Gucci Dionysus in red suede. I also picked up a small bottle of Jo Malone Orange Blossom as a souvenir. We then came back to the hotel for a quick refresh and grabbed a late dinner at The Angry Crab. OMG! My mouth is watering just thinking about that place. We got up the next day and catch the bus back home. All in all, it was a quick but really fun trip. We hope this trip will become our annual tradition.

JoMalone_SydneysFashionDiary

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Floral Bomber Jacket

FloralBomberJacket_SydneysFashionDiary  

Let's just start by saying I love this floral bomber jacket so much. I typically stay away from the floral print when it comes to outerwear. However, there is just something so chic about this jacket. Please note that this is not a winter jacket. It's very lightweight and perfect for this time of the year. Outfit details: Chic me floral jacket c/o *size S* | Similar jeans | Similar sandals | Tom Ford sunglasses | GAP tee | Michael Kors watch | Banana Republic suede bag

MichaelKorsRunwayWatch_SydneysFashionDiary

Monday, November 14, 2016

Monochromatic


FallFashion2016_SydneysFashionDiary  

We've been blessed with mild weather so far this Fall and this sleeveless sweater is the perfect transitional piece. I decided to go with a gray monochromatic look and am loving the end result. Still pretty much head over heels in love with this jacket. If you're in the market for a suede moto jacket, I highly recommend this one. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Outfit details: Banana Republic skirt | Sammy Dress sweater | BlankNYC moto jacket | Banana Republic pumps *new version* | Tom Ford sunglasses

BlankNYCSuedeJacket_SydneysFashionDiary

Friday, November 11, 2016

Armadio Fashion :: Maia bag

Last week, I reviewed the Ancina bag from Armadio Fashion. Today, I wanted to quickly show you another bag from the brand - the Maia. This bag was a surprise gift from the founder. Even though I didn't pick this one out, I ended up liking it a lot more than I thought I would. It's definitely not something I would have purchased on my own since I tend to lean towards classic styles. This little bag surprisingly can hold a ton of stuff. I don't carry a lot with me on a daily basis. This bag fits my regular iPhone 6, a lipstick, my card case, my car key and there is a lot more room to spare. The two tones on the bag makes it more special and a touch of leopard is perfect for Fall. This bag and my red jumpsuit was a match made in fashion heaven =). This particular combination is a limited edition and no longer on the site but the orange and the black version are still available here.

PetiteRedJumpsuit_SydneysFashionDiary

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

All Black

AllBlackOutfit_SydneysFashionDiary

I don't wear black often but sometimes, I like to change it up a bit. The cold shoulder trend is all the rage this Fall and I am happy this sweater made its way into my closet. While ribbed knit adds a nice touch of texture, the cold shoulder gives some edge to an otherwise pretty basic outfit. If black isn't your color, this sweater is available in olive green, gray, pink and white. Outfit details: Dresslily sweater c/o | Express faux leather leggings | Bandolino booties | Quay sunglasses

ColdShoulderSweater_SydneysFashionDiary

Monday, November 7, 2016

Puff Sleeve Sweater

CozySweaterOutfit_SydneysFashionDiary  

As mentioned in this post, I love finding pieces with special details. This sweater is definitely one of them. How fun are these sleeves? I love the cropped length as well. It helps balance out the look. Outfit details: Dress Lily sweater c/o | Shein jeans | Tom Ford sunglasses

CozySweaterOutfit_SydneysFashionDiary

Friday, November 4, 2016

Armadio Fashion :: My new work bag

ArmadioFashionReview_SydneysFashionDiary

Happy Friday, ladies! As much as I love my high end designer bags, I don't take them out everyday. I purposefully avoid carrying anything with a logo to the office. My everyday work bag is this J.Crew satchel. It has no logos, is understated and I wear it every single day. It's starting to fall apart. Today, I am thrilled to collaborate with a brand specialized in producing high quality leather handbags - Armadio Fashion. They have provided a bit of the history just in case you're interested to learn more about the brand

ArmadioFashionReview_SydneysFashionDiary

Armadio Fashion launched their site in June 13, 2016. The site offers the finest handcrafted Italian handbags and accessories at a lower price point. Behind each item comes with the story of the artisan who handcrafted the product. These pieces are made in high quality leather that you could normally only find by walking the street of Tuscany yourself. Leather craftsman in Italy is known as the best in the world. Armadio works closely with the same Italian artisans who supply the iconic fashion houses like Chanel, Gucci and Prada. Since my current work bag has serious wear and tear, I decided to go with the Ancina as a replacement.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Petite-friendly raw hem jeans :: Suede moto jacket

CasualFallOutfit_SydneysFashionDiary  

Being petite, finding the proper length for jeans/pants can be a serious challenge. I am only 5'2" and jeans are always too long on me. I am pleasantly surprised to find a pair of skinny jeans that fit my short frame perfectly. These jeans are high waisted and super flattering on me even though I have no curves. I love the raw hem. Raw hem jeans are so in right now. One thing I want to point out - the zipper does not stay up sometimes. However, I love these jeans so much that I plan to have the zipper replaced. Measurements for a size S: waist = 12", rise = 10" and length = 26". Outfit details: Raw hem jeans c/o Shein *size S* | GAP tee | BlankNYC jacket *love* | Tom Ford sunglasses | Banana Republic loafers

BananaRepublicLeopardLoafers_SydneysFashionDiary