Why Return A ZARA Dress?

I rarely return stuff that I purchase online, and that's because it usually takes me 2 weeks to over a month to click checkout after adding them to cart or favourites - which means I only purchase things after they've caused me sleepless nights....and I can't live without them any longer!

Btw, I almost kept this dress, just because I didn't want to go through the return drama with ZARA after they didn't refund my money for months last year - for my son's product, not mine. 

Why I returned this dress?

It looks cheap. Gingham print on a such a flimsy polyester fabric is just nah-ah.

The worst part is the even cheaper-looking lining. It's actually in reverse and not stitched on to the seams, which makes it ride up underneath + it sticks to your skin...ugh!

It's just not worth  ₹3590! The audacity.

Look at the lining.....

MINISO Haul ~ August 2023

Do we love Miniso, or do we LOVE MINISO?

Miniso India has started keeping interesting stuff again since after Covid time. There was a phase when I was seeing the same things every time I visited their stores. Now the vibe is different - there are new keychains... and dish cleansing sponges.... and cat paw laundry clips I don't need but bought anyway.

RARE BEAUTY Haul

Location: Sephora, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Customers flock only to one makeup counter:

RARE BEAUTY

Some too young to be wearing makeup - a few were with their parents.

Some old enough to be wearing makeup, but didn't really look the types who were into makeup.

These were not makeup junkies, these were Selena Gomez's fans.

 They rummaged through the drawers & made sure everything good SOLD OUT.

All the liquid blushes were SOLD OUT, except for 2 darkest shades.

All the Lip Oils were SOLD OUT.

I managed to get some practical face products for myself:

Birthday Makeup ~ OUTDATED Products

This part of blogging is called backlog.

Let's just get it out of the way before I let it die in my drafts - which I would've done had I not already told my Insta followers that I'd be posting it.

My birthday happened in May. Then I went on vacation and bought so much new beauty products that I didn't want to even look at these outdated products here anymore! The makeup scene is too boring here in India, I wasn't buying new makeup much....and just wasn't inspired to try anything new.

Ecotools 360 Ultimate Blend Makeup Brush Kit

The EcoTools 360 Ultimate Blend Makeup Brush Set is designed with 3 densely packed, domed makeup brush heads for quick makeup application and a perfectly blended finish. 

• The EcoTools 360 Ultimate Blend Makeup Brush Set Includes: 3 densely packed, domed brushes for quick application and perfectly blended finishes.

• Ultimate Buff makeup brush helps achieve a streak-free base by buffing on cream or powder foundation.

• Ultimate Pop makeup brush blends cream or powder blush and bronzer for a sculpted, airbrushed finish.

• Ultimate Cover makeup brush applies concealer or highlighter to apples of cheeks, bridge of the nose, and arch of brows for added definition.

• Pair makeup brushes with cream and sticks makeup formulas to achieve the best results

• Beautifully soft bristles, for gentle makeup application.

• Handcrafted with eco-friendly materials and lightweight wood-plastic composite handles

• Made with synthetic Taklon bristles.

• Cruelty-Free and Vegan - EcoTools products are never tested on animals.

I Was Craving A FLORAL HANDBAG!

A few months ago, a floral handbag was all---I---could---think---about!

I searched everywhere online. Some too pricey, some too dicey.

I went to my favourite LYN, and the website was down. I found out later that the brand had pulled out of India - like some other international brands....  *bleep* Covid *bleep* *bleep*

Just when my interest was starting to dwindle - as with all things that don't come to me easily, I stumbled upon a floral handbag I liked....

but is it the one?

maybe I can find a prettier one?

a pink one?

maybe I should check that app.....

A MATCHING WALLET!!!

oh yes, it is the one.

The following weekend, I was at the store. Prayed both bag and wallet would be there, because they belong together. They are a co-ord set.

Vintage-Inspired Gingham Set

A gorgeous set I got back in July, but have never really worn. 

Wearing is never the point anyway, it's the h-a-v-i-n-g *bites nails*

If you're familiar with For Love & Lemons stuff, you'll see that this set is somewhat similar to their vintage vibe - with the little covered buttons, daisies & eyelash lace.

I HAD to get my hands on it immediately after it was launched on their website. 

They had me at 'gingham'; they sold me at little coated buttons.

Bottoms are adorned with gold heart hardware with straps along the back.

Traditional Haul ~ JAINSEM

I was in my hometown, Shillong, in July, and I bought these traditional pieces last minute - meaning: the day before leaving. So, they're not even completely stitched yet - the hemlines need to be embroidered and scalloped and whatnot (see on the yellow floral one in the pics below).

Our traditional attire (what sarees are to some of you), is called 'Jainsem'. 

'Jain' means cloth, 'sem' means drape. Both words are Khasi language.

How We Wear It: There's 2 pieces of square fabric, which you drape over each other; each going from under the arms and pinned at the opposite shoulders. Gosh, I hope I explained that alright. 

Please google it, if I confused you.

Pins for securing each piece of the Jainsems.

Jewelry Haul

Hello, my blog readers! 🤗  

It's been a while - as my opening line always goes.

My eyelash extensions had been brand new and fallen off, Britney & Jlo have gotten married, a new season of KWK is now streaming.....

But my haul in January-February & birthday post from May have not been posted here yet 😂

My life moves so fast like you wouldn't believe these days, and I've just been feeling very detached from the online world.  Plus, you might have gotten a life update on my Insta, so my head is always elsewhere.

I clicked these pics on a rainy day to pearlize my mood..... 

Beauty Haul: Lakmé, MAC, Maybelline, Kiko, Innisfree

Remember a long time ago, when I'd go shopping & then come back home....click pictures....and immediately post them on the blog? I remember I'd go to Boots & Superdrug, and sometimes I left home too late & walked to the city center, and I'd reach there just when they're closing - at 6 PM! I'd stand outside, give them a sad look, and they'd shake their heads & sternly mouth: "No, sorry, we're closed."

This didn't happen just one time, by the way.

Well, those days are back! And luckily, I'm in India now, where shops close at 10 PM! Although, last time I was in Kiko Milano, during the curfew days when shops had to close by 7:45-8 PM, a salesman had to tell me, "Ma'am, please finish soon, we're closing in 15 minutes." - this type of pressure on me made me buy a glitter lip balm, instead of something I'd really use & love, you know.

Shopping From The Kids' Section | Midnights with CZ Part-III

I'm not ashamed to say I frequent the kids' section of every brand. 

I've bought t-shirts, dungarees, coats, jackets.....socks, gloves, snoods.....

I even checked out some Indian wear recently, before Diwali, and the salesman 

was like: "Itni fitting nahi hoti aapke liye." (or something like that). 

Of course not, I said to him. It was a 10-12 Yrs size, and I need a 12-14 Yrs! 

Woh fitting acchi ayegi. 

The look he gave me. He'll never understand.

If you're a little petite woman, and sometimes a UK 6 just doesn't cut it, or a fitted jacket is never truly fitted on you & ankle pants need to be chopped off at least 2 inches, you'll understand.

Here are a few of the things I managed to click pictures of - in August! That's when I was gonna put this post up......

Kiko Milano Brows & Lashes

Been meaning to get more Kiko products after using up their Lip Oil , 

and I got these recently.....

December Makeup Haul

Thought I should pop in here before Christmas just to say, 'Hi, Hello!' *waves with hands tucked inside fleece jumper sleeves*

The fog & freezing temperature here in Gurgaon are giving me a headache.

Either that, or it's my credit card bill this month 🙊

After I did the 'shopping from my own makeup collection', that I blogged about in this post, I just suddenly started craving new makeup, especially palettes & brushes. I headed to Shopper's Stop one evening, hung around the makeup aisles until I could see no more female SA's (meaning: it was after 8 pm, and they'd all left), and I decided that was a sign I should head home too - because they'd be kicking me out soon, not because I'm female 😄

With these....

IKEA India Haul (Decor) ~ My First Time

By popular demand, here's my IKEA Haul, that I did while in Hyderabad.

My first ever visit to an IKEA store. That too, years agter I wrote this post in 2013! So it is a monumental day...haha.

For those who don't know, there's only one IKEA store in India right now.

Firstly, OH MY GOD! It was an overwhelming, one-of-a-kind experience shopping there!

The store was HUGE! So huge, it felt like an industrial factory. 

I read it has a "Cafe", and this cafe is like a food court! You could literally live in the store for days! 😁

I loved the furniture & a lot of heavy things, but sadly we could only pack small things in suitcases.

IKEA could be opening their 2nd store in Gurgaon, which is where I'm at. So....I shall wait.

Maybe, then, I'll move into a brand new house, and fill it with Ikea everything, who knows.

In the meantime, here are the little things I managed to pick up in less than 2 hours.......

Handbag Haul ~ BOW Edition

Hello! :)

I have nothing important to say, except that I completed the entire REIGN tv series. It's about the queen of Scotland & queen Elizabeth..... so much drah-ma, and I was hooked to it! 

Now it's over, and I'm feeling as EMPTY as these brand new handbags that reign my world ;p

I've christened only one of them - the black one.

LYN Mary Jane XS Bag

MINISO Haul ~ Everyday Beauty Stuff

Miniso is one store a family can go to, and everyone finds something useful to buy. 

This is my 2nd haul from Miniso, and I have not used the hand towels I got with during my 1st haul over a year ago! What I'm drawn to at their store are the little things, like cotton pads & swabs...and little household items.

Travel Kit Adventure Time Princess Bubblegum, Rs.190

Adventure Time Bath Sponge, Rs.190

Hand Sanitizer Gel (potpourri), Rs.100

Toothbrush set, Rs.190  

This is one from a 3-piece toothbrush set for Ziizayne. I'm using it for my eyebrows ;p

Spunlace Cotton Square Pads (180 pcs), Rs.190 ~ These are better then the Pink Panther ones, in case you've used them.

Cute Pet Hand Towels, Rs.250 each I think ~ My favourites! 

Will use them as face towels too.

100% Cotton Swabs with wooden grip, Rs.150

Lollipop Pink Perfume, Rs.460 ~ I fell for the baby pink bottle.

♥

Have a good week, everyone!

Speak again soon.....

xo,

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Anastasia Beverly Hills Now In India

I was (and still am) so bored with the beauty scene here in India, because everything on my wish list isn't available here. I hadn't bought an eyeshadow palette since the Revolution Flawless 4 Palette, like, over 1 year ago. I don't even want to go makeup shopping anywhere in this city anymore.

So, when news got out that Sephora India was bringing Anastasia Beverly Hills, or 'ABH', to our shores, I was like, "Ahhhh......water!"

38 Years Old, A Romance Novel Life & Unending Shopping Addiction

Life's been more exciting than any vacation I've ever been on. 

Not necessarily good or perfect, and I fall down a lot, but when I'm up & my antennas aren't disrupted (and I dress up a bit), it's something else.

Hot & intense, unpredictable & 'Romance Novel-esque' ;)

(This is gonna prick some people..... *ahem*)

It's true what they say, life really does begin in your late 30's, because that's when you know, without a shadow of a doubt, who you really are & who/what you WANT.

These days, my soul screams for the things it craves at 3:55 am. 

Either that, or Ziizayne has kicked me in his sleep again.

As some of you know, my birthday happened too soon again, and I am officially 38 years old now.

  I know I'm 3 weeks late with my mandatory birthday post & it's been sitting idly in my drafts since.

So, for all of you waiting to see a Birthday Haul....

Aside from my entire outfit here, I collected some things before my birthday:

Makeup Revolution Tropical Paradise Eyeshadow Palette & Matte Nude Lipstick Collection

The last time I bought an eyeshadow palette was exactly ONE YEAR AGO!  It was the Makeup Revolution Flawless 4 Palette, which is the only palette I've been using since then & a couple of pans are almost empty. 

This palette is the only one from the brand that interested me after all this time, and I was glad that they're 10% Off  at Lifestyle. I hate 10% discounts, but something is better than nothing. Myntra is currently having 35% discount on Makeup Revolution, but these products aren't available there, unfortunately.

Revolution Pro Lipstick Collection Matte Nude 

Price: Rs.1250 1125

Shades:

Matte Nude Naked 

(I basically bought this collection for this shade)

Matte Nude Raw

Matte Nude Real

Matte Nude Protect

Matte Nude Truth

(L-R): Naked, Raw, Real, Protect, Truth

Revolution TammiX Tropical Paradise Eyeshadow Palette

Price: Rs.1950 | 1755

Shades:

1. Moonlight – white shimmer

2. Pina Colada – pale gold shimmer

3. Enchanting – copper shimmer

4. Queen Lou – light brown shimmer

5. Burning Heat – rose gold shimmer

6. Tropical – orange matte

7. Majestic – dark raspberry matte

8. Coralline – maroon matte

9. Paradise – khaki shimmer

10. Exotic – bronze gold shimmer

11. Carnival – purple shimmer

12. Caribbean – pink shimmer

13. Golden Sands – gold shimmer

14. Purpy Purps – purple matte

15. Rainforest – dark khaki matte

16. Treasure – tawny brown shimmer

17. Waterfall – ocean blue matte

18. Adventure – pecan brown matte

19. Midnight Stroll - black matte

20. Rich Soil - wood brown matte

21. Coconut Cream – cream matte

22. Nutmeg – caramel brown matte

23. Isle of Spice – cinnamon matte

 ♡

I was gonna swatch the lipsticks at least, but the camera's battery ran out!

I guess they didn't wanna be touched yet ;)

Have a good week, everyone!

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Colorbar 1001 Nail Polishes ~ HAUL

Colorbar launched 1001 new nail polishes recently & I'm going C-R-A-Z-Y! 

I'm having trouble picking shades, even though the New U stores I went to didn't stock all 1001 shades. 

With Keratin & Almond Oil, and the formula is paraben-free. 

I picked up 2 shades one time, then I went back to get more...but then I didn't have enough time to pick carefully. So I managed to pick only 3 more. 

Sister's Secret #607 - Lilac

Pretty Face #822 ~ Rose pink

Lemonade # 1080 ~ Lemon yellow

Invisible #835 ~ Cool Nude

Salt & Pepper #1302 Arteffects ~ Baby blue with navy flecks

I'd already worn Sister's Secret and Salt & Pepper, and they're both great! The consistency is just right, nice brush, streak-free application & they don't chip easily either.

I wanna be in a room with ALL 1001 shades, and pick 20 more! =D

Price: Rs.199 

(THANK YOU, Colorbar! For keeping it under 200 bucks.)

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