Summer's End Reverie

Feet and ears tucked snugly inside the quilt, instead of out.

An unanticipated sneeze before you've even brushed your teeth.

Sandpaper knuckles.

That in-between emotion that you've yet to name & fittingly stow.

Little notes from Summer - that it has left.

******

Okay, I don't know where I was going with that. These are just impromptu pictures I clicked because I loved the light & shadows in my room that day :)

BUT they are my favourite things......

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..... 

Pieces Of Me.......

Wool Beret ~ H&M

Harness Belt ~ H&M Blackpink Collection

Pyramid Heeled Ankle Boots ~ H&M

One Of My Favourite Reads, 2021 ~ Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

♡

Be right back......

Kisses

xo,

Facebook | Bloglovin' |  Instagram

SUMMER S E C R E T S

In the midst of a burgeoning disinterest in almost everything, a messed-up sleep schedule, becoming a background kindergarten teacher, 5-inch dark roots that keep screaming a hair colourist's name, zero mojo to finish drafted blog posts, and an entire SOUL that wants to be set free in Ambience Mall (or rather, where the air pressure is low & the fasten seatbelt sign is lit).... scratch that,  safe home/safe nearby mall is all that's needed.....

There are little hidden sanity keepers.....

* SECRET to feeling balanced during a stressful time  :

Eliminate TMI (too much information). You don't need to read all news, 

you don't need to view all Instagram stories/Whatsapp statuses. 

Avoid gossip accounts or deactivate some apps altogether.

* SECRET to dealing with nil mall shopping :

AJIO. Shopper's Stop. 

SAVE for bigger & bigger things, maybe?

* SECRET to finding something to watch on TV :

365 DNI. You'll maybe regret watching it, but still want a sequel.

Defending Jacob

Behind The Candelabra

The Sinner, Season 1

Big Bang Theory - It is as good as Friends.

Self Made

Love Is Blind (the only reality series I could get through)

DON'T bother with Season 2 of Four More Shots Please & that movie 'The Lodge'. Ugh!

*Added later: The Twelve (binge worthy!)

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:

Best Things I Bought Lately

By "best", I just mean money well spent. Because they're pretty.... and girly....

and they simply bring a sort of..... custom-made joy to my life =D

H&M Vintage Pink Faux Fur Jacket: From the kids' section, for 8-10 yrs old! ;p

One size up would've been more my size, but that was no longer available.

I was shopping with my Mom at H&M, basically I needed some jumpers for Zii. We went our separate ways at the store. I spotted these pink faux fur coats that don't look like they're for kids in one corner. My Mom found me while I was trying them on in front of a mirror at the back of the store, and she was like, "All this time I thought you were shopping for your child, but here you are. You are not only a shopaholic, you are a holic.". I tried one similar coat from the Women's section, in a Size 6, just to compare, but it didn't sit as well as this one on my petite frame + the sleeves were too long. Now I know where to go for coats from now on...hehe!

(You can have a better look at it here)

La Senza Bralette ~ I have a thing for bralettes, if you haven't noticed it yet, and I was psyched to find a pink lacy one. Most of the lacy ones I see are always black. I find bralettes without any straps and hooks more comfortable to wear under body-hugging sweaters and winter clothes (Actually, I hate bra straps altogether!) This comes with matching knickers.

Herbal Essences Ignite My Colour Dry Shampoo ~  It doesn't leave any white powdery residue & it  smells like roses + adds some volume. I found this at a chemist shop for Rs.760.

It's Skin Caviar Double Effect Serum ~ Product of the week! I was hooked from the first time I used it. Price: Rs.2300

The Life Changing Magic Of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo: I spoke about this book in this post, and I finally got it. I've yet to finish reading the whole book, and I want to do a proper review to let you guys know if it really is life-changing. But I learnt one very useful tip: To fold your clothes vertically, so everything is laid out for you, and you don't have to dig for anything. Wait, I will come back and talk more about this in another post.

ZARA Sock-Style Over The Knee Boots ~  It's hard to find OTK boots in India, and next to impossible if your feet are tiny. When I saw some on Zara website, I ordered 2 pairs. Both Size UK 2. I posted a short video of me unboxing this pair (etc) on Instagram. In case you're not on social media, I'll attach it here.....

A post shared by Cynthia Zacharica (@czloves) on Jan 1, 2018 at 11:55pm PST

♥

Hope you're all having a good week!

Speak again soon :* :*

Facebook | Bloglovin' |  Instagram

Shoe Pom Poms

Question: Have you ever hidden a clothing item (etc) when you're not sure whether you want to buy it or not, because you think you'll leave the store and go around the mall, and if in case you want it later, you'd just come back for it and it wouldn't be sold out (esp if it's the last piece/size)? You tuck it between a pile of jeans (I did this with a pair of shorts at Zara once), or you simply hide it in another corner rack? So nobody sees it!

Okay, either you do it too, or I taught you a new...umm....trick.

Too Pretty To Use.....

Started from beautifully designed makeup, now we're here! 

*insert see-no-evil monkey emoji*

Alright, we will not talk about those useless but pretty outer boxes we don't have the heart to throw away. 

(When I left the UK back then, I actually flattened a lot of them and tied them together nicely with a rubber band, so I could bring them back here. I have no idea where they are now!)

~ Cath Kidston Notebook, Rs.695

~ Cath Kidston Travel Cup, Rs.945

*Cath Kidston is now opened in Ambience Mall, Gurgaon.

~ H&M Socks in a Christmas Bauble, Rs.399.

~ Victoria's Secret xo, Victoria Rollerball Perfume, Rs.1600 

(approx, as part of 2 for 3 offer.)

~ Forever 21 Pink Bunny-Shaped Slippers, Rs.799

If I know you long-time readers, I'd say you like them all =)

But which one would you keep in a drawer, unused forever?

Me, most probably the notebook. 

I wanna say the bunny slippers, but Ziizayne is always wearing them these days, haha!

Have a great weekend everyone!

*To all you fellow horror movie freaks, have you watched Lights Out? I might watch that tonight ;)

Facebook | Bloglovin' |  Instagram | YouTube | CZloves: Shoes & Life Of A Beauty Blogger

Pom Pom Lovin'

Obsessed with it. 

Regret I don't have a handbag exactly like it.

To do the matching.

How do I NOT have a powder pink handbag?!

Wait. 

Just wait.

New Year Haul & Life Update

Hi, Everyone! Happy happy New Year to each and everyone of you! Hugs & kisses xx <3 p="">

So late, I know, but I was rarely home these last few weeks. My brother and his family were staying over, and we were always out and about.

 I am so very happy 2015 is gone, because it was the worst year of my life. I went through some things that weren't good for me, and I had somehow lost myself. Okay, enough of that. Closed book.

This year feels different already. Another chance to start over, and live the life I want to live.

But it started off with a weird, life-threatening, surreal incident.....

New PINK Blogging Camera | Hello Kitty Box | Minnie Mouse Socks

15th Nov '13, Friday:

Sometime in November '13, I spotted this camera in one of Shifa's (Get Gawjus) Instagram photos. In that moment, my life changed. By that, I mean I went CRAZY! You know I love them PINKS. It was like I was meant to see it, coz I'd been thinking about a new camera.

After googling, I found out it's a Special Limited Edition that launched in late 2012. It was sold only by a few sellers online, and they either seemed dodgy or money-hungry. Oh, and one Ebay UK seller stated that it's only "Virtually Used", whatever that means. I wanted Brand New!

16th Nov '13, Saturday:

After hours of googling.... 

Mr.CZ: 'It's okay. You have to let it go now. When it's not available anymore, what can you do?'

Me: 'No. I WILL get it. I don't give up easily on something I really want.', I said patiently & confidently like some kind of tycoon, but in my head: I was lying on the living room floor, pulling my hair, and crying 'Whyyy?!!! Ahhh!!!'

A few hours later that same Saturday evening, I found a seller! Awesome price, brand new + I get 1 extra lens. Pure, unadulterated happiness. Husband was relieved too, I think. ('Okay, now she will stop whining about it, and stop making that wretched face.')

19th Nov, Tuesday:

It was delivered! 3 days after ordering. Now you'd think it's a happy ending. Well, not yet. I had to wait for almost 2 months to see it! It was delivered to Delhi, and I was still in Scotland. Brother-in-law sent a pic of the sealed pink box, and I just had to look at it and count the days.....

18th Jan '14:

 I un-boxed it, and it was just like I imagined. Pretty. Pink. Perfect.

About Nikon 1 J1: It's a mirrorless camera, not a DSLR. But it performs almost the same. Came with D-ZOOM KIT: 10-30mm + 30-110mm. Records Full HD MOVIE 1080/60i. Please go to Nikon website for full specs.

About The PINK: This is a very pink pink. The other pink that was launched later is an icy pink.

 Flash pops up with a click. Uber cute! ♥

H&M Makeup Brushes ~ Rose Gold & Fabulous!

I'm not that interested in Gold. I'm talking about Real Gold. Yes, I don't mind wearing it and all, but I don't have to have it, and I know nothing about it...carats-carrots and all that. But sometimes I find myself in the middle of a discussion about Midas's doom:

• "Invest in gold. Gold is a great investment!"

• "Buy gold biscuits from Thailand. They're cheap."

• "Now there's import charge on gold in India, so it costs more."

I avoid saying anything ignorant, and just nod wisely like I understand egg-jackly what they're talking about, but in my head: Shoes and makeup are also great investments, I think....Gold biscuits? Like those square chocolates in golden wrapping? Same size as Parle-G biscuits, I'm guessing....Yup, import charge on MAC cosmetics too....Umm, I don't really understand this import business....Lananana-nana....kthush!

But artificial gold stuff are a different story. Now those I find very attractive, especially when they come in the form of accessories & beauty tools, e.g. gold makeup brushes like these H&M ones that I'm so happy I spotted some days before I left UK.....

 

Lancôme Rouge In Love Lipstick Midnight Rose ~ Look & Swatches

I planned to post this at exactly 00:00 am (IST), midnight, to make it poetic. But of course it didn't happen, because editing took longer. 

Lancôme Rouge In Love Lipstick in Midnight Rose 377N is a fuchsia shade. It's weird that although it's glossy, it's so long-lasting, even more long-lasting than some matte lipsticks! When layered, it passed the kissing test, and I think it could easily live up to it's 6 hours claim. When I'm wearing it, I always see it on my lips- never drying, never flaky.

Very very impressed with the unique finish & quality. I want at least one more shade from this range.

If you're wondering how similar it is to Deborah Milano Red #9: Midnight Rose leans towards pink, whereas DMR 9 leans towards red.  

Outfit Of The Day ~ Crop Top & Skater Skirt

In about 1 minute that skirt is going to fly and spread out like an umbrella (under my umbrella...ella...ella...) But nobody saw. Never wear a skater skirt when it's windy.

And in about 10 minutes, while walking on the road, the rain is going to come down on me like an unwanted birthday blessing. I didn't have an umbrella (ah, the irony!) & my mascara wasn't waterproof. 

This is what I wore on my Birthday over 2 weeks ago, btw. I took these pics in a jiffy before heading out. It was the first time I did a photoshoot in our new balcony, and it was soo windy! We're on the 1st floor, so anyone who walks on the road down below can see. I had to run inside and hide every time a car came by. Hence, the odd leg in previous photo... haha!

Top ~ Quiz Lime Textured Crop Top | Black Skater Skirt ~ H&M. Got it on sale, only £3 (Rs.266)  |  Lime Belt ~ H&M. Sale again, £1 (Rs.89)  |  Shoes ~ Suede Mary Janes from Ebay  |  Clutch Bag ~Primark | Jewelry ~ Primark Earrings, Claires Bracelet, Fossil Rose Gold Watch | Of course I had to wear black tights & a leather jacket too before heading out in the cold.

Lipstick ~ I was confused which lip color to wear with lime green. I tried peach & nude...then in the end I went with coral. I used Maybelline SuperStay Stay With Me Coral (Swatches here). I don't really remember what I put on the rest of my face! Definitely got older!

Hope you have fun plans for the weekend. I want to go to Superdrug and get some new makeup I see doing the rounds in blogosphere, but I have no money. I mean, I have spent my monthly budget online recently. Sigh. =D

Pre-Birthday Haul

Since my birthday is next week, I'd gone to get my suit for that day, because I have to always wear a brand new outfit on my birthdays. It will fall on a weekday, so I doubt we'll do anything special, BUT Mr.CZ is taking me to Edinburgh that weekend. Mainly to shop, yes. Thing is, Dundee is a small town-like city, so many many things are missing. Primark is small and doesn't stock most of the stuff (like in Newcastle), Jane Norman is not here, MAC is not here (can you believe it?! I felt like fainting when I was told that.) Going to Edinburgh will be like going from Chandigarh to New Delhi, or Pune to Mumbai. One hour train ride. We'll stay there for a night.

We'll call this a warm up haul.