Ever since I could drive my mom’s station wagon, I’ve been bargain hunting. I would spend HOURS scouring Marshall’s and TJ Maxx in search of something that no one else would ever have; as Mimi liked to call me – “Mallory at the Mall”! I’m still that way today! I absolutely LOVE to have someone compliment something I’m wearing that I may have paid 40 bucks for at Forever21 or Express or Loft. Really, I go into ALL those places all the time! It is the thrill of “the hunt” as Bing calls it. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll find me in Neiman’s or in small boutiques, but for my real fun (and meditation, frankly) you’ll find me searching out really cool pieces at random stores that NONE of my pals would ever go into. Love that! HA!
Ok, that’s enough.
Anyway, I did a quick flyby at Zara (FAV) and H&M in search of some affordable Holiday Looks. The thing about Holiday wear is this: you go to the same Holiday parties every year, right? So, if you go to the SAME parties with the SAME people, you don’t want to wear the SAME dress every year, do you? Me thinks no. So, why not buy something that is AFFORDABLE, FESTIVE and FUN? That way, if you don’t wear it again for a long time or if you NEVER wear it again, you won’t feel guilty, because you got a bargain 🙂
Trust the Mother – You’ll be glad you did.
oxoxo
PS – Zara makes it kinda tricky to link items, so click on any of the images to be taken to ZARA.com. H&M goes straight to the item. Website update coming soon. 🙂
Side note. I bought the little Zara Velvet black jacket with the bow. It’s so damn cute. Wear with skinny black pants or this VERY fitted knit skirt – LOVE.
I also bought the “rose” colored dress (top right). It’s definitely more rose-colored than it looks and it’s actually really cute on, even though the picture does nothing for it.
PS – The earrings are OSCAR. (Click here)
My BFF and one of my clients are both fans of the Max Mara cashmere belted coats. I can see why – they are beautiful. But, let me tell you that Zara is making the BEST knock-off you have ever seen. There are SO many colors to choose from – the hot pink is my personal fav. I took this crazy selfie in the yellow one that is oversized and doesn’t have a belt, BUT, it’s the same idea. So, if you are short on funds and can’t get the fancy one, RUN to get one of these! Click here for the yellow.
Ok, just a few more items I saw as I was running out of the store. You’ve seen the floral blouse on me before – I’ve gotten so many compliments on it – you really gotta buy it. The one I can’t get ENOUGH of is this light blue button down. It’s the BOMB, baby. Big, puffy sleeves and a slim fit – doorbell. The black pant on the left is now my new MUST-HAVE item. SLIM, high-waisted, straight-leg with a little bit of stretch – perfection! Click Here for the black pant because they’re hard to find on the website.
Just being honest…..I didn’t get a chance to try on ALL of these items. I did put on the top left velvet dress. It is more VELOUR, like the Lacoste sweatshirt one I got for Christmas in 4th grade. BUT, it is slimming and the length is just right. I’m in LOVE with the sequin skirt. You could wear it with a white shirt tied at the waist, a sweater (kinda a trendy look, but oh well) or with a beautiful silk blouse. I just loved it when I saw it. Problem is, I’m long on sequin skirts at the moment, so I had to pass 😉 Love ’em all!
