Zara

Seattlites prepare for impact: Zara is to open at Westlake Center by the end of the year, and hopefully before the holiday season! Leave it to SeattleMet to update us with the latest and greatest, the news has been confirmed--Zara will open before the end of the year and the store will include fashions for men, women and children. Zara's styles are chic, contemporary, fashionable and affordable. Think: a few levels up from H&M (described as a "Spanish fast-fashion line").

On top of their generally affordable prices, they also have revolving sales (semi-annuals, end of season, etc.) that make for some outrageous deals. Wait, have I mentioned they have e-commerce opps on their website? Oh dear heavens.  So, shopping in your pajamas, on your couch, in your living room, is also very acceptable.  So do it!

In anticipation of the grand store opening, I have been doing some shameless (slightly obsessive) browsing of the Zara website.  I can't get over their selection of fun and funky blazers and trousers--not to mention their handbags.  Wowzers.  

Here's a few of my favorites:

1. Polka dot blouse

2. Printed trouser

3. Basic wide-striped sweater

4. Statement pinstripe blazer

5. Tribal print Fall jacket

DIY Mock Gel Manicure

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You are just 1-2-3 steps away from a mock gel manicure at home.  All you need is three nail polishes (pictured above) and whatever other grooming tools you use when performing at-home nail care (I typically don't use anything more than nail clippers and a nail file).  Note: you do NOT need a UV light for this "mock" gel manicure.  I think you'll be blown away by the look and longevity of this nail trio.

Here's the secret sauce:
STEP 1 - Do whatever you do to prime your nails normally (take off existing nail polish, cut nails, file nails, etc.)
STEP 2 - Apply 1 coat of Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Hard As Wraps
STEP 3 - Apply 2 coats of any nail polish of your choosing (my fav is OPI)
STEP 4 - Apply 2 coats of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat (seriously, this stuff is no joke)
STEP 5 - Avoid messing up your nails during drying time; but, the top coat seems to dry unusually fast, so consider yourself lucky!

Voila!  Your polish will turn out shiny, flawless, thick and gorgeous--I promise you.

Pictured: this is actually a "touch up" job I did from 2 weeks prior.  It still looks pretty good, huh?

H&M Roll Call

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Fall is at our back door (dear God, say it isn't so!) and these new H&M pieces will help you transition from summer to fall with ease.  Plus, who can possibly say no to screen-printed kitties on a tank top?  What do you think of this summer to fall line-up?  I think it's pretty fab!  

The list:
1. A funky, statement blazer
2. Some vintage inspired sunnies
3. Rock-solid studs
4. Sexy, metallic sandals
5. A tank packing some major sass
6. A gold, under-stated bracelet
7. A utilitarian and roomy bag
8. Distressed boyfriend blue jeans

What's better?  All items shown above are less than $40 dollars a piece!  Visit an H&M store location near you to pick up these super cute essentials online with H&M's new e-commerce capabilities!  Amazing...