Zara Tartan Blazer

When I saw all these great pictures of some beautiful Black Watch over at What Kate Wore, I was reminded just how much I like tartan.  I used to wear it quite a bit - years ago - but haven't in such a long while.  Perusing Zara's blazers (again), I came across this one in New Arrivals and thought it might be just the thing.

It crossed my mind that it might be too over-the-top, but once again Zara got it just right.  In normal light it is almost - almost - subtle.  But it is definitely still Tartan.  I have the flash on it in the close-up.  The fabric is smooth and feels pricier than it is.  The construction and fit are nice.  I'm wearing my usual Medium.

Also! I've recently noticed no international transaction fees from my credit card related to my online Zara buys. Zara must have changed something with their banking.  It never made sense to me that orders were processed that way, ordering from a US site with the items appearing to ship from a US address.  At any rate, looks like it's changed - good news!

Zara Tartan Blazer

Here is how I wore it for our Danish "Little Christmas Eve" (the 23rd):

Zara blazer, ON bank in black, F21 denim, J Crew Brewster Boots (years ago)

xoxo

Austin Outfits

I've only posted my rehearsal dinner outfit... this is what else I wore on our Austin trip...

I have one more new Zara blazer (tartan :) ) to post and then I'll get back on those China pics.

Zara Wool Herringbone Jacket, Loft lace top, F21 denim, Chanel Ballerines (Nordstrom)

Diane von Furstenberg New Julian Two Dress in Little Leaves Teal, bracelets from Georg Jensen (Daisy) and evileyestore.com

Eliza J Belted Lace Sheath Dress (Nordstrom), Christian Louboutin Pigalle (Net-a-Porter)

boots from Horsetown in Marietta, Georgia

xoxo

Quick Trip to Austin

We went to Austin, Texas this month for the first time for a wedding.  I have a few more outfit posts from the weekend, but here are some shots from around town.

We had a great time and enjoyed the in-the-70's weather and change of landscape. The food at Lambert's was definitely a highlight, as well as at Enoteco Vespaio. I was also able to finally make it to the Kendra Scott store on South Congress and also an Amy's Ice Cream.  The Driskill was beautifully decorated for Christmas and the food and entertainment at their Santa breakfast were wonderful.

shopping on South Congress

lunch at Enoteco Vespaio

my Funghi Pressed Panini:

shitake mushrooms, sauteed onions, roasted garlic & cambozola cheese

my husband's lunch

food trucks

Kendra Scott on South Congress

an emerald window display at KS - appropriate for Pantone's 2013 color

The Capitol

Christmas Tree at The Capitol

spotted on our drive to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar

liked this peacock

at Amy's Ice Cream

my son's armadillo from the Capitol gift shop moving in on my Amy's Ice Cream

(a "S'mores the Merrier": Mexican vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, Biscoff crumbles, Mexican vanilla marshmallow on top)

my three enjoying the Texas Hill Country

cookie decorating at The Driskill's Santa Breakfast

(part of the) Santa Breakfast Buffet

Christmas Tree at the Driskill

xoxo

OOTE 12.14.12 {Rehearsal Dinner in Austin, TX}

Bad lighting!

jumpsuit from Forever 21 found on sale for around $15.

Zara blazer

xoxo

OOTE 12.19.12 {Company Christmas Dinner}

Diane von Furstenberg New Julian Two Dress, YSL clutch, tights from Target (very opaque & happy with quality - would definitely buy again...  I think they are Hanes), Via Spiga Estrella Pump

xoxo

Ocean Park {Giant Pandas in Hong Kong}

Already December and I need to start packing for our next trip... making me realize how far behind I am on posting about China (October)...

Before we left I asked my children what was on the top of their to-do list for Hong Kong.  My nine-year-old daughter wanted to see a giant panda.  So we set aside a day and made our way to Ocean Park in Aberdeen.

Here they are:

And some more pictures from Ocean Park:

 entrance to the Giant Panda Adventure section of the park

my son listening to panda sounds

 where the pandas are today

beautiful goldfish room

cable cars across the park

(At one point during this ride (which seemed like about eight hours) these go incredibly high. Admittedly, I don't like heights, but I was okay on the ferris wheel and fine on similar cable cars near Huangguoshu waterfall in China... but these nearly caused a nervous breakdown... ridiculously, unnecessarily high.  Didn't bother anyone else in the family.)

lunch -- I know, not very Chinese - but we had so many interesting dishes which I'll show in the Guizhou posts -- and felt like something a little familiar

our view at lunch

jellyfish room - classical music was playing as the colored lights changed - absolutely beautiful

more jellyfish

view from the ferris wheel

roller coaster

another great view

at the Pacific Pier exhibit where my children fed the seals

The South Pole Spectacular

this is one of my favorite rides - there is one at Tivoli in Copenhagen too - the little cars go up and down and around at such a high speed you feel like you're going to fly out of your seat... I think we rode it four times

view from one of those cable cars... my husband took this picture because I had my head down, crying, but I managed to hand him the camera

My son's top to-do (ride on a junk) and my older daughter's (shopping) up next.

xoxo