loving... zara's online shopping

Did you hear the collective squeal of delight across Canada last week when Zara introduced online shopping? That was the sound of a bunch of very happy Canadians! And frankly, it's about time. There isn’t anything more annoying than finding something you really like online only to realize that shipping to Canada isn’t an option (this happens far too often, I think).

I've always loved Zara and am most excited about being able to buy shoes online (I already have a couple of pairs & couldn't be happier with how comfy & chic they are). I'm also not a huge fan of shopping in store. The larger shoe sizes always seem to fly off the shelves first and is it only me, or are their change rooms mini-sized?

Here are some of the things that made it into my first shopping cart:










If you haven't already heard, the prices are the same as in stores, there's free delivery if you spend $50+ (with eco-friendly packaging, no less) and you can make returns within a month at local stores or, and this is so cool, have them picked up from your digs at no charge. Plus, there’s a new app, too, so shopping on your smartphone or tablet is even more streamlined.

Have you shopped online with Zara yet? What did you think?

p.s. Happy weekend!!

loving... anthro's tropicalia dress

Edmonton's in the midst of a bitter cold snap and with spring still months away, dreaming of wearing this gorgeous dress is my only salvation from the winter doldrums.

This maxi is officially my first purchase of 2013. My second? These fun printed oxfords. Can you tell I’m tired of being wrapped up in thick winter clothes?

What about you? Have you bought anything from the spring collections yet? It’s hard not to, isn't it -especially with temptation lurking everywhere you turn – even at the dang supermarket. I’m looking at you Joe Fresh floral printed jeans.

Hope you're having a fantastic week and keeping warm.

Dajana

décor: sarah & bendrix print

This Sarah & Bendrix gold foil print caught my eye on Etsy. So much so that it's now making its journey from London, England to me.

“Non, je ne regrette rien,” is taken from an Édith Piaf song, and means “No, I have no regrets.” 

Isn’t that a fantastic phrase to keep in mind?

Dajana

Studio owner Veronika also has a charming blog.

loving: b.b. dakota striped dress

I've gone kookoo for cocoa puffs lately, except my cocoa puffs happen to be striped dresses. I've purchased three in the past few weeks. *gulp* 

Um, plus a striped sweater and a striped blazer. *double gulp* 

This is my favourite of the bunch. I'm enamoured with the colourful bands of red, teal, blue, and brown.




I found this fun Jack by B.B. Dakota frock at The Bamboo Ballroom. It's a fantastic little shop chock full of all kinds of lovely things. Local peeps - be sure to stop in during your next jaunt to Whyte Ave. Once you've perused the wares at Bamboo Ballroom, head over to Tutti Frutti, a fro-yo shop located oh-so-conveniently around the corner (try the taro and pistachio!).

Now, give it to me straight - I'm not alone with this stripe obsession, am I? Are stripes your thing or have you been filling your closet with another spring trend?

Happy Friday, friends!

Dajana

Image via.

eat: fancy peanut butter

Yes, please! That was my response after my friend Cathy asked if I wanted to try some gourmet peanut butter. She had ordered the fancy pb from Spread, a restaurant in San Diego, after it was featured on the Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate. 

Spread uses all locally grown, organic ingredients and also makes it’s own brand of flavoured peanut & almond butters. Over 50 different kinds including: Rose Salted Basil, Dark Chocolate Espresso, White Chocolate Blueberry and Ode to Elvis (smooth pb swirled with dried bananas, organic soy bacon bits & sweet floral honey). Whoa.

You can see the full list of seriously intriguing flavours here.

I've always had an affinity for peanut butter but clearly had no idea what kind of taste sensation I was in for. Egad. This stuff was scrumptious. My fav flavour was No.73 - White Chocolate Pretzel. Deliciousness all over the place. I don't think I'll ever look at peanut butter the same way again.

This one’s best enjoyed straight out of the jar. It’s the only way to do it.

Wouldn't this make a super gift for the pb lover and/or foodie in your life? Indeed. You can buy Spread in individual jars or in a variety of themed gift boxes, including: “Gentlemen’s Travel Kit,” "Sex and Candy" and the "Munchies".

And please, for the love of Mary, don't try to google Spread without adding the words 'peanut butter' somewhere in your search. Especially if your grandma or five-year-old nephew are hanging around your computer. Ya feel me? ;) Now go and spread the love. Ha!

Happy Sunday! Here's to a lovely week ahead.

Dajana

loving: korean tea

Meet Willa. She's my frolleague. Friend + colleague = frolleague. And a very sweet one at that.

Willa is holding something I've been loving lately and which she introduced me to... Korean tea.

Don't know what that is? That's okay, I didn't either until recently.

Korean tea is definitely not your Orange Pekoe.  It's a thick, marmalade-like syrup and is considered a tisane. The idea is to mix a few tablespoons into a cup of hot water. Easy peasy and delish!

On the left is citron and on the right, pear ginger. In Korean: yujacha and saenggang cha (cha meaning tea).

And no, citron is not a fancy-schmancy way of saying citrus - which is what I thought at first. Heh. It's actually a tangerine-sized citrus fruit found in east Asia.  It's also called yuzu, or yuja in Korean, hence the name of the tea, yujacha. I love learning about new fruits. 

  

Yuzu isn't usually eaten whole because it's quite sour. Instead, it's used like a lemon and
can be found as juice, vinegar, paste, powder (dehydrated rind) and of course, as Korean tea.

While reading about yuzu, I learned that during winter solstice in Japan, people throw in a bunch of whole yuzu into the bath so it releases its lovely aroma, which in turn, is believed to bring about a sense of wellbeing. I just love the Japanese. What a super idea! Got extra lemons in the house? Throw them into your bath peeps!

And I'm not sure if you noticed but my frolleague has the cutest lil' baby bump hidden underneath that awesome Anthropologie Southward Stop Dress she's wearing. Yes, she's with child! Yay! :)

Lately, Willa's been really digging the pear ginger tea, because it eases, as she calls it, her "morning, afternoon and evening sickness."  Poor lady.

Y'know, Willa isn't just cute, in the pudding club and my frolleague. The girl is also really flippin' talented.

Check out her knit veggies. The eggplant rocks my world.

Wanna read more about Willa and her crafty skills? Take a gander at her blog, the disheveled designer.

And if you're looking to try Korean tea, don't take my word for it, head on down to your local Asian supermarket to taste it for yourself. If you live in Edmonton, try T&T Supermarket, 99 Supermarket (99 St. & 107 Ave) or Lucky 97 (97 St. & 107 Ave).

Happy cha time, friends! Hope you're having a lovely weekend!

Dajana