More fall/winter 2012 shopping: H&M, ZARA, Monki & more

I go through phases with almost anything and my shopping habits are no exceptions. Where I can shop till I drop and shop pretty much for every day in a week. I can also be a bit more tame and do bits of shopping whenever I get the chance. Right now, I’m in a ‘little bit here and a little bit there’ shopping mood. Where I stocked up on thick sweaters in Berlin (click here), and got some things online from H&M (click here), I now went to Amsterdam. Since I work there, it will be very easy for me to sometimes go into town to check out a few stores. Last Tuesday was such a day. I had to come in for an early meeting on my official morning off and no classes until 15.00. That left plenty of time to go to H&M, ZARA, Monki and then some.

Forest green dressy/ flowy button down blouse (Vila)

I saw this blouse at the Vila at the Leiden Central railway station last week and wasn’t sure about it. I tried it one and the color looks amazing, the material is super soft and it looks very flattering on. At the time I decided that I have enough button down shirts, but while I was in Amsterdam I found two other great button downs, that when I saw this again, I could totally justify purchasing this as well. I simply love forest green and what’s more: it’s opaque instead of sheer.

Khaki/ army green button down shirt (ZARA)

Like I said, I found more blouses. Two to be exact. I am loving the army trend that’s all over the place right now, but I already went through a camo phase when I was a teenager so I wanted something more understated. Add all the embellishment, embroidery and studding that is going on with most of the army inspired pieces in stores now, and you will find that understated is quite difficult to find. Until… I went into ZARA and found this! It’s army but without screaming ay ay Sir! It’s a 100% cotton shirt and is actually quite thick and structured. Best part: I fit into a size M in this. Don’t ask me how I did that.

Dark blue to white ombre denim button down shirt (Monki)

And this is the last blouse I bought. An oversized and baggy denim shirt that starts with a deep navy blue at the top and fades into a stark white color at the bottom. Great with leggings/ treggings/ trousers as well as tucked into highwaisted shorts or skirts. I loved the fit of this and navy is my new love.

Burgundy leggings/ treggings with pleather details (H&M)

I spotted these in the store the minute I walked in. I knew I wanted something burgundy (the IT color of the season along with forest/ hunter green, navy blue and mustard yellow) the minute I saw the fall collections coming in. However, none of the items I saw in this color struck me. This piece however, I think is amazing. I already own a pair of black riding pants from H&M and those are a godsend because they are super comfortable. These leggings are the same idea, only have a bit of edge due to the exposed zippers, the usage of multiple materials and of course the pleather pieces on the side of the leg. Added bonus? They’re only 9.95.

Forest green tights (H&M)

When I sorted through all of my tights last spring, I threw out so many that it’s time to add some contemporary colors back into my sock drawer.

Moleskin Weekly Notebook Diary/ Planner for 2013 (Waterstone’s)

I love the Moleskin agendas and since they sell out quickly in my town, I decided to look for one in Waterstone’s. Lo and behold: I’ve found one again. I love this layout, with the days on the left and ruled pages on the right handiest and most comprehensible. They also had fancy colors, like purple, pink and yellow, but those didn’t come with this layout. So another red one it is.

Make up store Micro eyeshadow in Jubilee (Make Up Store)

The last time I went shopping in Amsterdam I first set foot in Make Up Store, which is only a stone’s throw away from the MAC Pro store. At the time I went home with a Microshadow in Tribeca, but seriously doubted buying this one. So now, upon my return, I decided to take it with me.

Make Up Store Microshadow in Jubilee

It’s a very dark color with a gorgeous golden green shimmer. Perfect for a spiced up smokey eye or as liner. You have to see this swatched to understand the beauty of it:

Jubilee swatch

That is what you get with one swipe, and then when you swipe it over your arm, you get something like this:

Jubilee swatch

Can you see that gorgeous shimmer? That is what makes this color just a tad different from any other color out there. The hint of green is simply mesmerizing and I can’t stop staring.

What are your fall/winter 2012/2013 must haves?