ASOS & BOA don't mix!

I love browsing stuff online, however I've never been a fan of online shopping UNLESS free shipping & returns or at least free returns to the store.  I really dislike paying for shipping.  I feel it is such a waste if you end up not liking something and then you end up with nothing!

I was super busy before a long weekend trip to L.A., so no time for the mall, decided to head to my trusty macbook and do some shopping online. While doing a ShopStyle search for some cute white lace dresses, I came across one on ASOS.  I've heard of ASOS due to street style of bloggers and celebrities, but I've never actually purchased anything or even really browsed their site.  I actually confused them with Top Shop thinking they had a store in New York.

According to Wikipedia, ASOS is U.K's largest online only fashion and beauty retailer.  They have their own label and also a wide variety of other labels including Aqua, French Connection.  The site has lots of great fashion and best of all amazing sales.  Love the fact they show you a runway video of the outfits as well. It definitely gives you a better idea of how a dress moves in a video versus a photo and can definitely tip my decision on whether to buy an item or not.

While checking out, for some reason my credit card got rejected possibly due to a typing error?  Anyhow, it wouldn't allow me to use an online code I found again!  I was pretty bummed about that, but by then I really wanted to make the purchase and didn't feel like calling their customer service (bad bargain shopper).  I ended up not really liking anything from my purchase except the jewelry. Although extremely cute, the fit wasn't there, slightly too large or boxy, or just didn't work out for me unfortunately.






red, white, floral, black

I ended up using my Bank of America credit card to make the purchase.  Everything went through just fine, although my CC company did kindly check to make sure it was not a fraudulent charge the next day.  Now the problem lies in the fact that I had NO idea whatsoever I would be charged a FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE!  This is my first time buying something from ASOS - all prices are in American dollars, the website does not end in .UK so I didn't even think twice about a foreign transaction.  Granted, I am sitting in my home in the U.S.A. making this purchase online.  No where when making the purchase did it say, your CC may charge you an additional foreign transaction fee.

Anyway, I ended up making a good sized purchase from ASOS and I got a $10 foreign transaction fee added onto my bill.  I tried calling BOA to let them know of the situation and why I was obviously unhappy about the situation.  You know trying to give them the I am a valued customer for years, always pay my bill on time, and so forth.... but no avail, no one would budge about the foreign transaction fee.  I told that I made the purchase in the U.S., the website showed all products in American dollars, so why would I even think I would be additionally charged for this purchase?  It was more about the principle of the mater.  Obviously the charge wasn't anything totally ridiculous that I could not pay, but I would have used my CAPITAL ONE credit card if I had known (no foreign fees, thank you very much!)

Anyway, was super unhappy about the customer service and this is lesson to me and to anyone else thinking about purchasing from ASOS or any other foreign retailer and using their Bank of America card.  I advise against it!  Definitely use a credit card that doesn't have any of these hidden fees.  I understand that maybe ASOS should have given a disclaimer that possibly you would have been charged a foreign transaction fee, but the un-helpfulness of Bank of America to the situation really did not make me happy with their service.

Have you ever an encountered a problem shopping online with an overseas retailer? Please share if so!

Golden Globe Statement Dresses

I love watching the red carpet! So many lovely stars strutting their stuff in gorgeous to die for gowns, sooo envious! Sharing with you guys my favorite 2012 Golden Globe gowns:

Let's start with some Hollywood power couples. The lovely Nicole Kidman and her hubby, country star, Keith Urban. Nicole looks gorgeous and ever so ageless as usual. I'm kind of inbetween about her dress. She definitely looks good in it, but do I love it? Not really. I just feel she could do better..

Of course, you can't talk about a Hollywood couple without a nod to Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt. Angelina looks amazing. Probably because she typically likes to keep it basic to black. I love this fitted cream gown with red accents. Her infamous pucker complemented with a rich red as well. Her hair pulled back was perfect to showcase the dress.

I'm going to add in Stacy Kiebler with her best accessory yet, her arm candy, George Clooney.  Ever since Stacy and George got together, I've been seeing a lot of photos of them together at events.  I've never really noticed her before, but I guess being with an A-lister, your style must be top notch.  She's doing a good job, she looks great, love the hair and makeup and the gown is simple but still stunning on her.





Next contenders, Glee Sweethearts, Dianna Argon vs. Lea Michele:
I actually like Dianna Argon's gown, its definitely very different, could be construed to be a lace table cloth, although all might not agree, there is something I like about it! Lea Michele always knows how to work it on the red carpet with her smoldering look and a gorgeous long sleeved gown. Although, I feel this look has been done 1 too many times already. Edit - I just got a look at the front of the dress and its def a more risque look. I think I would have preferred a more understated elegance.

Sofia Vergara looks gorgeous in a midnight blue gown.  For some reason when I saw this dress, I wondered if she gets a lot of comparisons to Eva Longoria.  Paula Patton from MI3 (had to look up where she was from since I haven't seen it) looked AMAZING in a canary yellow gown.  She definitely brightened up the red carpet in this number and made a statement that she is here to stay.

Emma Stone's burgundy gown wasn't my favorite of her looks, but I appreciated the fact she is trying new styles and how confident she looks on the red carpet. Rachel Evan Wood's green dress reminds me of a mermaid, but if anyone can rock this look, its her!

Jessica Alba looks gorgeous and well put together in her pink embroidered gown. I'm on the fence about Charlize Theron's look. She being so ridiculously gorgeous can pull off just about anything. Initially I was a little confused about the dress, but after looking at a few more pictures - I see it is a long dress with a large slit. I think I would have liked the look as a whole if she left home the headband. But its Dior chiffon, so hard not to love it!? What do you think?

I love nude and lace dresses, but I'm undecided about the fit of the top of Jessica Biel's gown. It seems she could have a more flattering cut although I do like the dreamy Victorian style of the dress. LOVE Kate Beckinsale's smile! She is working the dress and having fun all jeweled out. The only thing I dislike are her shoes... she should have wore something daintier to go with her gown!

There's many more I missed, but those are few that stood out!  Anyone I missed that you especially liked? Or who was your absolute favorite of the night?

pics via omg.yahoo.com

Silver Perfection

I LOVE Rachel McAdams.  She was the Queen Bee in Mean Girls and of course who could hate her in the lovable romance with Ryan Gosling in the Notebook.  Now as devious theif and former flame, Irene Adler to Sherlock Holmes, she has completely wow-ed me at the premiere in her silver longsleeved Marchesa Resort 2012 gown.

The low back to the dress was the perfect amount of peek-a-boo we needed for a long sleeved gown.  Her shoes and hair were a perfect match! She looks stunning!

What's your take of Rachel McAdam's Premiere look?


pics via mirror.co.uk, contactmusic.com

New Girl Specs

Who doesn't love Zooey Deschanel? She's the lovable quirky girl, who is every geek's dream! Well I think it is safe to say her following is MUCH larger than that now! I absolutely loved her in 500 Days of Summer.... GREAT movie if you haven't seen it, don't forget she was Santa's Helper in ELF and I'm loving seeing her on the small screen in New Girl.  She sings, she's goofy, she's funny, she co-founded Hello Giggles, which if you don't follow, you totally should!  Yes, I could go on and on about how much I heart Zooey Deschanel.  One more thing to love about her and alter ego Jess is her super cute specs!

Her glasses on New Girl are from Oliver Peoples Wacks 51 Cocobolo frames.

A few other cute specs I found of her online. 

Are you a fan of Zooey Deschanel, her new show New Girl and her specs?


I'm thinking of doing a weekly celeb or cool looking spec report, anyone interested?

images via people.com, tv.ign.com, tumblr, warmingglow.uproxx.com

Turkey Day.. ALREADY!?

I cannot believe how fast this year is going.  Thanksgiving is right about here!  I cannot wait to indulge in turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, candied yams... MmMmM... pumpkin and apple pie as well!

Once Thanksgiving hits, its pretty much the start of the holiday season and the shopping shall begin! The malls have already started playing holiday music and all the decor is up.  Next thing before we know it, it will be Christmas and then NYE!

Don't forget to be thankful for all the loving people in your life and remind them:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!  

Hope everyone has a wonderful time! Can't wait to hear about all the great Black Friday deals ;)

pics via we heart it

Banana Republic Jewelry

I'm a huge fan of Banana Republic jewelry! My friend once bought me a simple necklace from there and ever since, I've been hooked! Recently I spotted out this chain necklace, which I loved.  Its a great mix of classic colors that you can wear for work or out with friends.  I tend to like chunky necklaces, but at the same time, that are still simple.  It wasn't on sale when I first spotted it so I decided to wait a little bit and sure enough 2 days later, once the weekend came, BR had a fantastic sale - 40% off everything! Of course, I scooped it up then and I cannot wait to wear it! Thought I shared my recent buy :)

Have you bought anything lately that you loved?

Bitchin' Kitchen Panko Shrimp

Recently while surfing the channels, I came across a show on Cooking Network called Bitchin' Kitchen. It was a little odd, like rock and roll, jersey shore cooking show... the show is hosted by Nadia G. It was quite hilarious and she has these random supporting characters. Initially, I was like what is this show!? Definitely not your typical cooking show, but for some reason, I got hooked. She made easy, but delicious looking dishes, which I love! I love recipes with minimal ingredients, but still amazingly good and easy to make!

From the Cooking Channel Panko Shrimp with Strawberry Aioli

INGREDIENTS

Panko Shrimp
Canola oil, for frying
12 jumbo tiger shrimp, de-veined and butterflied
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup honey panko (Japanese) bread crumbs, plus more for coating
Strawberry Aioli
1/3 cup Japanese mayonnaise
1/3 cup condensed milk
12 fresh strawberries

DIRECTIONS
1. To prepare the panko shrimp: Heat 1/4-inch of canola oil in a large heavy frying pan to 375 degree F
2. Place the beaten eggs in a shallow bowl and the bread crumbs in a shallow dish.
3. Dunk the butterflied tiger shrimp into the beaten eggs
4. Place in the bread crumbs and coat with honey panko crumbs and shake off the excess bread crumbs
5. Fry the shrimp for 1 minute per side or until they start curving in on themselves
6. Place them on a wire rack to drain the excess oil.

7. To make the strawberry aioli: In a bowl, combine the Japanese mayonnaise with the condensed milk and mix together.
8. Puree the strawberries in a food processor.
9. Place the fried panko shrimp with a side of Japanese mayo sauce and strawberry puree for dipping.

This recipe was SUPER simple. The longest part was de-veining the shrimp, and taking the time to fry each one of them since I got a bunch! I actually used a rasberry puree because strawberries were out of season. My mom liked the sauce a lot, but I'm not a huge fan of mayo, but I wanted to make it with it anyway! But definitely the combination of the Japanese mayo and the rasberry puree was a great touch to the dish.

From start to finish!