When I first heard that oxblood was the new thing, I thought “ugh, that sounds like the most un-appealing color ever. Like poop brown.” Apparently, it is just another name for maroon. Maybe just a shade or two lighter. Even though it is my school color (and indeed mascot, if a color can be a mascot), I’ve never liked maroon much. It just felt old. But since then, I’ve clearly been brainwashed by the recent onset of oxblood goods. On second thought, it may be just the right shade to go with all the blacks/grays of the season!

So I headed to Aqua from Bloomingdales to check out what they have on offer. It’s one of my favourite brands to go to off-sale season, as they’re always on trend and relatively affordable. In combination with well timed friends and family discount, the value is unbeatable!

When I saw the strapless red/silver dress, I knew I had to have it. It is just so pretttty and perfect for my upcoming birthday! It totally says birthday dress all over it. Plus, on non-birthday days, I can throw a leather jacket over it and get a rocker chic look (as the model does in their look book!). Alas, it was too warm on my birthday to wear a leather jacket. But it looked fabulous anyway! The material was a little flimsier than I expected from the pictures, but it worked out well as that (and the somewhat dizzying print) made it easier to DIY alter without anyone noticing.

As I was browsing, I also came across the red v necked dress, which I thought was the perfect addition to my winter wardrobe. Just to spice it up a bit. Imagine the red peeking out from underneath my black winter trench. Very Kate Middleton! I had concerns about the elastic waist looking cheap, but it is not anything a nice wide belt won’t fix. But alas, I was still disappointed with the actual dress when I got it. It was WAY flimsier than I expected. A winter colored summer dress. Maybe I should’ve read the fine print more carefully. Now I’m just trying to wear it as much as possible before it gets too told. It works well with a belt and black blazer.

Other items that caught my eye include the red leather dress and the red skinny jeans. I’m just not sure how comfortable a leather dress would be (how do people even wear leather skinnys???). As for the red skinny jeans, it is love. But I don’t buy denim online without trying them on, unless they are J Brand.

Image source: Bloomingdales

The problem with sales in Hong Kong is that they really try to push it to the last minute possible. They really don’t leave you much time to use your sales purchases before the next season comes along. Such is the case with my new Sofia di B yellow wedge sandals. There’s only a few more weeks of summer left before  I’ll have to retire them in favour of booties!

But they were just sitting there on the sales table calling out to me. The design is simple, clean and easy to wear. And they were surprisingly comfortable when I tried it on! The straps are actually really well designed to support the ankles. At 60% off, they are also quite reasonably priced (though I’ve never heard of this brand and neither has Google, so I must assume it is a Harvey Nichols bred brand).

I did think about it for a week. Contemplating the versatility of yellow, and whether cork wedge looks cheap (as I’ve always thought so). My conclusion was that I love yellow anyway, and this shade can even pass off as a light off brown shade. I maintain that cork wedge looks cheap though, and this pair would be better served with a straw weaved wedge. But one cannot be overly picky during final sales (especially when the price is right), and this will be a great alternative to my summer flats, gladiators and strappy sandals!

I originally went to the Miu Miu consignment at Lafayette to check out their new bow pumps. But then my eyes fell upon these Miu Miu embellished ballerinas with crystal heels and I immediately fell in love. Who wouldn’t? They are pink, they glitter, they sparkle and they have a pretty bow.  They completely appealed to my inner (or not so inner?) fairy tale princess!

Initially I thought the crystal heels impractical, and imagined how heartbroken I’d be if they fell off (I’m not the most light-footed of people). But I haven’t been able to get them out of my mind since I saw my friend’s pair of bejeweled Miu Miu heels on a night out. They looked so glam and comfortable!

At one point, I did valiantly put them down and took a walk around the shoe floor to cool my head. They won’t exactly go with my edgy going out outfits, and they’re a bit too sparkly for casual wear. The sparkles are already falling off and I’d likely lose a crystal at some point.

But in the end, I couldn’t help but go back for them! They are just too pretty!! Now, all I need are some tulle skirts to complete my transformation! 😉