Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The Year of the Horse

We are in the mood for the year of Horse..
Let's catch up with the latest designer suggestions on this!!
 Anna-Karin Karlsson glasses
Chloé bag

Hermès Calfskin boots

Sydney Evan Horseshoe ring

Bjørg Necklace with brushed horsehair

Nonoo Riding Jacket

Steffen Schraut silk blouse / Ralph Lauren Blue Label pants

Salvatore Ferragamo Cuff

Viktor&Rolf sweater(for me this is more like an angry crocodile :) )

❤FOREVER ZARA❤


Today we're gonna talk about one of my favorite brands.ZARA.
Actually,I'm in love with  the world's largest apparel retailer INDITEX, the flagship chain store of which ZARA is. The fashion group also owns brands such as Massimo Dutti,Pull and Bear, Stradivarius,Bershka etc..

Zara is a Spanish clothing and accessories retailer based in Arteixo,Galicia, and founded in 1975 by Amancio Ortega and Rosalia Mera.
It is claimed that Zara needs just two weeks to develop a new product and get it to stores, compared to the six-month industry average, and launches around 10,000 new designs each year. Zara has resisted the industry-wide trend towards transferring  fast fashion production to low-cost countries. Perhaps its most unusual strategy was its policy of zero advertising; the company preferred to invest a percentage of revenues in opening new stores instead. This has increased the idea of Zara as a "fashion imitator" company and low cost products. Lack of advertisement is also in contrast to direct competitors such as Uniqlo and United Colors of Benetton.
Zara was described by Louis Vuitton Fashion Director Daniel Piette  as "possibly the most innovative and devastating retailer in the world." Zara has also been described as a "Spanish success story" by CNN.
Amancio Ortega opened the first Zara store in 1975 in a central street in downtown La Coruña, Galicia, Spain. Ortega named his store Zorba after watching the classic film Zorba the Greek, but apparently there was a bar that was called the same, Zorba, two blocks away, and the owner of the bar came and said, "this is going to confuse things to have two Zorbas." They had already made the molds for the letters in the sign, so they just rearranged them to see what they could find, and they found Zara. The first store featured low-priced lookalike products of popular, higher-end clothing fashions. The store proved to be a success, and Ortega began opening more Zara stores throughout Spain. During the 1980s, Ortega started changing the design, manufacturing, and distribution process to reduce lead times and react to new trends in a quicker way, in what he called "instant fashions". The company based its improvements in the use of information technologies and using groups of designers instead of individuals.
In 1980, the company started its international expansion through Porto, Portugal. In 1989 it entered the United States and in 1990 France.
This international expansion was increased in the 1990s, with Mexico (1992), Greece (1994), Belgium and Sweden (1994), etc. until reaching its current presence in over 73 countries.
Zara stores are company-owned, except where local legislation forbids foreigner-owned businesses; In those cases, Zara franchises the stores.
As of 2007, Zara stores have men's clothing and women's clothing, each of these subdivided in Lower Garment, Upper Garment, Shoes, Cosmetics and Complements, as well as children's clothing (Zara Kids).
Zara is a vertically integrated retailer. Unlike similar apparel retailers, Zara controls most of the steps on the supply-chain, designing, manufacturing, and distributing its products. Zara set up its own factory in La Coruña (a city known for its textile industry) in 1980, and upgraded to reverse milk-run-type production and distribution facilities in 1990. This approach, designed by Toyota Motor Corp., was called the just-in-time (JIT) system. It enabled the company to establish a business model that allows self-containment throughout the stages of materials, manufacture, product completion and distribution to stores worldwide within just a few days.
Regarding the design strategy, an article in Businessworld magazine describes it as follows: "Zara was a fashion imitator. It focused its attention on understanding the fashion items that its customers wanted and then delivering them, rather than on promoting predicted season's trends via fashion shows and similar channels of influence, which the fashion industry traditionally used.
 50% of the products Zara sells are manufactured in Spain, 26% in the rest of Europe, and 24% in Asian and African countries and the rest of the world. So while some competitors outsource all production to Asia, Zara makes its most fashionable items—half of all its merchandise—at a dozen company-owned factories in Spain and Portugal, particularly in Galicia and northern Portugal  where labor is somewhat cheaper than in most of Western Europe. Clothes with a longer shelf life, such as basic T-shirts, are outsourced to low-cost suppliers, mainly in Asia and Turkey.
Zara can offer considerably more products than similar companies. It produces about 11,000 distinct items annually compared with 2,000 to 4,000 items for its key competitors. The company can design a new product and have finished goods in its stores in four to five weeks; it can modify existing items in as little as two weeks. Shortening the product life cycle means greater success in meeting consumer preferences. If a design doesn't sell well within a week, it is withdrawn from shops, further orders are canceled and a new design is pursued. Zara relies on sophisticated information technology, such as PDAs with wireless transmission capabilities, in the hands of store managers, to monitor customers' fickle fashion changes.Zara has a range of basic designs that are carried over from year to year, but some fashion forward designs can stay on the shelves less than four weeks, which encourages Zara fans to make repeat visits. An average high-street store in Spain expects customers to visit three times a year. That goes up to 17 times for Zara.
On September 6, 2010, Financial Times reported that Inditex launched the first online boutique for its best-selling brand Zara. The website will begin in Spain, the UK, Portugal, Italy, Germany and France—six countries that are among the most important of the company's 76 markets. When asked about the company's late arrival to internet retailing, Pablo Isla, chief executive, said they have been waiting for online demand to build before launching into cyberspace. All items on sale at its Zara outlets would be available online and at the same prices. Customers can choose from the usual range of paying methods and opt either for a free store pick-up or paid-for postal delivery. The online return and exchange policy is identical to the store system, with shoppers given 30 days to change their minds. Queries will be handled by customer service operators or via e-mail or chat messaging. Inditex said that iPhone and iPad applications that allowed purchasing would soon be available.
A catching thing about Zara is, that push manufacturers fail to recognize the salient difference between their own model and that of ZARA's..After all, ZARA doesn't pre-sell their styles according to market scheldules - I'll simply state for now that ZARA's model is really very unique and particular.
Actually as I walk into ZARA, I find lots of items that are really similar to the high end brands. That's of course confusing,and brings the thought whether ZARA designs or trends? Anyway, having ZARA copying what has been created by the high end fashion designers doesn't keep me and millions away from purchasing.
I really enjoy beautiful and high quality clothes on me..Hope you do so..
p.s. Another very exciting thing about ZARA is that they have that cut-price affordable fragrances that actually are not that bad.They are a real find if a designer perfume is out of your price range.Though,what I personally never save on are GOOD perfumes.Anyway,I think these fragrances are brilliant and I continuously repurchase them when they run out.Zara Black,Oriental & Chocolate are the ones worth to go back for... 

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Eat Your Way to Skinny Jeans :)

The Body Knows What to Do
Here’s what happens.Our  body is pre-wired to take care of us in the event of an emergency. Stop telling your system that it needs to store fat, and you can turn your body from a fat-storing machine into a fat-burning machine.  Caloric intake will vary based on your sex, age, activity level and pre-existing health conditions.  But if your goal is to get leaner, start by eating cleaner — not by going on a diet that focuses on deprivation.  Stoke your metabolism’s natural fire by eating more regularly and by combining lean protein, essential fats and quality fiber sources, and you’ll burn MORE fat and calories.
Eat More, Worry Less
How’s that for the best news you’ve heard all day? Now, I’m not saying break out the cookies, cakes and candy.  Your meals should combine high-quality fiber with protein and essential fats for a surefire way to avoid blood sugar pitfalls, what I refer to as the Fit Foodie Triangle. Eat MORE of the right types of foods, in the right combination, at the right intervals throughout the day, with plenty of water.
You might look at this approach and think, I can’t possibly eat five or six times a day.  I’ll gain weight.  You won’t, because you’re eating clean foods and you’re consuming smaller portions.  Clean foods + smaller portions = higher metabolism.
Remember, veggies add fiber and bulk to make you feel fuller longer for fewer calories, so keep them high on your priority list.  You can always add more veggies to your dish.
Simple, balanced 250- to 400-calorie meals:
  • Chicken breast, arugula, sprouts and chopped tomato in a low-carb, whole-grain tortilla with Artichoke Hummus (see recipe below)
  • Grilled fish with steamed veggies and cucumber, garlic and dill yogurt sauce
  • Oatmeal made with old-fashioned oats, flax meal, fresh fruit and unsweetened nut milk
  • Protein shake made with high-quality protein powder, spinach and coconut water
  • Sushi rolls made with toasted seaweed, vinegar-seasoned brown rice, avocado, tuna and cucumber
  • Sprouted grain English muffin topped with 1 tablespoon of almond butter and a small sliced apple
The key here is to plan ahead.  One of my favorite quotes of all time is ‘Failing to plan and planning for failure.” This is so critical for food so you don’t get caught in a hunger-panicked, junk food binge.  PRE-PREP and Ziploc® Brand Freezer and Sandwich bags and storage containers help you store and transport foods easily, so you don’t have to get caught without a snack when you’re on the road.
It’s Time to Get Fresh
Since half your plate should be fresh produce, then half your fridge should be, too.  The mind shift here is to reverse the order of priority when building out the elements of your meals.  Start with green leafy veggies, which provide the most nutrient density per bite, then add to the seasonal mix — the more color the better.  By getting your fridge in order with a variety of pre-prepped veggies that you’ve already washed, chopped and stored in Ziploc® Brand Sandwich bags and storage containers, increasing your intake becomes a lot easier.  Your refrigerator should look a lot like a salad bar.

Tips to Get More Veggies on Your Plate
  • Make veggie chips out of kale, carrots and beets
  • Toss vinegar-based slaws with firm root vegetables.
  • Puree sweet potato, cauliflower, bell pepper, tomatoes and greens and add them to soups, sauces and baked goods.
  • Steam veggies that can be added to sautés, baked goods, stocks and combined with legumes or high-quality grains like quinoa, farro and whole-grain couscous.
  • Use peppers (bell, Anaheim, etc.), zucchini and Japanese eggplant as vessels for stuffed meals.  You can also add veggies to the filling, like sweet potatoes, cauliflower and broccoli.
  • Place pickled veggies on sandwiches and in wraps.  Cauliflower, carrots, celery, onions and garlic are great options to add crunch and texture – and they hold up well.
Make More Room In Your Food Wardrobe – And Your Closet
If you have a box of “emergency cookies” or an “only eat them when there’s nothing in the house” bag of chips on the top shelf, you better believe they’re going to find a way into your mouth.  Toss them!  Just like your closet, once you purge the foods that don’t fit you anymore, you’ll have room in your wardrobe for the new ingredients that suit your cleaner lifestyle.
Skinny-Jeans Recipes
ARTICHOKE HUMMUS
The perfect protein-rich dip or sandwich spread.  Scoop it up with raw veggies or whole-grain pita chips.



Ingredients:
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 (15-ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon sesame tahini
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1-cup frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and chopped (if using the canned or oil-preserved kind, drain the oil and pat dry)
Directions:
Combine all ingredients except for artichoke hearts in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and mix in artichoke hearts.  Chill and serve.
SUPERCHARGED PROTEIN SMOOTHIE
Up the nutrient factor of your protein smoothies and balance out sugar intake by starting with a high-quality powder containing at least 15 g of protein per serving and fewer than 6 g of sugar, and add greens, like in this version. If you’re vegan, omit the egg whites.
Ingredients:
  • 1-cup fresh strawberries
  • 12 ounces unsweetened coconut milk
  • 4 ounces water
  • 1 scoop protein powder
  • 1-cup fresh baby spinach
  • ½-cup crushed ice
  • 2 egg whites
Directions:
Wash strawberries and spinach thoroughly.  Process all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Sip and enjoy!
LUSCIOUS LEMON ROSEMARY CHICKEN
Recipe Servings: 3
  • 1 lb boneless chicken breast
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
  • 2 tablespoons fresh garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper, black, ground
  • 1 lemon, squeezed plus 1 tsp zest
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions:
1. Mash garlic, salt, and pepper together in large bowl. Mix together with minced rosemary, and oil and lime juice, and add chicken breasts. Let stand, covered in refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
2. On a pre-heated grill or saute pan, Grill chicken for about 10 minutes on each side, or until just cooked through.
TURKEY LETTUCE CUPS WITH CONFETTI SALSA
Ingredients:
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • ½ onion, finely chopped
  • 1 pound ground lean white meat turkey or tempeh
  • 1 teaspoon oregano, dried
  • ¼ teaspoon rosemary
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
  • Sea salt to taste
  • 24 pieces of iceberg lettuce, pieced out into whole sheets
CONFETTI SALSA
Ingredients:
  • 2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and diced
  • 2 medium tomatoes, diced
  • ½-cup chopped jicama
  • ½-cup fresh corn
  • ½ medium red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeño, minced
  • 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of a fresh lime
  • Dash of sea salt
Directions
1)   In a medium sized bowl, combine confetti salsa ingredients and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2)   Saute crushed garlic and onion in a large skillet over medium low heat until translucent, about 5 minutes.  Add the lean ground turkey or tempeh. Cook and stir for 8-10 minutes until thoroughly cooked and crumbled.
3)   Drain any excess grease.
4)   Add the oregano, rosemary, cumin and sea salt.
5)   Spoon 2 tablespoons of mixture into each lettuce cup.
6)   Top with 2 tablespoons of confetti salsa.



                                                                                                                                                       
                          article from  ehow.com

White in process...

Keep it chic in this season's most-coveted monochrome..
The white color clothes are the classical symbol of a pure and graceful lady. No matter you are wearing the all-white clothing or just mixed the white clothing with the bright one, the simple and traditional shirts and pants or the elegant long dress,the look you present would be as fresh as a blooming lily.






 White is classic, fresh and clean and continues to be at the forefront of the fashion trends season after season. This season update your whites with denim shorts, overalls and little white dresses... White is perfect for day or night just translate from your simple basic pieces by adding delicate accessories and high heels. 
Get your "white on white" look and be fresh and  clean all season long!

The fashion master Coco Chanel once said “White color never dies”. Even though each color has once lead the fashion trend for a while, white, just like black, is never out of date. This summer, white, with a strong momentum, comes back again...
Minimalism and immaculacy doesn’t cease to impress us over and over again & hypnotizes the public with its dazzling and at the same time affecting visual impression.

Strawberry Shots..


Interesting,beutiful and creative, ain't it?

This cuttielicious strawberry shots are going to rule your party..Can't wait to explore step-by-step recipe for this. So let's get started.
st 2 
We're gonna need - Jello,tequilla,Cointreau,water,lime and strawberries...
st 3
Cut the tops of the strawberries ....
st 4
Make sure you go straight with the line))))))))
st 6
Cut a bit from the bottom of the strawberry to let it stand ...
st 7
Just like that :)
st 8
Dig a little hole in it...
st 10
You're gonna get this kind of  strawberry-cup))
st 11
Let them rest a bit... :D
st 12
Make a simple jello..as u usually do..
st 13
Pour a bit tequila in a spoon or little glass...
st 14 
add 3/4 cointreau...and pour the mixture into the water..
st 15
Add the alcohol mixture into the jello
st 16
pour the mixture into little strawberry holes...
st 17
put into the fridge for jello to get rubbery...
st 18
Meanwhile mix the lemon zest with sugar..
st 19
...cut the lime to decorate the strawberries...
st 21
Apply a little lime to outer side of the strawbie ..:)
st 22
...ans dip into the lime zest&sugar mixture..
st 23
That's it..Enjoy your pretty little strawberry shots my dears... ;)
st 1