More SALE Alerts

WE TOLD YOU SO! It's the mid-season SALE! We're getting high fever seeing the signs pero gaya nga nang nauna nang sinabi... bankrupt kami (because of some other reasons, not because of shopping...). Our pockets and wallets need time to recover. Baka next week okay na ulit. LOL. (Kailangan pa ring humabol eh noh?!)

Sale, sale, sale!

Visit New Look for shoes, dresses, and cardis!

Hep, this sale is for the Eastern region only. Head to Centrepoint for their Jaded accessories.

Anyway, enjoy shopping... But before you flash that cash or swipe that credit card, make sure you've already donated for our kababayans back home. They really need all the help we can give, especially with the onslaught of Pepeng in Northern Luzon. We heart Pinas!

Mid-Season SALE Alert!

This is why we prefer to read our news straight from the paper: we get to read stuff that the online version doesn't have... like a SALE sign for instance.

Look at what we saw in today's Arab News:

Shoegarfreeruby's fave store!

Eyecandy's comfort zone.

Where we find nice jeans.

For the mothers out there.

It's the mid-season sale people! As the stores get ready for the Winter season, the autumn/fall season (and spring/summer too) clothes are now on sale. Good thing, you can still get good clothes for the cold days on the autumn line so it doesn't hurt to scour the stores. Also, in the wake of the typhoons that hit the Philippines, we're sure you have a lot of clothes in your closet that you're ready to let go now to make way for new ones. So donate those that you've outgrown but still in good condition clothing items that you have and take advantage of the sale season. Or you can buy tank tops and tees (some going for as low as SR5 each) in bulk in some stores and donate them too. For those who are going home for the Christmas holiday, buy your pasalubong now (if you haven't done that during the past sale seasons already).

Hmn, the PT Ladies are currently bankrupt. Huhu. But oh well, at least we've given you the first dibs on what's in store for this week.

PS. Pssst! New Look and Topshop are on their sale period too, but don't tell others we're the ones who told you that. ;)

Power Shopping (Part II)

Diamonds are a girl's best friend right? But for an average-earning, single OFW like me, shopping is this girl's best friend.

Okay, okay! I know that this sale season has got my shopping frenzy off the charts...and I mean OFF.THA.CHARTS. Still, I'd like to believe that I am somewhat logical with my purchases because they are on sale (at ridiculous prices, might I add) plus, I know that it's still within my budget (classic excuse of a shopaholic?!). This is the second installment of my Power Shopping series. I am hoping it won't be a trilogy. (Eeek, crosses fingers!)

Accessories galore:

Accessories from Miss Selfridge, Claire's, Accessorize and New Look

All of my purchases from Miss Selfridge are at 9SR (see cocktail rings, brown flower necklace, ribbon and button earrings and the turquoise chandelier earrings). From Accessorize, I got a floral bangle for 9SR, "gong" earrings for 12SR, a topaz capiz necklace for 14SR and some black and gold bangles for 13SR. One item from New Look was a white heart necklace for only 10SR while Claire's was super ridiculous that they had items for sale for only 1SR! Yes, you read it right, 1SR! (see the bronze round earrings and the square silver hoops were both for 1SR!) Red layered necklace was 5SR from Claire's.

Shoes-es:

Black, fringed sandals with bronze studs from New Look

It's a crossbreed of the gladiator-look trend plus the everything-with-fringe/tassle mania that has hit fashionistas worldwide. This pair is special because the salesman from New Look (Kuya, whatever your name is, I will always think of you while I wearing these shoes) gave me an extra "discount" on this pair. Originally priced at 269SR, I checked out this baby for only 40SR!!!

Brown, leather, gladiator shoe boot also from New Look

I swear it is like gladiator meets Texas. I absolutely ADORE this pair and the fact that it was only for 40SR got me stark raving maddd! Now, only if there was an event I could wear this to...

Tops and Dresses:

Tank tops from Dorothy Perkins, 10SR each.

Gray, cashmere cardi from Dorothy Perkins: 75SR (I know it's a bit pricey still, it's CASHMERE people!) FYI: It used to be priced at 230SR.

Cream satin top from Dorothy Perkins, old price: 180SR, sale price: 45SR!

Purple gypsy top from New Look. 'Would love to wear this to a beach outing or somewhere sunny. Can be a dress or oversized top. Original price: 159SR. Sale price: 30SR!

Floral sunday dress from Dorothy Perkins: Original price: 275SR. Sale price: 68SR. And guess what? I returned to the mall a week after buying this, and I saw that it even went down to 50SR. Imagine!!? Kalurkey.

See, since booze and clubbing are illegal in this part of the world, I turn to shopping as my next best thing. So sue me! haha. In all fairness naman, I only become this "shopping amazona" during the sale season. Especially when prices are uber ridiculous already, you'd be crazy not to think twice about checking it out.

I am really apprehensive that there would be a Part III to the Power Shopping series because last Wednesday, I read that Citymax is at 50% off for summer clearance, and that there are Ramadan Kareem sales everywhere. Plus, S said that she was able to purchase two pairs of 9SR shoes yesterday at F&F. I can almost hyperventilate just typing about it. It doesn't help that it was just salary day last Thursday.

*breathes*

-ec-

That Little Something, Something

I think I never said this enough. The Pink Tarha Ladies love accessories, so much so that every foray in the mall gets us a little something that makes our wardrobe reek with color and bling. Whether it be jewelry (surprisingly, no one among us is into Saudi gold), bags, scarves, hair accessories... we get out of the mall with a thing or two. There will always be that something every day that gets our attention. You'll be surprised how much we say "Uy, ang ganda ng (fill in accessory name here) mo!" Usually, it's the shoes of shoegarfreeruby, headbands of eyecandy, and colorful clips of maryhadalittlehump.

Over the past few months, I bought some accessories I fancied. Some were even bought in Al-Khobar's Al-Rashid Mall, just to commemmorate E and I's train ride to the Eastern province (I'm sentimental like that). Some were bought during the sale season (I probably uttered the words "sale season" a hundred times now you might think it's my favorite term this time.. oh right, it is!). ANyway, here are some of my fave items:

Vintage-looking "suitcase"

That's in quotation marks because this one is made of ultra hard cardboard so it's not really a suitcase. I love how dainty this looks. Ya think I can pull off a prim and proper look when using this? Wait, I am a prim and proper lady naman in the first place! Hehe. :P

Accessories from Forever 21

There's no Forever 21 here in Riyadh (boo!) so I got these stuff from Forever 21 in Al-Rashid Mall. They're pretty cheap at SR9 each.

Layered necklaces from Promod

I've been wanting to buy these necklaces since I saw them. It was love at first sight but alas, it wasn't just meant to be because price got in the way. But now that they went on sale... it was love rekindled! Hehe. (Yeah,that sounded like yours truly is sooo cheap. :P) I wore the green necklace on our corporate attire Monday.

Bag from Accessorize

I love Accessorize but sometimes, the prices are just waaay out of league. Like, how can those headbands and hair flowers be priced at SR56 each?! C'mon! But in fairness, their gypsy-like, embroidered bags were all the rage the past months. Again, I cannot bear to look at the price tags then. Now, it's more bearable because their bags and accessories went 70% off. I bought this summery basket bag for a friend. I know our native bags in Pinas are way better than this but I'm sure my friend will like this just the same. Hehe.

That's it for me and my purchases this month. You can all heave a sigh of relief now that we're done bombarding you with sale items. Besides, the sale season is over so entries on shopping and retail therapy will start to dwindle on this blog from hereon. Ta-ta!

Huh?! What eyecandy? You have another power shopping entry? Hmn, can't really blame you. Post on! :P

The 'Imeldific' Day

Mightydacz commented on a previous post that we're turning "imeldific" with our love for shoes. (Thumbs up for a guy who knows the adjective! Yey! :) While it's true that we love shoes and that we have several entries to show that, we're still quite not done (yes, shoes ko pong mahabagin talaga!). Our appetite for 'em is insatiable, and we're not quite apologetic about it. Okay, I'm an addict, so shoe, este, sue me! Hehe.

I know I already got my gladiator shoes from New Look with a mary jane to boot but I went crazy (again) the other weekend with New Look's Buy 2 Get 1 Free promo. You'll never guess what I got from this mall errand... and for how much! Okay clue: SHOES.

Six pairs of shoes to be exact!

You may think I may need to starve myself for two weeks but I just have to cut down a little on my eating spree (good for my so-called diet) because do you know how much these six gorgeous pairs cost me? SR160! Yes, 160 riyals for the whole lot!

SR160 for all?! How can I resist?!

You see, each pair costs SR40 now that New Look has further reduced their prices. So that's a total of SR240. But wait, there's more (or less because of the promo)! Since there's an ongoing promo of getting one free if you buy two, then two of these pairs are free! So I get to pay SR160 only! It's like buying one pair for its original price and getting five more pairs free! I acquired a mild headache when I computed the total if these shoes were bought in their original prices... SR1,084!!! Wow! From SR1,084 to SR160! I told you they were such a bargain.

Can't get enough of the shoesies!

What do I like about these shoes? They are made with real leather (whetever that means, it just sounds so er, real!). They have heels (shorter than the glads I got) but they're very comfortable. I used two of these pairs this week just to break into them and I didn't have any problems walking (more of sashaying) in our hallways. They create this awesome sexy sound every time I walk, making the illusion that they're way more expensive than their price. (Ilusyunada?!)

This too much praise for shoes deserves me a good whack in the head from the saving guru. But if Imelda wasn't given a good whacking for her overwhelming indulgences, why do I, a lowly shoe-loving gal, get to be sorry for this once in a year (yeah right) "imeldific" urge?! :P C'mon, you turn "imeldific" once in a while too, diba? Guys, I'm talking to you, too! How much was your latest pair of rubber shoes again?! Teehee, umamin! ;P

Power Shopping. *bow*

Let the title suffice.

The following contents of this post cannot be justified other than the simple reason that:
"IT'S BECAUSE IT'S THE SALE SEASON, YA'KNOWW"

Shoes: Black, sequined T-sandals from Milano, 50SR (purchased from their Buy 1 Take 1 promo on my first visit) I couldn't find anything else I liked so I grabbed a pair of flip-flops as my free item (not pictured).

Bronze, sling-back, wedged 4-inch heels. 135SR from Milano (purchased from my SECOND visit during their Buy 1 Take 1 promo). I got the same ones in black as my free item. (So thats 135SR for two pairs basically! :D) And I'm a girl who loves heels!

Even before the sale season began, I already had my eye on these beaded, gladiator-inspired sandals at Parfois. So imagine my delight when I saw that they were 75% off! Originally priced at around 150SR-170SR, I only got them for 43SR! So I bought two. I have another pair of the same style only in white. (I have yet to identify this "disorder" of mine of wanting to buy the same items in different colors)

SUPER PURCHASE: Naturally, I wouldn't splurge on such a tiny little thing, but call it 'love-at-first-sight'...or in my case, love-at-FOURTH-sight! Yeah, when I first saw this clutch I was smitten and conflicted at the same time. Smitten because it was just too adorable to pass on and conflicted because it cost 97SR (previously priced as 195SR)! Two prayer times and four comebacks to Accessorize later, I finally grabbed the clutch, marched to the cashier and paid with my eyes shut! As I walked out, I cradled the clutch to my chest and said, "You're mine!" Haha. Check out the matching earrings too!

Blouses: Subtle pink, plaid top, with ruffles on the front: 40SR
Hot pink, plaid blouse: 50SR Debenhams' Collection at 70% off.

Dyed-green, boho top with tassles from Red Herring, 60SR (70% off).

Casual grey top from Next, 35SR (70% off). I'm loving the feather details on this one.

Cardi-Love: Black, knitted, short-sleeve bolero from Debenhams' Collection. 90SR from 230SR. I am a sucker for boleros and cardigans. *dreammmy*

Black wrap-around cardi from the line Rocha John Rocha for only 50SR! (originally priced at 140SR)

4 pants and a skirt: Black denim pants from New Look (40SR), denim flare jeans from New Look (50SR), charcoal high-waist slacks from New Look (50SR), ash-grey plaid slack from Red Herring (26!SR) and beige+white boho plaid skirt from New Look (30 SR).

Accessories: Ala-diamond studded "O" and "oblong" earrings from Coast. Check out the prices! Masaya magmukhang mayaman (kahit na hindi) *apir!*. Unless I would meet someone willing to give me the outrageously expensive versions of these, pwede rin! ;P

Cocktail rings from Dorothy Perkins, all 10SR each.

In the middle of this post, I got a call from my "informant" on this weekend's mega sale. Debenhams will be having a Buy 1 Get 1 promo with all items that are 70% off for three days only! That's tomorrow KSA readers: 29-31 July 2009. So, should you expect a Part 2 of my Power Shopping series? Hahaha, my wallet will be the judge of that!

I need a drink.


Cheers y'all!


-ec-

Shoe-wariwap! (We're Back!)

Sorry for the lack of posts. The Pink Tarha Ladies are buried under a pile of work or down with sickness or lost in the euphoria of the mid-year sale season or all of the above. Kakaibang multi-tasking davah!

Anyway, I'll jump start this blog again with an entry on shoes, as you read on my rather not-so-creative title. That or "shoe-wawa". What do you think makes a better title? Okay, enough of the trying hard to be witty titles. :P

So, how did you cope up with the sale season, people? Had a blast or remained oblivious to it? The Pink Tarha remained excited and hyper amid the ongoing downtime because we resorted to retail therapy (with our families and friends, of course).

For this sale, I zeroed in on shoes. I've been lemming for gladiator shoes ever since they became popular. I saw nice ones from New Look on their Spring/Summer collection but they were too expensive then. I decided to wait for the sale season. True enough, blessings come to those who wait! When Eyecandy and I and a friend went to New Look in Hayat Mall last week, the place looked like it was ransacked by a hundred bandits. But whatever, we headed to our spots. I went directly to the shoe section at the second floor. Look what I scored:

Gladiator shoes

They were of real leather. They were priced SR269 each but were down to SR40!!! I think I went delusional that I barely paid attention to the height of those heels. I grabbed 'em, tried 'em on, headed to the cashier, and paid for... er wait... I was sidetracked by another pair of shoes:

Navy blue and white shoes, from SR159 to SR40

Seriously! This pair is gorgeous. Looks like a tuxedo or something. I should have gotten the red and white pair too! Oh, why did I remind myself of that?! Now I'll be sulking for not getting that pair! Hehe, just kidding.

When my mother saw me on those glads, she said they looked good but I know on the back of her mind is the question "Makalakad kaya 'to sa heels na yan?!" Naman, mother! Of course! In short walking distances nga lang! Hehe. I can always resort to my flats when my feet complain to me. wink, wink

Speaking of flats, I bought another one from Parfois... plus a wedge that I've been meaning to buy since forever. This wedge is really light so kahit na ang taas nito, go pa rin!

Colorful straw wedge, SR43 / Maroon studded flats, SR45

That's 70% off from the original price! What more can I ask for? (Er.. 99% off?! Hehe.) I heart Parfois! I'm still waiting for their huge discount on bags.

C'mon spill! Who got the same pairs of shoes as mine? Lemme see you wear 'em! Send in your photos? Please? I would love to hobnob my shoes with yours. No, I will not feel offended if we're wearing the same shoes in the same event. I will be honored. Pareho tayo ng taste! Yey!

You think I'm finished?! Haha, this is just the first part people. The other Pink Tarha Ladies are also getting ready to share you their tales of their latest sale season escapades.

Wait lang, I just dedicated an entire entry to shoes. Whoah! Am I turning into Shoegarfreeruby?! Nah... I don't think so! Wala pa ako sa kalahati ng pagiging shoe addict n'ya! Hehehe.

Stop at the Red Signs

The SALE SEASON is here! Actually, we're late in posting but if you hurry, you'll probably still get lucky to score the items you've been wanting to get at popular brand stores at lower prices. MNG started the sale season with a subtle green discount sign on their glass windows (Eyecandy and Sundrenched saw them first at the Al Rashid Mall in Al-Khobar during their train trip to the Eastern Province). Other stores have followed suit.

Debenhams

Promod

Topshop / Topman

There are more stores on sale. The good news is, they'll still be lowering their prices anytime soon (maybe a week or so from now). Our advice is this: when you go to the mall now, enter the shops and browse. If you saw a dress or a blouse or anything that catches your attention and you feel that you cannot sleep at night without it safely tucked in your closet... then grab the darn piece and pay for it in its first discounted price. The problem with waiting for the bagsak presyo week is that you might not have the item in your size anymore or the style might just be gone. Stocks are not forever yannow. But if you can still live another week to let go of an item, then wait until the stores drop their prices to 70%. After all, patience is a virtue. :)

We're guilty of saying we're not going to buy until they're waaaaay below their original prices but hey, we're girls... we can always change our minds... especially when faced with hot, hot red sale signs all over. :P

We Love No Matter What

Para ito sa mga pusong kasalukuyang nagluluksa at nagsasaya.

It was yesterday when I witnessed a real break-up. It’s a very sad thing to see how lives who have cleaved have now decided to go on separate ways. Pain may replace love for a while but not the wonderful memories shared. We may hurt but it will only be temporary, because eventually wounds heal, hearts let go and lives move on.

For hearts who are now hurting, may you find comfort in these words from 2 Corinthians 4:

We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair; 9We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed.

On the other hand, we celebrate love that is about to begin. Kung may pintuang nagsasara, meron din naming nagbubukas. As I’ve heard, this is how the world’s equilibrium work. Love at its freshest and purest is such a great experience, even if there is no guarantee that there will never be pain in the end. Enjoy it to the fullest!

Ipagdiwang ang pag-ibig, gaano man kasaya o kasakit.

Mapulang Heart Bag, Topshop

I Bought a Skirt and a... Sando!

"What the heck is H&M?"

I'm sure you guys (aka men) are as bewildered (with raised eyebrows and crumpled foreheads) as my dad who have to ask that question thrice after I told him I was going to the H&M opening in Sahara Mall with the other Pink Tarha girls. I could have told a countless more familiar reasons like I have to grab a book, have dinner, or meet a friend but I just have to tell the truth! Bummer! Anyway, even though my father was clueless about H&M, he decided it was one of my fancy shmanzy likes that he'll not hear the end of if he insisted I stay put. (May bratinella factor?! Hahah! Joke.)

I share the same feelings with the girls about shopping in H&M but a little more subdued than Shoegarfreeruby's heartpounding "roam-grab-do not think about it-buy" scenario. (But I do understand her feeling. Hehe!) Shoegarfreeruby showed you how she hoarded (adik! hehe!) items on her entry while Eyecandy will surely post her fun H&M entry next so I'm changing directions a little bit to give you what the experience was like for me. In two pictures. (Two lang?! Hehe!)

H&M items in my virtual world. (click photo to read)

We really prepped for the H&M experience by envisioning ourselves through H&M's online dressing room thus the avatars. To tell you the truth, I'm also like my dad, clueless on wth H&M is, before I went here in Saudi and met the PT Girls. I thought it was a rootbeer like A&W, wtf! Hahaha!

I did not bring home lots of stuff from the opening day because I am not a shopaholic. I AM NOT A SHOPAHOLIC. Yes, I just typed that and you read that right. But wait, there's more! I am not a shopaholic... if it's not the sale season! So, I only brought home two clothing items and a few accessories from H&M's opening day!

H&M items in my real world (aka closet and dresser).
(click photo to read)

A skirt and a sando for the Drama Queen?! Haha. I don't know what look I'm going for in this. I just thought 'I don't want to be girly-girly in a skirt so why don't I pair it with a rugged sando so I end up looking like I'm just chillin' out or lounging around'?! Haha!

So what the heck is H&M? You know what, I really don't care. If it perks me up and make me feel pretty about myself and glad that I'm living in this place, then I don't even want to know what the letters H&M stand for.

PS. Guys please, the mere fact that you are from Mars and women are from Venus, says that we're poles apart in almost all aspects of life, and that includes shopping. So don't raise your eyebrows on us and don't go "what the...?!" just because we find happiness in our purchases while you go all macho in purchasing just the "basic" stuff. By the way, an LCD tv or Nokia N96 is not considered as "basic." :P And yes, we really take time in deciding kaya pwedeng mag-sorry naman?! :P Besides, women admire men who know how to wait. Keep up with us, please?! Hehehe.

H&M is Coming to Town!

Our most awaited store has finally arrived and the excitement for its grand opening is building up amongst The Pink Tarha Team. H&M, now in Riyadh! Their first two stores in Riyadh Gallery and Sahara Mall will open on the same day Saturday, 04 April 2009 (a great way to divide the crowd).

The Pink Tarha Girls have been saving up *ahem* for this ‘historical’ event in Riyadh’s shopping history. We’ve been drooling over their pretty shoes and clothes for some time now in their Spring-Summer 09 offerings on their website. See the huge banners posted outside Sahara Mall. Sorry guys, they probably won’t be having men’s stuff since all banners specify ladies and kids only. Unfair noh? Swerte lang talaga kami!

Bakit ngayon ka lang? Napapakanta na 'ko sa kaaantay...

Also, enjoy our picks from their website’s ‘dressing room’, where you can choose outfits and be tried on a model. The models and outfits we chose for ourselves quite tell how we look like in real person. LOL.

Mary's outfit is a lovely casual look depicting her relaxed and comfy style: white ruffle top, wide-leg jeans, big blue bucket bag, white bangle and denim wedges

Sundrenched's pick is the perfect outfit for a summer getaway (in Al-Khobar beach?): printed halter maxi dress, strappy tan sandals, tan bag, gold bangle

Eyecandy's sexy pick is one hot summer outfit flaunting her toned legs: Floral print kimono-like dress, white frame bag, gold fringed necklace, gold layered bangle and white wedge shoes.

My pick is a clean, fresh, casual look : white cotton top, cream linen pants, black and white tote, white bangle, black and white printed scarf and purple heels

We will definitely be posting our H&M loot after the big day. Say hi if we see you there!

The Pink Tarha SHOPS

Is there a better word than SHOPPING? We girls love to shop (an understatement) but here in Saudi Arabia, shopping for ladies is life. It's not that we're not too busy with work or our social life (meron tayo nun?!) but shopping is currently our hobby, because seriously, there's nothing else that's as fulfilling (kababawan to the nth power?! LOL) and as rewarding. But don't get us wrong, we ONLY SHOP during the SALE SEASON. We do not shop at the expense of our families, friends, marriage (for one of us), and jobs. We are still cheapskates you know. We're on the prowl for the latest bargains too! We are your SALE queens!

Saudi Arabia has three in a year: mid-year, mid-season, and end of the year. The first and the last are the best! So, here's our shopping escapades. We'll bring you the latest SALE signs we'll encounter and show you what kind of havoc that sale brought to our wallets. Haha. Join us in our forays to retail therapy...

1. Pink and Precious
2. Proud to be Sassy
3. Roxy Ginger Cracker
4. Fashionably Late
5. Confessions...
6. Feet Candy: The Story of a Crocs Convert
7. The SR9 Fab Finds (Yes, They Exist!)
8. Can't Resist
9. Official Holiday
10. My Debenhams Loot
11. An Ode to the Sale Season's End
12. IKEA Love
13. The Final Steals
14. My Weekend Finds
15. Happy Thriftin' in Abu Riyalin
16. Heart Things I Heart
17. Remnants of the A/W Sale Season
18. H&M is Coming to Town!
19. Open Sesame!
20. The H&M Riyadh Experience
21. I Bought a Skirt and a... Sando!
22. Seeing Red
23. Vintage Musings
24. Search for the Mismatched Shoes
25. SALE Alerts and More
25. Miss Little Black Dress
26. Stop at the Red Signs
27. Shoe-wariwap (We're Back!)
28. Power Shopping. Bow.
29. The Imeldific Day
30. That Little Something Something
31. Power Shopping Part II
32. Etsy Handmade Finds
33. Mid-Season Sale Alert
34. More Sale Alerts
35. Exposing Haraj