FRANCO FLORENZI Watch Review: Effortlessly Elegant

Franco Florenzi Messina Costa watch

Quality. Classic. Elegant. These are the three words that came to mind when I first received these beautiful watches from Franco Florenzi; EXACTLY my type of accessories! Effortless, stylish timepieces that will stand the test of time.

I wasn't familiar with Franco Florenzi when they first reached out to me for a collaboration opportunity, but quickly realized after checking out their lust-worthy Instagram account, that they have a huge following and devoted fans of their stunning timepieces and bracelets. I totally get it; people love quality and simplicity at a reasonable price. And that's exactly what they offer!

I thought I'd share with you some pics of the watches, so you can admire their beauty. You can also check out the entire collection here. One of my favorites is this one, called the Vicenza Buffon. Can you ever go wrong with a classic white dial with a black nylon/leather strap? As far as I'm concerned, it's a must have in everyone's collection! 

Franco Florenzi Vicenza Buffon watch

I'm also a huge fan of these Messina watches, with the interchangeable nylon straps, in a variety of different colors. You can literally change the strap every day to match your outfit. The dial comes in black or white, and you can also choose silver or rose gold casing. Here I'm wearing the Messina Lazarro, another favorite because of its nautical look.

Franco Florenzi Messina Lazarro watch with interchangeable straps

If you're in the market for a new watch, one that will last you for years to come, I highly recommend this collection from Franco Florenzi. The quality really is fantastic! And I'm sure you'll be able to find a color, or color combination, that tickles your fancy. 

Franco Florenzi is based out of England, but offers worldwide shipping. Go check out their effortlessly elegant collection of watches here, and be sure to follow them on Instagram, where I also contribute pics regularly!

Celebrate Moments of Joy with Flowers and Cakes

Flowers are perfect mood changers and they bring both joy and inspiration to your loved ones. Flowers are associated with celebrations and festivity. It has been easier to get flowers for all of these occasions because of online flower delivery. And for time immemorial, flowers are considered to be ideal gifts for several occasions. An array of fresh blooms is sure to bring a hard-to-beat smile on your beloved’s face. You can get an extensive collection of floral arrangements such as bunches and bouquets of roses, lilies, sunflowers and orchids which is sure to make her heart skip a beat.

Flowers are not just beautiful but they are divine too. If you are scrambling hard at the last minute, it is best to go with combo of flowers and cakes which makes great gifts for almost every celebration. If you are planning to surprise someone on their birthday, go for moist and succulent cakes which are baked using the premium quality of ingredients. The cakes are baked with utmost perfection which will ensure that the sweetness of the occasion is maintained. 

People have used these as a means of communication and they have also assigned symbolic meanings to various flowers. Since they are language of emotions and feelings, they are best suited for occasions like Birthdays where you can complement it with flowers and give it as the perfect gift for the occasion. 

There was a time when cakes were traditionally baked at home but with the gradual passage of time, people find it hard to take out time amidst their hectic schedule and for all such occasions it are best to go for online flowers and cake delivery in Dubai. You will never be limited with choices when it comes to choosing a perfect flavour for your loved ones, you can choose from vanilla, butterscotch, blueberry, chocolate and other delectable flavours too. Cake delivery in Dubai can be done the same day too with its express delivery options which allows you send freshly baked cakes at their doorstep.

Everything's Peachy

I have a thing for neutrals (basically my entire closet is an ode to denim, black, grey and white.) But sometimes, I do go a little "wild" and wear other colors; exhibit A, this peachy scalloped hem top. Isn't it adorable?!

It goes perfectly with this beautiful peachy watch from The Fifth. I've been eyeing their watches for a while now, and finally decided on two from the New York Classic collection. Also, bonus, this one comes with two bands, this peachy color and a light grey. So really, it's two watches for the price of one. And then I also got the all-black one.

For this ensemble, I also threw in my classic Ray-Ban Aviators, this stunning bracelet from UncommonGoods and the cute-as-a-button Mansur Gavriel mini cross body bag. Let me know what you think!

Watch: THE FIFTH New York Classic collection (here)

Shirt: YOINS scalloped hem (here)

Bag: MANSUR GAVRIEL mini cross body (here)

Shoes: ASOS canvas sneakers (here)

Sunglasses: RAY-BAN Aviators (here)

Bracelet: UncommonGoods jewelry (here)

I hope you've all had a fantastic weekend!

A Dash of Detail

After traveling in Europe for three weeks I'm back in Taipei, rested and ready to get back in the swing of things. If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that we had a jam-packed Eurotrip, and if you were wondering if I'd be writing about our travels, the answer is YES, of course! And it will be up on the blog, soon.

Today I wanted to share with you a cute outfit idea I had for Autumn, which is slowly but surely creeping up on us. (Although here in Taiwan we'll probably just go straight from a very humid Summer to a cool Winter some time around November).

I've been absolutely obsessed with these lace-up flats, and I've been having a lot of fun creating different outfits to wear it with. I saw these pretty black shorts on SheIn, and fell in love with the lacy detail. For this look I just added an oversized sweater, my beloved Daniel Wellington watch, and voila! Let me know what you think.

Shorts: SheIn (here) Psst... they are only $11.40

Shoes: Topshop (here)

Watch: Daniel Wellington (here)

Sweater: Zara (here)

Who else is excited for the cooler months to come?

Affordable Summer Dresses + GIVEAWAY

SheIn Summer Dresses

*** GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

The SheIn Summer Dress WINNER is 

  

FRANCESCA FURLAN

With our Summer travels to Europe glistening on the horizon, I've been on the lookout for some new, affordable summer dresses to take along with me. Not that I don't already have plenty to choose from in my closet... but... for some reason I just feel like I need some new items for our trip. You know what I mean?

Not wanting to spend a fortune on some darling dresses, I turned to SheIn.com, one of my favorite budget-friendly online shopping sites, to find some pretty pieces for our trip. I ended up choosing a few of my faves. 

- Red Off the Shoulder Ruffle Dress ($14.29)

- White Spaghetti Strap with Lace Dress ($18.99)

- White Sleeveless with Lace Dress ($18.99)

- Navy Spaghetti Strap Asymmetrical Shift Dress ($12.67)

What do you think? I like that they are all effortless and simple; easy to accessorize and/or add a denim jacket. Also, the best part, they are all under $20. Yep, you heard that right! 

To celebrate Summer, and the fact that life is good in general, I'm going to throw in an impromptu giveaway in this post. One of you will be getting a dress of your choice from SheIn.com to the value of $30.

I'll be hosting this giveaway through Rafflecopter, so please follow the easy steps to enter: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The giveaway ends on July 25th, 2015 and the winner will be announced within 24 hours after that here on Pretty.Random.Things., and also on the Pretty.Random.Things. Facebook page.

If you have any questions regarding the giveaway, please feel free to email me at liesl@pretty-random-things.com 

Good luck, and HAPPY SUMMER!

Girls in White Dresses

I have this thing with wearing white in Summer. And I'm not exaggerating when I confess that more than half of my closet consists of white pieces. I just can't get enough! What do you think about this white crochet dress I got from RoseGal?

Dress: 

Crochet Flower dress from RoseGal

Watch: 

Classic Sheffield Lady watch from Daniel Wellington

I feel especially girly in this dress, and I love the crochet detail at the bottom that gives it that little extra sumthin' sumthin'. Here I'm wearing it with my beloved Daniel Wellington Classic Sheffield watch, and I'd pair it with my favorite Summer sandals from Joie when heading out.

What is your favorite color to wear in Summer?

SHOPBOP Friends & Family 25% Off Event

It's here; the much anticipated biannual SHOPBOP 25% off event! I get so excited about this because my SHOPBOP wishlist is almost always jam packed with "things I NEED" and 25% off on SHOPBOP is a huge deal! What better excuse to get some new Spring pieces!?

In case you were thinking: "Where do I even start, Liesl!?", let me share some of the items with you that I've purchased from SHOPBOP recently that you can now get at a very nice discount. (Yep, I won't say I'm not a little bitter about that...)

CALVIN KLEIN Modern Cotton Underwear

CALVIN KLEIN Modern Cotton underwear (photo source)

These Calvin Klein undies have been much sought after again after their very successful #mycalvins campaign from last year. I must say, it took me a while to get my hands on my size, but now that I have them, I'm so happy that I kept hunting, because they are super comfortable. I'm getting them in white and black, too!

MARYSIA SWIM Scallop Bikinis

MARYSIA SWIM Broadway bikini (photo source)

MARYSIA SWIM Antibes bikini (photo source)

Ever since I saw these beautiful bikinis I were obsessed with them; so simple, yet so special. They do not come cheap though, and I really had to convince The Husband why I "needed" them. At first I purchased the Broadway bikini (triangle with halter straps), but eventually also got the Antibes top (bandeau). I take such good care of these swimsuits and I can only hope they'll last me a few seasons. (Take note that these bikinis are tiny, so size up!)

SOLUDOS Espadrilles

(photo source)

SOLUDOS Classic Espadrille Sandals (photo source)

I got these lace up espadrilles last summer, and I love their look. I wear them with shorts mostly, but I know they look cute with some rolled up jeans, too. They come in a few different colors on SHOPBOP now and they are very affordable!

SUPERGA Cotu Sneaker

(photo source)

SUPERGA Cotu Classic Lace Up Sneaker (photo source)

I love the white sneaker/trainer trend and got these a few months ago. I've literally worn them to death and they desperately need a good cleaning. These come in MANY colors, and are very comfortable.

ASH Jalouse Suede Booties

ASH Jalouse Suede Booties (photo source)

These suede booties are perfect for evenings out and can also be worn with shorts or dresses. They are classic and I know I'm going to get years' worth of use out of them. I have them in black, too. I wish I could have gotten them at 25% off...

ONE TEASPOON Bandits Denim Shorts

(photo source)

ONE TEASPOON Hendrix Bandits Shorts (photo source)

I got these iconic shorts in black, too, and even though they are super short, I still really like the look. They are ripped, baggy and totally perfect for beach days! Because of their intended bagginess, they do run somewhat large, so I'd suggest sizing down if you want a more fitted look.

To get 25% off your order, type in the code SPRING25 at checkout. Even though SHOPBOP offers free international shipping, there will be a small handling charge (about $10) and take into consideration your country's customs taxes.

Go to

SHOPBOP.com

***Unfortunately, some brands are excluded from this event***
3.1 Phillip Lim, Acne Studios, Alexander Wang, Birkenstock, Canada Goose, Gareth Pugh, Giambattista Valli, Herve Leger, Hunter, J. Mendel, Jason Wu, Jennifer Meyer,  Jonathan Simkhai, Katie May, Kenzo, Maison Martin Margiela, MCM, Michele Watches, Monique Lhuillier, Moschino, MZ Wallace, Narciso Rodriguez, Nina Ricci, Rag & Bone, Rodarte, Salvatore Ferragamo, Stella McCartney Apparel, Stuart Weitzman, Suno,  Tory Burch, Versace, Victoria Victoria Beckham, and What Goes Around Comes Around Vintage

Happy Spring Shopping!

Long hair... I do care!

Hi all! What if you could get your dream hair texture, style and color in just a few seconds? I know you're thinking, "you must be joking!" or "yeah, right!", but I am very serious. In fact, I know that it’s most girls' dream to have long, stylish, gorgeous hair with beautiful styling and brilliant texture.

If you often dye and curl your hair, it will eventually be dry and damaged. Don't fear, I found a shop online that offers human hair extensions and human hair weaves. The hair extensions and weave looks like your own hair. They are actually made of 100% real human hair, so no one will even notice you’re wearing hair extensions.

CC HAIR EXTENSIONS is an online human hair extensions shop. They sell a variety of best human hair extensions, with high quality, but at a low price across the world. All hair extensions are made of 100% human hair without synthetics. I like that CC HAIR EXTENSIONS has a wide range of clip in hair extensions and clip in human hair extensions in different colors that will suit my needs. I browsed their website and found ones that match my current hair color, and they are very affordable too and fit my budget.

They offer a good return and exchange shipping policy, so you don’t have to worry about your money and your hair. If you have any questions,you can check their website and ask their customer service for help.

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals 2014

THE shopping event of the year is here, friends! And no need to stand in stupid long lines in the cold when you could be home with your families, people. That's what online shopping is for!

I love me a good deal and never miss the opportunity to buy something I've been eyeing at an incredible discount. Listed here are some of my favorite deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year. I'll add more deals in the next few days. Happy Shopping!
________________________________
SHOPBOP

Get 15% off your order when you spend $250 or more.
Get 20% off your order when you spend $500 or more.
Get 25% off your order when you spend $1000 or more.
Use Code: GOBIG14

Click HERE to shop at Shopbop

________________________________
MADEWELL

Get 25% off your order.
Use Code: GIFTON

Click HERE to shop at Madewell

_________________________________
ASOS

Get 30% off your order.
Use Code: TGIBF 
Get 20% off your order.
Use Code: CYBERWKND20

Click HERE to shop at Asos

___________________________________
LOOKFANTASTIC

Get 25% off your order.
Use Code: CYBERMONDAY

Click HERE to shop at Lookfantastic

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BOUTIQUE TO YOU

Get 25% off your order.
Use Code: TDAY25

Click HERE to shop at Boutique to You

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J.CREW

Get 30% off your order.
Use Code: GETFESTIVE or HOLIDAY

Click HERE to shop at J.Crew
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GAP

Get 50% off your order.
Use Code: BLKFRIDAY

Click HERE to shop at GAP
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EQUIPMENT

Get 25% off your order.
Use Code: THANKS

Click HERE to shop at EQUIPMENT
___________________________________
JOIE

Get 25% off your order.
Use Code: THANKS

Click HERE to shop at JOIE
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FEELUNIQUE

Get 15% off your order.
Use Code: CYBER15

Click HERE to shop at Feelunique
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* All deals go live at different times and expire at different times. You can get that information on each website.

What to get HIM for Christmas 2014

You didn't think I would forget the guys, did you? Have no fear if you have no idea what to get the men in your life, I'm here to help. Of course, you don't have to get what I'm suggesting, it's only to give you a nudge in the right direction. The things I have listed here are mostly things that The Husband loves, and what I personally think would make great gifts for guys.

HERSCHEL SUPPLY Co. Retreat backpack $70

Find this back pack at EASTDANE

They have a huge selection of great back packs, and I especially like this one with the brown leather straps. These Retreat backpacks come in different colors, and if you think the straps are too much, they also have very simple, neutral backpacks.

PUBLIC SUPPLY notebook $12

Buy this notebook at EASTDANE

Come on, everyone loves a good notebook. These notebooks are understated (which I assume is what most men like in a notebook) and can be gifted to basically anyone that can write or scribble.

SCRATCH MAP travel map $20

Get the Scratch Map at UNCOMMONGOODS

I got this Scratch Map for The Husband and he absolutely loves it. The purpose of the map is to scratch off the countries that you have visited and it will expose a different color underneath. Get the map framed (read the instructions on their website on how to get it framed properly) and it will make a great gift for someone who loves to travel.

MARSHALL Stanmore speaker $400

Find this speaker on EASTDANE

Few guys would not like some new speakers, and I'm such a big fan of the classic look of this one. Connect your device through Bluetooth and play away. The Husband uses a Marshall amp for his guitar, so I know he would get a kick out of this one.

FITBIT Flex activity wristband $99.95

Get it on FitBit

Almost everyone in my family has a FitBit and can not stop raving about it. It's not only for the sports enthusiasts, but can be worn by anyone who wants to monitor their daily activity and sleep patterns. You can also compete with friends and family, which makes it quite fun.

VICTORINOX Swiss Army Knife $15 and up

This Swiss Army Knife is available on AMAZON

I know! Such a cliché. But, I do think that most men would love to own a high quality Swiss Army Knife. There are many to choose from and the prices start from only $15.

NORSE PROJECTS scarf $95

Get this scarf at EASTDANE

Keep your man warm and cozy by giving him a nice scarf. For men, I'd stick to neutrals especially gray, navy or black.

BEATS BY DR.DRE urBeats earphones $100

Find these earphones at BESTBUY

If he doesn't already own a nice pair of earphones, get him these from Beats. They come in a wide selection of colors, and I think the price is pretty good for the quality you get.

UGG AUSTRALIA Ascot slippers $109.95

Buy these slippers at NORDSTROM

I think these slippers are such a great gift for guys. They are so cozy and warm for the colder months. No more smelly old slippers or socks with holes in them around the house! 

THE ART OF SHAVING Fusion Chrome Power Shave $175

Find this shaving kit at NORDSTROM

A nice shaving kit is always a winner as a Christmas gift. So you might as well up your game and get him a proper set like this one.

I hope you got some good ideas from this post! Also check out my What to get HER for Christmas ideas, too. 

Happy holidays, everyone!

**ENTER my Secret Christmas GIVEAWAY HERE **

What to get HER for Christmas 2014

Here we are, only a little more than a month away from Christmas! Seriously, where did this year go!? This week I've really been getting into the Christmas spirit as I was pinning away some Christmas decor ideas on Pinterest. That also reminded me that I haven't even handed out my Christmas wish list to The Husband and my family yet... Just kidding, I don't do that... not every year... 

At first I thought, "nah, I don't need anything", but let's be real, it's nice to get something nice for Christmas. I decided to make a list anyway of things that would be awesome to get *winking feverishly in The Husband's direction* and I also added some items that I personally own and would definitely recommend as gift for a special female in your life.

FRENDS Layla Headphones $150

Get these at Net-A-Porter

I'm not a huge fan of the headphones you get when purchasing an Apple product like the iPhone or iPod, and I'm totally in the market for some new headphones. Of course I'm lusting after these because, you know, they are rose gold.

RIFLE PAPER CO. 2015 Travel The World Calendar $26

Buy it at Rifle Paper Co.

I'm obsessed with this beautiful calendar, and I might just get it for myself for Christmas. (You can check out the full calendar on their website). I think most people would appreciate this as a gift.

OLYMPUS PEN e-PL7 camera $599

Find this camera here.

Dear Santa, I've been SO good this year... Pretty please!?

DIPTYQUE Do Son Eau de Parfum $140

Get this perfume at Nordstrom

Perfume is one of those go-to Christmas prezzies for women, and for good reason. Who doesn't like some smell-good from Santa? There are many I could recommend, but this is one I own and would buy in a heartbeat for someone else. 

DANIEL WELLINGTON Classic Sheffield watch $199

Buy this watch at Daniel Wellington

This watch is a timeless classic and I wear mine almost every day. It's light-weight, simple and classy. I know most ladies would be thrilled to receive it.

ACNE STUDIOS Canada scarf $175

Get it at NET-A-PORTER

This is my favorite scarf; so soft and big and perfect for winter! Of course, you don't need to spend this much, just make sure you get one that's soft and made of high quality materials.

HUNTER rain boots $135

Get them at Shopbop

Damn, I love these boots! I have a tall and a short pair, and wear them all the time during the cold and rainy months. They come in so many colors, and if you are buying it for someone else, I'd recommend staying with the neutrals just to be safe.

CLARISONIC Mia cleansing system $99

Find it at NORDSTROM

I can't say enough good things about these cleansing systems. It really is worth the price tag and the hype. I use mine every day with a gentle face wash, and it makes my skin so clean and smooth. There are many different ones to choose from, with different functions and speeds and gimmicks, but I've been using the classic Mia for a long time and it's really all you need to have a squeaky clean face.

JO MALONE candle $80

Buy this candle at NORDSTROM

Christmas time and candles go hand in hand as far as I'm concerned, and you really can't go wrong with a beautifully scented candle from Jo Malone. Yes, they are quite pricey, but they last for a really long time and their scent payoff is way better than a lot of other candles. Plus, the packaging is just gorgeous!

LUSH The Olive Branch shower gel $9.95

Get this shower gel at LUSH

Whenever I smell this shower gel, I always think of Christmas time. The Husband and I love this shower gel for this time of the year, and I promise you that you wouldn't think twice about getting it if you were to sniff it in the store.

That's it, folks. I recommend getting one very special item instead of buying lots of little random things. (Of course, you don't have to buy anything from this list, it's just for fun and to give those of you who need help some ideas.) Also, it doesn't hurt to ask your loved ones if there is anything specific that they really really want for Christmas; it will make your Christmas shopping a whole lot easier and everyone will be happy.

Also, check out What to get HIM for Christmas 2014.

***ENTER my Secret Christmas GIVEAWAY HERE***

I wish all of you a very merry holiday season!