One of the things I really enjoy abut work travel is big-city brick-and-mortar shopping - even if it's really quick. While I was in Chicago this week, I stopped in at the Zara and the Saks on Michigan Avenue. At Saks, I stumbled into a pre-season sale and picked up a great pair of flamingo pjs at 30% off. At Zara, I discovered, yet again, what I love and hate about that brand.

I like to pre-shop for Zara by perusing the website which I really love. The models are always intriguing (great hair!), photography is great, it's easy to navigate. And they have a TON of items. But therein lies the challenge with Zara - no single store offers all of what's on the website. In fact, of the five items I had hoped to try on, I only found one at the store. And while I would have loved to try them on, I'm not quite interested enough to order them. Ugh.

Anyway, I also noticed that blue-and-white stripes are everywhere!!! Don't get me wrong, I love blue (it's dominant in my wardrobe) but all of this has my really jonesing for some deep pink or orange. Anyway, I did make one Zara purchase. It's fun, comfortable, semi-trendy (see added picture for required 2018 bright yellow moment). And, as with all Zara purchases, I am happy to see this as a love affair, not a long-term commitment.

Buyers, beware: it's not all cotton. For me, that's good, because I really don't want to have to iron it. But for purists, 60% is probably not enough.