Sunday, June 6, 2010

OOTD - Heaven & Helenium

Here is what I wore to church this morning. My lesson to the pre-teen girls touched on modest dress, which I found amusing as my skirt flew up in the wind on our way inside and my son told me he saw my unmentionables...
Anthropologie Drenched Helenium Top
Anthropologie Leaps & Bounds Belt

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Rah Rah...AHA!!!

Polyvore is giving me fits. When I click to embed on my blog I get a message saying "undefined" over and over again? Has this been happening to anyone else? Anywho, below is a set I came up with using a recently purchased tank from Banana Republic. The candy stripes reminded me of Anthropologie's Sweet Shoppe Dress The dress, while impossibly cute, is not very practical for my lifestyle.

While I was happy with the above Sweet Shoppe alternative, I'm even more tickled to have come up with this combination! It was a total lightbulb moment when I was trying on tops with my new Rah Rah Rumba Skirt - check out Cat's review of the skirt - she always does a thorough job with the details. And I really hope she bought it, so I can see what cute outfits she comes up with, too!


Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Tempted by the fruit vegetable of another

My resolve to sit out on the newest round of markdowns at Anthropologie weakened when I saw that cute Tricia was picking up a Deeply Rooted Tee for herself. Really, what mom doesn't need to market the value of vegetables to her kids any chance she can get? Plus, plus, how cute will this top be when I take the kids on Egg Hunts, Easter Bunny Visits and the inevitable return to the farm for a field trip? I did the only mom-thing to do. I caved.

And now here is a little secret some of you may not know - raw carrots and cooked corn are the only two vegetables I eat. My doctor and kids have no idea! My brother and I were never forced to eat them as children. He matured and now eats all of his greens, including salad. Me? I never touch that stuff. Not even to be polite at my Mother-In-Laws. I think I might feel like a fraud if this top was covered in any other vegetable motif. Happily, I say yes to carrots (great brand by the way, I love their chapsticks at Target).

OOTD - Unveiled Tank

So today I was excited to tear the tags off my Unveiled Tank which looks very cute tucked in by the way. I'm feeling a bit pudgy at the moment and wasn't in the mood to tuck, but definitely next time ;) The tag calls this color orange, which is really a lovely rust and still not available online. Back to the tucking - the gray could be really cute with the Pulsations Skirt, hmm?
Old Navy Black Sandals

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Another Round in the Anthro Fitting Room

This time brought to you by the letters D&H. My husband was nice enough to drive me to Anthropologie this morning and then take the boys to a nearby park so they could play while I had my own fun in the fitting room.

The Camilla Dress was one of the first things to catch my eye. I absolutely love white eyelet anything, and this dress was just beautiful. The material felt like a really nice weight/quality and it was just impossibly feminine. I tried the XS and I'm sad to say that I thought this dress looked prettier in the fitting room, then I do now looking back at the picture. It was too big in the armholes, and a bit baggy around the bust as well. I couldn't remember if this one came in Petite sizes, and when I opened the door to ask the SA, she said no, and it was too bad since the dress I had on was too big. Since she didn't try to talk me into the dress, I made a last ditch effort with my husband who I had look at the picture in the car before we drove away. He said it wasn't flattering on me at all :( :( :( It really was so pretty...Could alterations give me a better fit up top? I'm still grasping at straws on this one!
Next up is the much buzzed about Vappu Dress
Funny thing is that I wasn't sold on this dress in the fitting room, but looking at the picture now, I'm all "Dang, I should have bought it!" Good thing for Free Shipping, right ;) My biggest reservation in the moment was the fact that I'm not sure I could wear a bra with this dress. It came down really low on the back, exposing the one I had on. I'm sure I could figure something out. It was darling. This is a size 0.

Moving on to skirts. The It's Your Move skirt in a size 0, I wish this had been elastic, or more snug in the waist. As it was, the extra room, made this sit low on my hips, and therefor, made the length hit at my knees. At $98 and not perfect, this was a no (plus, you'll see below that I bought a different white skirt). I'd reconsider it at sale time as it was super adorable and well made.
The Lane Change Skirt also in size 0, had the same problem in the waist. This skirt was also $98 but unlike the one above, is a big fat no, even on sale. The cut was not flattering on me at all. Sadly. It's cute, but IMO overpriced - it reminds me of a similar skirt I had in High School from American Eagle. I also thought the exposed zipper in the back looked really out of place and cheap. I still think this is really cute for others, but just doesn't work on me. The Do-Si-Do Skirt, now on sale for $30 is a steal. As Dea and Cat promise, it's much cuter in person then it was online. It's also too big in the waist, like it's predecessors causing it to be even longer on my barely 5ft frame. A few months ago I bought the Reed Shirtdress in the blue plaid and returned it because of fit, and the fact that it felt a bit too literal for a Suburban housewife...the pattern of this skirt kind of felt the same...


The top I have on is the Unveiled Tank, I don't see this color online, but it's a gorgeous rust that reminds me very much of the Sepia color from J. Crew. I adored the flattering fit on this one, and will need to get a better picture soon. Not only did I buy it, but I am *this* close to ordering it in a second color. $48 and so much fun detail? Perfect!

The last skirt, and the one I bought today is the Rah Rah Rumba in white. This skirt is just the right amount of volume, a workable length, and endlessly versatile with the tops already hanging in my closet. The one thing I didn't love was the contrasting elastic waistband, but I'll just cover it with a belt. Speaking of which, I did find the Looping Lanes at the store this morning - yay! Can we have a side conversation about this belt? IRL it looks a bit like...well, like a dog chewed the leather or something??? Thankfully, once on, you don't really noticed it's somewhat weathered appearance, but I have to admit it wasn't what I expected. Does anyone know what I am talking about? I thought it would be darker, smoother and less-pliable, but whatevs, I bought it ;)


Also, a quick note about the Bountiful Birds Blouse
On me, the size 0 was snug in the sleeves and a bit boxy everywhere else. Love the print, and will likely buy this one on sale. In general, square necklines aren't my thing, but this is cute enough to make an exception.

We're almost done! Phew, it was a marathon!

The Sailor & Sweetheart Sweater almost didn't make it into the fitting room with me. I knew there was no way I was going to spend $98 on it. But as I was halfway through the door to try things on, I went back and grabbed it. I can never resist a good bow. And you know what, I was right, there is no way I'm going to spend $98 because that is just not within my budget for casual little tops - however, on sale, I kind of think it works. Opinions? I think you'll either love or hate this one, and I'm leaning towards love. I think it really played up my hourglass figure with the way it hugged my curves. On the other hand, that is one loud bow on the girls, and the "gift" is already spoken for - lol. I tried the XS. What do you think, is it too suggestive?

ETA - Okay, so I just looked at the reviews on Anthro's site, and the comments from when Kim tried this one on, and now I don't know whether to laugh or cry that I actually liked it! I'll go with laugh - and no one feel the need to say something polite, I guess I know where the rest of the world stands on this one - omigoodness, TOO FUNNY!

I don't remember what jeans these are? They were on sale for $99. Is that an AG tag? I have no idea. I loved them. I wanted them. Did I make a mistake leaving them behind?

Finally, I had to try the Bees Favorite Blouse, on sale and sold out online. They only had size Small, which worked okay, except for the length. Yes, I had some slight gaping at the bust, but a cami would have solved that. The peter pan collar is cutie, cute, cute and I suppose I could have tucked it in? I wasn't madly in love with it though. And for $30ish bucks, I decided I'd rather have the Pessinus Garden Necklace, in silver - which I bought, put on in the car and have been wearing ever since. The Wayne, PA store had a bunch of both silver and gold if anyone is looking for it.

I hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend. I'd say I kicked mine off right with a trip to Anthropologie!

Friday, May 28, 2010

OOTD - To the Book Fair!

I love Scholastic Book Fairs! My first grader will no doubt bypass th book selection and load up on erasers, posters and overpriced bouncy balls...but I won't let that dampen my own enthusiasm.

My new Tiny Twines belt is appropriately named, this thing is tiny. On this particular pair of jeans, I can only get it buckled on the first hole. If nothing else it will keep me from over-indulging on Summer treats. I'm also wearing my new flip flops for the second day in a row - on the opposite side of the spectrum, my feet continue to flop right out of them when I walk. Good thing I'm not going far today. Just to the elementary school and hopefully to Target for my inserts and rubber grips ;) Happy Friday!


Deal of the Day

Fashion Trends & Styles - Polyvore



Items in this set:
Mossimo Supply Co. Juniors Gingham Shirt - True Blue Check : Target, $7.50
Fossil Analog White MOP Dial Watch, $65
Beveled Button Studs, $12
Tiny Twines Belt, $38
LOFT: Search Results on white capri, $55

Thursday, May 27, 2010

In Today's Mail - Circle the Globe Skirt & New Shoes

I have learned my lesson with full, poplin skirts. I will not Circle the Globe to find another one, rather I'll hope for this gorgeous teal to reappear on an
A-line.

And oh the teal! SO pretty! I love the color. I also really love the waistband on this skirt. The stitching detail, the comfy elastic and the width were all perfection (eta - I am wearing the size 0) Straight out of the box though it lost major points for wrinkles. Sure, I could iron this piece, but that defeats some of the purpose of an "easy" Summer skirt IMO. Still, the material I could deal with.
The obstacle I could not overcome with this skirt was it's volume. Look right above my left hand to see the "poof" factor happening in the back. I felt like Miss Muffet.I really wish the skirt had fit like this....
here's what was going on around back, to acheive the look I hoped for.
It pains me to see how cute this full style skirt looks on others. Color me teal green with envy for anyone who can make this one work.

In unrelated news, my Nordstrom order also arrived today. I listened to the sound advice and kept on keeping on until I found just the right pair for me. The BP Stella's are exactly what I wanted. The reviews are not exaggerating though when they say the soles of these shoes are slippery. I almost wiped out on my kitchen floor when I tried them on. I will majorly scuff them up on the driveway before I make any attempt to wear them in public.
Finally Bought Black SandalsFashion Trends & Styles - Polyvore


And you all know how it goes, since I was placing an order anyway...I went ahead and grabbed these cute flip flops. They are very wide in the heel and I'll need to buy inserts for them, but they are so cute I put them on and wore them immediately.

brown sandalsFashion Trends & Styles - Polyvore

I think the pair next to them is different enough in color and style to pick up next time. And with cute shoes, there is always a next time ;)