Tops

I've been making a real effort lately to resist buying so many Anthro dresses and focus instead on cute, easy to throw on tops for Summer.  Most of them have been winners - like the Openwork Tee - now on sale!

I love the colors on this vibrant top, and the "flaws" mentioned in the online reviews didn't really bother me, personally.  For one, yes, you can see the straps to your unmentionables but only if you are really looking for them - the lattice detail and my hair camouflage them for the most part.  And yes, it is a trapeze/loose fitting swing style but the material is so soft and the cut feels really airy and comfortable.  I don't love to wear shorts, but this top seems like it will be absolutely perfect with them in the coming weeks.

On the other hand...the Painted Peacock Tee was a big disappointment in the fit department.  I'm not sure if you can tell from the photo above, but this top was swimming on me.  It was falling off my shoulders, and far too low cut in the front and the back - and there was no disguising my straps through the back cut-outs.  Huge bummer (no pun intended!) since this is a gorgeous print and the colors are awesome!  I just felt sloppy in it, so back it goes!

The only other top to find a spot in my return pile, was the High-Low Poppy Top.  Other reviewers are loving this one, but for me I just felt like a giant square - it looks so boxy on my frame!  And the print...on one hand I kinda liked it, and on the other hand it kept making me think of Ronald McDonald with the mix of this particular red and orange and I felt too loud in it.

It is a great price point for Anthro and the material is super thin, but not see through so it would be great for beating the heat.  I also really loved the extra length in the back.  From the side, I like this top - but from the front I am slightly horrified.

Happily, the other items in my online orders have been working out wonderfully - so you'll be seeing them in some outfits soon :)  Have you all tried any fun new tops at Anthro recently?  What are your favorites right now?

Bowman V-Neck (briefly)

Today has been a real doozy.  Despite not getting much sleep last night (not on account of the baby, just woke up not feeling well followed by the onset of insomnia) I got everyone showered, dressed and out the door so we could scope out the schools book fair a few minutes before my big boys had to head to class.  Unfortunately the librarian wasn't happy to see early customers (maybe she didn't recognize me from the past 3 years I've volunteered to run the registers) We arrived at the book fair at 8:25 and were informed that it wasn't "open" until 8:40.  Seeing that the shelves were stocked and ready to go, I asked if we might be allowed to just look around so my older two could tell me the books they wanted me to buy them once the fair was underway.  Thinking this would be no big deal, I was pretty surprised when I was told there weren't any exceptions and that we needed to wait out in the hallway - and to that tune she closed the door swiftly behind us and called down to the office to inform them they shouldn't be letting parents in for the book fair before 8:40.  Um. SHEESH! Graham (who is clearly very, very two) melted into a puddle of tears and screamed for new books the entire way back to our van.  That pretty much took the wind out of my sails - and I took my throbbing head and sobbing toddler back home where I changed out of my cute new top (which btw is wonderfully soft and stretchy and has awesome ruching detail) and spent the entire morning pouting.

Wearing 5/24/12 by janrussell

By afternoon I was ready to face to world again...mainly because I needed chocolate milk and to sign up for our pool membership and swim lessons.  Choosing to leave the house wasn't a good move on my part.  While signing up at the pool, Sawyer managed to tip my (huge-honkin' city mini) stroller completely backwards with Graham and Campbell seated in it (Unscathed! Thankfully!)  Graham threw another fit when he realized we were just signing up and not actually swimming at the pool.  And the store I quick ran into for chocolate milk didn't sell chocolate milk.  Good times.

Maybe I will bust out the Bowman V-Neck again over the long weekend - it's such an adorable piece, it deserves better.  Like a trip to Target! Alone!

Snack Stand Duty in the Slanted Scoopneck

I submitted an online review for the Slanted Scoopneck on Anthro's website, the jist of which was that this tee is overpriced but adorable. Because it's a wear now, wear anytime, easy to wear piece I decided I didn't really care that I was being ripped off, and I kept it (my husband just loves that I think this way!)

Today I had to work the concession stand at the baseball field and then shuttle my oldest off to a birthday party for a classmate.  A girl classmate.  It was just him and one other boy on the guest list.  Eyyiyi. He's nine and it's starting already!

This little lady better not get any ideas about boys for a long, long, LONG time!

Point me to the Picnic

This pairing was a happy match made on Polyvore.  I wasn't sure if it would be too busy once I actually put the pieces together IRL, but I think it works!  I bought this skirt when I was just a few months pregnant with Campbell and actually thought the elastic waist might allow me to wear it under my growing belly. Unfortunately, it just didn't look right while I was expecting, so I've had to wait quite awhile to wear it.  I love the playful mix of of patterns and cheerful colors, I'm definitely glad I didn't pass it by at the time.

Wearing 5/18/12 by janrussell

 I actually do have a picnic (well, a graduation party, technically!) to attend over the weekend, but I have another piece that I've been saving to wear for that ;)  I am so excited to break out pretty summer dresses and skirts now that it is warming up.  Happy Friday!

Rowena Tunic - Did I make a mistake?

I was surprised when the Rowena Tunic arrived, it was a much weightier piece then I expected - actually perfect "soccer mom" attire since it can get cool out on the fields.  However, while it was soft and fit well in the arms, the body of the top was super roomy, I had to really, really cinch the tie waist and I felt there was just too much material in that area.  Of course now that I look at these pictures, I'm having some pangs of regret for sending it back.  Probably enhanced by the fact that there wasn't anything I had to buy from the Tag Sale this morning.  Can you tell that this is too big?  Should I let the ship keep sailing or call this top back home again?

The added convenience of pockets!

Someone tell me what to do!!!

I need knee pads!

My boys are notorious for wearing out the knees of their jeans, but this is a relatively new phenomenon for me.  I've recently noticed that the knees on some of my jeans are looking seriously sad - the pigment has rubbed away and it's not subtle!  I have the hardest time finding jeans (don't we all!) and I'm really disappointed that I will have to retire some of my best fitting pairs!

Wearing 5-11-12 by janrussell 

What I really need is some replacement dark denim, but what I'm drawn to at the moment is any fun color from AG.  In this case, the Sulfur Nude.  I was able to buy this pair in a size 24 (Anthro seems to start carrying this brand from size 25 and up)  so the length is better then the Polka Dot Stevie's.
 

Wearing 5-12-12 by janrussell

Again, they are so soft and comfortable - definitely a perfect fit for the weekend!   

Polka Dots & Cobalt

A few weeks ago, I finally gave in to the temptation to order the Polka Dot Stevie's from Anthropologie.  Customer Service tried to tell me that the size I needed was sold out even in stores, but I was not deterred - I called around until I found them! I was hopeful that the shorter inseam would work without having to hem them...in this case, my optimism wasn't enough. Here are the pants prior to their jaunt to alterations.
 

 

While the jeans were away at the dry cleaner, I had plenty of time to dream up ways in which I would wear them. Yep, polka dots on polka dots...no such thing as too much of a good thing, in my book!

Bedeckied Flounce Tee by janrussell
  

I was thrilled to get them back in my hot little hands. They are SO COMFORTABLE, I honestly feel like I am in pajama pants.  Even though I wore this cute top last week, I had to break it out again and see how it paired up with the Stevie's IRL.  Plus, I needed happy polka dots to cheer me up.  I was supposed to be chaperoning my Kindergarten's field trip, but just days before the trip to the local theater and playground for a picnic, he announced that he wanted to bring Dad instead.  He explained that the rejection wasn't anything personal, just that Daddy could push him higher on the tire swing.  Humph! So much for loyalty! 

And one last quick snap of a very simple outfit from earlier in the week when I broke out my Seychelle's Keep You Guessing Sandals.  Love the fun pop of color and how these pair with Cobalt blue especially.  I do have some rubbing on my heels, but I'm hoping the leather will soften after wearing them a bit more.

And now, since I am not in the audience for Stone Soup (wah!) I am off to spend the morning with my two little ones - no time to wallow in being kicked to the curb ;)