loud

Summer break has officially begun and things at my house are as chaotic as ever...I don't think I have called the boys their right names once in the past 48 hours. This morning I took everyone to Kohls to buy a shirt for my FIL for Father's Day and Sawyer & Graham took turns singing potty words in their outside voices all throughout the store.  Harrison pointed out that the employees were looking at us - at least I am safe to assume that it was because of my loud entourage, and not my very bright pants they were raising their eyebrows at - though to be honest, I felt very conspicuous about both. 

I really do love the legging jeans from Gap, they are soft and incredibly comfortable and I can get away with the inseam.  These are a size 00 and I like that they fit well in the waist.  After trying this outfit on this morning, I decided I preferred the jeans with a wedge, and asked my husband to choose the nude pair or the black...he said "the black" and I had to go with it or else he would accuse me of never following his advice, and why to I even bother asking him blah, blah, blah.  Something about hot pink and black though...I feel outside of my element in this combination.  I definitely lean towards "cutesy" looks, and this pairing is pushing me out of my comfort zone.  The Silk Roads Mosaic Top from Anthropologie is also a little different then what I usually gravitate towards, but I really love the mix of prints and colors and even though there technically isn't any hot pink in the pattern - it works with these jeans. 

Silk Road Mosaic & Pink by janrussell

We are headed out bowling this afternoon, I'm hopeful that my crew won't cause a raucous at the lanes! Gotta keep 'em busy!

Ivy Tunic

The Ivy Tunic was one of those pieces that I had no real interest in online. Then I saw it in person and better yet, saw the price was down to 19.95 and decided it couldn't hurt to try it on. I am so glad I took this top into the fitting room with me - it's comfortable, flattering and I totally need more green in my closet since green and white are our school colors - a mom has to represent at field day and Race for Education, etc. Tomorrow is actually Harrison and Sawyer's last day - and I am a bit terrified that they might fight all Summer. The school year flew by so fast...maybe I will be saying the same thing about their Summer break come September - fingers crossed ;) 

Anthropologie Ivy Tunic
Gap Always Skinny Jeans
Seychelles Harlow Wedge

Anthropologie Beaconed Treasure Necklace

Anthropologie Fall's Memento Earrings

Loft Bracelet

Campbell wearing Baby Nay

Hint of Trend

The Narmer Earrings were my lone purchase from the recent set of markdowns at Anthropologie. I have been wanting some turquoise earrings, but nothing too Southwestern, and for the sale price, I decided to give this pair a shot.  I really love them and the size is perfection for not getting lost in my long hair.

And look Campbell matches my earrings ;)

Also, the Floral Printed Legging Jeans from Gap are the perfect way to dip my toe into floral denim.  I really love how subtle they are.  Fit wise they are a bit loose in my waist, but the rise isn't super low, so it's not a problem.  I have to tuck the hem under to keep them from being too long - eventually I will find the motivation to have them hemmed, but for now they stay in place this way, nicely. The jeans are soft and very comfy!

Gap Floral Printed Legging Jeans by janrussell
  
Happy weekend!

Ikat Cardi

I'm taking advantage of our slightly cooler June temps and breaking out my Ikat cardigan for today - I love how vibrant and bold this piece is!  I've made my way to Target this morning, and of course I forgot to buy the one thing I went there specifically for.  I might have rock hard biceps (thank you all for your way too sweet comments btw, I don't do anything to work out) but my brain has turned to mush!

here are the outfit details - my jeans are from Gap and I'm wearing the Rocks & Stones Necklace from Anthro since I don't own the one used in the Polyvore set (not yet, anyway!) ;)

Ikat Cardi by janrussell

On the Fence - Brimming Borders

Classic case of girl falls in love with a dress on the hanger, but isn't so sure once she gets it on.  I don't think the Brimming Borders Mini-Dress is as awful as some reviews suggest, but I also don't think it's as flattering as it could be.  But I love the dress.  Of course, I think love will overcome and maybe, (by adding a belt) the dress will change.

But you can never really change a dress (well, unless you have mad sewing skills or take it to the seamstress) I think I need to learn to let go.  Sometimes things just aren't meant to be. No matter how much you want them to work out.

Just like fish in the sea, I know there will be other dresses on the rack....am I right to throw this one back?  Should I stay on friendly terms in the event that it gets a second cut and I can find one in my size?  Can we work through our issues? Advice?

Rusicada & a Round of Fitting Room Reviews

On Memorial Day my boys were ecstatic to hit the community pool for opening day and I was just as eager to break out my white denim (yes, I still follow this silly "rule" for no good reason) and head to Anthropologie with my mom and my best girl.

Of course wearing some pretty Anthro for our jaunt to the store was in order! I loved the Rusicada Asymmetric Top the minute I saw the product shot on the website.  I tried to wait for an online review, but was too weak and had this pretty piece on it's way to me without so much as a hint to how it would fit when it arrived.  While my package was still in transit, Anthro added the model shot of this top and I got really nervous when I saw just how long and dramatic the hem (tail?) was - and that was on a girl no doubt 10 inches taller then me.  I  mentally prepared myself for disappointment. And what a waste of time that was! I LOVE this top - the colors and design are magnificent  and I just feel like I should be sashaying when I have it on.  I guess a lot of people are drawn to this unique piece, because it's already sold out online!

Anthropologie Rusicada Asymmetric Top

Gap 1969 Lightweight Cropped Legging Jeans

Anthropologie Saloni Drops Earrings (bigger then expected, love them more then expected, easy & gorgeous at a great price!)

Anthropologie Beaconed Treasure Necklace
J Crew Flower Bud Ring (yay for a popback!)
Loft Bracelet

Seychelles Harlow Wedge

Baby Lulu BLISS Andi Set
Headband - Etsy
Shoes - Carters

And here are a few quick snaps from the fitting room.  I would have tried on gobs more, but my mom was holding Campbell in the store, and when she realized I wasn't at her side she started wailing (we are kind of obsessed with each other!) Even though my mom brought her right to me, she must of been worried that I would leave her again, because she didn't want me to put her down.  

Hazed Landscape Tee - Size XS

Southwestern prints are really not my thing, but I was intrigued by this top online, I loved the cute hem and mix of patterns and the Southwestern vibe was subtle enough to not turn me off completely.  I thought this top was really pretty and appreciated the higher neckline and fit in the sleeves. The material was thin, but not see through.  Ultimately, it's just too long for me.  And while I really liked the colors, if I put this with dark denim I don't think I would feel summery enough - it looks like more of a Fall motif in my book.

Elornis Shift - Size XS

I fell hard for this dress when I saw it in person.  Holy moly, the colors are gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous on this dress and the print felt strangely sophisticated for flamingos...???  Whatever, I LOVED IT. I had to exercise great restraint not to pay full price for this one.  If it had been even $20 less expensive I probably would have succumbed to the draw of this pretty frock.  It felt great on, and the length was sweet perfection for me.  I will be stalking this dress until sale time! I hope the rest of you hate it so it gets marked down quickly ;)

Undergrowth Tank

This tank was so cute as a button.  I couldn't even decide which colorway to bring to the fitting room with me because I wanted them all in my grabby hands! Just adorable and easy.  The fit was not too big by the hair of it's chinny chin chin.  I would probably wear a layering cami under this because of the neckline.  But I loved it.  Now I just need it to go on sale, along with the Elornis Shift and then I will be a happy girl.

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?