goldenmeans


Some Anthropologie Top Reviews
November 20, 2009, 12:08 pm
Filed under: anthropologie, wishlist

Oh Anthropologie, when will you stop making pretty things so my credit card can finally take a rest?  Not any time soon apparently.  Last time I wandered in the store, on an innocent return mission, these pretty blouses caught my eye:

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Winged Victory Blouse – $78

Oh, I kind of heart this blouse.  It’s not something I would have looked twice at normally, since strapless designs are *not* my friend, but Roxy at Effortless Anthropologie’s review of it sort of stuck in my mind and I couldn’t help but try it on, just to see.  And wow, I’m so glad I did.  I expected it to look a little trashy on me since I have a big bust and the top seemed so open, but somehow it was still classy and very very cute.  The pleats at the bust, the overall shaping, and the little lime green sash were so flattering.  And it was even pretty supportive, it didn’t even seem like I would need a strapless bra on underneath (though there is enough coverage so it is possible to wear one if you want).  I would say it runs a tad bit big — though I normally wear a 6-8 in tops, I almost always have to size up to a 10 in strapless things, but here an 8 fit me pretty much perfectly.  I *almost* showed a modicum of restraint and did not get this, but a quick check on my phone showed the only size available online was a 14, so I realized it must be a hot seller and I made my way to the counter with it.  And I’m glad I did, since it is not completely sold out (and for some reason the permalink page won’t even load for me).  Even with the somewhat suspect shenanigans going on around its pricing (it was originally $68; now it’s $78), I would say this top is a steal.

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Snowscape Tank – $148

The neckline detailing on this blouse is just amazing.  I love all the rosettes, chains, beading and ruffles covering the front; it’s all very beautiful, but there’s not so much of it that it becomes overwhelming.  The hammered silk feels nice and luxurious.  Knowing Corey Lynn Calter runs small at the bust for me, I picked up an 8, which fit, although it was kind of snug at the chest (although I still didn’t actually need to undo the side zip to pull it on).  I probably could also size up to a 10 for a looser, drapier feel, like on the mannequin, although I might lose my waist even further.  Next time I’ll have to try that on and see.  I won’t be buying this baby for a bit anyway, since $150 on a blouse sort of makes me cringe…but still, it’s so so very pretty :)

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Rare Bloom Tee – $58

This was another something I was motivated to try on after seeing Roxy look so good in it :)  It is pretty adorable.  I’m wearing a M here since my store was out of smalls, so I think it’s too big and exposing too much of my chest, but I am on the hunt to track my size down at another store.   It’s one of Deletta’s jersey tops, so it’s very comfy, and it drapes so nicely and flatteringly across the body.  It also comes in teal, but I kind of love this innocent blush pink colorway, which I think interacts nicely with the rosette at the center.

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A word of complaint before I end my post — I got my much sought after Berry Bush Tights two weeks ago after ordering them from another store (and thank you to the multiple sweet ladies who found them and offered to send them to me, unprompted).  I wore them the next day, and they immediately ripped, while I was putting them on!  And I don’t mean snagged (I am very careful when I put on tights and use stocking gloves) — they literally ripped from the tension as I pulled them up my legs.  I took the pair back and exchanged it for a new pair (my local store had gotten them in by this time), and THOSE ripped again.  Wherever the little dots are on the tights, they are very weak and prone to holes!  Hrmph.  I’ve read lots of reviews about holes and ripping elsewhere too, so it’s not just me I don’t think.  And another word of warning, they happen to be a lot darker/greyer and less pinky than they looked in the catalog shot.  But…if you still want them, they are now available again on backorder on the site, so feel free to order away :)

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Spotted: Anthropologie Jacqueline Dress on Glee
November 18, 2009, 4:35 pm
Filed under: anthropologie

I get completely dorkily excited when I recognize pieces of clothing on TV shows; I’m sure I annoy all my friends because I feel compelled to yell out the IDs — “That’s J.Crew!,” “I have that DvF skirt!,” “That’s the Nanette Lepore coat I wanted last year!,” “Those are THE Chanel tights!, etc.  It’s a like a game to me, or some sort of validation/proof that all the time I waste browsing fashionz on the internetz is not totally wasted and can be applied to real life :)  So, yes, I made a little squealing sound when I saw Quinn (played by Dianna Agron) wear Anthropologie’s recently sold-out Jacqueline Dress in Navy on Glee last week:

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(image courtesy Dianna Agron Source)

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I love the way the dress was styled — they replaced the belt with a cobalt blue ribbon and added a navy cardi and a red headband.  Very simple but very chic, and I love the little pops of color against that neutral navy and cream background.  Sigh, I recently returned this dress — it was way too short on me and did not look respectable even with tights — but now I’m kind of bummed about it.

Do any of you watch this show by the way?  I kind of heart it, even though I fully expected to find it quite corny or boring.  It helps I guess that I have developed a giant crush on Mr. Schuster :)

Some more substantial posts coming your way soon by the way — sorry, I have been a laaazy lazy blogger this week .



Mamma’s got a brand new bag
November 12, 2009, 9:05 am
Filed under: anthropologie, handbags, ootd | Tags:

I’m not one of those people who can switch their handbag every day to coordinate with their outfit, or even every week.  Once in a while, I can probably bring myself to match a clutch to my dress, but that’s about it.  Otherwise, I switch bags about once a season.  It doesn’t matter if I’m carrying a Balenciaga or a ratty tote bag, I will doggedly cling to whatever new carrier I have switched to for three to four months out of sheer laziness — who wants to move their things from bag to bag?

Anyway, I made The Great Switch this weekend to a new little love of mine I got a few weeks back, a Miu Miu Bow bag in Zaffiro.  I love this bag — the leather is soft and supple, the gold hardware is so pretty against the inky blue-black of the Zaffiro (“Sapphire”) color, and it has cute leather *bows* on the sides.  What more could I ask for?  I also love how it works both as a handbag that you can carry on your wrists, as shown here…

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Anthropologie Northern Crown blouse, Express jeans, J.Crew Merino Ruffle cardigan, Jeffrey Campbell Love flats in ‘Wales’

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…and convertible enough to be worn on the shoulders or cross-body as a messenger bag, as here:

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Forever 21/Heritage 1981 Floral dress, Falke tights, Anthropologie Snakebite belt, J.Crew Opera Length Gold Ring necklace, Payless bow flats

Personally I prefer the cross-body configuration myself — so convenient!  I just unzip and grab what I need, all with one hand.  The bag doesn’t have outside pockets, which is kind of a bummer, but it does have one nice roomy interior zipped compartment, and so far I haven’t had any trouble finding or organizing anything.

Oh, and I just need to brag shamelessly for a second how I scored the Anthropologie Yoanna Baraschi Northern Crown blouse for a mere $10.  I was so smitten with all the ruffley goodness around the collar when it came out last year, but no way was I going to pay $148 for a shirt.  I waited for a sale, but it sold out!  And then…last weekend, I found it as a cast off return smushed into the corner of my local store, marked down about 15 times.  I was kind of scared that it was going to be too loose since it was a M and I usually wear a S, but I couldn’t pass that deal up, I just ran to the register before anyone else had a chance to get their paws on it.  Fortunately, it turns out the blouse runs pretty snug around the chest area and reveals a *lot* of cleavage, so good thing I got one size up, my true size would have been a disaster.  So now I’m thinking of it as fate ;)

Also, the Snakebite belt in the second picture is pretty much the best thing ever.  It was hyped up a lot across the internet, so much so that it even sold out, but I remained skeptical of it’s goodness — after all, how exciting can a mere belt be?  Most of my belts sit unused in a drawer as it is.  Then I had the good fortune to run across the Snakebite in the elusive gray color in store last month and thought I would try it on for the hell of it, since people had made such a big deal about it.  And then I saw what the talk was about — this thing is magical!  So easy and comfy to wear, so flattering, and so cute.  There are no hassles about buckling or adjusting the belt, it just goes on with one movement.  And it goes with everything!  I bought the grey, and I went ahead and bought another one in brown (obviously, I’m wearing it above), and now am seriously considering the black option as well.  Is that compulsive?  I don’t really care :)



Anthropologie featured in the December issue of Lucky
November 11, 2009, 2:33 pm
Filed under: anthropologie, shopping

anthro luckyanthro lucky

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I was flipping through my issue of Lucky yesterday when I saw two Anthro pieces being featured, which is a surprise, since I don’t see the brand in there too often (at least in my cursory readings).

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anthro lolland lucky

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The first is a piece that is already in stores, the Lolland Sweater Dress ($188), reviewed by me here.  Hilariously, this is touted as an item to help disguise a pouchy belly.  Ha!  Sorry if I don’t agree that a dress widely regarded to emphasize your hips is a great way to slim yourself.  Sure, no one will notice your belly, they’ll just think you gained 10 lbs overall!  I think Lucky is probably right on the trapeze-shape in general being slimming, but this specific dress doesn’t actually float away from your body, and the material sort of gathers around your hips.  I think the dress will actually work best on someone who is already pretty slim and willowy.  However, all that said, I must admit I still want it despite my own big hips and belly because it is cuuuute.

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anthro spider necklace closeup

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The second piece is this layered chain Joya/Vane Spider Pendant necklace ($78) [now listed on the site here, officially called the Joya Arachnid Perfumed Lavaliere], which features a little arachnid danging among various silver and black chains.  The spider actually opens up to reveal a little pot of jasmine-scented perfume balm.  I heart this necklace readers!  Perfume-balm aside, I just think it’s a lovely elegant gothic style piece that I would wear a lot in the fall-winter.  And, it’s almost cheaper than I expected from Anthro jewelry!  Vane is a fairly respectable jewlery line, and Joya makes lovely home fragrances, so hopefully this collaboration piece between them will be of very nice quality despite the friendly price tag.

So, I’m pretty happy to see my favorite store getting recognition, but I can’t help but be a little dismayed at the prominent featuring this time around, at least with the sweater dress.  Due to the exposure, pieces featured in Lucky sell out quite often, or at least are in verry high demand.  (Actually, the last time I remember an Anthro item in Lucky was in their December 2006 issue: an Extasia cameo bracelet I had my *heart* set on and was saving up for,  but which sold out within a month, even though it was over $300…)  I had been hoping for a sale, but does this now mean that the Lolland dress will not come down from it’s absurd price tag of $188 anytime soon?  Hrmph.

UPDATE: Sharp-eyed Jacquelyn pointed out that I missed the Anthropologie Florry Dress ($158) that was featured right alongside the Lolland in the “how-to” section above.  It’s a stunning dress, I just didn’t recognize it as Anthro right away as the picture in Lucky is significantly blacker/less-gray than the real-life version.  I have not seen this dress in person myself, but I think it’s lovely and is seems like it might be actually flattering to the body type in question :)  You can read Roxy’s positive review of it here.

UPDATE (again): I noticed the spider necklace is actually already on the site as the “Joya Arachnid Perfumed Lavaliere” — I didn’t see it originally because it was listed in the home section!

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anthro florry lucky



Light Bright
November 6, 2009, 2:07 am
Filed under: dvf, forever 21, jcrew, ootd

Two outfits from early this week:

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11/2 ootd 11/2 ootd

Diane von Furstenberg Jilda wrap dress in Why Green, J.Crew Perfect fit in Spearmint, J.Crew Summerweight Cashmere sweater, Chanel ballet flats

So, somewhat ironically, I was trying to dress bright and cheerful these two days, but I accidentally set my camera on “pinhole” mode without realizing it, which made my pictures old-timey and faded.  So much for brightness.   My somewhat incompetent bumbling with photo editing software was not enough to reverse the effect without making the pictures super grainy, but oh well.  I did take pictures with my cell phone in a dusty mirror for about a year, so I can’t’ complain too much :)

This outfit is me going wild with layering different shades in the same color family.  I really love dressing entirely in blue or in green a lot, but using a bunch of different greens/blues in the outfit, so as not to be so overwhelming.  The DvF dress was my starting point, I added the J.Crew cardigan in a similar color  (which by the way at the end of the day finally pilled its way out of my closet, the quality is seriously shameful), and, because I can’t wear DvF wraps shirtless without looking like a total hussy, a minty tank underneath.  I could have worn green heels or flats but it felt sort of overkill, so I just stuck to basic black.

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11/3 ootd 11/3 ootd

Forever 21 dress, J.Crew Primrose and Merino Ruffle cardigans, J.Crew Satin Silk Fiore clutch, Cole Haan Carma Mid Air pumps

This dress was an amazing bargain from Forever 21 — a mere $6.80.  It’s such an awesome, happy, ’60s number, I love it.  I originally had the orange cardigan in the right picture paired with it, but it felt a little too matchy so I switched it out with a yellow one to pick up the yellow highlights on the dress’s flowers and of course match the clutch.  Looking back at the photos I almost feel like I should have stuck to orange, but I’m sure I’ll pull this dress out later and be able to work that look some other time too.



Latest Anthropologie Reviews
November 5, 2009, 7:32 am
Filed under: anthropologie, dresses, shopping, wishlist

Here’s my latest round of Anthropologie in-real-life likes and dislikes!  I, by the way, am terrible at posting any reviews in a timely fashion (some of these pictures are more than a month old, shameful), but if you don’t already visit the wonderful Roxy of Effortless Anthropologie, you should, because she posts multiple reviews almost *every single day*, and, she’s holding a contest right now where you have the chance to win a $100 Anthropologie gift certificate.  If anything, you have to visit the contest entry just to see some of the hilarious haikus readers have submitted!

Now, on to the reviews!

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Anthropologie Rosettes-And-Ruffles Dress Anthropologie Rosettes-and-Ruffles Dress

Rosettes-And-Ruffles Dress – $188

Oh dress, I have a crush on you.  I really had a hard time separating myself from this piece in the store.  The color is just amazing — a lovely, deep, jewel-toned purple, and the signature Yoanna Baraschi embellished neckline is beautiful.  Annoying flaws it has however: a weird belt that’s sort of stiff and refuses to drape, a bizarre zip that only goes mid-way up the back, a frown-inducing price, the fact that I need Spanx to wear it (this last one may be entirely the fault of all the Cheez-its I’ve been consuming lately).

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Anthropologie Flight-Of-Swans Dress Anthropologie Flight-of-Swans Dress

Flight -Of-Swans Dress – $298

This dress is really pretty, though I’m still not sure if it’s for me.  The materials and cut are very high quality and really beautiful just to look at and feel.  The subtle swans-afloat-on-lake print is very pretty, and I like the little bit of pleated material that peeks out from the neckline.  Plus, it has my beloved pockets.  We all know formal dresses with pockets are a total win.  The first dress I saw on the rack was a 10, and remembering how heinously small Twinkle by Wenlan usually runs (well, at least according to my experience with the Budding Romance skirt this summer), I just grabbed it and went to the dressing room because I was too lazy to look any further and it seemed like it might work.  Well, it zipped up perfectly, so I guess the dress does run about 1-2 sizes small.  However, although it fits up top, I think the waist is cut a little big, and for some reason just makes me feel…wider…than I normally am.  I might wear it with an embellished belt or something if I do ever end up getting it down the line (contingent on it surviving about two sale markdowns though :) ).

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Anthropologie Lolland Sweater DressLolland Sweater DressBelted Lolland Dress

Lolland Sweater Dress - $188

Speaking of things that make me look even wider than usual, we have this dress.  It’s pretty adorable on the rack, like something a Scandanavian ice princess might wear, and it is very very comfortable.  Plus it has not one, but *two* sets of pockets.  Be still my heart.   However, the way it is cut kind of makes me look like the side of a house.  It is narrow on top and then just expands continuously as you go further down, making it no friend at all to the hippy.  You can’t really tell just how unflattering it is in pictures — I was reading Roxy’s review the other day, and I thought, “What is she talking about, she looks great!,” but in person, I understood what hers and all the other complaining reviews online have been about. If one was super slender and willowy, I imagine the front might fall better, like in the product shot.   It miiiight be acceptable with a belt at the waist…I attempted to test this with the Tall Tales Belt below, which didn’t exactly coordinate, but was nearby in my pile of things to try.  Maybe it could go better with the Snakebite belt in brown? Either way, it’s not something I would buy at the moment at its full price of almost $200 however.

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Anthropologie Fall Folliage Dress Anthropologie Fall Folliage Dress

Fall Folliage Sweater Dress – $148

A sweater dress that I wholly loved though was the Fall Folliage dress.  Unlike the Lolland, I actually think it looks much better in real life than it does in my picture!  (Seriously this shot is awful, and also, hi frizz — most of these pictures are at the end of the day when my hair is just out of control, sorry.  I’m not sure how to deal with it since I stopped straightening it lately.) It cinches nicely at the waist, the cut on top minimizes and slims the bustline while still looking pretty sexy, and I love its perfect Thanksgivingish hue — so lovely for Fall.

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Anthropologie C'est Bon Dress

C’est Bon Dress - $118

No pictures on this one, because when I tried it on I was in a bit of a rush — my boyfriend and I were walking to dinner, and I managed to sneakily divert our path into the store we were passing and cajol him into letting me try on some things.  I figured I should not push things by taking the time to stop and take pictures of everything :)  Anyway, it’s for the best, as I really hated this dress and thought it looked sort of horrible on me.  I really wanted to like it because of the lovely teal color, but it was bad news all around.  For one thing, the material is incredibly wrinkly…every dress on the rack looked thoroughly rumpled.  And even though the fabric feels kind of cool (sort of suedey), it is extremely thin and not really suited towards cold weather.  And then, on, I don’t know, I felt like it just kind of…sat there?  Perhaps I should have sized down (I was already in a S), but I felt the waist wasn’t cinched enough and it just looked like a potato sack or something.  Very blah.  Weirdly enough the boyfriend said he liked it though.  And not the cute flattering Fall Folliage dress!  Hrmph.  Men.  I do not understand.

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Anthropologie Efflorescence Dress Anthropologie Efflorescence Dress

Efflorescent Dress – $188

I found this dress to be pretty overrated and overpriced.  I was excited to see it because of how pretty it had looked online — I really liked the beautiful bursts of color at the neckline and hem.  But the material is a bit thin (this seems more like a spring/summer dress), and the embroidery looked…a bit amateur.  I (sort of, begrudingly) understand the $200 pricetag of the Lolland sweater dress above, which has lovely worksmanship, but not this.  The dress also hits just a little bit below knee, which makes it a little more matronly-feeling than I would have expected.

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Anthropologie Collected Corolla BlouseAnthropologie Collected Corolla Tee

Collected Corolla Tee – $78

This seems like a pretty popular item as I have checked the product page a couple of times in the last day or two as I have been laaazily writing this post and sizes keep disappearing at a rapid pace, and I think it now has completely sold out.  My local store seemed to have plenty earlier this week though.  At any rate, this top is very pretty, though the rosettes are not nearly as well defined as in the product image and in general the whole neckline seemed smushed and wrinkled to heck.  However, one of the SAs was wearing this and looked pretty gorgeous, so I think might look better with a good steaming to ease out all the wrinkles and make all the petals stand up properly.

Now we move onto a sea of red reviews :)

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Anthropologie Rise-And-Shine BlouseAnthropologie Rise-and-Shine Blouse

Rise-and-Shine Blouse - $88

When I first saw this in store, I didn’t know the name, but I immediately called it the “Bursting with Cuteness” blouse because it is just that freaking adorable.  The red is so bright and cheery, and the swiss dots (one of my favorite textures for clothing) amp up the sweetness even more.  I am usually between a 6 and an 8 in blouses, and the 8 was what I needed to fit my bust, though the waist was a teensy bit too big then.  Not enough to warrant a tailoring I don’t think, but just a warning that it’s not super fitted.

By the way, if you are interested in this blouse but don’t like the color or price, Urban Outfitters has an almost identical one here that comes in cream, purple and black for only $48.

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Anthropologie Birling Ruffle Coat Anthropologie Birling Ruffle Coat

Birling Ruffle Coat – $288

Ahhh, the adorableness.  Can I possibly justify my sixth red coat?  It has black in it, so, it wouldn’t count, would it?  (Let’s not get into how many black coats I have though…)  Anyway, I was afraid this coat would look too Lumberjack’s Sweet Sixteen what with the unexpected combo buffalo plaid and the ruffles, but it is so so very cute.  And so warm!  I tried on the small, but it was a bit too snug in the arms and across the chest when buttoned, and I was afraid it wouldn’t work for me if I was bundled up with sweaters and turtlenecks and the like underneath.  The medium worked perfectly (as expected, since I usually go up one size in anything Tracy Reese).   My only problem with the coat is that it tends to look a wee bit boxy from the side — even the small had this problem.  I wish the waist was cinched a bit.  Many reviewers online mentioned that they were thinking of wearing it as a coat-dress, but I really do think it is too loose around the waist for this to look good on my figure.  However, it does look pretty fabulous from the front still, so I still want want want it.  (Also, many reviewers talked about pockets in the reviews — if I hadn’t read about them, I seriously would not know they were there — they are VERY well sewn shut and concealed, you have to hunt for them at first.)

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Anthropologie Fall's Pinacle Jacket Anthropologie Juxtaposed Sweater Jacket

Fall’s Pinacle Jacket, Juxtaposed Sweater Jacket – $98 each

Both of these are such cute smart fall jackets.  The Fall’s Pinacle is lined with fleece, so it runs a bit small (I had to wear a medium to be comfy), but is very warm and toasty.  The Juxtaposed Sweater Jacket also runs a bit small, typical of Anthro’s yearly boiled wool offerings (see previously the Tick-
Tock Cardigan and the Carved Cove Sweater).  It really is the perfect Little Red Riding Hood jacket!  (Although as with most hoodies/sweaters, I found the top of the hood to be a bit pointy and not too useful as actually masquerading as Little Red — am I the only one with this problem?  Most hoods make me look like an alien/elf.)

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Anthropologie Carmen TiebackAnthropologie Carmen Tieback

Carmen Tieback - $148

This blouse is so so pretty.  The floral/ruffled neckline is something that Yoanna Baraschi does really well, and this is no exception.  My only disappointments are the color (which is a more muted pinkish orangish red, rather than the sassy bright Carmen-esque red of the product photos), and the price, which is absurd for the materials.  The fit doesn’t look that great on me because I am wearing it over a structured dress with a protruding belt, but it runs true to size.

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Anthropologie Cloud Cover Cardi Cloud Cover Cardi Cloud Cover Cardi

Cloud Cover Cardi - $68

I didn’t have super high expectations for this cardigan because of the low price point (…surely something must be wrong with it?), but it actually is super cute.  Yes, it’s on the thin side, and despite the fact that the label tells me it apparently has wool in it, it’s not going to be super warm.  But it’s certainly a gorgeous open-front cardigan (which I guess you don’t expect to keep you that warm anyway) with a nice drape to it.  In store, I saw that it also comes in a pretty peach/nude, though its not shown on the website at the moment.

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And lastly, my two favorites from Anthropologie’s new arrivals in the last week:

Anthropologie Snowscape TankAnthropologie Freshly Fallen Coat

Snowscape Tank – $148, Freshly Fallen Coat - $268

These two pieces are so amazingly winter wonderland that I can’t even stand it.  I *know* white coats are dangerous because of their dirt-displaying properties, but I can’t help it, it’s so pretty.  Do you see those rosettes and ruffles on the neckline?  I’m slain.  And the Snowscape tank is mocking me with it’s perfectly adorned neckline as well.  (It really reminds me of a lot of pieces by Claire La Faye on etsy though, so if you like it but would be more into supporting a small independent designer, please click that link!)

Have you guys tried any of the above pieces or love any others that have been in stores lately?  Any standouts that I’m missing? :)



Beautiful Thing of the Day: J.Crew Mint Tweed Griffith Coat
November 4, 2009, 12:17 pm
Filed under: jcrew, wishlist | Tags:

J.Crew Mint Tweed Griffith Coat

J.Crew Mint Tweed Griffith Coat – $395

If I hadn’t you know, JUST posted about a green coat I have that I love, I might be tempted to get this beauty from the rollout of new arrivals on J.Crew today.  What a stunning color.

Other than that, I didn’t see anything too exciting amidst the new arrivals. Anything catch your guys’ eyes?



Remembrance of Things Past
November 2, 2009, 12:57 am
Filed under: ootd | Tags: , , , ,

11/1 OOTD

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I was wearing various shades of green today and was trying to decide on a coat that would coordinate acceptably with them before I dashed out the door, when I remembered I had this beautiful coat from H&M stashed away at the back of my closet.   This piece is from 2004/5, a relic of my days studying abroad in Oxford.  I remember I bought it during a random weekend trip in Barcelona (I miss cheap easy travel via shady airlines like EasyJet and RyanAir), and it was my first buy at H&M (these were the Europe-only days), and the first time I really fell hard for a green piece of clothing (!).  The coat is nice, weighty and sturdy, fully lined in silky fabric and made and cut beautifully. The color and details remind me of some sort of vintage car coat.  I really don’t see pieces of similar quality at my local H&M at all these days, and I’m not sure if the export pieces are just less well made or if things have gone downhill in general or something.

A story demonstrating how illogical I can be about clothing: a couple of years ago, I was visiting my friend Jessica in San Francisco and parked my car somewhere in the Lower Sunset near her apartment.  Not the *best* of neighborhoods, but it looked semi-respectable.  I came back to my car in the morning to find my passenger window smashed in.  I somehow had had the foresight to take my iPod in my purse with me the night before, and the thief apparently didn’t find anything else to his taste, so nothing was actually missing…I was just left with the hassle of cleaning up thousands of pieces of smashed glass and replacing the window.  I was really shaken in general by the whole incident (it’s a scary feeling when someone violates your property), but somehow amidst the feelings of fear and anger, I distinctly remember feeling grateful and happy that the vandal had spared my beautiful, precious coat lying in plain sight on my back seat.   Yup, my priorities, they are totally straight.

Here I am flouncing about a bit in said coat:

11/1 OOTD

11/1 OOTD

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I reached into my pocket midway through the day and found this little scrap of paper nestled inside, a single Paris metro ticket.  It overwhelmed me with memories from the time I decided to impulsively hop on the Eurostar from London to Paris and make a day-trip of it.  I literally did not know *any* French except for the phrase c’est la vie and I ended up hopelessly lost and confused wandering around the Gare du Nord station, because no one wanted to help the crazy American figure out how to buy a subway ticket or even find the subway entrance.  Then I remembered a word my roommate in Oxford had mentioned when describing her Paris trip to me — carnet, a book of ten metro tickets.  I just repeated it over and over again until someone took pity and helped me, and pretty much rode out the rest of my trip on that word with no further problems!

Carnet

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Now, onto what’s underneath. My Sock Dreams order with their awesome Lace Topped Over the Knee socks came earlier this week (two days after I ordered!), and they are super warm and cozy, but, as with all knee-ish length socks, I am so uncertain how to wear them without actually looking too juvenile, or, alternately, too skanky (or…both).  I decided to try pairing them with heels and a somewhat muted color palette, and I think the result was okay.  I still wouldn’t wear an outfit like this to work (even with the total lack of a dress code), but it seemed acceptable for at home and walking about downtown this weekend.  How do you guys generally wear knee or over-the-knee socks?  I could use suggestions!

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11/1 OOTD

11/1 OOTD

Wet Seal Dress (not a store I normally frequent, but I saw it in a window last year, and it was a mere $12), J.Crew Spearmint tank, Sock Dreams Lace Topped Over the Knee socks, Rebecca Minkoff Lovers Clutch in Gunmetal, Kate Spade Kelly shoes

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Rebecca Minkoff Lovers Clutch in Gold Snake

The clutch, a Rebecca Minkoff piece, is a recent-ish acquisition…I saw this promo picture for it in gold snake at the beginning of September, but they must have made only about 5 of those, since it was completely sold out already (and I think her Fall collection had barely been released at that time).  Anyway, I was kind of debating buying it in a less-exciting colorway, when this shimmery gunmetal version of it sold out too, and I started to panic, since now my only option was basic black.  Fortunately I finally snagged the gunmetal on eBay, and it’s still awesome, even if it’s not the one that originally captivated my heart.

Lastly, a close-up of my lovely Kate Spades…they are the perfect shade of bottle green :)

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Kate Spade Kelly Pumps



Some tights I’m coveting…
October 28, 2009, 9:56 am
Filed under: anthropologie, wishlist | Tags:

tights

1. Cynthia Rowley Dot Tights — A subtler version of my studded Bebaroque tights from last year.

2. Forever 21 Floral Panel Tights — I actually bought a pair last year (unaware of any Chanel associations), and ended up adoring them.  Since I live in fear of snagging them, I think I need about 3 backups, they are perfect.

3. Modcloth Reverberation Tights — Very Rodarte.

4. Banana Republic Patterned Tights — This and the equally awesome Spanx “Trinket” tights may just be as close to the elusive diamond-pattern Leifsdottir tights I’m going to get.

5. Anthropologie Art Deco Tights — Warm, with a great pattern and lovely teal color, what more could I ask for?  Sort of similar to last year’s awesome Jumbled Crochet tights.

6. Post Butterfly Tattoo Tights — These butterfly ones are my favorites, but the two artists behind this etsy shop make tattoo-resembling tights in all sorts of awesome patterns, and some are truly impressive.  I was very tempted to get these bat ones for Halloween.

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Anthropologie Berry Bush Tights

Anthropologie Berry Bush Tights

Tragically, these babies are already sold out online, sob.  I’m pretty sure it has to do with this amazing product shot pairing them with the incredible (backordered until December!) Always-A-Lady Skirt.  I want both of ‘em so bad it hurts.

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From Garance

Emilio Cavallani Heart Tights

I saw this beautiful image on Garance Doré the other month and fell head over heels for the glorious velvet heart tights pictured.  These are already long sold out, but I still crave any and all heart tights now.

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louis vuitton

Louis Vuitton Logo Tights

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Plumo Lace Tights

Plümo Lace Tights – £89.00

Be still my heart.  I think my wallet might have a coronary if I order these, but they are simply breathtaking.

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And finally, a little Sock Dreams order I placed…S.D really is the mecca for beautiful, interesting, affordable tights, season after season.  And I love that shipping is always free and they sent me my order less than 2 hours after I had placed it.

Sock Dreams Order

Top Row: Kalana Wool Crochet Tights , Lace Topped Over the Knee,  Foot Traffic Bamboo Tights.

Bottom Row: Fern Lace Stay-Up Thigh Highs in Flannel and Black (the Flannel already sold out before I had a chance actually, boo) and the  Vertically Inclined Stockings.

Have you guys spotted any cool or interesting tights lately?  What are your favorites to wear during fall or winter?  I’m kind of boring in that I mostly gravitate towards greys and blacks (albeit in various patterns and textures), but I’m willing to experiment with a little color or trend embellishments this season I think.



Latest Anthropologie Loves
October 20, 2009, 3:02 am
Filed under: anthropologie, dresses, jewelry, wishlist

I’m loving the gorgeously detailed necklines on so many of Anthropologie’s recent arrivals.  Some of my favorites:

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Anthropologie Carmen Tieback

Carmen Tieback – $148

Some people are probably long sick of the ruffles trend.  Not me, pile ‘em on.  And feel free to make them morph into rosettes (another trend I persist in loving) midway through the neckline.

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Anthropologie Midnight Wanderer Dress

Midnight Wanderer Front Midnight Wanderer Back

Midnight Wanderer Dress – $288

Check out the gorgeous pleating down the bodice of this dress, and the lovely pressed pleats on the back.  And of course, the beautiful gemmed harness-like straps are just amazing.

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Anthropologie Pond Lily Scarf

Pond Lily Scarf - $68

I can’t decide if this scarf is too cutesy for me to actually wear in public, but I’m not sure I particularly care at this point.  It looks so cozy and so cute, and I love the colors used.

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Anthropologie Rosettes and Ruffles Dress

Rosettes-And-Ruffles Dress – $168

This little number is sitting at the verrrry top of my wishlist.  Yoanna Baraschi pretty much releases the same type of rosette neckline once a season (see: the Northern Crown Blouse, the Trimmings Dress, the Profiterole Blouse), but wow, she does it so so well, so why not?  The rich purple hue of this dress in particular is to die for and perfect for all sorts of fall and winter soirees.

And not really neckline related, but I would be remiss not to mention these two gorgeous pieces from yesterday’s rollout that I am pretty much beside myself for:

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Anthropologie Cloud Cover Cardi

Cloud Cover Cardi – $68

I am confused how something as lovely as this could go for a mere $68,when the very similar Potter’s Wheel Cardigan is priced at $238, but hey, I’m not complaining.  This chiffon-edged looks so comfy and chic.  I’m hoping it will fare better in person on me than the rather ill-fitting Potter’s Wheel.

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Anthropologie Captured Gems Bracelet

Captured Gems Bracelet - $168

I adore this bracelet.  It reminds me of my Nicole Miller Juxtaposed Bracelet from Anthro’s offerings last winter, but much better and more wearable.  I love how rhinestones are so in at the moment…they make my tacky, bling-loving heart so happy.

I haven’t seen any of these items in store yet, but I hope to stop by this weekend and check them out.  Has any one else seen them though and have any opinions or advice?  Any other pieces you are liking from the rest of Anthropologie’s recent arrivals?