Monday, January 30, 2012

Loopy

This morning when I got dressed I decided to wear an outfit I created on Polyvore last night. I wanted to wear a few items I hadn't worn for a while so I came up with this:

Loop Stack Cardigan/Loosely Looped Top/Skinnies



It was rather chilly this morning when I left the house so I threw on the boots to keep me warm. Here's how it turned out in real life:



What I Wore:
-Loop Stack Cardigan-Anthropologie
-Loosely Looped Tee-Anthropologie (gift)
-Ultimate Skinny Jeans-Banana Republic
-Miz Mooz "Siri" Knee-High Boots-Endless
-Rocky Candy Bracelet-Anthropologie
-Bardot Earrings-Stella & Dot
-Ring-Banana Republic

I had to laugh because both the cardigan and top had the term "loop" in their names somehow...what are the chances?

Did you have a good weekend? We had a really fun one. On Saturday we decided to head up towards Tahoe for a sledding adventure with the boys. We found the perfect sledding hill near Strawberry Lodge. I knew about it because when I was teenager my church's youth group used to go there for activities in the winter to sled. The weather was perfect and the hill was perfectly slippery. We brought up four sleds and by the end of the day two of them had bit the dust. They were only like $4 in the clearance section at Target, so no love lost. My boys had a really good time but I was surprised to see how much my youngest loved to sled! He couldn't get enough, little dare-devil. I'll leave you with a picture from the snow...check out my fashionable look...snow pants tucked into rain boots and all! Every once in a while fashion goes by the wayside in the name of fun. =)

Have a great day!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Happy Friday!!!

Another week under the belt! Happy Friday everyone. Friday is my favorite day of the week. Monday is a close second just because I like fresh starts, but Friday wins out. I love knowing there's no homework to do after school, I love that my husband will be home before the sun goes down, and I love that I can stay up as late as I want without worrying about feeling like a zombie the next morning (no alarm going off on Saturday mornings in this house). Friday is the best day of the week, for sure. On top of it being Friday, the sun is out! It's gorgeous here today in the bay area. These are the kinds of winter days I am going to miss when we move.

Today I got up, dropped my boys off at school, came home and ate breakfast, surfed the Internet a bit, ran my 4 miles on the treadmill while watching "Live with Kelly", and then got ready for the day. Time to decide what to wear! Every once in a while I have those days when I just don't feel like wearing pants, and today was one of those days. Thank goodness I have a few Maxi dress options in my closet to choose from on days like today. Lifesavers! There is something to be said about an outfit that is completed with just one garment. Makes life so easy!



What I Wore:
-Fractal Medallion Maxi-Anthropologie
-Boutique 9 Booties-Endless (also called the "Carapace Wedges" at Anthro)
-Necklace-Nordstrom (BP)
-Bardot Earrings-Stella & Dot
-Bracelet-Silpada Jewelry (gift)
-Ring-Pree Brulee

I've been playing on Polyvore quite a bit this week. If you follow me at all you know that I made a little purchase from Ruche the other day:

Kensington Ruffle Blouse in teal



How amazing is that shade of teal? I am crossing my fingers it's just as gorgeous in real life as it is online. I have big plans for this cute top. I see it being paired with a pencil skirt, skinny jeans, bootcut jeans, colored jeans, with flats, with heels...endless possibilities! Wanna know the best thing about it? It was only $33.99. Deal! Since purchasing the top I noticed another cute top popped up on their website that I'm also loving:

Dylana Mod Tunic Dress



I'm a fan of those cute Chevron stripes! How cute would this be belted, paired with colored jeans and a statement necklace?! Love it. May not be able to resist. :)

Do you shop at Ruche? Picked anything up there lately?

Hope you all have a great start to your weekends!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

The Last Minute Date Night

Hubs and I try to get out by ourselves at least once a month. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't. Logistics. Things like call schedules and family obligations take over sometimes. January has been kind of a crazy month for some reason and we totally lost track of time. Last Saturday we were lounging around (ok, we were still in bed at 10:30am being lazy) and decided we should go out that night. It had been too long! I texted one of the girls that we ask to babysit sometimes and lucky for us she was available...in 6 hours. YAY! A reason to get all dressed up!



What I Wore:
-Paradise Ascending Top-Anthropologie
-Hibai Cardigan-Anthropologie
-Always Skinny Jeans-Gap
-Sweeping Stitch Heels-Anthropologie
-Earl Grey Necklace-Anthropologie
-Bardot Earrings-Stella & Dot
-Bracelet-Silpada Jewelry (gift)
-Ring-Banana Republic

We went to dinner and shopped around a little. It was nice to get out, just the two of us. Our next date night is already planned...Josh has a work dinner we're planning on going to with all the other residents and their spouses, so that should be fun. Somehow it just so happened to get scheduled right around Valentines day. Same thing happened last year. Sneaky! =)

Hope your week is going well! We've almost made it to another weekend...YAY! Enjoy your day!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Girls Night OOTD: Ink Drenched Tee

Two weekends ago I was able to get out for a night with some friends. It's always nice to have a chance to escape for a bit...good for me and good for my family I think. Everyone needs a break! I broke out my new Ink Drenched Tee that I picked up a few weeks ago with the help of a gift card I got in my stocking from Santa (my in laws) on Christmas morning. I really love the fun colors of this cute tee. Every time I turn around a new print/design of this top keeps popping up at Anthro...I fear I love them all!



What I Wore:
-Ink Drenched Tee-Anthropologie (Multi motif)
-Always Skinny Jeans-Gap
-BDG Tall Leather Boots-Urban Outfitters (Fall 2010)
-Honey House Necklace-Anthropologie
-Earrings-Nordstrom (BP)
-Bracelet-Silpada Jewelry (gift)
-Ring-Catalog

This past weekend as I was browsing online I came across this:



Look familiar? It's yet another version of the Anthro "Layered Column Dress" found at Modcloth here for about $100 less. The selling point for me was the length. The Modcloth version is only 41.5" long as opposed to the Anthro version which is a whopping 48" long. There is a difference in the fabrics they're made out of, but I'm not as concerned by that. Paying all that money for the Anthro version and then having to go get it altered because it was going to be too long on my short legs was holding me back from really moving forward on this dress. That, and the price tag. The Modcloth version has already sold out after being online only 4 or 5 days so I'm guessing there were quite a few people who felt like me and jumped on it. I hope it's as cute on as it is in the picture...you just never know till you get it! I'll keep you posted.

Alrighty...the treadmill is calling my name. Gotta get moving! Have a great day!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

***Misikko HANAair Hair Dryer Review***

About a month ago my beloved CHI blow dryer I'd been using for about the past 7 years, died on me. I quickly ordered another so I'd have it in time for our vacation to Sedona for Christmas. In the mean time I took a little trip over to my local drug store and picked up a cheapie $20 Revlon blow dryer to use until my new one arrived. I hated it. After using my CHI for all those years there was nothing else I was going to like, I assumed. My new CHI arrived and away we went on our vacation. About 4 days into vacation, my brand new CHI blow dryer also died. It wouldn't turn on at all. I must have got a dud. Lucky for me I was staying with my sis-in-laws who let me borrow their hair dryers for the next few days. The day after it broke, I checked my email and there just happened to be an email from Misikko asking me if I would like to review one of their hair dryers. Um, YES, PLEASE! Was this fate, or what?

The people at Misikko couldn't have been nicer and promptly sent me the "HANAair Professional Hair Dryer, or what they refer to as "The Premiere Hair Dryer". Misikko prides themselves in having the best hair dryers on the market, so I was excited to give it a try. When it arrived it was like Christmas all over again! The presentation was amazing and it really was more than just a hair dryer...it was a fabulous gift. Take a look at how it arrived:



And a few more up-close pictures of what was inside:








And here it is out of the package:



I've been using the hair dryer for a little over two weeks now...I wanted to get a few weeks worth of use in before I did any type of review to really get a good feel for it. The first day I used it I thought it was fine. The next few days I was a little unsure, but now, a few weeks in, I think I've finally decided I like it. This blow dryer sells for $194.99 (on sale) at Misikko's website. I'm comparing that to what I paid for my CHI that lasted me about 7 years (hubby got it for me for Christmas for $130 in 2004--oddly enough that is also how much I paid for the new one that broke...apparently prices haven't changed much). All in all, I would say this blow dryer is about on par with the CHI, with a few differences, so I feel the price is a little high at $194.99. I really feel it should be lower, around $150 perhaps. Here's a list of pros and cons I came up with after using it:

Pros:
-My hair feels and looks a little more silky than it was before. I never really thought the CHI left my hair looking fried but after using the HANAair, I now see that it did just a little.
-It has 2 control buttons...one for controlling the heat (off-low-high) and one for controlling the temperature (off-warm-hot). My CHI did not have the option to change the temperature to warm vs. hot so this is an area that the HANAair won out in. Both have the "Cool" buttons, as most blow dryers do. I like having the option of changing the temperature, but I honestly keep it on hot most of the time anyway.
-The blow dryer does not feel hot on the outside where the air comes out. The CHI always got super hot and would almost burn me if I accidentally touched the end.
-My hair is dry in 4 minutes flat. I have fine, thin hair so it doesn't take long to dry. This was also the same with my old CHI...so in this regard they are about the same.
-Probably the biggest difference between the HANAair and my old CHI, is that the HANAair leaves my hair cool to the touch and makes my hair feel less fly-away and fried, overall. When I dried my hair with the CHI dryer, my hair was always hot and started to look a little frizzy in the front (long bangs). To a girl with fine, thin hair, keeping my hair in tact is KEY as I don't have much of it, so the fact that I feel like I have less breakage and damage occurring while I blow-dry, is a great thing.
-The packaging...it really is like you're getting an amazing gift when you get this in the mail. It's a substantial box, full of neatly wrapped goodies along with the item you actually ordered. A+ in my book!
-The cord is long...I never have to worry about being able to find an outlet that's within a certain distance...this cord is very long.

Cons:
-Price. While I think it is a pretty good blow dryer, spending almost $200 to acquire this little gem is a little much. As mentioned before, I feel it should be at least $50 cheaper.
-While I love having the heat control button on this blow dryer, sometimes I wish the "hot" button actually blew out air that was a little more hot. That being said, I'm sure there's a reason it doesn't which probably leads to the above stated "pro" of having hair that isn't as frizzy and damaged in the end.
-It is a little on the loud side. My CHI was also loud, but I think the HANAair is a little louder.

Overall I like the HANAair Professional Hair Dryer. It definitely has the look and feel of a professional grade blow dryer, and the quality is great. Would I have bought it on my own for $194.99? No. Would I have considered it if it were closer in price to the CHI blow dryer I had previously used? Yes. Overall I would recommend this blow dryer to an interested party and say that it has been a positive change in my morning routine. Thanks so much to Misikko for giving me the opportunity to try it out!

For product comparison information check out these links:

CHI Hair Dryers
FHI Hair Dryers

Friday, January 20, 2012

Rainy Day pins and an OOTD

Happy Friday everyone! Winter has finally arrived here in the bay area. The temperatures have dropped, the sun is hidden away and the rain has begun. It's a dreary day today. But hey, it's still Friday, and I love me a weekend. We don't have any big weekend plans...hubby's on call so we'll just be sticking around town. I usually don't cook on Fridays but I have a feeling the rain is going to make me want to stay in so I'm planning on making homemade pizzas for dinner tonight. Quick and easy, and something I know the boys will all eat. Anything exciting going on in your neck of the woods?

Like many of you, I love Pinterest. I don't spend as much time on Pinterest as I do other things, but when I do I can easily sit for an hour or two and just browse and pin away. I love finding fashion, recipes, kid stuff, crafts, home decor ideas...you name it I'm sure I've wasted time looking at it on Pinterest. I love seeing what other people are pinning so I thought I'd share a few of my favorite pins lately:

Love this cute color combination:


Such a sweet idea:

Source: etsy.com via Jenni on Pinterest



I dream of having all white bedding one day and this against those dark painted walls and headboard is amazing. Such a great balance:


YUM:


Messy Chic...I need longer hair STAT:


It's so hard to find a boy-ish Valentine...this is totally cute though:


Totally need this for our family...my boys are obsessed with legos:


Yes, please:


My current shoe obsession that may find their way to my closet sooner than later:


How about you? What are you loving on Pinterest lately?

Now onto an OOTD...I snapped this picture last week while I was out and about. I have planned to wear this cardigan and top together from the time I had both of them in my closet, but somehow it's taken me months to get around to actually wearing it. Finally, here they are together:



What I Wore:
-Gathering Tank-Anthropologie
-Cinchona Cardigan-Anthropologie
-Curvy Jeans-Gap
-Stacked Strap Heels-Anthropologie
-Small Open Circle Necklace-Shabby Apple
-Papoose Hoops-Anthropologie
-Ring-Forever 21

When I bought these shoes I really had no intention of wearing them on an every day basis because they have a thinner heel. I don't usually rock the thin heels for afternoon pick-up at school or anything...it's not your typical mom heel. However, these shoes are amazingly comfortable and stable and you don't even feel like you're wearing a heel that's as thin as it is, so I made an exception. It's a pretty good magic trick, really. Not sure how the designers did it, but it worked.

Alrighty...off to get some stuff done before kiddo #1 gets out of school. Hope you all have a great weekend! Stay dry!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

What are you waiting for--an OOTD

Hi there! It's been a while since I've posted...my Internet unexpectedly went out on me this week so I wasn't able to get online at all. You definitely don't notice how much you use the Internet until you don't have it. I sure missed it! Now I'm back on and back at it.

Do you ever purchase something you really love but find it hanging in your closet with the tags still on months later? Maybe you still totally love it but feel like you want to save it for a special occasion or the perfect overall look. The Tokonoma Tee has been that item in my closet for the past few months. I scored this cute top during Black Friday for a steal. I've looked at it time and time again when I've gotten dressed for the day thinking I should pull it out and wear it, but then never seemed to grab for it. Not sure what I was waiting for, but I can now say the waiting game is over. It's been broken in, and I love it!



What I Wore:
-Tokonoma Tee-Anthropologie
-Cardigan-Loft
-Ultimate Skinny Jeans-Banana Republic
-Miz Mooz "Siri" Knee-High Boots-Endless
-Drawing Room Necklace-Anthropologie
-Kenneth Cole Earrings-Macy's
-Bracelet-Twisted Silver (gift)
-Ring-Forever 21

What was I waiting for? Can't wait to wear it again! I dare you to open your closet tomorrow, grab that one thing out that still has the tag on and wear it. You'll be glad you did. :)

So did you score anything on sale at Anthro this week? I managed to pick up these fun items:




Oh Anthro, you evil tempter...you and all your cute clothes. What would I do without you? =)

Hope you have a great day!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Thursday Thoughts (with an OOTD)

-It's Thursday already! This week has actually gone by pretty quick, thankfully. I'm really looking forward to the three day weekend (as if we didn't just have a three week break).

-I'm looking forward to going out to dinner with friends at Gott's in Napa for girl's night on Saturday night. Can't wait! Burgers, fries, milkshakes and girl talk...some of my faves!!

-Thursday nights are good TV nights...excited for the new episodes of Grey's and Project Runway All-Stars tonight (although I'm missing Heidi Klum...who is this new host anyways?)

-We just told my husband's commanding officer our wish list for where we want to be stationed next. Now we wait. I'm so impatient...this may kill me.

-Anthro just keeps coming out with more cute versions of the Catalan Tee...I want one of each. Now I love this one too:



-This is the first year in a long time that I don't mind the month of January. Usually it's my least favorite month and I feel such a let down from the holidays but this year I'm sorta loving this month for some reason. Perhaps it's because I'm just excited it's finally 2012 and I know big things are happening this year? Whatever it is I like it!

-I really want to be better about sending birthday cards/presents on time this year. It sounds silly but I'm seriously terrible about it. I think I sent my one sis-in-law's birthday present to her in September this year...her birthday was in June. Bad. Sorry Erin. =) Gotta be more prepared!

-I started reading a few tutorials online about how to use my camera better. I'm totally excited to learn. I wish there was a class I could go take to actually be taught instead of trying to teach myself. I know there are classes out there...it's just not a convenient time to be taking one right now. One day.

-This is what I wore a week ago...love this cute cardi I scored for half off last month!



-Hibai Cardigan-Anthropologie
-Top-Banana Republic Factory
-Jeggings-American Eagle
-Land and Lake Heels-Anthropologie
-Lucky Brand Necklace-Macy's
-Earrings-Express
-Bracelet-Silpada Jewelry (gift)

-I can't stop eating Mike & Ikes this week. They're so addicting!

-I really wish my hair would grow about 5 more inches...I'm running out of patience.

-I wonder if I'll ever grow out of being a procrastinator? Probably not.

-I told my son I was 30 the other day when he asked how old I was. Forgot I was actually 31. Whoops. I think I'm too young for my memory to already be fading!

-Did I mention tomorrow is Friday? YAY! Almost the weekend!

Have a great day! =)

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Accessory Search: Camera Bag

Happy Tuesday all! This morning I sat down at the computer with a mission in mind...to find and purchase a new camera bag. Hubby bought me a new camera for Christmas and I love it! It's been fun to have a "nicer" camera instead of just a point and shoot. That being said, I want to keep this nicer camera, well, nice! I'm in need of a camera bag ASAP! After doing some searching online I came to the conclusion that it's really hard to find a cute, stylish, affordable bag. Who would have known? There are a lot of handmade bags offered on ETSY but I really wanted a good, solid, sturdy bag that actually looked like and could double as an everyday purse so I could just grab it and go whenever I wanted. So you wanna know what I finally chose? Say hello to my new camera bag:





This is the Rose-Marigold bag from Jo Totes. Isn't it darling!?! I've always wanted a yellow bag. I love all the cute compartments and the inside lining...so fun. At first glance it may not seem super affordable, but when you compare it to all the other options out there you'll start to change your mind (I certainly did). Sticking to my plan of spending less in the new year, I sold a few items this past week on EA's Trade market that helped cover a big chunk of the expense of this bag so I didn't feel so bad about it at all. I can't wait for it to arrive!

I'd also love to find a cute camera strap to replace the one my camera came with...it works just fine but it's just typical and boring. Nothing too cute. That will be a project for another day.

An hour and a half later...mission complete. On with my day. =)

Monday, January 9, 2012

OOTD Cheat

I'm cheating a little. Just a bit. I wore the exact outfit to church today that I wore two Sundays ago to church on Christmas Sunday in Sedona, AZ. No one really knows though, so it's ok. It'll be our little secret. It sure made getting dressed for church today an easy process, that's for sure! I already knew exactly what to put together and how to accessorize since I liked the way it turned out the first time.



What I Wore:
-Dress-DownEast Basics
-Marled & Stitched Sweatercoat-Anthropologie
-Tights-Kohl's (see other cute tights from Kohl's HERE)
-Stacked Strap Heels-Anthropologie
-Drawing Room Necklace-Anthropologie
-Earrings-Banana Republic
-Bardot Spiral Bangle-Stella & Dot
-Ring-Forever 21

So tomorrow is the big day...the day school starts back up! I'm planning on heading to bed in a bit to get myself back on track to get up bright and early in the morning. I'm dreading it but I just remind myself we already get another day off next Monday for Martin Luther King day. That makes it a little better. =)

Hope your week gets off to a great start!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Reader Question--How to re-do your closet!

Yesterday I received an email from a reader named Krissy asking a really great question...one that I thought I'd share with you and answer on my blog. She asked the following:

"If you had to completely start over and build your wardrobe from scratch, what would be your 15-20 must-have items? Also, any tips you would like to share on re-building?"

Wow, what on earth would I get if I was starting over? There are so many possibilities! Now let me preface this by stating that I am hardly an expert on this topic. I still change my mind about what I like daily! But I thought a lot about it and decided I'd look in my Polyvore account to see what items I have in my closet that I seem to use the most. I also tried to decide what I would be sad to be without. When I was going through and adding in cardigans and shoes, I was way over 15-20 items so I took the liberty to turn Krissy's 15-20 item request into 36 items...you can pick and choose what's more important to you of the bunch.

Here is what I would start with if I was to start over in MY closet:

If I had to start over...



Row 1-Cardigans: I wear cardigans ALL THE TIME so to me they are a super important component in my wardrobe. When it comes to cardigans I like to have a variety to choose from: short sleeved, long sleeved, 3/4 sleeved, cropped, boyfriend length...there are so many kinds! Then there is the matter of color and print. When deciding what fits best into your wardrobe I think you should pick a few colors that you really love and would find easy to mix and match with what's in your closet. I say the brighter the better! I'm not one to stick to black and white and feel that cardigans are a way to add color to your look so color is what I would go with. I also think fun printed cardigans are fun to have on hand and a great way to jazz up an outfit. Animal print is always a classic print, stripes are great, and florals are easy to mix and match with. One of each please! Lastly depending on where you live, one may need a nice chunky-weave, heavier open cardigan to layer with. I picked one of these up this year and it is the perfect go-to lazy-day topper. It's super warm and comfy yet stylish so even when you're feeling lazy you look stylish!

Row 2-Tops: This may be the hardest category to fill in one's closet because there are so many types of tops to consider. Personally I don't wear tank tops without a cardigan so I would only choose a few tanks to start with. I would then mix in short sleeved, long sleeved and 3/4 sleeved tops. You also need to consider the color/prints of tops you wear the most. Do you prefer solid colors? Prints? Is it easy for you to mix and match a print? Go with what you're most comfortable with. I think you should also add in a top or two that would be considered a little more on the dressy side for special occasions like a date night. I like dressier tops to be in a fabric that's nicer than your everyday cotton. Something with silk is a great choice. That's a lot of things to consider, but narrowing it down is the hardest part when it comes to building a wardrobe.

Row 3-Bottoms: This was the easiest category for me to decide on. I primarily wear skinny jeans day to day so I stuck with a few pairs of those. I love my dark denim skinnies, but colored denim is so in right now so I would throw in a pair of those too. White is also a classic color that will never go out of style so they made the list as well. Finally, I lived in my cropped denim last summer so they are a must. As for skirts, I feel like you need to fill three criteria: a basic neutral pencil skirt, a solid color skirt of some other shape (choose a color you love and have an easy time pairing) and a printed skirt of some sort with a lot of colors to mix and match with. I also threw a few dresses into this category. One short, and one long. I stuck with easy solid colors to mix and match with, and shapes that are universally flattering. I like the short dress because it can be worn out to a special event. Pick a fabric that looks more expensive than it is. A Maxi dress is the easiest thing to throw on in the summer yet can be layered in the winter just as easily. Win-win! Plus there will always be days I just don't feel like wearing pants and these are the days I love to throw on a dress.

Row 4-Shoes: This is the most fun category to fill in my mind...I love me some shoes! Shoes are so personal and everyone's "must have" list will be so different. I feel a good mix of flat and heeled shoes are important I also think you need to have both open and closed toed shoes to pick from. Again, this category may be filled differently depending on where you live and how many months of summer weather there are. I wear heels a lot so the majority of the shoes I would go with are wedges or heels. I also think it's important to have at least a few pairs of brightly colored shoes thrown into the mix to add some pop in certain outfits. A pair of boots is a must, as are some more dressy shoes for special events. I tend to stick to a lot of neutral colored shoes I've realized. No matter how many times I've told myself to avoid buying neutral colored shoes, I gravitate toward them. As long as they fill a different need in your closet, I say go for it. You're gonna grab what you love the most so don't pretend to love something you really don't otherwise it'll just sit in your closet unworn.

So there you have it...the basics of what I would start off buying if I were to do it all over again. There are of course many other things that I would add to my closet if I was starting over such as belts, tights, jewelry, coats, etc, but these are the core items I would suggest beginning with. This new closet is so different from the closet I would have built three years ago. It's a lot more fun now. I think that's only because I got a little more brave and tried new colors, prints and combinations I never was brave enough to try before. I've basically decided to wear what I love and own it. There are times I walk out of my house still, not totally certain that what I'm wearing, works. Sometimes it really doesn't work (I find out later after snapping a picture of it and cringing). But those snapshots have taught me a lot over the past few years.

The hardest part about building a closet is knowing what you really like the most. There are plenty of things I've bought over the years because I really truly thought I loved them and had to have them, only to find them in the giveaway pile a few years later. Unfortunately finding what you really love is sometimes a trial and error process. Only when you figure out what looks best on you, what colors you wear the most, what shapes and cuts flatter your figure the best and what you tend to gravitate towards the most, can you build a closet that will fit you best.

If you want to add anything to this, or share any opinions on the matter, please feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear what you think! Did I miss anything that you would add in? Would you change anything in your closet re-do? Let's hear it!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Anthro Fitting Room Reviews--First Round of 2012!

Hi there! Hope your first week of the year is going good! We're still in vacation mode around my house...another few days before reality sets back in. Since I had some free time I headed out to Anthropologie on Monday to return a few things and was able to try on a handful of new items that I snapped a few pictures of for you to see! Review time! Here we go...

1. Dappled Sea Blouse-$138




This was the surprise of the day in my book...I loved it! I had seen this top online and it didn't do much for me but when I saw it hanging on the rack in the store the colors and print really jumped out at me. I tried this on in an X-Small and it was perfect. I love the way it hangs...totally non-fussy and easy to wear. This top will be so cute paired with white jeans, cropped denim, and I even liked it with the purple AG Stevies I tried them on with. This top has jumped up high on my wish list...love it!

2. Ink Drenched Tee-$68 (Both Multi and Black motifs)

Multi motif:

Black motif:


This is the sister top to the Catalan Tee (reviewed next) that's been out a few months. I already really liked the Catalan Tee so I figured I'd like these just as much...I was right. I loved BOTH motifs of the Ink Drenched Tee and found them to fit the same as the Catalan Tee...I took an X-Small in these. I really fell in love with the print of the Multi motif...the almost painted look of the print and gorgeous colors are what drew me in immediately. This little darling came home with me...I happened to have a gift card from Christmas that helped me purchase this. Love! I wouldn't be opposed to picking up the Black motif when it hits sale as well as it's a top I can wear stand alone without layering which is something I'm trying to focus more on this year.

3. Catalan Tee-$68



As mentioned above, this tee fits the same as the Ink Drenched Tee. I took an X-Small in this cute top and love it. I really like the neutral factor of this top as it can be paired with any color on bottom. Wish listed for sale!

4. Wrapped-Ruched Tee-$58 (Black and Red motifs)




I first noticed this top online because it looked like a top that would be sooo comfy, yet stylish at the same time. It can also be worn alone without layering which is a plus in my book! I tried this on first in an X-Small and it was clear that it would be way to tight in both the arms and body. I slipped on the size Small next...much better. Small was the way to go. I will say though that the Black small fit a little tighter than the Red Small in the chest area (perhaps this cold be fixed by trying on a few and finding one that fit better). By the way, I think the Red looks more like bright orange so I'm not sure why they're calling it Red. I actually really love the bright orange color...super cute! The top has a cross over effect on the top that is really flattering and comfortable. I happened to really love them both and am undecided about which color I would go with so as of now both colors are wish listed for sale!

5. Artist's Eye Top-now on sale for $29.95 (Beige motif)



I thought this top would be a home run as I have a few other asymmetrical tops and really love them, but boy was I incorrect. This top was all sorts of wrong on me. It did nothing for my shape except make me look wider than I am and wash me out. The color was terrible on me. I tried this on in both an X-Small and a Small and due to length I would go with the Small. The X-Small was a bit short on my long torso. That being said, the Small added more volume at the bottom, causing the wider effect. I don't think I'm the only one that felt this way as it's almost totally fully stocked online after going on sale yesterday. Bum design I suppose. Back to the rack.

6. Melodious Cardigan-$98 (Green motif)




I tried this cropped sweater on in a Small and the fit was good. The X-Small was super tight in the arms so the Small won out. I really loved it online and was excited to try it on but once on, I wasn't so sold. I have this thing for cropped sweaters that drape in the front but they just don't like me back so much. Perhaps it's because I have a long torso? The color was actually really pretty and could be paired with a lot. The sweater itself was more thin than thick but not too thin...I wasn't afraid it was going to fall apart or anything. It seemed like it was made very well. Give it a try and see what you think. In theory I really liked it, but I'm thinking this is a no for me for now...back to rack.

7. Oxford Sweater-$88 (Sold out online)



I had never really paid much attention to this sweater online but the color really caught my eye as I walked around the store. It's kind of a mustardy yellow with the black spots...I actually really liked it! I tried this on in an X-Small and it fit well. It was borderline short but I think it would be ok. I like the cute little keyhole at the top and it's positioned perfectly...nothing much shows and I don't feel like I have to layer it to hide anything underneath. Wish listed for sale!

8. Hourglass Form Dress-$168 (Dark Yellow motif)




Hello gorgeous! This dress is beautiful and it so well made. I tried this lovely on in a size 2 and it fit like a glove. That being said, if I was bigger in the the chest, I think I may have had to size up so if you're a little more blessed on top, keep that in mind. This dress is listed at 41" long and I would say it felt an inch or two longer. I liked where it fell on me though...the length is what gives it a chic, sophisticated look. I would be so cute layered with a belted cardigan...I didn't have a single cardigan in my dressing room at the time so I was resourceful and used the shirt I walked in wearing as a pretend bolero to see what it would look like with something over the top. I liked it! It is a thicker material so I wonder how it would feel in the summer...I'll have to think on that. For now, wish listed for sale!

9. Corded Dots Pencil Skirt-$88




I originally saw this online and was intrigued..it looks a bit like the Ackee Pencil Skirt (with the dots) I picked up last year which is probably why I was drawn to it. I tried this on in a size 0 and it was on the borderline too big side. It fit and would be fine, but if I got it I may have it taken in a tad to make it fit even better. I actually liked the way this skirt fell and think it has the possibility of being paired with many things. The color is pretty too...not too yellow or too orange...and not mustard. I think that's why I liked it so much...it's a color I don't have. It's called "Corded" but the cord is so small that it's hard to even tell it's made of cord. I don't think I'd wear it much in the summer but you could get away with wearing it into early spring, fall and winter. Overall I liked this skirt. Wish listed for sale.

And here are a few more reviews from a trip I took to Anthro in December but never got around to posting...sorry about the quality of most of these pictures. For some reason most of them came out pretty blurry.

11. Michelia Peasant Blouse-$88



I loved this top from the second I saw it pop up online...the colors, the floral print...too cute! Upon seeing it in the store I felt the same. I tried this top on in a size 0 and found it to a pretty good fit. There was a little extra room in the shoulder area and the arms are a little puffy (they're suppose to be) so I'm trying to decide if it looks too big on me or if it looks like it should. Any opinions? I'm still debating this top, but love it just the same. Wish listed for sale for now and may need to try it on again before deciding for good.

12. Decisively Textured Pullover-$78 (Pink motif)



I saw this cute sweater floating around on a few other bloggers and thought I'd give it a try as well. I loved the cute color combination of the Pink motif...very candy-like. I tried this on in size Small because from first look it seemed a little short, and I was right. The Small was a great fit, however I wish it were a few inches longer. It can easily be layered over another top and looks fine, but I'm trying to steer away from having to do that. Overall it's a great sweater option and it seems well made, but for my long torso it's just a bit too short for my liking on it's own. If I found it in the sale room for a great deal down the road I'd grab it up but it's a pass for now.

13. Hibai Cardigan-$78 (Orange motif)



The color of this cardigan is what caught me eye...it's so pretty! It also comes in a grey motif, but light grey tends to wash me out so I didn't even looks twice at it. I tried this cute cardigan in an X-Small (pictured above) and found it to be super tight through the arms. Clearly that wasn't going to work. I didn't get the chance to try on the size Small that night but I ended up ordering it a week later during the 50% off sweaters promo and found it to be a great fit. Much better! The cute flower cut-out designs are fu and interesting and the length of the cardigan works this time because it's a flat front...no draping going on here. Like I said, I ordered this during the half-off promo and will indeed be keeping it. It can work for all seasons!

14. Gather & Give Top-$48 (Orange motif)



I tried this on in both and X-Small and a Small and found them to be very different. The X-Small was almost impossible to get over my head and on because of the fact that there's no give in the mid-section of the top (no elastic--the gathering is fixed). The size Small was much easier to get on, but once on, I felt like it was a little baggy on me in the chest area. This may be fixed by trying a few tops on and seeing which fits better, not sure. Overall I like the idea of the top and the color (I'm totally into orange lately, obviously) but it's just not a must-have for me. This is a pass for me for now, but is still a very cute top and would look great on many!

15. Sorted Stripes Dress-$178



This dress is adorable on the hanger...so super cute. I tried on the X-Small and felt like I was wearing a tube-top around my body...no-go. It's on the tight side, for sure. I tried on the Small and it worked much better. Now here's the funny thing. The night I tried this on I wasn't totally sold on it. I felt kind of so-so about it. It is clingy and isn't super forgiving about any curve, so it made me a little self conscius I think. Now, looking at the picture, I kind of love it! I think it's sooooo cute! I love that ruffle at the bottom, I love the striping pattern, I love that it's neutral so you can pair any color with it on the bottom (tights and shoes). The neck is a bit wide, but after I played with it a bit I figured out that you can adjust it enough to stay put just fine. I think I've decided I need to try it on again and wish list it for now. Funny how you can change your mind after seeing a picture! Has anyone else tried this one? What did you think?

16. Cinched Circles Dress-now on sale for $99.95



This was another dress I was really excited to try on...I had been lusting after it for months! When I finally tried it on my hopes and dreams (ok, that's a little dramatic) were squashed. I tried this on in both a size 0 and a 2 and the size 0 was a better fit, and what I took pictures of. The length was good as it hit right at the top of my knee, but the chest area is where it was a problem. In my opinion, based on my experience with this dress, those who are a little more blessed on top will look better in this dress most likely. I may be totally wrong and a smaller chested lady may find it works great on her, but for me, it was a disapppointment. There was just too much extra room on the top half all over....it was very Dolman sleeve-like on me which on this dress, wasn't as cute as it was meant to be I think. My friend who is much more blessed on top than me also tried this on at the same time and it looked fabulous on her. I was sad it didn't work out on me, but you know what they say...there are plenty more fish (dresses) in the sea!