finals = done. and an OOTD.

No more finals means I can get back to my fun books. Currently, I have a good amount of books to read that will keep me occupied for 3 weeks though I may not finish them all.
Here's my list in no particular order (and these would also make great holiday gifts for avid sci-fi/fantasy reader) =

1. Eragon-Eldest-Brisingr-Inheritance (buy here) I just finished Eragon and currently I'm reading Eldest. It's super fun to imagine the magical land and creatures while reading this and I also love all things involving dragons. Can't get enough of this series.

2. Hunger Games Trilogy (buy here) This one has been recommended to me by many friends of mine. I'm looking forward to read them and for the movie to come out. though I'm not sure if I should read the books before I watch the movie first. I (i'm sure along with many others) find movies that are based on books always turn out to be sub par, if not, underwhelming. Nothing can really beat your own imagination right?

3. Game of Thrones (buy here) I haven't watched the first season since one of my friends whom is a big fan of the series recommended me not to until after I read the series. The brief synopsis of the book caught my interest and I feel it's right up in my alley.

Speaking of gifts, I'm only 45% done with my christmas shopping so I really need to get my butt in gear. I despise the mall crowd during the holiday season so I'm going to try to get most of my shopping done online. I did order a couple of things from Anthro this morning and planning to give one pair of gloves as a gift:

hmmm now that I noticed the Callia gloves are out of stock, I'm nervous they'll be "back ordered" then cancelled. eeks.

did you take advantage of Anthro's ongoing 30% off sale price promo? I must admit, it was hard not to go overboard because see a lot that I want but I don't need (not to mention it'd bust my budget). I'm looking at you Miramar Dress and Lace & Light Dress. 

Here's also an OOTD pic I took in a rush today:

Anthro Loosely Looped Tee, sweater, Floreat Charente Skirt, Miss Albright's Scalloped Spatz Boots

A busy weekend with Anthro

I've been super excited this weekend ever since Roxy of Effortless Anthropologie announced Anthro will be doing a sale promotion of 50% off full priced sweaters and outerwear (including 30% off sale price items starting today!).  From the wishlist roundup I did recently, I knew exactly the 2 items I wanted to buy: Outlined Celandine Cardigan (black motif) and Rising Snowdrops Cardigan (both by Tabitha). I managed to grab them both when I strolled into the store in the a.m. I also had some time to do a couple of reviews (which includes Aubergine Sky Dress!!!)

First up:

 Rising Snowdrops Cardigan. tried on my usual size S.

I may have found my sweater blanket. it's soo soft and comfy to wear. i love the stitching though the embroidery material also pills already. I do think it's a bit too big on me even though it's an open cardigan. i did grab this one up for the sweater promotion but may exchange it for an xs since there weren't any at my local store. I also like the sleeve length on this one since my hands are always unnaturally frozen cold during wintertime. I would definitely size down on this one if you are looking to buy it in the near future.

 Tucked Peplum Tank ( i believe this was the name of this product though I could be wrong) on sale for $60

tried on my usual size S. I do think it's flattering but it's an awkward length for me. the material is thicker than i expected it to be but it's soft and also comfortable. i think this was by Bailey 44. I may try this one in a Medium next time if there's one still hanging around in the sale rack.

 Nolana Skirt

I've been waiting to try on this skirt ever since I saw it hanging in store a couple of weeks ago. I tried on my usual size 6 and I do think this one runs a bit big. there's a lot of room to give even after a big meal though I will try on a size 4 for comparison.  I love the lace rust color and the underlining is lavender mauve color. the lace is also sturdy, i don't think it would easily tear if you accidentally snag it on something. It's also longer than I expected it to be and at 5'6, it hits past my knees. I'm definitely getting this one in petite length when it goes on sale.

yes i'm flashing my belly button :p 

 

 

 

Sweetheart Shrug Tee now $40. I tried on this one before with my usual size S and it was a bit too tight. I sized up to a large which is less form fitting for the lumps and dumps but still flattering. (hey look! i have curves! yay!). The bra straps does make an appearance now and then but I think it will be a quick fix at home with a little stitching. I will be getting this one very soon. 

and I saved the best for last....

Aubergine Sky Dress $168 by Girls from Savoy. This brand have occupied my heart ever since the disappearance of other favorite brand, Floreat. This dress is certainly a winner in my book. I just wrote up a lengthy review at Anthro site which hasn't appeared yet..and I also forgot to copy it for this blog. oops. so here we go..

I tried on my usual size 6 in dresses though I usually size up to an 8 for strapless due to my wider ribcage. This one fits comfortably everywhere...except that I haven't had a single meal that day (bad habit of mine). It has stretchy panels just on the sides (instead of all around like its predecessors Traced Twirls dress) for extra room. the sweetheart neckline is also a favorite of mine because it flatters my bust (yes, i do already have the traced twirls dress but I think this one is different enough..tralalala). Girls from Savoy also does a good job for making sure this strapless number stays up and with my smaller bust, i need reinforcements!

The subtle black print among the base dark purple color is certainly a delightful surprise. It's a busy print but very subtle and hard to notice unless someone gets too close to your personal bubble space to examine it. I love the contrasting yellow embroidery around the waist too. it definitely allures the eye and creates an illusion for an hourglass shape. One thing that I dislike about this dress is the length. at 5'6, it hits past my knees which I don't prefer. I think it makes my legs look stumpy and also, it's harder to style it casually which I plan to do with this dress. I'm not sure if it would look as cute if I alter the length and making the embroidery at the edge of the dress instead of 1/4 way up the edge.

I also forgot to check if this dress has pockets or not though I don't think it doesn't (but I could definitely be wrong). i love that this dress is machine washable too! yay! it's almost made of good quality cotton and sturdy enough to hold up the shape. I wish it comes in petite size but it's wishlisted for sale time for which I will definitely pick this one up!

close up of the print

and I will leave you with a blurry phone outfit picture from thursday, I believe. nothing too exciting but it does feature one of my favorite pants ever!

Headwaters Tee, Checked Crops, Sweeping Stitch heels.

more (delayed) reviews!

Hi everyone!eep,  is it almost December now? I've been a bad blogger. Actually, not sure if I would call myself a blogger since I don't really ..umm blog?

Anyways, I've got a bunch of reviews for you all here. Some are old, some are new. 

First up is...

Stitched & Spindles Coat $268 by Tracy Reese

This one caught my eyes when it came out online. I love the classic structure of the coat and I love the pretty stitching on the bottom of the coat that makes it more special. The embroidery is also as vibrant as it looks online.I grabbed a size 10 which is my usual size for coats and it fits nicely. I have a thick sweater underneath which I would need since this coat isn't the thickest coat for the east coast winter. Underneath the buttons, it zips up and it's a double zipper! There's also a hook and eye at the waist to keep the shape. The buttons were big and it was a bit hard for me to button up the coat. I'm not sure if it's flattering on the hips portion for me, it might've bulged out a bit because of the thick sweater underneath? I definitely recommend this one if you are in need of a new winter coat. I'm wishlisting this one for further consideration when it goes on sale. 

Stitched & Spindles Coat

Glowing Horizons Trench $188 by Cartonnier

I love this trench coat but I don't think I need another one since I already have 2 trench coats. I can only justify this purchase if I sell my Two Paths Trench. I love the classic style and the double collar on this. I tried on the size 8 which is my usual size for trench coats and it fits fine (i have a thick sweater underneath this!) except for the arms that was a bit snug for me but nothing too constricting. I'll be waiting for this one to go on sale since it's getting a bit too cold now for trench coats.

Glowing Horizons Trench

Eyelet Peplum Blouse $88 by Two Of Us

I grabbed a size 6 and it fits TTS. I like this blouse and the lace reminds of me of the Tracy Reese lace shirtdress that I have (can't remember the name of it..I know, I'm very helpful right?) Anyways, the lace is soft but it is also unlined on the bottom..not sure why they neglected that so you will definitely need a cami/tank underneath. the peplum part doesn't flare out much which is good for my hips. the chest area fits fine without having too much room for my bust. This is the one top I'm very much looking forward to pick this up when it goes on sale. wishlisted in this teal color. 

Back Porch Dress $70 by Deletta

 I grabbed my usual size S in Deletta which fits nicely. I think it's quite flattering and the fabric feels comfortable on my body. but it does have its cons and at 5'6, the length of the dress went over my knees which I'm not a fan. Also, the sleeves are connected? (is there a technical term for this? I'm sure there is one lol) to the body so when I raise my arms, the dress rises up. This one is a pass for me. Unless I can grab it for $20 or something which will allow me to have it altered to my liking. 

Back Porch Dress

Twist & Refresh Dress $168 by Ganni

I'm not sure how I feel with this dress. The fabric is the same as Noon and Night dress so it's as comfortable but I also think it makes me look wider (my sister also shares the same sentiment). I grabbed a size small which is what I took in the Noon and Night....and the zipper broke on me. I took this picture with the zipper half down my back. I'm not sure if the dress was too small for me or if the zipper was already broken when I grabbed it from the hanger. This one is a pass for me since I'm not really impressed with this.

Twist & Refresh Dress

Tiered Stripes Dress $188 by Bailey 44

I tried this one for a joke, I suppose. I already knew when I brought it with me to the dressing room that it wasn't going to work for me. I don't have anything in my closet from Bailey 44 but their clothes are always comfortable. This dress is definitely not my style though. I grabbed a size M with the intention to make it less clingy to the body and it fits fine. Both my bf and my guy friends agreed that it makes me look like a mummy. I'm sure this dress will work wonderfully for the right person...just not me. pass.

Tiered Stripes Dress

Thuja Dress $200 by Project Alabama

I grabbed a size Small for this dress. I thought the bodice was pretty so I took it back to the dressing room. Since the edges are unfinished, it frayed and was tangled up horribly by the time I got to the dressing room with it. I could not take it off fast enough after I took this picture, it looks very frumpy on me and just all around unflattering.

Thuja Dress

frayed, tangled bottom mess. eek.

Gathered Lace Dress $178 by Maeve

I took my usual size 6 in Maeve and this fits TTS as usual for Maeve. The length is quite modest as it falls on my knees. I do like the beautiful lavender color and the heavy, thicker lace so it's not as fragile. Not sure if it's 100% flattering on me though. the waist sat a little bit above my natural waist and it created a weird silhouette around my hips. Pass for me.

Gathered Lace Dress

Pilcro Flared Cords $30

I'm not a big fan of flares since it can make me look juvenile. I tried this on to see what it looks like since the price is quite reasonable. I tried on my usual size 6 and it is a comfortable fit for me. I still don't like how it looks on me and it was easy for me to pass on this.

Tuberose Lace Skirt $130 by Moulinette Soeurs

I grabbed my size 6 and it fits TTS. The lace is a sturdy, thicker fabric with a sheer, crinkled yellow chiffon-like lining. I didn't have the zipper problem like other people seemed to encounter with this skirt. I prefer the green version over the orange. I like this one and I plan to pick this one up when the price gets a second or preferably, a third cut in the future.

Tuberose Lace Skirt

Flickering Slip Dress $198 by Lil

I took my size 6 for this dress. I'm more interested in what the green version looks like but they didn't have those in the store. It fits TTS to a big snug if you have a wide ribcage like I do. The beading details are pretty and the silk fabric is nice. but wearing a strapless bra will be required as the top portion is sheer when it's not lined. I don't think the empire waist dress works for me though and it does reminds me of a nightgown.

Flickering Slip Dress

details

I will leave you all with an OOTD featuring one of my most favorite skirt and also one of the first purchases from Anthro I made years ago..

Anthro Diaphanous Tunic, Daisy Quarters Skirt, Miss Albright Scalloped Spatz boots

Make A Wish

This OOTD features one of my favorite skirts and shoes ever.

Skirt: I bought this when I was visiting NY and happened to stop by at Anthro's Rockefeller Center location. I must've passed by it multiple times before I actually caught a glimpse of its beautiful embroidery. I have never seen it in person since the stores in my area never actually carried it but I immediately recognized which one it is. I've been pining for it ever since it debuted on the website months before. It happened to be my size so I took it to the dressing room with me to try it on..and the rest is history. I've worn it in many different ways already since it goes with so many tops and that is always a plus.

 Close up picture of the embroidery:

Shoes:  we're united by sheer luck..and fate. I'm 99% sure these wedges and I are meant to be with each other. Long story short: I didn't pay attention carefully enough and flew by my head when it went on sale. I wanted to get it but never actually tried to phone in stores until around  3 weeks after it went on sale (idk why either). argh. When I did start searching for them, all CS could tell me is that they're sold out of my size completely. I gave up the search then but I still pined for it months after. One tuesday morning when I went into a b&m store, I browsed through the sale shoe bins. guess what's in there? yep. my babies..and they're my size! (I'm usually a 9 and I needed an 8.5 for this one). I tried them on in the dressing room and they fit perfectly. the only pair that's turned up randomly months after it sold out and it's my size?! talk about luck. I've worn it almost everyday since I got it. they are soooo comfortable and goes with so many outfits. I don't have a lot of summer wedges/sandals so I'm happy to have them in my possession.

Do any of you ladies have any stories such as this one? It really does feel like you've just won the lottery.

First OOTD - putting myself out there

..with elephants. I heart this dress. a lot. however, I didn't like the flimsy mustard yellow sash that came with it. So I opted to go with this gold belt that I found at Anthro at the sale rack. Oh and I got lucky with this cardigan..bought it for $50 a week before it got a 2nd cut to $20 = price adjustment time!

I wore it (wonky belt and all) with Sweeping Stitch Heels. It's ok to be matchy matchy sometimes right?...

well, I wasn't too sure about it either...so I switched it up with my Tied Awry heels.I think I like this one better.
thoughts?

confession time:
(I'm still a bit apprehensive about posting my face all ova the een-tuh-netz hence the awkward faces. or maybe my face is just like that. ha.) so please be nice, guys.

: )