failed search, Anthro reviews and a random Kate Spade

These are the dresses that I really like and want to try on:

I was hoping the local (re:1hr away) would carry them..

nope.

instead they gave me ones that looks kind of ridiculous on me.
sigh. you give me the case of sads, anthro!

er..i'll just start with the worse of the batch to get it out of the way.

Grand Slam Dress $228

yikes. talk about ill fitting. my best friend, A hated it so much on me. I don't like the color on me either but I tried this on anyway since I haven't seen any reviews for it yet. I tried on my usual size at 6. it fits TTS although it was a bit snug on the waist for me (probably due to Five Guys burger I ate before going to Anthro.  yes, I know.fail). As you can see from the picture, the top was hugeee on me and the way the skirt falls made my hips look wider than it really is. The color is more intense irl and the thin silk felt nice to the touch. I don't think it was lined though I could be wrong. but yeah....the color & fit is all wrong for me.
Passsss

the next dress just doesn't do anything for me..
Ruffled Oska Dress $168

I thought this dress looked lovely on the hanger so I took it back with me to the dressing room. I tried on my usual anthro size 6. It fits..but it didn't flatter my body at all. it's just kind of there ..and as you can see, the cinched in waist part sat oddly higher above my natural waist. The silk was also pretty thin and surprisingly, it wasn't lined. The tiers falls nicely and didn't add bulk to the lower part of the body which is a plus. At 5'6, the length hit right above the knees which is perfect for me. My friend liked the dress but she didn't like it on me and I agree with her. All in all, this is a pass for me.

The next one isn't bad but didn't really wow me either

Watercolored Gems Shift $168

I didn't see a size 6 hanging so i grabbed the next size up. Not sure if it was because I was bloated from lunch that day but even with a size 8, it was snug on me at the waist. The material was also pretty stiff but was lined. Both my friend and I agreed the plain blue panel in the back adds interest to the dress. The length on this one is also a good length falling just above the knees for me. The V cut in the back was high enough to cover the bra which is good so you don't have to worry about it peeking out. The straps was also wide enough to cover up my bra straps so no worries there too. It can be work appropriate by covering it up with a cardigan (yellow, cobalt, teal, mint green, purple etc) and casual enough for a dinner outing without the cardigan. I'm not completely sold on this dress and it doesn't help when my friend said it ages me too haha. Pass for now but I may revisit when it goes on sale.

Carlow Tank $98
 paired with
Madison Shorts $88

yes, my friend is silly :p

Carlow Tank: I like this tank a lot  but it kind of confuses me actually. Sleeveless but it feels like a sweater. It's made out of a thicker material than I would like to wear in the warmer months. I like the strings on the chest area which is the main selling point of this piece. I grabbed size m which fits well since I read it runs small. It was form fitting but not uncomfortably tight. I like tops with an interesting flair to them and this definitely fits the bill. It's too expensive for what it is so I'll probably wait for it to go on sale. wishlisted!

Shorts: I always love me a cute pair of shorts. It can be hard for me to dress in the summer since I dislike the hot weather so I'm always on the lookout for cute but easy-to-wear pieces. The polka dots pattern is subtle enough without being too loud. The length falls a little bit higher than my fingertips but it's not too short for me. I picked up a size 6 and it's a good fit considering I still have my sweater tights on while wearing it. Paying $90 for a pair of shorts is kind of ridiculous so I'll be waiting for this one to go on sale as well.

Last week, I received an email for free shipping at Anthro with a minimum of $150 purchase. So I decided to take advantage of it and ordered these 2 skirts I've been eyeing on since they went on sale:

Beaufort Gale Skirt $65 (2nd Cut)

I ordered this one in 6P which ends up being a good decision since it comes down to my knees while still fitting me well at the waist. The materials are sheer but I don't think it's as sheer as the reviewers on the website claims it to be. The outer layer is opaque enough to hide everything but the lining is see through..kind of reminds of the foolproof half slip.The skirt is very well made and the embroidery reminds me of Tangerine Flicker Dress. The wide waistband (a little bit more than 5") does a good job of hiding lumps and bumps but makes it a bit harder to style it.

 I'm still not sure if I'm going to keep this or not because I don't really know its potential to fit in to the rest of  my closet. What do you think? Should I keep it or return it? any style ideas for daytime wear?

Wisteria Skirt $90

I also ordered this in 6P as well. It fits well; not too tight and not too loose although buttoning those 2 buttons at the side is kind of a pain since they're pretty small. The length is also to my liking as it hits me right above the knees. The material is also pretty thick...and kind of a pain to iron. I don't mind ironing but this is the one skirt you'd want to second guess if you loathe the activity. It does poof out a little bit below the waist but it doesn't really bother me..probably because I'm comparing it to the disaster that is Yarn Plumes Skirt. The picture on the right represents the color of the skirt a bit more closely under the harsh yellow lighting in my room. The neutral color and the beautiful embroidery makes this skirt to be an easy versatile piece in my closet while still being unique.

Bailey Dress $237

Loveee this dress. I don't have any Kate Spade pieces nor have I tried one so I grabbed my usual dress size at Anthro. I tried on a size 6 and it fits me perfectly in all the right places. The silk was also nice to the touch and not thin at all. As you can see, the ruffles also lay flat so it won't overwhelm your body. I love the pattern and so does my boyfriend which is surprising because he doesn't like it. He described it as a different kind of polka dots because "its pattern is not like normal polka dots". Yeah, I don't know what he meant either which is why I replied with a sigh. I don't really care for the belt; it looks kind of cheap to me but that's a very easy fix.

Does anyone know if KS dresses gets a second cut if a sale item lingers on the website long enough? I would love to get my hands on this but even at the sale price, it's still a bit too high for me.

So that's it for me. I haven't been to Anthro for awhile now since I haven't been taken it with any of their new offerings. The only thing that'll tempt me to stop by is if the Embossed Basket Dress goes on sale tomorrow.

It loves me? It loves me not....(Extensive reviews: Antique Magnolia Blouse & Grass Court Dress)

So I have been drooling over this little pretty number here and curious as to how it fits since my local store doesn't seem to carry it. I decided to order it before free shipping ended last week...and it arrived today!
I tore the box open.

Ooooh Ahhhh

oh gosh, this blouse is so pretty..and I love the details. This is one of the very few pieces that I love from Anthro's last year's 2011 collection. It's very well made and it's safe to say this is a classic, timeless piece.

I have a thing for close up pictures on precious details such as these...

The blouse consists of 3 layers: soft mesh on the outer layer (flowers are embroidered onto this layer), then the lace in the middle, and a yellow-ish tan rayon, cotton blend (from what I read in the care tag) inner layer

definitely not sheer! which is a nice change : )

and it's not a surprise it's dry clean only

Anyways, onto the fit. this is the part where it disappointed me.

I ordered this in a size 6 which is the size I usually generally take and the fit is a bit off on me.

There are darts under the chest to give it a shape. This fits my bust well (36B) but it bunches in an odd, unflattering way. The waist fits a bit big for me as I can pinch a good inch on the side. The structured shape is...sort of there but not really..It just kind of hung on me. from looking at the photo again, I think it makes me look a bit bigger than I really am.

Also another problem area for me is the cap sleeve. It pinches my arms when I extend them forward..actually any kind of arm movements in this blouse feels uncomfortable for me. If I were to get this, I would take it to a tailor and have the sleeves cut off. Also, I wouldn't be able to size down because it fits just right in the bust area for me due to my wider rib cage and sizing up will just be extra loose everywhere on me.

I was curious if this particular cap sleeves problem is just an isolated case of mine. So I had my sister tried it on for me as she is usually a size 6 or 8 depending if the clothes would fit her bust.

Details on her measurements:
Bust 36D (she took my share in that department)
Waist: 28

So this is what it looks like on her...

She said it fits well in the bust and feels comfortable for her though it does make the neckline gape a little bit (she actually doesn't mind this). She also doesn't have the cap sleeves-pinching-arms problem so it is probably because I have a bigger frame up top (broader shoulders). The waist area is also a bit big on her but I do think it looks more flattering on her because she fills out the top more than I did in it.

What do you all think?

I will be returning this since not only it's still at a steep price tag of $188, this top simply does not love me back. Yes, I'm sad this blouse isn't going to work for me as I already styled this blouse in my head in many different ways. boo. I might still buy it if I happen to stumble on it with a 3rd cut price then have it tailored. Oh well, I think I'll live vicariously through the other ladies who are made for this blouse!

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Next up is the Grass Court Dress $168 *not by Moulinette Soeurs btw, I believe it's by the same maker as the Bike Lane Dress*

I was intrigued with this dress when I saw it online though my initial reaction is somewhat indifferent. I don't love it but I don't hate it..sort of..meh. When I saw it debuted in my local store, I was willing to give it a try so I took it back with me to the dressing room.

the eyelet details are cute but I don't care for the belt at all. I suppose it goes with the Tennis theme (which I'm really bad at) but I would definitely use a different belt if I'm going to wear it. As you can see from the picture above, the area under the bust have been modified to flatter the chest area which works with me.

I took a size 6 and it fits perfectly; not too tight or too loose. although I have had to size up in some dresses due to my rib cage area so someone with a smaller frame up top might find it a bit loose. I also feel the top have enough material to accommodate larger busted ladies without having to size up  (my sister wasn't with me to try on this dress for comparison) but there was a lot of space in the chest area for me. I did not encounter an issue with the waist sitting too high like the one reviewer on the web site, although it's probably because she also happens to be a bit taller than I am by 2 inches according to her description so it's likely she is with a longer torso. Lengthwise, It's similar to the Bike Lane dress since this one also came down to my knees so shorter ladies might find it a bit too long. The color is more accurate in the second picture instead of the first. Also, it is lined with cotton lining and does come with pockets : )

yep, that's the label. anyone knows what it's called? it just looks like a postcard to me.
Overall, I'm still feeling unsure. I suppose it's a cute dress but it doesn't wow me as much. I'll be considering it again when it goes on sale.

As always, you can always email me for further questions and I'll try my best to answer it thoroughly : )

New Beginning

Hi everyone! Can't believe it's 2012 already..doesn't it feel like it was just summer yesterday or is it just me?
I don't really have a new year resolution since I never really end up following through anyway but I will try to blog more often and become a better person. Work and school can really burn me out which leaves me shedding my nice skin sometimes. With a break before school starts, I can regroup myself and detox for a better year.
and detox meaning reading good books, eating good food, spending time with friends and..Anthro!
I have made a few trips to Anthro before and after christmas (with my gift cards!) but haven't really found anything I badly wanted to have right then and there (with the exception for Unconditional Osier Dress). In the meantime, I have tried on a couple of items some of you may be looking at to purchase...


First up, Goji Plaid Dress $168

I think I was the only one who wasn't so keen on Take Action and Twinkle, Twinkle dress. Don't get me wrong, they are beautiful but I feel like it just didn't flatter me as much as I would like them to. I'm excited about this version because red is my favorite color and it has a side zip meaning more structure to the bodice.
I think this dress fits TTS. I tried on the size 4 (a size down from what I usually take) in this photo which fits but a bit too tight for my liking but look how it skims the body! This dress hits me just at the top of my knees which is at a perfect length for me. The fabric is a nice silk fabric with a bow in the back but the one thing that bothers me is I don't remember seeing if there's a supposed cutout in the back. sadly I can't really tell from the pictures too :(
I'll have to go back and revisit this dress when I see it again in stores (strangely enough, i haven't seen this dress on the floor for awhile now). but in the meantime, wishlisted!

Unconditional Osier Dress $168

I know, I'm a bit late joining this party. I thought this dress was cute when I first saw it but it took me a couple of months before I actually took it to the dressing room with me. I'm glad I did because I loveeee this dress now. I'm waiting to pounce on this dress when it goes on sale (soon perhaps?). This one is a Medium and it fits perfectly and comfortably which is always a plus. The lace is soft but I'm also afraid I'm going to snag it because I'm sort of clumsy. It's sold out online but there are plenty in stores.

Embossed Basket Dress $168

I'm still wavering back and forth with this dress. I love the cobalt blue color, the comfortable fit, the perfect length, and the versatility of it ...but I'm unsure of the fit. This one is a medium which fits nicely but I feel like it also made my chest looks flat (I don't have much to begin with but I would like to preserve the little that I have) and waist looks wider? I suppose a belt can always fix that problem. This is another dress I'll have to revisit but I will wishlist this in the meantime. Any opinions on this?

Slung Sash Tee in polka dot $60 (bought for $30 during promo)

I think this is the first Bailey 44 item that I have in my closet. I tried the moss color before but I missed out on it.Although after trying this on, I ended up liking this one more! I took a size M here and I love the comfortable yet flattering fit.

Plaited Illusion Cardi $88

I've had my eyes on this cardi for awhile now but never saw it in stores until recently. Oddly enough, there was only a size XS left maybe this was a popular piece? Anyways, I tried the XS which you see below here.
This cardi is unique and comfortable to wear. it's also a neutral color so it's sure to go with many outfits. I ordered the size S with one other item before free shipping ended because I can already see myself living in this cardi for many years. The XS was a bit tight on the arms though it fits because it stretches. I love the details on this but unhappy with the raw edges hopefully it doesn't get funky after a couple washes and wear.

Raspberry Jacquard Dress $168

This pretty dress had a lot of potentials but somewhere along the way, it failed me. It may have been the lack of waist definition but it doesn't really flatter my body. I like the jacquard, the color, and the sweetheart neckline but it failed to impress me when I put it on in the dressing room. If this one works for you, that's great because it is a beautiful dress and I wished it had worked on me : /
I tried my usual size 6 and it fits comfortably so it's TTS for those of you who are interested in this piece.

Pleated Ponte Skirt now $40 i think

I've always been interested to try on this popular skirt. I managed to find only 2 of these hanging randomly in the store, and one happened to be my size. I tried on the size 6 which fits perfectly and it lands only a couple of inches above the knees but it's nothing scandalous. It is a thicker knit so it's great to wear during the colder days. I do think this skirt is cute but it's not a must have for me.

Yarn Plumes Skirt $118

Anyone else thinks the catalog picture for this skirt is funny? poor girl, it must have been cold when they had this shoot. lol

ok, talk about unflattering. My bottom half looks like an open umbrella or a lamp shade. ok, not that bad but.. why is it so darn poofy?! I took a size 6 here and it fits fine since it also has elastics on the back of the skirt. I like the feathers...but the fabric is also a lint magnet which I know would bother me. I make few exceptions here and there for some lint magnet pieces *i'm looking at you, Ihrin shirtdress* but not this one. fit is awful on me so it's just another strike added on. passs. unless it's on sale for like $10 then I can probably..do something.. about the poofiness.

Stilt Striders Skirt $80, sold out online but still floating around in stores

This skirt is intriguing... I do think the flamingos are adorable. the size 6 fits me fine but it's very..meh on me. I don't think it flatters me at all actually. I don't know, I have not much to say about this skirt. I have seen other bloggers wear it and it looks super cute so I suppose I will have to live vicariously through them.

Bike Lane Dress $158.00

Hi Bike Lane dress! you are truly adorable but it's impossible to wear you right now since it's only 37 degrees outside! I do hope that you'll be on sale by the time the weather warms up because I can't wait to have you!

I think I like this a lot better than the Two Wheeler actually. Two Wheeler is cute but I'm more attracted to this color palette. but hey, aside from the bike prints, they are two different dresses so why not get this one too? No..I'm not being an enabler...
Anyways.
I ran to this dress as soon as I saw it in store. it's cute, cute, and cute.
 I must have this dress...in 3-4 months. The fabric is cotton lined with another layer of thin cotton so it'll be perfect for the warm weather. The sweetheart neckline reminds me of one of my favorites, Lepidoptera Dress.

There is also a hook and a row of buttons on the back of the bodice

Maybe my cookies aren't all in the cookie jar but it took me a good few minutes to figure out where the darn zipper was located. It was hidden under the fold. I think it's a nice touch from the design team to do so though. There is also a single button inside around the waist area which I always forget is there.

I tried on size 6 which is my usual size which fits me perfectly. I usually size up for strapless dresses because I have a wider rib cage area but this one fits me comfortably everywhere (bust & waist). it does come with removable straps (not pictured) which I'm pleased to discover because I do like the extra security when I'm moving about. oh and It also has pockets! another plus. The length is similar to the Lepidoptera dress as it lands on my knees and I'm 5'6 so shorter girls might like it better at the petite size (strangely, online only offers size 0P to 6P)

Brocade Paisley Dress by Cynthia Rowley or $200

I don't remember seeing this dress online anyone knows what this dress is called? I'm usually not a fan of paisley print but I was attracted to the vibrant colors. I had no intention on buying it though because it was $200! This one happened to be a size 8 and it fits perfectly so I guess it runs on the smaller side. This dress lands a couple of inches above my knees. I thought it was super poofy and unflattering but looking back at this picture, I like how it highlighted my waist (but still poofy). maybe another dress with the same silhouette but with different prints? maybe cheaper too..since the original price was $400.

That wraps up this set of reviews! Hopefully, I was able to help some of you out there making a decision : )

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.

lala land vs. reality

Besides my mini freak out a couple of days ago, I've compiled a list of items that caught my eyes online. I won't be trying to get all of the items below because, let's be realistic here, it would cost me thousands of dollars. My must have item will be listed under each category followed with a runner up.


Lala land wish list

Dresses:

must have: Aubergine Sky

runner up: Goji Plaid (if it fits me better than Take Action) or Gracia (if it made it to 3rd cut)

Skirts:

Must Have: Nolana

Runner up: Beaufort Gale (at 2nd cut price)

Cardigans/Sweaters:

Must Have: Outlined Celandine (cannot decide which color yet), Rising Snowdrops, Pleated Illusion

Runner Up: Sparkled Shrug

Wishlist tops:

Must Have: Antique Magnolias, Ivory Dotted Shell, Fly Away

Runner up: Slung Sash, Tereza Corset

(whew, I have to say it was hard getting through the sweaters and tops.)

What's in your wish list? :)