Big Easy

Last Friday, I flew down to New Orleans to meet Jay, who was there for a conference. This was my first time visiting New Orleans, and I spent a couple of days walking the city and touring a little. (Oh, and I snuck in a little visit to the MotherShip...)

 Riverwalk, NO

 National WWII Museum

 House of Blues

Nava Heels by Miss Albright, size 8.
I missed out on the first go round of these beauties, and it looks like I have to let these go too. The weight of the foot rests on the ball of my feet in these chunky heels. I have very little fat in the bottom of my feet, and since I run around all day for work, they wouldn't last an hour for me. In addition, the heel slips a little, while the rest of the shoe is nice and snug. I wish I could, but realistically, I have to say no.

Frou Frou Skirt by Plenty by Tracy Reese, size 4.
Who doesn't want a frou frou skirt?! This was a total whim, but I loved it! The waist fits like a dream, and the fluffy underskirt feels fun and flirty. I tried to tell myself that I could wear this to work with a tee and jean jacket, but I am afraid it wouldn't get much love. Sadly, a pass.

 Petalblush Sweaterdress by Knitted & Knotted, size Small.
In another favorite brand of mine, I found this sweet number. I LOVED this fit and the eclectic mixture of pattern and color. The dress pictured is a small, but I tried the extra small as well, which works better for layering belts and light jackets. My main outfit idea is with tights and booties, but it works in late fall with ballet flats too. Wishlisted!

Fabled Fields Shift by Moulinette Soeurs, size Small.
In typical Portlandia fashion, put a bird on it, and I'm intrigued. I noticed the owl on this dress right away, but was skeptical of the fit. Once I had it on, I was convinced. It's a true shift style, but the fabric feels luxurious and the length is perfect, so I find it flattering. This is something I could incorporate into my wardrobe seamlessly. Wishlisted!

I loved all the turquoise doors! I could fit into a city like this!

The city at night, looking down from our hotel room.
Stay tuned for what happened the next few days....

Anthropologie Fitting Room Reviews (One More Thing...)

 Crop Rocket Highrise in Fizzle by Citizen of Humanity. Size 28.
I've actually been stalking these jeans for months. But like other things that we think are "perfect", I worried that it might have only been love at first sight, and not an affair that could last. Alas, I was wrong. They are still perfect, and I don't have any denim this color in my closet.
Even though I found these at Anthro, I ended up using my Gap rewards and ordering them from Piperlime. (Sorry Anthro, you'll always be my first love.) They arrive Tuesday.
I'm a huge fan of the high rise jeans, perfect for tucking all that "mom flesh" into, and keeping my tummy looking flat all day. I'm pretty excited about the fact that Gap is jumping into the pool with their version, and hope to try them on in the near future.

1969 High-Rise Skinny Jeans

1969 High-Rise Skinny Jeans

Have you tried hi-waist jeans? What is your favorite denim brand?

Anthropologie Reviews, Finally! (Tops & Sweaters)

I've been a little shy of the peplum craze, because I'm just not sure about it on my body type. This trip, I bit the bullet and tried more than usual. I'm still not 100% sold, but here we go....

Float On Tank by Maeve. Size Small.
I love this simple, but whimsical printed blouse. It's perfect for layering with your favorite cardigan or blazer. I think this would also be perfect with the J Crew Cafe Capri in any color. I could have probably sized down to an extra small, but I like the room in the small, since it blouses a bit when tucked. Wishlisted.

Ruffled Calin Blazer by Cartonnier. Size Small.
I should have sized down to an extra small in this one, since I was swimming in it. Blazers never seem to lay right on me, due to my long chest/short waist. I feel like this is another example. The chest darts don't lie correctly. Maybe if I had tried the extra small, I would have found the fit to work, but I didn't love the color and considering my everyday style, this doesn't fit. However, I love the idea of it and the cut is cute. It's worth a try for you blazer lovers.

Stitched Anthea Top by Meadow Rue. Size Small.
This top was a perfect fit and so cute! The empire waist hits at just the right spot and flares away at the waist without looking like a maternity top. Even though it is double layered in most spots, you might consider a camisole or nude bra underneath. The fabric is very linen-like.

Ruffled Cetara Wrap by Rosie Neira. Size Extra Small.
I love the softness of this linen cardigan, and the color was perfect as well. I would size up to a small to buy, since the arms were fitted, so that I could layer long sleeves underneath in the cooler weather. The ruffled collar is flattering without being overwhelming. Wishlisted.
Basic Layering Tank by T. La. Size Extra Small.
The under tank I am wearing with this sweater is by newer Anthro brand T La. This is the second time I have tried on anything by them, and my opinion is the same. I love that they offer a basic tank, in tons of great colors, and it seems they are high enough on the chest to offer some coverage. The downside is that the knit seems very thin, and likely to stretch out another size in a small matter of time. Just in the time I had the tank on to try the sweater, I felt it stretched enough to warrant sizing down. But I was already wearing the extra small! Back to the rack.

Pleated Peplum V-Neck by Deletta. Size Small.
Here we roll into the world of big-girl peplum. This isn't your average high yoke/flared waist blouse. And hey, I liked it!
This is the small, and I think I had the fit right on this. I'd definitely layer under, since the fabric is see-through. I felt like the arm holes were slightly big, but in the pictures, they don't look bad. I love the stripes, and I think this is another that would be versatile for all seasons. With my body type, I think I'd stick with a slim piece on bottom. I like these (a LOT), these and this. Wishlisted.

Scrolling Lace Peplum Blouse by Deletta. Size 6.
I really liked this one, too. But the arm holes were way too big. I'd need to size down to a 4 for the arms, but then the waist would have been snug, I think. The cutest part of this outfit is the crazy girl poking her head in....

Laced Solstice Shell by Deletta. Size Small.
This lace peplum has a bit of shimmer in the threads, causing it to appear very formal-wear'ish, but the rough edge along the hem brings the formality back down to earth. However, I think it's still to dressy for my real life. The shape is pretty, but I just don't want to work very hard at making it casual.

Thus concludes my foray into the peplum world. I know we aren't solving world peace or anything, but thoughts?

Anthropologie Reviews, Finally! (Dresses & Archival Sweaters)

After ordering two sweaters from the Archive Collection, I only planned to keep one. So when I had the opportunity to happily offer a friend and her kids a ride to the Oklahoma City airport, and visit with a friend from Virginia, I knew I had to get an Anthropologie return/shopping visit squeezed in.
I decided to return the Rose Sweater:

Archival Collection: Rose Sweater

I tore into the package as soon as I got home from work and squealed over the Peacock Cardi, trying it on first. I LOVE the fit and the materials. I like that it is soft and comfy, and the colors are rich and detailed.
The Rose Sweater was the gloomy, "dum, dum, dum"afterward. It was itchy and ill fitting. I could barely tolerate it long enough to tie the sash. (It felt like a Brillo pad.)
Before I returned, I tried it on once more, so Maddie could snap a couple of photo's.

While I was at Anthropologie, I tried on some pretty cute stuff. I am making a more concerted effort to really be choosy about what I buy, while at the same time, cultivating my closet to wear more of my old stuff (or get rid of it!). There are some beautiful fall items trickling into the store, but realistically, it doesn't matter how beautiful it is, if it sits without wear.
(Madison was cracking me up in these pictures!)

 Dress by Lil. Size 4.
I can't find this dress on the site, but it's such a lovely dress. It has a great fitted bust area, side zip and gathering at the waist which opens to a loose hip. I love the pockets as well. Nice color and shape. I liked it, but it didn't wow me.

 Bergamot Lace Dress by Moulinette Soeurs. Size Small.
I loved this dress on the hanger, but when I put it on, it felt tight and high on the waist. The seam is thick, and it hit me on a funny place. I like the color and the lace, but the shortness off-set any thought of keeping it. Back to the rack.

 Garden Party Halter Dress by Girls From Savoy. Size 6.
Another in the set of this popular halter pattern that has been very successful for GFS, and another hit in my estimation. The OKC store was mostly sold out of sizes, so I tried the 6, but would have been more comfortable in the 2 or 4. I really like the print in this, but having no need for another dress of this style, and still having issues with the weird length on my body, it's not for me. If you missed the previous versions, give this one a try it's so pretty.

 Zola Shift by Maeve. Size 4.
This dress is available in several patterns/colors, but I love this one! I brought back a 2 and a 4, and the 4 is pictured, but in order to fit the shoulders better, I went with the 2. I carried this all the way to the register, but couldn't justify it's purchase.
I love that this is a comfy/easy dress, but the fabric dresses it up. I also love the playfulness of the bears. I will be picking this one up at sale.

 Emerald Ripple Dress by Girls From Savoy. Size 4.
What a beautiful dress! I love the colors and the shape, both. As you can see, the arm holes are a little big, and I had room in the waist too. I would size down to a 2 for purchase. I plan to stalk this for sale. I find this a great dress to transition to fall and winter with tights and boots and cute cardigans.

 Henley Stripe Day Dress by Saturday Sunday. Size Extra Small.
Borrowing day wear from the lounge department again, you find this cute knit dress. I love this as a basic for detailed jackets/cardigans in the fall. The one that I picked had something wonky going on with way the waist band lined up. The side seams were square on my hips, but the front seemed twisted, and I don't think it was intended to be. So check yours carefully, if you try on. I really liked this one too!

Lace Edged Pencil Skirt by Liv. Size Small.
I sized up a size on this one, just by eyeballing, and it was still tight. I would need to go to a medium to buy. I liked it, but having a closet full of skirts, several of which are black, I just don't need it. If you love lace, you will love this skirt, but if you are curvy, size up.
I'll wrap up with a few more reviews tomorrow. Enjoy!
Questions? Just ask. I'd love to chat!