Seasonal Remix: Winter White Camilla Dress

As I hinted at on yesterday's post, today I'd like to try out another new blog feature entitled "Seasonal Remix."  I have several spring/summer items that I'd like to try to winterize.  Plus, come spring/summer time I would like to challenge myself to wear some of my fall/winter items.  And so, this new blog feature is born as a way for me to practice my remixing skills and get your feedback!

First up is the Camilla dress in cream.  I purchased this dress last summer to wear to one of my bridal showers and I have not worn it since!  It's such a shame that this pretty little frock has only been worn once!  Carol's "Winter White" post inspired me to pull out my Camilla dress from the back of my closet and try to style it for winter.  Here are the options I came up with.
    

1)  Feminine Chic

I immediately thought to pair this with the Oleander cardi because of the similar white lace accents.  The classic black mary janes with flower details compliment the flower details on the buttons of the cute cardi.  Something made me reach for my 3 strand pearl necklace to finish off the classic chic look.

Anthropologie Camilla Dress in cream

Anthropologie Oleander Cardigan

The Limited - grey cami

Banana Republic Glitter Ribbed Tights in pewter (buy here)

Naya - Cara Mary Janes (here, here, and here)

Pearl Necklace - bridesmaid gift from friend

                                   2)  Blooming Boots Casual

The Blooming Lattice cardi seems to go with everything, so it was an obvious choice.  I wanted a little pop of color so I went with the reddish-purple tights and decided to finish off the look with my boots to make it more casual.  In hindsight, I think maybe adding a belt would have made this look a little more pulled together.

Anthropologie Blooming Lattice Cardi (bought via ebay)

Simply Vera Geometric Tights in port royale (Kohl's) (here)

Steven by Steve Madden Intyce Boots in cognac (here)

3)  Pretty in Neutrals

This color pairing (beige, white, brown, and grey) is not something I'd normally come up with, but I'm pretty proud of the way it turned out.  The Beaded Eglantine Cardigan is my newest sale purchase and I haven't worn it yet!  From there, the brown belt, grey tights, and cognac colored shoes just came to me.  I'm really happy with how pretty this neutral combination turned out!

Anthropologie Beaded Eglantine Cardigan

Anthropologie Looping Lanes Belt

Grey Cami - The Limited

Simply Vera Brocade Tights in coal (Kohl's) (here)

Shoes: Indigo by Clarks - Purse in chestnut (on sale here)

Necklace - J. Crew Outlet

I also think it looks pretty cute with the boots!

So, what do you think?  Which "winter white" outfit do you like best?



Perfectly pretty spring trench coat {photo review}

My husband had to work yesterday.  After lounging around all morning watching instant Netflix (we just got it and now I don't know how I ever lived without it!), I decided I needed to get out of the house!  I went to Target desperately hoping to find these in my size, but it was a fail.  I did, however, find a really cute mint green cardigan on sale.  The color is so feminine and "springy" and I adore the lace detailing along the v-neck.  I also bought some cute new socks and a pair of navy tights.  I just can't leave good old Target without buying something.......
Next, I went across the street to Kohls because I haven't been there in forever.  I really wasn't looking for anything in particular, but I saw this trench coat hanging on a rack and was instantly drawn to it.  When I saw the pretty floral lining and the bow on the back, I knew it had to be mine!  The fit was perfect plus it was on sale, so it came home with me.  I'm really looking forward to wearing it this spring.  I've never had a trench coat before (gasp!), so I figure this is a really fun & feminine one to start off with.  What do you think?

Trench: LC Lauren Conrad Trench Coat - $63 (Kohl's)

Tights: Simply Vera Geometric Tights in port royale (Kohl's)

Boots: Steven by Steve Madden Intyce boots in cognac - scored on sale for $85

Dress: tune in tomorrow for a new blog feature to find out (I'll give ya a hint: it's Anthropologie)

I'd like to start a new feature entitled "photo review" in which I'll review an item simply by giving you pictures.  So, here goes my first try at this.  I know I included a TON of pictures in this post.  I've truly found that a picture's worth a thousand words and the more pictures I see the more I can get a real feel for an item.  So, my goal is that all these photos will help you decide if this is something you're interested in checking out for yourself :)  Of course, if you have specific questions about it leave me a comment and I'd be happy to answer.

Hope my first photo review was helpful!!!  Have a great Monday everyone!

Anthro Quickie Dressing Room Review 12/31

Hello everyone!  I know I said I'd post the rest of my reviews last night, but I had a terrible headache.  In fact, it ended up turning into an awful migraine and I stayed home from work today because I was so miserable.  My head was pounding, I felt nauseous, and had to keep the blinds shut all day as any light just makes my migraines worse.  Anyone who's ever had a migraine can relate, I'm sure.  It's the worst and I wouldn't wish this upon anyone!  Thank goodness I'm finally feeling better.

I mentioned in my New Year's Day post that I was able to sneak away from my hubby for a little bit to go to Anthropologie on New Year's Eve.  It was less than a mile down the road from the hotel we were staying in, so I couldn't resist.  They had a great sale selection as well as several new dresses in stock.  I only had a little bit of time before I had to get back and get ready for our evening out, so I just grabbed a few things that caught my eye and headed to the dressing room.

Pond Reflections Dress - $168

I accidentally grabbed a size 14 (shown in the 2nd picture).  It was very lose, so I asked the SA to get a 12 for me (1st picture).  The 12 fit fine, but was still a little bit lose.  If I had more time, I would have tried the 10 just for reference.  But, this dress is supposed to be flowy so I think it fits TTS.  I love the drawstring waist, very nice silky material, and gorgeous print!  The length hit me mid-knee (I'm 5'7").  The only thing I didn't care for was the spaghetti straps...I think they make me look too wide up top.  However, that's nothing that a cute cardi can't fix!  I put the yellow J. Crew cardi on that I wore that day and I think it looked great.  I must admit, I was very tempted to buy this dress that very day.  But, the price is a little steep for me and I wouldn't even wear this for several months, so I resisted.  Definitely wishlisted for sale!

Off-The-Beat Dress - $128

This is definitely not something I'd typically be drawn to at Anthro.  However, I was feeling a little uncertain about my NYE outfit, so I thought I'd try on this little black dress for the heck of it.  I grabbed my usual size 12, but it was pretty tight.  The fabric is a very stiff, canvas-like material.  Due to the material and the form-fitting nature of the dress, it definitely was not very comfortable.  This dress was also too short for my liking, hitting about 2 inches above my knee.  I did like the v-neck, wider straps, and the unique buttons down the side, but this dress just isn't my style.

First Whisperings Dress - On sale for $89.99?, but sold out online

I'd seen many other reviews on this dress, but was never really drawn to it because I didn't think it'd be very flattering.  However, when I saw this dress on the sale rack I was compelled to try it on.  I love the soft colors and lovely pattern.  I like how it has long sleeves and the length was perfect hitting right above the knee.  Without a belt, it looks like a sack.  So, I put on the LOFT belt I was wearing that day.  It's not a very good belt with this dress, but I just wanted to give myself a waistline!  I really liked this dress, but passed because I didn't see myself getting much wear out of it.  To this day, I still wonder if I made a mistake by leaving this one behind :(

Bianka Blouse - $68 and Field Skirt - $78

I've been wanting to try on the infamous Bianka Blouse for a long time!  You know I already own the gold Field Skirt...I just grabbed it to have something to try on with this blouse.  I grabbed the navy Bianka blouse in a size 10 and it fit very well.  This is a size smaller than I'd normally wear, so I say this blouse may run slightly large.  I could have sized up to the 12 if I wanted a more flowy fit.  I love the silky feel to the material, the ruffle sleeves, and the drawstring neckline.  Wishlisted for sale!

And, here's what I came in wearing that day!  Except, I'm trying on the In For a Frill Cardigan (on sale for $39.95) in this photo.  I actually came in wearing this outfit with the yellow J. Crew cardi (hanging in the background & worn with the Pond Reflections Dress review).  I've reviewed this cardi before here and I ended up buying this In For a Frill Cardigan when it got a second cut last week.  I love the vintage lace detailing and the extremely soft fabric!  The color will go with a lot.  It's sold out online, but you'd probably be able to find one in store still!

Dress: Calvin Klein denim smocked dress (Macy's)

Tights: Anthropologie Daisy Chain Tights in wine

Boots: Steven by Steve Madden Intyce in cognac

Belt: LOFT

Necklace: Anthropologie Saturation Point Necklace

Anthro Dressing Room Review 12/23: Longji Terrace Tank, Filigree Cardi, Rippled Ridge Henley, etc.

I took a trip down to my closest Anthropologie the day before Christmas Eve.  I had several returns to make and of course hung around long enough to try on lots of pretty things.  Unfortunately, my camera batteries died half way through :(  Still wanted to share the few things I actually caught on camera...

Longji Terrace Tank - $78

This tank fits TTS.  I grabbed my normal size L and it fit comfortably and even a little lose in the bottom half.  This tank is very comfortable.  I love the satin straps, the stud details diagonally along the bottom of each strap, and the rhinestone details.  The color is a grayish-green with light pink rice-shaped polka dots.  Not really sure how I'd style this except with jeans, but it's wishlisted for sale anyway.

Filigree Cardi - $118

I was drawn to this cardi online due to the filigree pattern, so I was excited to find it in store.  I tried on the "brown" which is really more of a light sand color.  This is the large.  While the arms fit fine, the body was very lose and tent like on me.  It's shorter in front and then gets long on each side.  The boxy fit was very unflattering on me and I couldn't wait to take it off.  I was so preoccupied with the odd fit, that I didn't even snap any pictures of it hanging naturally!  Oops! I also tried on the gold version in a medium to see if that would take care of the lose, boxy issues of the large (you can see that hanging in the background).  The arms were so tight I could barely get it on!  This one immediately came off my wishlist.  Too bad, because the lace filigree detail is very pretty in person.

Rippled Ridge Henley - $48

This fits TTS - this is a large.  It's very comfortable.  I love the ruched detailing along the neckline.  Very casual chic.  I ended up buying the purple and the green version with a gift card.  Sidenote: the green one looks great paired with the gold Field Skirt! 

Deuxhill Cowlneck - $88 paired with Field Skirt - $78

Well, I've reviewed this blouse before HERE, but I've been wanting to try the navy motif.  I already own this skirt in the gold and grey, but just grabbed the navy version to have something to pair with the blouse.  Blouse runs 1-2 sizes big.  This is the 10, but the 8 also fit me fine.  Love the print and the silk material is great.  Just don't think the cap sleeves are very flattering on me, so I would only wear this with a cardi or jacket.  I'll reconsider come sale time.

As for the skirt, it runs TTS.  This is a 12.  I LOVE this skirt and have gotten a lot of wear out of the two I already own.  If this ever makes it to sale, I may even pick up the navy version!

Refined Cord Shirtdress - On sale for $59.99 (sold out online, but I hear it's still floating around in stores) 

I know, I know...I'm extremely late in the game for reviewing this dress.  I grabbed the grey in a size 12.  It fit TTS - but a little bit tight in the bust.  Not too bad once I got it buttoned though.  I see why everyone raves about this one.  It's a classic!  Ultimately, I passed on this (it wasn't on sale yet when I tried it on).  Didn't pick it up once it hit sale because I spent too much money on other items.  Oh well, I'm sure another version I like even better will pop up in the future!

More reviews to come tomorrow! 

Anthropologie via ebay scores: Tulip Study Dress & Blooming Lattice Cardi

Happy Sunday night readers!  What a wonderful Sunday....my husband and I had a very nice day together.  We were productive this morning and cleaned the entire house.  My husband is the greatest when it comes to cleaning.  Honestly, he does more than I do and usually is the one to volunteer to clean the bathroom!  This makes me very happy :)  We took some time in the afternoon to just relax and play with our kitties.  Then, since neither of us have to work tomorrow, we decided to go out on a "date night."  We decided to go to the casino that is 45 minutes from our  house.  It's been a really long time since we've gone there together, but it was just a spontaneous idea for something different to do.  When we got into town, we had a nice dinner at Ruby Tuesday (this is a treat for us since this is the closest one to our house and we never go there) and then hit up the casino.  We very rarely go there because a) we usually just lose $$$ and b) it's SOOO smokey in there!  Well, tonight we were lucky!  We were only there for 1 hour and I won $100 and my hubby won $500!!!  Think I can convince him to share his money with me so I can take an Anthropologie shopping trip?  My hair stinks and my throat hurts a little from all the second hand smoke, but I guess it's worth it since we both actually won!

I didn't want to wear nice clothes knowing they would just end up reeking of smoke, so I just wore jeans, a BR grey cardigan, & a lace print t-shirt from LOFT.  Didn't even think to take pics because it really wasn't anything special.  Oh, and I wore my Anthropologie Pessinus Garden Necklace - perhaps it was my favorite necklace that brought us good luck!

However, I do want to share some pics with you of 2 items I recently bought off ebay.  I've been meaning to show them off for a while now.  My post last night was full of many new pretty flower print pieces on my wish list and it reminded me that I have yet to debut my new Tulip Study Dress and Blooming Lattice Cardi.

Cardigan: Anthropologie Blooming Lattice Cardi (via ebay)

Dress: Anthropologie Tulip Study dress (via ebay)

Cami: The Limited

Tights: Banana Republic brown herringbone

Belt: LOFT

Shoes: Indigo by Clarks - Purse

I don't think I can pull off wearing this dress until it gets closer to spring.  Any styling tips to winterize this?  Maybe I'll try it out with my boots soon and see what I can come up with.

I also haven't worn the Blooming Lattice Cardi yet.  This is way more cropped than I was expecting, so I'm only planning to wear it with dresses.  Never saw this cardi in store, so to be honest I'm not even for sure that this is authentic.  It sure looks like it and has a "Field Flower" tag inside, but this cardi does look pretty easy to copy and I've noticed a TON on ebay so my guess is this one's pretty easy to counterfit.  Oh well, I still like it even if it may be a fake.....

These are a few of my {new} favorite things

Hope everyone is having a good weekend so far!  Today was a pretty low key day, so no worth while OOTD post for you.  I slept in, went out to lunch with my husband, came home and cleaned, wrote a report for work, and made dinner.  We've been sitting around all evening watching TV and drinking some wine.  My husband has been watching football, so I've been doing some internet searching.  In my world, that mostly consists of reading other blogs and drooling over the Anthropologie website.  Several new items have been added to the website recently and I thought I'd share some of my current new loves.  In an attempt to let my readers get to know me a little better I also thought I'd share a little about what I like about each item.  Recently I've come to realize that clothes/accessories that I'm instinctively draw to fall into at least one of three categories: Pretty, Vintage, or Chic....hence where I came up with my blog title...my fashion sense in three simple words.

Shirt the Issue Dress - $118

I'm drawn to this because it's pretty.  I always have and always will absolutely adore pretty flower prints :)  Perhaps this stems back to the wallpaper in my childhood room.  My parents let me pick it out in 2nd grade - a pretty pink, lavender, and blue flower print.  It's been there up until about 2 months ago.  After I got married, my mom and dad re-did my old bedroom - painted, re-arranged, and replaced my twin size canopy bed with a new queen size bed.  They wanted to have a "proper" room that my husband and I can stay in when we visit..haha.  It's very nice, but I must say that I miss that pretty wallpaper!
Anyway, I digress, I'm also drawn to this dress because I think it has a subtle vintage feel.

Pond Reflections Dress - $168

Again, it's such a pretty, yet chic dress!  I have tried this one on in person (review to come very soon, I promise!)  It would look great with a colorful cardi or a jacket.

Eastpointe Garden Top - $58

I'm in love. (We'll see if that holds up once I am able to try it on)  Staying with the theme so far, it's pretty!  Based on the stock photo, the pattern and colors are gorgeously chic.  I personally think this once has a slight vintage feel to it as well :)  LOVE!

Voila Top - $78

I just adore the vintage lace detailing.  Such a pretty design and two very pretty color choices!  Don't know how I would ever choose between the two!

Twisted Polka Dots Top - $78

This one falls in my secret fourth category, "unique".  I did contemplate how I could incorporate this word in my blog title, but finally threw it out because I wanted the simple three words that defined my style, four words was too cluttered!  Definitely a unique top, but this one also falls in my pretty category!   love the polka dots and combo of pretty prints!

Painted Morning Skirt - $88

Lately, it seems that yellow has become my new favorite color!  I always used to avoid it because I thought it made my already pale skin look extremely washed out.  But, I've found out that as long as it's not too pale of a yellow, it's actually very flattering.  Love this skirt because of it's very chic structure and pattern.  I really hope it looks flattering and chic on me when I get to try it on.

Jeweler's Choice Cardigan - $148

If you've read my other blog posts, you probably already know that I'm a total sucker for cardigans and necklaces.  Well, what if I also shared with you that I'm a total sucker for coral?!  I.must.own.this.cardi.someday.  Such gorgeous looking fabric and the coral-beaded statement neckline is so, so pretty.

Flip-Flap Bag - $78

Well, my new favorites list finishes off with my all out love affair with pretty floral patterns.  Love the vintage feel it has with the canvas print and chain link handle.  Must see this in person to know for sure if it's on the "must have" list or not.  While I'm not sure if I'll love the feel/size of it, I do know that I'm in love with the colorful tulip pattern!

Well, I hope you enjoyed learning more about my fashion loves and the 3 words that describe the things I covet.  If you had to narrow it down, what 3 words would describe the pieces you are instantly drawn to?  What new arrivals are your new favorites?