Tempting Offerings!

Hello!  So nice to be back!  Kids are in school, the puppy is learning some manners and Fall is just around the corner.


I have entered the Tinkerbell Half-Marathon set for January 27, 2012 ... AND I am running the Big Sur Half in November!  So, training in earnest has begun!  Yesterday I ran 4 miles with the dog; easy miles but just getting my distance back.  I really need to drop about 5 pounds to get into my running weight, so I am trying to watch what I'm eating too... ugh... hate that because I am a foodie at heart!


There are SO MANY offerings at Anthropologie and Lululemon right now ... here are some of my favorites:


Lulu, I love you.   And I LOVE your workout wear for running, Bar, lounging, etc.:

Shown above:  Run: For Your Life Tank ($54); Run:  Swiftly Tech Short Sleeve ($58) and Turbo Run Shorts ($54).  

Above is the Run:  Silver Bullet Sleeveless and the Run:  Silver Bullet Short Sleeve ($68).  The GREAT think about this line is the silver threads that run through the fabric that make this garmet "anti-stink"!  Seriously, it works.  These tops have the cutest, small ruffle detail at the neck.  LOVE.

Anthro:  I love you, too!  While I was not too wild about Spring and Summer, I am LOVING the Fall things that are being released:

 Dog Rose Pullover ($138)  Also in Ivory, but I love this navy!

Houndstooth Collage Pencil Skirt ($98)

Molten Blouse ($98)

Test Pattern Sweaterdress ($148)

What offerings are tempting you?  Are any of you runners who are signed up for any races this Fall?  I'd love to hear from you!  

Lusting for Fall!

Hello!  Mea culpa for my loooong absence ... was away for an extended vacation with the husband, kids and puppy.  We visited some family and then cruised the San Juan Islands - it was truly magical!  


So I am now back at work and back to my "usual" life ... scouring the shopping sites, my favorite blogs and getting the kids ready for school!  I cannot believe that school is 10 short days away for my kids, but with the beginning of school marks the countdown to FALL.  I love Fall ... the weather, the clothes, the anticipation of the holidays!  I cannot wait!


Here are some of my lust items ... 

 Fringed Boots - Anthropologie - $288

 Weekender Bag - Fossil - $228

 Heritage Raincoat - Anthropologie - $288

Tsuru Blouse - Anthropologie - $128

I would love to hear what you have found for "lust items" for the Fall!  

Thanks for stopping by!

Fitting Room Reviews!

Good Afternoon!  We are almost to a wonderful, warm three day weekend!  Yeah!


June is my birthday month and I have been holding on to my 15% discount card from Anthropologie ... so, I took the day off work yesterday (sshhhhh) and headed to a distant Anthropologie that always has a good selection of new arrivals and sale items.  


First up is the Squared Study Skirt by Eva Franco, size 2, $148:

 I was so happy to see this at the store as it was one of the items in the July catalog that was already on my wishlist.  The skirt is a loose weave, lined and comes with a fabric belt.  I would definitely replace the belt with a leather one.  The SA told me it fit small, but it was TTS on me.  I did try on the 4 and found it baggy in the waist.  The waist is pleated, kind of a "paper bag" style, but the pleats lie flat and do not add bulk:

There is a nice kick pleat in the back and the length is perfect for work.  I can see wearing this skirt all through the Fall and Winter.  My one reservation about the skirt is that the weave is loose; I am afraid the skirt may snag or stretch and bag out with wear.  It is still on my wishlist, but I will keep my eyes on the reviews to see if anyone experiences quality issues with the skirt.


I also tried on the Shine Sum Henley, XS, $78:

I loved, loved, loved this henley when I saw it online.  In person, however, I was disappointed.  The XS is baggy and shapeless on me.  Sadly, I am sized out on this one.  Let me say, however, that the details are really cute, the shiny gold details makes this henley special and would be so cute with jeans either dressed up or down.  


Next was the Flourishing Stripe Tank,  XS, $78:

Sorry for the blurry photo; not sure what happened... Anyway, I have wanted to try this on after seeing it on another blogger in the blue motif.  I tried on the XS and it fit TTS.  I love this top!  The embroidery details are high quality and lovely in person.  The back is an adorable criss-cross under which you can wear a modified bra.  I've shown the tank here with the Coin Pocket Bermudas (on sale for $40), which I also love!  I picked up both of these items today using my birthday discount!

Finally, I tried on the Atomical Tee, XS, $68:

Another top that I loved!  The fit was TTS and I liked that I could wear it to work or with shorts.  I love the mixed pattern:  Polka dots in front; stripes in the back!  Cute!  I bought this and black Cuffed Sateen Bermudas (on sale for $40) as an easy, summer outfit.  Throw on some cute heels and it will be a great wearing out to dinner.


I cannot wait for more of the July arrivals to hit the stores!  What items are you pining over?  


Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

OOTD - Sailing into July and PUPPY LOVE!

Greetings!  Sorry I have been away so long ... June has been crazy!  Since my last post, I have had another birthday, (ugh), done some shopping, (yay), and have brought home a new family member:  

Isn't he adorable?  I flew to Chicago last Tuesday to pick him up!  He rode back in the plane with me and was so good - not a peep out of him the entire plane ride!  He turned 9 weeks old on Sunday, is housebroken already, and has stolen my heart!

My OOTD is inspired by our upcoming 4th of July!  A Sailor skirt and red and white blouse, courtesy of Anthropologie!

Blouse and Skirt - Anthropologie

Sweater - Urban Outfitters

Shoes - Via Spiga Horizon - Nordstrom

I love, love, love these shoes - comfy heel and a great nude color!  

Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

OOTD - Polk-a-Dotted!

Summertime ... and the livin' is easy ...


Ahhhh, summer.  School is officially out and the kids are home!  For some that might seem like more work, but for me, it takes the challenge out of getting everywhere on time in the morning.  So, this morning I woke up at my usual time, ran and got ready for work ... all while the kids were asleep!  Nice!


My OOTD is a dress I picked up at Target in the clearance area for $13.99.  I like polkadots, but they can be a challenge here at work and for someone my age, but the dress was so cute, a nice, flowy cut and the price was certainly right, so why not!  The belt is from Anthropologie and I wish I could remember the name ... it is stretchy with a suede black flower at the clasp - I wear this belt all the time!  

Dress - Target

Belt - Anthropologie

Sweater - Banana Republic (old!)

Earrings - AE

Bracelet - Coach

Shoes - BP Berty - Nordstrom

The shoes I am wearing have been my staples this Spring ... they are so comfortable.  I have them in both the nude and the black -- missed out on the seafoam!  The fit TTS and are on sale right now for ... $35!  Highly recommended!

That's all for now.  I hope everyone is enjoying their day!  Thanks for stopping by!

OOTD - Ardennes Love!

After a week of rain here in "sunny" California, we finally have sun!  Could summer be on its way??  I think so!


Feeling the sunny love, today I grabbed the Ardennes skirt that I bought on sale a while back and still had not worn.  I almost returned this skirt ... but after wearing it today, I am so glad I kept it!  I really loved the Kingston Road dress but the low cut aspect of the top did not bode well for me, and the skirt is a wonderful compromise. I was lucky enough to get a PA on this skirt after the second cut, so final price was $39.95.  A pretty good deal indeed.

Skirt - Ardennes Skirt - Anthropologie

Top - Merona

Sweater - Halogen - Nordstrom

Bracelet - Anthropologie

Shoes - Urban Outfitters

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

New Lovelies On My Mind

Happy June 1!   The shopping ban is over and I did pretty well.  While I did not spend any cash on anything, I did use gift cards and credits to purchase a few items.  In retrospect, this feels like cheating to me as I think the idea of the ban is to appreciate what you already have, so maybe there is another ban with stricter rules in the future for me.  


With that said, June is my birthday month, and we all know what that means... birthday discount from Anthropologie!  15% is not a huge discount, but when stacked with a sale it's huge so I am hoping for a good sale sometime this month!  


Here are some newer items that are of interest to me:

Baubled Fan Pullover

Filtered Rays Blouse

Leaf Filagree Tank

Lundin Links Sweater

Rayas Shorts

Ruffled Summer Blouse

Go Anywhere Skirt

Waters Edge Maxi

Shine Sum Henley

What are your favorite new arrivals?  Did you survive the shopping ban?

Have a great day, and ... thanks for stopping by!

Tag Sale and Half-Yearly Sale Bounty!

So, we are just past part two of the Anthropologie's Tag Sale ... Part Two ... who knew?!  Tag Sale part 1 was, frankly, a yawner for me.  Nothing on my wishlist made it to the sale.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn of part 2 and hoped for a few items; I was not disappointed.  


I know, I know ... you are all thinking, "um, shopping ban!"  but rest assured, I planned well and used only gift cards or merchandise credit for my purchases!  


Here is what I ended up with:

First Light Skirt

Tepore Cardigan Sweater

Both of these have been on my wishlist forever, so I feel that my gift cards were well-used.  I am somewhat puzzled by the Tag sale and why so many older items did not make it to the sale, but since I am on a shopping ban, maybe it's a good thing!  

To challenge my ban, the Half-Yearly Sale at Nordstrom started yesterday.  I love the Brass Plum cardigans and saw that they were marked down to $16.90.  With a $100 gift card I have been hoarding since Christmas, I decided to head over to purchase the red.  On my way to the Brass Plum section, I spotted an adorable crossbody bag on sale.  For us moms, a crossbody bag is essential when you are out and about... you know, it frees up your hands to hold all of the stuff that the kids get tired of wearing or holding.  I was in need of a new one, so I decided to purchase it.  

Vince Camuto "Mable" Crossbody Bag

Black leather with straw body

Brass Plum Cardigan

I realized that I would be slightly over my $100 gift card, but decided the deal was too good to pass up.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the sweater was marked down even further to $11.90, so I stayed within my budget (with a few dollars to spare)!  

Hope you are all having a fabulous week and that you found some good deals!  Thanks for stopping by!

Anthropologie Reviews: Readymade Dress, Horkelia Shift and Mystery Fei Skirt

Hello and happy Thursday!  I stopped by Anthro yesterday on my way home from work to rerturn a few items and get a PA on the Ardennes Skirt - what a great deal at $40!  I have been waiting for the Readymade Dress to hit my store after seeing it online and was happily surprised that it had come in the day before.  I picked up a few other items that caught my attention and hit the fitting room.  Here are my reviews:

Mystery Fei Skirt - Size XS - Style 2067877 - Navy - $78

As you can see, this skirt is purple, not navy!  This is a lovely, flowy skirt with amazing pleating at the bottom that give such nice movement when you walk.  It is fitted through the hip and has a nice, wide waistband.  I tucked the Expanding Horizons tank (in lavender!) into the skirt (poorly) and you can see the lumps ... which leads to my only criticism of the skirt and that is that the material is thin and almost sheer.  I really love this skirt, but will try to hold out for sale time.  Interestingly, this skirt has been at my store for three weeks and still has not made it online.  Hmmm.

Horkelia Shift by Moulinette Soers - Size 2 - Orange - $178

I am a sucker for Orange, so when I saw this dress I was anxious to try it.  Because I am short, I am generally not a shift dress girl, unless the cut is right.  This dress on me is a mess:  Dumpy and unflattering.  The lace is amazing, the color divine, but what is up with the spandex, shiny lining?  And the exposed zipper?  Yuck.  If this dress ever gets a second cut, I might think of taking it to a tailor and having it fitted to me, but as it is now, it's a huge pass.  

Readymade Dress by Odille - Size 2 - $128 in stores; $118 online

LOVE LOVE LOVE!  Odille hits it again with a wearable dress that is nicely made.  The top is a creamy white with red and the denim skirt is a flowy denim material.  It has a hidden side zipper with a nice button detail inside the waist.  I have the dress belted (backward) with a belt that was hanging in the fitting room - the dress really begs to be belted.  I think the looping lanes belt will be perfect.  I am a little busty, but the top had plenty of room; the skirt hit me right at my knee and thus is totally work appropriate for casual Fridays.  Nice for a casual dinner out with the family too.  This dress is a must and I will buy at full price ... but what is that price?  I am so irritated by the pricing difference.  Why should the dress be $10 more in store???  Have any of you encountered this before?


That's it for now!  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

First Communion - The Dress!

Good Morning!  I have promised that I would post a few pictures from First Communion - what I wore and, more importantly, what my daughter wore.  Unfortunately, the photos we have are terrible ... and I do mean terrible.  We were in such a rush all morning and thought we would take pictures in the Church but it was too dark.  We have one last First Communion event this week,  and I am hoping for some better photos.


My daughter was picky about her dress; she is tall and thin and did not want a "poofy" dress, but wanted one that still had some "twirl" to it!  I ordered 8 dresses to the house from three websites, and she tried them all on, one by one, twirling in front of the mirror.  She eventually narrowed it down to this one, purchased from PinkPrincess.com. 

Here is a not so good photo of her in it:

I had a lot of trouble deciding what to wear.  I never found a dress that I liked and so I put this together the morning of the event.  I am wearing the Daisy skirt by Talbots, a Talbots ruffle tank, Merona sweater and J. Crew belt.  

What you cannot see in that terrible photo are my shoes ... I LOVE them!  Jessica Simpson Kendal bought at Nordstrom on sale.  These shoes are a steal at $60 and go with everything!  I usually wear a 6 but had to size down to a 5.5.

Will post better pictures soon (I promise, mom!)


Thanks for stopping by!

A Few Things for Sale: Poppies, Alena and Babergh

Just a quick post!  I have the following for sale: 


Alena skirt - Size 4 - NWOT - $45 shipped

Knotted Poppies Dress - Size 2 - NWT - $70 shipped

Babergh Dress - size 2 - NWT - $120 shipped

Please let me know if you are interested in any of the above!  I take Paypal and ship with delivery confirmaiton.

Thanks for stopping by!

OOTD - Targeted Shopping of My Closet!

Good Afternoon!  Today is a milestone for me ... today I am posting my first OOTD!  I feel like my outfits are not as amazing or awe-inspiring as so many other bloggers (Kim!  Roxy!  Chloe!  Maria!)  but I do the best I can :)

In order to stay on the ban, I decided to post OOTDs to show myself how many things I have in my closet that I can make work ... for all types of occasions.  

Today I wore a dress I picked up at Target about a month ago.  The watercolor aspect reminded me of the dresses and shirts I have been seeing on the Anthro site and I thought I'd give it a try. 

For $19.99, this dress was a steal.  The fit is a little flowy with a beautiful, drapey neckline that is not revealing, making it perfect for work.  I am wearing an XS and at 5'3" it hit me at the knee.  I have belted it with the snakebite belt from anthro, which brings out the greys in the dress.  Overall, I am quite happy with this dress and have had a lot of compliments on it today at work.  It is 90 degrees outside and about 50 degrees in my office ... hence the sweater. 

Dress:  Target - Massimo - Size XS

Belt - Anthropologie - Snakebite 

Sweater - Target - Merona

Shoes - Knock off Anticipation heels from Ruche

Necklace - AE - double key

Have a great day, everyone!  Thanks for stopping by!