Sunny Dress

A good friend of mine gave me this dress a few months back, and I feel very grateful! It is so sunny and fun. The smocking on the front can be a bit of a hazard – if you hunch over at all, it makes you look like you are pregnant! Ha.

It is a lovely dress that I will wear a lot during the summer months. Now I just can not wait for the good weather!

Sailor Dress

 I purchased this dress at Anthropologie a couple years back, along with the green polka dot dress that I had previously blogged about.

I love the different blues with the piping around the bodice and the button detailing. It is such a pretty dress, and I love it!

Tweed Skirt

I came across this skirt at a local used clothing store, Crossroads, and thought it was definitely worth trying on! Many pencil skirts have not fit me right in the past, so I was dubious. The proportions have to be almost perfect (or tailored).

Yami Mazao, $8 (used)

I have never heard of the brand before, but I just found this when I googled:

Yumi Mazao was started in 1985 in Paris and has grown into quite the French brand.  She designs clothes that are timeless and comfortable in that very French way…. 

Wow! What a find – I had no idea what I was buying!

Besides the great brand, this one fits really well because it has a curvy shape. I love the texture of the tweed too.

What a difference a dress makes…

The picture does not do this dress justice (I am working on my photography, I swear!), but it is very bright green with a fun polka dot print! The polka dots are very subtle, since they are the same color as the dress.

I purchased this a couple years ago at Anthropologie. Soon after, I saw a picture in US Weekly of Angela from The Office wearing it! Woohoo!

Flannel Shirts are SO cool

I have been watching the resurgence of the flannel shirt, and could not find a print that I liked anywhere.

The above shirt I found at Forever 21 had colors that I liked, and it was only $13! Perfect. I snatched it up. For a slightly different look, I have been wearing this with a large brown belt to create some more shape.

I had forgotten about Forever 21, but have been rediscovering it recently. They have such great clothes that are fun to wear! It is nice to try trends without fully committing with a lot of money.

Fancy Shirt

I like to call the below shirt my “clown” shirt, since it is silky and has dual color accents. Haha.

Anyway, I found this for $10 at a local discount store (on sale -- 70% off!). It is Lucca Couture shirt, a brand I have not heard of at all.

I find it looks best with more high-waisted pencil skirts or black pants.

Printed Dress

In the last ten years I have not owned any flowered clothes, but now that has changed!

I was at Target the other day checking out their dresses, and tried on about eight dresses in a variety of sizes. The “designer” dresses I tried were not flattering on me – too bad, since there were some cute ones!  

I found the dress I wanted to buy with the regular Target line, Xhilaration ($25).

The print is not too busy, which was good. Also, it is perfect for summer, since it is a light fabric but substantial enough to feel supportive.

Yea Target!

Sashimi Coat

Sometimes the best things in life are free….

Sashimi Coat, ??

It’s so true. I was complimenting a coworker on her great coat this last Winter, when she suddenly offered to give it to me! She explained that a friend had given it to her, but the sleeves were too short . They were a bit too short for me too, but I didn’t mind! I loved it.

I know my photography skills need some work, but I took this on my phone with bad lighting last night (and a dish mat in the corner -- oops!).

The coat is a burgundy color with a slightly thicker wool in a trench coat style. It is belted with a great gathered collar. So cute! I love it.

I have worn it often this Winter and have enjoyed having a nicer coat that works with casual wear as well.

P.S. After looking on the internet for a bit, it looks like this may have been a brand that was carried by Nordstrom. It looks like they might not sell it anymore...

Anthropologie Handbags – LOVE!

I know I have not posted for a few days, but I will start taking some photos of my own clothes and including them in the blog in the future. Watch for more personalized reviews to come!

 Although there are two things that I saw shopping recently that I want to share with you!

I went to Anthropologie today – one of my favorite stores – and saw two amazing bags. They are perfect and wonderful!

There is a vintage looking bag that I am tempted to buy….

Lavender Era Bag, $78

It is beautiful, with a wooden handle at the top and a detachable long leather strap as well! You can wear it as a clutch or across your body.

FYI -- The bag looks more yellow in the store, not lavender. I am not sure if the one in the store is a color no longer available, but it definitely looked different than the photo.

Friend Indeed Bag, $198

Anthropologie makes the most beautiful and soft leather bags. This one is darn near perfect! It has a pouch in the back perfect for sunglasses, and a pocket in the front for your cell phone. Plus, it is such a unique purple color.

It is a bit too much money for me to spend right now, but I can dream! I bought a leather handbag from Anthro a couple years ago (on sale!), and it has really held up well. They are definitely a good investment.

I Love JEANS!!!! Especially Comfortable Ones...

In the last year, I have purchased two pairs of Anthropolgie’s Level 99 Lily Straight Leg ($99) Jeans.

They are the best jeans I have ever purchased, and I have owned a variety of styles and brands in the past.

Along with the reasonable price, these are very comfortable and stylish — plenty of stretch built in but do not lose their shape, even after numerous washings and wearings (I have never put them in the dryer though). The Lily is a thinner denim that is technically straight legged, but meant to fit tighter like a skinny jean.  It’s great if you are curvy but want the skinny jean look.

Of course, wide leg jeans are in now, so these might seem a bit passé. Also, Anthro is running out of the darker denim version online, so other people must have found out about them too! There are tons of good reviews on their website.

Enjoy Your Friday!