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My search for a long or draped grey cardigan brought me to Ann Taylor to see the Wool Blend Open Cardigan in person. The two stores I went to did not have either color so I was out of luck, but I did find a few things to try on. Ann Taylor has extended their 40% off Friends-and-Family code through today (use FRIENDS40).

~ Camel Print Silk Camp Shirt, Medium ~

I am always on the lookout for a 100% Silk shirt, especially printed ones. I think they are perfect layering pieces for my casual work-from-home style. The Medium is true-to-size though the shirt is sheer. It will probably require a cami if worn solo, and I already had one on. There’s also a Deer Print Silk Camp Shirt. 

~ Cable Turtleneck Sweater, Silver Lake Grey, Small ~
I surprisingly liked this turtleneck sweater. I don’t like my neck constricted and tend to stay away from turtlenecks but this is one I would get. I loved the color and cable-knit. There is a small split hem for just enough trend but still able to be worn after that’s finished. I would need a Medium for just a little more comfort. It also comes in Black, Irish Cream and Smokey Pond which is a light blue. 

~ Structured Zip-Back Sweater, White, Medium ~
This sweater looked like an option to use as an outer layer. It’s just a little cropped but still hit me at the waist-band. It looked and was comfortable on and had a short exposed zip in the back. The Medium was TTS and I like the neckline but the drop-shoulder makes it a pass. 
~ Dot Sweater Flounce Skirt, Petite Medium ~
This was another one of those looks-cute-on-the-hanger items. I like the length and the sweater knit was comfortable but I just don’t see myself wearing this enough. I also think it was on sale in-store but still full-price online. 

~ Lace Slim Ankle Pants, size 10 Petite ~
I loved these pants. I tried on a Petite to see if I could get the length cropped or at least just the right length to the ankle. Also, from past experience with Ann Taylor, I size to a 10 Petite instead of an 8 Petite like I would at J Crew. Can I just say how much I love that Ann Taylor carries petite sizing in-store. There’s a Banana Republic here in town that does as well and of course, Talbot’s. I wish J Crew would have a few items in Petite in-store, particularly pants. 
The 10 Petite was the perfect fit and felt very comfortable. I’ve been looking for something like these for a few years to wear with a Cashmere sweater and a statement necklace. You’ll see these on me this party season. 
Ann Taylor has been mostly a miss for me for a while now. And the one store I frequent is just not fun to be in. The lighting is drab and the SAs are either very helpful or completely ignore you. I am glad I stopped by since I loved the pants and the Silk Camel Blouse. 
Are you shopping the Ann Taylor Friends and Family, code FRIENDS40? 

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***50% off at Ann Taylor, today only!

Last weekend Ann Taylor had 50% off everything. I haven’t shopped at the store since my friend stopped working there. They always have some pretty clothes I just can’t get past the 100% Polyester in most of their offerings. But, at 50% off I can definitely re-consider having the sisters in my wardrobe (Poly & Ester…credit goes to Gigi for that).

The Zebra Jacquard Skirt has been styled in the window and even caught MamaBella’s eye one during an afternoon of shopping. Though the outer zebra portion feels, and looks, like a linen blend it is actually 100% Polyester. I grabbed several sizes in Regular and Petite. Unfortunately I did not take my camera with me but everything you see here was in the dressing room with me. The size 6 was tight across the hips and I dared not sit down for fear of a ripped seam. The 8 was too long for my taste. The 8P was a good length but still just a touch tight in the hips. I could sit down but an extra bite of cake could alter this skirt. The size I took home with me was the 10 Petite. There is a touch more room through the hips and the waist is comfortable. The length hits at the top of my knee.

  

The side seams have a solid trim which is also at the hem.

The back zipper seam does not match up but with all the various Zebra stripes it really doesn’t bother me. There is a lovely Coat that I was so tempted to get as it was beautiful. But where would I wear it? Even at $100 the sensible thing to do was leave it at the store. 

I chose a Medium in the Polka Dot Colorblock S/S Top; again 100% Polyester. This is unlined but not see-through. The colorblock is the collar, button placket and in the back across the shoulders. There is also a little pocket in front that blends in with the shirt. It was just too adorable to pass up.

The hem is hi-low which I didn’t even notice until now.

The Skinny Stripe Top looks like something J Crew would offer. I grabbed a Medium so this does run TTS. This is lined, has a boatneck and cap sleeves. It’s not too boxy and almost seems A-Line to me as the material just skims the chest area and then floats away from the body (I sounds like WNTW.)

Yep, it’s a keeper.

Lastly, is the Eyelet Bodice Dress. I just love a Navy Blue dress. The color is just classic. The way some women gravitate towards all Black is how I am with Navy. This dress is very chic. The size 6 had the Girls pulling the buttons so the 8 Petite came home with me.

The “Eyelet Bodice” is lined in cream giving a nice nude contrast to it. 
Definitely need to tone those arms to make that cap-sleeve look prettier.

Don’t fear ladies. There’s a hidden zipper down the back which allows you to step in to the dress.

I’d definitely wear this to work, with a cardigan. The only problem with this dress is that the bottom portion is not lined. I’d Spanx it for sure and spray with Static Guard as well.

I am really happy with all of these purchases from Ann Taylor. There were several items with the Zebra print, though some were black and white and not Navy Blue and white. I cannot wait to wear the dress! Have you tried the newest items from Ann Taylor. 

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A few outfits from my recent office visits. The first outfit is one I copied exactly and originally planned to wear earlier this year but due to the cold weather changed out the bottoms that are in the second pic below. I love the color combo and the heels are one of my favorite pairs.

Sweater: Ann Taylor Extrafine Merino Wool 3/4 Sleeve Sweater, Cameo Pink
Skirt: J Crew Factory Double-Serge Cotton Pencil Skirt, Byzantine Blue
Shoes: Valentino Patent Bow Pumps

Next up are the most comfortable dress pants…EVER! I found these Cashmere pants on ebay last year and love them. They are not lined but I’m ok with that. I stayed in the Cashmere family with a Cashmere Tee. I was cozy all day in my fabulous pants.

Sweater: J Crew Cashmere Tee, Green (old)
Pants: JC Cashmere Plaid Pants (Sample, ebay)
I’m so excited for this evening as Molly from Anthromollogies is having a Holiday Event at my local Anthropologie. It’s taking all my energy to stayed focused on work and not run to my closet to figure out what I’m going to wear. I hope to Tweet some, if my phone cooperates.
Have a Great Day!
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I found this Peplum Top at Ann Taylor a few weeks ago. The Peplum is subtle, which I like for this trend. I originally bought it to wear with my Burgundy No. 2 Pencil Skirt from the summer but found it goes with much more. Since that skirt was dirty I decided on pairing the blouse with the Pleated Crepe Skirt in Vibrant Fuchsia and am pretty happy with the look  I added my AT Perfect Pumps in Porcini to complete the outfit. Since the top was pretty busy I didn’t add jewelry.

I would have worn some purple suede heels or wedges but we had rain that day and I didn’t want to ruin them. The only thing that bothers me about the shirt is the seaming where the Peplum starts. I first wore it with jeans and could feel it against my skin. I kept thinking that was where the blouse ended and I’m was showing some skin. The skirt waist band is a little higher up so I didn’t feel like that so much with this outfit, but something to think about.  
I can’t wait to try it with my Wool Pencil Skirt in Viridian Green from last year, similar to how Jean at Extra Petite styled it.
Do you have this blouse? What other colored bottoms would you wear with it?
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How sweet is my little Bella? She’s very camera shy. She always puts down her head when I point the camera at her. She even knows when I’m trying to take an iPad picture.

I’m on the fence about this dress. I waited and waited to see a review or for it to go on sale. It arrived yesterday and I’m not sure I like it. The fit seems a little off although the material is super soft and comfortable. What do you think? I’m wearing a size Small and would either have to wear a cami underneath or get it altered to raise it up at the shoulders, like I am showing now. This would make is more of an Empire waist as well. 
Impromptu date night with Husband brings out the “NWT” items.
Ann Taylor Pleated Cami (NWT)
J Crew Origami Mini in Peony (NWT)
Stuart Weitzman Wedges
Did I mention I had a 40th birthday party a few weeks ago to round out my “40 days of turning 40”? Here are some pics.
The front door sign welcoming our guests.
Margaritas!!
The Birthday Girl – with TWO cakes!!!
Opening presents…What does this paper say???
OMG!! Husband’s taking me to Cancun in September, with some good friends! 
Sneaky sneaky.
And this video made me LOL! How many of you know about “La Chancla“?
Lastly, The Boy texted me late one night while at a friend’s and asked if I had heard of INSANITY. Of course, I told him. It’s for crazy people. He said he was doing it right then with some other friends and wanted to buy it. So being like all the other Mother’s out there who don’t spoil her children at some point, I bought it AND agreed to do it with him. 
I honestly believe you have to be INSANE to do this. I just watched a video and started hurting everywhere. I’m prepping myself this week by doing Level 3 of the 30 Day Shred. I did convince The Boy today to start moving so he did it with me. We begin on Monday. My before pictures are horrendous so I have motivation. I’m so glad there are clothes and accessories to hide those imperfections we have. 
Just a few random things going on in the AudreyBella house. I didn’t have the motivation to do individual posts for all of this so I took inspiration from FABULOUS Florida Mommy‘s blog posts, A Little This, A Little That.
Have a Great Evening!