/ Reviews

I was able to try a few things on after the Holiday Fashion Show at Anthropologie.

~ Arboreto Peplum Top, Large, KAS New York ~

I originally tried the Medium in this and it was way too snug across the chest and the Large is super loose. I know I grabbed a Medium so I am no sure why there was such a huge gap, literally, in the chest area. According to one reviewer, who has the same chest size as me, she also sized to a Large but hers fit.

I liked the green color of this top and the cut-outs a the neckline and peplum hem. The material is viscose, look suede and feels a little like silk. The back is a deep V and may not cover your bra strap.

Anthro_KAS_Tunic

~ On the Town Swing Top, size 8, Maeve ~

Knowing I vary in Maeve I grabbed a size 8 since this looked both cropped and small in the arms. I should have probably grabbed a 10. The arms were super tight as well as above the chest. The chest and through the body were loose. It’s too bad since the print is so festive.

Anthro_MaeveCocktailBlouse

~ Velvet Trimmed Swing Tank, Small, Moulinette Soeurs ~

Finally a shirt that wasn’t tight. This fit fine through the chest but them really swung out after that making it a little too wide for me. That’s too bad for me, again, because i really liked this for a Holiday party. The velvet at the body is a nice touch and the sequin design is cool.

Anthro_VelvetBandTank

 

Three strikes on tops for me this time. I wasn’t really looking for any but I wish I had chosen better sizes on these.

/ Bella Picks

There are so many goodies to chose from at J Crew Factory with the current 50% off everything promo (SHIPGIFTS) it makes my head spin. I already have my Holiday party outfits planned but there’s always shopping for next year right? I have been obsessed with the Sea Glass Brulee’ Necklace for a while and am very delighted to see a similar one in the Crystal Drops Necklace at the Factory. And who doesn’t love Camel for Winter? I can’t decide between the Striped Knit Scarf or the Plaid Scarf.

The Cora Loafers with Bow not only remind me of Kate Spade but they are great to wear to those parties where you know you’ll be standing most of the time. I have some dressy flats already but would get these in a heartbeat.

I did order some items during the Early Access that I’ll share with you now.

~ Velvet Blazer, size 8 ~
~ Peacock Collector Tee, Medium ~
~ Pencil Skirt in Double-Serge Wool, Rhapsody Blue, size 8 Petite ~

The Velvet Blazer fit fine in the size 8 though I would have ordered a 10 Petite had it been offered. There’s a single-button in front which hits at a decent spot, not too low. The velvet is loose though and not structured like the old Schoolboy Blazer of yore, which is what I was expecting. The Faux-Fur Vest would be a fun option. The Peacock Tee fit fine in my normal Medium. The peacock is gold foil. I’m going to keep it as it’s fun and the gold foil on black background can be a little dressy.

JCF_VelvetBlazer

I returned the Patio Pant in Wool in Blue Stone since I really didn’t think I’d wear it too often. I have whittled down all my pants but still have quite a few dressy options that I really didn’t need another pair. This Rhapsody Blue in the Pencil Skirt in Double-Serge Wool is a great color duplicate. I prefer Petites in the pencil skirts at the retail and factory stores, when it’s offered, because the length is shortened to 19-20 inches instead of the 22+. That petite length hits me just above the knee and is so much more proportionate for my body. I do find the factory double-serge wool is a little thinner than retail but still a nice quality.

JCF_DoubleSergeWoolPencilSkirt

What are you shopping at the 50% off everything at the J Crew Factory? Are you shopping for you or gifts for friends and family?

/ Reviews

Since it’s always hard to find IRL Reviews of Tory Burch items I will share the few things I tried on, in case you are shopping the Black Friday THANKS promo.

~ Embroidered Linen Tunic, size 8 ~

I almost missed out on a tunic I wanted in the Spring and luckily found it on-sale in my store one day. I wasn’t about to miss out on this tunic once I saw it. The green embroidery on the linen is really pretty. The size 8 is TTS though the “mid-length” sleeves are full-length on me.

TB_EmbroideredLinen_Tunic

~ Silk Shirt, size 8 ~

I have a fun Kate spade silk blouse and absolutely love it. This one is different enough to add to my closet. You probably won’t be able to see the print layered under a sweater but a cardigan or blazer will be good to wear over this. The size 8 was just a little snug in the arms but a size 10 was fairly big through the body. I just stuck with the size 8.

TB_SouthwesternSilkShirt

~ Merino Oversized Mockneck Tunic, Wheat Melange, Small ~

I have seen this each time I went into the store but never tried it on. That was probably due to the weather not being cool enough to warrant interest in trying on sweaters. This is meant to be oversized so I decided to try a Small. Though the arms, with a drop-shoulder seam, are a little snug, the sweater fit well everywhere else. Sizing to a Medium would have been an excess-fabric-disaster. You’ll notice that the mockneck, and sleeves, are ribbed which creates a faux v-neckline; very flattering.

You’ll have to pick something else to get you to the $250 mark for the promo though, since it’s on sale at $177. As much as I also wanted the Gray I decided to order the Wool Henley Tunic in the Earl Gray Melange instead, along with the Wool Jacquard Tunic. I went with a Small in both of those as well.

TB_OversizeMerinoSweater

I love all of my items I buy from Tory Burch. I have returned a few things but only because I realized they were not practical in my daily life. I have only had one minor issue with the hem of a silk blouse unraveling but I find that to happen to a lot of my silk shirts. My dry cleaner is so good they always hem it back up for me at no charge.

Happy Tory Shopping! Don’t forget to use code THANKS for 30% off $250 or more.

/ Bella Picks

Lucky Brand currently has 50% off everything for Black Friday, no code needed. I actually stopped by the store before going to the Anthropologie Fashion Shows and found a few things I liked to try on.

~ Embroidered Shift Dress, Small ~

I was headed to a concert over the weekend and thought I might find something cool to wear that was beaded or embellished in some way. This dress was a pretty color and styled in the store with a Leather Jacket and floppy hat. This fit fairly well in the Small with the exception of the sleeves being a little snug. I wouldn’t size up though as the flow through the body and the length are perfect.

LB_EmbroideredDress

~ Embellished Tank Top, XS ~

This was a return and I really liked it. I knew that I am a size smaller in Lucky Brand so I thought I would see how the XS fit in case I wanted to order the Small though it wouldn’t arrive in time for my night out. The XS actually fit but the Small would be better. It was just a little tight at the underarms and chest. The Small would still drape nicely and be a little looser in that area. The beading and embellishment are front and back.

LB_EmbellishedTank

~ Embellished Shell, Small ~

This was another store return and it was styled with a black leather jacket. The beading and embellishment is done so well. But it is a little on the heavy side. I wouldn’t size to a Medium on this as the Small fits very well. This is such a beautiful statement piece that looks just as good with jeans as it would with Leather or Lace Pants.

LB_EmbellishedShell

~ Pleated Tunic, Ruby Red, Small ~

This is just a plain tunic with pleating at the front. I thought the red might be nice for Christmas with a sparkly necklace. The image on your right is a truer depiction of the color. The Small fit fine to a little snug in the arms. But the length and fit through the body is good.

LB_Tunic_Red

~ Sweet Boot, 29 Ankle ~

I love this dark wash with very little fading. The ankle length is still a little too long at a 30-inch inseam, in heels. I’d probably cut an inch off for heels and boots. The denim was really comfortable but is not 100% cotton. It’s got 20% Poly and 2% Spandex blended with the cotton. I imagine it could shrink some so I might wash and dry them before taking them to be hemmed just to see if they will shrink up in the length.

LB_SiennaBoot


Though I don’t normally shop there, I do like Lucky Brand items. I can always find a pair of jeans that I like that also fit well, and they are made in the USA in LA. I have a very favorite tie-dye embroidered tunic from Lucky Brand that I bought almost 10 years ago. I knew I probably wouldn’t make it to the store so I ordered the Sweet Boot online.

/ Reviews

Last week, my store had a Holiday Fashion Show that was so much fun. I never was able to share my picks for November so I’ll just right to December. I will also have a few reviews for you soon.

The Curved Cables Poncho is very similar to my Harvest Moon Poncho from last year.  The Artist Stripe Tee would be a great option for the J Crew Black Sequin Pants. I also have a pair of Tuxedo Shorts that would be nice with this tee. Lastly, I thought the Eraso Tassel Ring was originally a bracelet. It looks so cool and I would love to have it.

And here’s a review of my new favorite jeans, Pilcro Wide-Leg Sailor Jeans. I sized down to a 28, probably due to the button-fly and high-waist. They have a wide-leg and large hem, along with long, wide pockets in front and back. It’s really nice to have non-skinny jeans options in my closet.

Anthro_PilcroSailor_Flat

Anthro_PilcroSailer_Heels

I’ve already worn them several times, posting some Que Bella’s of them.

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