/ Reviews

I didn’t want to just grab random clothes to try on at Ann Taylor. I tried to take items into the fitting room at Ann Taylor that were things I would actually wear or consider wearing. The skirt below is not only what I might wear to the office but also something Husband would like.

~ Lacy Cap Sleeve Blouse, Dark Ruby, Small ~
This looked flowy on the hanger so I brought a Small with me to the fitting room. It fits loose, even in the Small, though I wouldn’t size down to a Medium. The lace detail at the neckline extends around the back. The smaller lace detail down the front is see-through so I would consider a cami underneath, especially if wearing this to the office. The material is 100% Polyester and the care states to hand-wash and lay flat to dry. My guess is because of the lace detail at the neckline, and still a pain to do, especially with Poly.
~ Etched Rosette Full Skirt, size 6 ~

I really didn’t expect this to fit in the size 6 as the waist looked tiny. But I was able to fully zip it up and it wasn’t tight or uncomfortable once I had it on. The length, at 22 1/2 inches, hits me below the knee. The Petite length is 20 1/2 inches so I think the Petite Medium would be just the right length and fit for me.
 

The rosette is a nice pattern though, with the lace mixed in, seems like too much is going on. I do like that the other color on the ivory background is gray. You could go from light to dark gray on top to pair with the skirt.

~ Lace Tee, Warm Twilight, Medium ~
I didn’t like this blouse on the hanger but wanted to try on a few things that might go with jeans so I took it with me to the fitting room. Once I had it on though, I really liked it. The color is very nice and I like the nude underlay. The Black top has a black underlay.

I thought this fit me really well in the Medium and not snug anywhere. I also like that it gives a little shape in the waist. I could definitely wear this for anything, day or night. I like how I still looked put together, even in my jeans.

~ Paisley Top, Small ~
This fits exactly like the Paisley Mosaic Flare Dress so the Small is pretty snug in the sleeves on me and tight across the chest. The sleeves are a little longer, hitting at the elbow, on this top. They are short-sleeve on the dress. The length also looks cropped and it did hit me at the waistband on my jeans. And, of course, it’s 100% Polyester.
~ Tipped City Shorts, White, size 8 ~
I’m always looking for dressier shorts and these were great. They are cotton with some stretch and tipped in what looks like Navy Blue at the waist and side-seam. The inseam is 4 inches and also comes in Dark Sky which is Navy. The material is pique’ cotton so not a smooth feel but it still looks nice. The size 8 is the best fit, as is most shorts on me.
 
I ended up not making it back to the store to get the Lace Tee or Lace Shift Dress. I’m still trying to clear out some items in my closet so I have a better idea of what I’d like to replace things with. I’m also trying to stay away from Polyester, if at all possible.

Did you find anything from the Ann Taylor Friends & Family event? Or, are you waiting for the Labor Day sales instead?

/ Reviews

J Crew sure was delayed on shipping over the last few weeks, weren’t they? I ordered these booties during the Factory Early Access and they didn’t arrive until last Friday. Still within the 6-8 “working” day timeline but not to my expectations or normal shipping patterns. I didn’t even receive a “shipped” confirmation email until last Wednesday. There wasn’t a hurry to receive the order as it was all Fall and Winter items but communication from J Crew is lacking when there are issues like this.

…On to the review.

~ Suede Sawyer Boots, Olive Moss, size 7 ~
I love the Olive color on these! It is true to the online image. It’s going to be great for Fall. My normal size 7 fit very well, especially with socks. Though the shape of the bootie is somewhat western, there are no additional seams or stitching on it to make it look that way. The Quinn Ankle Boots from last year had that look. It didn’t stop me from wearing them all the time though.
The heel is extremely manageable to walk in measuring at 2 inches in the back.
The shaft is shorter as well hitting just above my ankle bone. They are great to show off all those cute little socks!
And here are some fun sock for your booties!
I bought these during the Early Access where I was also able to use one of my Gilt City coupons. I’ve seen the price vary every few days so keep an eye on them. Also, the Quinn’s didn’t sell out right away so you might be able to get them when they go to sale/clearance.
What do you think of the Suede Sawyer Boots?

/ Reviews

Ann Taylor Friends and Family ends tonight. Use code FRIENDS40 if you are shopping online. In-store they will automatically apply the code. I tried on several items but think dresses might be useful to most of you. For sizing reference, I am usually a 6 or 8 Petite/Small or Petite Medium in Ann Taylor.

I’ve seen this dress in the window display of the store. I really like the print but knew it would be too long for me. Still, I wanted to try it on to see if it was worth the purchase on sale and to hem it to just below the knee. The size 6 was a nice fit and still loose and flowy all over. The length was Midi and too long for me, hitting a few inches above the ankle on me. The lace trim makes a “T” in front and then is down the sleeve and on the the sleeve hem as well. The dress is made from 100% Polyester and is still $159. I don’t love it enough to pay that much, even at 40% off for Polyester. I’ve been wearing some silk sleeveless blouses lately (in this 100 degree heat) and still felt much cooler than I would have in a sleeveless Poly blouse or dress.
 
I like the print and might have considered it had it been on a skirt but overall, I think the dress is too “prairie” for me. The length and material confirm this dress is a pass for me.
~ Lace Shift Dress, Dark Ruby, size 6 ~
I didn’t originally purchase this dress because I already have a few party and occasion dresses for some upcoming Holiday events and a February family wedding. But, I loved this dress and am considering the purchase of it anyway. I wish the lighting in the Ann Taylor fitting rooms was better. The color online is very true to IRL, as is the Fresh Ink (Royal Blue). The size 6 was a great fit still showing off a little curve at the waist. And there’s still some wiggle room for a food-baby! The length for me hits about an inch above the knee it will be a little shorter for you taller ladies. The sleeve and hem are scalloped. The material is a Cotton-Nylon blend.
This was the dress I ended up purchasing. I chose this over the Lace Shift Dress due to how often I would probably wear it. The size 6 fit really well and I compared it to the size 8 Petite in the Diamond Foulard print (below). The length hits just at the knee in the size 6. The wrap covers the chest nicely without any need for a safety pin or Fashion Tape.
The description says the sleeves are 3/4-length but they are bracelet-sleeve on me. I would probably pull them up some, like in pic below. One of the best parts is that this dress doesn’t call for any Spanx! I would probably still wear the Shaper Shorts if I was leaving the house just to smooth the bottom. I chose this print over the Geo Foulard and Diamond Foulard.
The fit was a little more snug in the 8 Petite. The length came up above the knee as well. I don’t usually mind that but since this is a wrap dress I was thinking of when I sit down how well the skirt would stay shut. The navy print is nice though I like the Tile Print a little more.
  
~ Paisley Shift Dress, Medium ~
I liked the paisley print at the neckline and hem but the pink background wasn’t anything special for me. The Medium fit good through the body and just so in the shoulders and arms. I might have tried a Petite Medium if I was really considering this dress as a purchase. The shift silhouette has just a slight curve at the chest but then A-lines to the hem, which hits me just above the knee.
 
~ Paisley Mosaic Floral Dress, Dark Sky, size 6 ~
I thought the dress looked really nice on the mannequin and I think it looks ok on me. I wish the hem was hitting the knee and think the 8 Petite would accomplish that. I liked the mix of the two prints as well. The dress is 100% Polyester so, though sleeveless, will be warm to wear through the Fall. With a little cardigan this is a nice office-wear dress.
 

So tell me, what did you purchase from the Ann Taylor Friends & Family event? I honestly don’t need a whole lot and am really really trying to be thoughtful in my purchases. But sometimes, you just can’t get something off your mind. I see you Lace Tee and Lace Shift Dress.

/ Reviews

I was hoping to have finished my posts so that you wouldn’t notice my brief absence but alas, time got away from me. We took The Boy back to college this week. He’s now in a town-home with some friends and starts classes on Monday. His room is small so we had to figure out how to fit a bed and desk in there with some small drawers for clothes. Yay! for Ikea coming through on everything we needed!

My cousin was in the country with her fiance’ and had a two-day layover in Texas to visit family. She was able to catch up with everyone and see all her aunts, uncles and cousins (new and old). The Boy was also able to see his grand-mother and great-grandmother before heading back to school.

~ Drawstring Tunic Sweater, Small ~

I loved the Boho feel I got when I put on this sweater tunic. The fringe at the arms along with the pattern were so distinctive. The tunic is oversized so the Small fit very well. I am consistently an 8/Medium in Tory Burch so definitely size down one.
I didn’t adjust the drawstring any but should have raised that part up a little to give the top portion some drape. The sweater is a little on the thick side but not too much. It will do well in late October/November as opposed to September.

My only issue with this tunic sweater is the fringe. I think after a year it might be a little dated causing me not to wear it. I don’t think to would do any good to try and remove them as it does help make this very Boho. I’m on the fence about it so I’ve added it to my Wishlist. If it makes it to sale I will have a hard time resisting this purchase.

~ Embroidered Silk Peasant Top, size 8 ~

The silk is pretty sheer on this peasant top. I love the embellishment in the front as well as the detailed embroidery down the sleeves. Unfortunately, the size 8 fit a bit snug in the arms and shoulders. I would need to size to a 10 in this top. The would make the sleeves a little longer than they already are and I might lose the shape I’m seeing in these pics as well.

I felt the tassel tie at the neckline was a little too long and bothersome. I wonder if the tassels could have had that short length but been attached at the neckline with the hook-and-eye closure. Of course, you can always leave it untied and let the tassels hang down.

You can see here the tightness in the arms as well as the pulling at the chest.

But that embroidered detail is so pretty. There’s a tee as well as a tunic with similar embellishment that I will have to consider instead of this Peasant Top. 
~ Super Skinny Jean, size 29 ~
Lastly, these are the jeans I’ve been wearing in these last two posts. I was surprised at how well these fit in the size 29. I don’t need them and I would probably get a size 30 for a little room if I did. I love my Cropped Skinny Jean and have two pair of them. These have a little fading at the front and they are bunching at my knees so they would need a hem.
 

I don’t normally think of Tory Burch for denim as there are better brands out there. I like my Cropped Skinny Jeans because they are a dark rinse with no distressing or fading anywhere. Otherwise, I usually go with Pilcro or J Crew for my denim needs.

I’m gathering my Tory Burch wishlist for Fall and the Drawstring Tunic Sweater is definitely on the list.

What do you think of these Tory items?

/ Reviews

The Collection Sloan Calf-Hair D’Orsay Flats are so beautiful IRL. They are all leather and calf-hair upper and heel. Last year they were just called the Suede D’Orsay Flats. I didn’t purchase them last year as I had found a pair from Banana Republic.

I did try on the size 6 1/2 as that was the size I tried last time. Those were the best fit and 1/2 a size down from my normal size 7. They don’t look it in the first pic but they are comfortable and fit very well. The size 7 would have slipped off my feet and had a gap at the heel.
The calf-hair is really nice. I rubbed my hand the opposite direction of the hair and nothing came off. I like that this is a mix of black, brown and cream instead of black, dark brown and brown.
They are proud of these shoes as the price tag is up there. I did find a similar calf-hair option at Madewell, the Lydia Flat. Check out these other options a lower price points. I really like the Madewell version. I had a chance to see a different color in-store and found they run the same as the Sloan. I would get a 6 1/2 in those as well.
What do you think of the Collection Sloan Calf-Hair D’Orsay Flats? Did they make it to your wish list or would you prefer the Lydia from Madewell or one of the others? It also comes in solid suede.