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Let’s start with some graphic tees for the Spring 2014 arrivals.

The Linen C’est La Vie Tee runs big, so size down. I had gone into the store wearing a bunch of layers so I didn’t try on anything. I gauged the fit by holding it up and tried it on when I came home. I like this in the Soft Gray with the stripes on the letters instead of the floral letters. I grabbed a Small and it’s a perfect fit. it also feels soft and comfortable on. There are those dropped shoulder seams again, Gigi. That seems to make the sleeves a little more fitted than loose. A little sheer, but thicker than the other two below, so you’ll want to wear a nude, lined bra as unlined lace will show right through.

The Linen Baseball Tee in L’Amour Triomphe is a nice little casual tee. There were several different baseball tees in-store including the Lovebirds Tee. This runs TTS as I’m wearing my normal Medium. Again, another sheer linen tee. 
Number 15 on the back, just in case you hopped into a spontaneous Softball game at the park. 
Lastly, the Cotton blend Amour Tee. Stay with your normal size or go up if you want more slouch. It’s already long enough, maybe too long so I doubt many of you will do that. 
Check these out on Ina too!

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I stopped in to Banana Republic a few weeks ago and found the Sloan-Fit Windowpane Slim Ankle Pant. A lone item in the sale section in a size 6, that magically fit. These sold out quickly and I was excited I was able to find them. While there I also tried on the Hampton-Fit Medallion Print Crop in a size 8 and 6. The 8 was very big and saggy through the front and legs. The 6 was a much better fit. I did not buy them then as I knew to wait for Wednesday when BR is consistent to have 40% each week.

The pockets do pull out just a touch. The fit is better in the front and legs. This is one of the very few pants I’ve tried where it says it’s a crop and it fits me like a crop and not a regular length pant. I like that this is all one color and the Medallion print is not a different color from the pant itself.

   

I have had my eye on the Floral Jacquard Pleated Full Skirt since it popped up on the website in early January. I was hoping to find it in store to try on but had to take a chance on sizing when I ordering it online. I chose an 8 as the 6 was sold-out. That was the best choice. I did not realize this skirt was a mini skirt but should have if I had read the description (18″ long). It definitely has a full skirt but it’s kind of fun. I love the print, which reminds me of the Gallerista Skirt from J Crew a few years back. Sadly this skirt is now sold out and removed from the website. You can see the Polyvore image here. 
The Bold-Stripe Metallic Tee and the Luxe-Touch Piped Tee are great basics to have and don’t feel like they will get holes in them after a wash or two. They are very comfortable on and have some stretch to them. They feel like a structured jersey tee and seem to dress up an outfit over a regular cotton tee from J Crew.

I took my normal size Medium in both and grabbed the White and Navy in the Luxe-Touch. There is also Canteloupe, a pretty Orange, and Wild Orchid, a bright pink, that are now online and weren’t when I was in the store. The Stripe Tee is Black and White. I would have loved for it to have been Navy. Maybe that’s coming next. 
Other than sale discounts, the 40% off on Wednesday’s is a great deal at Banana. The only other item I wanted that was excluded was the Gold-Button Blazer in Cocoon. I would have bought it in-store but they were all sold out. 
Anything caught your eye at Banana lately? 


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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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The Trellis Floral Skirt is an early new arrival for Spring. It reminded me of the quickly sold-out Collection No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Shadow Floral, but at a much better price point. I will admit I was a bit shocked to see it being sold for $89.50. Not that I’m complaining. I think we’ve seen iterations of these types of skirts for over $100. It’s nice to see the lower price on this beautiful skirt.

I ordered a size 8 in this skirt as some of my other skirts that had “Sits above waist” in the description were also size 8. That was the best choice. I vary between a 6 and an 8 depending on the cut, fabric, style, etc. But I have noticed that the “sits above the waist” vs the “sits at waist” compares to an 8 vs 6 for me. I take a 6 in Cotton pencil skirts and an 8 in the Wool, for example. If you are consistent in sizing then take your normal. If you are between two sizes then take the larger.

The A-line is just slight enough to not make this a pencil skirt but still very wearable for everyone. The side seams are not lined up but with such a busy print I don’t think anyone will notice.

But, the back zipper seam is matched up almost perfectly. The length is 20 inches and just perfect for me. On my skirt there was at least 1 1/2 inches to let out so some of you taller ladies could let out the hem. I don’t know if that varies on each skirt. It is lined in Poly.

The background is not white but ivory. The material feels like the Double-Serge Cotton, maybe just a touch thinner but still very sturdy. 
This is one skirt that I didn’t mind paying FP for. Have you tried the Trellis Floral Skirt yet? 

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I stopped in to Old Navy last week to search for some random thing for my brother and saw the Ponte-Knit Blazer in Heather Gray. Jean at Extra Petite recently reviewed this blazer and I knew it was something I wanted to try-on.

My store only had a Medium and a couple of Small and XS left in the Gray. The look of it on me is not a great as Jean but I do love the fit. The sleeve-length is perfect.

I prefer the blazer un-buttoned.

It’s a knit so I will treat this more like a sweater than a true blazer. I can wear a tee or a thin sweater underneath without issue. Anything thicker will make the blazer not fit.

I also saw this cute Anchor Sweater and grabbed a Medium as well. It’s a very cute sweater and is great for those who love the Nautical theme. The fit is TTS. Old Navy is pretty consistent about that. 

I am not sure this is a keeper. It was on promo for $18 but I think it’s a returnable $18.

The Blazer comes in Indigo and Navy Stripe, which I really liked as well. I think I may go back and try a Large to see how much looser the fit is.
Have a Great Day!