/ Reviews

During the Black Friday weekend Asos had a pretty good promo so I finally ordered the Minkie Loafer in Tortoise. I didn’t want them to be alone in the box and have been looking for a flat black bootie so I also ordered the Airbound Leather Chelsea Ankle Boots.

~ Minkie Loafer in Tortoise, size 7 ~

I’m so very sad as this size was too small. I knew as soon as I pulled them out of the box that they wouldn’t fit. I put on the left shoe and the Minkie Loafer was so tight. They don’t come in half sizes so I would have to size to a 38. I think they would be fine in that size though and not loose at all. Especially considering how tight they really felt.

Asos_Minkie_1

Oh, but I love the coloring of the patent. I like the lighter brown and tan as opposed to the darker colors of the Collins Tortoise Loafer. And the effect looks like a watercolor painting. The patent finish didn’t look cheap or plastic. The sole is a little thick but still flat. From what I could tell when I had the shoe on, it was really comfortable.

Asos_Minkie_2

They are only $51 so I will re-order them in the size 8. Asos only allows returns, not exchanges. You have to re-order if you need another size. In hindsight, I should have ordered two sizes, especially since I had not tried shoes from Asos before. They also come in Black Croc and Tan.

Asos_Minkie_3

~ Asos Collection Asos Airbound Leather Chelsea Ankle Boot, size 7 ~

So these were a better fit in the size 7 and they do come in half sizes. I was already disappointed about the Minkie Loafer not fitting so I wasn’t as excited about these as I could have been. These area  pull-on bootie and the upper is real leather. Originally, I was worried my foot wouldn’t slide down into the bootie but because the sides have some elastic they did stretch.

Asos_Chelsea_2

I’m really not sure what type of flat black bootie I want but these were just a little too plain, I think, for my style.

Asos_Chelsea_3

I should have gone for the Riddles or the Oasis Premium boots.

Asos_Chelsea_1

So, I re-ordered the Minkie Loafer, size up, and returned the Chelsea Boots, true-to size. I will keep Asos in mind when looking for shoes.

/ Reviews

I ordered the Wool Jacquard Tunic and the Wool Henley Tunic during the Black Friday/Weekend promo from Tory Burch. It seems a lot of retailers had their promos start before Black Friday and extend to Cyber Monday. So they seemed like just another sale. I did like the Tory Burch sale because it was 30% off, straight up, with only a minimum purchase of $250. Normally you have to spend $750 to get 30% off during their other “Buy More, Save More” promos.

~ Wool Jacquard Tunic ~

This tunic has been on my wishlist since it came out but I never tried it on. I always find the dressing rooms at Tory Burch, retail and outlet, to be really hot after a while. More so than any other store. This came out in late Summer/early Fall so I was not in the mood to try on a sweater in a warm dressing room. Because of that I had to guess on sizing when I ordered it. Luckily, I had already bought the Merino Oversized Mockneck Tunic in a Small and it fit well so I went with the Small. Even if the arms or chest were snug, I knew the knit would stretch a little and it wouldn’t be uncomfortable.

I like the colors and pattern on this tunic. I do feel the Merino Wool is a little itchy but probably because of the pattern mix. I don’t think it warrants wearing a shirt or tank underneath but is something to think about when deciding to keep this tunic or not. There is also a Wool Jacquard Turtleneck on sale too. I don’t really see this as a dressy option so other than my Cashmere Sweatpants, that I bought on sale last years and various jeans, I am not sure what else to wear this with.

TB_JacquardTunic

~ Wool Henley Tunic ~

I also sized to a Small in this sweater tunic and the fit was good as well. The sleeves are a little long and they would have been really long in the Medium. The wool is not itchy at all and actually super soft and cozy. I’m glad I chose this in the gray instead of the Merino Oversized Mockneck Tunic. The v-neck is flattering and I like that this also has a collar. In true tunic form, this also has a split hem on the sides.

TB_WoolTunic

Though I have the same “what to wear with this” issue as the Jacquard Tunic, I like the feel of it more and have already worn it to a casual dinner last Friday, so it’s a keeper.

/ Reviews

Not looking for anything in particular, I grabbed a few skirts and dresses to try on during my trip to Anthropologie.

~ Astin Wrap Skirt, Small, Blue, Bailey 44 ~

I could have fit into a Medium in this skirt but I like the snug, shapely fit of the Small. Bailey 44 always does a good bodycon dress and skirt and this is no exception. There’s a piece of vegan leather at the front wrap. The top portion of the wrap is sown to the main part of the skirt preventing it from flying open during a windy day.

Anthro_Bailey44Skirt

~ Garden Glimmer Skirt, size 8, HD in Paris ~

I liked the green of this skirt and the gold shimmery squares make is nice for a Holiday party or Christmas dinner. The size 8 fit well and hit just above my knee. It could be a little shorter on some taller ladies.

Anthro_GreenMini

~ Pieced Suede Skirt, size 8, Leifsdottir ~

I loved the blue of this suede skirt. Leifsdottir always makes some nice pieces. There’s a shorter piece of the skirt that hits above the knee with a split longer piece hitting midi length on me. There are two buckles on the right side but this actually zips up the back. The 8 was a nice fit with just a touch of room.

Anthro_Leifsdottir_SuedeSkirt

~ Larkin Dress, size 8, Moulinette Soeurs ~

This was a dress that was in the Fashion show and I just happened upon it afterwards. I quite loved it on and was surprised it wasn’t made by Bailey 44 but Moulinette Soeurs. The middle piece is very flattering in creating a waist and I didn’t notice the lace panels at the arms until I turned to the side. You’ll probably need a black bra with this to match the lace.

Anthro_BodyconDress

~ Novelette Dress, size 8, Moulinette Soeurs ~

Another pretty Moulinette Soeurs dress for a party I only imagine. The size 8 was a little off as the part where the sheer met the bodice was a little low. This is also a pull-over dress as there’s an open diamond back with a button on the top and a side zip. The embroidered bird motif is really nice. Since there is a sheer panel at the bottom the midi-length works for me.

Anthro_MSDress

Overall, these were a pass for me, even though the dresses were 25% off at the time. I did add the Larkin Dress to my wishlist though I’m not sure where I’d wear it.

Have you tried any of these items?

/ 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?