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I received my Anthropologie birthday discount in the mail a few days ago. I have had my eye on a few things (this and this and this) online and was hoping at least one of those was in my store. The Boy was getting a haircut so I wandered over to Anthro to “browse”. I didn’t find anything on my list during my first walk-around so I grabbed a few other things I was interested in, including the Gull Wing Dress by Girls from Savoy in plum.

I’ve tried this on before in the red and loved it. I felt really sexy in it. I think the plum is a much better color for me but also grabbed the black polka dots too.

Wearing a size 6

OMGEEEE…totally in love with this dress. Even if I didn’t have my birthday discount I would have bought this. I feel more amazing in this dress in the plum than I did in the red. I didn’t even try on the polka dot one. This is a perfect dress for our super hot (95+) and getting hotter weather.

As I was in the dressing room, one of the SAs showed me the Back View Dress. I guess they had just received it because I didn’t see it on the floor. It’s on my wishlist so I tried it on. This is such a pretty dress with beautiful vibrant colors throughout. I ended up with a Small. I didn’t even notice the side zip until I tried it on again at home. (I was able to fit it over my head with ease without unzipping it.) It’s currently sold out online so if you are interested in it call the stores.

Lastly, I tried on the Bosky Lace Skirt in Green. I’m not sure what’s with me but I have been drawn to lace crochet lately (here and here). And green is my favorite color. This is a size 8 and has a slightly loose fit. A size 6 would have been a little snug over the hips, so an 8 is fine by me.

So, as you can see, my Anthropologie discount card didn’t last two days into June. But!…I was surprised to receive an email from Anthro yesterday with another discount that I can use online. Yay! My store doesn’t carry shoes so I’ve found a few I like and it also didn’t have some of these vases I’ve been eyeing.

Have a great night!

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Oh my…has it been a busy few weeks in the AudreyBella household.

  • The Boy is out for the summer.
  • We had our first backyard BBQ/Pool party.
  • Husband started a war with some Red Hornets. I had to get involved and it wasn’t pretty. 
  • I don’t have a green thumb at all. I think I killed my Bougainvilleas. 
  • But my Knockout Roses are blooming! 
  • The last of my outdoor furniture arrived!
  • I cleaned my office!!!
  • I re-organized my closet, again. 
  • I made an AWESOME margarita that included champagne! Yummy yummy!
  • We saw Hangover 2. I thought it was funny, as did The Boy. 
  • Received the most wonderful compliment from Husband’s friend about The Boy – “He’s the most adult 15 year old I’ve ever met.”

And I needed a little break from blogging (not that I do it daily, but you know how it goes).

Anyway, it’s my birthday month and I have been receiving lots of “birthday” coupons. Of course, my most prized one was Anthropologie, which didn’t last a whole two days into June! More on that later. I decided to make this “The Month of Dressing Pretty”. For the summer I always do the standard shorts, tees and flip-flops. I have so many pretty things that are not worn and I decided I wasn’t going to wait around for a special occasion or work to wear them. This whole birthday month will be a special occasion. You should be seeing me in lots of skirts and dresses that are rarely worn, some even NWT. I’m going to attempt to commit to dressing pretty 4 days a week.

June 1

Dress: J Crew Mirabel in White, 6
Belt: J Crew
Shoes: Corso Como Espadrilles

June 2

Blouse: Tucker for Target, S
Skirt: Anthropologie Runny Yoke Skirt by Tabitha, 8
Shoes: Old Navy Wedges (last summer)

I’m working on my Anthropologie post so you should see that later this evening or tomorrow morning.

Have a great day!

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I am really liking the Mirabel pattern right now. Having bought two dresses and passing on the pencil skirt, only because I have the dress in the same color, I saw the shorts in-store as I was checking out. The pattern is different with each short. The size 0 was more like the online photo with less embroidery in the front and more in the back. The size 8 I purchased had more in the front and less embroidery in the back.

This is the city fit and a 4 inch length. I’m not much of a light pink person but with the yellow embroidery I liked it. I wear an 8 in all J Crew shorts now. I have a few pair from pre-2009 that are a 6 that fit just like the 8s now. It was pretty humid Friday evening so I chose these shorts to wear instead of my original white jeans/navy linen shirt combo.

Short Sleeve Selvedge Chambray Shirt, S (sized down in this, see it on Ema)
Mirabel Shorts, 8
Joley Patent Flat

Right after I took these pictures I sat down and the shorts ripped!! It was on the inside seam right at the hem and if you look at the 2nd picture up close you’ll see that it was already starting to rip. I’m not sure if it was like this when I bought them or after I put them on but they’ll be going back and not be re-purchased. Other than buttons popping off I’ve never had a bad experience with J Crew clothing like this. And I’ve heard the stories. The cotton wasn’t thin and these shorts are lined so it totally sucks.

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I went by J Crew, for what now seems like my weekly visit, to scope out the new arrivals of Summer II. I received a call from my PS and the store did get the Linen Swoon Skirt so I told her to pull the size 8 in hopes that it would fit better than the 6.

Linen Swoon Skirt – 8 – This is still sitting at my belly-button but not as tight. I wasn’t about to size to a 10 so I returned my original purchase. I’m sure this skirt will work for someone but unfortunately that person is not me.

Floral Peasant Blouse, #44121, Indigo, Size 6 – Very Anthro-esque. This was very loose and blouse-y.

Accordion Dress in Super 120s, $250, #36525, Warm Buff (also comes in Dark Heather Grey), 4 – This is such a beautiful dress. I was drawn to it on the website and this was a return to the store. The 4 was a great fit and the 6 would be too loose. This is so light weight and I love the pleating on this. I don’t need any formal work pieces but if this hits sale I may get the dark color.

Mirabel Pencil Skirt, $128, #42825, Faded Black Sand, 6 – You know me and JC pencil skirts are besties but since I have the dress in this color I decided to pass on the skirt.
Silk Blythe Blouse, $98, #37871, Poppy, 6 – A lovely silk blouse and the poppy color has a little bit of a pink tone to it. It’s not red red but more of a pinkish red in person. I know it looks more coral/salmon in my photos.

Back of Mirabel Pencil Skirt

Rumi Dress, $118, #42820, Poppy, 6 – Personally, this is not my style but is a cute dress with a built in belt but the sleeves were giving me fits as well and the low v-neckline.

Cece Suede Ballet Flats, $128, #46198, Wild Berry, 7 – Totally love this color and was happy to find it in store. The Sapphire color is just as stunning in person as it is online.

FAVORITE TRY-ON OF THE DAY (maybe even year!)
Stripe Blouson Dress, $148, #42822, Black (also Azalea/Pink), 6 – You know how “they” say horizontal stripes make you look wider. “They” are so wrong. I am very used to the mirrors at my B&M store and they do not give off an illusion (or delusion) of making you look slimmer. This dress is so pretty and silky and slimming. I didn’t want to take it off.

Featherweight Cotton Cardigan, $62, #41103, Moroccan Yellow, M – My PS had this paired with the black Mirabel Dress in my dressing room but I like it with the Blouson Dress. It has lovely tortoise buttons and is super-lightweight and comes in 12 other colors.

There were lots of other new items in store but I only had a little time to try on things that interested me.

Have a great day!

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All these bright colors this Spring/Summer are really appealing to me. I “swooned” (hee hee) over this skirt in the Casablanca Blue when I first saw it online. I kept it in my shopping cart for about a week before pulling the trigger. I had to see it IRL and couldn’t wait for my store to get this lovely blue.

It arrived Monday and I have to say I’m a little disappointed. I ordered the size 6 and am currently wearing it at my belly button, which is not good. I have no room and tucking in the tee I was wearing didn’t help with the breathing situation. Because I am wearing it so high on my waist it looks to be shorter on me than it really should be. I would have to size to an 8 for a better fit and length.

This has a back zip and the bow on the side is faux. There is pleating all around the waist but I don’t think it gives it any excess volume, especially if you’re a “hippy” girl like me.

The name is the “Linen Swoon Skirt” but this is not 100% linen. This is a linen/cotton blend and does feel more thick cotton-y than linen, IMO, almost like a twill.

I’m on the fence with this one. I need to try the 8 to be sure and possibly see it in the black as well.