/ Bella Picks

A few weeks ago I reviewed the Gallabia Peru Dress offered at J Crew. It’s sold out now but it got me thinking about other embroidered dresses and shirts, especially in linen. One of my favorites that I have is from Lucky Brand. It’s a tunic that is a light tie-dye and has an embroidered cuff and neckline. One of the reasons the Gallibia Dress was so striking was that it was embroidered on the front, sleeves and back. I did find a few similar to the Gallabia Dress here, here and eBay.

EmbroideredDress

The Gallabia Dress wasn’t the right shape or fit for me but I did find a few others that could work. I especially like the last two that are more of an a-line or swing shape.

I also found several embroidered tops that will pair well with my growing collection of linen shorts. I found this top on eBay.


I’ll have some reviews coming up of both embroidered dresses and tops in the next few days.

/ Uncategorized

I always get excited when I receive my Anthropologie birthday discount. I used to just buy everything I wanted and then return some of it. The last few years, I’ve created a list, tried things on and then made my purchase, usually getting only a few items. Last year, I only purchased this mug, a replacement from one that was broken, and a few Capri Blue Volcano scent candles, with my discount. I did stop by the store last weekend and a few things caught my eye. Here are some items that made it to my birthday list.

At the top of my list is the Maeve Cirque Swing Dress. I saw it in store when it first arrived but has since sold out in-store and there are limited sizes online. But the more practical dress I’d wear often would be the Paleta Shirtdress.

Shoes are also always on my list. I still want a pair of the Taggart Booties and the only reason I haven’t bought a pair yet is that I can’t decide on a color. And I have been loving the cage style heels by Schutz so I’m really happy to see a version of them in wedges.

Of course if I wanted to splurge I would get this beautiful ball gown or this necklace. But sometimes you just need a stuffed sloth to make you happy!

/ Reviews

A few weeks ago I stopped by Tory Burch to try on an off-the-shoulder top they had. I knew it would match the J.Crew linen shorts in Byzantine Copper perfectly. They also has the matching embroidered skirt in-store so I grabbed that to try as well.

TB_EmbroideredSkirtTop

TB_EmbroideredSkirtTop

~ Eliza Embroidered Top, size 6 ~

I found the top to fit surprisingly well in the size 6. I thought it would be tight across the chest when the top was pulled up, like in the second pic below. I know some off-the-shoulder tops are needing to be adjusted quite a bit to stay off the shoulder. Unfortunately, I was tugging on this one all day the first time I wore it. But in the top’s defense, I was holding a baby or playing with little kids most of the day. I think if I had worn this when I wasn’t so active then it would have stayed put.

TB_EmbroideredTop_3

It looks just as good not off-the-shoulder, making it wearable when that trend goes away. The top also comes in a bright red. The white is on sale here.

TB_EmbroideredTop_1

~ Cassie Embroidered Skirt, Medium ~

The Medium was a nice fit and wasn’t too full at the hips but I could have sized to a Small due to the elastic waist. The sides of this skirt are a little shorter than the front and back. Both items are embroidered in bright thread, making it stand out against the white background. This embroidered pattern also comes in a jean and dress. I found the skirt on sale here.

TB_EmbroideredSkirt_1

The sandals I’m wearing are the Pecha Sandal and sold out everywhere online. I’m wearing a size 7 and they were very comfortable for such a high heel. They also blended well with my skin-tone. I did have an issue with the ankle strap being too short so I passed on buying them. I’m happy with the J Crew Factory Stacked-Heel Sandals. There is a Pecha Mule available that my store had plenty of as well.

TB_EmbroideredSkirt_2

Shop more of my picks from Tory Burch! I have the Miller Sandal in Snakeprint but I also think the confetti print is cute for Summer.

I was given a gift card for my birthday so I am trying to decide from the picks above what I should buy. I’d like to buy on sale to have the money go farther and am leaning towards the striped Jackie Tank, and the embellished Hit the Road Tee.

/ Reviews

Last up from the Factory are two dresses and some Summer shoes.

~ Polo Shirtdress, Navy, Medium ~

I really liked this shirtdress. I wished it came in white or a kelly green as well as the Vibrant Flame. The Medium is a great fit. Take your normal Polo shirt size. I’ve already worn this several times with both flats and the Gingham Wedges.

JFC_PoloDress

~ Chevron Striped-Dress, size 8 ~

I recall no difference between this dress and the retail version from last Summer. Down to the small exposed back that causes the material to not lay flat, it’s the same dress, different tag. I was really hoping the issue where it wouldn’t lay flat would have been fixed. Otherwise, the size 8 is a perfect fit.

JCF_ChevronChambrayDress

~ Stacked Heeled Sandals, Dark Cedar, size 7 ~

I don’t prefer ankle-strap shoes but I wanted some neutral/brown sandals for Summer. These are going to work well for me. The size 7 fits well across the toe though the ankle strap is too short. I have it buckled in the last hole. But, when I tried them on I loved them. And since I was already dressed for date night, I kept them on. The heel height is just at my threshold and I was pitching forward just a bit when walking but they’ll be fine to wear for a few hours.

JCF_BrownSandal_1

JCF_BrownSandal_2

~ Leopard Espadrille Wedges, size 6 1/2 ~

I have these in the same size in the Gingham Wedges and the fit is very different. The Gingham Wedges fit just like the retail Seville Espadrilles but the Leopard Wedges are too tight. I double-checked the size when I got them to be sure they were not a size 6. Maybe I received a defective pair but I would take your normal shoe size in the Leopard Wedges. (Mine is a 7).

JFC_LeopardEspadrille_2

The Leopard Wedge is cute. The background color is really light, almost yellow. Though the pattern doesn’t match on the toes, it is not too noticeable. I have the Sevilles in several colors and wear them a lot. I returned the Leopard Wedge because I wear the Metallic Seville Wedges several times a week.

JFC_LeopardEspadrille_1

Today and tomorrow, online only, you can take 30% off your purchase with code CUTESALE.

/ Reviews

J Crew Factory is having a flash sale, through June 2, with code CUTESALE. I’ll round up my Factory reviews today, in case you are shopping this sale. There are some hits and miss with tops today. Take a look below.

~ Embroidered Peasant Top, White, Small ~

I recall the retail version just barely. The Small fit surprisingly well so I would say this runs a size large. It’s loose all over, including the shoulders and chest. I didn’t like the square neck, preferring a v- or crew-neck. It’s really boxy with no shape at all. The linen didn’t seem too thin. This also comes in Fiesta Orange, which I think I would have preferred but the Mercantile store was limited/sold out in sizes and colors.

JFC_WhiteBlouse

~ Short-Sleeve Linen Sweater, Pozzoli Pink, Small ~

I grabbed this to try on with the various shorts and quite liked it. The Small fit how I would want it, though I could also wear a Medium to have a little more room in the arms. The retail had a cable knit linen sweater several years ago and it was really thin and see-through. The linen seems to be knitted a little tighter and is not as sheer. If I lived in a little cooler climate I would have probably bought this in a few of the four colors, including this pretty pink. It went well with both the Summer Plaid Shorts and the Flamingo Shorts.

JCF_SweaterMadrasShorts

~ Linen 3/4 Sleeve Blouse with Lace Hem, Vibrant Lemon, Small ~

I feel really dumpy in this blouse. I like it in the yellow but is very wrinkled from just try-ons and the neckline is elastic. I thought that maybe it could be an off-the-shoulder but it doesn’t look right if you try to stretch it any. The Small was the best size, so it also runs a size large. The 3/4-sleeves are hitting me just above my wrist. The White colorway looked sheer on the hanger.

JCF_LinenPeasant

~ Gingham Shell Top, Bright Red, size 8 ~

I liked this one immediately online and it was just a pretty in person in the Bright Red, which looks more like a dark pink to me. The size 8 was a great fit though I wish it had a little shape to it, even a few darts in the back would be good. I passed on it when I was in the store but it is on my wishlist.

JCF_GinghamTop

~ Printed Embroidered Tank Top, Neon Seamist, size 8 ~

I can’t remember the colors from the retail version of this top but I really liked the Neon Seamist that the Factory/Mercantile is offering. I could do without the tassels. I originally thought this fit a little loose on me but seeing the image from the front tells me this is a good fit as there is no pulling across the chest. The Reef Blue looks pretty online but it was not available in-store.

JCF_EmbroideredSleevelessTop

~ Scalloped Embroidered Linen Shirt, White, size 8 ~

This was a little more visually interesting with the scalloped hem and sleeves as well as the embroidered front. The size 8 fit good. I wouldn’t size down in this. The linen, especially in white, doesn’t seem too sheer. I know that’s an issue for some. This comes in four colors and with the Sandy Reef having a contrasting thread for the embroidery and scallop detail. Again, I wish there were some darts to give it a little shape.

JCF_EmbroideredBlouse

I didn’t bring any of these home with me though I did like the Gingham Shell Top and the Printed Embroidered Tank Top.

Anything you’re liking here?