/ 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.

/ Bella Picks

I haven’t shopped at Ann Taylor in quite a while but there’s a Friends & Family event going on until Monday night. You can take 40% off your purchase, with code FRIENDS40. During my time off this week I stopped by to see the, mostly Polyester, offerings for Fall. Below are my picks from the sale.

I loved the look and fit of the Lace Tee, in Warm Twilight. I took a Medium. I didn’t see the Black in-store. The Paisley Shift Dress was a little snug in the shoulders so I went with a Medium. I would’t size to a Petite in this dress. The same goes for the Paisley Top in the same print.

The Devin Mosaic Ankle Pants remind me of the Minnie Pant in Foulard from J Crew. I love the idea of the Refined Denim Trench Coat. I don’t own a trench coat as there’s no real need for one but this is a strong contender.

The Faux Leather Pencil Skirt tricked me. I thought it was real leather until I saw the price. The green is really nice and saturated. There’s also a Jacket. The Lace Shift Dress in Dark Ruby fit so well in the size 6. I have so many “party” and “occasion” dresses that I don’t need another. I decided against buying it and chose the Tile Wrap Dress as a more practical “daily use” item. But, I can’t stop thinking about the Lace Shift Dress. I may go back tomorrow and get it.

Have you shopped the Ann Taylor Friends & Family event yet? What do you like from it?

/ 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.

/ Reviews

Let’s continue on with Tory Burch this week with two sale items I found in-store.

I have been eyeing the sweater for a while and missed my size online during the sale promo last month. But my store must have been sent some items as this was in-stock when I was there last weekend. 

This runs big so I sized to a Small. It still has a loose fit and doesn’t look so boxy when you have on the right size. It’s too hot to wear it now but am hoping that by October I’ll get some use out of it.

I know this style may not suit everyone, espeically with the cap-sleeves and various stripes. It’s also a little see-through since the cotton isn’t woven tightly. But, it’s in a color I wear a lot and I like how it will be able to transition from Fall to early Winter for me.

~ Crescent Guipure Lace Tee, White, size 8 ~

I tried this on last year, in Green, when it was named the Linda Top. It’s the same blouse and even has the pleat in the back. The lace pattern is different and I liked the one on the Linda Top better. This fit the same as well. It’s pretty snug in the arms and across the chest. It’s very boxy and the pleat in the back makes it more so as well as swingy.

I’d have to size to a 10 for this one to fit where it’s currently tight. That would make it even more loose and swingy. It’s still a pass for me but it was nice to see and try it on IRL.

Slowly but surely, I am adding more Tory Burch to my closet. I am finding pieces I really love (Zora Tee & London Blouse) and they get quite a bit of wear, sometimes more than some of my used-to-be favorites of J Crew. I have a few items from the latest new arrivals that I’ll purchase as soon as there’s a promo (usually around Labor Day). I feel more comfortable paying full-price, or almost, when it’s something I know I’ll wear a lot.
Have a Great Day!