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With a gift card from Christmas and some cash on my Paypal I wanted to make my Anthropologie purchases special. And I must say that I did pretty well.

The Painted Carousel Blouse by Weston Wear is just the right touch of whimsical to wear alone or under a cardigan. This is 100% silk and a pull-over style with nary a button or zipper in sight. This blouse runs big and I am glad I sized down to a small. A medium would have been very loose and saggy under the arms. 
The only thing I didn’t like was the way the blouse cut off a few inches above the hem and another panel of material was sown in. Almost like the blouse was originally too short so another two inches was added instead of recutting the material. You only see this from the back in one of the online photos. The rest show the blouse tucked in. The waist of my jeans is hitting the top of that extra panel so that you can gauge the length.
The Entomologist Blouse was another great pick for me. Roxy just reviewed it here. This is also 100% Silk but more of a Silk Chiffon and oh so flowy. I love Butterflies and when I saw this print it did remind me of J Crew’s Butterfly Shorts. I ordered a size 8 and it’s a perfect fit. The arms have button-sleeves and a 6 would have been too tight. You definitely need a cami underneath as this blouse is sheer. It is a little on the short side and I don’t know if it will stay tucked in, at least on the sides.

Are you interested in either of these blouses?

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Last Friday, Husband and I attended one of his Christmas Dinner Party’s. Of course, it was super casual and I was going to be over-dressed in what I originally planned to wear.

Christmas Party

Christmas Party by audreybella featuring short sleeve shirts

So I had to change my outfit at the last minute and chose this instead.
I paired the Metallic Lace Tee from Anthropologie with old J Crew Wool Tuxedo Shorts and Kate Spade Blaire Glitter Peep-Toe Heels. First, the online image of this blouse does not do it justice. It is just as pretty as the catalog image. I would not have given this a second look if I had not seen this in-store. I have on a 6 and the fit is perfect. There was a matching Metallic Tulle Skirt and Moulinette Soeurs has the Glitzen Lace Peplum Top that uses the same lace in this top. So pretty!
The shoes I have been eyeing forever and when they finally went on sale they sold out in my size pretty quick. I really really wanted to try them so I ordered what was left, a 6 1/2 and am glad I did. These don’t fit like the Karolina heels, which I find TTS, but a little bigger. I ended up finding the size 7 as well which fit OK but I knew they would slip off since they were a little big. There is one flaw with these shoes, although I somewhat expected it since I’ve seen some of the other Kate Spade glitter products IRL. The glitter rubs off. You certainly don’t need a trail of breadcrumbs to find your way home…just follow the glitter. But I LOVE these shoes and am so happy I found them. And, a pair of Party Pumps were on my Fall shopping list.
I have another dinner party tonight and these will definitely be on my feet
What would you wear to a “casual” Christmas Party? Which, honestly, unless the invite says Pajamas, no Christmas Party should be “casual-wear”. Something sparkly should always be involved, don’t you agree?
Have a Great Day!
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Thursday night my friend Catalina and I were lucky enough to attend Molly’s Holiday Style Party at Anthropologie. We had so much fun. There was a dressing room waiting for each of us with outfits ready to try on. We walked around the store drinking Champagne and eating Artisan Popcorn while looking for more goodies to try on. Molly was an amazing hostess and big KUDOS also go to Michelle, Anthropologie Personal Shopper, and all the ladies at Anthro that night helping us.

Personalized dressing rooms for me and Catalina
Snacks!

Lovely accessories to pair with the outfits Molly planned. I am excited as my Anthro has started to carry more shoes. Love those black bow heels (you’ll see later).

Catalina loves the Climbing Primrose Teapot.

Our greeter!

Michelle introducing Molly…How gorgeous is Michelle in the Horkelia Shift Dress? And I love Molly’s styling of the Impressionist Dress.

A little gift from Molly, a glass jar full of Fashion Inspiration. The tights had a little note on it just in case someone tried to use our dressing room. And they matched perfectly with a dress I tried on later.

All my outfits…About to get started!

Sweetheart Peplum Top, Small – The small was a good fit. I love that this is slightly Peplum but not overly done so that once the trend has passed it can still be worn.
Ombre Flora Crops, Size 8 – AMAZINGLY LOVE THESE PANTS! They are not cropped on me but I don’t mind. I purchased these. This size was the best fit as the 6 would have been way too snug.

Pailette Silk Tank, Sz 6 – The lining does not go all the way to the hem so I would size to an 8 as to not reveal any tummy and to have a little better fit in the chest.

The Gilt Floribunda Cardi by Tabitha is currently on sale and is gorgeous. I love that it is lined in the back so you don’t necessarily have to wear anything underneath it. Ole’…The Lace-Trimmed Tuxedo Trousers area size 6 and fit well. I just kept thinking, like some of you, Matador. I think I would rather see these with sequins or gold lace on the sides. They are cute non-the-less and I’m thinking them over.

The denim are Pilcro though I don’t know the style. Molly said she saw me in the Spotted Peasant Blouse and new she wanted me in Turquoise pants with it. She added a Chartreuse Lemon tank underneath. I can’t seem to find the necklace online right now.

The image online does NOT do this dress justice. (And apparently neither does my picture with the flash on…whoops!) I saw the Adelita Brocade Mini Dress in my room and new I would love it, without trying it on. It is a beautiful brocade with green, orange, gold and grey mixed throughout. This is a size 6 which fit fine but I would prefer the size 8. I did order this dress from the store last night, with the 25%. I can’t wait until it gets here. The belt is the Foiled Equestrian Belt. I passed on the belt and purchased the Bowline Belt that I liked more.

It was a tough decision to make between the Adelita dress and this next dress, the Sapphire Lace Dress, size 8. This was a good fit but it is offered in Petites as well which might be a better fit. I love the Bowline Belt in Dark Grey with it. The Opalescent Garland Necklace is a cute sparkly necklace that will jazz up any outfit, especially with the cute bees on it.

Converged Bow Peep-Toe Heels, Sz 7 – These are so adorable, and I just found out, from looking online, that they also come in Mint. Both colors would go well with the Adelita dress. 

And how gorgeous does Cata look in the Ombre Flora Crops and the Peter-Pan Paillettes Sweater? At one point, both Cata and I came out in the exact same outfit (Ombre Flora Capris and the Pailette Silk Tank).
And, my outfit for the evening, not quite “50 Shades of Grey” but I’ll take it. I’ve had this dress for a year and a half and never wore it. It’s been sitting in my closet, new-with-tags. I really wanted to wear my Gathering Breeze dress but I think I will have to give that up as it just doesn’t fit right any longer and I’m not sure it can be tailored well. I paired it with a Jackie Cardi, the Coddington suede heels and my Tiffany Bean necklace.
Cata and I had so much fun! It was perfect timing to have an event like this, right before the holidays. You were able to pick out something for yourself so that you could then focus on everyone else’s gifts.
I can’t wait to see Molly’s post on this event and the rest of the pictures that were taken. There were some very lovely ladies there who looked amazing in some of their outfits!
Have a Great Day!
 
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Here are two more office outfits from a few weeks ago I had yet to post. I have been in workout clothes or my Italy trip jersey skirts for most of the last two weeks. I usually stick to pencil skirts and a blouse when I’m travelling.

Here is the lovely Pink Cottage blouse along with the No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Warm Jade and Valentino Bow heels. Looks like Jeannie had a similar idea here. Forgive the “no make-up” look. This was at the end of a super long day. I’m much more fresh faced in the next pic.
I paired the Linen Cotton striped shirt with the Porcleain Paisley skirt (LOVE!! this skirt) and the Arene’ sandals in Cognac from last summer. This could have used a belt and a necklace, I suppose.
I’ve been trying to figure out what I need for the Fall/Winter. It’s so hard to think about it when it’s so hot outside. I haven’t seen the new arrivals in the store yet but plan on going Saturday. As beautiful as the Wool pencil skirt colors are I just won’t get enough wear out of them like the cotton skirts. I do grab a new color of the Cashmere Tee each year and now the Tippi is in Cashmere so I’ll have a decision to make there. I do want a Schoolboy Blazer in Navy and maybe a pair of the Matchstick Jeans. Have you seen my fit-twin in them today? She looks great in them along with the Tippi in Snakeprint.
I’ll be in the office again next week so there will be some Que Bella posts when I return. I also plan on visiting the J Crew Factory store and hope to publish those reviews next week. Anything you want to see from the Factory? Leave your request in the comments!

Have a Great weekend!
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Wow! Lots and lots of stuff showed up on sale atuesday atbAnthro. My SeesTheSale.com wishlist emails kept coming. With a birthday gift card burning a hole in my pocket I ventured over to Anthro Tuesday afternoon to see what I could find.

North Coast Skirt by HD in Paris, Sz 8 – I tried this skirt on a month or so ago in a 6 and never showed pics as it was waaaay too tight. The size 8 fit well and the Lobster on the front is cool. 
Leadlight Cropped Top, Sz 8; Leadlight Maxi Skirt, Sz 8P – I’ve had the skirt for a while but haven’t worn it. I took it with me debating on whether to return it or not. I decided to try it with the Cropped Top expecting to not like it as my body is not in “crop-top shape” but, as you can see, it’s not bad. The skirt sits higher on the waist, almost meeting the bottom of the top, showing very little mid-section. The cut-outs, on the other hand, are very va-va-voom. I’m still debating on keeping both of them but, as one of the SAs stated, it’s “a patio outfit” and I do have one of those. 
Musa Dress, Sz 6 – I tried the top in this print a few weeks ago and was disappointed that it didn’t work out for me. The dress though, fit surprisingly well, considering I was told it might be tight in the bust or under the arms. I am always a fan of bat-wing/kimono/butterfly sleeves. 
Fern & Flower Dress by HD in Paris, Sz 6 – This dress has such a casual vibe to it and is perfect for summer. It’s silky and comfortable and just an easy dress to wear. 
Bike Lane Dress, Sz 8 – Probably the 3rd time I’ve tried this dress on. And even for $75 I still left it at the store. I think it’s just too whimsical for me. Maybe if it was just a skirt? I don’t know. 
And what I wore Tuesday. Though it’s way hot I still felt comfortable and cool in the Jardin Maxi Skirt. By adding the Sequin Anchor Top and my Valentino Bow Flip-Flops I contributed to the keeping cool factor. 
What did you find at the Anthropologie sale?