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I received the link to view the May 2012 Anthropologie Catalog yesterday. These are just a few of my favorites from it. They are having Free Shipping for Card holders as well for any purchases over $100.

Marietta Sunhat – Now this is a hat that could dress up any plain outfit. No other accessories needed. And with my newly diagnosed Rosacea I certainly need to cover my face as much as possible, especially while on vacation. 

Petals Unfurling Top – This looks so breezy and casual and vacation-y! The length look like it covers the mid-section pretty well. I see this with rolled denim shorts. I would definitely get both white and black.

Maia Column Dress – Now this Bailey 44 column dress is one I would buy at full price. I haven’t tried any of the versions on yet but I think it was because none of the colors appealed to me. I saw this one in my store window display this past weekend but didn’t have enough time to try it on.

Blue Bombos Dress – I didn’t even notice the bees originally on this LeifNotes’ dress. This looks soft and flowy and could feel great against your skin.
Sky Trails Maxi Dress – An absolutely gorgeous beach vacation dress by Addison Story. Even the catalog shot of the model in the clear water makes me want to fly away right now. With this dress of course.
Flared Annabelle Dress – This dress makes me want to twirl, just like the catalog image. It’s cotton with a cotton lining and looks to be a midi-length dress meaning I’d need to wear heels with this. Not sure I could get away with flats at my height and the midi-length. The only thing bothering me is the back neck tie. Very odd.
Revisited Impressionist Dress – I am really drawn to digital prints on clothing and love my Crepe Myrtle Shirtdress from Sarah Ball and this Tracey Reese dress is no exception. Oh how I wish I had a summer wedding to attend. 
Leadlight Maxi Skirt – This is a gorgeous stained-glass print Maxi skirt by Maeve. They always have wonderful clothes. It may be a game-changer for my trip. With all the colors in it I can certainly wear this with different tees and my Linen Sweaters every few days. A major plus is that it is lined in Cotton. That’s always great for warm summer days. It has a matching cropped (!) top as well that I’ll pass on. I ordered it in a 8P so I’ll review that when it comes in.
I’m sure you’ve noticed two common themes here…lots of blue hues and vacation is on the brain. Many are colors of what you want the ocean to look like on a beach vacation. I hope these hold out, and maybe even make it to sale, by the time my birthday discount arrives in June. 
I can’t wait for this catalog to arrive on the Google Catalogs app for iPad. It’s great to mark and “heart” my pages or specific items. Do any of you use it? Both J Crew and Anthropologie are uploading their catalogs to it along with Boden’s, Neiman Marcus, Lands End Canvas and Madewell to name a few. 
Have you had a chance to look at the Anthropologie May catalog? What do you think? 
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Here are a few outfits from the week. First is a great wrap dress from the GAP, the Dotted Wrap Dress. I ordered this without trying it on but based on the reviews and Rose’s post, from One More Shopping Blog, I sized down one to a Small. I’m glad I did. This fits great and is very comfortable. I added a lace cami from Banana Republic and my Lanvin Espadrilles, as I had a board meeting that evening.

Next is what I wore Wednesday. This is the Draped Snail Tank by from Anthropologie. I love the little snail print all over. As you can see this is a pretty wide blouse. I’m wearing a size 6. It will certainly look better layered under a cardigan to tone done the a-line shape of the blouse. The jeans are from 2006(!) and are from Express. The shoes are the J Crew Joley flats. 
I did tuck in the shirt to give myself a better shape and you can see that it made a difference. I forgot to add a belt but would have added a yellow one for just another small touch of color. 
I was so happy to find the Oroya Dress, by Eva Franco from ,Anthropologie on ebay in my size. I had bought it before, on sale no less, and returned it for some ridiculous reason. I’ve been pining for it ever since. I added some new Target Mossimo Espadrille Wedges and a cami I’ve had for years from The Limited. The yellow cami paired nicely with the colors in the dress. I met a friend Thursday evening for “Margaritas and Manis” at the Westin La Cantera Hotel. We had a great time enjoying a yummy delicious margarita and a mini-manicure. 
The wedges are Mossimo Pollie Strappy Espadrille. I took a size 7 and they were quite comfortable. I normally stay away from ankle strapped shoes but these don’t contrast too badly with my skintone to cut me off at the ankle. 
Have a Great Day!

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I had a salon appointment Thursday afternoon and since I was so close, I headed up to the outlets. I was very interested in seeing the new arrivals at the J Crew Factory Store, after hearing on Saturday they would be in Wednesday. There were lots of pretty new things, bright colors, new accessories and almost everything was on promo. Add the additional 20% off if you spend over $150 (see Alexis’s post here on the JCA blog) and you’ve got some good deals.

40% off Gallery Tees
30% off Fisherman Cable Sweaters, The Skimmer Pant, Footwear, Blazers, Jackets, Jackie Cardigan, Tunics/Cover-ups, Belts, and Jewelry
20% off Shorts, Skirts, Dresses and Suiting
Crewneck S/S Tee $16.99 promo
V-Neck S/S Tees $19.99 promo (The striped ones are very cute and I was tempted to get them in all colors.)

JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES 
There were lots of cute little critter necklaces along with some new types of pearls and other necklaces. Here were just a few I was able to snap pics of.

Crab Necklace (I meant to get this, being a Cancer and all, but I completely forgot.)

Ship’s Wheel Necklace

Jeweled Bee Necklace

Ladybug Necklace

Round Bauble Necklace in Blue, also comes in a Mustard-y Tan (at the bottom of the pic)

Jeweled Bee Earrings

Belts in a lot of colors
TOPS
Striped Jackie Cardigan – #65041, M, Navy – So I was eyeing this Loft sweater last week but it fit too cropped and tight in the arms, in a Medium, so I passed on it. This cardigan fits TTS and has bracelet sleeves and I don’t have a striped cardigan. And navy and white is so classic. – .$54.50 plus 30% off

Sailor Sweater – #65022, Sm, Sailor Blue – I sized down from my normal Medium. This fit well in the Small. I suppose it is meant to be loose and slouchy. Also comes in Black Linen. $69.50 plus 30% off

Floral Tunic – #12572, Sm, TAM – I believe this is meant to be worn as a cover-up, otherwise you’ll need a cami underneath to avoid exposing the girls. I have this pulled up some to avoid exposure. $59.50 plus 30% off

Factory Cap-Sleeve Blouse in Gingham – #66618, Sm, AGI Azalea Gingham? – Mary Ann or Ellie Mae? Cute but not for me. I don’t like elastic on my sleeves. See it here in Chambray. $44.50 plus 20% off

And look what’s made another come-back? I don’t/can’t see the style # but it is $59.50.

DRESSES
Cotton Shift Dress – #36740, 6, Navy – This is a very cute dress. It comes in Navy, Modern Red, and Natural. The Size 6 fit well through the bust and good through the waist seaming.

Modern Red, Sz 8 – You can see the pleating at the bust lays a little flatter than the 6. I preferred this size to the 6 but I would say get your normal size if you are interested in this dress. I would have bought this in both the Navy and Modern Red, if there had been an 8 in the Navy. $98 plus 20%

Cap-Sleeve Dress – #69414, 6, Popsicle Pink – This was a little tight in the bust an arms for me (elastic sleeve), and short. It zips up the back with an exposed zipper. And it a very PINK dress. I couldn’t not try it on, it was so bright. I would size up to an 8 but there weren’t any to try on. $89.50 plus 20%

Striped Dress – #68389, 8, Black – This is a very cute dress. It’s a pull-over style, with no zipper and only a button at the back of the neck. The waist is elastic in the back. As you can see it is a little blouse-y on top. I would have sized to a 6 but there were none left.

Dotted Strapless Dress – #23064, 8, Navy – This is a teeny tiny polka-dot dress, with pockets. I want to say this is the Lorelei style, in the retail version. Very cute.

Same Dress in a Size 6. This fit a little more snug in the top but I was able to zip this up all the way. I’d stay with an 8, which is what I’d normally get in a strapless dress.


SKIRTS
Seersucker Mini – #23294, 8, Classic Navy – Very cute mini skirt with some adorable buttons. $59.50 plus 20%

Textured Cotton Mini – #25807, 8, Wild Blackberry – I liked the texture of this mini. I have a pencil skirt in the same texture. It has a slightly exposed back zipper and comes in Natural and Rhubarb. I could have sized to a 6 as this was a little loose in the waist and hips. $56.50 plus 20%

Twill Bell Skirt – #61251, 8, Poppy – I prefer to wear an 8 in these elastic waist skirts so I can adjust how I wear it to give me more or less length. $58 plus 20% off

Agate, 6 – If there had been an 8 in this Viridian Green-ish color I would have brought it home with me. Love!

Vineyard Pencil Skirt – #65816, 6, DPE – A remade-for-factory retail skirt from last year. See it on me here. Fits TTs and just as cute as the retail version.

SHORTS
I did not try on any shorts but here are some in-store right now.
Pink Gingham

3-inch Critter Chino Short – Navy Ivory Anchors


 Bermuda in Modern Red and Pale Coral

And finally, here’s my OOTD and new ‘do.

Tippi Sweater – Heather Dark Grape
Anthro Havana Fresca Maxi Skirt
Cece Ballet Flats 

So what do you think of the New Factory Arrivals? Anything catch your eye?

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Here are a few OOTDs from last week. This first outfit I loved! I’ve had this belt for years and love it. It can be reversed so the multi-buckles are at the back. The skirt was so comfortable to wear and the weather was nice enough to be cozy but not too warm. Unfortunately, this skirt had a big issue. After I took it off, I noticed the seam where the waistband meets the skirt had come unraveled. There was at least a 5 inch hole in the skirt! The seam was stitched with the same merino wool it’s made out of and apparently any slight tugging or pulling on it made it come undone. I had to return it. If any of you have this skirt just be aware of the stitching. I don’t need anything falling apart for $128. And it’s too bad because I was eyeing the black skirt as well.

J Crew Silkspun Sweater
J Crew Merino Pleated Skirt
Corso Como Boots
Anthropologie Belt

One of my favorite shirts from J Crew. I have it in the Almond color as well. It runs big so I was able to size to a small in this. The purple is gorgeous IRL. And of course, my Cece Ballet Flats don’t know what they’ve gotten themselves into. They will be my work-horse flats for most of the Fall and Winter. I’m glad I have multiples!

J Crew Silk and Sequins Scoopneck
GAP Curvy Jeans
J Crew Cece Ballet Flats

I wore this to a wedding shower on Saturday. The Bride-to-Be was gorgeous in a Shoshanna dress. My fashionable NYC prima wore the Nanette Lepore Cafe Sheath Dress (see on Chloe here) (LOVE!!!) for her engagement pictures. The Blouson Dress is a favorite dress style of mine. I have the lace in both colors as well as the stripe in black. The Royal Paisley does not disappoint. I was excited to see I have so many cardigan and sweater options for it, including this Jackie in Buttercup…perfect match!

J Crew Jackie in Buttercup
J Crew Blouson Dress in Royal Paisley
Cole Haan Mary Janes

No OOTDs so far for this week. Husband has been home ruining my daily groove but I’ll give him a pass. He’s been sick for 7!!! weeks and now has shingles. Poor hubby. Luckily I’ve had chicken pox and The Boy has been vaccinated for them. But there is no kissing going on ’round here right now. I’m too busy to be sick. Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week? I’m busy every weekend starting now but I love this time of year.

Have a Great evening! I’ll be back with more reviews this week from that crazy 25% off sale. I am certainly shopped out. Luckily I’m not into all the Black Friday shopping. I go, but only to be my mom’s chauffeur. I can do a curb-side drop-off and then find a parking spot in BFE and not have anyone complain about how far they have to walk. I also run packages back to the car so our hands are not full of bags. And now that I’m old enough and have my “own” money, I can go eat anytime I want. My brother and I would starve for hours begging to go eat while she was in a zone shopping. Of course, I’m exaggerating…only slightly. Those marathon shopping trips my mom took us on is probably why I like to shop alone. Fun times.

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Just another gorgeous day around here. Great for layering one of my new favorite blouses and a favorite cardigan.

Anthropologie Girls from Savoy Lemon Liftoff Blouse
J Crew Jackie in Burnished Olive
GAP Curvy Jeans
Cece Suede Ballet Flats in Bright Flame

I was able to find another pair of Cece Ballet Flats on ebay, this time in the Bright Flame. They are not as red as they show online but still great for a subtle pop of color. The Retro Lemon has now caught my eye. As for the Lemon Liftoff Blouse, my Anthropologie (La Cantera San Antonio) is having the 40% off sale items and there were a few of these blouses still available, if you are looking for one.

Enjoy your day!