/ Bella Picks

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas! We had family at my house again this year and had a great time outside in the warm weather. It’s now freezing cold (compared to my normal) and I’m bundled up in a cozy sweater.

Loft is having a great promo of 50% off everything using code HOLIDAY50, which ends today. I really love, and ordered, the Pleated Flippy Dress which is in a comfy jersey material. Also, I think the Faux Fur Vest in the Coal Grey is lovely, though maybe a little long for me. I still love the Rabbit Pattern Sweater, particularly because it’s green. And the Colorblock Cable Sweater reminds me of Neapolitan Ice Cream.

Lou & Grey is also included in this promo! I love their cozy items. It looks like they have their own website now and they have a Private Sale going on with 25% off. Not all items on their site are at Loft but the Loft promo is much better though.

And it might seem a little weird shopping for Swim & Beach items but I’m always looking for a new swimsuit since I’m in the pool all Summer long. At 50% off, the swimsuits are a great deal. I love the Riviera Shorts though I probably need to purge my shorts drawer first.

We are off to see Star Wars this evening. Have you seen it? We decided to wait for the crowds to calm down a bit but it was exciting to see all the Facebook and Instagram pics of those who went opening day and weekend.

Have a Great Day!

/ Reviews

I have a few more reviews from Loft before the sale ends tonight. Use FALLSTYLE to get 40% off your purchase.

~ Colorblock Coatigan, XS/Small Petite ~
I bought the Striped Coatigan a few weeks back and took the Small Petite. The petite sizing for the Colorblock Coatigan went from XSP/SP to MP. There wasn’t a separate XSP and SP. This is supposed to be oversized and I would definitely size down at least one, if not two sizes depending on how you oversized you want it to fit. I won’t button this. I’ll leave it open.
The button was already getting a little loose and the material around it and the button-hole were getting a bit stretchy, just from trying it on. I did like it enough to overlook that. I’m sure I’ll regret it. Even in this smaller size the arms are still loose on me. It will be nice and cozy around the house for Winter.
 
~ Button Back Chambray Shirt, Medium Petite ~
~ Petite Skinny Corduroy Pants in Marisa Fit, Crystal Mauve, 29P/8P ~
 

I looked high and low for the Boyfriend Cordoroy Pants but never found them. The Crystal Mauve color kept leaping out at me every where I looked so I decided to give them a shot. These are very stretchy even though there’s only 2% Spandex. The material feels pretty thin too. I don’t like the look of the Skinny Corduroy on me. Everything just looks too tight. I think a looser fit like the Boyfriend would have been better. The color is pretty though. I don’t really have a need for Cords and have whittled mine down to just one pair that I rarely wear. These are a pass for me but you can find them in 8 different colors.

Regular Marisa Fit
Regular Julie Fit

 

I didn’t really like the Button Back Chambray Shirt on the hanger but decided to give it a shot anyway. It doesn’t really look any better on me. The Medium Petite is snug in the arms and the length hits me just at the top of the waistband. The chambray is lightweight so it might be a good shirt for a nice transition into Fall.

I didn’t check my buttons in the back before I put it on so I missed one. You have to make sure they are all buttoned except for the top one or two and then slip it on over your head.

~ Dotblock Ruffle Shell, Medium Petite ~
I really liked the print and colors of this blouse. But when I put it on it was just too prairie for me. The ruffle hits me at the top of my chest and it’s not flattering at all. The size was fine in the Medium Petite but that’s about it.
~ Swingy Chambray Shirtdress, Medium Petite ~
Either I grabbed a Large Petite or the MP is really big. I could tell all the way through the dress and even in the arms. I would probably try another one in MP and then a regular size Small. This isn’t denim/cotton but Tencel. It’s lightweight but a little shiny. I wanted to like this dress but will need a different size to be sure. Since I have a Chambray Tunic from Anthro last year I’ll be passing on this.
 

If you’re considering making a purchase then I hope these two reviews helped you!

Have a Great Evening!

/ Reviews

I was able to find a little extra time on Friday to stop by Loft and try on a few items while the 40% promo/FALLSTYLE was going on. I only tried on a few items from my original list from Friday.

~ Mixprint Shirtdress, Medium Petite ~
The colors on this dress quickly caught my eye, and apparently a whole lot of others as well since there were only two left. An SA was also wearing one. I like the fit of the Medium Petite though I think it’s just a little short on the sides to wear without skinnies or leggings. Maybe it will look find with tall boots. I also like the look of this shirtdress un-belted.
The material is a lightweight cotton and navy and tan are a nice combination for Fall. I could have probably fit into the normal size Small as well. I tend to go for Medium Petite at Loft so I will say this is TTS.
 
~ Seamed Ponte Pants, Autumn Navy Heather, Medium Petite ~
I grabbed these to try under the Mixprint Shirdress and they look great with it (below). I thought the length was a little long but when I compared it to the regular Small it was shorter. The Small was about two inches longer. These are ponte so they fit very snug but not extremely tight. I like the Navy Heather color. I think I will be able to wear these quite a bit in Fall/Winter.
 
…with the Mixprint Shirtdress
~ Blocked Poncho Sweater, Ominous Teal, Small Petite ~
I also wanted to try this sweater with the Seamed Ponte Pants. I liked the feel of it on. It’s quite comfortable. It doesn’t have enough coverage for me in front or back to wear with these pants or with leggings. I’d have to stick to jeans for this sweater. The Small Petite was a good fit. It’s meant to be oversized and does have drop-shoulders and slim arms. The sleeves are 3/4 length. 

I brought the Mixprint Shirtdress and Seamed Ponte Pants home with me. I really liked both of them separately and together. Loft is also giving you two $25 Loft Cash Cards for every $50 you spend. Those can be used on your full-price purchase starting on Sunday, September 13. The FALLSTYLE sale ends Saturday, September 12.

Have a Great Day!

/ Bella Picks

Loft has 40% off everything with code FALLSTYLE, ending on Saturday, but only for US shipments. Lou & Grey is also excluded from this promo. Though Loft uses quite a bit of Poly in their clothes they look a little nicer than most fast fashion I’ve seen and purchased.

The Plaid Dolman Dress is probably my main pick. I think it will be great for Fall with a slouchy sweater and boots. The Boyfriend Corduroy Pants looks very cool to me, especially in that Violet Smoke color. I bought the Striped Coatigan a few weeks ago and took a Petite Small. I plan on wearing it with one of my TB Cora Dresses as well as just around the house in Winter. I like the Camel and Navy colors of the Colorblock Coatigan as well. They really should just call those chunky sweaters.

Loft is a nice choice, especially right now, if you are on a budget. I know that Career Fairs at colleges and universities are happening this month and a lot of college students are looking for internships and jobs right now. I’m not sure how many college students read this blog but first impressions are always important. I have several friends who recruit, all over the country, for their companies during this time and I have heard many a story about how a student showed up in her clubbing clothes for the Career Fair or interview. Even the Swingy Chambray Dress is more put together than a black mini-dress. The guys are a little more put together as they usually own a button-down or two and a tie but I’ve heard some stories of grungy or ironic tees with shorts and flip-flops.
For women, one pair of black pants, two blouses and a blazer should get you through your Career Fairs, first-meets, dinners and interviews. As far as heels, keep the 4-inches at home and stick with black or navy. Here are some of my picks.Loft – I like that they have different styles of trousers to fit you. I go with the Marissa fit for my curves.

Forever 21 – There are some great blouse options at F21 but the pant selections weren’t good. I’d stick with Loft or maybe H&M or Zara for some decent trousers.
Once you’ve succeeded in getting that internship or job, you can gauge how everyone else dresses. Most places are business casual. You’ll still need those blouses and a trouser or two but chinos and jeans will probably work too.
I hope I didn’t sound too judgmental there but first impressions do matter. Most of the time, feedback is given to the student in the interview on what he or she can do to improve for next time, whether or not he or she gets the job or internship. A short conversation on appearance is usually included. I’m just basing this on a lot of conversations and stories from recruiters over the years. I hope it helps you!

Happy Shopping!

/ Uncategorized

I saw a lot of cute tops at Loft on my last visit as well. I am a sucker for blousey peasant tops and there were several in different colors and prints.

~ Embroidered Floral Top, Gulfside Blue, Medium ~
This was my favorite, and apparently everyone else’s too since most sizes had sold out. I bought the Medium anyway, even though it fits pretty loose. The Small or maybe the Medium Petite will be a better fit. I’m hoping to find it at another store in either of those sizes before returning the Medium. The arms have elastic, which I’m not a fan of, but they weren’t tight at all. 
The shirt looks a little better tucked in but overall a smaller size would be best. 

~ Tonal Striped Henley Blouse, Black, Medium Petite ~
This size fit big as well. The style is the same as the shirt above but does have a Henley button placket down the front. That may account for the looser fit in the Petite. 

The length is also a little long and looks better tucked in. I’m hoping to find this in a smaller size as it was also selling out fast, in-store.

~ Embroidered Tassel Blouse, Medium Petite ~
I like the blue details of this blouse but this size fits a little snug in the arms. Though there are minor differences in each blouse from above they all have the same shape. I think a regular Medium would fit better in this blouse. The tassels were a little annoying so they might do better tied in a loose bow.

~ Foil Linen Cap Tee, Medium ~
This was the tee Gigi posted about on Facebook. I almost didn’t find it, thinking it had sold out. This is a little thicker than the J Crew Linen Tee I reviewed a few weeks ago. The Medium fit TTS for me. It’s not loose or drapey. This also comes in several colors. The Mystic Turquoise and Yellow Daffodil were very pretty, saturated and bright.

The sleeves are a cap sleeve. They are looser on the model than me so if you have thinner arms they will look a little better on you.

~ Foil Sleeveless Linen Tee, Summit Grey, Medium ~
The color does not look Grey IRL but bronze-colored. I actually loved this more than the Cap Sleeve Tee because of the color. Again, the Medium fit TTS. I brought this along as an “extra” in my carry-on to San Diego. It will look nice under the Linen Cotton Denim Jacket. 

It was really nice to see some great items at Loft this time, and at 40% off. I am hoping I can find a different size in the Embroidered Floral Top while shopping today. 

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