/ Uncategorized

First off, I have to say I am one happy Momma right now. The Boy is home! I’ve missed him so much and it has been so hard to not have him close by. He says he’s doing well, made lots of new friends, as well as being accepted into the Fraternity he pledged. We went shopping yesterday! He said he needed a few more nicer clothes for his Chapter meetings and I was more than happy to oblige and spoil him. My heart is full!

Here is the most spot on SNL skit from this past Saturday, that rings true for not only The Boy, but all his friends coming home for Thanksgiving. Husband and I were half asleep when it came on but could not stop quoting what we could remember. As soon as we woke up this morning we searched for it online to watch it several more times. I give you “Back Home Ballers”. Use headphones and LOL!

I have been wanting a Transport Tote from Madewell for over a year. I just couldn’t decide on a color and wanted to try and get one with a promo or on sale. This year, there were several colors and styles offered including the Textured Transport Tote in Rock.

The tote was on promo and then an additional 30% off. It’s now been changed back to full-price so I was very lucky to get it. 
I love the color with the contrasting handles. I’ve been using it quite a bit filling it with everything. I took it on our beer tasting and stuffed it full with glasses, a scarf, gloves, water and other items. It was like Mary Poppins bag and never got full. 

There a single pocket on the interior that’s deep enough to hold a cell phone, lipstick, keys and a few other small items.

I am so glad I was able to find this tote. I love the color and isn’t like any color I already have. I don’t even mind the sagging at the bottom but eventually may look for an insert to put in the bottom. The only thing I regret was not being able to get it monogrammed. I’ll have to wait until the next one. 
Do you have a Transport Tote? Do you have a insert for it or just deal with the sagging on the bottom? 

Follow me on…
 
/ Uncategorized

Rounding out my Anthropologie visit are two pieces I loved when I tried them on.

~ Harvest Moon Poncho by Angel of the North, Maize, Medium ~
This sweater comes in Maize, Ivory, Moss and Raspberry. My store had this color and the Ivory, which I did not see but think I would like. The medium fit well but almost seemed a little big. When I tried the small, I liked the look of it much more. This has a cowlneck and buttons on the side to assist with the bat-wing sleeves. It’s a little difficult to add a vest over it but I managed. 

I’ve worn this twice already and it goes very well layered over J Crew’s Silk Sleeveless Blouse. I wear them all the time and they are almost like a second-skin now. I started adding a thin cami underneath since they tend to get a little static and clingy. I prefer the Seamless Cami from The Limited.

~ Sparkled Tulle Skirt by Moulinette Souers, Small ~
I never noticed this skirt in store until an SA brought it to me to go with the Harvest Moon Poncho. Because this is a pull-on skirt with an elastic waistband I was able to fit comfortably in the Small. There are sequined critters all over the skirt (Squirrel, Owl and a bird). The length hits just below the knee on me. I couldn’t resist this skirt so it came home with me. 
  
Here’s how I wore the Harvest Moon Poncho last Saturday. Husband and I went on a Brewery Tour in Austin. It was a lot of fun but a really long, tipsy day. The weather was chilly and misty all day. I added a long-sleeve tee as the first layer because the sweater is loosely knitted and not perfect for warmth by itself. The sweater matches almost exactly to one of the colors in the blouse. 
~ Silk Sleeveless Blouse in Heart Dot, J Crew ~
~ Pixie Pants, Navy, J Crew ~
~ Samual Boots, Corso Como ~
~ Excursion Vest, Navy, J Crew Factory ~
What’s on your Wishlist at Anthropologie? Anything I need to take a second look at? 

Follow me on…
 
/ Uncategorized

I usually shop Anthropologie more in the Spring and Summer than the Winter but there are quite a few pieces I like this year.

~ Tulle Midi Skirt, Bailey 44, Black, Small ~
Anthropologie likes to bring these Tulle skirts out for the holidays. This time it’s Bailey 44 and in black. Since there is an elastic waistband, the Small fit well though it would have been nice to try a Petite Medium. I know this is a midi skirt but I would like a shorter length. This is going to be a great skirt to style for parties this season. My friend has the Ivory one from a year or two ago and she looks like a beautiful fairy princess when she wears it. 

~ Ballet Scoop Tee, Dolan, Dark Grey, Medium ~
~ Seedling Fringe Necklace ~
Though the tee is big on me in the Medium I love the look with the Tulle Skirt. This is just your basic scoopneck tee and comes in an array of colors. Size down since this runs big. 
The necklace is cute. I wanted something more substantial and ended up getting the Hebrides Geo Pendant Necklace instead.
~ Scalloped Remi Blouse, HD in Paris, Sky, size 8 ~
Though this is a polyester blouse it didn’t feel like one. I liked the drape of it as well as the scalloped neckline. The size 8 was the best fit for me, so TTS. 
~ Aristata Top, by Raoul for Made in Kind, size 8 ~
I was swimming in the size 8 and would definitely size to a 6. The pattern placement on each blouse is different. Some reviewers say this is cropped but this size was a normal length on me. I’ll report back if the size 6 is different but this top is now on my wishlist. 

Follow me on…
 
/ Uncategorized

Banana Republic currently has a 40% off, online only, promo through tomorrow 11/20. Use code BRSMILE40 for the discount. Exclusions apply, including BR Picks, BR Monogram, Cashmere, Leather, and blazers, to name a few.

This is the same style, but in a pattern, as the Gray Flannel Fit-and-Flare Skirt I reviewed in late October. This plaid option showed up online just after my review and I knew I wanted it. I decided to order the 8 Tall to have a little more length in the skirt. At the time, this skirt was a BR Pick, and excluded from online promos, and it was on back-order. The skirt finally shipped last week but not before I also found it in one of the stores here in town.

The store did not have a size 8 for me to try so I grabbed the last size 10 on the rack. The size is perfect. The Gray Flannel Skirt was a little snug at the “fit” area, though not uncomfortable. But the 10 leaves me room to tuck in shirts and still not look like it’s too small or tight on me. I’m not necessarily saying to size up. I still think this skirt runs TTS but right now, the size 10 in this style is good for me.

It looks good with the Noir Sweatshirt I bought on sale last week but I think just ok with the Fringe Tank. I think a little pop of red on top will look great and bring this into the Holiday season.

  
Here are two other styling options I’ll try with this skirt. Both J Crew, the Masquerade Tee is from 2009 and the Harper Boots are from 2012, . They are so sleek and thankfully came in Extended Calf sizing. This tee is one of my all-time favorites.  

My booties are the Christian Louboutin Melisa that I splurged on last year. I have worn them quite a bit and will be wearing them frequently again soon. I’m normally a 37 in the CL Simple Pumps but sized to a 38 since these ran a little narrow. The necklace is the Radial Necklace from J Crew about a year ago. This may be my Christmas Eve or Day outfit. 

Being able to style this 3 different ways immediately is a good sign I’ll be keeping this skirt. As soon as I receive the 8 Tall I’ll be returning it. Especially since I paid full-price for it. Since it’s no longer a BR Pick you can get this skirt with the 40% off, BRSMILE40, promo.

Have a Great Evening!

Follow me on…
 
/ Uncategorized

This set of skirts and a pair of pants should round up my latest stop at J Crew.

~ Plaza Skirt in Tweed, size 8 ~
(on promo as of 11/17)

I love my Plaza Skirt in Glen Plaid (now on sale) so I’ve been on the lookout to see if I wanted to add this tweed number to my closet or the pinstripe. This skirt doesn’t fit like my other one. It seems to run a little big below the waistband, in the hip area. I can’t put my finger on it but I think it’s the tweed material. I still think the size 8 is my Plaza Skirt size but this particular skirt is a pass for me.

~ Flounce Skirt in Bonded Wool, Heather Charcoal, size 8 ~
(on promo as of 11/17)

The material and thickness of this Flounce Skirt is how I had hoped the Banana Republic Fit-and-Flare skirt I tried on would feel {review}. This skirt fit a little big in the waist and hips, where you can see some bunchiness. I was in a hurry so I wasn’t able to grab the size 6 to try on. I love the length of the size 8 and would probably stick with that size since it would be paired with layers and sweaters, covering the front. Overall, I liked the skirt but it’s probably not something I would wear on a consistent basis. 
  

~ Box Pleat Skirt in Crepe, Caravan Blue, size 8 ~

I saw this in Ivory a few weeks ago and though “meh”, it’s ok but I did want to try it on for the blog. The Caravan Blue is a really nice color IRL. The shape and pleating were fine. The pleats didn’t add any extra bulk or weight but I’m not really inspired to wear this skirt. I think the Ivory might look best with a cozy sweater tights and tall boots. Maybe in wool this might have made me think twice about getting but this ones a pass as well.

~ Collection Black Floral Skirt, size 10 ~
This skirt was a return to my store so I thought I’d try it on to gauge fit in case there are pop-backs. The size 10 is, of course, big on me but from the extra material and space at the waist I think I need to size to a 6 and not an 8 in this skirt. The floral jacquard is a nice material and the fluted/a-line shape is always a favorite of mine. This would have made a great item for the Holiday Collection. I’m always looking for a skirt like this to wear for Christmas or a party over the holidays. It’s perfect for a cashmere sweater and pearls or an embellished shirt. This was marked down to $149.99 in-store. 
  

These pants feel amazing. They are just plain old pinstripe wool/cotton pants but the Japanese Wool is very soft and cozy. I did not want to take these off. They are not lined but there was no itchiness to them. The fit could have been tweaked a little. The waist just fit but the hips were better and not tight. From the online reviews it looks like these will stretch some throughout the day so I would stick with my normal size 8 and not get an 8 Petite or a 10. These are definitely on my wishlist.

Have you tried any of these skirts or the Pinstripe Pant? I really recommend the pants, if I had to choose.  I would love to see these in a solid color as well. 
Are you shopping this promo or saving your pennies for Black Friday? 

Follow me on…