Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The Ballet, A Very Anthro Birthday OOTD and some Reviews

Good evening, readers! That birthday discount card that I was carrying around with me all the time was starting to make me itch, so I decided to pull the trigger on it a day before the big day. I didn't buy very much, but I did score that lovely new Floreat green and orange, lace-scalloped strapless top that's not on the website yet. See Roxy from Effortless Anthropologie review it here. I HIGHLY recommend this if you live near a B&M store with this in stock. At $98, it's a little pricey, but my discount made it more palatable. It fits well and it's just too damn cute for words. I suspect this will be a big-seller when it hits the website. I've seen it for weeks though, and I think it's worth full price. I also picked up the Wallflower Skirt and a Subtle Survival Trench. The Tracy Reese skirt is mega cute. The photo on the website actually does nothing for it, especially since the waistband on it does NOT have the embroidery (why, Anthro? Remember the Catmint Dress product photo where the belt was patterned, but in real life it was just plain white? Come on, Anthro). I think the REAL thing, is much cuter and the quality is typical Tracy Reese. It has a very cute 50's feel to it and I love it.

The trench coat was a pleasant surprise. I had come across it in another store, but they did not have my size and it was marked $99.95. When I went to a different store a week later, they had one 0 and it was now marked $49.95! *swipe*. MINE. I love this little trench coat and I'm surprised it's not selling more quickly for the 2nd cut price.

I've been insanely busy with my Boston Ballet gig for a couple of weeks. Although it monopolized my time, it was probably the most fun gig I've had all year.  Who wouldn't want to sing at the Ballet!? Everyone seemed very appreciative of our little ensemble which was nice. We decided to have our dinner at a restaurant between performances and two ladies who were at the performance came up to our table and told us how much she liked us! It's really special to feel appreciated for your art...makes it all seem worth it.

My view from the orchestra pit into the Boston Opera House. GORGEOUS ceiling!
Although, I was sad to finish up there, I have my own concert to be concerned about next week and I am in the midst of getting ready for that. AND...I did in fact, purchase a very special Anthro dress for that performance which is currently at the tailor's! Stay tuned to see what I will wear!

In the meantime, I also have a few reviews for you! Here we go... (click images to zoom)

Monarch Skirt - Lil $78



This skirt is certainly adorable and caught my attention weeks ago when I walked by it in a store. A skirt with a monarch wing pattern is very me! However, this thing is HUGE. The size zero was hanging very low and it would have to be tailored. The material is nice and light and it's a flouncy, flowy skirt.

Bottom Line: Adorable and a decent price for Anthro. If you are a true size 0/xs, you will be sized OUT. All others size down for best fit.

Cultivated Maxi Dress - Edme & Esyllte $158 


 I know, I know...maxi dresses mini people = bad. Whatever, I own two maxi dresses and I think I work them. I saw this on the website and I loved it, but I didn't love it in person. I find the pattern to be too overwhelming for me in person, but if you are a taller individual it might work better. It's well made with lovely pleating on the bodice and it fits TTS.

The Bottom Line: This is worth full price to me if you can work it. Smaller extra petite girls may find themselves being worn by this dress rather than the other way around. 

En Plein Air Dress - Eva Franco $258


 Eva Franco and I usually don't see eye to eye, mostly due to being sized out of most of her dresses. Surprisingly enough, this little frock fit very well! It's a touch long for someone of my stature, but nothing a tailor can't fix...which is why I didn't bring this home. The cost is a bit much, but the fit and the quality are spot on! I wish the Mullany Dress had fit this well or I would have bought it. I find the pattern very springy and the orange belt was a cute touch.

The Bottom Line: This is a nice dress, but it's an expensive dress. The quality is top notch, but in my opinion, it may be worth it to wait for a sale. Fits TTS for a change. 

Flounced Mocha Dress - Zehavale on Sale for $69.95 (was $128)


 I was definitely intrigued by this little odd dress when it hit stores, but it didn't seem like it would work in real life. When it hit sale, I decided to give it a whirl and I was totally right. It's amazingly darling on the hanger, and the idea is really cute. However, when I put it on, I felt like I was a child's doll or I was wearing a tent. OR, that I was a child's doll wearing a tent. Either way, it went back to the rack. This dress looks as though it runs large...had this been a couple of real sizes smaller, it might have been cute.

The Bottom Line: The material and construction are beautiful and the color is really interesting. Reminded me of hot cocoa. However, very petite ladies will be sized out. Size DOWN. I suspect a second cut may come for this dress also.


Radler Blouse - Girls from Savoy $88



 This blouse totally reminds me of something I might have worn when I was 6 or 7 and I love it because of that. It fit TTS and the effect of the skirted waist is so adorable. I nearly walked out with this at full price, but decided to hold out until sale time.

The Bottom Line: Fits TTS to slightly small and is cute as a button. Worth it at full price, but sale price is better. Quality is typical of the brand, being fairly good. 

Skylark Blouse - Girls from Savoy $88



 Here's another $88 Girls from Savoy blouse I nearly bought. I don't have much to say about it except that it fits TTS and it's adorable. The silk feels nice and the little bird pattern is outstanding.

The Bottom Line: A really cute basic piece that works great with jeans or with a pencil skirt and will stand the test of time. Worth it at full price (although I will wait for sale).

Rosewood Tank - Moulinette Soeurs $128
 


 This is a gorgeous tank and I am madly in love with it. It's a little sheer, but no issue wearing a cami underneath. The buttons are GORGEOUS and the detailing is nice. The pricepoint and the fit are unfortunate here. I found the fit on the tank to be decent, but the straps are WAY to long. I would need to have them shortened, which is not hard,  but we're talking about a $128 tank top here.

The Bottom Line: A gorgeous tank that fits TTS to slightly large. If you can size down, it's probably a wise idea. Shorter gals, watch out for the straps. Wait for sale, although it's selling quickly online. 

So that wraps up my reviews! Hope they were helpful! Today was my birthday, so I felt the need to wear a special dress today to a rehearsal I had scheduled. Maxi dress, Mini person!

Jacket: Anthro Subtle Survival Trench, Dress: Anthro Botantical Crossways Dress

We are officially celebrating Sunday night after The Dereck and Kay Show! I can't wait! I hope all you ladies are having a great week!

6 comments:

  1. You can certainly rock the maxis my friend. Love them. Just FYI, I got a knock off of the cultivated maxi in cotton jersey at Old Navy for $25! It's sold out online but is still in some stores. :)

    I'm loving that Radler blouse and the other blue tank on you. very cute. Sorry to hear about the monarch skirt because it is very very cute. I actually like it on you a lot.

    Happy Birthday - your birthday outfit is awesome. :)

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  2. Ooh Kay, Happy Birthday! How ADORABLE do you look in that Botanical Crossways and that trench?! You can totally work a maxi! LOVE IT!

    Thank you for reviewing the Rosewood Tank - I love it, but I'm trying hard to wait for a sale ... I don't know if it'll make it! :P You look so cute in it!


    Can't wait to see what you wear at your concert! Hooray!! I love hearing about your work, it sounds so exciting, gal! :)
    You know what's hilarious? I'm totally digging that Monarch Skirt ... and I'm terrified of butterflies! Am I weird or what! You look so cute in it, and I'm sorry that you were sized out! Boo!

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  3. Katrina, thanks! I didn't know Old Navy had a Cultivated knock-off! I'd love to see it! I'm super sad about the Monarch Skirt. I could probably fold over the waistband, but that's just sad.

    Mandy, thank you :) The Rosewood Tank is really awesome...I'm hoping it goes on sale soon, so I can snap it up at a more reasonable price.

    You are terrified of Butterflies? That is so funny...I feel the same way about spiders. I HATE THEM. So if there was an Anthro dress or skirt covered in spiders...I dunno if it would be cute or creepy.

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  4. Happy Birthday! That Maxi dress makes you look sooo tall!

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  5. Thank you, Diem! It does, doesn't it? Kinda funny how certain dresses make you look tall!

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  6. Happy Birthday! That Maxi dress makes you look sooo tall!

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