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!

Reviewed: Two Maxi-Dresses and a Not-so-Maxi Dress

Good afternoon, Readers. I hope you all have been keeping warm. Truth be told, I've been away from my blog for a bit. I wear a uniform to work and I have not been dressing up because in New England, the weather has been brutal. A couple of days ago, it was in the single digits and it can't seem to stop snowing. We have had a storm every week for a while and we are running out of places to put the snow. I definitely have a little bit of the winter blues. I have been keeping up with other bloggers and seeing their cute outfits and I'm stuck wearing ugly snow boots and jeans. Driving in this muck isn't a picnic either. To top it all off, it's snowing again today and I will have to get to rehearsal in it. I think I will take public transit tonight, even though it will take much longer.

Anyway, I went to Anthro today to scope out the new arrivals. I also found a Peggy Sue Dress on the sale rack in my size and I am sick of waiting for a sale on the Laced With Grace Dress, so I grabbed it. I had been thinking about it ever since it went on sale and I regretted not picking it up because I so fell in love with it when I tried it on in the beginning of December. Plus, it's on my recital dress list since I booked a date in late April! I'm very excited! It's been a few years since I sang a solo recital and as soon as my lutenist ok's the date, we are on!

However, there are a few more dresses in contention now...

Irresistible Maxi Dress $178 Tracy Reese

I have been eyeing this pretty ever since it appeared on the website after Christmas. I love everything about it, I love the color, the neckline...it's amazing. I had been scared to try it on. Honestly, it's way too long and it would need to be hemmed, but otherwise...it's turquoise perfection.

So, if you have tried on or own a Dreamy Drape Dress (aka Speckled Ink Dress), it is the same soft, drapey jersey. I will be perfectly honest with you and say that this dress is like singing A Capella. It will expose any bumps or imperfections on your body that you don't want highlighted. So, if you will be bothered by this, this dress is not for you and will frustrate you. I found the dress to be very flattering and with a price point that didn't scare me (*I'm looking at you Spinning Lace Dress*). Plus, this is a maxi dress that didn't seem to overwhelm me. A maxi dress is a tricky situation for a petite. I am only 5'1, but I didn't feel short in this. Wishlisted for further consideration.

Botanical Crossway Dress $188 Moulinette Soeurs

Not only was I surprised about how much I liked this once it was on, I was also shocked that it wasn't too long. I am very grateful that a petite size is offered which is 3.5" shorter. There was a lovely pouf of a dress beneath the bodice, but it felt light and airy...like summer. The bodice, which I got a close-up of on the last photo, is beautiful. It's well-fitted and seems like something that would be perfect for a Caribbean vacation. I don't know if it's right for the stage, since the pattern may be very distracting, but it's under consideration. I would pay full-price for this one and not feel bad about it. Well done, Moulinette Soeurs!

Crossing the Stripes Dress $228 Eva Franco

Eva Franco and I are not friends. She is always making cute dresses that don't fit me at all. The Mullany Dress just about broke my heart and now this. This is just a little too big. It's a cute idea and the fabric is gorgeous. The little belt is actually denim which is cute, but this dress is not for a little, little gal like me. Price point is high, wait for the sale. Pass for me!

I tried on a bunch of sale items on too, but only left with the Peggy Sue Dress because that's all that was left on my merchandise credit. I am still intrigued by the idea of the Laced with Grace Dress, but it has to go on sale for me to buy it. NO EXCEPTION.

Lastly, I'm putting the Closet Challenge on hold until Spring! Stay tuned until April when I'm ready to collect entries again!