Wonderful Wednesday

Thanks to everyone who said nice things about my Valentine's Post yesterday :) Wednesday is so great it deserves two O'sOTD! Yesterday was the first day of my outreach job. I go out to area elementary schools and teach kids about music and over a 10 week period or so, have a couple of small groups of kids work on their own compositions (songs). They teach the song to their classmates and then they give a giant performance at the end of the year. Not that I'm the greatest composer on the Earth, but I can teach a 4th grader, the basics :)

When I was playing dress up in my closet on Tuesday night, I thought that the Pinochle Skirt and the Stretching Sprigs Cardi were great together! I was very colorful, but I thought this was a really fun outfit.

Cardi: Anthropologie Stretching Sprigs Cardigan

Skirt: Anthropologie Pinochle Skirt

Top: Anthropologie Scalinata Top

Boots: Bowtied-Beauty Boots

Belt: Anthropologie High Prairie Belt

Of course...after this was over, I got to go home and take a nap and putz around before rehearsal...so here's the second OOTD: I couldn't resist...

Dress: Anthropologie Color-Dipped Dress

Cardi: Anthropologie Cherry Cardi (don't know the name, thrifted!)

Shoes: Bare Traps

Tuesday morning after I got off from work, I basically RAN to Anthro and picked this up for the new 2nd cut price of $49.95. I was stalking this one like a hawk and when the price dropped, I pounced like a lioness on a gazelle. I'm so glad I was patient! This dress was sitting in my closet taunting me, so I decided to wear it to rehearsal. This dress is SOOOOOO fun to wear! There were a lot of negative reviews about the belt it comes with...but I actually think it's cute and works well with the dress. This dress is a dream...if you find one...buy it. It's DIRT cheap, EXTREMELY well-made and cutey McCuterson.

I cannot stop thinking about the Botany Book Dress, so I'm going to try it on tomorrow after work. I am looking forward to doing some great reviews for you!

Resisting the Tag Sale, Kitty Love and Why I love Turtles

Good morning, ladies! The semi-annual Tag Sale is upon us! I am considering heading out to see the buzz, but I really picked up all the pieces I wanted last week and the few things on my "must-have" list did not go on sale. I was holding out for the Thrush Song Blouse and the Field Skirt and they are both still full price, so I think I will resist buying until after Christmas when perhaps I will have some more funds. But, that won't stop me from hoping you ladies get some killer deals today!!! The much-coveted Peppered and Striped Skirt finally went on sale, so I hope all you ladies who wanted one can snag one!

We had an unexpected snow here in Boston which made my commute home from work yesterday pretty awful and slow. I think, since we have yet to have snow this year...people have forgotten that it actually does snow here. Plus, I had to drive home in the stinking rental car which I actually hate. However, when I got home, I made an awesome chili with cornbread and went straight to bed. I tried to track the sale leads for a while at Effortless Anthropologie, but I fell asleep.

Saturday night, I was happy to go on an actual date with my husband. We had dinner at a local favorite pub we like to frequent. For some reason, I threw together this outfit and realized I was head to toe Anthro.

 Cardigan: Anthropologie Slow and Steady Cardigan (sold out online) $69.95

Shirt: Anthropologie Molded and Melded Tee (sold out online) $29.95

Skirt: Anthropologie 1952 Skirt (sold out online) $29.95 (2nd cut price!)

Boots: Anthropologie Bow-tied Beauty Boots $248

This outfit is a little avant-garde for me. The 1952 Skirt is really hard to style, but it's really cool-looking! At first, I had the Curry Comb Cardigan on, but my husband thought it was too much, so I changed to my simpler Slow and Steady Cardigan. I had to have this cardigan because I think Turtles are SO cute. I don't know why, I just do. I had a snapping turtle when I was 4...I don't even remember its name, but I loved that thing. It was my first pet...then my parents got stationed in Germany and we had to let it go in the stream behind our house. I have always been obsessed with turtles ever since. I actually have never had another pet turtle since because they require a lot more care than people realize. They need certain environmental conditions, special health care...so cats are a lot easier for me. But I still heart turtles.

Anyway, I left this cardi in the store after having tried it on in October, because I couldn't afford it, but I scored it on a popback in November. It's got turtles on it, which means it's amazing.

This is Tulia, the kitty. She was cropped out of the photo, but she really wanted to be on the blog too, so here she is. She is named from the Swahili word for "calm" (my husband was in the Peace Corps for 3 years in Tanzania and is now fluent in the language. He named her).

She definitely lives up to her name. When we first took her home from the shelter, she had just had spay surgery and did not feel well for a couple of weeks. She hid constantly, and let her other new companion that we brought home at the same time, pick on her. I wasn't sure it was going to work out. But as time went on...she came out of her shell and now we are very close! She is adorable, sweet and super, super strange and quirky, which makes her extraordinarily entertaining. Check out this video I shot of her. She is obsessed with water and sinks.

 

Hope that adds some sunshine to your day! All three kitties and I are going to sit inside all day on this snowy Tuesday since I have the whole day off today! I'm going to play Rune Factory Frontier on the Wii all day and eat leftover chili! Happy Tuesday, ladies!

Cambridge Arts Coucil Anthropologie Event & Reviews

Last night Anthropologie in Harvard Square hosted a private shopping event to benefit the Cambridge Arts Council and to celebrate their new location. I love Anthro, I love the arts...how can I NOT go!? I was very pleased to be invited and I broke out my Two-Wheeler Shirtdress for the occasion. I was greeted to a glass of white wine and this gorgeous display:

 

...and Kickass Cupcakes!

 

It's really cute that the store is decorated with Harvard decor. With it being located in the heart of Harvard Square, right next to Harvard Yard (where I spent a good amount of time taking pre-med classes, completed everything but Physics. I missed music too much!) the Harvard theme decor is everywhere. It's kind of adorable and reminds me of my classes (which were HARD, but fun) at Harvard Extension School, which, by the way, is GREAT and affordable and of course...some the best quality post baccalaureate education you can get around here.

After wandering around for a while with my first glass of wine, I started to pick up some things to try on. Then I slipped into the dressing room.

OH! Guess what was in the Mystery Box?

Anthropologie: Bowtied-Beauty Boots $248

I was so excited to get these as a surprise gift! I have the best hubby! These boots are AMAZING! I am a size 8 (sometimes 8 1/2) and these in an 8 fit PERFECTLY. The leather is nice and soft and the bows are cute, cute, CUTE!!!! As you can see, they totally stick out, which is NOT like the picture at all. They are super comfy and I felt cute as can be in them. The soles are a little stiff, so I'll probably be padding up the bottoms. Worth the investment if you like these.

So, here's what I arrived in:

I don't know why my hand is up against the wall. I have no idea what I was trying to do. Anyway, on to the reviews!

Traced Twirls Dress: Girls from Savoy now $80

You know those things you never think you'll ever try on, much less buy? Well, here's one. I never gave this dress an ounce of consideration until I walked by it on the sale rack last night. This is a 0 of course...surprisingly I loved it! It was a good fit and I felt fabulous, glam, like a movie star and sexy all at the same time. I had a concern that it would be too long, but I actually have rather long thighs and short calves, so it totally worked. With some heels on, this dress will be killer. This came home with me.

Chilled Ripples Shell $118 Floreat & Matriarch Skirt $88 We Love Vera

First off, the Chilled Rippled Shell is just drop-dead gorgeous and fits well and I didn't find it see-through, which is amazing for Anthro. It's a really beautiful blouse, I'll consider it on sale.

I love all of my We love Vera pieces and I was so happy to see a Matriarch Skirt in the store. It was very cute, but it didn't wow me. It reminded me of the Circle the Globe Skirt with a print on it. It's not as poofy, but if you missed out on the yellow Circle the Globe and you like the print, here's a skirt for you. $88 seems high to me. Maybe I'm a little cheap, but I could totally understand a $78 price point, but the extra ten dollars seems high. Wait for the sale.

Mystery Sweater $168 Rosie Nietra?? (I can barely read the tag) & Mystery Odille Skirt
*Edit 10/27/10 - This sweater is now identified as the Pinafore Pullover and the Odille Skirt is now identified as the Tales of Yesterday Skirt.

Oh my. I love this sweater. It was super comfy! It will need to be worn over an undershirt or a shell, but I think the shape of it is simply adorable! The skirt is pretty cute with it although it felt an odd length to me. It's a fine plaid, but it has a slightly longer, floral print lining. I don't remember the price, but I want to say it was over $100. I am really focused on the sweater though...it's dreamy and I must have it when it hits sale! It would be so cute with some jeans!

Mystery Dress, Unrecognizable Label $168
*Edit 10/27/10 - This dress is now identified as the Japonica Dress by Coquille 

 Huge all by itself. This is a size 0.

 Saved by a belt!!

I have no idea what the brand name on this dress is. It had some gold label that was un-readable. Anyway, it's a really pretty pattern, but it's huuuuuge. The cowlneck is lovely. The belt saved it somewhat, but without it, an xs petite wearing this looks like she's wearing a mumu. It's cute with a belt and maybe in a petite size, but pretty much a pass. Maybe on super deep sale. $168 is a little pricey for what it is.

Mystery Moulinette Soeurs Dress, $188
*Edit 10/27/10 - This dress is now identified as the Lucillae Dress

I know that sizing is all over the place for Moulinette Soeurs. I have found that some dresses are cut true to size and some are so big that I am sized out. The Violet Gloaming Dress was one of those that was so enormous, it would never work. This particular dress seems to be cut too narrow for some people. I happen to have a straight up and down figure, so I thought I might have a chance wit this gorgeous dress. It actually fit pretty well and I'd be curious to see if there was a petite version of the dress because I think it's too long. I think it's just beautiful and truth be told...a little roomy. I'd need to get it altered. I will definitely reconsider this at sale time! It seems a little dressy and I'm not sure where I'm going dressed up like this.

And there you have it! I stayed in the store until 9:30 talking to sales associates! They were so nice! I stumbled home with my bag and crept into bed, satisfied with my goodies! What a fun evening!