Auditions or A Week of Wigging Out over 10 minutes of your life

Part of the difficulty of being a singer is doing auditions. At most an audition will probably last you 10 minutes, but that doesn't stop you from FREAKING OUT over preparations. Tonight, I sang the first of three auditions. Audition Marathon...er...5K.

Having your body as your instrument can cause you a lot of unavoidable frustrations: allergies, colds, menstruation (believe it or not, this time of the month ACTUALLY causes vocal swelling. SO UNFAIR.), fatigue...you cannot get away from how you're feeling at any time. It's been raining in Boston for days and my sinuses have been so swollen because I'm sensitive to pressure changes.

BUT...I can't take decongestants because they are too dehydrating to sing on. So, I have to resort to multiple steams with a drop of eucalyptus oil and a neti pot. It helps, but it's not a quick fix. Plus, breathing into a steam machine and using a neti pot seem so hocus pocus to me. If you've never seen a neti pot in action, watch this video.

Then on top of that mayhem, I still have to work my day job in the morning, mid afternoon and then get it up to sing like an angel in front of three strangers who are scribbling notes about you on a sheet of paper while you expose your soul to them in a Bach Aria. Ah, well, here's what I was wearing anyway:

Anthropologie: Deuxhill Cowlneck, In The Trees Skirt, Checkered Belt, Bare Traps Pumps

I have been a wreck all week stressing about this audition. I sang well and felt like I am improving getting control of my nerves and controlling the inner critic. But it's tough. Luckily, I was near an Anthropologie and I visited it for the first time in a few months :)

Boy, were the Anthro Gods with me today. The piece I have been WAITING to go on sale, was there. Now, the Boston Anthropologie is moving from Boylston Street to Newbury Street and they are offering an additional 25% off their sale merchandise because of it. You know what was on sale because it was the last one AND it was my size!?

Verdant Slipdress! I have been stalking this little beauty for months and to score it for less than half price was amazing! Thank you, Anthro!

Two auditions tomorrow night...and the beat goes on...

Baby, it's cold outside! OOTD

Hello, readers! Well...I certainly wasn't expecting this Anthro sale! 25% off all sale merchandise!? Huzzah! I decided to give myself a little pre-Christmas treat! (Probably shouldn't have, but who can resist?!) I picked up the In The Trees Skirt (current sale price, $79.95, no longer available online, call customer service, as there are still plenty in stores) and the Kissing Friday Dress in Orange after seeing it look so adorable on Carol. It is a killer when after suddenly, seeing a piece on someone else makes you want it so bad. When I tried it on...it was amazing. Really flattering on and the orange color is to die for.  With the extra 25% off...the price was much more palatable. I've been admiring the In The Trees Skirt forever and waiting for a second cut, but the extra % off, is nearly akin to a second cut for me, so I snagged it. The particular skirt I picked up yesterday seems to fit a little better than the one I tried on in another store, which makes me feel better about it. It looks so awesome with boots and for some reason, I have a weakness for things with birdies on them. It's a very "me" piece. The bad news is...now with Christmas shopping and extra shopping for me, I'm broke for a couple of weeks, LOL. I try to pay my Visa bill off whenever I get an opportunity, so most of my recent paycheck when straight to Visa. So...unless I get an Anthro giftcard for Christmas, these will be my last two pieces for 2010. Not bad, if I say so myself!

Today's OOTD was inspired by the cold. Baby...when I left the house this morning at quarter to five, it was 15ºF.  After my first job, I had to change into music teaching and shopping clothes and I wanted to look pretty, but also be warm.  So...the Refined Cord Shirtdress came out. I heart this dress so much as I've probably worn it 7 times already. I do NOT regret for one second paying full price for this beauty. When it's cold as it is in New England...you need to be warm while you're looking cute.

Dress: Anthropologie Refined Cord Shirtdress ($128)

Undershirt: Wintersilks (gifted from my grandpa! He was always so practical :)

Tights: Anthropologie Foxy Tights (hidden from view kind of, $28)

Boots: Payless $30, over H&M legwarmers...ancient

Belt: Anthropologie Knotted and Fastened Belt ($9.95)
Scarf: J.Crew (old)

So, I'm done ALL of my Christmas shopping and I have wrapped every gift. Whenever something arrived, I would just wrap it. Amazing. I can't believe I'm coasting into Christmas like this, it's fantastic. Now, we just have the LONG drive to Washington D.C. Friday, because we will be spending the Holiday with my parents this year which I'm thrilled about. I'll try to make the trip fun, but let's face it...7 hours on I-95 is no picnic...

Happy Saturday everyone :)

Tons o' Reviews!

Good Evening, Anthro Fans! I have got some reviews for you! Some old items, some new items...mostly adorable! Here we go!

Lucerna Dress $128 Velvet

This little jersey dress is JUST DARLING. It didn't do much for me on the hanger, but on, it's simply adorable and flattering. $128 is more than I'm willing to pay for a jersey dress, so it's wishlisted for sale.

Collector's Cardigan $168 Knitted and Knotted

This cardigan is one that caught my eye when it popped on to the website, but did not impress me in person. It's adorable and the hand-painted flowers are lovely, but it seems a little short. I wished it was 3 inches longer at the bottom so that the flare was more pronounced. It seems a little pricey at $168, wait for the sale if you love it.


In The Trees Skirt $158 Floreat

I know I'm late to the party on this one and I'm probably the last blogger to try it on. I didn't think much of this at all before. It seemed interesting...kind of. When I tried this on, I absolutely fell in love with it! It's so adorable and I can't believe the 0P is sold out online! If you are petite, you would probably be better off ordering the Petite size or having this altered. I think this skirt is pretty adorable, but I don't think it's $158 worth of adorable. Wishlisted for sale time!

Humbled Hydranga Top $68 C. Keer

I'll be quick. I hate this. It's not a flattering shape and when you raise your arm, the top comes with. See? Plus, an ugly gray. If you love this, wait for the sale as $68 is unfair for something that fits weird.

Deuxhill Cowlneck $88 Odille

I already reviewed this blouse once when it was only available in one colorway, but I was thrilled when I got an email saying that there were 2 more colors available! When I saw the new turquoise color in the store in my size, I grabbed one to try on. Last time, I wasn't even able to try on a 0, so this is almost like a first review. Anyway...I still LOVE this blouse. It's very flattering and looks good tucked in to a pencil skirt. I think it's worth the $88 since it's silk and well-made. Plus, I just have a feeling it will become harder and harder to find one as time marches on. I think it's worth the splurge!

Jacinth Sweaterdress $168 Isabella Sinclair

An adorable little sweater dress that's VERY comfortable. It doesn't look as amazing on me as it did in the model shot, but it's cute and it would be improved with a belt. For some reason, on the product shot and the model shot, it flares out at the bottom, but I didn't find the fit to be like that. I would have liked it better if it did. It's still cute though!

Konnichiwa Sweater $128 Sparrow

Bleh. Looks cute in the product shot. Adds 15 lbs to you when you put it on. I couldn't get this off fast enough. Horrible.

Wightwick Manor Dress $128 Maeve

I was pleasantly surprised when I picked up this dress and discovered it was corduroy. I love Maeve. I love cord. I love dresses. I wanted to love this one. I just...don't. It fits funny (it's a little big) and would only look great with the waist cinched with a belt. The pattern bothers me slightly also. It's a tad overwhelming for someone of my stature. Again, maybe a belt and some hemming would help it. It's a fair pricepoint at $128 and it feels nice and is comfy. I may reconsider this at sale time.

And there you have it! Hope everyone is having an awesome weekend!