The Irresistable Maxi goes for Baroque

Hello, ladies! Well, last night went great! I personally think the dress rehearsal was better vocally all around, but it was a great to get back into the swing of doing a solo concert again. It's been a long time! And I'm excited about collaborating again with this program at another venue (fingers crossed someone else will hire us!). I want to thank the ladies who wished me well and said sweet things about my sound sample. You guys are the sweetest!

And...the dress. FAB. It was a big hit. Even though I had it tailored, I still find it a touch too long. But whatever. Tracy Reese is on a roll, dude.

Cats in the pictures again. Hams.

Um...what to wear for shoes? Glad Rags T-Straps! The only heel I had high enough to accommodate the hem.

Anyway, tons of auditions coming up. I hate auditioning. It's so awkward always makes me super nervous, but c'est la vie.

I also have a new obsession: San Pellegrino Limonata. It's so good. Does anyone else love this little can of soda? I don't even like to drink soda, but somehow, when it's European and fancy, then it's okay. I don't even know if it's actually soda.

This crap appeals to my former European-dweller sensibilities. Why is it so good?! Is it laced with something? Crack? Plus, it's called "Limonata" which is fun to say, because it's L-eemon, not Leh-mun. Lee-moh-nah-tah...mmmmm...

Concert Countdown and, Outfits, Sale Steals and a Quick Review

Good evening, readers! Happy Sale Tuesday! Much to my disappointment, the Nostalgic Asterisks Dress is STILL not on sale! Grrr! Come on, Anthro! You put the Tuileries on sale, but not my beloved Nostalgic Asterisks? You're testing my patience!

Anyway, here's a couple of outfits from the weekend! Here's what I wore to a housewarming party in the burbs!

Cardi: J Crew Jackie Cardigan, Blouse: Banana Republic Polka Dot Blouse, Skirt: Anthropologie Wooded Hideaway Skirt

The kitties always find their way into the pictures, don't they? Ah...the Wooded Hideaway Skirt. Ever since trying it on, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I love Corey Lynn Calter's designs, but I never want to pay so much for cuteness. So, I can definitely do CLC on second cut! At $148, this skirt was quite pricey, and when it went on sale, $79.95 was still a little much for me to pay for a silk skirt and I totally forgot about it. When it got a second cut to $39.95 AND popped back onto my wishlist, I said: "Yup! I'm ready to buy that now!" and I snapped it up! It's a really beautiful and comfortable little skirt. I am so glad I was lucky enough to score one!

Then on to a fabulous drag comedy show in Back Bay Saturday!

Cardigan: LiaMolly (Thrifted!), Top: Anthropologie (not on the website yet!), Jeans: Gap Kids

The label on this little LiaMolly shrug is so different, but I found this in a designer thrift shop and it's totally cute! I still can't believe this awesome Anthro top is NOT on the website yet. It's been in stores since March and it's totally adorable and worth full price. For a xs petite, this fits TTS, so I would lean toward saying this runs slightly small. I'm totally in love with it. Best full price purchase of the season. And, damn! Why does the cat always get in the picture!

Anyway, I dropped by the Anthro store today since, it happened to be in the same mall as my tailor. I saw one lone Embossed Basket Dress, so I thought I'd do a quick review since I've never seen this on a person, but was intrigued by it.

This is a cute dress. The cotton is a little heavier so in summer months, if you put this on you might be hot. Reviews online are saying it runs small. It fits me, so that must be true (this is an extra small for reference). For me, it's nothing to get excited over and it's way over-priced. $168? Really? Wait for the sale.

Whilst I was shopping, I spied something I've been coveting forever! A LONE Deuxhill Cowlneck, Turquoise...IN MY SIZE!!! To boot, it's marked down in-store to $19.95!!! I must have done something wonderful, because the Anthro Gods were with me! I also snapped up a lone Poetry of Trees Jacket and the Heart's Desire Cardigan in ivory that I've been waiting to go on sale forever.

All this AND I picked up my...Irresistible Maxi Dress from the tailor for my concert on Thursday! I had the hem shortened and now, I'm ready to wear it! I'm so excited!!! It's such a stunner!

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!