Sale Haul! And Waffling About the Settee Roses Skirt

So I had a bit of a stressful trip into Vancouver Anthropoligie today (unhappy children plus complicated transaction) to have my Heartseas Habotai Blouse price adjusted and in the end I did have the price adjustment honoured so I was able to purchase the Climate Control Cardi that went on sale today with the difference. I also picked up the Scratchboard Skirt to see if I liked it better then my Settee Rose Skirt I got the other day and I'm really sort of torn.

I really like the outfit with the Scratchboard Skirt but the quality of the skirt feels less substantial then other skirts of the same price. I'm actually really disappointed that the skirt doesn't have pockets. It also has a really strange construction with an inner liner only on the back half of the skirt, the front half of the skirt is two layers of printed fabric (sort of a faux wrap) and the second outer layer seems to be a bit longer then it should be and doesn't sit symmetrically. I think it's meant to not sit symmetrically and is part of the design but I still feel off kilter. The pull up waist is a little bit big in the large but I opted for the extra length of the large versus the medium. The elastic waist kind of looks like mens underwear but I think I like the casualness of it. I think I'm torn because I know this will go on sale...and probably because something better will come along. This will probably go back to the store and will be repurchased at sale time.

Dotted Dashes Tee, Scratchboard Skirt, 

Triple Bar Belt, Climate Control Cardi

The Dotted Dashes top is just adorable! I saw it initially when I purchased the Settee Skirt but passed in favour of the Dorsal Tee. When I returned the Dorsal Tee I tried this one on and immediately fell in love with it. It looks so cute with this skirt, my Sailboat skirt and with jeans. Tucked into skirts it sort of has the look of the Readymade Dress with the boatneck and nautical red stripe/polka dot. I love that the background is raw white and not a sharp white. I experienced tear the tags off lust with this simple little tee and I'm glad I did because it works with a lot of items in my closet. And also I guess I seem to have a thing for polka dots on red and white or white on red. 

I'm very pleasantly surprised with the Climate Control Cardigan which I never bothered to try on at full price since the extra flap of fabric was a turn off. I've been on the hunt for a pretty/dressy cardigan for a while and thought that a yellow/chartreuse would be a good choice considering what I have in my closet already. Once I tried this one on today I was sold. It's a great fitting little cardigan and the bronze buttons really dress this up. The extra flap on this really doesn't stand out when you wear the cardi closed and when it's open it looks like any other basic shaped cardigan. 

Settee Roses Skirt, Dotted Dashes Tee

Triple Bar Belt, Climate Control Cardi

I was surprised that the Dotted Dashes Tee worked well with this skirt tucked in. I think it's because the raw white background of the tee matches the raw white patches in the skirt. Adding the cardigan and the skinny belt is a bit much and I think I've decided that if I were to keep this skirt it would be a sandals only skirt which limits it to warm weather.  I think the boots really makes me look wider and stockier then I am so I'm almost certain I'm going to be returning this skirt as well. Oh well. If I'm not 100% sold on something or how it looks on me then it's best to send it back in favour of something I know immediately looks great on me, right? 

Oops, forgot to talk about this little belt. I got this in a large and it's slightly loose on me but I think the medium would have been too snug. I really, really love the belt though and I ended up choosing the dark blue after not being able to choose a color for the longest time. I could see the yellow, red and green ones being equally as useful in my closet but I settled on the blue simply because I'm favouring navy's lately and it looked really cute over this tee paired with jeans. 

Fit Report: Lush Lattice Shirt, Longwing Pullover, Take Action Dress

Aiya! I went in today in hopes of seeing and trying on the Meyer Meringue Dress but instead I found more items to add to my wish list.  

The Gathering Tank 

A new color! It's sort of a muted tealy green. Very pretty

Marked down Cardigan

Not sure what this cardi is called, I know it was on the website in the markdown section last week but I didn't note the name. Today I found it marked down to $29 + 25% off and I was very close to getting it but decided to pass on it since I got a floral cardi on markdown a few weeks ago (which I still need to pick up this weekend). I did really love the bold print on this one with the sharp black contrast areas to make this an edgier floral. I liked it much less when it was done up but open it added a nice pop of color. 

Lush Lattice Shirt $88

I loved this blouse! I loved the embroidered flowers on it that seem to be cascading downwards. I also really like the length of the sleeves and how they are tacked up with a button. The sheerness I don't really mind at all for the most part but I would probably wear a cami underneath it if I wore this out to dinner. I tried on the large and I think the fit is right but I'd like to try the medium on to see if I get a less boxy fit. The large is probably the right size for me though. I worried about taking this on and off since the front fabric where the embroidery is is different from the rest of the blouse. it seemed like a fragile material and I'd be afraid to tear it. That being said, it's probably not all that delicate, it just looked that way. This is definitely wishlisted for further consideration. If it goes on markdown and I've passed at full price I would greedily snatch this one up in a heartbeat. 

Longwing Pullover

I fell in utter love with this blouse today. It's everything I wished the Lunar Cycles Top was which I poo-pooed because it was a rough and starchy feeling material. This one is silky soft with an elegant drape to it. It's sheer and it's delicate but I'd love to try it on with a cami to see if it's just as pretty. The color was not initially one that I was drawn to but it's so warming to the skin that I didn't even want to try on the Navy version. I tried this one on in a medium and I don't think I would go up a size as it's quite comfortable, I'd possibly try the size down just to see what that does but I don't think it'd be ideal. My concern with it is that to transition this blouse to cooler months and into fall I'm not sure how it would look with a cardi over it or what the billowy sleeves would do under a jacket or cardi. I will try it on again on Saturday and if it satisfies me then that this can be worn in various months then I will buy this  with my birthday discount if it arrives in time. Darn you Canada Post strike!

Take Action Dress size 10

This was another item I really liked. I did have a few 'dislike' items I tried on today but decided to focus on the 'loves'. I really liked how comfortable this dress was. It had no zippers to do up and the waist was very elastic so it was a pull up dress with one button to do up at the nape of the neck. I liked the little button detail at the lower ribs and how loose fitting it was in the bodice. I also really liked the length of the dress and the pleating at the neckline. The color and print was nice enough but not one that I loved. If I needed a work wardrobe this is something I would purchase for sure as it's dressy and really comfortable without feeling restricting or fitted in any area. I would wishlist this one of it comes in other colorways. 

OOTD: Around The House and To The Grocery Store

I got this Deletta top (forgive me for not remembering the name) on a trip to Seattle back in March and I really love it so much for it's simple floral pattern and feminine detailing. This was one of my first clothing purchases after a year or more of admiring Anthropologie from a far but feeling too intimidated to make a purchase. This one was such a simple 'yes' once I saw it. I seem to have a lot of luck with Deletta tops and find the label really flatters my figure by drawing attention to my better features. 

Since I'm really starting fresh with a closet overhaul after being a stay at home mom now for 3 years and heavily relying on 'lounge wear' this top has been a bit of a lone wolf in my closet and despite my love for it I've worn it only twice. I have a few dress blouses and tops but I just don't know how to put outfits together such as adding cardigans, belts, accessories, color pairings and I find I just put a shirt on with dress pants or jeans and then call it a day. I'm really looking forward to learning how to better use the items I have in my closet by adding more elements to outfits and being more creative and bold with patterns and colors.  So far, I found this Banana Republic Blazer  Cardigan in my closet and put the two together. I would not have guessed that the soft lavender cardigan would work over this shirt but it doesn't seem too offensive or sloppy to my eyes. I think the cream heathering and grossgrain belt are what works with the cream base of the Deletta top. My husband really hates the belt that came with this cardigan though and I have to agree with him so I'm hoping the Stretch Tulip Belt I got marked down to $29 may work with this (arrives next week). I need a solution to the ribbon though because this cardigan needs some sort of closure and the ribbon prevents me from wearing it more. Perhaps a skinny darker brown belt will work for it? I'm also wearing my Lemon Stick Wedges for a pop of contrasting color. 

Not perfect but getting closer to put together, and perhaps almost interesting. 

My Anthropologie shopping goal for Fall (yes I have a plan of attack, this is a proper 'project') is to find some great statement cardigans like these ones that I've missed out on. I have my eye on a few on ebay but the prices aren't that enticing just yet and I want to see what comes in the fall. I have a boring grey wrap in my closet that I overuse and this one lavender cardigan that I never use so statement cardigans like these would really fill a hole and expand my closet. Also, I have not owned a pair of proper boots. I missed out on the Miss Albright Pebbled & Primped Boots because of the duties and shipping costs and I really regret it. It's my goal to get proper boots this fall that I can wear with jeans and dresses on a regular basis. I want to add belts to my wardrobe and learn the proper way to belt cardigans and flowy tops. What do you do when you're wearing jeans with a belt and then wear a flowy top that you would like to belt? Do you remove your jeans belt? Or do you wear both? I'd also like to incorporate leggings and nylons to wear skirts in the winter. Maybe by the time I'm ready to reenter the work field once my kids are in school I'll have this fashion thing figured out. 

Fit Report: Sailboat Skirt & Monarch Skirt

I had a really successful trip down to Vancouver Anthropolgie to price adjust my To The Flea Market Crops that I had purchased this past weekend (and love!) only to see them marked down this morning. Anthropologie, your generous return policy and exceptional customer service has given you my undying devotion. Things I love about anthro besides the clothing: will hold items and do charge sends, process returns from US to Canada and Website to store, generous return period and price adjustments on sale items. I had the most wonderful SA deal with my return today and she was so patient with me and my screeching and yelling 1 year old. Maybe you were in the store at the same time I was today? If so you know exactly who I am based on how loud and horribly behaved my child was. I'm so sorry for your ears. Good thing she's pretty cute otherwise. 

With merchandise credit in hand I set off to try on the Odille's Sailboat Skirt in a size 8 and 10. The 8 fit well however the very top of the waist was slightly snugger then I was comfortable with and despite the fact that I'm on a weight loss track I was more comfortable committing to the 10 so that I can wear this comfortably right away AND eat a large meal if I feel like it. . As I lose weight I think the 10 will still wear well and just sit lower. I initially was a bit worried about pairing tops and shoes with this skirt because I'm so fashion retarded. Seeing it paired with an orange tank on the website made me feel a bit more daring in trying it on with something other than white. I loved it paired with my blue Winners Circle Tee and also didn't mind it with the soft lilac of the Expanding Horizons Tank. I absolutely love the way the direction of the sails plays on the movement of the skirt and how casually cute this skirt is. It's soft cotton, has hidden pockets and is comfortable enough for me, someone who cannot stand finicky, scratchy and stiff clothing. Hence my tendency towards stretchy clothes. This skirt is a major win. 

Sailboat Skirt $88 with Expanding Horizons Tank & Winner's Circle Tee

I mentioned in today's earlier post that I had spotted the Monarch Skirt on sale in store during opening weekend and then when I went back for it (once I'd read a few blog reviews) it was no longer in the markdown room. Today I happened across it again and tried it on in the only size 10 (other sizes available were 4 and 6). This was another pattern I was worried about how to match with other colors. As soon as I saw how easily it paired with the blue I figured there were tons of colors that would work with this and I imagined how pretty soft lilac would look next to the lemon yellow of the butterflies on the print. Now imagine it with the Lemon Stick Wedges. The yoke banded waist is a really pretty detail and the skirt has the same soft cotton, casual hidden pocket feel as the sailboat skirt so I decided two skirts today would bring me out of my too casual rut. 

Monarch Skirt $39 with Expanding Horizons Tank & Winner's Circle Tee

The Lust List

I currently have the Sailboat Skirt on hold at Anthropolgie Vancouver and I'm warming up to the idea of trading in my trophy Tippi Dress for this skirt. The Leaf Filigrie Top in orange caught my eye on the website (just stunning!) and as I was wondering if it would go with 'that mystery odille skirt' I saw that the skirt was uploaded today. And then I noticed the picture below it featuring both the orange top and the skirt paired together. Match made in heaven I think. 

Sailboat Skirt

Leaf Filigree Tank