November 3, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

Attending A Wedding

My husband and I went to a wedding in September. It was beautiful. It was in wine country and just lovely. I was excited to get a chance to wear my Flounced Lace Dress from Anthropologie again. I had purchased it in March to wear to a luau. I also figured it would make a great dress to attend a wedding in.

It was very comfortable and the color is so pretty!

It was the wedding of one of my husband’s coworkers. As such, I had to be on my best behavior. I tend to be a wee bit crazy at parties. Don’t believe me? Aww. I would love to post some pictures as proof (which I unfortunately have), but the children… The children. Just imagine it.

So, you can kind of see why my husband was just a tad bit worried. I had been to a work engagement before. I was so very boring that later someone told my husband they did not want to offend me by drinking in front of me. Giggle.

I believe I was the epitome of a “lady” at the wedding. I even drank. Well, alot. But I kept myself “in check.” The only thing is: They had these cheese rolls at the wedding. I want them forever. I want them as my last meal. The waitress kept sneaking me more. It was kind of awesome. And could quite possibly be the reason I felt no affects from the alcohol. And why I gained two pounds that week.

The cake was adorable featuring miniature versions of the couple’s dogs.

And it tasted heavenly. Of course, I was so stuffed on cheese bread, I only had one bite.

There is just something about a wedding. I cried during both of the parent’s speeches. I could imagine it was me talking to my children. This made me so sad, I stuffed more cheese bread in my mouth to feel better.

One thing that stuck with me was a part of the father of the bride’s speech. He said, “All I wish for you is that you will be happy. I do not care about fancy cars or big houses. Forget the expensive trips. Just be happy. That is all I can ask for you.”

Isn’t that all any of us can ask for?

To be happy. Why is that sometimes such a big task?

He ended his speech with, “To the death.” This almost made me spit out my cheese bread and wine. Have you ever heard that before?

Have you been to any weddings recently? Were you on your best behavior? And, more importantly, what did you wear?

* I shared this on The Pleated Poppy!

October 12, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

Overalls?

I will admit it. This is my very first pair of overalls. Well, maybe I had a pair when I was four or five, but I have long since forgotten. When I was pregnant with both of my children, I longed to be the pregnant girl in overalls. Alas, I am not one of those girls that is cute whilst pregnant (and, no, I am not pregnant. That would be impossible, just so ya know). And so I skipped over them. Never bought them, but enviously stared at those who did.

I started seeing them pop up again. And I started stewing. Then I saw that picture on the Pottery Barn Teen catalog and my interest grew. The final straw was when Free People offered a distressed corduroy pair in the gold color.

I was sold…Or they were sold…To me. Somethin’ like that.

I have been trying to put together different tops with the overalls. I pretty much want to wear them all of the time. Here is what I created:

This is my favorite look. It is a Free People lace shirt I purchased from Nordstrom Rack in the spring. I like it with H & M’s lace flats. The necklace is care of Simply Livly on Etsy.

I paired it with a denim jacket. I definitely look rustic here.

And a Free People cardigan.

I tried the overalls with Anthropologie’s Daydrifter Tee.

I also paired it with a striped long sleeve layering top from H & M. I believe this was $14.

And went full on country farm girl with a Johnny Was flannel shirt and vintage boots. The turquoise necklace is from Simply Livly on Etsy.

This sweater was purchased last winter at Forever 21. I think it was $15. I have a mad crush on it.

I bought this top with my mother-in-law during my Nordstrom Rack birthday spree. It is made by Free People. I could never find it on their site. And I did look. The color is my favorite paired with mustard. The earrings are from Anthropologie many years ago.

And because I could not help myself. And because he wanted a ride. And maybe because I am more than a tad bit crazy…I put a little gnome in my overalls. My husband refused to go out with me like this. The wee little fellow was sad. ; )

So, what do you think of the overall trend? And would you have gone shopping with me and my little gnome friend (he was made by the lovely Moongoat on Etsy

* I shared this on The Pleated Poppy!

October 8, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

More Anthropologie Fall Reviews

Here is where I break my own rules and do more reviews.

My kids were going camping last weekend. It was booked for months. Can you see where this is going? Oh, yes. The government shutdown strikes again. And the campground was closed. Thankfully, they could just go camping on my family’s land, but it still was a dent in the plans.

My father met me to pick up the kids at Anthropologie. ‘Cause he’s awesome. I had two returns to do. I will happily note I left Anthropologie with a negative balance. Did I buy something? Ugh. Yes. But I was proud of myself for leaving so many lovelies behind.

I decided to try on some things. Some of them, because I have had my eye on them. Others, because they are different than what I would normally wear and someone might like to see them on the average girl.

I probably will not get to another brick and mortar store until Christmastime. It was fun to try on some pretty pieces.

Movin’ along. Here are the reviews:

That day, I wore my Free People Lace babydoll shirt from Nordstrom Rack. Of course, I did not take a picture of the outfit in the dressing room. Here is a “selfie” I took at home earlier in the day. By the time I got to Anthropologie, it was late in the day and my hair changed. Oh, and my make up kind of smeared. Bear with me. I paired it with my Free People skinny corduroy pants also from Nordstrom Rack ($19.99 last week. Run! Don’t walk!). I am wearing lace flats from H & M. The necklace was gifted to me from Simply Livly on Etsy (I wear it all of the time and love it!).

I don’t know about you, but I have a system when I try things on. Because I hate trying things on. The quicker I can get it done, the better. If I all ready have pants on, I start with tops. So, first I tried on a top I had loved online. It is the Honore Buttondown. I was not in love with it once I tried it on. It is just okay. This is a size 6. It just wasn’t for me in real life. Or maybe it would be great tucked in?

First, please ignore the weird expression on my face. What the heck? This black top ended up in my dressing room. I had not picked it out. It was my usual size medium and so I tried it on. I think it is the Smocked Sabine V-Neck. It is black. It is a blouse. It is a black blouse. Nothing much more to see here.

This sweater was so pretty on the hanger. This is the Stitched Flora Cardigan. It swam on me when I tried it on. This is a medium. I could have used a size small. It is expensive. This just isn’t for me, but I am sure many lovely ladies will rock it.

Hedgehogs! Oh my! I love this top. I have the bunny version in this new release Creature Feature Top with the buttons down the back. I purchased the bunny version in my usual medium, and immediately had regrets. This is a large. I think definitely size up in this shirt if you do not like things “showing.”

On to the dresses! I tried on this Narva Swing Dress, on a whim. Please ignore my claw. Gosh! I am weird! This is a medium. If they would have had a small, I probably would have cradled it all the way home. As it is, I am glad they did not. This dress is one I will wait for sale on. It is a pretty blue swing dress. But I am looking for something with spunk. It did make me feel all small and girlish in it. As in, someone could throw me over their shoulder and then take me home and rock me. Hmmm. Maybe I shouldn’t drink wine and write reviews.

This dress is a small (Spacedye Day Dress). It was the only size they had in stock. It is too small. Small. Small. Small. Moving along.

I lusted after the Elodie Sweater Dress online. I loved the color. But once I tried it on, the love was lost. The color just is not good on me. I think someone with the right coloring is going to rock this dress. And I will be envious and glad for them all at once. I am wearing a medium. The fit is right. The stripes do not do my hips any favors. It also comes in a black color, but it is not for me.

Okay. Maybe I am delusional. Scratch that. Yes, I am delusional. But maybe more so with this skirt. First, after poring over the reviews online about the Ponte Bell Skirt, I stubbornly tried on the XS/S version and refused to budge on the issue. Did my refusal to budge create a bulge? Hmmm. I don’t know. The bump on the side is not a hip baby, but the sensor from the shirt. I loved this skirt. It was so whimsical. So fun. And I felt itty bitty in it. When something makes you feel like that, it is a no brainer. This skirt came home with me.

Oh gosh! I love this vest. It is the Corduroy Puffer Vest. Of course, my kids had to leave when I tried this on. Sorry! This is the only picture I have.

I love the vest, but I live in Southern California. I would probably wear it once a year. It is soft. It is my favorite mustard. It kind of made me teary to let it go. Well, not really, but it is adorable. If you live in a colder climate, this vest is wonderful. I sized down to a small, and that is what I would have bought had I lived in the climate that would support the wearing of this vest. Hmmmm. Do you think this would look good over a swimsuit?

And this jacket is so not me. It is the Chevron Sweep Poncho. But I figured it might be someone. I don’t wear fur or fake fur. I don’t wear animal print (the actual animal printed on the item of clothing gives me heart palpitations, but a print of animal hide… Nah.). But I can see why some women like it. This jacket is huge. If you love this, size down. This is a medium. I definitely could have sized down at least one size. The colors are very striking. Again, not for me, but for someone fun.

So, have you spotted anything you love lately? Please tell!

P.S. Roxy of Effortless Anthropologie just posted some reviews! Check them out. They are always so helpful. : ).

August 14, 2013 by gn0mel0ver

It’s The Little Things: Flats From H&M

I have a love/hate/indifferent attitude towards shoes. I would go barefoot if it was socially acceptable. I love going to people’s houses where you have to take off your shoes.

“Don’t mind if I do.”

When I want a pair of flats, I inevitably turn to H&M. Most of their flats are $12.95 (at least the ones I like). They come in a variety of colors and textures. They fit true to size. They are almost always comfortable. It is a perfect solution for my needs.

For back to school, I bought my daughter some white patent “leather” flats. I could not resist the shine for myself, either.

I needed a new pair of black flats. $13? Sold.

The lace flats in this picture are from H&M last year. They still sell them.

It’s the little things: Cheap shoes for your sole.

Have you tried H&M’s flats? What did you think?

Gnome Lover

Stumbling through life while still having fun

lace

Attending A Wedding

Overalls?

More Anthropologie Fall Reviews

It’s The Little Things: Flats From H&M