Anthropologie Reviews: February 2015

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I had not been planning on going to Anthropologie on this day. I had planned on staying home and cleaning my house. But my mom had sent me a gift card to Anthropologie a few days before to try to lift my spirits from January.

I wore my tasseled dress from this post and a tasseled scarf from Forever 21. I had actually gone to the store with the sole purpose of purchasing this necklace. I had seen three of them at the store I went to the last time I was there and I was stunned by how gorgeous the necklace was in person. I vowed to buy it when it went on sale. It did. My store ended up having sold out of the necklace, but they did order me one that should come later this week. The store was not crowded at all. And it had all of the new arrivals that I had been wanting to try on. It was perfect. Thank you Mom for bringing joy into my day.

My last set of reviews was a hard post to write. I ended up not really loving anything. It is difficult to write about something that you aren’t passionate about. But, oh, this time, I loved every single thing I tried on. Some just as suggestions for others, but I was very pleased with the February selections in store:

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It seems as though every blogger has The Homestead Shirtdress. And they make me want it all the more. I love it on Karissa Marie. It is easy. It is comfortable. It has breathable fabric. It is pretty much perfect. I am wearing my usual size medium and that is the size I currently have wishlisted. I did have some pulling in the chest, which you can kind of see in the top picture. The buttons felt like they were straining. I am not even that busty, so more well endowed girls might have to size up.

It was a toss up between this dress and the dress below as to which one I was going to bring home with me. I loved them both a ten out of ten. But I had all ready bought this H&M dress with a similar shape and color pallet earlier in the month with their 20% off discount. I could not justify the purchase of two dresses so close in style. For those interested, the H&M dress fits true to size. It is a heavy polyester. It hangs well. I think it is a great dress for a good price (look for a discount code. They were offering 20% off awhile back, but now I think they are offering 20% off if you sign up for their email. Check their website for more information).

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Oh, Leifdottir, they always get it right. The Sarita Swing Dress is brilliant. The outer lining is 100% silk. It is groan-worthy scrumptious. I bought this in the size eight I am wearing in the pictures and wore it immediately the next day. Wait. Immediately and the next day don’t exactly go together, do they? Well, it was as immediate as I get.

Who doesn’t want to look like a tiger butterfly? Nobody, that’s who, if they’re being honest. I was so excited to see that this dress came in sizes up to 16. Of course, that size and size 14 are currently sold out online as they never stock enough of those sizes. Tsk, tsk, Anthropologie. But I do hope that a store might still have that size for those of you who want it by calling around (often when a size is sold out online, stores still have it, like the size 10 skirt further below).

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The lining is special, too. It has the sweetest crochet lace detail on the end. I wore my dress with a turquoise necklace (post coming on Thursday) and I loved the colors together.

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I had such high hopes for The Tindaya Dress. It has exquisite detail. It is flowy. And it looks good from the front. However…

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It is a bit too flowy for me. There is so much fabric to this dress it could almost be two dresses. I have seen some girls wear this belted up high and it looks very pretty that way. I could never wear this not belted. I am in a size medium.

I all ready have a lot going on down below the waist. This just adds more volume. It is like a fabric party is going on in this dress and it is a Monday and I have to work. This is a pass for me. The tall and thin would look amazing in this.

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Everybody loves The Mixed Plaid Tunic. It is all over Instagram. Usually the girls tie it at the bottom. I am not that cool. I knew trying this on that it would not work for me. I have large arms and the cut of the arms is at an odd bias which does not work for girls with larger upper arms.

I was right, so this is a pass for me, but it is still a sweet and simple dress.

I am in a medium. It fit perfectly with plenty of room. It is a cute and easy dress. It did not have the wow factor for me. But I think it will look great on a lot of body types. It will transition into each season nicely as a good piece on its own and an even more fabulous layering item.

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But? What?! How on Earth?

No pockets!

For such a simple everyday dress this seems to be a huge miss. I still cannot believe it did not have any. I am not speaking of the ones slathered on the chest. Every girl knows that those are unusable, unless you want lumpy boobs. I am speaking of waist pockets. Of course, I am old and it was not too long ago I can remember that no dresses came with pockets. But I have been spoiled these last few years and have come to expect them. Like I said, spoiled.

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I saw the price tag of this Elodie Dropwaist Dress (sold out, but might still be available in stores) and had to try it on. It was $29.95. It was a size L which I actually think works with the baggy style of the dress. Again, it did not have enough of a wow factor for me to pick it up, but it was cute. It was also extremely itchy. It was made from that itchy fake denim fabric. So, if you have sensitive skin I would definitely avoid this dress.

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I had been wanting to try on The Dotted Jacquard Skirt for some time. It just seemed like a piece that would go with most anything. I am wearing a medium in the picture and if I purchased this (which I will not be), I would size down to a small. I like the color. I like the fabric, but it is not as easy to work with as I had originally had hoped. It would be great with pullovers and simple tees, but it just did not feel like me. Great skirt, though! I recommend checking this in the store, because quite a few of them all ready had black scuff marks on them from the hazards of women trying them on. It’s tough being a white skirt!

If you work in a casual office, the Ashby Buttondown is wonderful. I think the price is okay for it. It is a very nice quality. It has a nice substantial weight to the fabric. The pretty grey denimy texture is soothing. It will go with a lot of different bottoms. It does not fit in with my lifestyle, so it was a pass for me. I am wearing a size medium. It fit just right. I highly recommend this one.

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Oh, Clementina Skirt. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Or the large patterns on this yummy design. My husband loves pencil skirts. So I buy them. Then I feel self conscious in them. And then I don’t wear them. Round and round we go… Like a clementine. I really like this skirt. I sized up to a 10 in it to allow for my ample thighs. Too many donuts not enough clementines.

I like the design, however, I tend to avoid giant designs on my lady parts. Ugh, I cannot believe I just wrote “lady parts.” But you know what I mean. I hesitate to get nitty gritty in a review post I am writing sober. This design does not bother me as much as others because the pattern repeats at the bottom. If it was singular, it would be a pass for me. It does bother me that the design does not line up on the sides, as shown in the second picture. Despite that, I have wishlisted this in hopes of getting it on sale.

The Crossed Pointelle Pullover is pretty. I like the design. It will be easy to layer this pullover over pretty slips or longer shirts. Or you could just wear it with pencil skirts. I am wearing a medium and it fit well and was soft and comfortable.

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Tricky. Tricky. The Tecoma Blouse is going to be a love/hate item. I happen to love it. It is an online only item, but my store happened to have one in my size medium that someone else had returned. I expect this to happen a lot. The pattern is amazing. The ties at the elbow are sweet yet sophisticated. The cut is flattering. It will go with pretty much any skirt that you own.

And everything about it is perfect. Except one kind of huge thing. The fabric.

Oh. That fabric. For many reasons, and so little, I own a variety of pirate wench costumes. Huh? Let’s ignore that little confession and just get to the point. My costumes always come with some sort of striped fabric. This fabric feels like that. It is that awful silky polyester that will be hot and sweaty. But I still bought it. Why? Because I just could not get over the wonderfulness of all of its other attributes. Plus, I’m used to being sweaty pirate costumes. I plan on wearing my shirt with everything. This week I will be pairing it with my Dotty Trumpet Skirt from a few years ago. I also want to mention that the top is very short. If you have a long torso, this might be a difficult top to tuck in.

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Gawh! Did I break the internet? I think not as my bum was all ready broken. I was trying to show the back of the skirt as well as the side of the shirt but instead ended up looking like a weirdo. Next time you are in a dressing room and you hate what you just tried on, just imagine that the person next door is taking odd selfies like this one. You will feel better. As for me, well, I better just stick to my pirate costumes… instead of Arr-nthropologie. Now that probably broke the internet.

Have you tried anything good on lately? Do you want to dress up like a tiger butterfly or a pirate? Or a pirafly? Or a buttrate? Oh. This could be dangerous. I better stop while I’m ahead

Girl In The Moon

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I put this outfit on for a date with my husband.

It had been spinning in my mind ever since I scored this awesome moon Top from Anthropologie on a popback sale price of less than $20.

I was over the moon about my new score.

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I put it all on and paraded into the living room to show my husband.

“What do you think of this outfit?” I excitedly squealed.

He studied it for a moment.

“Meh,” he said as he shrugged his shoulders.

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I was kind of crushed as I made my way back to our bedroom to search for something else to wear. I ended up picking this.

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The next day my daughter casually said to me, “Mom, remember that outfit you put on yesterday with the moons and the moon and star necklaces. I can’t stop thinking about it. It was the best outfit I have ever seen. If I could ever have an outfit like that one day, I would be so happy.”

“Really?!” I grinned from ear to ear.

I am sure at some point when she moves away for college, this outfit will disappear, but until then I was so happy to hear that maybe I wasn’t so wrong with my choices.

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Later in the week I ended up wearing the outfit.

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Blue is my favorite color. I adore all of the different shades going on here. I had purchased this skirt from Modcloth many moons ago. My favorite way to wear it is over my Colima Maxi Skirt. I love layering hi-low skirts. It makes me happy.

I think that this works as well.

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My small moon necklace is from on Etsy. The white star necklace was a Christmas present from “my husband” in 2013.

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My Astrological sign is Cancer. Its planet symbol is the moon (I know). I love when I can find pieces with the moon shape that are not over the… top. Do you get a rise out of sale items? Do you collect any astronomy items? I once took an astronomy course in college. Oh, vey. I think I confused astrology for astronomy. Do you know how much math is involved in astronomy? It’s lunacy. I totally spaced out. Went to the dark side. Thankfully it was just a phase.

Ikat In The Best Of Times

After my husband took pictures of this outfit, he dropped me off at a local Mexican restaurant where I was meeting some girlfriends for Booze Book Club.

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I got there a bit early and so I decided to sit in the bar, by myself, and have a drink.

I told the waiter I was waiting for some girls for book club. He looked at me with obvious surprise. “What club?” He asked astonished.

Book Club.” Emphasis on the “k.”

“Ohhhhhhh. I thought you said something else.” I giggled, because I thought I knew what he had thought I had said. That would probably make for a more interesting club, but alas, Book Club it is.

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I think deep down I am a loner, because some of my favorite moments are spent in solitude.

I loved sitting there gulping daintily-sipping enjoying my margarita while I watched the people coming and going around me.

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The book choice last month was “You Before Me,” by Jojo Moyes. I was very hesitant to read it that month because I had read reviews stating it was gloomy and I did not want the book to send me into a spiral of sadness.

But my friend read it first and assured me that whilst it was a very sad book, it was not overly depressing.

I read it and found this to be true.

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What I am saying is: the book is good.

Having a margarita by yourself is better.

Having a margarita with friends is the best.

I know because I chose to have a margarita by myself and one with the girls. And four margaritas on a table are better than one.

That’s just basic math that they don’t teach in school.

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Did you sense me stalling here?

Avoiding the issue at hand?

I think it is obvious by now that I have been trying to distract you with books and margaritas to keep your eyes averted from my imperfections.

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Aw, well, just have a margarita and we will all feel better.

It is nice to see my favorite winter staple making an appearance again. Last year I purchased the Ruffled Sweater Vest from Anthropologie in two colors and I wear them all of the time. They have a new version this year with a cool ombre effect. The Anthropologie Ikat top was a popback that I got for 80% off (sorry, sold out). I love it and it is one of my absolute best deals. The Paige Cords were a find at Nordstrom Rack last year (and now I desperately want to find them if they ever go on sale in forest green). The thighs were happily earned from pints of Baskin Robbins Ice Cream.

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Do you ever go places by yourself? One of my very favorite things to do is go to the movies alone.

One bucket of popcorn + one girl = Happiness.

I really think I missed my calling as a math teacher hermit.

A Small Set Of Anthropologie Fall Reviews

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I did some reviews a few weeks ago. And I also tried on the following items for this post at a different store.

This is what I wore the day I went to Anthropologie. The top is Free People’s Mixed Print Tunic (previously styled here).

In a miracle of all miracles, I am wearing pants (Old Navy’s Skinny Rockstars from a few years ago. Size up in these. I wear a 12 in them. I usually wear an 8 in pants. I wish they had better colors available right now. I want to scoop some more up on sale when they finally bring fun colors back. You can usually score them for less than $20 on a good sale).

So I decided to forgo my usual pantless pictures and try on some tops with actual bottoms on. This isn’t likely to happen again. I cannot seem to get away from pantless pictures. There is even one at the bottom of this post. Let’s blame the flu. Always. Forever.

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Llamas, llamas everywhere but not a drop to drink.

They. Are. Everywhere. Suddenly I cannot look on a website without seeing the fuzzy creature. I don’t know how I feel about this. At first I was all, “Wheeee! Llamas! Whooo Hooooo!” And then I bought the llama skirt and was content.

We had established in our household many years ago that I am indeed not a llama when we would read the brilliant book, “Is Your Mama A Llama?,” every single night to our children.

So, no, I am not a llama. But I was not sure where I stood on being a llama lover. I am a lover of many things, but llamas? Hmmmmmm. They spit. And while that is gross, I have to give them props for it in a gross-awesome kind of way. There is such a thing. And llamas are a prime example of how awesome gross can be.

I can say I like them. I like them in a lukewarm, would smile if I saw one and not need to go up and pet it sort of way.

But The Moonflower Henley has pink in it. Bright pink. Suddenly llamas are looking very good indeed. I decided I did not need this shirt. I am wearing a size 8 in the picture which is my usual size in tops, but it did gape at the neckline. I tried it on in a different pattern below if you want to read more about the fit.

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It is hard to tell, but The Highlands Coat has a lot of different textures going on. The front appears to be some sort of sherpa vest, there is embroidery, a smooth material. It was busy without being busy. It was also by a brand I am beginning to love this year (they made my vegan leather jacket), Hei Hei. I am wearing a size Medium here.

It looked more flattering in person.

Or at least that is what Myself told me.

She was all, “Da** girl, you look goooodd.”

But then she saw me staring in aghast at these pictures and was like, “Sweetie, don’t look at them. Don’t you know Myself cameras always lie?”

If I did not live in California, I would buy this in a heartbeat. I really like it.

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But wait! Whaaaaa? No pockets?!?!?!

No, Jenni, they are there. Just on the side. Don’t pay attention to me, I obviously have never put on a coat before.

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This shirt is the sister to the llama shirt.

I like it better.

The colors really pop. They are perfect for this season and the next. The animals are hidden but whimsical and pretty. I love this top. I tried on an 8, but the top gaped open at the buttons. I bought this top in a size 10 (with a 25% off code). I wish I would have stuck with the 8, because it is a little too big. So, I would stick with your usual size. I think busty ladies might be sized out of this. The top is very weirdly formed in front and low cut. But the pattern!… It is a conundrum.

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I saw The Garden Lace Dress on the sale rack and decided to try it on. It was okay. There was nothing about it that spoke to me. The colors were not right for my complexion. This is a size small. I do think it is pretty on the right person, because I have seen the dress on girls on Instagram and admired it on them.

But I tried it on. “And that’s all I have to say about that.”

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As my secret lover always says, “wrap it up like my favorite present.”

Forget “put a ring on it.” Put a bow in it and call it a day.

Okay. He doesn’t really say that. What he actually says is, “All right. All right. All right.” Wait. Whoa! What? Your secret boyfriend says that, too? What are the odds? And by secret boyfriend we mean in our heads, right? And that he has no idea that he is actually having conversations with you let alone dating you? Right. Perfect secret boyfriend. I’m lying. We broke up. I actually broke up with him. Those annoying car commercials where it feels like I am being smothered by boredom? Yea. It’s over.

What were we talking about?

Oh, yes. This amazing, gorgeous, fabulous blanket-like creation, The Tartan Blanket Coat, also by Hei Hei. Or sweater? Or jacket? It really is just like a big blanket you can wear. And who the heck doesn’t want that? I think the success of the Snuggie proved the appeal. I scoffed and scoffed at those infomercials. I thought to myself, who the heck would buy a blanket you can wear?

And then Christmas morning, a few years ago, my sister pulls out a present from my father. A present she has asked for. A complete family set of Snuggies. I think I drowned a family of mice that day with my tears of mirth.

But this blanket coat? Why, it’s completely different.

Because it is awesome. and I’m the one who likes it.

I am wearing the size M/L in the pictures. I tried both the XS/S and the M/L and ultimately decided on the XS/S for the fit in the shoulders. This is one of those pieces that Anthropologie makes that will look good on a multitude of body types. The colors and pattern are amazing. But it is VERY itchy so it will require it to be a layering piece. It is really good.

It has fringe.

Did the Snuggie have fringe? Don’t answer, I don’t want to know.

Did the Snuggie have multiple colors of happiness running through it? The answer is no, Mandi.

I originally bought this with my 25% off code for my husband to wrap up for me for Christmas. With a bow. Secret ex-boyfriend not included. However, I am having second thoughts about it and will probably be returning it to wait for a better sale price. We just do not get enough cold weather here to warrant it. But it is beautiful. I am a fickle indecisive creature.

And that is all right. All right. All right.

Hei, Hei, Hei, Hei, watch the leather man!

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I forgot to include this The Composed Pintuck Top in my other set of reviews. Probably because I wanted to block out my no-pants picture from my mind. This top is too good not to show, though. We have an English Bulldog and my husband desperately wants a French Bulldog, too. And I desperately want a house that does not smell like dogs… Well, more dogs, at least.

So I bought this shirt.

That makes no sense.

I know. But I love the green. And the French Bulldogs on it. My husband can just look at my chest and dream of what he can’t have. Wait. That isn’t right either.

Sigh.

Let’s just all put on Snuggies and forget about it.

I purchased the size 8 in this top with a 25% off code. I could not get it out of my head ever since I saw Elsie rocking it on A Beautiful Mess. The reviews complain of the sides being high. I concur with this. I will have to wear high waisted pants (which really should be all I wear anyway) or layer a thin tank underneath to avoid any skin mishaps (I am thinking this tank because of the ruffled sides. It is sold out, but I would check Ebay if you like it. I previously wore it here). Different than the tights mishap occurring in the picture above.

Are you ready for this cold weather? Have you purchased any sweaters or coats? I am not planning on purchasing any sweaters this year (besides my present and this sweater on sale). I have enough for California. So you will be seeing a lot of repeats in my outfit posts coming up in the next few months. What about you? Bought any boots? Dogs (Actual dogs, not dogs that parade in a tease across the chest for a significant other)? What are your thoughts on wearing llamas? And what is the most awesome-gross thing you can think of? Any comments of “your thighs” shall be deleted immediately and spit upon (in an awesome-gross way, of course).

*this post contains affiliate links. Clicking on product links will result in a small commission for a ticket to go see my ex-secret boyfriend in the movie theater this blog.