The Fashion Jar

Tiffany Heart Key Charm

2012-02-14T23:00:00.000-08:00

Date: February 14, 2012
Item: Charm
From: Tiffany & Co.
Price: $135.00 plus tax

Isn't this a perfect Valentine's Day gift?

Now I have three charms from Tiffany. The shopping bag one, the blue box one, and this heart key charm.

There is a blue enamel shoe one that I don't yet possess. I'll have to start hinting to DH about it so he'll know what to get me for my birthday this year!

Here is more information about the charm from the Tiffany website.

Jason Wu for Target Navy Floral Skirt

2012-02-05T23:01:00.000-08:00

Date: February 5, 2012
Item: Skirt
From: Jason Wu for Target
Price: $29.99 plus tax

While today is Superbowl day for the majority of normal sane people, for crazed fashionistas on a budget today is the Jason Wu for Target release date.

Although I had never heard of Jason Wu until he designed Michelle Obama's white gown, I have been paying attention to his clothes since then and find myself liking his style. He seems to design, for the lack of a better word, pretty clothes. These are not clothes that shock you, or make a statement, or are worn by twenty-something trend-setters. They are just nice, pretty clothes. Which is what working moms on the go, like myself, want to wear.

There were so many things I loved from the Jason Wu for Target line. The Navy Blue Poplin dress. The Belize blue skirt. The cat scarf. Alas, my local Target didn't carry any of those items. The only thing they carried that was on my wishlist was the Navy Floral Skirt.

Based on past experiences with Target designer collaborations, I grabbed my normal dress size and the next two additional larger sizes as well. In the fitting room, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I did fit in the skirt in my normal size. However, the skirt was a tad short for my comfort, so I continued trying on the larger sizes. Two larger sizes later, I was happy with the length of the skirt.

Here is more information about the skirt from the Target website. As for the poplin dress, the Belize skirt and the cat scarf, I have to wait and see if I am willing to get those at some of the outrageous Ebay prices out there.

Jason Wu for Target Blue Floral Scarf

2012-02-05T23:00:00.000-08:00

Date: February 5, 2012
Item: Scarf
From: Jason Wu for Target
Price: $19.99 plus tax

I think the only reason I scored this scarf is because it was somehow misplaced in the normal scarf rack instead of the section with the rest of the Jason Wu things.

It is a pretty nice, light and gauzy scarf. I liked this print on the scarf much better than the same print on the bag. Actually, come to think of it, I don't think I've ever liked any of the bags from the designer collaborations at Target. I just don't think you can fake a designer bag at the kind of price point of the Target collaborations, no matter how good the designer is. A scarf, however, is different. It is easier to make a good looking scarf with cheap polyester materials.

Here is more information about the scarf.

Dior Muse Pumps

2012-01-01T23:00:00.000-08:00

Date: January 1, 2012
Item: Shoes
From: Dior
Price: $452.25 plus tax (original retail $900 plus tax)

My first purchase for 2012. As shown, it's a pretty pricey one.

DH and I had to make a trip to San Francisco today to pick up the foreign fashion magazines at a bookstore that specially orders them for me every month.

Before BB's arrival, we would drive to San Francisco every month or so. Now, with juggling BB's feeding and nap schedules being such a monumental task on trips, we are lucky to make it into San Francisco once every season. Thankfully BB was in a good mood today. He slept all the way to San Francisco, was alert and happy while we did some shopping, ate well at the restaurant we chose (it was Vik's in Berkeley, and BB loved sharing my dosa and mango lassi), and slept soundly on the way home.

While in San Francisco, I had to stop at the Neiman Marcus there because it is one of my favorite stores in the city. The architecture and decor of the store is gorgeous, the bathrooms are always sparkling clean, and the salespeople are super friendly! No one batted an eye or looked down at me when I wheeled BB in his stroller into the store. In fact, when I took BB out of his stroller and let him walk with me throughout the store, a few salespeople even came around and cooed at him. Maybe the salespeople like BB because he was on his best behavior; he held my hand tightly, was quiet except for a few babbling words, had a huge smile for everyone, and didn't touch anything. He was fascinated by the huge Christmas tree in the front rotunda, so we spent a few minutes there.

After the tree viewing, I took a look at the handbags on display. Nothing really caught my eye, so we then went up to the second floor to see the shoes. DH had promised me a pair of classic Louboutin pumps, so I wanted to try them on. However, once we got to the shoe section, I saw they were having a large sale on designer shoes.

Of course, how could I resist? There were so many Manolos and Pradas and Fendis on sale that I just was dazzled at first. But once I calmed down, my eyes zeroed in on this pair of Dior Muse Pumps.

Now it is true I already have a few pairs of black pumps in my closet (such as my classic Chanel leather pumps, my patent leather Sofft Adria pumps, and my recently purchased Missoni for Target suede pumps). However, I wear black pumps often, and as a result my black pumps receive a harder beating than most of my other shoes. In fact, both my Sofft and Missoni for Target pumps are not as well made as my other designer shoes, and are already showing some signs of wear and tear. So these Dior Muse Pumps would be a perfect backup for the day when they give up on me.

These Dior pumps were originally $900 plus tax, and worth every penny in terms of the materials and workmanship. But today they were on sale for almost half off. Since DH and I didn't spend much during the Christmas season, we went ahead and got the shoes. Besides our wedding anniversary is coming up, so DH said to consider this my anniversary present.

I wasn't able to find any info on these shoes on the Neiman Marcus website. But I did find something on Nordstrom's website, which I included below.

Tiffany Blue Bow Mug

2011-12-25T23:00:00.000-08:00

Date: December 25, 2011
Item: Miscellaneous
From: Tiffany & Co.
Price: $35 plus tax

I know, I know, this item should really go under the "Fashion Jar At Home" blog. But I love it so much I decided I would include it here under the miscellaneous category as well.

I got this from DH for my Christmas present this year. We both wanted to conserve some cash for the after Christmas sales, as we always do, so we decided to not get each other very expensive presents this year. I got DH a Rubik's cube. And he got me this mug from Tiffany.

I've been meaning to bring a prettier mug to the office for some time. Right now I'm using a plain brown mug that is functional, and that's pretty much it. Now with this Tiffany mug, I will be the envy of all the ladies during our weekly staff meetings, and I'm sure it will impress a client or two as well. This baby went into my office tote, and I'm going to use it immediately tomorrow.

Here is more info from the Tiffany website.

Anthropologie Maeve Feathered Village Skirt

2011-12-20T23:00:00.000-08:00

Date: December 20, 2011
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie
Price: $64.95 plus tax (original retail $168.00 plus tax)

There hasn't been much love from me for Anthropologie clothes in recent months. Even the first Black Friday sale from Anthropologie that happened just a month ago barely stirred any interest in me. Ant and camel prints? Sorry, too quirky for my office dress code. Maxi dresses? To frumpy on my frame. Slouchty sweaters? Too bohemian for my taste.

But this Feathered Village Skirt from Maeve did make me perk up and take notice when I saw it in the store window. It doesn't look much online, but the color of the skirt is really a liquid gold with a slight green sheen. The fabric is a cotton and silk blend, and there is real weight to the fabric of skirt. It is one of the few things in my life where I think the item looks better in real life than online.

I was originally worried that the houses were embroidered and the birds were additional pieces of fabric sewn onto the skirt. Thank goodness, when I went back to the store to check, I realized that everything was printed on the skirt. Not that I think there is anything wrong with embroidery or appliques on clothing. But, for this skirt, I do prefer the print as the shine of the fabric would be consistent all the way through without being broken up by additional embroideries or appliques.

I am planning to save this skirt for the Lunar New Year. It is a custom to wear new clothes during that time. Since the next year is going to be the Year of the Dragon, I think this gold/green skirt would be perfect for the occasion.

Best of all, I originally purchased this skirt last week when it first went on sale for 30% off. Even at 30% off, I thought the price was a little extravagent for me. However, I knew this skirt was going to be one of the more popular items this season, so I bit the bullet and bought it anyway. The fates must have wanted me to have this skirt too, because not only did the skirt disappear from the online website in the next two days, it went on sale again this week. Which meant I was able to get my skirt AND a price adjustment!

Here is the skirt on one of the Anthropologie models. See what I mean? It doesn't look that special in the ad, as the photo can't capture how the color of the skirt changes in the light.

Here is more information about the skirt. I had to get this off the European Anthropologie website, as the American one has already sold out.

Anthropologie Weston Wear Unconditional Osier Dress

2011-12-14T23:00:00.000-08:00

Date: December 14, 2011
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie
Price: $168.00 plus tax

Sigh, this is the second time I've broken my "no full retail price purchase" rule with Anthropologie (the first time was with my Sun Shades Dress earlier this year).

The main reasons I finally just got the dress at full price instead of waiting for a sale are: (1) I've been waiting for the dress to get discounted for a while, and Anthropologie is showing no inclination at putting it on the sale rack so far; (2) the dress is so popular that it has already been sold out once and has been backordered, so I'm scared I'll miss out if I don't get it this time and the store doesn't backorder it anymore; (3) at $168.00, this dress isn't that expensive compared to some of the other offerings from Anthropologie throughout the years; and (4) it's amazing what the words "free shipping" can do to help facilitate a sale.

I don't have any chocolate brown dresses because I always think dark brown is a very dirty and muddy color that just drags down my complexion. In fact, I still hear my mother's voice in my head telling me I should go for vibrant jewel-toned colors every time I shop. But because this is a lace dress, I decided to try it on. Imagine my delight at looking pretty spiffy in it! Finally, I've added a brown dress to my clothing collection!

Here is a close-up picture of the lace.

Here is the dress on an Anthropologie model. I'm not saying I'm a model, but I feel the dress suits me better than the model in this ad. I think it is because my hair and eyes are darker, so the contrast between the dress and my skin is more vivid.

More info about this dress. As it can be seen, the dress sold out again in a matter of days. So I made the right decision to not dwaddle for a sale and just get it while I could.

Target Merona Artist Cardigan (Mint)

2011-12-10T23:57:00.001-08:00

Date: December 3, 2011
Item: Caridgan
From: Target
Price: $16.15 plus tax (original retail $24.99 plus tax)

I've been quite impressed with the recent Merona Artist Cardigans at Target. I would have liked to purchase one in every shade and style, but Christmas shopping is a marathon where I need to pace myself rather than sprint. So, I limited myself to just two cardigans.

One I chose without hesitation was this mint color decorated with gold/bronze grommets. I don't have a lot of green in my wardrobe; it's just a color I've never really gravitated towards. But the shade of this mint cardigan was so appealingly soft and lovely that I immediately started mentally paring it with a bunch of other items in my closet.

I later tried on this cardigan with my Anthropologie Meadow Rue Last Blooming Skirt at home. They are quite nice together. Can't wait to wear them both on Monday.

Here is more information about the cardigan from the Target website. The sale price right now is $17.00 plus tax, but I get a 5% discount with my Target red card, so my final price comes out to $16.15 plus tax for this cardigan.

Target Merona Artist Cardigan (Plum)

2011-12-10T23:56:00.000-08:00

Date: December 3, 2011
Item: Caridgan
From: Target
Price: $16.15 plus tax (original retail $24.99 plus tax)

As I mentioned, I love each and every color and style in Target's recent Merona Artist Cardigan series. However, in an effort to conserve some cash for the big after Christmas sales, I am limiting myself to just two cardigans from this line.

Since I have no green cardigans, I immediately decided to keep the mint version. Therefore, that left just one spot for which all the remaining cardigans had to compete. First ones deleted were the black, brown and white cardigans. I have way too many cardigans in my closet in those colors already, so they weren't considered special enough for me.

Then I put back the dusky pink one. I am a girlish kind of girl, never been a tomboy, so I don't have anything against pink. I just thought this particular shade of dusky pink was just a bit too dusky, even bordering on looking like dirty pink. So back on the shelf it went.

Finally, I wavered on the powder blue one with the crystals at the neckline. I am usually defenseless against anything in powder blue, and crystals were just icing on the cake. I briefly considered breaking my self-imposed ban and just adding it to whatever pile I had in the cart. But in the nick of time, I remembered I already had the very similar Anthropologie Knitted & Knotted Decorating Committee cardigan in my closet. I can't say I didn't put the powder blue Artist Cardigan back without any twinges of regret. But I'll get over it.

Therefore, the final one to make the cut was this plum cardigan.

I later tried on this cardigan with my Anthropologie Meadow Rue Last Blooming Skirt at home. They are quite nice together. Since I will be wearing the mint cardigan next Monday, I may wait a few weeks before debuting this one at the office just so my coworkers don't think I am a shopaholic.

Here is more information about the cardigan from the Target website. The sale price right now is $17.00 plus tax, but I get a 5% discount with my Target red card, so my final price comes out to $16.15 plus tax for this cardigan.

Anthropologie Girls From Savoy Alary Shirtdress

2011-11-25T23:30:00.000-08:00

Date: November 25, 2011
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie
Price: $67.46 plus tax (original retail $128.00 plus tax)

I was telling my sister the other day about my decision not to do Black Friday shopping this year. Basically, I already have everything I need, and there is nothing I strongly desire that makes me want to fight the crazy crowds. Either I'm too old, or I make enough money now that the ROI of standing in line in frigid cold for two hours for stores to open and another two hours in line in-store for the registers to ring up my things just to save $20 on an item that I can do without doesn't make sense for me anymore.

Once I came to the decision not to battle it out on Black Friday, a wave or relief washed over me. I was no longer tense on Thanksgiving day because I had to map out a strategy to attack all the sales. My blood pressure did not rise on Friday because I was worried something or the other may have sold out before I arrived at the store. I watched the news with a mixture of amusement and pity as the reporters showed scenes of people behaving badly to score that $20 crockpot for $10.

Anyway, I bring this up because for the first time ever Anthropologie had a Black Friday sale. There was 25% off sale items on Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which turned into a 50% off sale items today (the day after Thanksgiving). After going through Anthropologie's online website on Wednesday, I realized that other than this Alary Shirtdress, there wasn't anything else I wanted.

So then came the quandary. Do I purchase the Alary Shirtdress on Wednesday, knowing I'm 100% sure the dress will ship to me but with only 25% off instead of 50%? Or do I wait until Black Friday, set my alarm to the ungodly hour of 2:00am Pacific Time (which is 6:00am Eastern Time) when the sale starts, get the 50% off the dress, but be prepared that I may miss out on it if too many droves of people stampede the website? (The third option of going to the sale at the local branch store was out of the question for me this year, as I have a baby who is going through his stranger anxiety phase and will freak out from crowds and noise.)

Remember I mentioned ROI? A simple ROI numbers-crunching helped me make up my mind. If I only wanted just the Alary Shirtdress from this Black Friday sale, the final price after the Wednesday sale came out to 67.46. The final price after the Black Friday sale came out to $44.95.

Therefore, does $22.00 in savings justify getting up at 2:00am in the morning, and still face the possibility of missing out on the dress?

Nope. For me, it didn't.

So I got the dress on Wednesday and enjoyed my Black Friday today in bed cuddling with DH and my baby. My belief that I made the right decision was further reinforced when I got up, found my size out-of-stock, and read that a bunch of people even had their online purchases cancelled due to the overwhelming website activity earlier this morning.

Here are some close up pictures of the whimsical wildlife print on this dress.

As many online reviewers comment, the dress can look dowdy if not layered correctly or paired with the right accessories. When I first tried on this dress at my local branch, I immediately thought, "Chocolate-colored cropped leather motorcycle jacket!" Here on the Anthropologie model, the stylists for the shoot put a cropped blazer over the dress. I guess great minds think alike.

Speaking of dowdiness, I guess this is the reason why this dress was chosen for Sheldon's over-zealous religious mother (Laurie Metcalf) on a recent episode of The Big Bang Theory. But I do have to say, of all the dresses she has worn throughout the entire series, this is the one that makes her look the least like she is a frumpy housewife with no fashion sense from Middle-of-Nowhere, Texas.

So, does this mean that this dress will just look better and better on me as I age?

Here is more information from the Anthropologie website. The sale price wasn't reflected on the website until the checkout.

Anthropologie Nathalie Lete Galah Dress

2011-11-08T23:30:00.000-08:00

Date: November 8, 2011
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie
Price: $49.95 plus tax (original retail $158.00 plus tax)

I've been drowning in a bunch of Thanksgiving ad campaigns, and only just recently finished them and came up for air. To celebrate my survival, at least until the Christmas ad campaigns start running my life, I decided to buy myself a pretty dress.

Unfortunately, when I went to White House Black Market, I found out the silver dress I mentioned in this post was no longer available. Darn.

So I went around the corner to the Anthropologie store, which never fails to have something to tempt me. And tempt me they did, with this pastel plume-motif vintage-styled wrap dress. The price, which seem to be a second-cut sale price, was especially attractive at just $49.95.

The thing I love most about this dress is the feather print. It reminds me so much of my Hermes "Plumes" scarves! I may even one day tie my Hermes Plume Pochette to my purse when wearing this dress.

From the reviews, it seems many people find this dress very much like a bathrobe. For me, however, the drapy effect of the dress and the billowiness of the sleeves were perfect in terms of showing off my curves without making me look fat. One thing I did to minimize the amount of fabric flowing around my body was to size down two dress sizes. This meant the inside slip became too restrictive, so I then switched it out for one of my own slips. Voila, a beautiful vintage-looking dress that made me look like I had the body of a 40's pin-up girl was born.

Here is more information about the dress from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Meadow Rue Last Blooming Skirt

2011-10-12T23:20:00.000-07:00

Date: October 12, 2011
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie
Price: $79.95 plus tax (original retail $158.00 plus tax)

This is one of those skirt that didn't wow me from the start but slowly grew on me. The colors on the skirt is muted and not vibrant, so it is a good choice for days when I want to wear something toned down. The skirt is a heavy linen fabric, so it pairs easily with fall and even winter (or California winter) things, which is great as I can wear it now instead of having to wait until next spring.

Truth be told, I had gone back and forth many times on whether to keep this skirt. Love the cabbage-sized florals. Love the embroideries on the florals, as it's the little things that matter. Love how easy it pairs with a bunch of things in my closet. Love the pockets; no more losing my keys or cell phone wherever I go. But...

Did it have to still cost $79.95 on sale?

The other day, I read somewhere that you had to make around $350,000 to be in the top 1% income range. Although our family makes nowhere that much, DH and my combined income do fall into the lower end of Anthropologie's target demographic of $150,000-$200,000 annual household income, which is a remarkable feat when you consider that the cost of living in our city is around half of San Francisco or Los Angeles. We have almost $800,000 squirreled away, have no debt other than a very easily managable remaining balance on our mortgage of $100,000 that's will be paid off in the next five years, and are comfortable enough that we can indulge every now and then in life's little luxuries.

So why does this skirt reinforce the constant feeling I have that I can only just barely afford Anthropologie's clothes, even when they go on sale?

In the end, it was the versatility of the skirt that won me over and made me keep the skirt. Even if I still think $79.95 was a crazy price to pay for it.

Here is a picture of the skirt from the Anthropologie catalog.

I recently been wearing this skirt with my Old Navy Faux Gem Cardigan. Sometimes I'll wear boots, and sometimes I'll just wear regular pumps.

Here is more information about the skirt from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Elevenses Pansy Corset Trench

2011-09-27T22:07:00.000-07:00

Date: September 27, 2011
Item: Coat
From: Anthropologie
Price: $138.60 plus tax (original retail $198.00 plus tax)

I have a weakness when it comes to coats. I'm really picky about the ones I buy, and I have a closet full of exquisite coats. So, if the last thing I should buy is another coat, it better be something really special for me to pick one up.

Well, this coat just radiates specialness to me. The shape of the coat is a pretty and classic trench with a little bit of flare at the bottom, which is perfect for my slightly (and that's putting it charitably) pear-shaped body. The beautiful large pansies and the corset lacing in the back are the details that transform this coat from just another coat to something extraordinary.

Currently, my coats fall into three categories. First, I have what I call my investment coats. These are luxury designer coats that are superbly well-made with price tags that would feed a family of four in a third-world country for a year. They include my two Dolce and Gabbana coats (one military style with tons of buttons and a lace lining, one brown one with a plaid pattern), four Burberry coats (one classic trench with a detachable fox fur collar, one knee length camel hair, one leather with a fur lining, one classic nova-check in wool), a white Oscar de la Renta, a beige Donna Karen, and at least three Coach coats.

I also have some coats that I purchased because they looked similar to famous coats I've seen on television or celebrities. They include a Banana Republic white coat that looks like the Dolce and Gabbana one in "Maid in Manhattan" and an Anne Klein pink coat with gold buttons that eerily looks like the pink coat in "Gilmore Girls." And, of course, I've recently added a beige ruffled coat from New York and Company that is almost a replicate of the Burberry one worn by Kate Middleton.

Finally, I have quite a few unique and disctinive coats that never fails to elicit compliments when I wear them. They include a yellow rose Banana Republic coat, a Tracy Reese Through-the-Lens coat with frogs and embroidered hems, and a Sleeping On Snow Havana Sweatercoat with gorgeous charcoal strokes.

This Elevenses Pansy Corset Trench fits squarely into that last category of coats above. It is different and whimsical, and it will stand out in a crowd. Especially the lacing in the back. This is the first time I've seen this done on a coat, I'm now wondering why it took someone so long to think up something like this.

The coat is so beautiful I don't think I would want to take it off, even indoors.

This coat has been busy making the rounds on a couple television shows. Here it is on Quinn (played by Dianna Agron) on Glee...

...and here it is on Aria Montgomery (played by Lucy Hale) in Pretty Little Liars.

Here is more information about the coat from the Anthropolgie website.

Anthropologie Hunter Dixon Million Pleats Midi Skirt

2011-09-24T21:28:00.000-07:00

Date: September 23, 2011
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie
Price: $39.95 plus tax (original retail $158.00 plus tax)

Between my baby's ear infection and his subsequent adverse reaction to the antibiotics, as well as all the overtime I've had to put in to keep my department up to speed with the clients while my boss was out on medical leave, I was getting just barely 5 hours of sleep every day this past week. And they weren't even good quality sleep. When my baby wasn't whining to feed in the night, my subconscious was spinning out nightmares in which I was being chased by numbers and spreadsheets.

But for once, the universe decided I've suffered enough and refrained from ruining my weekend. All reports due to clients were emailed off late Friday afternoon. The baby's ear infection had cleared up and his reaction to the antibiotics was gone. The hubby, who had taken on more than his share of the household chores, had everything spic and span. Even the weather cooperated. It was no longer triple degrees anymore, and a nice delta breeze was rolling into the region.

To celebrate my first free weekend in what seemed like ages, we all went out for lunch and a little shopping. DH got two cardigans from the Missoni for Target line that miraculously reappeared at our local Target branch. He was initially skeptical he looked good in these cardigans, which are more form-fitting than most of his sweaters. I, on the other hand, was tired of seeing him in huge oversized 80's style sweaters all the time and really wanted him to show off to the world his lean physique. So, I worked really hard to convince him to buy these cardigans.

I admit, I had ulterior motives too. Although these were mens cardigans, they actually fit pretty nicely on me as well (The black zigzag patterned one even matches my new Missoni for Target black suede pumps). Therefore, I plan on borrowing them from time to time. In fact, that was actually one of the arguments I used on DH. You see, DH is an engineer who thinks in terms of function rather than form. Knowing that these cardigans would do double duty being worn by both of us made it easier for him to agree to their purchase.

But, this post is not about DH's cardigans. Nor is it about the cute Halloween and Thanksgiving bibs I purchased for my baby in anticipation of the holidays.

Nope, this post is about the Million Pleats Midi Skirt I bought at Anthropologie after our Target outing. (Way to bury the lead...)

I originally didn't plan to buy anything at Anthropologie today. I really didn't! We stopped there only because I was returning the pair of earrings I purchased with my Cultivation Skirt to get the free shipping. The problem with buying something online without seeing it or trying it on in person, however, is that you never know exactly what you are getting. On the Anthropologie website, the earrings looked upscale and expensive. In real life, they didn't.

So off to Anthropologie for returns we went. And, wouldn't you know it, I just had to peek into the sale room to see if anything spoke to me.

Well, this skirt didn't so much speak to me as enticingly whisper to me. The flowy silky material. The soft blush pink color. The intricate pleat and girly ruffle detail.

Best of all, the skirt had already gone through two sale cuts, so the price was a very affordable $39.95.

A little bonus for me about the skirt is that it has an elastic waistband. Which means I was able to actually size down to my pre-pregnancy size! I know vanity size numbers mean nothing and we should all buy what fits us. But knowing I'm wearing something with a label in my pre-pregnancy size still gives me a psychological boost.

Here is a picture of the skirt from the Anthropology catalog ad.

This skirt pairs beautifully with a bunch of my Forever 21 cardigans. (Yes, it also pairs beautifully with a bunch of my Anthropologie cardigans too, but I'm trying to not commit the supposedly fashion faux paux of wearing head to toe of any one designer.)

Here is more information about the skirt from the Anthropologie website.

Missoni for Target Suede Pumps

2011-09-23T22:53:00.000-07:00

Date: September 23, 2011
Item: Pumps
From: Missoni For Target
Price: $37.99 plus tax (original retail $39.99 plus tax)

I mentioned in my post about my Missoni for Target Cardigan score that a bunch of things from the Missoni for Target line recently reappeared at my local Target branch.

One of the things that reappeared were these black suede pumps.

A long time ago, I once had a pair of brown suede boots. After a rainy season, the boots showed waterspots and were quite a mess. I quickly learned that suede was not the easiest material to maintain, and the worst things I could wear made of suede were shoes.

But these suede shoes were just $39.99. And they were Missoni shoes. Okay, so technically, they're not the high end Missoni shoes you would find at Saks or Bergdorf. Which was even better, since I would never consider spending hundreds of dollars buying designer suede shoes, but I wouldn't mind spending just $39.99 on a pair of designer collaboration shoes from Target.

My inner shopping voice nagged and could not be quelched. Probably because I've been working so much overtime recently (my boss had a medical emergency and left me the entire department these past two weeks), so I wanted to spend a small portion of my bonus check on something pretty and impractical. Besides, the shoes are really comfortable and, being black, goes well with many things in my closet.

Here is more information about the shoes from the Target website.

Missoni For Target Cardigan

2011-09-23T21:57:00.000-07:00

Date: September 23, 2011
Item: Cardigan
From: Missoni For Target
Price: $47.49 plus tax (original retail $49.99 plus tax)

Missoni for Target launch? What Missoni for Target launch? Am I the only one who wondered if it was really a Missoni for Ebay launch?

The day Missoni for Target came out, I managed to leave the office early (actually I left on time, which for me was considered leaving early) so I could get to the store. It was in vain, though. By the time I got there, nothing in the line was left. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

I even asked a store associate about it. She looked at me pitifully and told me their entire stock was gone within minutes of the doors opening. At one point, she had put a whole rack of Missoni clothes out, and a woman standing nearby immediately swept everything into her cart without even trying them on. The store associate knew in her gut that the woman was an Ebay reseller, but what could she do? (Here's a hint, maybe tell headquarters to limit how many items a person could buy? H&M did it with their Jimmy Choo collaboration, why can't Target?)

I have to admit I'm not really a Missoni fan, so I only felt the slightest twinge of regret. In fact, when I perused the lookbook just days before, there was only one item that really tempted me. It was a cardigan in the typical Missoni chevron pattern with a light blue border. Of all the clothes, I felt that was the one that looked most expensive and well made. But since there was nothing left (did I mention nothing? Zilch? Zip? Nada?), I chalked the whole experience as a sign that the blue cardigan was not meant to be.

Then, today, I had to make a trip to Target again. My baby got an ear infection earlier this week (probably from the daycare, said the doctor), had a shot of antibiotics yesterday (he got a shot because the last time we gave him oral antibiotics, he went on a hunger strike for two days), and promptly developed a mild adverse reaction to the antibiotics. After a panicky phone call to the doctor this morning, I was shopping for Pedialyte for the baby per the doctor's orders.

As soon as I walked into the Target store, I couldn't believe my eyes. A bunch of Missoni things were actually on display under a huge Missoni ad. Maybe after the glut of Missoni for Target things showed up on Ebay, people were realizing that, after the initial hysteria, it wasn't that easy to sell after all. And maybe some resellers were finally returning items back to the stores. One could only hope.

Anyway, the point in my rambling is that there was one chevron zigzag blue-bordered cardigan hanging on one side of a rack under the big Missoni ad. Just that one. And on the other side of the rack, a woman was slowly flipping through a bunch of other Missoni things as she slowly made her way to this side of the rack. I sprinted towards the cardigan like I've never sprinted before, and grabbed the cardigan just as the other woman was only two or three hangers away!

Before I could do my end zone victory dance, however, I needed to check the size. Even though I am not an overly religious person, I still sent a small prayer to whatever gods were listening at that moment. I glanced down at the label. It was my size. THE CARDIGAN WAS MINE!!! (Cue the cheering in my mind.)

Oh, yeah, I did eventually remember to pick up the Pedialyte for the baby.

The cardigan was priced $49.99, but I used my Target RedCard and got an additional 5% off. Here is the cardigan on Emma Roberts.

Here is the cardigan featured in one of the print ads.

New York and Company Ruffle Rim Classic Trench (Gold)

2011-09-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

Date: September 10, 2011
Item: Coat
From: New York and Company
Price: $59.95 plus tax (original retail $89.95 plus tax)

I first learned about this coat from the website "What Kate Wore". According to the article, Burberry is planning a fall re-release of the $1,200 coat that Kate Middleton wore to Northern Ireland back in March.

For those of us who don't have 1200 green portraits of George Washington to blow on just one coat, the website directed us to a surprisingly affordable and remarkably similar "CopyKate" version by New York and Company that is selling for just $89.95. A quick search online unveiled a printable coupon for $30 off $75 or more purchase, which brings the final price down to just $59.95 plus tax.

Here is a comparison of the coats. Left is the $1200 Burberry coat. Right is the $60 New York and Company "CopyKate" coat.

Such a dilemma. $1200 Burberry coat? Or $60 "CopyKate" coat? $1200 coat? $60 coat?

From the photos, of course I could tell the original Burberry coat is thicker, made of better materials and better constructed. However, the price of the "CopyKate" version from New York and Company is only a measly 5% of the price of the Burberry coat. There is a lot I could do with the remaining $1140, such as fund my baby's 529 plan (especially considering how much college tuition seems to be rising with each passing year). Besides, I live in California now. It would be different if I still lived in Seattle, but what do I need a thick Burberry coat for now that it's around triple degree weather every summer where I live?

So I drove to the mall and tried on the New York and Company version this week and bought the "CopyKate" coat. It looks fantastic on me. The double rows of buttons does a good job of reining in my bust and minimizing my chest. The belt creates a cinched-in waist. The ruffles at the bottom hemline are the best part. They are a flirty twist on a classic trench coat.

This coat came in both gold (which is actually khaki, but New York and Company calles the color "gold") and in black. I purchased the gold coat only because I thought the ruffles were more noticable on the gold coat than on the black coat. However, for just $60 per coat, I am kind of regretting not getting the black one as well. Although I don't need another coat, I think the black one would be nice to keep on hand for rainy days.

Here is more information about the coat from the New York and Company website.

Cartier Trinity Ring (Classic)

2011-09-03T23:10:00.000-07:00

Date: September 3, 2011
Item: Ring
From: Cartier
Price: $1350.00 plus tax (free engraving and S&H)

This is my push present, approximately 1 year late. Oh well, better late than never!

DH had never heard of a push present before, so I had to educate him on this topic. I know, I know, many women say it is crass to ask your hubby for a push present. But I totally disagree. For the following reasons:

1. If hubby doesn't know what a push present is, he won't know to buy one. And my hubby is so dense he never even heard of any luxury brands before he met me. He is an engineer after all, so he can't understand why women would buy an expensive luxury brand purse when a totally functional $10 bag will so the same job of containing all our miscellaneous things. (To this day, he still doesn't understand, but at least he accepts it.)

2. I don't think it is crass to ask for a present for carrying a baby for nine month, stretching my stomach out, having nausea day in day out, sweating from the slightest rise in temperature, and experiencing back pain and chest pain from all the extra weight. In fact, they don't call it "labor pains" for no reason, and according to labor laws, shouldn't I be entitled to at least minimum wage for all my labors? Not to mention, if I couldn't carry the baby and we had to find a surrogate, we would have had to pay the surrogate around $10,000 to $40,000. Isn't my worth the same? I'm not asking for a $10,000 to $40,000 gift, but I do expect a nice present in return for my labor.

3. To all those out there who say the baby is the present, bah humbug. Don't be mistaken, I love my baby. But I really don't see how something that poops constantly, feeds on my breasts like a parasite and will cost an average of $200,000 to bring up could be called a present.

4. And finally, to people who say, "I think it is crass to ask for a push present, but I will accept a trinket that commemorates the occasion," guess what, that is a push present! It doesn't matter if your trinket is a $5 charm or a $40,000 diamond ring, they are push presents! And to those who say, "I'll accept the trinket, but only if my husband gives it to me without my asking for it," my husband says most men do not like passive-aggressive women who expects their husbands to read their minds.

There, I got all that off my chest. Reading all the high and mighty articles by women denouncing push presents really pushed my buttons. Probably because I am the kind of person who have no qualms marching into my boss's office and asking for a bonus or raise, so I hate reading about women who devalue themselves and try to make women like me feel bad for asking for what we think we are entitled to receive in return for our efforts.

I am fortunate that DH is the most caring and supportive spouse ever. He enthusiastically agreed I should have a push present as soon as I mentioned this custom to him. Especially since he said it made much more sense to give someone a one-time push present for nine-months of pregnancy and the pain of giving birth to a baby than to give birthday presents every year thereafter to someone for no reason other than just being born.

Before the baby came, we discussed long and hard our options for my push present. We eventually decided on this Cartier Trinity Ring because the three rings could symbolize the baby, DH and me. I liked the fact that the ring could be worn on the finger, as well as on a chain as a pendant. DH and I agreed that I will wear the ring for now, but eventually we will pass this ring down to our baby when he grows up.

When we called Cartier a year ago, the nice saleperson on the other side of the phone said he could engrave our names for free onto the rings, one name on each band. However, before we could go and try on the Trinity Ring for size, the baby came six weeks early. With taking care of the baby and the puffiness in my fingers, we had to put off purchasing the ring for a year. Now that the baby is finally almost one year old, DH and I went back to Cartier to buy this ring. Kind of appropriate, isn't it, buying my push present for my "labors" during the Labor Day weekend?

The salesperson didn't seem fazed when we wheeled in our baby in the stroller, nor when the baby kept trying to grab all the shiny rings that I was trying. He honored the previous offer of free engraving of our three names on the three bands of the ring, and even threw in free shipping when we told him we didn't relish the prospect of trekking back to the store with the baby to pick the engraved rings.

Here is more information about the ring from the Cartier website.

White House Black Market Rose Print Full Skirt Dress

2011-09-01T20:55:00.001-07:00

Date: September 1, 2011
Item: Dress
From: White House Black Market
Price: $75.99 plus tax (originally $158.00 plus tax)

I've adored this dress since I first laid eyes on it in the windows of WHBM at the local mall. The dress is a classic silhouette with sprigs of pink roses sprinkled across the white fabric. The dress would be very comfortable to wear during summer as it is 98% cotton; in fact, when I checked the material content of the dress, the song "the touch, the feel of cotton, the fabric of our lives" started running through my mind.

I don't know why I've been hemming and hawing about buying this dress in the past. The dress is certainly worth it's full retail price tag of $158.00 plus tax. I guess I originally planned to buy it with my birthday coupon from White House Black Market, but my local branch sold out before they even went on sale and the online website didn't have my size. Then a little while ago, one popped back up on the store's website in the middle of the night while I was feeding my baby. Although I was able to feed with one hand and surf the web with the other, typing in all the credit card info (even if I had it memorized) without disturbing the little guy proved to be too challenging. By the time I woke up the next morning ready to call customer service to place the order, the dress had disappeared from the site again like a mirage.

I had given up hope of getting this dress, and had even been checking Ebay to see if one may have popped up there. So imagine my surprise seeing the dress available again today on the WHBM website! This time, even though my baby was whining in his crib for my attention, I focused on what really mattered - getting the dress! Also, DH eventually couldn't take the whining anymore and took the baby away so I could complete my purchase in peace.

I've noticed WHBM will choose a specific shot of color each season to coordinate with their basic black and white pieces. One year they did purple, and then beige. This past spring was pink; hence this dress with the pink roses.

One thing I love about WHBM is that they automatically give you a 5% discount and free shipping for being a Black Book Member. So the dress, which had a sale price of $79.99 plus tax, ended up being $75.99 plus tax with no S&H.

Here is more information about the dress from the WHBM website.

By the way, here is another little WHBM number I'm keeping tabs on right now. Once it goes on sale, I'll be pouncing on it like a kitty on catnip.

Anthropologie Edme & Esyllte Cultivation Skirt

2011-08-23T05:57:00.001-07:00

Date: August 23, 2011
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie (Edme & Esyllte)
Price: $39.95 plus tax (originally $68.00 plus tax)

This is a nice floaty skirt that would have been perfect for the past few summer months if I had been able to snatch one when it went on sale a few months ago. However, being so busy at work, I haven't had much time devoted shopping, much to the dismay of my inner shopaholic. So, the skirt passed under my radar, and I wasn't even aware of it until I saw a size 0 hanging on the sale rack at my local Anthropologie branch. Since size 0 is waaaaaay too small for me (did I put enough "a" in "way" there for emphasis?), I checked online as soon as I got home. Wouldn't you know it, it was already sold out.

Then, I saw it make a brief appearance in the online sale section this morning. I decided to go ahead and buy it, despite not having tried it on before. Once I put it in my shopping cart and paid for it, I went back to check on the status of the dress. I guess I must have got the last one, since the website said it was no longer available anymore.

Right now Anthropologie is giving out free shipping with all orders as long as there is one full price order in the bag. I got this pair of earrings because I thought color and shape of the earrings would complement the circles on the skirt. Even if the earrings don't work out in the end, I can always return it to the local Anthropologie store. (9/24/2011: The earrings didn't work, and I returned them to the store.)

Here is more information about the skirt.

Anthropologie Plenty by Tracy Reese Decade By Decade Skirt

2011-08-22T22:06:00.001-07:00

Date: August 22, 2011
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie (Plenty by Tracy Reese)
Price: $90.00 plus $6.00 S&H (originally $128.00 plus tax)

I've been living and breathing an ad campaign for one of our most important clients these past few months, so I haven't been able to scour the sale racks or check in on the sale section of Anthropologie's website much.

So, yes, I know I probably would have been able to get this skirt for a lower price if I had been more diligent on keeping an eye out for the sales. But, considering the sale price was $69.95 plus tax plus shipping (my local Anthropologie branch sold out of this skirt long before it went on sale, so I would have had to pay shipping anyway), that meant my total at the end of the day would have been around $80. Therefore, I'm justifying this to myself, this Ebay score for $96.00 ($90.00 for the skirt and $6.00 for the shipping) wasn't that bad. I'll consider the extra $16.00 a personal shopper's fee to the Ebay seller.

On to this skirt. Love the 50's shape and print. It's not often I find a green skirt I like. In fact, I don't have any green skirts right now, so this fills a nice void in my closet. There are a bunch of colors in the florals on skirt, so it will be easy to find something to match the skirt.

I know the trendy thing to do right now is to match this skirt to a striped or (like the ad below) checked top. And I don't deny it, there is something intriguing about mix and match prints. But, call me old school, I also think there is something ladylike and refreshing about just paring this skirt with a simple white blouse and neutral shoes. And maybe a small scarf around the neck. Kind of like more floral version of the ensemble worn by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.

Here is more information about the skirt from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Plenty by Tracy Reese Mompos Dress

2011-08-16T16:40:00.000-07:00

Date: August 16, 2011
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie (Plenty by Tracy Reese)
Price: $119.95 plus tax (originally $228.00 plus tax)

I have to thank my baby for helping me score this dress when it finally went on sale.

You see, I've loved this dress since it came out, and I wanted to purchase it a month ago using my 15% off birthday discount. However, my local Anthropologie store sold out this dress, and the store associates refused to honor the 15% off discount if they had to place the order for me online or search for it from another store. And, as much as I loved the dress, I refused to buy it at the full price of $228.

So, I thought the dress wasn't meant to be. But, early this morning, my baby woke me up at 3:00am in the morning PST. After feeding the baby and lulling him back to sleep, I decided to check the Anthropologie website on a whim. Imagine my delight upon seeing this dress on sale. With free shipping too! Woo hoo!

I immediately placed the dress in my shopping cart, my heart all the while pounding, wondering if the order would go through, or if I'd get some message that the dress was out of stock at the last minute. When the order when through, I breathed a sigh of relief and went back to sleep.

Later when I got to the office at 8:00am, I checked the Anthropologie website. Yep, by then, the dress had sold out.

Thank you, baby, Mommy loves you for helping her get her hands on this coveted dress.

Like all Tracy Reese clothing, this dress is very well designed and well made. The dress is made of a light chambray material with rows and rows of eyelet, falling over a crinoline skirt that gives just the right amount of poofness. I always think it is the little touches that makes an item look high-end. On this dress, it includes the scallop hem, the bow on the belt, the sturdy zipper that blends seemlessly into the dress in the back, and the general way the striped pattern of the eyelet look like they ebb up and down on the drapes of the dress.

Here is a picture of the dress taken by Anthropologie.

This dress made a cameo on the last season episode of Glee. It is so pretty and feminine, so I was not surprised to see it on Diana Agron's Quinn character.

This is the second dress I've spotted on both Glee and Taylor Swift. I wonder if Taylor Swift ever feel the same way as I do when she sees her clothes on that show? (Mainly, darn, doesn't the wardrobe department have anywhere else to shop?)

Update 10/31/11:I was delighted to spot this dress on Ginnifer Goodwin, who plays both Snow White and the present day schoolteacher Mary Margaret Blanchard, in my new favorite television series "Once Upon A Time". The dress appeared on today in Season 1 Episode 2 "The Thing You Love Most."

Here is the dress in both the episode and the promo photos.

Here is more information about the dress from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Corey Lynn Calter Backswept Dress

2011-08-16T04:40:00.001-07:00

Date: August 16, 2011
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie (Corey Lynn Calter)
Price: $139.95 plus tax (originally $268.00 plus tax)

The coral and jade floral print on this dress was so lovely that I felt lightheaded when I first saw this dress; I found out it was because I gasped and forgot to breathe after that. I've then kept my eye this dress and was delighted to see it go on sale a little while ago. And yet, I just couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger, due to having the the same problem that all the Anthropologie website reviewers have - mainly, how the heck to I wear this dress without exposing my bra strap in the back?

Of course, like all the other reviewers, my first thought was a cardi. But somehow it seemed sacrilegious to spend so much on a dress (that even on sale ended up being close to $150 after tax) and then cover it up. Besides, although I can wear a cardi in my overly-cold air-conditioned office, the summers outside here can easily get into the triple-degrees and a cardi would most likely bring on a heat stroke.

So I procrastinated about my decision to buy until this morning when I was online shopping my Mompos Dress and found out this dress had sold out in a lot of sizes. I didn't want to take a chance and let this one get away, so I reluctantly dragged the dress into my shopping cart and paid. I guess I'll just wear it in cooler weather with a cardi. Or maybe one day I'll get so fed up with and hack the top off and alter the bottom into a skirt.

Here is a picture of the dress on an Anthropologie model. Beautiful picture of the dress. But I still think the dress would have looked better with a zipper in the back.

More information about the dress from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Odille Picked Plaid Skirt

2011-08-08T23:38:00.000-07:00

Date: August 8, 2011
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie (Odille)
Price: $35.00 plus free S&H (originally $98.00 plus tax)

I had originally passed on this skirt because I thought the pattern looked too much like a 50's tablecloth to me. But one day, at the supermarket, I saw a girl wearing this skirt with a frothy lace top and multiple strands of pearls. Somehow, I really liked that combination. Unfortunately, the skirt had long sold out both online and in stores.

So, when I saw this skirt on Ebay, I jumped on it. I knew the skirt during the second cut had dropped in price to $29.95, which meant my final bill after tax and shipping would have been around $40.00. So the $35.00 price tag on Ebay was really extremely reasonable.

The skirt is mostly linen and cotten with some rayon, so it is cool enough for the triple degree weather we often have in the summer. The lace trim on the lining is a very nice touch of detail, although that means I can't just throw this skirt in the washing machine but will have to hand-wash it if I wanted to preserve the lace trim. The skirt does have pockets, so it does look a little poofy.

Nearby Napa is awash with poppies during spring and early summer. Although it is too late this year, I can't wait until next year to wear this skirt and see how the flaming red impressionist-style poppies print on this skirt look against a backdrop of actual poppies from nature.

Here is a shot of the skirt on an Anthropologie model

Here is more information about the skirt from the Anthropologie website.

White House Black Market Stripe Panel Skirt

2011-08-07T23:06:00.000-07:00

Date: August 7, 2011
Item: Skirt
From: White House Black Market
Price: $28.49 plus tax (originally $88.00 plus tax)

When I was picking up this skirt from the sale rack at White House Black Market, I could just hear in the recesses of my mind a chorus from all the experts on the Style Network espouting that horizontal stripes would make a pear-shaped person like me look wider. And what woman wants to look wider on her bottom?

But, some time in the past year, I've changed a lot. Once horrified of pushing a living being the size of a basketball out of me or the prospect of breastfeeding outside the comfort of my bedroom, I find that I no longer am afraid or care of what people think when it comes to my clothes. Of course I don't grocery shop in my pajama bottoms or wear inapproriately revealing clothes. But I've stopped completely shying away from anything just because someone declares my skin tone or body shape shoudln't wear it. Besides, I've always believed that most people have more important things on their minds than wonder if my clothes make me look fat or washed out. And those that will criticize my clothing choices? They are probably bitter people and not worth it for me to waste my time on them.

So, I squashed my inner Stacey London and tried on the skirt. When I came out of the dressing room (by the way, how plush is the dressing room at WHBM; it's probably my second favorite dressing room after the Nordstrom ones in their designer couture section), my husband nodded in approval and my baby clapped his hands. Actually my baby thinks I am the sun and moon and stars, and he claps at anything and nothing, so I probably shouldn't put too much stock in his behavior.

After finding out the skirt had been discounted to less than $30.00, I decided I had to get it.

Here is more information about the skirt from the WHBM website.

Sofft Adria Pumps (Black)

2011-08-01T22:11:00.000-07:00

Date: August 1, 2011
Item: Shoes (Pumps)
From: Sofft
Price: $25.00 plus tax (originally over $100.00 plus tax)

Although I am very finicky when it comes to my shoes (I can just hear Alicia Silverstone's high-pitch sing-song voice going, "You know how picky I am about my shoes, and they only go on my feet") and have a tendency to buy designer brands where the cost of a pair can easily rival my mortgage payment, I really am not a snob. From time to time, I will go through the clearance racks at Ross and Marshalls to see if I can find some good deals.

Yesterday I found this pair of Sofft shoes. I think this is as perfect as a pair of black pumps can get, and I can't think of any working woman who wouldn't be able to wear this. It is a formal pump (not a peep-toe) with a pointy toe that looks more classic than witchy, so it is perfect for business environments such as finance or law where formal business attire is required. However, the shimmering patent leather and stud details make this shoe edgy enough that I can see it on Dita Von Teese or all those women who work in non-traditional workplaces.

Most importantly, as the name of the brand implies, they really are soft and comfortable. I wore these around all day, and my feet felt cushioned and supported. I can even carry the baby and lug around that 10-pound arm-weight that I call my purse (but in reality is pretty much a daiper bag) and not worry about tripping or turning my feet.

I did some research and found this pair of shoes actually is selling for over $100.00 on various shoe websites. It has since sold out on Sofft's website, but here is some information from the site about these shoes.

Anthropologie Maeve Wisteria Halter Dress

2011-07-30T22:45:00.000-07:00

Date: July 30, 2011
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie (Maeve)
Price: $33.95 plus tax (originally $158.00 plus tax)

I still can't believe my luck finding this dress in my size on the sales rack at the second cut. And, like the blue Lido Light Skirt, I was able to use my birthday discount too!

I do hate the idea that I will have to wear a cardigan over this dress or a lace shirt under the dress to make it work appropriate. But considering how I was able to acquire this dress at such a low price, I don't mind being inconvenienced with a few extra layers.

Due to all the hoopla surrounding the recent Prince William and Kate wedding, I couldn't help remember reading somewhere that Kate and her sister Pippa were given the undignified nickname of "the Wisteria sisters" (because they are said to be very adept a social climbing). Just a little tibit unrelated to the dress that popped into my mind as I was paying at the register.

More information from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie We Love Vera Lido Light Skirt

2011-07-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

Date: July 30, 2011
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie (We Love Vera)
Price: $24.45 plus tax (originally $88.00 plus tax)

Like the Wisteria Dress, I was surprised this dress was still available during the second price cut. And I got to use my birthday discount as well!

I love blue and the feeling of peace and serenity I get from the color. In fact, I have lived within driving distances to the sea my whole life, except for that one year I spent in Texas for grad school (moving there from Seattle the Emerald City and hearing the native Austinites boast about how much greenery they have made me almost laugh). So I was pretty powerless against resisting this skirt as it invoked images of swaths of blue skies and seas in my mind.

More information about the skirt from the Anthropologie website.

White House Black Market Metallic Circle Pencil Skirt

2011-07-17T23:04:00.000-07:00

Date: July 17, 2011
Item: Skirt
From: White House Black Market
Price: $66.49 plus tax (originally $158.00 plus tax)

Even on sale, this Metallic Circle Pencil Skirt was a jaw dropping $79.99. Of course, the meticulous stud details completely justified the price, but the price was still a little hard to swallow.

What did make the price slightly more palatable was my $10.00 off birthday coupon plus my Black Book member discount. Although I still gulped when I handed over my credit card, at least my eyes didn't bulge out as much as I thought it would.

I know I will be able to wear this skirt to numerous places. For a business meeting? Pair it with a sharp white collar blouse and a blazer. For casual Friday? Add a pretty cardigan layered over a thin tee shirt. For dinner? Wear it with an off the sexy shoulder top. For a casual get together with friends? Throw on a drapey top and match with a pair of shoes that will make the aforementioned friends drool. What about shopping? That's easy; an embellished cotton tank and comfortable ballet flats.

In fact, the only place to which I don't think I would wear this skirt is the gym or a hiking trip. All that sweat would surely rust the metallic studs.

More information about the skirt from the White House Black Market website.

Anthropologie Girls From Savoy Nostalgic Asterisk Dress

2011-05-24T23:05:00.000-07:00

Date: May 24, 2011
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie (Girls From Savoy)
Price: $79.95 plus tax (originally $158.00 plus tax)

This dress was the only thing that caught my eye at today's Anthropologie sale. The tomato red color is cheerful and the print is whimsical. It will be a great summer dress.

I am pretty well-endowed chestwise (especially now that I have a baby), so I love that this is a dress that is cut for someone who is as busty as I am.

It seems that this dress is quite popular among young Hollywood starlets. Here it is on Taylor Swift.

And on Zooey Deschanel.

And recently featured on the lovely Quinn Fabray in Glee.

I actually noticed this dress long before it showed on all these celebrities, but I couldn't bring myself to purchase it at full price back then. So when it went on sale, I was happy to call my local store and ask them to put one on hold for me.

Here is more information about the dress from the Anthropologie website.

Tiffany Blue Box Charm

2011-05-21T22:19:00.000-07:00

Date: May 21, 2011
Item: Charm Necklace
From: Tiffany & Company
Price: $225 (charm) plus $50 (chain) plus tax

I have to admit I was expecting this charm necklace from DH. I know DH; he likes the blue enamel charms from Tiffany & Company. Since he had already given me the Shopping Bag Charm for Valentines Day, I knew he was sure to get this Blue Box Charm sometime this year. However, I thought I would have to wait until my birthday to see this Blue Box Charm. So, I was very happily surprised when I saw it from him for our dating anniversary.

The last Shopping Bag charm he gave me on Valentines Day included a thin silver chain. In fact, the chain is so thin that I've been having problems with the tiny clasp. Although I never told him that, he somehow figured it out anyway. Therefore, he upgraded and got me a thicker chain this time for the Blue Box Charm. I love the new chain so much better.

Here is more information about the Blue Box Charm from the Tiffany website.

Anthropologie Girls From Savoy Sugar Work Skirt

2011-05-17T23:05:00.000-07:00

Date: May 17, 2011
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie (Girls From Savoy)
Price: $69.95 plus tax (originally $138.00 plus tax)

The Anthropologie tag sale kicked off today, not with a bang, but with a whimper. Nothing tempted me much, which was a great relief to my credit card.

I did like this sunny Sugar Work skirt, but I had a brief moment of hesitation while I wrestled with whether I really needed another yellow skirt after my Edme & Esylle Matriarch skirt purchase last winter. After trying it on, however, I decided to go ahead and get it.

When I got home and did some research, and found that this skirt appeared on Quinn Fabray in the show Glee. I have found many of my Anthropologie purchases eventually appear on either Quinn or Emma Pillsbury; for some reason, my aesthetic when it comes to clothes seem to closely match those of these two characters.

Anyway, as I mentioned in the Edme & Esyllte Recurring Theme skirt post, I have found myself pulling elastic waist skirts more often ever since I've had the baby because they tend to be more comfortable for me to wear now. In the past, I would have refused elastic waists because I thought they looked like something my mother would wear, but Anthropologie does offer so many cute elastic waist skirts that I don't recoil in horror at the mention of the words "elastic waist" anymore.

Here is more information about the skirt from the Anthropologie website. I took this screen shot just a few days after the skirt went on sale, and as you can see, it was already sold out! I'm glad I didn't hesitate about purchasing the skirt at the sale price, which I did think was still a little expensive for an elastic waist skirt.

Anthropologie Moulinette Soeurs Fantastic Field Skirt

2011-05-10T23:04:00.000-07:00

Date: May 10, 2011
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie (Moulinette Soeurs)
Price: $49.95 plus tax (originally $88.00 plus tax)

Ugh, here's another skirt that appeared on the fashionable Emma Pillsbury in Glee. On one hand I am happy to see my clothes featured on any popular television show, as it means it will retain it's value on the secondhand/auction market much better if I ever decide to sell it (which I can't see myself doing now, but you never know). But, on the other hand, I'm really getting tired of seeing my clothes on Glee; doesn't the wardrobe deparment have anywhere else to shop?

The skirt has a vivid pattern of blue and orange flowers on a white background. The material of the skirt is quite substantial and has a nice texture. As a pencil skirt, it can be paired with a navy jacket for business, or can be casual with a soft cardigan layered over a tee shirt.

Here is a picture of the skirt on Jayma Mays on Glee. For some reason, I don't think this skirt suits the Emma Pillsbury character. I think of Emma Pillsbury as someone who is as a little fussy, and who likes lace and ruffles and small embroidered touches. To me, the person buying this skirt is someone who is strong and unafraid color or dirt or making mistakes in her quest to reach her goals and dreams. If I had to choose, I would have chosen Idina Mendel's character on the show to wear this skirt.

Here is a picture of the skirt on a model from Anthropologie's catalog.

And more information about the skirt from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Edme & Esyllte Recurring Theme Skirt

2011-04-08T16:59:00.000-07:00

Date: April 8, 2011
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie (Edme & Esyllte)
Price: $29.95 plus tax (originally $88.00 plus tax)

There's not much to say about this skirt except it was on sale for a price low enough that I was tempted to buy it.

It's a decent skirt. Navy blue with a pink and gold speckled pattern throughout the skirt. The geometric print is versatile enough that it will go with many things in my closet. I don't particularly love it or hate it. Again, I got it because it came down enough in price.

Oh, I should mention, one thing I do like about the skirt is that it has an elastic waist. That is really helpful now that I've had my baby, as it makes the skirt more comfortable to wear. I do put a belt over the elastic waist, though. Just because I had a baby doesn't mean I have to be frumpy!

Here is the skirt on a model from one of Anthropologie's catalog photos. I don't really think the top goes with this skirt. I like to wear the skirt with a collared blouse, a cardigan, and sandals. I tend to steer away from Mary Janes with this skirt, as it can look like a bad imitation of a Catholic schoolgirl uniform.

Here is more information about the skirt from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Corey Lynn Calter Wooded Hideaway Skirt

2011-04-08T16:57:00.000-07:00

Date: April 8, 2011
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie (Corey Lynn Calter)
Price: $39.95 plus tax (originally $168.00 plus tax)

I really liked this skirt when it first came out. But not at the like level where I was willing to shell out $168.00 for it. Or even shell out $79.95 for it, when it dropped in price at the first sale cut a couple months back.

But when I saw that it had received a second sale cut at my local Anthropologie and was now selling for just $39.95, I immediately perked up. I may have rudely elbowed a customer or two in my quest to snatch up the only remaining one in my size; if you were one of the people I jabbed, I'm sorry.

This skirt is an example of what I like about Anthropologie - it's made of good materials (silk) with a whimsical print (a woodland fox) on it. It can be dressed up or down, but either way it just begs to be noticed and commented on.

Here are more pictures of the skirt.

Here is a photo of the skirt from the Anthropologie catalogue.

Here is more information about the skirt from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Moth Jeweler's Choice Cardigan

2011-04-08T16:55:00.000-07:00

Date: April 8, 2011
Item: Cardigan
From: Anthropologie (Moth)
Price: $79.95 plus tax (originally $168.00 plus tax)

Although it's early April, the recent weather hasn't shown any indication that spring is here. Temperatures are still brisk and cool, which is how I ended up looking at the sweaters on the sale racks this week.

I was delighted to find this chocolate speckled cardigan with the coral beaded neckline on sale. The name of the cardigan, Jeweler's Choice Cardigan, is quite apt, as it looked like the cardigan decided to one day pay a visit to a jeweler's and get a pretty little necklace to wear. I've had this cardigan on my wishlist when it first came out, but I never thought it would go on sale so quickly.

In the past I may have hesitated about buying a cardigan like this due to the high maintenance of the beaded collar (mainly, how the heck am I supposed to clean it, and will my dry-cleaners charge me a fortune). But, as I get older, I find myself more and more willing to spend on clothes that make me happy as opposed to clothes that make my bank account happy.

This doesn't mean I am reckless in my spending. Our family still fully fund our 401(k), Roth, and (most recently) our baby's 529 plan accounts. We still overpay our mortgage so we can pay off our house in ten years as opposed to the thirty years on our loan. We still manage to put a nice chunk of change in the stock market each year. And we still share one car, purchased second-handed all cash down almost ten years ago.

Maybe it is because our financials are all in order that I feel I have finally reached a place where I can treat myself to impractical clothes every now and then. Besides, if I am happy with what I wear, I become a happier wife/mom/employee in my everyday life. And this cardigan definitely makes me happy.

Here are more detailed pictures of the beaded collar and the speckled fabric of the cardigan. Like I said, this is one high-maintenance cardigan.

This cardigan would look great and professional at my workplace. Over a pencil skirt, it kind of reminds me of something Miranda would wear in The Devil Wears Prada. The model below also looks fantastic pairing this with skinny pants.

Here is more information about the cardigan from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Moulinette Soeurs Sun Shades Dress

2011-04-08T16:54:00.000-07:00

Date: April 8, 2011
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie (Moulinette Soeurs)
Price: $158.00 plus tax

I have often mentioned in past posts that I have a rule against paying full price for things at Anthropologie. Well, I threw that rule out the window after I missed getting a few key items on my wishlist when they got marked down (hey, with a baby with unpredictable sleeping patterns, it's sometimes really hard to get up at 5:00am in the morning to snag the more popular pieces on sale) and decided I wasn't going to let that happen with this dress. Luckily Anthropologie haven't had much things of interest to me this year, so I only experienced the slightest twinge of guilt as I handed over my credit card to the salesperson.

One reason I really wanted this dress was because I don't have any yellow dresses in my closet right now. For a long time, I thought yellow as a color that makes me look sallow and tired. However, I recently experimented with some yellow skirts, which are worn far away from my face and thus I feel looked okay on me. But I haven't gone around to acquiring any yellow dresses until I saw this pretty number in the Anthropologie window.

This dress, with all its yellow and white stripes, just reminds me of a lemon meringue pie. Here are front and back photos of the dress.

Here are closeup pictures of details of the dress. I love square neckline and the way the top hugs the bust while the skirt portion of the dress flows freely away. It's a very 1950's style kind of dress, which happens to be my favorite kind. But I'm not too crazy about the sash at the waist. A nice woven leather belt will easily fix that problem though.

Here is more information about the dress from the Anthropologie website.

Bisou Bisou Printed Pencil Skirt

2011-03-12T23:52:00.000-08:00

Date: March 12, 2011
Item: Skirt
From: JC Penney (Bisou Bisou)
Price: $30.80 plus tax (original retail $44.00 plus tax)

I've mentioned in my previous post regarding my Mng by Mango cardigan purchase that I have to go through JC Penney to enter the mall from the covered parking lot. Which means I've actually taken notice that the clothes there seem to be a lot more youthful and trendier these days.

I saw this skirt on a mannequin and thought is was a very well designed piece that could easily look like it came from a much more higher-end boutique. I had to buy it after trying it on, because it is also the first white pencil skirt I've ever worn in my life where I didn't feel it made me look fat. The fact that it was just a little over $30.00 was a bonus, as I would have willingly spent ten times that much for a perfect white pencil skirt. This will be a great piece to wear to the office, with or without a blazer.

The skirt has a nice sateen sheen, the colors of the butterflies are fresh and striking, and the cut of the slight poof on each side of the middle panel is modern and sophisticated. The only thing I didn't like about the skirt was the accompanying belt. It was a cheap plasticky belt, and the floral thing on it was very gimmicky. But a belt is the most easy thing to switch out, so I wasn't worried. In fact, the skirt is such an interesting item I would venture to say that a belt is completely unnecessary.

Here is more information about the skirt from the JC Penney website.

LC by Lauren Conrad Floral Ruffle Chiffon Dress

2011-03-12T23:51:00.000-08:00

Date: March 12, 2011
Item: Dress
From: Kohl's (LC by Lauren Conrad)
Price: $35.99 plus tax (original retail $60.00 plus tax)

We were at Kohl's this morning because they were running a special promotion where we could get a $10 gift certificate upon spending $50 in store. Our original plan was to buy DH some new pajamas; however, since we're so used to buying my pajamas at Victoria's Secret, we underestimated how inexpensive DH's pajamas would cost at Kohl's. The ones he liked were only $14.00, which meant we needed to find something that cost $36.00 or more to qualify for the $10 certificate if we wanted it.

As we meandered around the store, this floral dress from LC by Lauren Conrad caught my eye. Although I've heard the name tossed around on television and knew she was from Laguna Beach and The Hills, I never watched those two shows before. In fact, if a poster of Lauren Conrad wasn't situated right next to the dress, I wouldn't have even known what she looked like. Therefore, I can safely say that I purchased this dress today solely on its own merits and not because of its brand name or any style reputations associated with it.

What I did like about the dress was pretty much everything. It had a beautiful color and print, pretty and feminine ruffles at the top, an elastic and therefore forgiving waist, and was light in weight. I wish the slip was a little more substantial, but it is detachable, so this is an easy fix. In fact, if I switch out the slip for a cotton one, I could easily overlook the polyester material of the exterior dress.

The sign above the dress indicated it was 30% off, which would have made the dress $42.00 plus tax. However, the store was running a morning special, so the dress was $35.99 plus tax until 1:00pm. With DH's $14.00 pajamas, we were just one cent off the $50.00 mark to get the $10.00 gift certificate. But the nice associate at the store told us to not worry about it, and we got the gift certificate just the same. Therefore, if we calculated the gift certificate as a discount on the dress, the actual net cost of the dress to us was just $28.80.

Here is more information about the dress from Kohl's website.

Tiffany Shopping Bag On a Chain

2011-02-14T21:24:00.000-08:00

Date: February 14, 2011
Item: Jewelry
From: Tiffany & Co.
Price: $250.00 plus tax (Charm: $200.00, Chain: $50.00, No S&H)

I was complaining to DH one day that he never surprised me with any gifts. Every major holiday or anniversary, he would take me shopping and ask me to choose out a gift rather than buy something for me. Although that means I've always gotten exactly what I wanted in the past, it also meant I questioned whether he really knew me or not.

So this year, I had a coming-to-Jesus talk with him. Buy me a gift, or else.

"I don't have time to go to the mall and buy you anything," he grumbled.

He had a point. We've already had a busy schedule between the both of us. Plus there was the new baby now. Any spare time was treasured and used for catching up on sleep.

"There is this nifty little thing called online shopping, you know," I countered. "You just go to a retailer's website, enter your credit card number, and the gift will magically appear on our doorstep."

"I don't like online shopping," DH muttered stubbornly. "The items never look as good in real life as they do on the computer screen. All that airbrushing and whatnot. I like to see something before I buy it. What happens if the item that arrives in the mail differs drastically than that on the website?"

"Then get something from a store with a great return policy." I snapped.

This Tiffany Shopping Bag on a chain was what he gave me this year for Valentine's Day. I guess he did notice I was admiring it at the Tiffany store the other day.

"I ordered online, just like you said. They even threw in free shipping and the gift card." he said proudly.

I have to admit, the hubs did good.

Mng by Mango Embellished Cardigan

2011-02-05T22:20:00.000-08:00

Date: February 5, 2011
Item: Cardigan
From: Mng by Mango
Price: $29.95 plus tax (original 59.90)

This is my very first purchase of 2011!

I am actually quite surprised it took me this long to find something to buy since the beginning of this year. Of course, I've been going crazy buying outfits for the baby, but for some reason I haven't had the urge to splurge on anything on myself until today.

I found this cardigan on sale at JC Penney. I don't normally think of JC Penney as my style, mostly because that is where my mom shops. Even thought I like clothes with a vintage twist, I still like to think my style is more modern than hers and try to avoid buying things from her favorite stores. So how did I end up at JC Penney this afternoon? Well, I like to park in the parking garage at the mall so the car doesn't get overheated under the sun, and the closest way into the mall from the parking garage is through JC Penney.

Anyway, I was surprised to see the Mng by Mango label at JC Penney, and even more surprised that they had this amazing cardigan. The little bit of embellishment at the neckline sparkles and really makes the cardigan look like something special, while the beautiful dusky pink color goes so well with a bunch of things in my closet.

Here are close-up pictures of the embellishments.

And here is more information about the cardigan from the JC Penney website.

Anthropologie Tracy Reese Peppered and Striped Skirt

2010-12-23T09:33:00.003-08:00

Date: December 21, 2010
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie (Tracy Reese)
Price: $52.46 plus tax (originally $128.00 plus tax)

Although this skirt was a little more expensive than the other skirts I ordered during Anthropologie's sale today, it is easily my favorite because it just looks and feels and wears like a high-end item. Sometimes cheap clothing use gimmicks such as loud garish colors or tacky add-ons to garner attention. But a quality piece of garment like this skirt just whispers, and everyone's eyes can't help but be drawn to it.

From the close-up pictures below, it can be seen that the skirt is of a pretty substantial weight. The pleats are well-done, and the three side buttons are a nice unexpected touch. The plaid waistband provides a pretty contrast to the yellow dots. And, thank goodness, the zipper in the back is nicely tucked in; I was getting tired of the exposed zippers on a lot of Anthropologie's skirts. If I could chose one thing to change about the skirt, I wish the yellow dots were embroidered on the skirt instead of painted on. Oh well, if I see the dots coming off after a few cleanings, I guess I could always take it to a tailor and have them embroider the dots on in the future.

I groaned, literally groaned, when I saw this Tracy Reese Peppered and Striped Skirt featured on the television show Glee. On Emma Pillsbury, no less. I knew then and there that hunting down this skirt was going to be a pain in the you-know-what. And boy was I right. As soon as the skirt went on sale this morning (and don't forget, Anthropologie was extending their extra 25% off all sale items), I started calling stores around the U.S. After multiple tries, I finally found one in my size in the Beverly Hills store

Here is the way Anthropologie styled this skirt. I like how polished and work-appropriate this outfit looks. Sometimes Anthropologie takes their play on mixing formal and casual pieces a little too far, and then their models look like they stepped out of some bohemian compound in the middle of Montana or some other rugged outdoorsy place. But I can actually see myself wearing the outfit below, as-is with no changes, to the office and not look out of place talking to our biggest clients and accounts.

The skirt is no longer available on Anthropologie's U.S. website, but here is more information from their European website.

Anthropologie Floreat Glowing Leaf Skirt

2010-12-23T09:33:00.001-08:00

Date: December 21, 2010
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie (Floreat)
Price: $37.46 plus tax (originally $88.00 plus tax)

Some things I will take an extraordinary long time to mull over and still not reach a decision whether to purchase them or not. Some things I will know as soon as I see it that I must have it.

This skirt is the latter.

I knew I had to acquire this skirt for my collection as soon as I saw it on the mannequin at my local Anthropologie. I could never pass up anything so distinctive, and the silk mesh poppies over the golden sequins on the skirt were sure conversation generators.

Only one problem, my rule about never buying anything for full price if I could help it. So I wishlisted the skirt and waited. And waited. And waited. And when the skirt completely sold out at my local B&M Anthropologie, I wondered if I made a wrong decision. Especially since, by this time, I couldn't even order it on the Anthropologie website because it was sold out there too.

Then I saw on my wishlist that not only did it go on sale today, but Anthropologie was throwing in another additional 25% off all sale items. So I got up bright and early to call Anthropologie's 800 number to see if I could track one down. Lucky me, they told me there was just one (ONE, only one!!!!) left in my size in the entire U.S. It was on the east coast, so I immediately placed another call, and they still had it in the store! Did I want it, the representative who answered my phone call asked me. No, I was just calling to see how was the weather on the east coast...are you kidding me, of course I wanted it!

As I mentioned above, the main reason this skirt caught my eye is the multi-dimentional flower details on the skirt. They are blood orange colored mesh flowers with sequins sewn under the mesh. I thought it was exceptionally unique, and I loved the poppy motif because I could see myself wearing it to Napa when their poppies are in bloom. Of course cleaning the skirt with its mesh and sequin details is sure to be a headache, but I'm shutting that out of my mind right now; I'll cross that bridge if it ever comes to that. Here are details of the orange-red mesh and sequined flowers.

Here is the skirt styled by Anthropologie. I like the rows and rows of bread in the background; basically I like pictures that showcase abundant and varied amounts of food. But back to the clothes, I thought the coat was entirely wrong for the skirt because it threw the whole proportion off.

The skirt is completely sold out on Anthropologie's US website, so here is more information about the skirt from the European website.

Anthropologie Tracy Reese Dreamy Wanderings Dress

2010-12-23T09:32:00.002-08:00

Date: December 21, 2010
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie (Tracy Reese)
Price: $119.96 plus tax (originally $318.00 plus tax)

I fall in love with a lot of what comes from Tracy Reese, and with no exception I fell in love with this dress too since it first came out. The problem, however, is that Tracy Reese tends to be rather pricey at full price, but their pieces are also so lovely that they tend to sell out rather quickly even at full price. And since I have a policy of never buying anything at full price at Anthropologie for now, I almost always miss out on the Tracy Reeses things at the sales. Maybe when I win the lottery I'll start buying more pieces at full retail prices. Oops, I forgot, I've taken too many statistics classes to not be against buying lottery tickets, or partake in gambling of any form. I guess I'll be shopping sales for life.

Anyway, when the price of this dress got slashed down during the tag sale today, I jumped on it like a dog jumps on a bone. The sale price came out to $159.95 plus tax, but Anthropologie had another promotion going on with 25% off all sale items. Add the free shipping and handling, and the final damage of the dress came out to a "mere" $119.96. Or just a little over a third the cost of the original retail price.

Here are front and back photos of the dress.

The cascading ruffles on the front of the dress is flouncy and flirty, and the soft gray and pastel blue watercolor print is dreamy and romantic. It would be a perfect Disney princess dress, but with a modern twist on it. When I look at the dress, I think it looks like Tracy Reese spent one too many hours in front of that Disney Movie "Enchanted" and designed a real-life dress for the Amy Adams character.

The only detail I had problems in regards to this dress was the sheer mesh top near the collar. I wish they had lined it, for a couple reasons. That mesh looks so flimsy I fear it may easily stretch out from the weight of the rest of the dress when hanging on a hanger in my closet. Also, I don't want to always be wearing a strapless bra in this dress; sometimes a girl needs a little support, you know.

Here is the dress as styled by Anthropologie. This photo came from their most recent catalogue, which is why I'm really surprised it went on sale so quickly. But who am I to question their generosity?

Here is more information about the dress from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Maeve Wightwick Manor Dress

2010-12-21T09:32:00.000-08:00

Date: December 21, 2010
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie (Maeve)
Price: $44.96 plus tax (originally $128.00 plus tax)

I have been trying to consciously not get sucked into the year-end sales going on in all the stores right now, and to only buy what I really really want rather than what is on sale. However, sometimes the sales do get the better of me, and I end up buying something that I maybe wouldn't have ever looked at before but will definitely now consider because the price is right.

This dress is an example. At first glance, this dress seems too vintage-looking for my taste; to me the color is a little blah, the print has a little too much going on, and the shape of the dress gives off such a 1940's vibe that it reminds me of my mother's clothes.

Safe to say, the dress is something at which I would have never given second look before the Anthropologie year-end tag sale, or even at the the original sale price of $59.95. However, with the additional 25% discount and the free shipping going on, I suddenly found myself looking at it in a new light to see if I could find any redeeming qualities about it.

Well, I did like the fact that it was a shirt dress, which meant it was a daytime dress; I've recently been buying so many pretty dresses that are meant for special occasions that I thought it was high time I replenished my wardrobe with some regular daytime dresses. It was also a soft corduroy material, so I would be able to wear it during even the coldest of weather and still be quite warm and suggly. I also liked all the pleats that sat not only on the front but also the back of the dress, which is an indicator that the dress is very well made. Maeve also always cuts their dresses much more forgiving than other brands at Anthropologie (Leifsdottir, hint hint, not everyone is a European size 2 with no bust, you know), so it is flattering for my body shape. The dress is also longer at the hem, which is a plus for taller girls like me.

So there you have it, for the additional 25% off and free shipping, I decided there were enough plusses to overcome the minuses in this dress, and went ahead with my order of the dress online. I think I can modernize the dress with a great brown blazer, a wide belt, and some knee-high boots. If that doesn't work, Anthropologie always has a great return policy.

Here is more information about the dress from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Sleeping on Snow Soft Sakura Skirt

2010-12-21T09:31:00.000-08:00

Date: December 21, 2010
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie (Sleeping on Snow)
Price: $59.96 plus tax (originally $148.00 plus tax)

I seem to be obsessed with Asian-inspired pieces these days. I fell head over heals for the Chinese lotus and bird calligraphy print on the Snowy Egret dress a few weeks ago, and I thought the Japanese dolls on the Matriarch skirt was too adorable to pass up.

Then, there is this Sakura skirt. With a name like that, how could I not buy the skirt?

One of the reasons this skirt caught my eye is that the print is Asian-inspired, but but in a clean and elegant way. Also, since pink cherry blossoms are so cliched, I think the idea of using coral for the sakura print on this skirt is a stroke of genius.

This skirt is a sweaterskirt, which means I will be able to wear it immediately upon receipt. The fabric of the skirt looks very similar to my Charlie & Robin Gumshoe Sweatercoat. And there is a swath of pretty persimmon chiffon playing peekaboo at the bottom of the skirt.

Although I don't have any orange skirts in my wardrobe, I have to admit that I would never have spent the full retail price of $148.00 on it. In fact, I don't even know if I would have spent the original $79.95 sale price for it. But with the additional 25% off and the free shipping, I felt better about pulling the trigger and get the skirt.

Here is more information about the skirt from the Anthropologie website:

Anthropologie Edme & Esyllte Matriarch Skirt

2010-12-21T09:29:00.000-08:00

Date: December 21, 2010
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie (Edme & Esyllte)
Price: $37.46 plus tax (originally $88.00 plus tax)

I knew Anthropologie would have many goodies in their year-end tag sale, but the amount of my wishlisted items ending up in the sale amazed even me! Plus there was an additional 25% off all sale items! Plus free shipping after $75.00! It's easy to see how I blew my budget as I put item after item into my online shopping cart.

I had my eye on this skirt for some time because I've been waiting for a long time for the perfect yellow skirt to add to my wardrobe and I decided this was the skirt for a number of reasons. It was constructed of airy cotton, so I would be able to wear it often in the warm California weather. It's well made and attention was paid to details, as can be seen from the black crochet trim on the lining. It had pockets. And the shape easily hides the fact that I am pear-shaped and have a rounder bottom. Here are front and back photos of the skirt.

Some of the reviewers on the Anthropologie website call the print on this skirt "tribal", but I actually think that is a mistake. In my opinion, the cheerful and vibrant print actually looks like a group of Japanese wooden dolls, the kind with the laquered hair, the kind you can find sold in the Kinokuniya bookstores and at the Narita airport in Japan.

I actually had two of these dolls when I was in high school; not knowing they're not supposed to be displayed in direct sunlight, I put them on my windowsill. I was heartbroken when the black laquer on my dolls' head started to crack.

Anyway, as soon as I saw how much the print reminded me of the dolls of my youth, I knew I had to get this skirt. The sale price (which included the additional 25% off) just solidified my belief that I found my perfect yellow skirt.

Here is more information about the skirt from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Floreat Snowy Egret Shift

2010-11-23T09:35:00.001-08:00

Date: November 23, 2010
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie (Floreat)
Price: $79.95 plus tax (originally $168.00 plus tax)

I've had my eye on this shift dress ever since it came out, so I was estatic to see it on sale this week! I think I love the dress because it reminds me of a calligraphy painting so much that I view it more as a piece of art than just an article of clothing.

Here are front and back photos of the dress.

Here are some close-up photos of brushstroke print on the dress.

And the pretty pink obi belt that provides just the right amount of contrast.

This Anthropologie catalog photo of the dress is just to-die-for gorgeous!

Here is more information about the dress.

Anthropologie Edme Esyllte Perthshire Dress

2010-11-23T09:32:00.001-08:00

Date: November 23, 2010
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie (Edme Esyllte)
Price: $79.95 plus tax (originally $168.00 plus tax)

Although I have quite a few plaid patterned items in my closet (thanks to Burberry), I was still drawn to this dress. Due to its asymmetrical neckline and it's hankerchief hemline, to me it was very reminiscient of Vivienne Westwood's Anglomania line dresses but without the high price tag.


Edme Esyllte Perthshire Dress	Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Dress

As it can clearly be seen, the taffeta material of the Anglomania dress is definitely superior to the think wool-blend of the Perthshire dress. However, the Perthshire dress does a pretty good job mimicking the shape of the Anglomania dress. Here are front and back photos of the Perthshire dress.

More close-up photos of the dress.

Here is the dress styled by Anthropologie for their catalogue. I guess wearing skin-tight pants under the dress is one way to go in terms of wearing this dress. I would personally prefer to wear it with simple pumps and a blazer for work, or with leather boots (either knee-high or cowboy) and a slouchy scarf during the weekends.

Here is more information about the dress from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie McGinn Spectre Dreams Dress

2010-11-23T09:31:00.004-08:00

Date: November 23, 2010
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie (McGinn)
Price: $59.95 plus tax (originally $248.00 plus tax)

I was a little hesitant about buying this dress because many of the online reviewers had nothing good to say about it. "Too polyester: seemed to be the number one complaint. "Too expensive" followed not far behind.

Looking at the original price of this dress, I can understand many of their reviews. I mean, if I were to pay over $200 for a dress, it better be something silk. Also, with the hot triple degree weather we sometimes have here, anything made of polyester can be a problem during the summer.

Here are front and back photos of the dress.

However, I loved the pretty shape, the lavender-grey color, the feminine ruffles and detailed black lace on this dress. For some reason, it reminded me of the floaty dresses Alexis Bledel wore in Gilmore Girls around the third season or so when the wardrobe department finally realized they didn't need to always put her in chuncky shapeless sweaters and should take a chance to put her in something girly once in a while.

Here are more close-up pictures of the dress.

So when I saw the price of this dress today going on it's second cut, plus the free complimentary shipping for orders over $150 from Anthropologie, I thought I might as well take a chance on it. I'm so glad I did. I didn't think I could fall in love with the dress any more than I have, but I did when it arrived. I tried it on with my Oscar de la Renta lace cutout booties, and they were just perfect for each other. I think I found my Christmas party outfit.

Here is more information about the dress from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Floreat Chilled Ripples Shell

2010-11-23T09:31:00.003-08:00

Date: November 23, 2010
Item: Top
From: Anthropologie (Floreat)
Price: $59.95 plus tax (originally $118.00 plus tax)

This top kind of reminds me of the Corey Lynn Snowscape Tank, both in color and in style. However, one thing I like about this blouse better than the Snowscape Tank is that it doesn't have a bunch of heavy metal chains at the neckline, and so won't tug down in the front.

Here are front and back photos of the top.

The romantic ruffles and floral attachments on the front and back neckline of this blouse means I will have to wear my hair up to showcase the gorgeous details. For some reason, I am envisioning wearing this shell under a cardigan, with my hair done up like a Gibson girl.

More close-up photos of the intricate details of the neckline.

Anthropologie stylings can be hits or misses in my book. The way they styled this shell is perfection. Definitely a hit in my opinion.

Here is more information about this top from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Odille First Falling Blouse

2010-11-23T09:31:00.001-08:00

Date: November 23, 2010
Item: Blouse
From: Anthropologie (Odille)
Price: $49.95 plus tax (originally $98.00 plus tax)

I have to admit I didn't think much of this blouse when I first saw it online, and only ordered it to fill a $150.00 order from Anthropologie so I could get the free shipping. However, when I received it and finally tried it on, I really liked all aspects of it. The fabric was nice and light, the colors were autumn-y, and the obi belt was unique.

It is a nice blouse that will work for all seasons on its own or layered under a cardigan. Here are front and back photos of the blouse.

Here are some close-up photos of the blouse.

Here is a picture of the blouse from the catalogue. I think the colors here more accurately represents the actual colors of the blouse.

Here is the information on the blouse from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Porridge Two-Wheeler Shirtdress

2010-11-18T02:52:00.000-08:00

Date: November 15, 2010
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie (Porridge)
Price: $122.95 including S&H (originally $128.00 plus tax)

I had always admired this pretty shirtdress with the interesting bicycle pattern. However, due to taking care of the new baby, I didn't have time to hunt it down in stores when it went on sale. Thank goodness for Ebay.

As it can be seen, the price I paid for it on Ebay was just only slightly less than the in-store full retail price (although it does include S&H and no tax), so I didn't get much of a discount on the dress. But, considering how versatile the dress is, and the myriad of ways I can wear it, I am okay about paying what I paid. Do I wish I were able to get it for less? Of course. But, c'est la vie.

Here is the dress on a model.

I love the way the dress is paired with the patent leather red pumps. With a red belt, I think this would be the perfect for my company's Fourth of July potluck next year.

Incidentally, I also have the Beach Bounty Necklace shown on the model, which I got for almost a song.

Here is more information about the dress.

Anthropologie Girls From Savoy Traced Twirls Dress

2010-11-03T00:33:00.000-07:00

Date: October 31, 2010
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie (Sleeping on Snow)
Price: $79.95 plus tax (originally $158.00 plus tax)

Oh, blue dotted Traced Twirls Dress, I've been waiting for you to go on sale since I first laid eyes on you. I thought you were not meant for me when you disappeared from the Anthropologie website early on in the game, so I was estatic to see you on the sales rack of my local Anthropologie store today. Why were you there? Were you forgotton in some back stockroom and unearthed just today? Or were you a return, in which case I wonder who did not recognize what a gem you were amongst Anthropologie dresses?

I am not a lady who lunch, nor am I a Stepford wife. And yet, how could I let you go know now that I have found you? You may not fit my working-mom-on-the-run lifestyle, but you fit perfectly on my body. And so, I had to have you. Even if I have nowhere to wear you.

Here are front, back and side pictures of you, my precious.

Here you are, looking gorgeous on this model.

And here is your black-and-white counterpart.

Too bad the dress has been gone from the Anthropologie website a long time ago, so I don't have more information about you.

Anthropologie Sleeping on Snow Summer Reminder Cardigan

2010-10-31T06:19:00.001-07:00

Date: October 31, 2010
Item: Cardigan
From: Anthropologie (Sleeping on Snow)
Price: $69.95 plus tax (originally $128.00 plus tax)

I'm normally self-conscious about wearing anything that emphasizes my ample bosom, but I just couldn't pass up this gorgeous cardigan by Sleeping on Snow. The material of the cardigan is very similar to my Charlie and Robin Gumshoe Sweatercoat, and even the color and the ruffle details are similar as well. But the Gumshoe sweatercoat is long and flowy, whereas this cardigan is more fitted to the body and even has a slight military look despite its appliques.

With the temperature dropping in in the fall weather, I'm sure I'll be wearing this cardigan to the office soon.

Here are front and back photos of the cardigan.

Here is a close-up picture of the amazing applique.

Here is a photo of the cardigan from the Anthropologie catalog.

Here is more information about the cardigan from Anthropologie.

Anthropologie Maeve Dagmar Shirtdress

2010-10-30T15:52:00.000-07:00

Date: October 30, 2010
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie (Maeve)
Price: $69.95 plus tax (originally $148 plus tax)

Althought I liked this dress when it first came out and was planning to add it to my collection of dresses as soon as it went on sale, I eventually passed up on it during the sale because it seemed like everyone on the blogosphere and their sister ended it up acquiring this dress. I don't blame them; the material of the dress is very substantial, the colors and print are very vibrant, and the cut is very forgiving for many figures.

The dress sold out in a matter of days as soon as it went on sale, and I was left to wonder if I made the right decision to not purchase it. I even went on ebay and searched it, but just couldn't pull the trigger.

Then, I saw this last one in my local store today, and fortuitously it was in my size. Since Anthropologie has a very lenient return policy, I finally went ahead and bought it. I figured if I really regretted the purchase, I could always return it in the future. Or sell it on ebay, judging by how quickly they are going like hotcakes.

The dress is already sold out online, so I don't have the web information. But here is a larger photo of the dress.

And here is the dress as it was styled for the Anthropologie catalogue.

For some reason, the print on this shirtdress reminds me of a Hawaiian print. Since DH and I are planning to take our baby to vacation in Hawaii in a few years, I think this will probably be going with me in my suitcase.

Anthropologie Floreat Raining Pouring Blouse

2010-10-30T15:02:00.000-07:00

Date: October 30, 2010
Item: Blouse
From: Anthropologie (Floreat)
Price: $49.95 plus tax (originally $98 plus tax)

I probably wouldn't have paid attention to this blouse any other day. But I am such a perfectionist that I always feel I have to have the perfect outfit for any occasion. So, since it was raining today, I just couldn't resist the cute umbrella print of this top.

I thought the price of $49.95 plus tax was a little high, until I inspected the tag and found it is 100% silk. No wonder the blouse flows so effortlessly over my curves. I loved it way it looked over a simple pair of slacks.

The blouse is no longer available online, so I don't have the web information. But here is a larger photo of the blouse.

And here is how it was styled on a model in the Anthropologie catalog.

Anthropologie Beach Bounty Necklace

2010-10-30T14:21:00.000-07:00

Date: October 30, 2010
Item: Necklace
From: Anthropologie
Price: $9.95 plus tax (originally $58 plus tax)

I was super excited to see this necklace, especially on the sale rack. There is a story why.

When I was purchasing my Mise En Scene by Ruffian Eyelet Dahlia Blouse a few months ago, I had tried on this necklace with the blouse and found them to be a perfect match with each other. However, even though the necklace was on sale from $58 to $29.95, back then I thought that was still a lot to spend on what is essentially a piece of costume jewelry, and not even a substantial piece either.

So, I had put the necklace back on the rack and paid for my blouse. The I met up with DH, who was sitting quietly on one of the Anthropologie leather couches in the store. I told him about the necklace and how it was the last one left in the store and how I returned it back to the rack.

And DH said, "You spend hundreds of dollars on designer shoes and Anthroplogie clothes. How can you think $29.95 is too expensive?"

He had a point, so I returned back to the rack. And that's when I saw the necklace was already gone, and that it was in the hands of a girl who was already paying for it at the cash register!

I lamented my loss for a while, and even thought of going on ebay to search for the necklace. But there were too many other things on my Anthropologie wishlist waiting to do damage to my credit card, so I eventually got over it.

Well, now I'm glad that other girl beat me to the necklace back then, because the necklace is now on sale for only $9.95 and there happened to be one at the store today! This time I didn't hesitate; I snatched the necklace off the sale rack and didn't let it out of my sight after that.

The necklace is no longer available on the Anthropologie website, so I don't have the web information on it. But here is a larger photo of the necklace.

Anthropologie Beau by Bo Precious Poppy Cardigan

2010-10-07T07:33:00.000-07:00

Date: October 7, 2010
Item: Cardigan
From: Anthropologie (Beau by Bo)
Price: $69.95 plus tax (originally $129 plus tax)

When I saw this cardigan, I knew I had to have it. No ifs, ands or buts. I even thought of buying it at regular price, but I'm glad I held out and was able to get it at the sale price today.

It is in the same style as the Beau by Bo Always A Lady skirt, with the same color scheme and same appliques. Although I don't think I would wear both together (it's too matchy matchy for my personality), I like knowing I have both items and can chose between the cardigan or the skirt any day depending on my mood.

Here are front and back photos of the cardigan.

Here are close up shots of the cardigan.

Here is more information about the cardigan from the Anthropologie website.

Miu Miu Patent Leather Peep Toe Pumps

2010-09-22T23:22:00.001-07:00

Date: September 22, 2010
Item: Shoes
From: Miu Miu
Price: $508.95 (includes tax and S&H) (originally $670 plus tax)

I know I shouldn't be spending this kind of cash on a pair of shoes, especially when I just had a baby and should really be thinking of funding his 529 plan right now. But I really really love these shoes. I first tried these on a few months ago at Nordstroms. They were $670 at full retail price, which I just couldn't bring myself to pay. Therefore, I've been patiently waiting for them to go on sale (and pick up some Nordstrom points in the process), but Nordstrom obstinately refused to discount them. When I called them a few weeks ago, they told me that they only had one pair in the entire U.S. left in my size, and that they frankly didn't think the pumps would make it to their designer sale. I knew Net-a-Porter had also already sold out in my size as well. So, once I saw there was one pair left on Bluefly.com in my size, I jumped and purchased it. The fact that the Bluefly price was 24% lower than retail price was just icing on the cake.

These shoes go well with almost anything and everything. Here are some pictures of the shoes from Net-a-Porter.

Here is the shoes on model. Personally, I wouldn't pair these shoes with a black dress, especially one in such a sharp and severe black as this one. I would prefer to wear these shoes with creams, pastels, browns, or even greys.

Here is more information about the shoes from both Net-a-Porter and Bluefly.com.

Nina Garcia's LookBook: What to wear for Every Occassion (Book)

2010-09-12T00:35:00.000-07:00

Date: September 12, 2010
Item: Book
From: Borders
Price: $14.39 plus tax (originally $23.99 plus tax)

I got this book because I like the illustrations. Although I don't agree with some of her suggestions, it's always fun to read what other people think is appropriate to wear to different occasions.

Oh, yeah, I also got this book because I had a 40% off coupon.

Anthropologie Girls from Savoy Cooling Palette Dress

2010-09-06T21:19:00.000-07:00

Date: September 6, 2010
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie (Girls from Savoy)
Price: $49.95 plus tax (original retail $188.00 plus tax)

I don't know how this gorgeous dress wound up on the sale rack at my local Anthropologie, but I'm not going to question my good luck finding it!

First off, I have to say, I've been trying to be a very good girl and stay away from Anthropologie. The last thing I need is to be spending money on clothes when I already have a closet full of things and a baby on the way who (according to statistics) will require around $200,000 to raise and bring up. In fact, in an effort to save some money, I was actually meeting a Craigslist seller today to buy a Winnie-the-Pooh lamp and mobile (for 50% of retail cost, of course). Is it my fault that the seller just happened to live not 5 minutes away from Anthropologie? Or that DH suggested we stop by the store since we were in the neighborhood?

Anyway, when I saw this dress marked down in price for a second time, I thought it would be too good to be true if it happened to be in my size. And it wasn't; in fact, it was one size larger than my normal pre-pregnancy size. However, I think I would be able to make it work by belting the dress; worst case scenario I'll get it altered when I lose the baby pounds.

I love the pastel dots, which kind of remind me of ice cream parlors from the 1940s. Although I haven't yet been to Miami, I bet the dress would be amazing against all the pastel Art Deco buildings there. That's how I am, I have to have a perfect outfit for visiting each city in the world.

Here are front and back photos of the dress.

Here are details of the dress. As shown, the thin shoulder straps are hooked to two large buttons in the back of the dress, and can be taken down to transform the dress into a strapless piece.

Here is a close-up shot of the fabric. It has that glossy sheen that can only come from being 100% silk. I think the fabric just looks expensive.

Here is the dress on a model. Not real crazy about the belt in the photo, though.

It seems like this dress is a favorite with the Glee crowd. Here is the dress on Diana Argon playing Quinn in the show. She pairs it with a green Blooming Lattice Cardigan (I have the navy version, but now I'm thinking I need to get the green one too).

And here is the dress on Jenna Ushkowitz as she attended Comic-Con.

Here is more information about the dress. I couldn't access the information from the U.S. Anthropologie website, so I had to use the one from the European Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Odille Rock Slide Skirt

2010-09-06T21:17:00.000-07:00

Date: September 6, 2010
Item: Skirt
From: Anthropologie (Odille)
Price: $49.95 plus tax (original retail $88.00 plus tax)

I tried on this skirt a few months ago and wasn't too impressed with how it looked on me. However, when I saw the skirt on sale today, I thought "why not"? The ruffles were cute, and I had always looked good in blue. Besides, the way it was gathered on one side was interesting and kind of reminded me of the design of my "Always a Lady" skirt.

The store had three of these skirts left on the sale rack. Two were too small for me, while the remaining one was a little larger than my normal pre-pregnancy size. However, skirts are easy to alter down, so I went ahead and bought the larger skirt.

Here is a larger picture of the skirt.

It's been awhile since this skirt has been on sale, so I couldn't pull any web information on it.

Anthropologie Field Flower by Wendy Reed Chopsticks Cardigan

2010-09-02T16:32:00.001-07:00

Date: September 2, 2010
Item: Cardigan
From: Anthropologie (Field Flower by Wendy Reed)
Price: $39.95 plus tax (original retail $148.00 plus tax)

Even though this cardigan finally made it to a second price cut, I still struggled internally on whether to buy this or not today. On one hand, I really liked the music motif, the black/gray/white color scheme, and the sparkly buttons. On the other hand, I haven't tried it on in the store, and was taking chance that the cardigan would live up to my expectations as raised by the pretty photos on the website.

What broke the tie for me was the free shipping currently being offered on the Anthropologie website. Add that with their great return policies, I figured I could always buy the cardigan first, and return it later if I really wasn't satisfied with the product when it arrived.

This cardigan could easily look like a hand-made product for a home-schooled child if not carefully styled. For a polished look, I am thinking of pairing this with charcoal gray skirts or just simple black pants during the winter months. Under the cardigan, I'll wear a white blouse with a high lace collar or a round ruffled colar. Finally, I'll add a pair of black Louboutins with red soles, and a patent-leather red bag to brighten up the outfit.

Here are front and back photos of the cardigan.

Here are close-up pictures of the details on the cardigan. The only thing I'm not crazy about in terms of this cardigan is the crocheted cuffs. It looks a little granny-ish to me. The reviews on the Anthropologie website also indicates the texture of the wool is a little rough.

Here is more information about the cardigan from the Anthropologie website.

Anthropologie Burlapp Drifting By Dress

2010-08-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

Date: August 24, 2010
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie (Burlapp)
Price: $89.95 plus tax (original retail $168.00 plus tax)

I told myself I would buy this dress when it fit me perfectly back while I was 3 months pregnant and only gained 5 pounds at that time. I just wanted to wait until it went on sale, since my motto is to never buy anything at full retail price if I could help it. However, before it even went on sale, the dress disappeared from the store and the website, and I thought that was that.

When the dress mysteriously became available again on the website a month ago, I seriously considered just paying full price since I really liked the dress. The only thing that stopped me was that I still thought $168.00 was a lot to pay for a dress that was a little too fancy for everyday wear at the office. I'm glad I waited because it finally went on sale last week, and I was able to get the dress at the sale price.

My local Anthropologie store didn't have the dress in my size, so they called around for me. The dress arrived today from the Seattle store. With fall and winter on the way, the dress probably wouldn't be appropriate to wear until next spring or summer. By then, I anticipate I'll have lost all the baby weight and will be able to fit into it.

Here are front and back photos of the dress.

Here are close-up photos of details on the dress.

I love this gorgeous photo of the dress on the model. Everything about the photo is perfect.

Here is information from the Anthropologie website about the dress. I took this screen shot a long time ago, so it doesn't have the sale price on it.

Anthropologie Mise en Scene by Ruffian Eyelet Dahlia Blouse

2010-07-31T18:11:00.000-07:00

Date: July 30, 2010
Item: Top
From: Anthropologie (Mise en Scene by Ruffian)
Price: $39.95 plus tax (original retail $168.00 plus tax)

Aside from the fact that I am going to have to wear a cami under this blouse (which I hate to do, especially during the hot summer months, because it's another layer of clothing), I adore everything about this blouse from the eyelet details to the puff sleeves to the pearl bead buttons down the front. I think the blouse just begs to be worn with a black or gray pencil skirt and some red pumps, although it would also look sweet with a flared out skirt or under a dress with thin shoulder straps. I don't think I would wear a cardigan over it, because too much of the puff sleeve detail would then be hidden.

The blouse was originally $168 (ouch!), but it did go on sale a while ago to $79.95. Back then, I was torn about getting the blouse; on one hand I really loved it, but on the other hand I felt the sale price was still too expensive. I had reluctantly put the blouse back on the rack, and I then proceeded to forget all about it in the next few months. However, when I returned to peruse the sale racks today, I saw this blouse marked down a second time to $39.95, so I decided to finally buy it.

Here are front and back photos of the blouse.

Here is a close up photo of the eyelet detail on the blouse.

Here is more information about the blouse from a Google cache page of the blouse on the Anthropologie website. It shows the first markdown price of $79.95, but the blouse is currently marked down a second time to $39.95.

White House Black Market Jet/Grey Statement Necklace

2010-07-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

Date: July 24, 2010
Item: Necklace
From: White House Black Market
Price: $23.74 plus tax (original retail $64.00 plus tax)

One of the things I love about White House Black Market is that they always send me a $10 gift card on my birthday. Couple that with their amazing sales and their 5% off for Black Book Members, and I can often get amazing deals on their things.

With my current pregnancy, however, I was at a lost what to buy from them this year. Luckily, accessories work with any body type, so I made a beeline towards the jewelry section as soon as I entered the store. I quickly snapped up this necklace as well as the Filigree Teardrop Crystal Necklace, as both were the only one of its kind remaining on the counter.

I think this necklace would be a unique eye-catching addition to a buttoned down white shirt at the office, and it will also dress up any basic sheath dress very nicely. The smooth polished black stones and the purple-grey crystals are an elegant combination, and the necklace looks more expensive than it actually cost. Here is a picture of the necklace.

Here is a picture of the details on the necklace.

Here is the necklace on a WHBM model.

Here is more information about the necklace from the WHBM website. The necklace is currently on sale for $29.99, but my final price was $23.74 after my 5% Black Book Member discount and my birthday coupon.

White House Black Market Filigree Teardrop Crystal Necklace

2010-07-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

Date: July 24, 2010
Item: Necklace
From: White House Black Market
Price: $23.74 plus tax (original retail $64.00 plus tax)

Although I could have just used my birthday coupon from White House Black Market for the Jet/Grey Statement Necklace, I saw that this Filigree Teardrop Crystal Necklace was the last one on the counter and couldn't resist it. Besides, I figured I could always return it if I developed buyers remorse in the near future (which I doubt), but I may not be able to find it again if I let it slip out of my hands today.

So this necklace came home with me too. The delicate scroll work on the necklace has a slight Moorish or Indian feel to it. It definitely adds a festive look to an outfit, so I am thinking it'll be perfect to wear for the year end holidays. Here is a photo of the necklace.

Here is a picture of the details of the necklace.

Here is the necklace on a WHBM model.

Sex and the City 2 (Book)

2010-07-17T23:09:00.000-07:00

Date: July 17, 2010
Item: Book
From: BN
Price: $9.97 plus tax (original retail $19.95 plus tax)

DH and I stopped at Barnes and Noble on our way to Berkeley to use the restrooms. That's when I saw this book on sale for 50% off in the store.

Although I liked the original HBO series, I was seriously underwhelmed by the first SATC movie. When I saw completely ridiculous storyline (or what little I was able to see) from the glossy SATC 2 trailers, I decided to save my greens and rent the movie on DVD later this year.

Still, like every other woman on the planet, I was curious about the clothes in the movie. The book has a section that details all the components of the characters' wardrobes, although I was annoyed that they didn't include the retail prices of the items along with the names and descriptions. I mean, everyone knows how outrageously expensive a pair of Louboutins are these days, so what was the book afraid of revealing? But I had to remind myself, I wasn't reading a fashion magazine (however much it may feel like I am), I was reading a book (however much it may not feel like one).

Anyway, I would have never purchased the book at full price. But for 50% off, it will be a fun read for when I am on the treadmill.

Anthropologie Maeve Time Gone By Dress

2010-07-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

Date: July 16, 2010
Item: Dress
From: Anthropologie (Maeve)
Price: $108.80 plus tax (original retail $128.00 plus tax)

I was at a loss on how to spend my 15% off Anthropologie birthday coupon this year. There were quite a few things I liked in the store, but they were all still at full price. Since some of them were due to be rotated to the sale section per my calculation, I figured I should wait until they do to purchase them (Anthropologie's sale prices are around 40% to 50% off on first cut, so they always beat my 15% off birthday coupon).

Anyway, I was planning to make my grand exit from the store when this Maeve Time Gone By Dress caught my eye. I liked the dress since it first debuted because the simple black and white design reminds me of a Chanel dress. I also know from online reviews that the dress rang a little big, as Maeve dresses tend to do. So, even though I couldn't try the dress on due to my pregnant state, I took a leap of faith and bought one. I chose the size I normally wear for Maeve dresses, and was relieved when I compared it with other dresses at home and found that it is actually little roomier in the waist than some of the other dresses in my closet. Therefore, I shouldn't have a problem wearing it after I have the baby.

Anyway, the dress was still at full price at the store, but the full price was only $128.00 plus tax, which is much lower than many dresses at Anthropologie. Which in turn means that the difference in savings from a sale price compared to by birthday coupon would be lower than if I had purchased a higher priced dress. Which was the logic I used to justify myself when I bought it at the register. Although, I will say, I will be extremely mad at myself if the dress goes on sale in the next few days.

Here are the front and back photos of the dress:

Here are details of the dress:

Here is a photo of the dress from the Anthropologie catalogue.

Here is more information about the dress from the Anthropologie website.

8/20/10 Update: I was ordering another dress on the Anthropologie website and noticed that this one didn't even have time to hit the sale rack before it sold out. So I guess I made the correct decision to buy it a month ago, even at full price. At least I was able to use my birthday coupon, so I still haven't broken my rule about not buying anything at Anthropologie for full price.

Zac Posen For Target Brocade Skirt

2010-07-05T21:21:00.000-07:00

Date: July 5, 2010
Item: Dress
From: Target (Zac Posen for Target)
Price: $34.98 plus tax (original retail $49.99 plus tax)

I loved the Brocade Tie Dress so much, especially after scoring it at an amazing sale price in the store, that I immediately went to Target's website when I got home to check if the skirt in the same material was still available online. It was, and on sale too, although the sale price on the website was markedly less impressive.

I did hesitate a bit when I saw the skirt was priced higher than the dress. However, the skirt was sold out at the store, so it wasn't like I had any other options. In the end, I thought dress was too formal and really for fancy occasions, so I decided I might as well get the skirt for office and everyday wear.

The skirt is kind of short, so I went up a size for the skirt to have the option of letting the skirt sit lower on my hips and thus extend the length a bit closer to my knees. The fabric is nice and substantial, so I won't have to worry about a gust of wind blowing it up.

Here are front and back photos of the skirt.

Here is a closeup shot of the skirt. As I mentioned, the fabric is exactly the same as the fabric from the Brocade Tie Dress.

Here is the skirt on a model. Not sure for where would this outfit be appropriate, though.

Here is more information from the Target website.

Zac Posen for Target Tuxedo Skirt

2010-07-05T21:20:00.000-07:00

Date: July 5, 2010
Item: Dress
From: Target (Zac Posen for Target)
Price: $27.98 plus tax (original retail $39.99 plus tax)

Like the Brocade Skirt, it seemed a shame that this Tuxedo Skirt was priced higher than other my Zac Posen sale dresses from the actual Target store near my house. But the Target store near my house sold out of this one too, so I had no where else to turn but the Target website for this skirt. At least it was still on sale, even thought the discount was a measly 30% off only.

The skirt is kind of short, so I went up a size for the skirt to have the option of letting the skirt sit lower on my hips and thus extend the length a bit closer to my knees. The fabric is nice and substantial, so I won't have to worry about a gust of wind blowing it up. I love the pleats, which are slightly girlish but still formal enough for the office.

Here are front and back photos of the skirt.

Here is a closeup photo of the skirt.

Here is the skirt worn two ways by a model.

Here is more information from the Target website.

Zac Posen for Target Brocade Tie Dress

2010-07-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

Date: July 5, 2010
Item: Dress
From: Target (Zac Posen for Target)
Price: $18.74 plus tax (original retail $74.99 plus tax)

This was the dress that I wanted as soon as the Zac Posen line came out at Target, but I couldn't justify spending $75 dollars plus tax on a cocktail dress when I have so few occasions to wear one. Still, every time I went to Target, I would rush over to the Zac Posen section and touch the beautiful gold and floral brocade fabric and cross my fingers that the dress in my size would be there the next time I went into the store.

Then this afternoon, I was ecstatic to find that the Zac Posen things were on the clearance racks at Target! The price tag on this dress indicated it was $37.48 plus tax, which I already thought was a great deal, but at the register the dress only scanned as $18.74 plus tax! I want to say good things come to those who wait, although I know it was sheer luck that of the last two brocade tie dresses in the store on the clearance rack, one happened to be in my size.

Here are front and back photos of the dress.

The oversize bow detail on the dress is really interesting, but I have to admit the asymmetrical zipper kind of hits at an awkward place on the neckline. The gorgeous heavy brocade fabric more than makes up for any shortcomings on the dress though. And the dress has pockets, which to most people is an added plus, although I don't really understand why people are gaga over pockets in dresses these days. I mean, what is the function for pockets in a cocktail dress? So that people have a place to hide their purloined dinner rolls and cocktail shrimp?

But I digress. Back to the dress. Here is a closeup of the neckline of the dress.

Here is another photo of the dress on a model.

I know I complained I couldn't see myself spending the full retail price of $75 dollars. However, compared to the original Zac Posen Oversized Bow Dress that came out in Spring of 2008 (from where Zac Posen clearly drew his inspiration for this Brocade Tie Dress in his Target line), $75 is really small peanuts. The Spring 2008 Oversized Bow Dress was priced at $2,200! Here are photos of the two dresses.

Left: Zac Posen for Target 2010 Brocade Tie Dress (retail $75, sale $18.74)
Right: Zac Posen 2008 Oversized Bow Dress (retail $2,200)

Here is more information about the dress from the Target website.

Zac Posen for Target Snap Tape Dress

2010-07-05T19:44:00.000-07:00

Date: July 5, 2010
Item: Dress
From: Target (Zac Posen for Target)
Price: $17.48 plus tax (original retail $69.99 plus tax)

I was a little hesitant about buying this dress because it sort of reminded me of the grey Anna Sui for Target dress I purchased last year. There is the same ribbon windowpane design throughout the dress, and the same metallic details on the ribbons. The only difference was that this dress was dark blue and showed a lot more cleavage than would be prudent for my office setting.

However, it was on clearance for only $17.48 plus. And the only one remaining on the racks was in my pre-pregnancy size (the sizing on the Zac Posen line is pretty similar to last year's Anna Sui line). And DH and I spend more than that going out to dinner. So, if we stayed home one night and ate in, there were my funds for this dress. See how I rationalize my purchases for non-essential clothes?

Here is a photo of the dress on a model. As I mentioned, the cleavage shown through this dress is a little indecent, so I'll be wearing a cami under the dress if I wear it to the office.