SewPetiteGal

PFC #13: Stylish for Under $100

2012-02-28T20:01:00.000-05:00

This month's Petite Fashion Challenge is hosted by the lovely Annie of Really Petite. Don't forget to check out Annie's page to see all the other entries!

The Challenge
Stylish for under $100: Put together a professional outfit (excluding shoes and accessories) for under $100.
If you can, please break down the price of each piece to your outfit. The lower the price of the completed outfit - the better! Bonus points if you can put together a completed outfit including shoes and accessories for under $100.

The clothing portion of this outfit (blouse, cardigan, skirt) amounted to $34 while the accessories portion (watch, bracelets, cardigan clips) cost $29. I almost got the whole outfit including accessories under $100 but the shoes (Gucci, $99) did me in. Partial credit? :)

A closer view of the cardigan beading, ruffle top and bracelets.

I know this is a little boring but I do tend to dress pretty toned down for the office. I'm excited to see everyone else's entries!

Past PFC Entries:

PFC #12: From Night to Day

PFC #11: Vacation Vogue

PFC #10: Summer to Fall

PFC #9: Heat Wave Appropriate

PFC #7: Little Black Dress

PFC #6: Dress Up Your Basics

PFC #4: Holiday Party

PFC #3: The Look for Less

PFC #2: Wear it Now, Wear it Later

Burberry Bright & Burberry Blunder

2012-02-26T19:51:00.000-05:00

I love visiting the Burberry outlet and wish it was closer to me so I could frequent it more often than once a year. They usually have some incredible deals that allow me to indulge in my checked scarf obsession. A few years ago, I was perusing their coats and was instantly drawn to the bright pink color of this lightweight trench-styled jacket. The smallest size they had available was a 4 and I tried it on hopefully knowing that European sizing can run small. I was delighted to find that it fit pretty well with just a tiny bit of looseness all around. Since it came with a belt to cinch the waist, it was pretty much a no-brainer (especially since it was also marked down from something like $500 to $150).

Burberry Raincoat / Mini-Trench, Sz 4

Unbelted side view and knotted belt front view

So when Hubby recently went on a road trip with his mother and passed by the outlet, I asked him to take a peek in the store and see if they had any good coats. He told me that there was a nice Burberry Brit jacket in khaki on sale. I asked him to pick me up a size 4 thinking that surely this was my Burberry size. I was wrong. This size 4 happened to be very large and all outlet purchases are final sale. The sleeves cover the tips of my fingers and the entire coat is very baggy on me. So let it be known (and you may already know this) that Burberry sizing may not be consistent from garment to garment.

Burberry Brit Double-Breasted Jacket, Khaki, Sz 4

I'm not entirely sure what to do with it at this point. There's no way that I'm confident enough in altering it so I'll see if Mom would like it.

Have you ever experienced a similar sizing blunder?

Winterized Maxi Dress

2012-02-22T10:24:00.000-05:00

Had a lunch "date" with hubby and wanted to dress up a little while still being warm. I never wound up hemming this particular dress since I wanted a to-the-floor hem to really maximize the maxi look (I'm such a geek). Big mistake. I was picking up my skirt for every step to prevent tripping over it. I need taller shoes (here's to you, Cee)! :)

Sweater: Banana Republic Cowl Neck (bought this in 4 colors bc I love the look so much)

Dress: H&M (was a killer deal last fall for $7!)

Belt: H&M

Bag: Melie Bianco Ariana, Natural (giveaway win from Cute & Little, buy here)

Big thank you to Kileen for this gorgeous bag - I love it! Will do a proper review soon.

Ring: Amrita Singh Napeague, Blue Lapis (buy here)

I usually hate stretchy adjustable rings with a passion. I've had ones in the past that were too tight, too loose or just uncomfortable to wear in general. This one though is perfect. It conforms nicely to your finger and is comfortable to wear all day.

Bracelets: "Jeweled" one from Dillards, Turquoise enamel from J. Crew Crewcuts

J. Crew & Ann Taylor Outlet Fitting Room Reviews

2012-02-19T10:48:00.003-05:00

Despite a nasty cold, I was determined to check out the Presidents Day sales going on at the outlet mall yesterday. I visited J. Crew first (in-store prices are noted but current online deal takes additional 20% off):

Factory Cotton Shift Dress, Modern Red, Sz 0, ~$70 (buy here)

I'm not sure if there's something wrong with my eyes but it seems like every time I try on something red, it looks very orange to me. I really liked the pleating details, the cotton material, and the wide waistband (it attempts to define my nearly non-existent waist) but felt like this shade of red / orange looked a little off against my skin tone. In store, this was 30% off but online you can get an additional 20% off using code FABFEB. I'm always surprised when an online deal is better than what's going on in-store.

Verdict: No, nice details but unsure of coloring

Factory Stripe Knit Blazer, XS, ~$60 (buy here)

I love J. Crew blazers and this was no exception. The fit of XS is larger than the fit of their typical Sz 0 blazer. I thought the navy stripes looked striking against the red / orange dress and I'm just a fan of stripes in general.

Verdict: No, I have something similar already but if it goes on further sale, I may consider snapping it up

Factory Printed Cecilia Dress, Sz 0, ~$75 (buy here)

I absolutely loved this dress on the hanger. The navy / tan paisley print and vintage feel of the silhouette seemed perfect for spring / summer. Though this appeared flattering in the mirror, the photo said otherwise. I'm going err on the side of caution and trust the photo. How do you decide when it's mirror vs. photo?

Verdict: No, lovely print but not flattering

Factory Boys' Workwear Shirt, Sz 14 (buy here)

Lastly, I couldn't help but try on this Boys' gingham shirt. The fit is obviously boxy but I do like the red / gray print.

Verdict: No, I have too many gingham shirts as is and I should stop buying shirts just to layer underneath other items

I then headed to Ann Taylor where the whole store had an additional 40% off lowest marked price:

Striped Sweater, XS, ~$36

I loved the gold buttons on the shoulder and the rust color but the slouchy effect just didn't do it for me.

Verdict: No

Ruffle Shell, XS, ~$24

Loved the color but too body-conscious for my taste. I think you'd be able to see the outline of my lunch!

Verdict: No

Dotted Shell, 0, ~$18

This seemed to be a semi-strange combination of fitted and blouse-y. The top portion fit my shoulders and chest well but then it seemed to flare out at the bottom.

Verdict: No, wasn't sure of silhouette

Yellow Silky Shell, XS(?), ~$30

I was very close to buying this for the yellow color but then I noticed that the vertical "stripes" were misaligned. Notice how the right "stripe" seems more widely spaced from the center than the left. I didn't think to check if this was on all the shells or just this one.

Verdict: No

Not sure if I was feeling particularly picky / stingy from being sick but I wound up leaving the mall empty-handed. Are you taking advantage of the sales this weekend?

$10 Red Pants and Polka Dots

2012-02-16T08:13:00.001-05:00

Deal alert: 15% off coupon at H&M good through 2/26 on phone app or by printing email from this link http://www.anpdm.com/newsletterweb/464A5C437141445C4A744943/434A5B467544405F427743425143
**************************

Quickie post here since I'm feeling under the weather. The funny thing is that I didn't even know it until I felt the back of my neck and noticed a row of bumps from my swollen lymph nodes (I can't see them but I keep envisioning a spiky-necked lizard). This explains why I've been feeling listless and unmotivated all day (also why my typical Wednesday post is on Thursday instead).

Pre-bumps, we went to the mall to peruse some sale items and found a couple of things worth mentioning:

Lauren Conrad Polka-Dot Pintuck Top, XS, $17.50, orig. $36 (buy here at Kohl's)

After re-trying on my Jason Wu for Target polka dot top (here), I decided to return it. The fit was ok but it didn't seem very flattering on me. I spotted this top at Kohl's and loved the gray / pink combination. The XS is loose and blouse-y (as intended) and has a bit of a romantic feel to it. It looks like the website carries XXS and I'm curious how that fits. The top is currently on sale for $25 but I had a 30% coupon that brought it down to $17.50.

Verdict: Buy, love the colors and price is decent

New York & Company 7th Avenue Sateen Slim Crop, Yelling Red, $10, orig. $43 (buy here)

I've been contemplating this whole brightly colored pants trend and had been briefly thinking of trying to sew my own. After perusing the pattern sites for slim / skinny pants and finding nothing, I had pretty much given up. Enter StyleSheWrote. Jackie posted (here) that New York & Company had a coupon insert in this month's Glamour magazine allowing you to buy any pair of pants for a mere $10.

The fit here is not ideal. The "slim" could be slimmer and the current cut emphasizes my mommy pear-shape. I'm planning on turning this into an alterations project to slim down the legs and play with cuffing / hemming them. I'd much rather try to alter $10 pants than try to figure out how to make my own (fabric alone would cost ~$15+). I wouldn't really recommend these pants to pear-shaped petites but they'd probably be cute on slim gals with longer legs.

Verdict: Buy and alter. I love the color and you can't beat the $10 price tag.

Hope everyone has a great week! I hope my lizard lumps go away soon.

Spring-minded: Brocade Skirt DIY

2012-02-12T17:31:00.000-05:00

The weather is a bit wishy-washy lately. Last week was in the fifties and the shrubs were starting to bud. This week there's snow on the ground. Well, in the spirit of 50 degree weather, I made this simple A-line brocade skirt in a lovely light gold with fuchsia paisley accents. To make it girly, but hopefully not way over the top, I paired it with a peach blossom top, fuchsia flats, and a "tough" olive green military-style cropped jacket.

Isn't the print lovely?

Top: LOFT (old)

Jacket: LOFT (old)

Skirt: DIY Brocade

Belt: J. Crew, Coral

Shoes: Gucci

Next on the DIY list: hi-lo skirt, handkerchief skirt, wrap skirt, fit & flare dress, and peplum dress (or top). I've been feeling inspired and have been pinning away like a mad woman :) If you're curious, you can find my pins here.

What are you looking forward to wearing this spring?

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

5 Minute Lace Collar DIY Tutorial

2012-02-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

After seeing Kourtney Kardashian wear a lace bib underneath her collar, I was inspired to try to re-create the look with some lace trim I had on hand. I think it adds a cute, vintage-y look to a plain button-down shirt.

(Sorry the photos are so low res - I couldn't find a larger Kourtney one)

L: Kourtney Kardashian wearing Ani dress with lace bib

R: My version with lace trim and cameo

For this particular piece of lace trim, I think it looks better scrunched together than spread out but I will be on the lookout for other lace options the next time I go to a fabric store.

Easy Steps:

1. Cut lace trim to the length that will extend around your collar

2. Thread ribbon through lace (enough to tie in a bow around your neck)

3. Add a decorative pendant to the ribbon OR pin a brooch to it

That's it! Now just tie around your neck underneath your collar. Wear spread out or scrunched as you prefer! :)

Jason Wu for Target Fitting Room Reviews

2012-02-05T17:11:00.000-05:00

I'm always intrigued with Target designer collaborations but I think the Jason Wu collection is my favorite thus far. I arrived at the store right when it opened and joined the group of ladies making a beeline straight to the Jason Wu items. I'm happy to say that everyone was very calm and very nice about shopping. We even exchanged sizes in the fitting room with each other :) I was disappointed that my local store didn't have the Navy Poplin Dress but I did get my hands on other things to try.

Sleeveless Chiffon Dress in Navy Floral, XS

Since this is a pullover dress (no zippers / closures), it was designed to be a little tent-like and then cinched at the waist with the belt. Unlike many dresses designed like this, it did not create unsightly bunching at the waist - a big plus. The chiffon was multi-layered and the effect was a nice, flow-y effect. The fit is just a little large. My true, non-vanity size is probably a Small 4 months post-partum but this XS fits me fine and still has room to give.

Verdict: Yes

See on Annie and Laura

Blouse with Tie in Blush Dots, XS

I loved the concept of this blouse with the contrasting trim but I don't think the color works on me. I'm a little sad about it because it was soooo pretty on the hanger. When I looked at this blouse, I thought it was also a pullover type because the placket was actually pretty well-hidden to me (or maybe I'm blind) but it has snap buttons running down the front.

Verdict: No

Blouse with Tie in Navy Dots, XS

I tried the navy version and thought it was a much better color on me. Untucked, it looks rather large but tucking makes a big difference. I think this would look cute with a bright skirt or cuffed pants and flats.

Verdict: Yes

See on Jean and Laura

Sleeveless Printed Shift Dress in Blush Stripes, XS

Here's another dress that looked cute on the hanger but not on me. I look a bit wide up top and that gives me more of a matronly effect than I'd like.

Verdict: No

See on Jean

Long-Sleeve Sheer Blouse in Blush Dots, Sz S

Sorry about the square - it was a little sheer and I'm a little shy about not having a cami underneath. This was the only shirt I couldn't find in XS so I grabbed a Small instead. I originally tried this with the skirt and thought it was a resounding "no." Tucking into a lower slung bottom made it far less poufy. The sleeves are long but since the cuffs are narrow, it gives a nice ballooned, feminine feel.

Verdict: Yes, though I'm not sure why I think the blush color in this blouse seems better to me than the first one.

See on Annie

Pleated Skirt in Navy Floral, Sz 2

As for the skirt, the way it nipped in the waist and flared out accentuated my mommy hips in a not so flattering way. Such a cute print though! I think this would work on a different body type. Size 2 was true to size.

Verdict: No

Did you buy anything from this collaboration?

Gettin' Tweedy: DIY Chanel-Inspired Jacket

2012-02-01T18:03:00.000-05:00

Ah, the classic Chanel jacket. I've admired them from afar for a long time but it wasn't until I saw Jean wear her Uniqueen version (as well as Wendy and Tiffany) that I felt inspired to try to sew one.

Jacket: DIY Chanel-Inspired

Shirt: LOFT, Peach (old)

Jeans: Gap Always Skinny (old)

Shoes: Ann Taylor Suede Pumps, Granite

Bag: Balenciaga Twiggy, Anthracite

It was a good thing I was very inspired because the construction of this jacket drove me absolutely batty. The shell came together easily (kind of - the pattern sleeve opening did not match the sleeve width) and I thought I'd have this post ready last Sunday. Then came the trim. I had been debating whether I wanted to do regular contrast trim or a fringed trim. I decided to do contrasting fringe trim and this complicated things since I couldn't make this from a bias strip. Instead, I used the selvage so it lays a little funny at the collar. This is far from a perfect jacket but it's good enough (and finished) for now. I'll have to do some more seam ripping this weekend :)

Battle of the Red Blazer: H&M vs. J. Crew

2012-01-29T16:43:00.001-05:00

I was planning on debuting my DIY tweed jacket today (complete with fringe) but it's taking longer than I originally anticipated. So I'll post part 2 of my red blazer saga instead :) H&M received some new blazers this week and one of them was a nice, cropped red one. When I went this weekend, they were already down to 2 and I was amazed at how quickly these were flying off the rack.

J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer in Maraschino Cherry, Sz 0, $188 (L)

H&M Blazer, Sz 6, $35 (R)

I'm wearing the same shirt underneath just so the comparison is as fair as possible :) As you can tell, they both have a similar silhouette - both are cropped and slim-fitting.

The J. Crew blazer obviously is of better quality with thicker fabric, more structure, 2-button closure and cuff buttons. The gold buttons are beautiful and I feel like this blazer will stand the test of time.

The H&M one features a single-button closure, a brighter red color and a stretchy jersey material. The lining at the cuff keeps popping out because the jersey has so little structure. As far as fit goes, the H&M at size 6 is smaller in the torso than the J. Crew at size 0. This gives me further motivation to lose the baby weight!

When asking myself what I really want, I find that the answer is quite simple - I just want a red, fitted blazer. I'm not sure that I need one as a closet staple so I don't mind sacrificing quality in this case. Having said that, the H&M blazer is a keeper. I'm planning on switching out the button for a pretty gold one.

Which would you choose?

Reviews: Horsebit Bracelets, ON Red Blazer & More

2012-01-25T17:15:00.000-05:00

Despite a few "successful" shopping trips to the mall wherein I purchased only a few bracelets here and there, I have amassed quite a few items from online shopping. Thank goodness I didn't make a shopping resolution this year!

During one of their promos last week, I got 30% off my Old Navy purchase and didn't hesitate to peruse the new arrivals. When I spotted a red blazer (was originally thinking of getting the J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer here, but maybe this will do?), I ordered it to see how it would compare.

Old Navy Linen Blend Blazer, Red Chili, XS (buy here)

The first thing I noticed was the length - this is a longer boyfriend-styled blazer than the J. Crew cropped blazer. The color IRL is more of a reddish-orange with a little bit of a faded effect. The sleeves are rather long but since I usually scrunch them up anyway, it doesn't matter to me. The torso fit is pretty decent for me. Overall, I still prefer the J. Crew version - it just seems more crisp and classic. The decision at hand now is to figure out if this is good enough.

Verdict: Undecided - what do you think? Keep or hold out for J. Crew?

Old Navy Utility-Pocket Chambray Shirt, XS, (buy here)

After seeing Ping rock her ON chambray shirt, I decided to order one and see how I liked it on me. The fit is a little loose in the torso and a little tight at the bust (I'm wearing a sports bra to prevent the gaping which is more representative of my typical size after I stop nursing Baby E). I think this shirt is cute but not necessarily "me"

Verdict: Hmm, I think this is a return

Old Navy Hooded Button-Jersey Pullover, XS (buy here)

I saw this in store in the lounge section and fell in love. I don't think I've worn a hoodie since college and I know I can't wear this to work, but I think this is perfect for those play-dates in the park with the kiddos.

Verdict: Keep

Curb Link "necklace" and Horsebit Bracelet (buy here)

I found this curb-link chain (made of plastic) in the trim section of my Joann store and bought 18" to fashion into a necklace. For $6, it gives you the look of a real necklace which is good enough for me!

The Horsebit Bracelet was a random find late one night (courtesy of Baby E) from an Amish website. The leather is nice and thick featuring an adjustable strap with 2 settings. The tightest setting is approximately 7" and the loosest setting is 8". I purchased 2 - one in orange and one in navy blue.

You can also choose from brass or silver hardware. I love these bracelets and they were such a good deal! Like Jean was saying, I love how these bracelets evoke a Gucci-esque feel.

Verdict: Definite keepers

Talbots Driving Gloves, Luggage, Sz 6.5 (no longer available online)

Thanks to Jean of Extra Petite, these leather gloves were only $15 with free shipping! Thank you Jean for tweeting about the discount! The 6.5 fit pretty well but of course there is still room in the fingers. See Olyvia's review here.

Verdict: Keep - what a great deal!

Any fun purchases lately? Yay or nay on the red blazer?

Chunky Scarf Mania - Knitting and Crocheting

2012-01-22T20:13:00.002-05:00

Scarf buying season is dwindling down but I'm just getting started on making them. Thanks to Mom and her endless supply of knitting needles and crochet hooks, I am knitting and crocheting (I just learned and am so excited about it) up a storm! It's a great hobby for a nursing mom and it beats playing games on my phone to pass the time :)

Here are some I've completed so far:

Crocheted Bi-color Cowl

Braided Neckwarmer

Tri-color Infinity Scarf

Slouchy Cowl

Buttoned Wrap Scarf

I've concluded that I'm better at crocheting than knitting. All of my knitted items curl and it's been driving me crazy. Reader M (thank you!) just introduced me to the concept of blocking so I'll definitely be giving that a try soon.

I'm now looking for different scarf variations to try - any ideas?

And Happy Lunar New Year to everyone!! Any Dragons out there? :)

Tweed + Corduroy and RM MAC Review

2012-01-18T13:42:00.002-05:00

Rummaging through my closet always unearths something interesting - today's find are some super old, camel colored cords from my Abercrombie & Fitch days back in college. From these cords, I've come to the conclusion that the most flattering pants for me are straight legged with either a side slit (like these) or a slight flare. I seem to look dowdy or unnatural in other types. Now to find more pants like these cords! If you know of any, please let me know :)

Bonus conclusion today? I found that if I look down in photos, you can't tell if my makeup is inexpertly applied ;)

Jacket: The Limited Blue Tweed One Button Jacket, XS (see it on Elle here)

Top: J. Crew Darla Ruffle Cami, Sz 0

Pants: Abercrombie & Fitch Corduroy (very old)

Shoes: Gucci d'Orsay Pumps, Camel

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Clutch (MAC), Stone

My new favorite, go-to bag is this RM MAC. I've long been a fan of RM, but had only owned Nikki hobos and one ill-fated Morning After Bag. When I saw Elaine post on the versatility of the strap and how to carry it, I put it on my wishlist. I love crossbody bags but often lament on how small they are. This one is the perfect size for me. It will fit my long wallet, wristlet, phone and more (I carry a separate diaper bag often stowed in the stroller if you're wondering where all the kiddo stuff goes). The only negative? The chain strap is pretty heavy but seems to be of good quality rather than lightweight, cheapo chains.

See MACs also on Kileen and Annie.

What are your go-to bags?

J. Crew Merino Cambon Cardigan Inspired DIY

2012-01-15T17:48:00.000-05:00

When I first saw the Merino Cambon Cardigan, I was drawn to the contrast detailing as well as the color combination of black and tan. I tried it on in store (see post here) but the fit wasn't ideal and the price wasn't good enough to justify buying it. I remembered that I had an old tan sweater at home so I decided to try DIY'ing my own.

J. Crew Merino Cambon Cardigan and my DIY version

Overall, I think I captured the general look but there are 2 fails on my part.

The original sleeves on this sweater are very long and have a slight flare at the opening. When looking at this picture, I think I need to shorten or slim (maybe both) the sleeve. The problem would be how to bind it afterwards if shortening. Adding more black trim seems overkill. So maybe just slim the flare? Any thoughts here?
I trimmed the opening very closely when I should have tried to extend the placket. Since the original sweater was fitted, cutting it open and trimming it automatically means I've made it much smaller and unable to button. Whoops! Live and learn. This will have to be worn open.

Sweater Refashion: from turtleneck to cardigan.

What I did: Lopped off turtleneck, cut down the middle, trimmed neck and center with the "wrong" side of black satin fabric (didn't want the shine but did want the structure / firmness of this fabric), and then added non-functional "pockets."

If you decide to try this, all you really need is an old sweater and some fabric. It gives you a nice, new look for free. I'd recommend using the trim to extend your placket unless your sweater is large enough for a closable overlapping placket.

What do you think I should do with the sleeves?

J. Crew Fitting Room Reviews

2012-01-11T12:35:00.000-05:00

Thank you everyone for the kind comments on Sunday's post! Whenever I'm feeling blue, I'm going to read those comments for a pick-me-up. :)

After seeing Jean tweet about the extra 40% J. Crew sale items in store, I of course went to the mall to scope out the deals.

J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer in Maraschino Cherry, Sz 0 (buy here)

Imagine my glee when I saw this on the sale rack. I quickly snatched it up and tried it on only to find that it had been misplaced and was actually a regular price item. :( At $188, I'm going to wait and see if it will go on sale before I pull the trigger. For now, it has been placed high on this year's lust list. The sz 0 actually fits me really well. Sleeves are fitted but not tight, shoulders fit well, waist is nicely nipped but doesn't pull, and the length is perfect (pls excuse my untucked shirt). My favorite part of this blazer, aside from the bright red color, are the gold buttons. I always underestimate the power of a good button until I see one.

Verdict: Wait and stalk online :)

This is a rather long post so see more after the jump!

Merino Cambon Cardigan, XXS (buy here)

I loved the look of this but it just didn't fit right on me. There is gaping at the chest and the looseness in the torso seems to make me look lumpy. I was so tempted to buy this and just wear it unbuttoned but I held back.

Verdict: No. For the price, I think I should be able to wear it both buttoned and unbuttoned.

Drapey Sequin Tank, Sm (buy here)

I had to size up to a small in order for this tank to actually be drapey. XS fit but clung too much to my tummy - not flattering! It was cute but looks much better on Amber and Kelly.

Verdict: No

Gimlet Skirt in Coaster Stripe, Sz 2 (buy here)

I was really drawn to the pleating and stripes on this skirt but it made me look short and I'm not quite sure why. Maybe because it takes up such a large chunk of vertical space?

Verdict: No

Ringspun Stripe Henley, XS (buy here)

The XS fits well and I love the width of these stripes. I originally grabbed this to try on with some cords but those were an epic fail. My post partum body just isn't ready for most pants.

Verdict: No, just not something I have to have.

The next day I headed to J. Crew Factory:

Girls' Enamel Bangles, $9

I finally found bangles that don't slip off! The picture on the right is a size comparison to a regular bangle. It doesn't look that much smaller but it makes a world of difference. My store had red and turquoise available.

Verdict: Bought both colors. Special thanks to Annie who shared her bangle buying experience in the girls' section of H&M.

Factory Perfect Shirt in Maxi Check, XS (buy here)

I was intrigued by the large pattern check of this (as well as the colors offered). XS was the smallest size in store and had a little bit of a relaxed fit (something I prefer for button downs) without any unsightly gaping at the chest. The sleeves are strangely long and go almost all the way to the tips of my fingers.

Verdict: No for now, not a must-have

Factory Perfect Shirt in Plaid, Mineral Gray (buy here)

In case anyone was looking for a gray / white gingham.

Uber-comfy shopping outfits

I just got these new Born Susanne boots last week from 6pm.com (buy here) and LOVE them! They have a slight heel, a lovely caramel brown color, and are super comfy (can withstand walking around all day).

I didn't make a shopping-related resolution this year (I failed miserably at this for 2011) but I felt rather proud that I didn't go crazy and only purchased 2 bracelets for myself and some items for the kiddos. Any good shopping finds lately?

Cozy Layers and a Reveal

2012-01-08T18:28:00.000-05:00

This OOTD was inspired by the desire to be warm and comfortable in 20 degree weather. :) I couldn't think of anything warmer / cozier than layering a thick-knit vest over a cowl neck sweater. I'm also playing with brown and black (something I used to think was a giant no-no). What do you think? Yay or nay?

Sweater: Banana Republic Cowlneck Sweater, Sm (buy here)

Vest: Thick Knit Vest (old, random from Dillard's)

Leggings: Black leggings (random from Macy's)

Boots: UGG Highkoo (buy here)

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Nikki

Necklace: F21

Dangly Earrings: Banana Republic

I'm wearing the earrings on the right side. I love the drama of them!

And the reveal? A picture with my head intact and unobscured by giant sunglasses. I am a bespectacled dork - clueless in the ways of makeup and how to "pose" my face. There will still be many more headless shots in the future because of this :)

PFC #12: From Night to Day

2012-01-05T19:54:00.000-05:00

This month's PFC (Petite Fashion Challenge) is hosted by the stylish Khatu from IamKhatu. Be sure to check out her PFC post for a list of all the participants.

The Challenge:
From Night to Day: Restyle a glamorous look that you would typically wear for a night-out-on-the-town into daytime casual wear. Easy right? Bonus points if you can restyle it for work!

Times like these call for a slinky, sparkly dress that I don't have. So I settled for my DIY dramatic collar dress (original sewing post here). For my night look, I paired it with a sequined sash and a statement necklace:

Nighttime Glam

Dress: DIY

Sequined Sash: Express (old)

Necklace: Amrita Singh Sag Harbor Necklace, Lapis (buy here)

Bag: Chanel Vintage Messenger

Shoes: Gucci d'Orsay Pumps

To switch it to daytime, I adjusted my purse straps to make it messenger style and then added a button down shirt tucked into a belt (a nifty trick I saw Cee do) and a cardigan.

Daytime Casual

Dress: DIY

Shirt: Martin + Osa

Cardigan: Express (old)

Necklace: Target Pearls + Chain

Belt: Old Navy (old)

Bag / Shoes: Same as above

I'm not sure if my transition really works but I'm happy that I was able to use items in my closet that hadn't been worn in awhile. I'm excited to see everyone's entries!

And I know this is late, but I wanted to write out my resolutions so I could hold myself accountable.

2012 Resolutions:

Don't make resolutions I can't keep :)
Get off the couch. I spend a good deal of time on the couch nursing Baby Girl (who also inevitably falls asleep on me) and am becoming quite sedentary. I need to learn to transfer her to a crib when she's asleep and get active for a healthier lifestyle.
Continue trying to remix my closet. Those 30 for 30 challenges inspire me to try to maximize the many unworn items in my closet (and also to get rid of any unnecessary items).
Stop hoarding craft supplies. I have an overabundance of fabrics, yarns, and jewelry supplies that I keep saving for the "perfect" project. I need to start using them or at the very least stop buying so many to stockpile.
And the most important - treasure the moments with my kiddos during my year off for maternity leave. They grow up so fast (sniff, sniff)!

Did you make any resolutions for the new year?

BR and H&M Fitting Room Reviews

2012-01-01T19:03:00.000-05:00

Happy 2012!!! The winner of the chunky, hand knit scarf has been announced! Click here to find out who won.

Winter sales shopping is my weakness. Virtually every store has a sale upon a sale and the deal hunter in me goes nuts. This year, I really made an effort to reign it in and my purchases are a fraction of what I spent last year. Baby steps :)

I went to the mall and stopped by Banana Republic and H&M. I didn't even bother going to LOFT because our mall is set up in such a way that you have to go outside to get there (all other stores are indoor accessible) and I didn't want to drag Baby Girl outside just so her Momma could peruse the sale rack. First up is BR.

BR Heritage wool plaid jacket, XS,

orig. $225, purchased on sale for $45 (used rewards) (buy here)

Ever since I saw Olyvia blog about a plaid coat, I've had it in my head and I was so happy to actually find one for such a good price! It fits nicely in the shoulders and torso. The belt helps cinch it in to give it a more shapely look. The sleeves are a teeny bit long (maybe 1-1.5") but it's not a big deal. After using my BR rewards, this coat was only $45!

BR Cowlneck Sweater, Orange Velvet, Sm,

orig. $79.50, purchased on sale for $15 (used rewards) (buy here)

I sized up on this one to avoid tummy clinginess and LOVED this orange color and large, dramatic cowl. It looks orange-red in real life and I actually like the fit of this so much that I also purchased the camel version (to be seen shortly in an OOTD).

I then went to H&M and tried on a couple of items but was mostly interested in their accessories.

This knuckle ring here runs small. The medium fits like a size 5 / 5.5 so if you have tiny fingers, size S will probably be perfect for you!

I also purchased another ring with 3 "gemstones" that reminded me of a beautiful Ippolita ring as well as an orange snake print bracelet from H&M. The gemstone ring is true to size where a medium fits like a size 6 / 6.5.

The curb chain necklaces are Vince Camuto from Dillard's that were marked down from $98 to $11 {{jumps for joy}}.

I also spotted this Mulberry Alexa look-alike at H&M but it had scuffs all over so I passed.

H&M Colorblock Dress, Sz 4, $39 (I think?)

This dress looked so cute on the hanger but just looked like I was wearing a cardigan with a top and skirt when I tried it on. I had been hoping it'd give a more graphic effect. Oh well, good for my wallet.

H&M Contrast Cardigan, XS, $25

This was another item that looked cute on the rack but didn't look as good on. I think it has real potential but I don't have any good ideas for pairings so I passed. The XS fit is a tiny bit roomy on me so will be loose on smaller ladies.

I was going to post resolutions today too but Baby Girl has finished her nap and I gotta go! Did anyone do any winter sales shopping?

Secret Santa & Stripes/Gingham OOTD

2011-12-28T20:00:00.000-05:00

The always stylish Jessy of The Little Dust Princess organized a Secret Santa exchange for the petite community and I was excited to join in this year. Thank you Jessy for putting this all together! My Secret Santa was Cynthia of Shorty Stories - make sure to check out her blog, one of the older petite blogs out there.

My goodies from Cynthia included Almay makeup eraser sticks, Burt's Bees lip balm, and a pretty beaded bracelet. Thank you, Cynthia! This is perfect! I haven't tried the eraser sticks yet but they'll be great for on-the-go raccoon eye fixing and the lip balm gives just the right amount of color without any stickiness.

In case you're wondering, I drew Lor from Petite in the City. Check out her blog if you'd like to see what I got her :)

I also received some goodies from Jean of Extra Petite and Annie of Really Petite. These beautiful ladies have amazing blogs (the first ones I started following) and were among the first to welcome me to the blogging community. Thank you gals for being so sweet and thoughtful! <3

Beauty goodies (can't wait to try them!) and trim for Baby / Toddler crafting projects (perfect for my scrapbooking and shadow boxes!) from Jean.

A beautiful orange striped LOFT sweater from Annie (it was like she read my mind - stripes AND orange!) that I wore the first chance I got :)

Sweater: LOFT Stripe Button Down Back Sweater, XSP, gift from the lovely Annie

Shirt: J. Crew Crewcuts Boys' Button-Down in Large Gingham, Sz 14

Necklace: J. Crew Resin and Chain Link Necklace, Navy Blue

Skirt: J. Crew Bell Skirt, Sz 2

Shoes: Tory Burch Afrikan Reva Ballerina Flat in Razor Blue

I forgot to take a picture of my bag with the outfit! This is a late birthday present from Hubby (not his fault, I took 2 months trying to figure out what I wanted) - a Rebecca Minkoff MAC Clutch in Stone with gunmetal hardware. I LOVE it! It is the perfect size for toting around my essentials and can be carried cross-body - a must for coordinating the kiddos.

If you're wondering how the Revas are doing in my breaking in process, I found the perfect shoe stretchers on accident last week. Cardboard inserts that came with my Dansko clogs! My problem areas are the back elastic and the pinky toe area. This insert is helping stretch those for me and it's making a big difference.

Whew, that was a long post from me :) Hope everyone has a wonderful and happy new year!!

Review: J. Crew Lady Day and Plaza Coats

2011-12-26T07:12:00.000-05:00

Twitter friends already heard this story. I was up early last Tuesday morning with Baby Girl (can you believe she's already 3 months old?!?) and was perusing blogs. I had just finished looking at Elle's J. Crew post and was inspired to cyberstalk some J. Crew outerwear. Clicking on each coat to see what colors were left, I saw that both the Lady Day Coat and the Plaza Coat were marked down to ~$80 and that the 30% off promo was still in effect leaving the coats at a major bargain price of ~$56.

Check out Elle's super informative review here. I won't repeat her info but wanted to give the perspective from a slightly different body type (aka short with a semi-small frame plus a tummy from my recent pregnancy).

For other petite J. Crew outerwear reviews, check out Jean of Extra Petite (2010 Lady Day Coat), Ping of All About Fashion Stuff (Lady Day Coat and Metro Coat) and Annie of Really Petite (2010 Lady Day Coat). If I missed anyone's review, please let me know and I'll post it here.

On to the reviews! I'm wearing a button down shirt + sweater to simulate my typical winter outfit. The sleeves on the button down represent my preferred sleeve length (ends right before my thumb begins).

Lady Day Coat w/ Thinsulate in Heather Majestic Purple, sz 2P, item 52606, (buy here)

The color is absolutely stunning and is more of deep, royal blue than a purple. I knew the Lady Day Coat had a nipped waist so rather than order a 0 or 0P, I ordered 2P. The coat fits nicely in the torso - no gaping / no bulges and easily hides a tummy pouch. The Thinsulate lives up to its name - the layer is so thin that I don't even notice it. I haven't tested it in cold weather yet but I'm looking forward to seeing how it does!

It gives an overall slim silhouette (major plus!). The only drawback for me is the sleeve length. It's not necessarily a deal breaker but it's not optimal.

Plaza Coat in Natural, sz 00R, item 49715, (buy here)

The pictures don't do it justice, but the color is a nice, creamy beige for a great, light-colored neutral. Fits nicely with ample room in the sleeve and torso for winter wear.

The sleeve length is perfect for me and the straight up and down shape also masks a tummy.

Plaza Coat in Heather Dusk, sz 0P, item 50707, (buy here)

Same coat, different color and size.

Compared to 00R, the 0P is a tiny bit more snug in both the torso and sleeve. Sleeve length is also shorter. Still hides a tummy :)

If I could build my ideal coat, I'd have the fit of the 00R Plaza Coat and the color of the Lady Day Coat. I feel like the straight lines of the Plaza Coat are more me.

Which coat do you like best? Do you prefer a feminine, nipped waist like the Lady Day Coat or the straight lines of the Plaza Coat?

Hope everyone had a wonderful X-mas! It's time to hit those After X-mas sales!

Dots and Happy Holidays

2011-12-20T11:28:00.000-05:00

It's a nice, balmy 50 degrees here and I am happy to wear my new ON polka dot sweater. I first fell in love with the Madewell polka dot sweater on Blair of Atlantic Pacific and Kelly of Alterations Needed. When I saw this version at Old Navy for only $15 (also used 30% F&F so was only ~$11) this past weekend, I snapped it up. Other people in the store must have had the same idea because when I got there, there was a lone Sm and all the other sweaters were XXL (there are plenty of sizes online now though!). The Small is a little roomy in the torso for me but I don't mind.

Whilst I was digging in my closet to find something to wear with it, I found this great ivory-colored, corduroy blazer from almost 10 years ago in perfect condition. It was like finding treasure :)

Blazer: Banana Republic, Sz 0, (old)

Sweater: Old Navy Printed Crew-Neck Pullover, Sm, (buy here)

Shirt: Banana Republic Button Down, Sz 0 (old)

Skirt: Gap, Sz 4 (outlet find for $6!)

Watch: Timex + J. Crew band

Shoes: Gucci Magenta Wedges

Happy Holidays to everyone!! The kiddos here don't seem to love being held by Santa Claus but they are indeed excited about Christmas :)

Studded Interchangeable Cuffs Easy DIY Tutorial

2011-12-18T17:23:00.000-05:00

I originally set out to create sequined cuffs but when I saw all the elasticized sequin trim, I realized that a sequined cuff could be made simply by sewing the ends together. So instead, I decided to make interchangeable studded cuffs that could be worn with any sleeved shirt.

See tutorial after the jump...

What I Used:

4 pieces of 6x10" fabric rectangles OR cut cuffs + 2 inches of sleeve from an existing button-down shirt
Trouser socks (socks that look / feel like pantyhose but only go up to your ankle)
20" Studded trim (purchased mine at Joann's but should be available at other sewing stores)
Fabric Glue

Materials - I used black fabric and black trouser socks.

1. (If you are using existing cuffs / sleeves, cut your sleeves at 2 inches above the cuffs and then skip to Step 4) Take 2 of your rectangles with the wrong sides out and sew together at the 3 sides as indicated by the dashed line above. Then do this with the other 2 rectangles.

2. Flip it inside out.

3. Take your trouser socks. Measure from the cuff down 8" and cut.

4. Sew the unsewn end of your rectangle (or sleeve) to the cut end of your trouser sock (opposite the cuff) overlapping by about 1/4".

You might be wondering why I'm using a trouser sock. It's a really easy way to have a stretchy (to accommodate any part of your arm from wrist to mid-forearm), thin sleeve that won't add any bulk to whatever you're wearing. Plus I have a bunch of them that I don't wear. :)

5. Arrange your studs and fold your cuff to accommodate the height of your trim.

6. Iron at the fold.

7. Glue your studs down with fabric glue. (Optional - I also reinforced mine with some stitches throughout the trim.) Let glue dry and you're finished!

Now to wear, simply put on whatever you want. Slide your sleeves on and adjust where you want it to fall (I like to scrunch my sleeves to about halfway up my forearm). Then adjust your shirt to cover your sock sleeve so that only the cuffs are exposed.

Voila! A little sparkle and attitude never hurt anyone :)

On another note, the lovely Katherine of Katattack2000 interviewed little old me on her blog - check it out here. :)

P.S. If you haven't already, click the button below to enter my hand-knit scarf giveaway! The winner will be drawn on 12/31.

A Little Bit of Animal

2011-12-13T23:16:00.000-05:00

In my pre-blogging days, I never wore anything that remotely resembled animal print. Being a pretty conservative gal, it was one of those trends that I admired on others but could never pull off myself. Last year, I took baby steps and made this DIY Bow Blouse using an animal reminiscent print. This year, I've ventured into a leopard scarf and belt (yet to be photographed). So yes, this gal has let loose... well, a little looser anyway.

My first instinct was to pair it with a black blazer but then I wondered if there was too much contrast with a bright red skirt. I then tried a gold cardigan for a more muted look. Which do you prefer?

Top: DIY Bow Blouse (original post here)

Skirt: LOFT Scuba A-Line Skirt, 2P (fitting room post here and see it on Bessie here), (buy here)

Shoes: Gucci d'Orsay Pumps, Camel

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Nikki, Resort Black w/ added H&M tassel

Blazer: Banana Republic (old)

Cardigan: Old Navy, Metallic Gold (old)

Any trends that took you a while to warm up to?

Steal: MK Tortoiseshell Watch $60

2011-12-11T19:38:00.000-05:00

Right before Thanksgiving, I went to the Fossil Outlet and fell in love with this watch. I didn't get it at the time and instantly regretted it. Thankfully, my Aunt lives near the outlet (5 hours away from me) and graciously offered to ship it to me. I'm so glad she did!

Michael Kors MK4235, Tortoiseshell Print Watch, $60 (orig. $195)

Pros:

Tortoiseshell + gold color scheme allows me to pair this with my growing collection of gold jewelry
Big, easy to read face
Removing links was a snap and did not require any extra tools (I removed 2 links and it now fits perfectly with just the right amount of space so it's snug yet comfortable)
Price - what a steal!

Cons:

The clasp is a bit awkward for me. I have a hard time putting on and taking off this watch.

Net: 4 pros to 1 con (plus the heartache I felt in leaving it behind - I know, I'm very melodramatic) means it's a keeper!

From what I understand, the sale price stayed the same from pre-Thanksgiving to post-Thanksgiving so if you live near a Fossil outlet and are in the market for a MK watch, go check it out!

Comfy New Fave: Poncho Sweater

2011-12-07T08:58:00.000-05:00

I have a love-hate relationship with sweaters. I find it difficult to flatter someone like me who has a tummy because the knit usually clings to it. Going up a size usually makes me look like I'm swimming in it because the shoulders and chest area gets too loose.

This sweater strikes a delicate balance of a fitted poncho. Sounds a bit like an oxymoron but the slim fit of the shoulders and sleeves (my favorite feature because I can wear a coat over it for cold Ohio winters) in combination with the drape of the torso creates the effect of a slouchy look rather than a baggy one. I loved this so much that I bought it in 2 colors - Olive Heather (which looks brown) and Marshmallow White (looks ivory).

Sweater: Old Navy Cowl Neck Poncho Sweater, XS, (buy here)

Top: J. Crew Sommers Perfect Plaid Shirt, Sz 0

Jeans: Gap Always Skinny, Sz 4 (I can finally button my jeans after having Baby Girl!)

Booties: Born BOC

Necklace: Express (old)

Bracelets: Leather Cuff from Michael's craft store, Gold Bangles

I've been a little wrist-wear obsessed lately and have been acquiring bracelets etc. at an alarming rate. On a routine trip to Michael's, I unexpectedly found this leather cuff (sold as a bracelet "kit" in the leather working section) and loved that you could get genuine leather for $4 after using one of their weekly 40% off coupons. I love how wide this is and how it gives this Mommy a teensy bit of "edge."

And big thank you to everyone who has entered my Hand-Knit Chunky Scarf Giveaway. I had no idea this would generate so much interest - you all really know how to make a gal feel special :)

(CLOSED) GIVEAWAY: Hand-Knit Chunky Scarf

2011-12-04T20:08:00.000-05:00

The winner is WHW Katelyn! Please contact me within the next few days to claim your prize - congrats!!

.I've been trying my hand at knitting recently because it's a good craft for my current lifestyle. I can sit on the couch with the kiddos and knit with just a few materials. I'm very much a newbie and am still trying to figure things out but I was very flattered last week when some of you expressed interest in my knitted scarf. So it's time for another giveaway!

The winner can choose from the Buttoned Wrap Scarf or the Slouchy Cowl (both are wool blends in case anyone has sensitivities):

Buttoned Wrap Scarf in Spice (an orange-red color)

Slouchy Cowl in Charcoal Gray

To enter, just leave a comment for each of the following:

Publicly follow this blog (click "follow" in my sidebar) and let me know which style you'd like
(Optional Bonus Entry) Follow me on Twitter (click "Twitter" on sidebar and follow)
(Optional Bonus Entry) Click to tweet and leave me your Twitter ID

The winner will be randomly drawn on December 31st and will have 2 days to claim their win. If unclaimed, another winner will be drawn.

Good luck!

Holiday Sparkle

2011-11-30T12:47:00.000-05:00

It's time to go into holiday mode! We just put up lights at the SPG household and we're about to put up the tree. We have yet to figure out how to prevent our toddler from methodically picking off all the ornaments though... :)

Nothing says holiday like sparkles and winter white :) Here I'm wearing a shell with a stripe of sequins and a chiffon overlay paired with wide-legged white trousers. I look uncharacteristically tall in this ensemble and I LOVE it!

Top: Simply Vera Vera Wang, Kohl's, Sz XS (old)

Pants: The Limited, Sz 4 (old)

Belt: F21

Bracelet: DIY Leather Wrap Bracelet (tutorial here)

Clutch: Dillards (old)

Shoes: Ann Taylor Perfect Suede Pumps

What are your go-to holiday looks?

Deals: Thanksgiving Shopping Haul

2011-11-27T17:44:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! We spent ours in Chicago with extended family and had a great time. Now that we're back home, I need to catch up on my blog reading!

Overall, I wasn't super impressed with this year's Black Friday deals though that doesn't mean I came home empty-handed. For years, the Burberry outlet started BF sales on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the deals were AMAZING. Think cashmere check scarf retailing for $300+ costing $100 or earmuffs for $40 (although earmuffs look very strange on me so I wound up gifting them). This year, I'm sad to report that not only did the sale get pushed back to Friday but also the deals were meh. Scarves were only 25% off and all the 50% off handbags were snapped up before I arrived. I bought a few hats as gifts and left feeling a little let down that there weren't any good scarf deals.

I also wound up going to J. Crew and getting the striped cardigan I had wanted from last spring for $16. It was at this point that Hubby called to kindly remind me that the fam was waiting. As the dutiful wife / mother, I left the mall :)

J. Crew Stripe Pocket Always Cardigan (old fitting room pic), $16 BF store price, (buy here)

Thankfully, there were amazing deals before Thanksgiving and I got to partake in those. :) Did you know that Fossil manufactures many designer watches like Burberry, Emporio Armani, and Michael Kors? I stopped by the Fossil outlet before Turkey Day and found that they had 25% off MK watch sale prices.

Michael Kors MK4238 Python Print Watch, $50, orig. $180

This was such a good deal! But now I want a tortoiseshell one too and I'm going to see if my Aunt can go back to the outlet to pick one up for me. This is the one I'm eyeing:

Michael Kors MK4235 Tortoiseshell Print Watch, ~$70-80

The gold accents are perfect for someone like me who doesn't want an all-gold watch but still wants to match metals with gold jewelry.

I also went to H&M and was delighted to find this maxi dress for $7:

And Macy's for this $50 navy trench coat:

I've started knitting and this is my first cowl scarf :) I love this goldenrod color! I'm trying to get the hang of a good size for these so there will be some "samples" left over - anyone interested in a cowl scarf giveaway?

Kohl's for these bangle bracelets:

Kohl's Jennifer Lopez Wavy Bangle Bracelet Set, $14 (buy gold version here)

Did you go shopping last week? Score any good deals?

There's still time to enter my Allison Izu Premium Denim Giveaway for a chance to win a pair of jeans in your choice of style / size! Jessy and Elle are also doing giveaways, so check them out!

Missoni Scarf As Shirt Tutorial

2011-11-20T21:14:00.000-05:00

I originally purchased this Missoni for Target scarf so I could wear it as a shirt using my tutorials from past posts (part 1 and part 2) but was dismayed to find that this scarf was too small (or the print would be askew) for any of my previous techniques. So I had to think of a different way:

Using a sash (choker necklace or ribbon will also work), I looped one corner of the scarf inwards and secured it with safety pins (those teeny, tiny ones) on either side. Then I knotted the 2 corners that fell at my side and tucked in the bottom corner into my pants.

Alternatively, still using a sash (or necklace / ribbon), loop your top corner in and tie a small knot for a slightly different look:

Do you use any particular techniques to wear a scarf?

Enter my Allison Izu Premium Denim Giveaway for a chance to win a pair of jeans in your choice of style / size!

Burberry Bespoke: Create Your Own Trench

2011-11-18T07:23:00.000-05:00

When I received an email from Burberry about designing my own trench coat (Burberry Bespoke link), I was very intrigued. I have never purchased an investment clothing item simply because my body has changed quite a bit over the years (when I got married, I was 31-24-32 and now? Well... much bigger LOL). I'm more of an accessory investor (namely handbags) so call this an exercise in fantasy :)

I am so in love with the epaulette and cuff set!
There is something very appealing about a "regular" belt with a trench. I'm going to have to try that :)
I like this classic with a twist look and wish I could try on my "creation."

The specifications and total damage.

Interested in seeing how Burberry trenches look on petites? Check out Jean, Elle, and Kelly in their trenches.

How would you design your trench? What kinds of items do you invest in?

If you haven't already, check out my Allison Izu Premium Denim Giveaway for a chance to win a pair of jeans in your choice of style / size!

Mixing it Up with a Colored Blazer

2011-11-15T15:56:00.001-05:00

I wear the heck out of my various black / gray / blue blazers so when I saw this rust-colored blazer at Gap a few months ago, I jumped on it. When I got it home, I had a hard time thinking of what to wear with it. Then I saw Sydney wear a similarly colored blazer and I decided that I needed to at least try something or it would just be a big waste of money. (Thank you for inspiring me to wear this, Sydney!)

Can you believe it was 70 degrees today?!

Blazer: Gap Tie Lapel Blazer, Sz 0

Top: Old Navy Striped Tank, Sz M

(I always size up at least 2 sizes for ribbed knits otherwise it makes my tummy pouch very conspicuous)

Skirt: J. Crew Bell Skirt, Sz 2

Necklace: Banana Republic

Ring: Amrita Singh Shelter Island Ring (I HEART this ring!)

Bracelets: Variety of gold bangles

Shoes: Frye Joy Vintage Slide

How would you wear this blazer?

Don't forget to enter my Allison Izu Premium Denim Giveaway for a chance to win a pair of jeans in your choice of style / size!

GIVEAWAY: Allison Izu Premium Denim

2011-11-14T00:11:00.000-05:00

The giveaway is now closed - the winner is Thu! Congrats and send me an email to claim your prize!

Shopping for jeans has always been a bit of a nightmare for me. Being 5'2" with a 27" inseam often meant that I had to hem every single pair. But then it seemed like the proportions were wrong. The thigh / knee area was always off and I hated that self-hemming my jeans meant that the hem didn't have the faded pattern (see Kelly's post here on original vs. regular hemming on jeans) that regular jeans had.

"To hell with hemming!"

Allison Izu, a denim brand specifically catering to petites (that is women 5'6" and under), not only offers a variety of sizes / inseams, they have also solved the problem of proportions. The waist-hip-knee-ankle ratio as well as other denim details are now proportioned for petite figures. See Allison Izu denim reviews from Extra Petite, Petite Little Girl, and Really Petite.

Now on to the fun part - win a pair of Allison Izu Premium Denim with the size and style of your choosing!

The winner will be randomly drawn on December 4th and will need to contact me within 2 days to claim their prize. If unclaimed, another winner will be drawn.

To enter, please leave a separate comment for each of the following:

Visit the Allison Izu website and let me know which style is your favorite
(Optional Bonus Entry) Publicly follow this blog (click "follow" in my sidebar)
(Optional Bonus Entry) Click to tweet and leave me your Twitter ID

Good luck!

Jewelry DIY: Ode to Pearls

2011-11-09T20:48:00.000-05:00

I've always been in love with pearls and incorporate them into almost every piece I make. This one is my ultimate pearl piece with 5 strands of ivory nugget pearls to add a little bit of drama to every ensemble.

5-Strand Nugget Pearl Necklace (sold here)

It winds up being a rather heavy piece as I prefer glass to plastic materials but I like the end result. As you can tell, I made this piece right before DD was born :)

I'm also experimenting with less traditional pearl necklaces like these ladder necklaces:

Customizable Pearl Ladder Necklaces (sold here)

And finally, I've been wanting to create a chevron necklace. I think this one is "getting there" but still needs some work:

In other DIY jewelry news, I'm working on some bracelets but I'll save those for a later post :)

What type of jewelry are you most drawn to? Chains? Pendants? Beads? A mix?

Sweatshirt to Tote Bag Easy DIY Tutorial

2011-11-06T18:15:00.000-05:00

I've been aching for some DIY time and finally pieced together enough kiddie naps to finish something :) (BTW, don't get me wrong. I adore my children with every part of my being but I have a bunch of DIY ideas bubbling in my brain and love it when I get the time to see one through). This one is a result of a closet cleaning. I found an old sweatshirt from Old Navy that I haven't worn in ages and I thought it would make a cute striped tote bag.

This is the finished tote.

See tutorial after the jump!

What I Used:

Old sweatshirt
Coordinating ribbon - I used 1.5" wide black grosgrain

1. Lay out and flatten your shirt. Cut straight across right under the sleeves for the body of your tote

2. Cut a rectangle (the biggest one you can manage) from the back of your shirt.

3. You should now have the tote body from step 1 plus the rectangle from step 2. The rectangle will serve as your tote bottom.

4. Center your rectangle to your tote body (unfinished side) and pin tote bottom in place. It's easiest to pin the longer sides first and then pin the short sides. Now sew where you've pinned it.

5. Cut your tote handle from your sleeves. I sewed my sleeves together to form a 35" by 5" rectangle and folded it in half long ways (wrong side out). I then sewed the long edge and flipped it inside out (right side out).

6. Attach your tote handle to each side of your tote. I sewed 2 lines of stitching for extra security.

7. (Optional Belt Loops) I cut 2.5" x ~0.75" pieces for each of the 4 belt loops. Fold in half long ways (wrong side out) and sew down the long edge. Flip inside out and sew onto tote.

8. Thread ribbon through belt loops. Bag can be used as tote (as seen on the left) or ribbon can be pulled to cinch the bag (as seen on the right).

Voila! You're finished!

If I were to do this again, I think I'd shorten the strap but I'm going to keep it as is for crossbody usage. What do you think of this kind of tote? Yay or nay?

Preppy Layers OOTD

2011-11-02T22:54:00.000-04:00

DIY posts are slowing down a little bit since my hands are now literally full with DD and DS so bear with me as I inundate you with reviews and closet remixes instead :) While I'm on the kiddo topic, I'm behind on comments and responses but if you have a question, please feel free to email or find me on Twitter. I'm much more "reachable" for things I can respond to using my phone rather than my laptop.

Now back to the OOTD. As soon as I bought the ON plaid shirt, I wanted to do a preppy layered look with a blazer. To make it a little less run of the mill, I layered on the wrist wear. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love the colors in this plaid!

What kinds of ensembles would you put together with this plaid shirt?

Blazer: J. Crew Twill Blazer, Sz 0

Shirt: Old Navy Plaid Flannel, Purple / Teal, Sz S (buy here)

Sweater: Gray Cashmere V-Neck, Dillards, Sz S

Denim: LOFT Bootcut Jeans, Sz 4

Shoes: Ann Taylor Perfect Suede Pumps

Watch: Timex + J. Crew Strap

Necklace: Ann Taylor Pearls and Chain

Bracelets: DIY Leather Wrap Bracelet (tutorial here), DIY Pearl Bracelet, Tiffany & Co. RTT Heart Lock

Old Navy Promo Haul and Reviews

2011-10-29T09:49:00.000-04:00

Old Navy was having an amazing promo on Friday (will have 30% off the rest of the weekend) wherein the whole store was an additional 40% off AND for every $20 spent, you got $10 in Super Cash. I went to check out the Smocked Chiffon Top in person since I'd been web-stalking it in size XS for weeks to no avail. I wound up finding other items that looked much better in real life than on the website.

Plaid Flannel Shirt, $16 in store, (buy here)

Purple / Teal Plaid (Sz S) and Yellow Plaid (Sz XS)

The colors of these shirts were so much prettier when I saw it in the store! I think these will make great layering pieces. The XS in general fits me better all over except the chest area. Notice the gap between buttons?

Verdict: Buy both in Sz S

Ruffle Tiered Chiffon Maxi Dress, Sz XS, $18 in store, (buy here)

This dress wound up making me look a little shapeless but I really like the print and the dress itself is comfortable and lightweight.

Verdict: Buy and "fix" with a belt and some layers

Chevron Stripe Top, Sz XS, $15 in store, (buy here)

I like the chevron pattern but there was just wasn't anything about the tee that screamed "must have."

Verdict: No

Smocked Printed Chiffon Top, Sz XS, $25 in store (buy here)

Holy big shirt! This was a very large and boxy shirt on me. I wish it would have worked out because I adore the print.

Verdict: No

Sweater: Banana Republic

Shirt: LOFT

Today's shopping outfit is another shot at mixing patterns. This time a navy and white polka dot shirt with a green striped sweater.

Will you be taking advantage of this ON sale?

PFC #11: Vacation Vogue

2011-10-25T20:48:00.000-04:00

This month's Petite Fashion Challenge is hosted by SkiPetite. Be sure to check out her blog for other entries by clicking on the PFC button below.

The Challenge:
Put together an outfit made for sightseeing. It should be one that will be comfortable for walking around in and can last you from the early morning until dinner and drinks in the evening. Plus, you're on vacation, so you'd better make sure you look good in photos, which you'll have for years to come.

I decided to take a cue from the blogger community (like the ever stylish Cee) and wear a dress as a separate for this PFC. I actually really like how the dress looks as a top and hope to experiment with other dresses this way. I have to admit that though these wedges are relatively comfortable, I would probably actually wear a pair of flats for sightseeing. Unfortunately, I misplaced the pair I wanted to wear and was too lazy to search the house for them - sorry!


Day *Jacket: LOFT Twill Cropped Military Jacket, Sz 0P Dress as Top: LOFT Floral Ruffle Dress, Sz 0P Pants: Old Navy Black Skinnies, Sz 2 Jewelry: Gold Bangles, DIY Leather Wrap Bracelet (tutorial), F21 Pendant Necklace Shoes*: Frye Bridget Wedge Sandals	Night Dress: LOFT Floral Ruffle Dress, Sz 0P *Jewelry: Silver Bangles, Kohl's Silver Necklace Shoes*: Frye Bridget Wedge Sandals

What do you think of dresses worn as separates?

Gingham + Stripes OOTD

2011-10-23T19:38:00.000-04:00

I'm having a hard time finding a toddler-proof place to take photos (especially since little one has decided that naps are a thing of the past). Here I am holed up in the master bathroom while hubby entertained him LOL - thank goodness for auto-fix settings to correct bad lighting.

Now that I'm on maternity leave, I want to accomplish 2 things with my wardrobe:
1. Get rid of clothes I haven't worn in a while
2. Remix existing items in new ways

Here is my attempt at #2. I kept it "safe" by sticking to a monochromatic palette but I hope to venture into more adventurous combinations as I go.

Shirt: Crewcuts Boys' Button-Down in Large Gingham, Sz 14 (buy similar here)

Sweater: Gap (buy similar here)

Jeans: LOFT (old)

Necklace: Chunky Pearls + Chain, Target

Boots: BOC

Any tips for closet remixes?

P.S. Thanks to everyone for commenting on my bounce-back after having Baby Girl. I'm definitely still sporting quite the tummy along with just being bigger in general so your kind comments always make me feel good :)

Steal: $12 Banana Republic Striped Skirt

2011-10-21T00:06:00.000-04:00

Quickie post here. I love deals and I love stripes so when I saw this skirt for $12 at BR, I picked up both colors - the gray and the navy blue. The skirt is made of super soft jersey tiers layered asymmetrically. Very comfortable and can be worn so many ways! It's no longer available online so check your store if interested (mine had several).

Skirt: Banana Republic Maria Striped Skirt, $12 in store (orig. $49.50 - no longer online)

Cami: Lauren Conrad Petaled Camisole

Sweater: J. Crew Cardigan

Belt: J. Crew Metallic Belt

Shoes: Ann Taylor Perfect Suede Pumps

LOFT In Store Deals & Fitting Room Reviews

2011-10-16T17:27:00.000-04:00

As part of Chinese tradition, the mother typically stays home for the entire 1st month after childbirth in order to fully recuperate and recover. Baby Girl turned 1 month yesterday (and is just starting to get some baby fat - the best kind of fat!) so we went out to celebrate. We also, at my insistence, stopped by the mall :) Trying on clothes wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I can wear my pre-pregnancy size in most items even though my belly and hips are larger than normal.

LOFT Cowl Neck Shell, Black / Gray, $21 in store (don't see online)

LOFT Scuba A-Line Skirt, Sz 2P, $69.50 (buy here)

Review: I really loved both items.

The shell is classic enough to be worn for several seasons and fits well enough for me to wear now and when I lose the rest of my baby weight.

I LOVE the color of this skirt! The fit is also good - the scuba material really cinches in my post-baby tummy. If this had been on sale, I probably would have bought it. Then again, considering I'll be on maternity leave for a year, I don't know that I really NEED an orange skirt if no one is going to see me anyway. Maybe I should make an orange skirt?

Verdict: Buy top and possibly stalk skirt until it goes on sale

LOFT Tie Neck Long Sleeve Blouse, XS, $17 in store, (buy here)

Review: This shirt has been on my mind ever since I saw Kerry blog about it here and I couldn't resist trying it on when I saw it. It's so pretty and makes me feel "grown-up" LOL. It's sheer so I'll definitely be wearing a cami underneath and even though it's a regular XS, I feel like it fits decently since blouses are by definition blouse-y and fuller than normal shirts.

Verdict: Buy - $17 is a great price!

LOFT Long Sleeve Striped Boyfriend Cardigan, XS, $21 in store, (buy here)

Review: You know I'm a sucker for stripes and cardigans. So a striped cardigan? Fuggedaboutit! I like the wider stripes of this knit and that it's different from my typical navy / white combination.

Verdict: Buy

LOFT Printed Shell, XSP, (don't see online)

Review: You can't really see it in this picture but this shell has some interesting pleating / tucking details at the neck. I was drawn to this and the print but once I put it on - Yuck! The shoulders / chest part fit fine but then it billowed from there and unfortunately, the fullness of the bottom of this shell makes me look crazy wide.

Verdict: NO

Total shopping damage was $59 - $15 cardmember birthday gift - $20 LOFT rewards card = $24 + tax. Not bad!

Trench: Gap (old)

Tee: Gap (last season)

Dress: LOFT Outlet Shirt Dress, Navy Blue

Bag: Coach Navy Crossbody

Necklace: Target Chunky Pearls & Chain

Bracelets: Pearl DIY, Gold Bangles

Today's outfit was an experiment (gone wrong?) in layering. I like the trench look but when I take that off, the tee + dress looks "off." Maybe a belt would have saved it? Or maybe this look can't be saved and shouldn't have been put together?

What are your "rules" for layering?

Triple Row Leather Bracelet DIY Video Tutorial

2011-10-13T17:10:00.000-04:00

I received a reader request on how to create a multi-row beaded leather bracelet similar to the tutorial for the Leather Wrap Bracelet here. The instructions are similar with just a few modifications - see below for materials and video.

What I used (materials can be purchased at most hobby stores like Michael's):

40 inches of 1 mm leather cord
Beads
Size D Nymo thread
Beading needle (personally I use a floss threader because I like that it's flexible without getting warped in the beading process - also any size thread will fit easily in the loop)
Beading glue (I use super glue because the bead glue I have turns white and crusty when dry)
Button with 2+ holes (needs to fit 2 mm cord, look for spare buttons around the house)

Questions? Just leave it in the comments and I'll get back to you :)

Missoni for Target Reviews

2011-10-09T15:32:00.000-04:00

My first non-maternity post! I know this post is late considering the collection came out about a month ago but you wouldn't have wanted to see this dress on me with the baby bump - it made the dress length uncomfortably short. Here it is now 3 weeks post pregnancy (have lost 20 out of the 27 lbs gained):

Missoni for Target Sweater Dress, XS, $54.99

This fits more like a size Small or maybe even Medium because it's a little roomy in the shoulders / chest area as well as the waist. The design is cute and the material is surprisingly soft and thick. Overall, I don't feel like it's "me" so this will be going back to the store.

Missoni for Target Rain Boots, Sz 7, $34.99

Similar to the dress, the boots also run large. I typically wear a size 8.5 shoe but the size 7 fits me well and will even let me wear thick socks with it. The boots are pretty comfy but I can't think of what I'd wear with this. Since I have issues thinking up outfits to go with my black rain boots, I don't think I'd have any better luck creating ensembles with these. I'll be returning these as well.

How did you feel about the Missoni collection?

The Story of Baby Girl

2011-10-02T19:37:00.000-04:00

Playing the waiting game towards the end of my pregnancy seemed like it dragged on forever but now that it's over - it seems like it all happened so fast! The fastest part was actually my labor. Late in the afternoon on 9/15, I felt a hard kick similar to what happened right before my water broke with my son. I called my husband to come home just in case and he took me to the hospital. Baby Girl must have known that we had arrived because before we could even get to labor and delivery, she was born right in the hospital elevator! I'm glad my instincts kicked in to tell me to "catch" my own baby because it took another 5-10 minutes afterwards to get medical assistance. All of this happened during the course of 1 hour!! For reference, labor with my son was 8 hours so I was thinking Baby Girl would take 4-5 hours (typically half the time of your first pregnancy).

Aside from a little jaundice and being a bit cold, my little peanut was nice and healthy - weighing in at 6 lbs, 15 oz and measuring 19.5" long. She is now a little over 2 weeks old and I got to break confinement briefly yesterday to get some newborn portraits taken. Here are 2 of my favorites:

Thanks again to everyone for all the kind comments! I've been trying to sneak in some blog loving time here and there so I'm still sporadic but I love seeing everyone's posts :)

Vintage Inspiration: DIY Crocheted Collar

2011-09-25T17:48:00.000-04:00

A quick "hi" from maternity blogging hiatus: Thank you everyone for the kind words and best wishes! I'm truly touched and appreciative of all of them! Baby Girl is proving out to be quite the night owl where peak wakefulness is 12am-3am :) but everything is going well. Before I pop back into hiatus, I wanted to share one of the posts I prepared before her arrival:

----------------------------------------------------
So my mom is pretty much the most awesome person I know. She sews, knits, crochets, is a fabulous cook, AND helps me take care of the little one when Hubby and I work. I've been seeing dramatic, embellished collars in the mags lately and when I told Mom about it, she offered to not only crochet me a collar, but also TEACH me how to crochet. We're waiting until I start maternity leave to really dive in but for now, I can crochet a mean straight line LOL.

The great thing about the collar is that it is interchangeable and can be added to any kind of ensemble.

Collar: DIY (courtesy of Mom)

Necklace: F21

Dress: H&M Maxi Skirt worn as dress

Shoes: Born Leather Slides (you may have noticed that I'm all for comfy flats now)

A closer view of the collar

What do you think? There may be future crocheted items making their way to my Etsy store soon :)

Baby Girl is Here!

2011-09-19T07:26:00.000-04:00

As you've probably figured out, the lack of posts has been because Baby Girl arrived on Thursday! Details to follow (like how I delivered my own baby - but not graphic details!) but we're back home from the hospital and everyone is doing well. I have a couple of posts that I never had a chance to schedule that will get published. Meanwhile, as I get settled in with our new arrival, please bear with me as I go on maternity hiatus :)

Much love to everyone and will return soon!

Preggy Chronicles Vol. 4: Dressing for Every Trimester

2011-09-11T19:51:00.000-04:00

I'm in the home stretch! I'm full term and pretty much ready to go whenever Baby Girl would like. I know some of you have been with me since the beginning but I wanted to do one big post on what you can wear for your entire pregnancy with tips for every trimester.

I'll first say that everyone is different. I started to develop a baby bump VERY early on (partially because I went on a food free-for-all the moment I found out I was pregnant) and needed to hide it (see belly-hiding tips here) from my coworkers until I was ready to announce my news. After that, I was able to flaunt my bump :) Despite this baby bumpitude, I was able to primarily wear normal non-maternity wear except maternity pants in the 3rd trimester. Underneath every picture is a description of what worked for me plus a link to the original post so you can see the outfit details.

1st Trimester:
1. Loose wovens mask bellies with volume. Wear skinny bottoms to offset the flowiness.
2. Dresses that cinch the natural waist and then flare out also work.
3 & 5. Tucking a blouse helps define your figure while the fluffing hides any tummy pouches.
4. Placing your skirt waist directly on the most protrusive part of your bump helps smooth it out.


1. Loose Woven Top (link)	2. Cinched Waist w/ Flared Skirt (link)	3. Tucked / Fluffed Blouse + Blazer (link)	4. Strategic Skirt Placement (link)	5. Tucked / Fluffed Blouse + Blazer (link)

2nd Trimester:
6. Once your tummy is officially ready to make its debut - start flaunting it with belting at the empire waist.
7. Make use of your normal pants by pairing it with a Bella Band (essentially keep your pants undone and the stretchy band will keep it up!) and of course voluminous tops still work.
8. Elastic-waist skirts are your best friend and you can wear them in every trimester either above, on top of, or beneath your bump.
9 & 10. Stretchy dresses are super comfortable and allow your belly full freedom :) Add a belt for more figure definition.


6. Empire Belting (link)	7. Bella Band + Flowy Top (link)	8. Elastic-Waist Skirt (link)	9. Stretchy Dress + Empire Belting (link)	10. Stretchy Dress (link)

3rd Trimester:
11. Maxi dresses are PERFECT for pregnancy. Most are built with an empire waist so feel free to buy your normal pre-pregnancy size and rock them both during your pregnancy and afterwards too. Need I say more about belting? :)
12 & 13. Stretchy tops + maternity bottoms make for an easy way to wear separates if you are more a pants-type of gal.
14. Stretchy top + elastic-waist skirt. Get some mileage out of your existing normal clothes!
15. Stretchy dress - same kind of deal here :)


11. Belted Maxi (link)	12. Stretchy Top + Maternity Pants (link)	13. Stretchy Top + Blazer + Maternity Pants (link)	14. Stretchy Top + Elastic-Waist Skirt (link)	15. Stretchy Dress (link)

Shoes: Starting in the 2nd / 3rd trimester, I tended to favor comfy shoes over cute shoes (though I still took photos with the cute ones!). Flats are probably the shoe of choice since they are both work appropriate and comfortable. I also love my sandals (particularly shorter platforms since they allow me to stay balanced and don't pitch my weight forward) because they never feel tight on my sometimes swollen feet. I will add here that I primarily work at my desk and do not need to move around very much. When I do, I have a pair of extra shoes in my desk to slip on.

All Other Accessories: Go bold and have fun here! You have absolutely no restrictions.

Whether or not you decide to go with maternity wear, just be comfortable! There are no rules so make your own as you go. I hope this post was helpful :)

See previous Preggy Chronicles here:

Of course, can't have a post today without pausing in remembrance of 9/11...

Guest Post on Gigi's Gone Shopping

2011-09-09T10:57:00.000-04:00

While Gigi is taking care of more important things (i.e. Baby G!), I guest-posted the 5 things I'm most looking forward to this fall in her Fall Fab 5 feature. Go check it out here!

Are you looking forward to fall? Any fall items in particular that have caught your eye?

As for me, no baby yet. I'm still mostly resting and taking it easy, but the car is now packed up with baby essentials and my hospital bag :) Once Baby Girl arrives and is settled, I want to make her a leopard cape (sold out already at Baby Gap) and matching little purse - I am super excited on all the future Baby Girl projects!!

Baby Gap Leopard Satchel Bag (buy here)

Baby Gap Leopard Print Cape (sold out in US, but still available in Canada)

Have a wonderful weekend everybody!

Then and Now: LOFT Floral Ruffle Dress

2011-09-06T22:49:00.000-04:00

False alarm! We were completely convinced that Baby Girl was on her way but turned out she's going to bake a little longer (which is fine with me!). Good thing I prepped some posts ahead of time because now I'll primarily be spending my time in bed or on the couch. I am once again behind on blogging (sorry!) so please bear with me as I get caught up on commenting and responding to things. :)

Pregnancy check-in:

Gestational Time: 36.5 weeks - 3 days till I'm full term (when I had my son) and 3.5 weeks till my due date! (Now on maternity leave - woohoo!)
Weight Gain: 23 lbs
Added Inches: +14 at the tummy
Current Cravings: Guacamole!!!!, Chex mix (cereal part only), Fried egg whites, Grilled shrimp, Chicken Tikka Masala

I got this LOFT woven dress back in September for a whopping $22. It had a slim silhouette from the front but was very roomy in the tummy area - very useful for me right now! I love how much more vibrant the colors are in natural light vs. the fitting room.


Then: September 2010 LOFT Floral Ruffle Dress, Sz 0P (orig. post) My old, comfy sandals :)	Now: 35 Weeks Pregnant Born Black Slides Balenciaga Twiggy, Anthracite

The full look:

On Thursday, we'll have one more ultrasound to make sure everything is ok and then I could theoretically go into labor (for real this time) at anytime after that. If you've been pregnant before, you know gestational time is 40 weeks (10 months!) but full term is considered 37 weeks which is when my son was born. So excited!! <3<3<3

Banana Republic Steal: Bethel Suede Platform Sandal $20

2011-09-03T14:04:00.000-04:00

With the 50% off select items promo at Gap last weekend, I had to go check it out. Though I would have loved to buy some of the great denim deals, I had zero confidence of where my body would wind up post pregnancy so didn't wind up buying anything. As I meandered through the mall, I decided to stop by Banana Republic to check out the Mad Men collection in person. I LOVE the styles shown on the show but somehow the BR collection just isn't my cup of tea. There are some cute styles but I had higher hopes for it.

Anyhoo, I found these great shoes on the sale rack and was DELIGHTED to find out that after the additional 25% off discount (this weekend, BR is having additional 30% off your entire purchase), they would only cost $20! And they had my size! Despite the fact that I need more shoes like I need a hole in the head, this was just meant to be :)

Banana Republic Bethel Suede Platform Sandal, Olive, Sz 8.5, $20 in store (orig. $140), buy here

Review:

Fits true to size
Comfy
Seems to really elongate my legs - a plus!
Love the grommet details and the olive color
And holy cow about the $20 price tag!!!!!! The website is still selling it for $69.99 so look for it in your store instead.
VERDICT: A total keeper!

Happy holiday shopping! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Pregnant PFC #10: Summer to Fall

2011-08-31T19:55:00.000-04:00

It's (Pregnant)Petite Fashion Challenge time and this month's host is Liz of Fashion for Teens. This will be my last Pregnant PFC, just a little bit more to go! :) Can't wait to see everyone's entries!

The Challenge:
Take traditionally summer pieces (like tank tops, shorts, mini skirts, sundresses etc.) and make them appropriate for fall.

I decided to take my maternity-friendly Limited sundress and try 2 different takes with it. One for early fall and one for late fall (I couldn't make my mind up so I went with both).


SUMMER Dress: The Limited Flutter Jersey Dress Belt: Lands' End Canvas Nautical Rope Belt Necklace: H&M Turquoise Necklace Shoes: Those 15-year old comfy sandals! Sunnies: Gucci	EARLY FALL Dress: The Limited Flutter Jersey Dress Blazer: J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer Summer Stripe, Faded Indigo, Sz 0 Necklace: Amrita Singh Citla Necklace, Lapis Shoes: Tory Burch Reva Flats Watch: J. Crew Navy / Bisque Watch Strap + Timex Face	LATE FALL Dress: The Limited Flutter Jersey Dress Jacket: LOFT Cropped Tweed Jacket, XXSP Necklace: Banana Republic Gold Chains Shoes: Born Leather Boots Bracelet: F21 Coral / Gold

Which one works better?

Don't forget to check out Liz's page for the rest of the entries!

DIY Fuchsia + Gray Bow Neck Dress

2011-08-28T19:55:00.000-04:00

Quickie post today: I'm still obsessed with color blocking though this one is much more mild - incorporating fuchsia with a medium gray.

Dress: Fuchsia + Gray DIY Bow Neck Dress

Belt: J. Crew Factory Metallic Webbing Belt

Shoes: Talbots Flower Bouquet Ballet Flats, Gray Flint

Sunnies: Michael Kors

Bag: Balenciaga Twiggy, Anthracite

A closer view

I used this tutorial to make the dress (2 rectangles of 25 x 33") and then just added a gray border and sash. What do you think? I love the giant bow :)

Blogiversary: Hunter Kellen Boot Review & What I've Learned

2011-08-23T20:52:00.000-04:00

Exactly one year ago today I posted my very first blog entry reviewing the Hunter Wellington Tall Boot. So it is only fitting that I celebrate my 1-year blogiversary with another Hunter boot review - my 2nd Nordstrom Anniversary Sale find! This time it's the Hunter Kellen Wedge Heel Boot. I was drawn both to the mid-calf height (the Tall Wellies above were a tad to tall for me and would rub against the bottom of my knee) and the wedge heel.

Hunter Kellen Wedge Heel Boot, $175 (buy here)
Details (from Nordstrom):

A signature logo details a weather-ready rain boot updated with a chic wedge heel.

Removable insole.
Approx. heel height: 3 1/4".
Approx. boot shaft height: 9 1/4"; 13" calf circumference. Narrow calf.

Likes:

The wedge heel is a nice touch and something that was lacking from my Tall Wellington boots
Like the Talls, these are SUPER COMFY
The calf is definitely more narrow than the Talls but can easily accommodate thick socks / skinny jeans / tights / leggings (for reference, my calves are short and stocky)
Love the "H" detail on the sides of the boots - it's cute without being in your face

Dislikes:

I'm not sure about how I feel about the gloss but it's not too big of a deal
I'm still trying to figure out what exactly to wear with it. I'll wait until post pregnancy to experiment since I'm a little limited presently on what I can wear - especially in the skinnies / tights / leggings area

Overall: A definite keeper! Anything comfy with a heel in boot form (esp. since it was on sale) is a welcome addition to my little cast of shoes. What would you wear with these boots?

Blogiversary - What I've Learned This Year:

How not to appear yellow in my pictures :) Sheesh, lighting is important.
How showing some knee is not evil! Prior to blogging, I had always believed that all dress / skirt hems HAD to fall below my knee.
How awesome the blogger / bloggee community is. I love the feeling of camaraderie and community I get from each and every one of you - THANK YOU!
How to incorporate some color and stray away from my Black / White / Gray / Navy color palette
That I don't have to be matchy-matchy to look put together

Michael Kors 2-Tone Chronograph Watch Review

2011-08-21T19:41:00.000-04:00

I succumbed to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale despite my best efforts to avoid it. I actually wound up buying 2 items but I'll post the 2nd item review (a keeper!) in the next entry. I have to admit that Jean's post on her new MK acquisition really intrigued me despite my recently purchased J. Crew / Timex watch. I rationalized that I still needed an everyday-type of work watch so when this beauty popped up on sale at Nordstrom for $150, I didn't hesitate to snap it up. I love the chronograph feature as well as the combination of silver with rose gold. The little pops of bling don't hurt either for a gal who loves sparkle ;)

Michael Kors 2-Tone Chronograph Bracelet Watch, $225 (buy here)

Description (from Nordstrom):

Rose gold embellishes a beautiful bracelet watch with a sparkling chronograph dial texturally contrasted by a knurled topring.

Deployant clasp closure.
Approx. band length: 190mm.
Approx. band width: 18mm.
Approx. case diameter: 36mm.
Water-resistant to 10 ATM (100 meters).
Stainless steel/rose-gold ionic plating/Swarovski crystals/mineral crystal/mother-of-pearl.
By Michael Kors; imported.

On to the review!

Size: The watch face size is a little larger than my standard watches but I didn't feel like it overwhelmed my wrist. Of course, keep in mind, that I also just purchased a men's watch with a case diameter of 40 mm.

Fit: The fit needs to be adjusted as with all watches but this is easily remedied by removing a few links.

The typical out of box loose fit

Overall Opinion: I like the general size and I know the fit can be adjusted. However, a few things made me decide to return it:

The contrast between the silver and rose gold looked very sharp on the website but more muted in person.
The watch was a bit too heavy for my liking. I weighed it (bc I'm a nerd like that) and it was twice as heavy as my J. Crew / Timex.
I just didn't fall in love with it :(

So back to Nordstrom it went! I'm still interested in MK watches, but I'll try it on in person next time before purchasing. What's your favorite everyday watch?

P.S. Thank you everyone for your kind words regarding my awkward elevator conversation! I truly appreciated it :)

Summer Brights One Last Time?

2011-08-17T21:52:00.000-04:00

The days are getting shorter and cooler, a sure sign that fall is just around the corner. As much as I love fall, I'm going to miss the bright color combos of summer! This dress is actually a reddish-orange but it photographed more of a cherry red.

Dress: The Limited Flutter Jersey Dress

Belt: Lands' End Canvas Nautical Rope Belt

Necklace: H&M Turquoise Necklace

Shoes: Those 15-year old comfy sandals!

Sunnies: Gucci

Week 34 of the pregnancy and I have a random elevator conversation to share:

A lady (excitedly): "Are you having twins?!?"

Me: "No, we just have the one baby in there."

Lady: "So your baby is just measuring very large then?"

Me: "Um, no, she's measuring right on track."

Lady: "Oh."

A-w-k-w-a-r-d silence.

I was a little annoyed that she was implying that I was way beyond the normal size of a pregnant woman when I've only gained ~20 lbs but at the same time I know she didn't mean it maliciously. Just comes with the territory I guess!

I don't know if anyone checks, but I'm behind in responding to comments - I'll catch up soon, promise!

DIY Colorblocked Maxi Dress OOTD

2011-08-14T21:19:00.000-04:00

Remember my t-shirt to colorblocked maxi dress tutorial a little while ago? Some of you asked to see what it looked like on me and of course I had to oblige :)

Dress: DIY Striped Colorblock Maxi Dress

Necklace: DIY Looped Rope Necklace

Belt: Lands End Nautical Rope Belt

Shoes: THE comfiest sandals in the world! I bought these ~15 years ago and have been wearing them every single summer. They are so old that I can't even tell what brand or size they are anymore.

Sunnies: Gucci

The perfect thing about a t-shirt dress is the ability to either look "normal" or s-t-r-e-t-c-h to accommodate my baby bump :)

Then and Now: Ann Taylor Floral Front Shell

2011-08-10T21:31:00.000-04:00

Pregnancy check-in:

Gestational Time: 32.5 weeks - 7.5 more to go! (Only 4 more until maternity leave - woohoo!)
Weight Gain: 23 lbs
Added Inches: +13 at the tummy
Current Cravings: Falafels, fried pickles (I don't think this one is going away), cheeseburgers (sans the top bun to be diabetic-friendly), milk, smoked BBQ chicken

The Ann Taylor Floral Front Shell originally came out in the spring of 2010 (see here on Jean of Extra Petite and Kelly of Alterations Needed) and was re-released this spring at Ann Taylor Factory (see on Annie of Really Petite and me). The one I'm wearing here is the spring 2010 version in lavender. The floral petal detail consists of little blooms with beaded centers and the shirt itself is a very soft and stretchy knit - perfect for the pregnant!


Then: Oct 2010 *Jacket: Peplum Jacket, DIY Top: Ann Taylor Floral Front Shell, XS Skirt: Black Skirt, DIY Necklace: Pearl/Ribbon Twisted Necklace, DIY Shoes*: DKNY Studded Leather Sandals	Now: 32 Weeks Pregnant Top: Ann Taylor Floral Front Shell, XS Skirt: Banana Republic White Embroidered Bottom Skirt, S Shoes: Tommy Hilfiger Illie Print Wedge Sandal (buy here) Bag: Talbots Flap Top Leather Satchel, Croc-embossed Sunnies: Gucci

Debuting today is my new Talbots Flap Top Leather Satchel with a Croc-embossed pattern (buy non croc-embossed here). Some of you already knew that I'd been lusting after a flap satchel all summer (darn that Mulberry Alexa!) but I've been doing some mad shopping lately and didn't want to spend much on a new bag. I wanted a leather satchel in a Cognac or Taupe-y color with a flap. Enter this Talbots leather bag on sale from $249 to $57 shipped.

The soft gold hardware, center pleating, and croc-embossed pattern were what drew me in and you can't beat the price for a leather bag. It's a little too big for me but perfect for lugging things to and from the office.

A better view of the bag size on me

The floral print on these sandals - love!

And a random.

"Hi Baby Girl, whatcha doing in there?"

What's your favorite work bag right now? Is it larger than what you would normally carry?

45 Min. Colorblocked T-Shirt Dress DIY Tutorial

2011-08-07T18:21:00.000-04:00

After seeing this Petit Bateau t-shirt dress in the pages of In Style, I became inspired to do a variation of my colorblocked maxi dress. And this one went by much quicker, only 45 minutes from beginning to end! The great thing about this is that you don't have to do any hemming / making sleeves / finishing the collar because you're using all pre-existing materials that come with these components finished!


Petit Bateau Short-Sleeved Tee Dress (currently sold out, but see link here)	My DIY version - Aqua, Pink Coral, and Black

See tutorial after the jump:

What You'll Need:

An old t-shirt of yours that fits well (this will be your top block)
One of hubby's old t-shirts (this will be your bottom block)
Knit fabric or another knit garment (this will be your middle block)
Scissors or rotary cutter + mat

Step 1: Choose the colors you'd like in your dress and find the corresponding old tees / knits. I used an old aqua t-shirt of mine, some pink coral knit fabric (I didn't have any similar colored tees I could sacrifice), and one of hubby's old black t-shirts.

Step 2: Try on your old tee and mark it (I used blue chalk which is conveniently covered by my SPG watermark in the middle - oops) a little under your bust. Cut at this line and the top block is now done!

Step 3: Now you're going to move to the bottom block using your hubby's tee. You'll want to make sure to use one that is either solid colored or has a design only at the top portion of the tee. I cut the bottom 13" of his tee off. Bottom block complete!

Step 4: Try your top and bottom blocks on and measure how long you'd like your middle block to be. I used 18 inches to accommodate my baby bump and wound up with an 18 x 60" rectangle.

Step 5: Lay all your blocks in order. You'll want to taper your middle block to transition smoothly between your top and bottom blocks. Your top block should be relatively small and your bottom block wider to give your dress an A-line shape. Now sew!

Step 6: Try on your dress and slim the sides if needed.

You're finished! Easy peasy, right?

Dress: DIY Colorblocked T-Shirt Dress

Necklace: Apt. 9 from Kohl's

Belt: Cole Haan Croc-embossed

Bag: "Charlotte" Vintage Messenger

Shoes: Indigo by Clarks

Sunnies: Gucci

On an unrelated note, I have no idea what to do with my face in blog pictures since I'm so used to just cutting my head off. I'm sure I just look grumpy but it's really just me being clueless. Any tips? Grinning ear to ear seems like it'd be weird?

Make Your Own Stripes Colorblocked Maxi Dress Tutorial

2011-08-04T21:30:00.000-04:00

Does hubby / boyfriend / dad / brother have a bunch of old t-shirts they don't want anymore (or ahem, won't notice if you take)? Here's an easy way to get another round of use out of them! I used 3 t-shirts and some scrap knit fabric to create a striped colorblock maxi dress. I've been in love with the combination of grays and yellows for a while but it is so HARD to find fabric that uses these colors. Rather than continue my search, I decided to make my own "fabric." :)

DIY Striped Colorblock Maxi Dress

DIY Looped Rope Necklace

See tutorial after the jump :)

What I used:

3 of hubby's old t-shirts (dark gray, light gray, and gold)
1/4 yard of jersey knit fabric (in as many colors as you'd like - I used 2: cream and pale yellow)
A dress that fits you well to trace onto your maxi

Step 1: Cut hubby's tee into 5 inch strips horizontally starting from the hem up. Stop before you get to the sleeve area. I was able to get about 3 - 5 inch strips from each tee. You can also use thinner strips if you prefer. Repeat with the other tees or any other jersey fabric. Each strip should wind up looking like a loop.

Step 2: Sew these strips together in whatever color order you'd like. You should now have a tube. I wound up using 11 strips for my maxi tube.

Step 3: Take an existing dress that fits you well and trace. I didn't take a photo of this but there's another tutorial that uses this method here (see pic in Step 5). Remember to allow a little leeway for seam allowance. Sew along your lines, then finish your hem, armholes, and collar by folding in the edges and sewing them.

Voila! You're done!

I can't wait to play with different colors to make a skirt (post-pregnancy of course)! What colors would you use?

Watch Search: J. Crew Timex? (And a "Revealing" OOTD)

2011-08-01T14:34:00.000-04:00

My go-to watch is running out of batteries. Somehow, rather than replace said batteries, I've been feeling compelled to search for a brand new watch instead. I am fascinated, and I really mean fascinated, by the striped watch bands offered by J. Crew for the men's collection. I have to admit it, J. Crew has me hooked and hooked so badly that I'm venturing out of women's and into men's (I've already ventured into kids' with the gingham shirt Cee made popular). The thing holding me back was that I have no idea how a men's watch face was going to look on my wrist. The watch face is 40mm which is considerably larger than my normal watches. Given that and knowing that a striped watch band will probably be paired with casual, preppy wear rather than as an everyday staple, I'm going to "Frankenstein" my own mens' J. Crew Timex Watch.

First, I took to the blogs and found this nifty post from J. Crew Aficionada on J. Crew Timex alternatives (but still using J. Crew straps). So off I went to purchase the Timex T40091 Field Expedition Watch from Amazon ($30) for a super similar watch face and then 2 watch straps from J. Crew, navy/bisque ($20) and olive/red ($9).

And the finished product looks like:

The watch face isn't as big as I thought it would be - a plus and I like the military feel of it! The strap is a bit long so I have to double it up. The navy/bisque strap is on back order until mid to late August.

And with a "revealing" (Hello- you can see my face LOL) ensemble (I'm taking a cue from Cee here - thanks Cee for the sunglasses trick!):

Tank: Old Navy, Striped Ribbed Tank

Blazer: J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer in Summer Stripe, Sz 0 (buy here)

Capris: Gap Maternity Skinny Cargo Pants (I cropped these bc I needed more air LOL - thanks Gigi for the maternity skinny idea!)

Shoes: Tommy Hilfiger Illie Print Wedge Sandal (buy here)

Watch: Timex Face + J. Crew Strap

By the way, I felt incredibly awkward taking photos outdoors - I kept waiting for my neighbor to pop his head out and ask what I was doing. And this is from just being in the backyard. I gotta hand it to you bloggers who take photos outside AND in public all the time! Plus my shots were all overexposed because I left my indoor settings on - oops!

What are your thoughts on wearing men's garments / accessories?

Pregnant PFC #9: Heat Wave Appropriate

2011-07-30T18:50:00.000-04:00

It's (Pregnant)PFC time and this month's host is the ever-lovely Elle of Fast Food and Fast Fashion! I've probably got maybe 1 more pregnancy PFC left in me and then it'll be PFCs dealing with post-preggy belly LOL.

The Challenge:

When it comes to New England weather, there is rarely an ambient temperature. When I am not suffocating in the heat outside I am bundled up and hanging onto my winter coat for dear life inside the confines of the well air-conditioned office walls.

With this dilemma in mind, I challenge you all to create an outfit that accounts for the various environmental factors that plague us in the summer. I want to know how you dress when it's 90 degrees outside and 65 degrees inside. Do you utilize peel-able layers? Are you particular about choosing fabric that is light but resistant? Or do you just tack on a blazer over summer clothes?

So there's really no such thing as me feeling cool nowadays (esp. since my office is actually 76 degrees rather than the 60s that it used to be) but I'll pretend for the sake of the challenge ;)

I can't say that I got very creative with this challenge but my typical go-to in this kind of circumstance is a lightweight cardigan. What I like about this particular cardi is the lace back allows air in but the sleeves keep you warm.

Top: Lauren by Ralph Lauren Isidro Pleated Lace Top

Cardigan: Lauren Conrad Lace Back Cardigan

Pants: Motherhood Maternity, Black Trousers

Necklaces: Target Chunky Pearls + Freshwater Pearls

Shoes: Target Mossimo Pearce Pumps

Bag: "Charlotte" Vintage Messenger

And when it comes to going outdoors (most notably to commute back home), I just slip off the cardigan and probably roll up my pants (shh - I am just driving home after all) :) The shell itself is a nice, lightweight stretchy cotton.

Looking forward to seeing everyone else's entries!

Shoe Reviews: Tory Burch Revas and More!

2011-07-27T21:45:00.000-04:00

Ok, I admit it, I knew what I was getting myself into before I even bought these. I had heard stories about TB Revas being uncomfortable or taking a long time to break in. Given that I have relatively wide (and somewhat sensitive to pain) feet, the chances of me finding them comfy right off the bat were slim to none. BUT they are so darn cute and were on sale! So I decided to give it a try, telling myself that if they were unbearable, I'd just return them or try to see if anyone wanted to buy them from me.

Tory Burch Afrikan Reva Ballerina Flat in Razor Blue

They feel ok for about the first few hours of being in the office (not much walking required) but then the elastic heels dig in and the tops / sides of my pinky toes start to get squished. :( I've heard of the freezer trick but my freezer is jam-packed with food so I'm going to try a shoe stretcher and see how that goes. I do absolutely love the color and general look of the shoe though!

I also got a pair of flats from Banana Republic about a week or so ago:

Banana Republic, Macrame and Leather Flats

These are so crazy comfortable! I love them! I don't see them online but my store had quite a few in both navy blue and orange so check your store out if you're interested.

If I could build the perfect flat, it would look like the Revas but feel like the BR flats.

And finally, the yellow Target wedges I mentioned in a previous post:

Target Xhilaration Teala Wedges, see also on Jean

These are weirdly comfortable. Don't get me wrong, I can't walk miles and miles in them but a typical work day is fine (my office environment is mostly desk work and business casual).

Do you have any advice on breaking shoes in?

Sweet Pink Paisley Dress DIY - 3 ways

2011-07-24T19:18:00.000-04:00

Another great fabric find at Joann's - this sheer pink paisley was literally calling my name so I bought all that was left (1.75 yards) and made this smocked top dress. The smocking is so pregnancy friendly! I wanted to be able to adjust the straps depending on how I felt so instead of 2 fixed straps, I added 4 open straps.

1. Tied halter style with Flower Sash (tutorial for sash here)

Shoes: Banana Republic Gladiator Wedges - BR shoes are crazy comfortable. If you haven't already heard, there is 40% off your entire purchase tonight so make sure to check out the shoes!

2. Tied traditionally with bows at each shoulder

Shoes: Frye Joy Vintage Slide

3. Worn as skirt (shoulder straps tied as a bow at the waist)

Shoes: Sofft Buckle Slides

Sorry, I know I could have styled the skirt look better but I was getting hot / tired. Comes with 3rd trimester territory I think :) How would you style this when wearing as a skirt?

J. Crew Sale Finds: 40% Off and Free Shipping

2011-07-22T14:01:00.000-04:00

Darn all these sales, they're really killing me! Use code LOVEIT for 40% off sale items plus free shipping on any amount. Most items are final sale. And don't forget to use Ebates for 1.5% cash back too!

Some super cute skirts and belts (that I may or may not have purchased - shhh, don't tell hubby):

Factory Eyelet Tiered Skirt, Bright Coral, $14.99 (orig. $69.50), buy here

Isn't this ever so purty? I love the color and eyelet details on each tier.

Factory Bell Skirt in Cotton, Mineral Gray, $20.70 (orig. $54.50), buy here

Remember the Bell Skirt that made the rounds through the blogger community last winter? Here's your chance to get a good deal on it. Available in Gray and Blue.

Factory Skinny Whip Snake Belt, Bright Coral, $14.70 (orig. $26.50), buy here

Factory Metallic Webbing Belt, $5.99 (orig. $22.50) buy here

UPDATE: Here are some great in-store finds:

Schoolboy Blazer in Summer Stripe, (I got Faded Indigo, but pictured is Carnival Blossom), Style # 42038, store price $28 (orig. $118 - not on sale online but here is the link to buy if you're interested)

Boy Shirt in Bluestone Plaid, Style #45082, store price $14 (orig. $72 - online is $36 - buy here)

Happy Shopping! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Talbots Super Shoe Haul and Reviews

2011-07-20T20:21:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Gigi's post about the Talbots Secret Sale, I purchased 9 (eek) pairs of shoes. All shoes were $29.99 and Gigi even had a 20% off code with free shipping so they were actually $24 (for leather shoes!!!!!!).

Let me start by saying that I am actually a picky shoe owner. I have big feet (size 8.5) that tend towards being on the wider side (but don't require wearing wide sizing) and I really need all footwear to be rather comfortable. Though sometimes I will waver on comfort if it's cute :)

On to the reviews!

Flower Bouquet Espadrilles, Natural (buy here)

I really love the flower "bouquet" details and these espadrilles are actually pretty comfy! It's a little funny that these cream colored shoes look kind of nude against my super pale legs LOL.

Verdict: Keep

Croc-embossed Platform Wedges, Dark Sweet Almond (buy here)

These are soooo incredibly cute! Despite the height, it feels pretty good on my feet - the only complaint I have is that the leather is a little stiff so will hopefully soften up with wear. I love the color and the croc-embossed details.

Verdict: Keep

Flower Bouquet Ballet Flats, Flint Gray (buy here)

Again, I just fell in love with the floral detail here! These are pretty comfy though they seem to run a little bigger than the other sz 8.5 shoes I ordered. That can be easily fixed with one of those heel inserts though.

Verdict: Keep

Suede Chunky Heel City Sandals, Sunshine (buy here)

See them on Gigi of Gigi's Gone Shopping (leather version) and Jean of Extra Petite

I LOVE this color - it's just oh so pretty and makes me feel all happy when I see it :) The suede is nice and soft. Like Gigi mentioned, it seems like these are verging on being a bit too high for me but I think that's due to the pregnancy rather than the shoes themselves.

Verdict: Keep, but wear next spring / summer

Suede Ruched Boots, Storm Grey (buy here)

Even though these have super pointy toes (which are usually indicative of painful pinching), these are actually pretty comfortable! The only negative is that they are a tad too high and come up to the bottom of my knee. But hey, these were originally $250 and I got them for $24 so these are keepers!

Verdict: Keep

And now on to the shoes I'm on the fence about / not keeping. Please excuse the flamingo poses. Talbots wraps their shoes extremely well and I was too lazy to unpack both shoes to take pics.

Leather Bow Platforms, Black (buy here)

I wanted to love these platforms very badly because the leather is super buttery, soft but these are a little too high for me and I don't think I'd last very long in them.

Verdict: Sadly no

Croc-embossed Peep-toe Leather Pumps, Cafe Au Lait (buy here)

I love the way these look but the leather is stiff and cuts into my foot too much for my liking. The height also just pitches too much of my weight into the toe area creating pressure there.

Verdict: No

Leather Chunky Heel City Sandal, Pink Desert (buy here)

I thought for sure these would be keepers after trying on the yellow suede version but again the leather is just a little too stiff for me. Plus, I just like the yellow color more.

Verdict: No

Croc-embossed Slingback, Chocolate (don't see it online anymore)

I also love the color and detailing of these shoes but they pinch my toes :(

Verdict: No

Did you shop this sale? What did you purchase and what did you think?

Then and Now: J. Crew Muse Tank

2011-07-18T16:31:00.000-04:00

Is it stretchy and of a decent length? Then you can wear it even in your 3rd trimester! I'm going to try and make this a new feature for the remainder of my pregnancy. I still very fervently believe in maximizing what you already have in your closet or purchasing items that will work for you both during and after pregnancy. Why not save that money for something fun? A fun new handbag perhaps? ;)

Of course, when it comes to pants, you can't just slap a Bella Band over existing pants anymore and you will have to purchase a few maternity pants. I recommend buying 3 basics: black trousers, khakis, and jeans. Motherhood Maternity usually has these for about $30 each or you can check out Gap, Target, and Old Navy. MM usually does not have a very large selection in terms of sizes in store so many times I've had to just purchase a M vs. XS or S. This usually is ok for the 3rd trimester but in the early days of pregnancy, I just have to keep hiking my pants up (ugh). Hence the parade of dresses / skirts you've seen on me instead.


Then Top: J. Crew Muse Tank, Golden Topaz, XS (see it on Vicky of Vicky's Daily Fashion, Annie of Really Petite, and Liane of PetiteXXS) Cardigan: Lauren Conrad, XS Skirt: DIY Paisley Brocade Belt: Banana Republic Necklace: F21 Shoes: Ann Taylor Perfect Suede Pumps, Granite	Now Top: J. Crew Muse Tank, Golden Topaz, XS Pants: Motherhood Maternity Black Trousers Necklace: Target Chunky Pearls Shoes: Target Mossimo Pearce Pumps (buy here) Bag: "Charlotte" Vintage Messenger (shortened straps for shoulder carry)	Obligatory Tummy Pose :) (29.5 weeks pregnant)

Thanks to the blogger community, I have discovered surprisingly comfy shoes and cute accessories at Target. These are definitely wallet friendly purchases! Have you purchased anything there recently?

Preggy Chronicles Vol. 3: Preparations for Baby

2011-07-13T23:19:00.000-04:00

Pregnancy check-in:

Gestational Time: 28 weeks - 12 more to go! (Only 8 more until maternity leave - woohoo!)
Weight Gain: 22 lbs (I may have to be stricter with my diabetic diet bc I only gained 19 lbs total with our son)
Added Inches: +11 at the tummy, + 6 at the "waist"
Current Cravings: Chicken Salad with Buffalo Sauce, Tamales, Carne Asada, Fried Pickles

Baby Names

We've actually had a baby girl name in mind since my first pregnancy and I think we are sticking to it. When asked, we have a tendency to just say we don't have a name yet. Hubby had a friend who wanted to name her baby "Savannah" and a well-meaning(?) person informed her that was the name of a porn star. In order to prevent our bubble from being busted, we'll just stay tight-lipped until her arrival.

A Chinese middle name was much more difficult to think of. Both hubby and I immigrated to the US as infants so while familiar with Cantonese, are not what you would call proficient. We've been bumbling around for the longest time but then came across this nifty website which allows you to input the English name, gender, date of birth, and desired meaning. We chose one that means kindness and intelligence. Mom thinks the characters are a bit funny for a girl but eh, what are you going to do?

Baby Purchases

Coming Home Outfit: Ruffles on the tush! The one I ordered is actually pale pink with just one polo figure at the chest, but this is the only photo I could find online that showed the cute little butt ruffles

Nursery Decor: We are putting this on hold until our move next spring / summer but I'm planning on a lavender room with panda bears :) (Gorgeous Etsy offering from Designed Designer - buy here)

Misc. Clothes: A bunch of little dresses, socks / tights, hair accessories :) Plus, a little splash of Burberry doesn't hurt anyone!

Neutral Hand Me Downs: I saved some Gucci sneakers and a Burberry sweater from big brother too! After Baby Girl, I'm going to have these framed into a shadow box keepsake. In general, I didn't want to buy TOO many designer baby items since they grow so fast but I just couldn't resist buying a few pieces for family pics and for handing down.

To all those with siblings (both hubby and I are only children), any words of wisdom for welcoming #2 / making #1 still feel special?

P.S. - I'm still a bit behind on responding / commenting, but will catch up this weekend!!

New Obsession: Red-Orange in 4 OOTDs

2011-07-10T17:09:00.000-04:00

Whew, a break! My company's fiscal year started July 1 so this past week has been incredibly hectic hence the lack of blogging / blog commenting (but I will catch up on commenting!).

Today's post highlights my favorite new set of accessories: Amrita Singh Water Mill Necklace in Coral (buy here), H&M Braided Belt in Red-Orange, & F21 Coral Cuff and how I've been pairing them with absolutely EVERYTHING. Do you ever wear a favorite item / items to death?

See this double loop knot? It's my favorite new belting technique using Kileen's tutorial here.

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Nikki

Here's how I've worn it:


H&M Maxi Dress, Sz 4, $20 (in stores now, Cut excess hem to add flutter sleeves)	H&M Black Maxi Skirt, XS, $10 (in stores now) Wearing this skirt as a dress as inspired by the ever-stylish Ping	Old Navy White Maxi Dress, XS (old)	DIY Nautical Stripes Dress

Do you like this nifty little table? Take a look at Cee's tutorial to make your own :)