The Anthropologie Conundrum

I love Anthropologie. They have truly beautiful apparel, accessories, home decor, and tons of inspiration. I have a little twinge of "I wish I had that" whenever someone says they "Got it at Anthropologie" or does a What I Wore post with some amazing and well-styled piece from Anthropologie, like this one.

But I still can't bring myself to buy their merch until and unless it is drastically marked down on their super-clearance, you're-lucky-if-it's-in-your-size sale rack. I just don't understand $338 sandals asnd $228 blouses. I just ... don't get it. If I have $228 extra dollars sitting around (what a day!) I will spend it on getting that squeak on my car fixed, not buying a beautifully overpriced blouse that will look just as old and 'has been' as everything else in my closet after just a few wears.

All that to say, I still greatly admire (and esteem!) their stock and have browsed their webpages many times for inspiration. Here are a few of my favorite looks and pieces from their latest e-mail alert: perfect cool and light pieces for Spring and Summer.

Paint On Canvas Pants in Dark Grey

First Hints blouse in Ivory

Brickwork tee in Grey Motif and Drawing Parallels skirt in Plum

Bowtied Batik shorts in Gold



Mail Call! Shop It To Me

It's Friday, which means it's time for this week's Shop It To Me sale e-mail. Granted, I personally am NOT going out this weekend to snap up a $60 swimsuit or an $80 cardigan, however cute they are. But it's worth keeping an eye on them to see how cheap they get, right? ;) Of course by the time they are within my price range, the only size is XXS or XXXL. Of course.


Also, I thought this would be a good time to talk about clothes swaps. I'm a fan. I am a sucker for a good deal and a clean closet (clean meaning free of items I haven't worn in 2 years); a clothes swap takes care of both in the course of a few hours. If you haven't heard of a clothes swap the idea is that you gather a bunch of your like-minded, stylish friends, each of whom brings an offering of clothes, accessories, shoes or whatever to contribute to the party. Everyone then gets to rummage through (literally rummage - I have seen dining tables messily HEAPED with clothes!) and pick out "new" pieces to take home. Instead of spending crazy money on new clothes, you get to hang with your friends and pick out a few gently-worn pieces of clothes for your closet (the whole 'clean closet' part happens when you pack up a bag or two of unwanted -- or in my case grown-out-of -- clothes from YOUR closet to contribute to the swap). Fun. Green. Cheap. Doesn't get much better than that!




Here are a few of my favorites from today's Shop It To Me sale mail...maybe a friend will bring a suitable replacement for one of them to the next clothes swap. ;)






Delia's Nerdy Kitty Tee - $14.99 (of course it's only available in Small now, but it's TOO CUTE!)

Old Navy Ankle Crop Denim Leggings in Black - $19.00

 Old Navy The Diva Skinny Flared-Leg Jeans in Mekong - $20.70

J. Crew Shawl-Collar Cardigan in Dark Navy - $79.50 (loving the sequin shorts, too!)

J. Crew Starlet Dot Ruched Underwire Tank in Windsor Gray - $59.99

Gap Zip Sweater (cotton/cashmere blend) in Black - $17.99 and Red - $24.99

Gap Printed Wrap Top in Navy Print - $24.99

Some Things I Like - ShopItToMe.com

This morning I checked my e-mails and found my weekly Shop It To Me e-mail waiting in my Inbox. If you don't subscribe to this, you probably should (if you like to shop, that is); it's a great resource for apparel and accessories that are on sale all over the web. Who has time to check out ALL the websites and stores you shop at just hunting for sale items? Here, they are accessible in one single e-mail. However, it it sometimes just another temptation during those times when you can't afford to buy every cute thing in sight!

Whenever you subscribe you can choose several 'settings' for your membership, including the maximum price - they will send you only items that fit into your specifications: just shoes, just apparel, items below $100, etc. Check them out at ShopItToMe.com.


Here are a few of my favorite things from this week's sales (apparently and completely unplanned, my list is pretty much all J. Crew!).



Banana Republic Tribal Tubular Necklace - $29.99 (prev $39.50)

J. Crew Jersey Lomellina Ruffle Tank in Copper Clay - $89.99 (prev $125.00)

J. Crew Skinny Wedge Flip Flops (a classic!) - $7.99 (prev $19.50)

 J. Crew Weatherby Short Boot (still expensive, but *awesome* - loving the back zipper detail and the ankle snap) - $129.99 (prev $250.00)

J. Crew Stretch Vintage Bootcut Cord in Cobblestone - $19.99 (prev $79.50)



Good Things For your Closet! (plus one other thing)

I found out the other day (for at least the second time - apparently my memory is not what it used to be) that the caps on those Wallflowers from Bath and Body Works twist open the opposite way of any normal, American container. I had purchased some online while they were on sale (with a giftcard!) and we tried very hard to open them with no success. Huge amounts of torque; a pair of pliers; teeth: nothing. We decided to return them. The lady laughed and said we were twisting them the wrong way. We laughed, too. Now our house smells like Kitchen Spice, Caramel Apple and Lavender (in the bedroom to induce relaxing sleep, supposedly). All that to say, I really enjoy Wallflowers. I rarely have them in the house but when I do I find they are mild and pleasant, not overwhelming or cough-inducing (like that air freshener my mechanic hung in my car the other day ...)

While we were at the mall 'returning' the Wallflowers, we stopped at Payless - Kevin thought they might have some slippers. I have been on a mission for slippers for a while now since my old ones I've had for 4 years completely gave out. The soles are coming loose and the fabric is frazzled and permenantly stained from going outside ande scuffing around the house almost every night. He found the perfect pair of slippers for me! I wanted slippers that had a closed back (those backless 'scuffies' that slip on don't really keep my feet warm). I wanted slippers that were fluffy and cozy. I wanted slippers with a relatively durable sole. These have it all. I am so excited! I wear them all the time now! They sort of look like bigfoot feet, or like I'm wearing one of my cats on each foot. I guess that's what makes them so cozy -- cats DO make good footwarmers. I highly recommend these comfy slippers! They are very economical and very cozy ... perfect for cool winter nights on the couch when you're trying to save money on your heating bill. ;)

Next on my list of good things for the week is colorful tights.

I have wanted to get several pairs for a while but haven't been able to find them anywhere in colors other than black and gray (BO-ring); either that or they are like, $30 which I think is completely unacceptable for a very perishable accessory. At last, I found some at Target the other day and bought three pairs. I am still looking for a pretty golden color but I did score the bright hunter green and warm, plumy magenta I wanted. I also got a light, ashy-gray pair which is nice with more colorful shoes. Yesterday I wore them with a knee-length floral skirt (small print) and orange mid-heel lace-up pumps. I think tights are a fun way to accesorize and incorporate color. If you have a more classic, neutral wardrobe, they are great at punching up the color and changing your look. Even with colorful or patterned pieces, tights can bring out an accent color or just transition a knee skirt or shortsleeved dress from Summer into the cooler months.

Here are some great examples of how to wear colored tights. Photo from this website.

I also must recommend this great website I discovered on my quest for tights; it's called We Love Colors. They have TONS of tights and leggings in every possible color. Their classic opaque, footed tights are $12.50 and come in 51 color options (nuts!). I guess they really do love colors? They have a color called 'Gold' which is just what I'm looking for! I might have to give it a try, even though it's pricy compared to my $5 Merona tights at Target. American Apparel also has opaque tights in a wide range of colors for $14.

Another "I heart" is definitely colorful shoes. I'm working on gathering several different colors and styles for my closet. I'm sort of over tan and black and brown shoes. I want greens and reds and yellows and blues. Happy colors! Happy colors for my feet! Doesn't it make you happy having color on your body? It makes me happy. I am not completely abandoning all the neutral tones for bright colors; they can be friends. But I just like color in places that I am not used to having color ... I wasn't raised with colorful shoes or colorful tights (well, when I was 5 I had red tights I think) or colorful scarves. It was all about the neutrals so you could have a 'versitile' wardrobe. But I want the best of BOTH those worlds ... which is why colorful accessories are so darn great.

Like these red ruffly pumps I found hiding under my bed the other week ...

And these cheerful loafers (I got the green pair on sale) ...

And of course the 'famous' orange lace-up pumps ... one of my new favorites!

And here are two more yummy pairs as found at the mall a couple months ago ... both drastically on sale (can you tell I like finding things on sale?) and adorable ... on the left: Gap rhinestone flats (you can buy they here) and on the right: from Nordstrom, BP Shoes brand which I just don't think you can buy anymore ... maybe on eBay.

That's all. Please share your favorite closet staples or fashion trends. It's fun isn't it? So long as it doesn't get too expensive. ;)