Fox Hunting: Mak Sweater Review

Foxy Etsy Finds:  Fantastic Mr. Fox Print, Crochet Fox Gloves, Fox Pendant Necklace

    Sorry to be sooo last year about this post...unless you're one of those who likes to take their time with fashion finds.  If so, this post is for you and I'm not sorry at all.  I loved this fox sweater last fall, but I kept waiting for the price to drop when I found it at ModCloth and Unique Vintage.  It did, but by then my size was sold out.  And, I saw it all over the place from factory direct sources on Ebay, but was still figuring out my size with the Asian sizing guides.  Eventually it disappeared from those shops too. 
    With the leaves changing color and sweater weather just around the corner, my interest was renewed.  This adorable foxy face was no longer peaking out from every shop window and blog spot I visit.  Finding it this late in the game would be a challenge.  So, the fox hunt began!  It took me a few days (spread out over several weeks) to find this sweater at a shop called TopazSun which also has a storefront on Amazon.com  Since I had an Amazon order ready to go, I decided to buy it there.  I did pay extra for shipping and I'm not sure if that's because I bought it from Amazon or because of my address. 
    I normally wear an XS, but I like sweaters and tees to have some breathing room so I always order them in small or medium.  I ordered this sweater in a small and it's a pretty good fit.  True to the sizing guide info, it is snug, but not form fitting.  The length is just about right, but I added a lace cami underneath for a couple more inches of coverage.  I think it's the perfect length for wearing with skirts and I can't wait to start pulling out the fall skirts to see what other outfits I can put together.

Shop the Look:
Fox Sweater by Mak $30 at TopazSun  with free shipping or  $30 on Amazon + $7 shipping

Let's Start Layering!

Grey Fall Leaf Photo and Aqua Leaves Photo from Etsy

    Just a quick post for today.  It's been so cloudy I haven't had the opportunity to do many photos lately.  As much as I love to wear my sundresses during the warm months of the year, I also look forward to the challenge of converting them for cooler temps.  While I do like to get a few new things each season--or month--I also try to make new layered looks from the same dresses each year.  My first pick for autumn weatherizing is my Traveling Cake Pop Truck Dress.  I bought it at ModCloth last year during an end of summer sale, so adding a few extra layers was a necessity from the start.  Here's a quick look at three past outfits with this dress.

    This year I wanted to try a little something different.   This dress has removable halter straps, so step one was to take them off.  Then the layering began with my standby Peter Pan collar blouse from Forever 21.  A little coverage, a little extra warmth and it gives the dress a different feel.  Even though it's not a color used in the in the dress, I felt like this golden cardi went perfectly with this dress.  It's all in keeping with a fall color palette and it's one more way to wear this odd ball dress. 

Shop the Look:

Traveling Cake Pop Dress & Qupid heels from ModCloth  (<----use this link to save $15 off your first order) 

Top from Forever21

Tights from WalMart 

Hello, Autumn!:ootd

Necklaces, Berry Print, and Hair Comb from Etsy

    Summer is gone and has taken the sunshine with it. Fall is officially here in all its rainy glory and it is finally time to start layering!  We've had a week of chilly days, but I'm not ready to put the sundresses away yet; I'd rather keep them out and get creative.  I haven't done a ThredUp post in a while, so I decided to make this outfit devoted to ThredUp love.  This ditsy floral by Forever 21 was a total bargain at only $6 and the dress, also Forever 21, still had the tags attached and was only $10.
    What began as a cocktail dress quickly converted to a work day piece when I added a cotton blouse and tights.  When layering with a button down blouse, I like a sleeveless dress with a high neck.  A lower neck causes the blouse to bunch at the top.  I can still work, so don't rule it out, it just might take a little tugging to keep it in place throughout the day.  Since the main piece is a solid color, I felt like the blouse needed to be a tiny floral or plaid print.  Neutral tights, heels, earrings, and belt completed the outfit so it's not too busy.  Voila!  Ready for those crisp autumn days!

Shop the Look:
Dress & Blouse from ThredUp.  If you're new to ThredUp, uses this link to sign up and save $20 off your first order  http://www.thredup.com/r/WKVOY5
Tights from ModCloth  If you're new to ModCloth, use this link to sign up and save $15 off your first order http://fbuy.me/ehZdj

Goodbye Summer: Popsicle Dress Review

Kate Spade Coin Purse, Popsicle Soap, Popsicle Print

This Popsicle Dress was an instant favorite and I have loved wearing it this summer.  Another cute, cotton sundress from The Other Sparrows

The print is adorable and the fit is the same that I've come to expect from this shop.  It is short and sweet, and a little high-waisted.  I have a long waist, and I'm a stickler for modestly when it comes to dress length, but I so adore their dresses, that I managed to find a happy medium, literally.  

    Though I should probably wear a size small, I order a medium so that I can get a little more length and then if necessary I alter the bodice for a better fit.  Honestly, though I haven't had to alter these dresses much.  A size medium is only about 32 inches (80cm) long, so I also wear either cotton bicycle shorts or a pair of high-waisted ruffled shorts to keep me covered.  The ruffled shorts also add some fullness to the skirt.  *please forgive my foot tan.  I've been wearing my Tevas most of the summer and it shows.*

Shop the Look:
Popsicle Dress
From the Round Up Purse by Nila Anthony
Gold Sandals are old and from Target

Ruche is Back!

Ruche announced that it was closing its virtual doors earlier this year, but through a happy twist of fate, they have managed to re-open.  Although I've noticed a shift away from ModCloth style dresses (save $15 on your first ModCloth order with this link -->  Save15)  to a more flowy boho style, they still have a lot of pretty things, some very nice perks and some great sales.  Like the engine from that beloved children's book, they're the little dress shop that could.  Good on ya, Ruche.  Read the full story here

Ellery Polka Dot Bomber Jacket

Audrey Turquoise Necklace

Paint Me Plaid Skirt

Ms Mermaid: ootd

    We'll soon say goodbye to summer and it makes me a little bit sad that I didn't get out to enjoy it this year.  It's possibly my last chance to live so near the ocean that I can run down to the beach for a quick swim, but it just wasn't meant to be.  I guess I'll just have to snuggle up under one of those mermaid tail shaped blankets and watch Splash this weekend.  Just because summer is ending, doesn't mean I have to pack up all my siren prints for the season as well.

   I discovered this mermaid print top on Ebay and it was so cute it was calling to me, but it was shipping directly from an outlet style store in China which is a gamble on quality and sizing.  Sometimes I'm willing to take a bit of a risk for a bargain and since it was cute and only $11 I made it mine.  The top arrived in less than two weeks and fit true to size (Asian M = US XS/S).  It seemed to be decent quality, but after one wash (cold water, like colors, hung to dry rather than tumbled) a lot of the dark red seaweed prints ran in pink smudges.  It wasn't bad enough that I can't wear the top and I'm hoping since I didn't put it in the dryer that it will fade with another washing or two.  So, even though it isn't great, I can't complain too much.  I knew what I was getting in to.  

    As far as putting an outfit together, I always have to resist that temptation to make everything match.  I almost audibly had to tell myself to put away the starfish hair clip and the seashell purse.  I wasn't going to a costume party after all, and that's what it looks like when outfits have a theme.  It's hard to take someone seriously when she's dressed like a beach threw up on her.  So, for this look it's mermaid love not a nautical overdose.   I limited myself to one ocean-y item and the rest will have to wait for another day.

 Shop The Look:

Mermaid Blouse

Jewelry is my own design

Ann Taylor Loft Skirt and and JouJou Jacket are from ThredUp  

If you're new to ThredUp, use this link to sign up and save $20 off your first order  http://www.thredup.com/r/WKVOY5

Wowed By Whimsy: Dress Review

    On my first visit to ModCloth (<--use this link to sign up and save $15 off your order)  in several months, I decided to check the sale section to see if anything caught my eye.  As it turns out an entire outfit came together around this sweet little sale dress called Wowed By Whimsy.  Made by Coconinno this dress really surprised me with how great it looked. The fabric is a little funky, not exactly what you think when you hear "zebra print" and the skirt material feels a little like burlap.  Overall it's a really cute dress and a great buy.  Ditto with the shoes and necklace; it was all sale stuff and a really great bargain.  The necklace is pretty heavy and makes a lot of clanking sounds, but it's also really cool.  And, I love these heels!!  They are easily the coolest shoes I own.

Shop the Look:
Wowed by Whimsy Dress
What's Yours is Divine Heels in Cerulean
I Marine Business Necklace

Peaches and Clover: ootd

Necklace, Heart Clover Print, and Clover Field Print on Etsy

    I don't like clover.  There, I said it...because it's not St. Patrick's Day and because no Irish people happen to be standing next to me.  I don't have anything against this holiday, it's just not my cup of tea (or mug of beer).  To be fair, I also don't wear dragons on St. George's Day or a tartan on St. Columba's Day.  It's nothing personal; it's just not something I do.  Maybe the reason I don't like to wear clover is because the only time I see them is on that one day in March.  

    I must admit that when I was browsing The Other Sparrows, this dress wasn't my first (or even second) choice.  The dress I ordered was over sold, so it was either cancel that part of the order and lose my shipping discount or pick something else.  Soooo....I picked this dress and decided to try to move past my aversion.  

    On Labor Day we had a barbecue to attend, and since that sounded like the furthest thing from St. Patty's I decided to go ahead and wear my new emerald sundress.  Of course the first thing my oldest said when I stepped out of my room was, "Uh, Mom, it's not St. Patrick's Day."  She received a stern look and a fist shaken in her direction.  Her little snicker that followed told me she knew what she was doing, but I was undeterred.  

    No one else mentioned anything about this print being unseasonable, and since it was a very hot day, I'm glad I wore this little sundress.  I don't think it really needs a review.  It's the same cut and quality as all the other sundresses I've purchased from The Other Sparrows, and that's a good thing.  I like the color and I plan to wear it all winter with tights and cardis...right up until March that is. 

   

Shop the Look:
Lucky Clover Dress from The Other Sparrows
Nila Anthony Peach Purse from ShopJeen.com 
There's An Apple For That Cardi and My Stroll Mate Flats from ModCloth
Bee Earrings from PeachTreeLane.etsy.com

When Life Gives You Lemons:ootd

Lemon Seeds, Lemon Botanical Print and Lemon Still Life available on Etsy

     Did you ever notice that saying is When life gives you lemons, not If.  Yet, somehow I am always caught off guard by the sour and acidic seasons in life.  From now on, I am determined that when life is sweet, I'm going to save some of it up so I can be prepared for those lemons life will hand me.
    Now, lest you think I have a poor opinion of lemons, let me assure you of my love for all things citrus.  That love is particularly alive in the summer months, and I came across this sun-kissed beauty just as summer was starting.  It was a difficult choice between this Elle dress from Kohls (I bought it on Ebay for $20) or this Lemon Drop dress from The Other Sparrows 

    In the end, I may not be able to resist and wind up with <--this one too.  But for now, I have just this one lemon dress and that's OK.  I feel like this dress needs a quick review because it had a few problems.
The print is lovely and the material is a good quality.  The belt seems to be good quality as well and Yay! it comes with a belt.  The skirt and the bodice are lined and the style is very flattering on curvy shapes or shapes that want to create curves.
    However, this dress needed a lot of work to make it fit and not just because of my recent weight loss.  The straps for this dress were abnormally long and it took some major adjustments.  Due to the criss-cross back, that meant that the skirt puckered at the back and had to be adjusted too.

 

  Sadly, summer is coming to an end and I didn't get the alterations done in time to wear this dress when it would have been seasonally appropriate.  But, I didn't want it to sit on the shelf for nine months waiting for June to roll around again so I could finally wear it.  So, I decided to do a little digging in my closet to see what I could find to make this dress work for fall and winter.  Was I successful?  I don't know.  The only thing I really found was my yellow coat from last year's big sale at ModCloth.  It may be a little over the top and I may be the brightest thing anyone will see this season, and I guess that isn't such a bad thing.

Shop the Look:
Elle Dress from Kohls available Here, Here, Here, and Here
Field Commentator Coat and White Crop Cardi From ModCloth
Earrings and rings are handmade by me :)