Garnet Hill and Anthropologie Reviews - Eileen Fisher Tank, Merino Sweater Dress and Glowing Horizons Trench

I have not ordered from Garnet Hill in a very long time but finally bit the bullet when I found a code for free shipping over $75. They had some excellent items in their sale section and I thought I would give them a try - glad I did! As always, sizing is tricky at GH but the quality is superb. Here's what I found:

Eileen Fisher Silk Jersey Long Tunic (XS) in Smoke

I love the idea of Eileen Fisher but the fit is always funny on me. Not so with this tank/tunic. This picture does not do it justice. First of all, the material is absolute heaven. Drapey, light but not transparent. The shape skims over the body but does not cling and the length is great for wear snug little cropped bottoms.  

Garnet Hill Modern Merino Sweater Dress (size XS) 

You be looking at this dress thinking, blah... And sure, it is not full of wow factor. But, it is made of the most divine, soft, non-itchy merino wool and fits so beautifully and is a totally work-appropriate length that it is wow in a different way. I feel like I will be able to wear this dress until the end of time. And for the sale price, it was definitely worth it! I just threw on a few belts with it but it would definitely need some nice jewelry and perhaps a scarf. Garnet Hill quality does not disappoint. Will be interesting to see if it pills at all over time.

Glowing Horizons Trench (size 4) 

I know I talked about this trench before but I wanted to show some more pictures. It is so divine. The details and the pops of orange all over. LOVE it. Size 4 is 1 up from my usual size but I like a little extra room to layer. The only weird thing about this coat is the attached belt. It is attached at a spot that makes it impossible to buckle it in the front. I'm thinking maybe you are just supposed to tie it. Nothing a tailor couldn't fix anyway.

Anyone else use the free shipping promo for Garnet Hill?

EmersonMade Review - Airy Dots Blouse

I have always wanted to try some of EmersonMade's clothing (which is now called EmersonFry). There are pieces have a reputation as being made absolutely beautifully and the silhouettes are somehow modern and timeless all at the same time. I am still searching for the perfect "pussy bow" blouse and this seems to be a specialty item at EmersonFry. I really love some of the quirky prints they've done in the past but right now they only have polka dots so I thought I'd give that a try.

Emerson Airy Dots Blouse (size S and XS)

For the right figure, these blouses are adorable. I was sort of in between sizes. The S felt a bit shapeless but the XS was slightly tight in the shoulders. The cotton is crisp and lovely and the removable tie is genius! The fabric is slightly see through in this color but I think that is to be expected with a lovely, light, spring-weight cotton. 

Verdict? I think I would take the XS and would love to own one of these blouses but couldn't justify the $188 price tag right now. I think it would be justifiable if you worked in an office where you could take this from work to play. Definitely love the look of the blouse tucked into high-waisted trousers (like Emerson does on the website) but high-waisted trousers are not great on short-waisted me!

Some of the dresses for spring also look gorgeous. Some of my favorites:

Yes Dress Long in peacock (I die over anything involving peacocks. Gorge.)

2 Button Belt Skirt  - how effortlessly chic does she look? A little Audrey, a little 70's. Delish.

White Mod - OMG. I just want to be her in this picture. Adorable. 

Anyone else have experience with EmersonFry? 

Anthropologie Reviews - Palma Dress, Broken Pleats Skirt, Akin Tunic, Minutiae Dropwaist Dress, Carolinae Top, Paisley Moment Tank, and more!

Oopsies, I've been gone for a little while. I haven't entirely had the urge to shop and I keep on forgetting my camera, so no posts. Plus, the weather here has been gorgeous so all I really want to do is sit in the sun and sip a latte. Okay, maybe a margarita. Anyway - my Anthro obsession continues so here are some recent goodies...

Glowing Horizons Trench (size 4)

This little lovely was hiding in my sale section. Me lovey. I feel like a hot spy - which is a good thing. The details are so lovely. I took more pics at home so I will post them another time. The details are gorgeous. They didn't have a size 2 (my normal size) but I have a feeling I would have preferred the 4 anyway - gotta be able to move the arms.

Skipped Beats Blouse (size 2 or 4) 

Love the idea of this blouse and the cotton is crisp and delicious but the shape is blah de blah. And it's super short, which is saying a lot since I am short-waisted.

Hanalei Buttondown (size 2)

It seems that maybe this motif is sold out online so I linked to the strawberries version. It's a really nice blouse. I didn't realize it was 3/4 length sleeves. The fit is very flattering on the body and the colors are vibrant but not too much so.

Otsego Blouse (size 2) 

I do love me some peasant-y, eyelet, boho chic whatever but this is not good. Boxy mess on my body and the elastic waist did me no favors.

Paisley Moment Tank (size S)

I adore the idea of this tank but the fit is way off. There were no XS (with reason, I think the XS would probably fit everyone from XS - XL) left so I tried on a small. I am trying to show the armpits hanging way below where my actual armpits are. Hmm... Pretty print.

Draped Snail Tank in Pink (size 2) 

The snails are so cute! I knew just from looking at this shirt that it would not be good on a bigger busted lady like myself and I was right! 

Carolinae Top (size 2) 

What is with the cropped stuff this season? I don't want to have to wear a tank top under everything for fear of exposing my kanga-pooch. Please. Just make things full length. I was drawn to the print which is absolutely charming but it was too baggy.

Wagner Tunic (XS) 

I find tencel slightly creepy. Don't know why. It's a cute little shirt but didn't give me the look I was going for.

Minutiae Dropwaist Dress in Grey Motif (size 2) 

Surprisingly adorable. If I hadn't already had my fill of dropwaist dresses in the 80's I could almost go there. TTS and shockingly flattering. The sleeves were a bit too poufy for my taste, but still cute. 

Palma Dress (size 2) 

I tried this dress on when it first came out but wasn't in love. I think it's because I had the wrong size. This dress does fit EXACTLY but when I tried on the 4 months ago it bloused too much on top. This is the perfect amount of blousing, the waist is spot on and the skirt is perfect. The color is to die for.

Akin Tunic  (size XS)

Oh how I love shopping in the lounge section! Cute comfy stuff for a fraction of the price. This dress is darling. My only complaint is that the waist is supposed to be slightly dropped but I felt like it lay between dropwaist and normal making it seem slightly off. Still, on sale, I would grab it in a second.

Broken Pleats Skirt (size 4)

The reviews are true! This skirt runs TINY and the material is ridiculously thin. Bummer because it is a good price and sort of interesting and cute. I would at least need a 6 (2 sizes up from my norm) but didn't bother since the aforementioned transparency issue was a deal breaker.

Good sale this week. Anyone else pick up something?

Joie Marlo Silk Blouse Review

I'm becoming a bit obsessed with the slouchy silk top + slim cropped pants combo. It instantly makes me feel chic and yet is totally comfortable. It's also good for my busty but slimmer-legged body. I already own the Blythe Blouse by J. Crew and added a silk blouse from the Loussada Heyhoe collection at Anthropologie. I've always wanted to try the Joie blouses and finally bit the bullet at Piperlime.

Joie Marlo Silk Top (XS) in Seaweed

It's pretty long so I definitely preferred it tucked in. The little button details at the shoulder (like little epaulets) are really cute. The silk is lovely and the color nice but... $218!! I think that's fairly steep for a basic silk blouse. The navy is on sale right now for $152.99.

This is the same blouse in a size SMALL and the porcelain color. Too choir member for me. Would definitely stick with the size 2.

Verdict? A pretty blouse but way overpriced. The split neck also made it feel a little too casual for me - sort of pajama top-esque. I think it would be nice in some brighter colors too.

Anyone else own some Joie?

Anthropologie Reviews - Cinch & Flow Maxi, Parquet Pullover, Magnetic Fields Tee, Mimeo Magnolia Blouse, Converging Bits Skirt and Fan-Cut Iberis Dress

At first, I was not so impressed with Anthropologie's Spring Arrivals, but when I received the latest catalogue, I was excited! I'm really loving all the florals for spring - so cheery and refreshing! What is not working for me is the fit on some of these items. I love the slouchy relaxed look but sometimes it does not love me. See below:

Dash-Dotted Tunic (size XS)

I loved this in the catalogue. The color, the material, the cap sleeves. This shape is not great for a larger-busted lady however. The top line falls on my bust in a funny place and then the whole thing sort of drapes outward from there. Adorable but maybe only for the smaller chested.

Parquet Pullover (size XS)

The colors in this immediately caught my eye - the contrast of cobalt blue and sort of rusty red was gorgeous. The fit is crazy! I noticed in the model shot that she has her hand behind her back - I think she is holding the shirt in! It is so wide that it made me look like a house. If it was wide and draped  well it would be another story... bummer.

Magnetic Fields Tee in Grey Motif (size XS) 

The print is lovely but the fit is just basic. Maybe I should have sized up? Something felt a little too 80's about it.

Mimeo Magnolia Blouse (size XS)

The color of this IRL are much brighter and more beautiful. It's a really lovely piece but I think I like it better open with a tank underneath. Definitely runs large even for something drapey.

Dulcie Dress (Size XS)

Clearly a return that I had to try on. At first I was horrified (and clearly I need to size up) at the tightness and shortness. But, I did feel like a little ballerina from a Degas painting and that was sort of a neat feeling. A pass in this size but I sort of understand the love.

Converging Bits Skirt (size 2) 

This skirt was available in all sizes a week ago and now it is all gone except for a size 10. This is a steal for $30. The size 2 is slightly big on me because I want to wear it at my waist instead of lower on my hips. It is well made and poufy in a playful way. Love.

Fan-Cut Iberis Dress (size 2)

My picture does not do this justice. The details at the neck and back are divine. The print is a bit boring but the silk and fit on this dress are amazing! If anything, the size 2 was a bit big which is odd since Moulinette Soeurs often runs a bit snug. I will say that you really need to be able to fill out the top of this dress or it doesn't lay well. I barely filled it out and I definitely have ample cleavage up top so I think smaller chested ladies may be out of luck. A few reviews online echo this sentiment.

Cinch & Flow Maxi Chemise in Blue motif (size XS)

Adorable. Love. Super long however. Since I just bought the Top Sail Maxi Dress I don't think I need this but it is super cute. Begs for a belt.

Starling Trousers (size 2) 

I'm obsessed with birds. Unfortunately, tight white pants with birds may not be my best bet. Fit was a little snug and they were basically see through on the side.

Whew. Lots of lovelies but am glad that some of it doesn't fit me that well. Anyone else have any spring must-haves?

OOTD - Does this work?

I love my cropped checks from Anthro. They are like wearing flannel pj's except much cuter and they go with everything. I picked up the frilled echelons peacoat for a song recently with the thought that I might give it to my sisters. Oops. The teal goes perfectly with the checked crops but I just can't decide if I like the peacoat. Ruffles are NOT my thing but the quality of the coat is. The wool is lovely, buttons adorable and the lining superb. Really a well made coat. What do you think?

Frilled Echelons Peacoat - Anthropologie
Checked Crops - Anthropologie
Ivanka Trump Indicon pumps - love! go with everything

Zara Reviews - Blouses

I've only shopped at Zara once in my life - I had some time to kill and they were having a huge sale. I bought a cute little trench coat but besides that I remember feeling like their stuff was overpriced and cheaply made. Cute ideas, but the fit was like H & M - too straight and tight for a curvy lady! Nonetheless, I have been on the hunt for cute, flowy, feminine blouses and I was drawn to the Zara website. With free shipping and returns I knew I had to give it a whirl. Here are the results:

Shirt with Front Teardrop Opening (size S)

The colors on this were a little bit different than I expected. Nonetheless, I sort of love it. The material is sheer but not totally see-through and I love the subtle puffy shoulder and keyhole neckline. The S feels good but roomy and I am curious what the XS would feel like. It seems to be out of stock so I may never know... :) Even though it's polyester, it didn't bother me.

Polka Dot Printed Blouse (size S)

The idea is there and the fit is wonderfully slouchy but I don't like the white with black polka dots. I think the blue colorway would be nicer. This polyester bothered me a bit more because it was more static-causing and satiny feeling than the other blouse. Still, super cute. Just too pajama-y on me.

Printed Shirt with Bow (Size S) 

 I appreciate Zara's simple descriptions - printed shirt with bow. Why, yes, it is. The print is really fun. Please excuse the lovely sweatpants I am wearing. Long day at work and too lazy to change. Wanted to show the shirt tucked in because I think it really needs to be worn this way. In this photo I am wearing the shirt with several buttons undone and the bow loosely tied.

Buttoned to top with bow (I found this to be a little tight on the throat)

With 1 button unbuttoned. 

Overall it's a really cute, retro-looking blouse. The S fit well in this blouse - if I took a smaller size I think it would be too tight in the shoulders. 

Overall, I'm really liking Zara's offerings. Anyone else have some favorites?