Hello 2011! - New Year’s Resolutions

Happy New Year everyone!  I just love the start of a new year and all it promises. 

Are you making any New Year’s Resolutions for 2011?  I usually have a few resolutions each year and I always start off really good, but by the end of the year my efforts taper off significantly.  I don’t know why I don’t follow through with my goals.  But I’m hopeful that since I’m posting these on my blog, then I’ll hold myself a little more accountable. 

Here are my five major resolutions that I think that I can manage to follow through during the year. 

1. Tame the Bulge — cut down on eating sweets (cupcakes, cookies and ice cream) and fast food.
2. Train for another Half – Marathon Race.
3. Manage my Student Debt and Stick to my Budget.
4. Spend Time with Family and Friends.
5. Go to Church on Sundays.

I also have a few miscellaneous goals that I would like to accomplish at some point this year.

1. Buy a SLR camera and take a photography class.
2. Learn how to knit baby hats and booties.
3. Learn Not to Stress and Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.
4. Learn how to Sew.
5. Buy an Apple computer

Please take a peek at the new Anthro January catalog online here.  It’s only 29 pages with mostly shoes, accessories and furniture.

New Year’s Eve and Auld Lang Syne

Hiya ladies! We are only less than an hour away from 2011.  I hope that you ladies are having a safe and joyous New Year’s Eve.  I’m having a very low key celebration at home with my boyfriend. 

Earlier tonight, I looked up the song, Auld Lang Syne, because I realized I didn’t know all of the words.   Auld Lang Syne was written by Robert Burns in 1741 and is sung at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day.  However, despite the song’s popularity, it has been described as the song that nobody knows.  Auld Lang Syne literally means “old long ago” or simply, “the good old days."  So, I thought I should add the lyrics to the original Scottish version just for fun and for anyone else out there that didn’t know all of the words.  Enjoy!

Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pou'd the gowans fine;
we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin' auld lang syne

We two hae paidled i' the burn,
Frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne

And here's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

I hope that everyone has a Happy, Safe & Prosperous New Year!

Fitting Room Reviews: A Couple of Dresses

I hope that you ladies had a wonderful Christmas holiday with your family and friends.  I had a great time and I was happy to find a few Anthropologie goodies under the tree and an Anthro gift card.  I’ll let you know what I buy with the gift card in a later post.

Here are some fitting room reviews for a few full price items that I promised to post last week. 

Field Skirt…$78.00

(Size: 6) This skirt fits TTS and I love all the colors that it comes in – Gold, Navy, Dark Grey and Khaki.  This skirt fits the same as the Circle the Globe skirt from the summer.  The length is perfect for me because it hits my kneecaps.  I want all four colors, but I haven’t bought it yet.  I plan on purchasing this skirt soon. 

Volante Tee…$58.00

(Small) This top is as beautiful as it is online as it is in person.  I plan on buying this shirt too.  I love the bows on the side of the shirt and it is comfortable too.  This shirt comes in 3 different colors and I have all of them on my wish list.

Seaside Fields Dress…$138.00

(Size: 6) This dress is beautiful and very flattering.  I tried it on in a 6 and loved it.  This dress comes in two color ways – a Green motif and a Blue motif.  I have a pear shaped body and was worried that the dress would be too snug on my hips, but it wasn’t.  It was surprisingly flattering.  I definitely plan on purchasing this dress too.

Laced With Grace Dress…$168.00

(Size: 4) I’ve seen this dress in the catalog and on many other bloggers and I’ve loved the design.  I had to try it on for myself.  This dress is a silk sheer chiffon with a viscose lining.  I normally wouldn’t even look at this dress because of the color.  I thought the dress was cute, but I wish it was in a different color.  This is a pass for me. 

Haramaki Tank…$48.00

(Small) I liked the design of this cotton shirt – the pleats are flattering.  The shirt very comfortable and it would make a great layering piece, but it’s nothing that special.  I’ve only seen it in two colors: Blue and Black.  This shirt is a pass for me, unless it comes in new colors.

Fitting Room Reviews: Sale Items

Happy Happy Joy Joy!!!!  I hope that you ladies are enjoying today’s sale and I hope that you had better luck than I did today.  There were so many great markdowns, but I have literally reached my limit this month.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get much today because my wallet needed a break and let’s really be honest…some of the items were sold out.   The only thing I got was the Wightwick Manor Dress and I’m happy with that.

Here are some fitting room reviews of a few items that I tried on last Friday, but I never had a chance to post.  In honor of today’s sale, here are some of the items that went on sale today.  I will post the rest of the reviews for the full price items tomorrow evening. 

Let me know what you did today…did you cave in and buy more goodies?  Or did you sit this one out?     

Peppered & Striped Skirt…$128 (now…$79.95)

(Size: 6) This skirt fits TTS and it’s a great color combination. I have been waiting for this skirt to get marked down for a long time.  It’s the perfect length for work and play.   I paired it with the Volante Tee and it makes a perfect statement.  Unfortunately, this skirt sold out before I could buy it.  I’m still hopeful it will show up on my wish list or appear in a store after the holidays.  

Brass Band Sweater…$118.00 (now…$59.95)

(Size: Small)  I tried this sweater on in the small, and it fit perfectly.  I love this cardigan…it’s beautiful and cozy.  It is a perfect piece to layer over skinny jeans, dresses or skirts like this one.  This is one that I would buy now that it is on sale, but it is no longer available online.  I’m hoping that I could find it in the store later. 

Wightwick Manor Dress…$128.00 (now $59.95)

(Size: 4) I love this dress and I have been waiting for this little number to get marked down for the longest time.  This dress it TTS and the soft corduroy makes it comfortable enough to wear all day.  The elegant print makes it appropriate for a night on the town.  It looks great with tights and boots or sexy heels.  I’m very happy today, because I was able to pick this one up at the store!  I called first thing this morning and put it hold.  

Vapor Rise Dress…$158.00 (now $79.95)

(Size: Small) I love the look and the feel of this dress.  This is a nice option for work and then evening.  The top of the dress has chiffon pleats and the bottom has a stretchy merino wool skirt.  I thought that this dress looked great, but not on me.  I felt like the skirt made me look too curvy.  I’m going to pass on this one.

Jacinth Sweaterdress…$148.00 (now $69.95)

(Size: Small) This dress is a nice burnt orange color and it’s more orange than red in person.  The dress is comfortable and the skirt moves and drapes beautifully.   I love the chiffon detail around the neckline and skirt.  I think this would be a great dress to wear to work and later out in the evening.  Again…I hoped to grab this one today, but it was sold out in my size both online and in my store.   

xoxo Natasha

The Debut of the Dagmar / Fresh Picks to Follow - Top 10 Holiday Gifts Under $100.00

The Debut of the Dagmar

This past Friday my office administrative staff threw all the employees a breakfast to show how much they appreciate us.  It was pretty cool…I have never been to anything like that before.  They made us French toast, potato hash brown au gratin, cheese and bacon grits, egg and sausage casserole, a spiraled ham, croissants, fruit salad and blueberry muffins.  There was so much food and everything was amazing.  I wish I took a picture of all of the food. 

I wore my Dagmar shirtdress for the first time last Friday.  I really love this dress.  I’m so happy that I was able to track this down a couple of months ago…it truly makes a statement.  I paired this with a pair of black opaque tights and black suede boots.  I also added a black skinny suede flower belt from Anthropologie.  As you can tell from the second picture, I went to Anthro and I ended up trying on a few things.  Stay tuned for some reviews of dresses and skirts.  I really hope that I get a gift card this Christmas because I'm in trouble.  I want everything!

    

Anthropologie Dagmar Shirtdress
Anthropologie Fastened and Knotted Belt (style# 18843144 - call stores!)
Anthropologie HUE Opaque Tights (buy here)
Banana Republic Hina Slouch Knee Boot (buy here)

Fresh Picks to Follow – Top 10 Holiday Gifts Under $100.00

Hi ladies! Here is my top 10 list with holiday gift ideas under $100.00.  I’ve added links for each of the gift ideas to help you shop a little easier.  I'll add pictures a little later.  Please feel free to post any additional ideas that may be helpful to our fellow bloggers.  Happy shopping!

1. Coach - Kristin Leather Large Wristlet…$98.00

2. Coach – Barrett Sneakers…$88.00

3. Anthropologie – Hiking Ruffles Cardigan…$78.00

4. Anthropologie – Deuxhill Cowlneck…$88.00

5.  Anthropologie – Field Skirt…$78.00

6. Victoria Secret – UGG Australia Hat Scarf Set…$95.00

7. Brookstone – Iceless Wine Chiller…$99.95

8. Potterybarn – Gramaphone IPod Station…$99.00

9.  JustGive – Gift Card Donation…$100.00

10.  Williams Sonoma – Mother-of-Pearl Collection…$75.00-$98.00