Fresh Picks to Follow: Animal Prints

The 2010 fall fashion season has brought a variety of stylish trends together once again, one of which is the animal print trend.  This trend always manages to make a come back each year.  However, 2009-2010 has a more refined/elegant style and this trend is moving towards seasonless fashion.  A word of caution to you ladies - working with animal prints is not easy.  There is a fine line between classy and trashy.  Be sure to wear one or two pieces of clothing or accessories in the animal print and keep the rest of the outfit simple.  The safest way to wear animal prints is sparingly.  To look fabulous this fall, get inspired and make one of the animal prints below a part of your fall wardrobe. 

Zebra Prints: The zebra print is a fabulous look as it creates a stylish black and white color combination which could spice up any elegant outfit. Black and white are two of the most dominant fall colors as they are timeless and suitable for all type of events.

Leopard Prints: The leopard print can spice up any outfit while giving you a sensual and powerful look.  Fashion designers have used the traditional brown and black coloration as well as mixed various colors with the leopard print.  If didn’t want to purchase any leopard clothing, then you may want to consider buying some leopard accessories, such as belts, shoes, handbags or leggings/tights.  Accessories are a great way not to go overboard with the leopard print.

Snakeskin Prints:  Snakeskin prints colored naturally falls right in line with the fall 2010 fashion trend.  The snakeskin print is luxurious and mysterious look that can enhance any outfit. 

Below are my top 10 picks of animal prints for the fall 2010 season:

1. Anthropologie - City Grassland V-Neck…$78.00

2. Ann Taylor - Animal Leopard Straight Skirt…$118.00

3. Anthropologie - Wildest Dreams Top…$98.00

4. Anthropologie - Bow-a Constrictor Bibi…$78.00

5. BCBG - Leopard-Print Cardigan…$158.00

6. The Limited - Printed Corner Pocket Tube…$89.90

7. Banana Republic - Samie Animal Print Ballet Flat…$98.00

8. Ann Taylor - Classic Animal Print Scarf…$58.00

9. Cachè - Sequin Zebra Top…$58.00

10. American Eagle – Faux Fur Leopard Coat…$99.50

An Amazing Anthropologie Giveaway

Hi ladies.  I have some great news about a new Anthropologie giveaway.  Please check out Goldenmeans for a chance to win Anjali's 2-year blogging anniversary contest.  There are three (3) chances to win.  The first prize is a $200 Anthropologie gift certificate, and two runners up will each receive a $100 Anthropologie gift certificate.  Simply amazing!

Anthropologie Review - Dresses

Happy Sunday ladies!  I hope that you all are having a great weekend.  I don’t know about you all, but I’m very happy that Anthro didn’t have a major sale last week.  I really have to start cutting back on my spending each month – it’s gotten a little out of control.  But, even though I’m glad there wasn’t a sale last week, I am looking forward to seeing what’s in store for us this week. 

Here are my reviews of a few dresses that I tried on this past week.  Hopefully, one of these beauties will get marked down very soon!

1. Vestiges Dress $148.00

I love, love, love this dress.  I’ve been eyeing this one for some time now, but never got a chance to try it on.  This dress debuted sometime this summer, but it transitions perfectly into the fall season.  Another thing that I love about this dress is that it is totally work appropriate.  I work in a pretty conservative office and this one would pass my office’s strict dress code policy.  The colors in the top are bright and vibrant - orange, pink and brown - just perfect.  The dress has a belted waist that ties in with the navy bottom of the dress.  This dress fit me perfectly in the size 4.  I imagine that if you are bigger on top that you may have to go up a size in the dress.  I plan to buy this dress soon, before it’s sold out.

2. Refined Cord Shirtdress  $128.00

This is a classic and versatile shirtdress from Fei.  I was happy to find out that it is true to size.  This dress is pretty basic, but you can wear it with so many accessories (tights, boots, belt, heels, and a cute tank or top underneath).  I decided to add the Meridian Gate Belt with the dress.  The red belt was a great contrast to the navy corduroy fabric.  The material in this dress is just right - so you can wear it on a cool fall day and well into the winter season.  I plan to buy this dress as soon as it gets marked down.  I just can’t pay the full price.

3. Lucerna Dress $128.00

Ladies it’s time to put your little black dress on hold for the season and pick up this little red dress.  I initially went up a size and tried on a medium in this dress.  I was afraid that the small would be too clingy, but the small worked out just perfect for me.  The lightweight jersey material is heavy enough to hide any bulges or undergarment lines.  The red color really works for the fall season.  You can dress this dress up or down and this would be great with heels or some sexy boots.

4. Snowy Egret Shift $168.00

I didn’t know if I would like this dress when I first saw it.  The model looked great in it in the catalog and the print of the dress is gorgeous.  I was pleasantly surprised when I tried this dress on.  I really liked it.  The pattern is so beautiful and unique and cut of the dress is different, but it works for some people.  The obi belt is in a muted orange color that holds well when it’s tied.  The bottom half of the dress is a little narrow.  I tried on a size 4 and it was a little snug around my hips, but a 6 would have been too big on the top.  I figure that I could put on some spanx and that may solve the hip issue.  This may be a pass for me. 

5. Tweedy Leaves Dress $158.00

I was pretty sad after I tried on this dress.  I really liked it on the hanger and it even fit me well, except for the length.  I like to find dresses that I can wear to work and then other events for the evenings or weekends.  This dress, however, wouldn’t work for me in my office.  Here in the picture, you can see where the skirt falls on me – it’s a little too short.  This will be a great dress for someone that is a little shorter than me or who has shorter legs.   This is a great dress for the fall – the colors are perfect.  I may consider buying this one to wear with some tights and boots on the weekends.  The skirt of this dress is made of wool, so beware if you have sensitive skin. 

6. Ruffled Plaid Dress $158.00

I was instantly drawn to this dress because of the ruffles and the plaid pattern.  This would be a great dress for work, church, dinner…just about anything.  The fabric is a little itchy, but it didn’t bother me that much.  The dress comes with a skinny belt, which I think goes perfect with it.  Unfortunately, this dress was also narrow around the hips.  I felt a little self conscious in it because it hugged my hips too much.  The top fit just right, but if I went up as size, the top would be too big.  This dress would be great on a petite sized woman.  This one is going to be a pass for me. 

Fashion Alert - Upcoming Sale!

FYI ladies...I got some really good news today.  I was in my store earlier today and a sales associate told me that they are having major markdowns on Tuesday (about 1000 pieces).  She told me that my Anthro store is opening at 9:00 am (an hour earlier than normal) to help with the sale.  I think I might have to go into work a little late that day  :)

Fresh Picks to Follow: Bows

Take a bow ladies - Happy Friday.  I am so looking forward to this weekend...I feel like I'm coming down with something, so I will be resting as much as possible.   My Fresh Picks post involves anything with pretty bows.  Bows are a fantastic fashion accessory that can take your blah clothes to something a lot more interesting.  Bows never really go out of fashion, although sometimes they do creep into current trends more than usual.  Here are a handful of my favorites with bows...enjoy!

1.  Gift boxes with bows 

2.  Anthropologie - River Bow Necklace  $38.00

3.  Banana Republic - Andrea Bow Tank  $45.00

4.  Anthropologie - Bowtied-Beauty Boots  $248.00

5.  Anthropologie - The Lady’s Apron  $32.00

6.  J. Crew - Knit Bow Ballet Slippers  $55.00

7.  The Limited - Woven Neck Bow Top  $24.99…was $34.90

8.  Anthropologie - Cascading Bow Dress $59.95…was $118.00

9.  Ann Taylor Loft - Pleated Bow Blouse  $39.99 was $49.00

10.  Anthropologie - Rose & Bows Sock  $12.00

One day I hope to post my Fresh Picks on time or at least on a Friday.   Have a great weekend!

Working on Columbus Day

Hi ladies!  Hope that you all had a wonderful holiday weekend.  Unfortunately, I am one of the many people who had to work today.  So, I figure that I would post my outfit of the day for you all to view.  My outfit was kind of boring today, but my belt from Anthropologie really did make the outfit more interesting.  The Cylindrical Braid Belt is my favorite accessory piece that I’ve bought from Anthro so far.  I have the black one right now, but I hope to get a couple of other colors, like the brown and the coral.  The belt is stretchy and very versatile.  This belt would be a perfect addition to anybody’s wardrobe.    

Anthropologie Cylindrical Braid Belt $34.00 (see here)
White Button Down Shirt (old) Ann Taylor Loft
Plaid Skirt (old) Banana Republic
Open Toe Wedges (old) Nine West Outlet

miscellany monday

hello from sunny florida!  i hope you all had a fantastic weekend!  mine was filled with traveling, eating, photographing, and attending a baby shower! i have few random thoughts to share with you today. so, many thanks to carissa, i decided to link up (and i'm typing in all lowercase because why not?)

{1} can you believe that daylight savings is just around the corner (november 7^th at 2:00 am to be exact). i always get a little sad when it starts getting dark around seven pm.  what’s even harder to handle is that it’s dark when i wake up in the morning.  is it sad that i’m already looking thinking about springing forward before falling back?

{2} so this weekend i flew to washington, dc for my cousin’s baby shower.  she is having her first baby later this month and i couldn’t be happier for her and her husband.  in my previous post, i posted a picture of a diaper cake that my sister and i made.  the cake came out better than i expected.  i spent most of the day telling my co-workers about my masterpiece.  check it out below.

{3} i try not to watch too many reality shows, but for some reason i do like to watch the real housewives of the bravo channel.  i am watching the housewives of atlanta right now, but unfortunately, i’m not loving this season yet.  i’m looking forward to watching the housewives of beverly hills…i have a feeling that those ladies are going to be fabulous. 

my favorite shows include gossip girl, amazing race, law and order, csi, how i met your mother and project runway (i’ve always had a secret desire to design clothes).

that's all i have for now...until next time.