We Discuss: Going Gentle Into That Good Night.

M: In the Future, We’ll All Be Wearing Eileen Fisher

A: I’m not ready

M: I honestly am

A: I do like the “good quality” aspect

A: But, like, my Mom wears Eileen Fisher

A: I need to get over it because soon it’ll be all I want

M: Hahahaha

A: I should probably at least figure out what size I am in EF

M: same

A: Here’s my thing. It’s nice to have quality basic pieces but I get bored and want new shiny things, not just dependable and boring.

M: Yeah I get that

M: I am the opposite and just want a uniform apparently

A: I mostly only ever wear, like, five things so I don’t even know why I’m like that

M: “sartorially unburdened” seriously sums it up for me

A: I totally get that

A: I really do tend to wear my most unchallenging clothing the most these days. Stuff I don’t have to fuss with or wear special underthings.

M: yupppp

M: Why am I not wearing this right now?

A: Ugh, shit that is summer perfection

M: UGH I KNOW

M: I haven’t ever really looked at their site?

A: I am always looking for EF at the thrift store

M: I need to try some of it on

M: I have no idea of the fit

A: Same

A: I think it runs pretty big

M: That’s great, I accept vanity sizing

A: SAME

A: Oh, I’m an XS? How dainty!

M: Tiny!

A: So eensy

M: I got a smoothing treatment yesterday and forgot how STICK STRAIGHT it makes your hair for the first couple of days

A: Welcome to my world!

M: Haha

A: There was some podcast I was listening to recently that went deep into some curly hair care nonsense and I was like, YALL ARE CRAZY I AM OUT

M: Yeah it’s intense

A: I'm going to shampoo my hair EXTRA hard just because I had to listen to all that

M: Hmph

BUY THIS (Part Two): Madewell Is Making It Easy For You.

Yesterday I posted a bunch of good last minute gifts from Amazon. Today, it's Madewell's turn. They are offering 25% off with code VERYMERRY and $5 shipping if you order by 11am ET on Friday. That's pretty sweet, right?

These comfy slippers get good reviews and everyone needs slippers! 

I love these so much - festive but not over-the-top.

I never think to buy myself a pair of gloves. I like that these are phone-friendly.

I don't think the discount works for this set but who cares - it's SO CUTE. 

Marianne is obsessed with getting a beret. Santa might bring her one. Maybe.

Look, someone in your life definitely needs a crab multi-tool. 

Unlike Marianne, I love cute socks. These would be a great stocking stuffer. 

A big scarf with stars on it? That is what I'm talking about. 

This is the glitter pouch of your dreams. Or of someone else's dreams because you're not keeping it for yourself. Or maybe you are. I won't tell. 

Travel Shopping Update: I Am Really Overthinking This.

I am definitely overthinking every aspect of packing for my upcoming trip and today I'm going to talk about shoes. Three pairs doesn't seem unreasonable for a week, right?

#1: Sneakers
I am so, so thankful for all your helpful travel comments because for every article I read that says fashionable sneakers are having a moment in Paris there's another one claiming sneakers will instantly brand you a tourist. (Now, I get that not all sneakers are created equal but still.) I went and tried on a bunch of different styles and decided on this pair:

Then almost immediately wished I'd gotten them in the all-black version instead. (I might still. Thoughts?) Anyway, they remind me of my beloved Nike Juvenate but are a bit more structured and comfortable.

 #2 Ballet Flats
Marianne just talked me down from buying overpriced flats by reminding me that I already freaking own flats. Now, there is no such thing as a truly comfortable all-day flat but I do want to have a cute shoe to wear for dinners out. Mostly I am planning on wearing jeans/pants and tops, but I would like to bring one nice outfit. So I am NOT buying new flats, no matter how wicked cute they are. I am not. Instead I am going to bring my Madewell blue suede skimmers or my Sam Edelman gold flats. 100% bad for walking all day, but easy to pack and perfect for an evening out.

#3 Chelsea Boots
I wanted a walkable non-sneaker option and y'all know I love my boots, so I'm bringing my Cole Haan Landsman boots as well. They'll be especially great if it rains and I always feel like myself in boots. I wish I could bring my favorite Madewell boots but they have too much heel for all-day walking.

Anyway! That is settled, more or less, and now I'm going to move on to overthinking outerwear. Madewell olive jacket with a hood? Probably. Lightweight camel classic trench coat? Maybe. Awesome leather motorcycle jacket? Probably not but it would be fun...

Regret and Silver Boots.

A: The new way to wear a tee apparently involves wearing it with clothes.

M: Crap, all along I've been using them as grocery bags???!

A: Well, you're TOTALLY wrong. You're supposed to wear them with pants??

M: SIRI HOW DO I CLOTHES

A: Does Siri wear clothes? Related: Got this t-shirt wrapped around one leg. #fashion

M: I keep thinking about your micro wardrobe problem and want to help.

A: PLEASE HELP ME.

A: Seriously, though. I want to do this without buying a bunch of stuff  and I also have to be work-appropriate. I do wear my black coated jeans to work (which I shouldn't) but regular jeans only on Fridays.

M: Oh I don't really have ways to help but I don't think a wrap dress is going to help you unless you turn into someone who would wear a wrap dress as a duster and that does not seem like you. Same with layering over a turtleneck.

A: I don't own a turtleneck, so.

M: See? I'm not helpful.

A: My wardrobe is not cut out for this.

M: You don't like turtlenecks, right? They are nice for layering. I don't know. I liked the culottes so don't listen to me.

A: I don't like having my neck constricted. I'll admit the culottes are growing on me but I'm not sure it's a look I could personally pull off?

M: Oh it would be a disaster on me, full stop.

A: My main thing is, I don't want to change my style to do this challenge but I've also got some glaring holes in my wardrobe. It's dumb, really.

M: Yeah it's tough for sure. I think I could do it but that's only because I wear the same shit all the time.

A: I do too! Most of what I picked so far is stuff I wear all the time it's just not very mix-and-match.

M: Clearly you need culottes and silver boots. I mean I just looked at her outfits again and I'm mad that she makes it look so easy with such unique choices. But I do like the idea of it pushing you to wear stuff you don't wear as much. IDK. it's hard.

A: I know, I was thinking maybe it would force me to wear stuff I've been neglecting (like one of my two remaining skirts) but that seems like a different challenge. This is so much harder than I thought it would be! And I still really want those silver boots. Imma find them.

A: God dammit.

M: Well that's not helping anything.

A: If I had silver ankle boots I could just wear a sack and nobody would notice.

M: Ooh shiny.

A: Ugh, those are beautiful! I wish the heel was an inch shorter.

M: HERE ARE ALL THE CHEAP SHINY BOOTS HERE!

A: 😭😭😭

M: Okay back to your list. A denim shirt? Maybe that color blocked Boden dress? You could wear a sweater over it...god I don't know. Sorry I just gave right up.

A: I am mad at that dress right now. And my Everlane sweaters are so slouchy they look like hot shit with any kind of skirt.

A: SIRI HOW DO I CLOTHES.

M: This is stupid.

A: Well, I can't wear a sheer blouse with distressed jeans or an off the shoulder top with half a dress to work. Or at all. I also don't look like a moddle.

M: Oh I mean the whole idea. It's just torturing yourself.

A: #FullofRegret

Note: I still plan on doing this but it might be a while. 

Micro Wardrobe Challenge: Update.

So, based on this entry from last week I rashly volunteered myself to do this challenge. It didn't seem like it would be that hard to pick nine or ten items of clothing to wear for two weeks. But, um, it is. It is hard. I actually feel bad for making fun of culotte girl because this shit is hard, especially if you don't have a fairly traditional wardrobe and you've committed to showing everyone on the internet your clever outfits.

The rules (as per the article): 

1. Choose a selection of items and wear only those for the next two weeks. (She chose nine but the original concept includes ten items. I'm doing ten because who cares.) 

 

2. Mix and match them however I like and wear them with whatever accessories or shoes I wanted.

3. Seasonal necessities (like winter coats) and special-occasion wear (like a dress you'd wear to a wedding) wouldn't count toward the core mix. (WHAT ABOUT CARDIGANS. HALP.) 

I put my cardigan panic aside and started out strong: 

LOFT purple utility blouse

Everlane heather grey cashmere sweater

Everlane black silk blouse

Madewell black coated skinny jeans

Fidelity skinny jeans

Then I hit a wall. I have gaping holes in my closet that I've been ignoring for way too long. Like, I only own three skirts, one of which hasn't fit me in a while and the other two are pretty specific looks - pencil skirts in bright red and leopard print. Cute but not terribly versatile. The leopard print might make the cut though. It's cute and I haven't worn it in a while. 

Also not very versatile are my dresses. I don't have a skinny strap dress that can be layered in a cute way, instead I have (mostly) print dresses that can be worn as what they are. Maybe I'm not being creative enough? I thought maybe a solid wrap dress would be a good addition but it's not like I can mix and match with that. Man, why is this so hard? 

Other things I don't own: dress pants, culottes, a job where I can wear a sheer blouse like, nbd. WHY IS THIS SO HARD. 

So, on the "maybe" list: 

- black or purple wrap dress

- black boatneck top (instead of the black silk blouse?) 

- a striped tee? Or maybe this one? 

- a leopard pencil skirt

- grey wool cardigan*

*And seriously, what about cardigans? I mostly wear them for warmth, not really for style, but I feel like it would be cheating to not count them. And can I really get away with one? And I've only include one dress. Do I need two dresses? What about a little jacket? Why are my clothes so boring? Why am I trying to fit skirts in when I don't really wear them much to begin with? Can I just wear a dusty gin sack and call it done?

To conclude, I thought I'd be starting this challenge today but I am woefully unprepared. I'm going to take some time to figure things out and I'll report back with the final list. 

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): Barneys Warehouse Best Sale Ever. Run!

YOU GUYS. Barneys Warehouse. STAT. This is The Best Sale Ever. They're offering an extra 40-50% off sale stuff (plus 3% cash back with eBates) and there are quite a few MBMJ bags! Here are a few of the really good deals:

Remember this little nugget? The MBMJ Totally Turnlock Shifty Duffel is $114.50 with the discount. OMG. OMG. And! This Metropolitote tote (which also comes in a black/white version):

It is $64.50. SIXTY FOUR FIFTY. YOU GUYS. I'm freaking out a tiny bit. Like, please buy this stuff so it's not weighing on my bargain-loving soul. There's also this little New Q Legend Small Satchel:

Not quite as exciting at $155 but still a screamingly good deal. There are obviously lots of non-MBMJ bags included in this sale and shoes and clothes (OMG AGAIN) but I figured I'd start here. Have fun! 

I'm Worried About Banana Republic, You Guys.

*** More new stuff in the blog shop and price drops on the old stuff! ***

A: I thought things might get better. Things are not getting better:

M: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

A: I MEAN. WHAT IS THAT FOR.

M: It's obviously for a Ruffle Party.

A: What happens at a Ruffle Party?

M: Everyone wears ruffles and eats Ruffles, duh.

M: I don't know.

A: Could I wear this sad-maker to a ruffle party?

M: I think could vs. should is the situation here.

A: I believe you called that particular dress "a war crime" and then sent me this:

M: I stand by this.

A: They can't even give that dress away. They should pay you $100 if you try to buy it.

A: PS. Send help.

M: Sorry kid, you're on your own.

Swimsuit Update: I Can't Believe I'm Still Talking About This.

So, and update from the last entry about this: I've returned all the Athleta stuff except for the cute swim shorts which I still love. The top felt like Too Much and I couldn't find a bottom that fit well enough to justify the price. I moved on to Boden swimwear and here's what happened:

(This is where you feel a little bit sorry for Marianne because every time I get a new swimsuit order in the mail she's subjected to whining and flabby photos.)

A: The Boden bikini tops arrived. I’m gonna to wear a burka to the pool this year maybe.

M: 

A: Can I show you?

M: Duh.

A: This is the first one. Feels too big. Maybe a little cartoony? 

M: Hm. Looks too big.

A: The black is a size down but just looks like a fancy bra:

M: Better, but yeah. I feel like those are too full coverage or something. 

A: Boobs need wrangling, but yeah.

M: This particular one isn’t doing you any favors. 

A: Ugh. 

M: The idea of putting a bikini on my body makes me want to DIE.

A: Well, right now I'm not too happy about it, but tanks fit me weird.

A: Maybe a halter?

Halter Bikini Top

M: I like that one more!

A: There’s this one too: 

Knot Front Bikini Top

M: Also cute. 

A: Everything else has ruffles.  So, burka.

M: Ha.

--------

So, just to give a fair review, the Vintage Cup Size Bikini Top I'm wearing so grudgingly is actually super nicely made and good quality, just doesn't fit me quite right. I think part of it is that with my narrow shoulders, a halter style just looks more balanced. I do really like their Tie Side Bikini Bottom quite a bit and I've ordered the halter style top to go with it. Fingers crossed because I am really over this process.

PS. Not to enable, but for the next three days code 8Z4Q gets you 25% OFF plus free shipping & returns on orders over $49 at Boden plus 2% cash back if you go through eBates. Just the thing for ordering multiple sizes of reasonably priced swimwear that you'll probably end up return in a fit of rage. 

Adrien: Swimsuit Shopping is Wearing Me Out.

Oh my God, you guys. I am basically exhausted from trying on bikini parts. Exhausted. After my initial terrible foray into a poorly-lit department store dressing room I wised up and decided to order from home. Everything I ordered from Zappos and 6pm was returned, by the way. For round two I chose to order (and order and order) from Athleta because I get free shipping and returns and I like their quality. So, I first fell for this Laser Beam print set:

Laser Beam Cross Strap Bikini

What I love: The design, the print, the fact that the top doesn't have an uncomfortable knot in the middle of my back and the cute strap design. What I don't love: The small was too small and the medium felt a little big. The straps adjust but there's no way to adjust the band size, so I was just out of luck on this one. Returned.

Laser Beam Bottom

What I love: The print. What I don't love: Everything else. There is no way that three pieces of stretchy thick elastic on your hips is not going to dig in. I got a medium and it was turrible but I think even the large would've been bad. Nope. Returned. On a whim, I also ordered these:

Laser Beam Kata Shorts

What I love: All of it. The print, the fit, all of it. They're so good! I was really surprised because the cut looks similar to the Lululemon Speed Short which look awful on me. But these are great, I promise. I got a medium and they're a perfect fit. They'll be great for the days when I want to a bit more coverage, but don't want to feel mumsy. I might even wear them to the gym this summer because they really do feel like running shorts with the liner and all. Oh, and they come in solid colors too, which is nice. I kept them and decided to get a solid bikini top to match. I picked this one:

Tara Halter Bikini

What I love: The color is beautiful and the quality is very good. It has underwire and comes in bra sizes so I ordered two sizes and the size up fit better. What I don't love: It is significant. It feels like wearing a full-coverage bra when you're used to wear bralettes. There is just a lot going on up there. So far I've kept it because it fit and looks good, but I'm not 100% convinced. Now, because I like to torture myself, I also ordered the following matching solid bottoms:

Smocked Medium Tide Bottom

What I love: Nope. What I don't love: I mean, look at them on the model. What was I thinking? I got the medium and they were weird and bulky and side-squeezy. Badness all around. 

Medium Tide Bottom

What I love:  This bottom is pretty basic but it has the right amount of ass coverage and the side ties are removeable, though I feel like they balance out the top so I'd probably leave them on. What I don't love: I ordered the medium and the large and I can't decide. The medium fits but cut in a tiny bit at the hips. The large are a tiny bit too big. Halp. I actually like a true tie-side because you can fix that problem but the Notsostring bottom doesn't come in purple and the Tieside bottom is pretty minimal. 

SEE? This is exhausting. I need to go take a nap now.