Adrien: Play Clothes. ON Review. Dresses That Will Never Die.

Every summer I need play clothes. Just simple, cute and washable options for super hot days and running around on weekends. I have a few pairs of shorts and will wear them if I have to but I really prefer simple light dresses. Last week I went to Old Navy (my favorite place for disposable summer wear) and tried on a few bits just for you:

The Broomstick Gauze Cabana Dress looked cute in the dressing room:

...and not so cute when I got it home. It sort of puffs out around the stomach area which...no. Plus it requires some kind of fancy skinny strap bra-action that I don't own. Too high maintenance for an "easy" summer dress. Back it goes.

I was having a hard time with the Envelope-Neck Jersey Dress:

On the one hand I love me some stripes and I'm sad I missed it in black and white. On the other hand it's really freaking short. This is the medium and if I raise my arms you might get to see my underwear. Marianne pointed out that it would make a nice summer bathing suit cover type thing and I think she's right. For $10 it's probably worth keeping.

The Floral-Print Voile Skirt was sort of cute but for some reason the waist was stretched out and wouldn't stay in a flattering place. I kind of like it though, especially with the Beaded Rib-Knit Tank:

I didn't buy either of these.

I was interested in the Embroidered Keyhole Tops for throwing on with jeans or shorts:

Two words: Holy. Huge. They were just way too voluminous and I like a voluminous top. Wow.

This next dress doesn't appear to be on the website. I wasn't too impressed with it when I tried it on but now, looking at the photo, I'm wondering if maybe it wouldn't be a good replacement for the Dresses That Will Never Die*. I might have to go back and revisit this one:

*DTWND: I bought three comfy cotton jersey dresses (same dress, different colors) four-ish years ago from AE and have worn the living crap out of them to the point that it's kind of a joke. THEY WON'T DIE. They just keep on keeping on. I think I might have a million photos of me in one of these three dresses. I really think it's time to retire them even though they're perfectly good. On a whim, I paged through my iPhone photo album to see if I'm wearing one in any of last summer's photos. First picture (no lie):

And here I am wearing it in Knoxville in 2006:

And here at a party in 2007:

Seriously, they will not die.

Adrien: Monday. Clothes and Such.

I got dressed this morning after checking the weather and seeing that it'll be raining and 59 degrees. I put on my green Reed shirtdress, wide brown belt and Frye boots* and when I looked in the mirror June Cash was looking back at me. Hm. Maybe too much? (Don't get me wrong, I love June Cash, but it was really costumey.)

I changed lightening quick, grabbing a dress I don't wear very often because it's nearly impossible to wear a cardigan over it. That sounds lame, but I work in a cold basement office and layers are crucial. Today I'll just huddle around my space heater if need be. Anyway, here goes:

Um, yeah, it could use a bit of ironing but time was getting on. I will say, this dress is comfortable on a level I can't even describe. I bought it at Marshalls few summers ago while visiting Marianne in Knoxville. She has it in green and handed it to me saying, "YOU NEED THIS." Yes, ma'm. Who am I to say no to her?

dress: Max Studio
boots: Frye Tina
necklace: Keen Designs
bag: Juicy Couture
trench: Banana Republic






 *I think I'll just stop saying, "This is the last time for ___" about anything because, yeah. Boots.

Adrien: Anthro Reviews and a Confession.

Okay, I'll get the confession out of the way first. The other day I bought jeggings. SHUT UP. Seriously, stop laughing and hear me out. First of all, I didn't buy denim leggings or some kind of acid-washed Stryper horror, I bought black stretchy leggings that happen to look like jeans. Wow, that's not really much better is it? I kind of need your help here on deciding whether I can pull this off or not. But first, a quick review of a few random bits I tried on at Anthropologie.

I loved the idea of this skirt (not on the website anymore) but I really needed the next size up and they didn't have it. I squooze myself into it just for you:

It's got great details - hooks in the front and lacing in the back, just not my size.

Then I tried on this cute top (also not on the website) and wow, is it ever see-through:

 Would definitely require a cami underneath which sort of defeats the purpose of a floaty light summer top.

And then...and then. I found a pair of AG skinny jean leggings marked down (originally $148) and I tried them on. And didn't hate them:

My idea is to wear them with heels and longer/tunic tops during the warmer months and maybe tuck them into boots and wear with long slouchy sweaters in the winter? Am I delusional? Sale-goggling? Please be straight with me, I can take it.

Yeah, I should probably return them.

Adrien: Ooowee, ooowee baby.

Today at work we are having our annual staff picnic with the theme of "International Cruise" so we were encouraged to wear our favorite "cruise attire."

I...don't know what that means. I've never been on a cruise and even if I did, I don't think I would start wearing pastel bermuda shorts and a golf shirt. Pretty sure that'll never happen. So I just wore one of my favorite skirts from Anthro, a sale room purchase made several years ago. This outfit probably requires a belt but neither of my two wide black belts worked because the skirt waist sits lower on my hips. I tried, I discarded. Anyway, here's what I ended up with:

The skirt has little dots of teal green throughout it, so I carried my teal bag to pick up the color:

The sandals are a brilliant Nina find from a few summers ago. I think she bought multiples because she's smart. One of the few items I was willing to brave a trip to Walmart to purchase!


top: Target
skirt: Anthropologie
sandals: Walmart
bag: Rebecca Minkoff
charm necklace: Keen Designs

Marianne: Style this skirt.

Do you have things in your closet that you like, but just can't always figure out how to wear? I certainly do. High on that list is this giraffe-printed skirt from Odille. It's about 4 years old, I think? Anyway, it's a fun skirt with a nice cut, but I never know what to wear on top. I typically end up in a white shirt, like so:



And it's fine, right? But I want to know how you people would style this skirt. Pink and brown seem too matchy matchy (though I didn't have time to switch out bags so I have my big pink bag anyway). White works, but seems dull, plus I look like a slab of Neopolitan ice cream. The skirt is too busy for a print (I think, but prove me wrong!). Normally I'm all about taking risks with color but I feel a little boring every time I wear this. Which is unusual for a skirt with giraffes on it, don't you think?

skirt: Odille
top: Old Navy
bag: Marc Jacobs Stella
necklace: Diana Warner
shoes: Aerosoles
belt: Target
sunglasses: Kate Spade

Marianne: birthday style in three parts.

A picture-heavy post for you today, because it's my birthday and I am the boss of you today. So there.

Birthday festivities started on Saturday, with a 1st birthday party for one little Lulu, who was born on her mama's birthday. The party was a success and my dress, it was cute.

dress: Max & Cleo

shoes: Cynthia Vincent for Target

sunglasses: Kate Spade

Yesterday my lovely coworkers took me to lunch, and I wore a new birthday outfit in honor. Now, I generally like to be creative when putting outfits together and I try to not dress head-to-toe in one brand. But I saw this outfit at Ann Taylor LOFT and they were having that good 40% off sale and I bought it all--dress, sweater, and belt.

The dress is straighter than I expected but the size 8 fit. And there was much rejoicing across the land. I think it needs the belt and sweater, though, because of the pleating detail that bunches fabric across your lower belly. Nice for someone who has had a baby, though.

The shoes I wore are SO TALL.

This picture does not do them justice. I am over 6 feet tall when I wear these, people. OW. But pretty.

Ignore my goofy face, this is an oldie but goodie favorite bag of mine. I bought it seven hundred years ago in Brooklyn at Bird and it's cut in the shape of a grocery bag, but in the softest leather. I believe it was called the Bodega Bag at the time.

Buster says HI YOUR LEG SMELLS NICE.

dress: LOFT

sweater: LOFT

belt: LOFT

bag: Neal Decker

shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs

barrette: anthropologie

necklace: Diana Warner

This one is out of focus (it was early, yo) and my hair is wet, but you get the general idea.

I adore this dress and these shoes. So comfortable I feel like I'm in my jammies.

Another out of focus picture (my poor husband hadn't had his coffee), but I have to tell my sweet girl happy birthday as well. Being your mom is the best thing I've ever done.

dress: Orla Keily

necklace: Diana Warner

shoes: Diane Von Furstenberg

Adrien: Banana Republic needs an attitude adjustment.

What's going on Banana Republic? Seriously, do we need to talk? Is everything okay? Because lately you've been...less than enthusiastic.  A little washed-out. A bit...unflattering. And despite the scary, scary sales lady who claims everything "LOOKS GREAT I'LL TAKE THIS TO THE REGISTER FOR YOU", I'm not feeling it this season. (And from the looks of it, Kate isn't either.)

The Silk Watercolor print top  looked really cute on the website. And on the hanger. Not so much on me:

I mean, wow, if I want to look pregnant or need a blouse that doubles as a floatation device, absolutely. But for a nice flowy top, it's just got too much everything. (I think I'm wearing the Skinny Crop chino with this and they were also not good.)

I then tried on the Weekend chino and the scary sales lady was all, THOSE FIT YOU PERFECTLY. Um:

Yeah, they "fit" as long as I didn't breathe, sit down or move, but otherwise I think maybe just a teeny tiny bit snug. the next size up gaped horribly in the waist so not happening.

The whole purpose of my visit was the Empire ruffle dress which I ordered it with a coupon code because it looks cute on the website. Sadly, it's a big old pile of no.  Behold how uncute it actually is:

And that's the extra-small! It looks just like a nightgown. It does come in a cute tiny striped version but they didn't have any in my size when I went to exchange it, so I think I'm just going to return it.

Finally I tried on this dress, which was some random sale rack find so old it's not even on the website anymore:

It was weird. And short. And you can't tell from the photos but it had weird front pockets that pooched out. I mean, for pete's sake, Banana. No lady wants poofy pockets on a fitted dress!

Banana Republic, I think you need a time out.