Recent Anthro Splurges

Well - it's holiday shopping time so I let myself go on a bit of an Anthro spree thanks to the great deals from all the markdowns.

Snowy Egret Shift, $79.95

Style# 19329861

I've been eyeing this one for some time due to the really artistic and richly coloured Asian print as well as the very wearable heavy 100% cotton material and cool obi belt. I bought the 0 and thought it fit quite well. When I tried on 1 size up, I found it to be huge on me.

Steamer Trunk Skirt, $19.95

Style#18909903

Had my eye on this one for a while so once it got marked down I jumped. My original review was here - purchased in a size 2 and it is lovely!

Lace Over Leather Belt, $39.95

Style#19325679

I always wanted a corset style belt. Love the shape of this one and the small actually fits my petite waist without requiring me to punch additional holes into it - yay! The lace over leather is a nice concept.

Links a la Mode: Giving Thanks

Giving Thanks

Edited by: Holier than Now
It's Thanksgiving here in the U.S. and many of us are looking forward to the Black Friday sales - oh wait, I mean spending time with our families and friends! But it's wonderful (and kind of weird) that so many of the people that influence and support us on a daily basis won't be gathered around our table; they'll be hanging around our web address, retweeting our (sometimes) witty comments, liking our latest post on Facebook, etc. Whether or not you celebrate turkey day, as a blogger it's hard not to be full of gratitude for the resources we share on a regular basis. This week, Tickle Me Chic helps ban the blogging blues, Previously Owned does your holiday gift shopping for you, and Make the World a Prettier Place sums up the reason so many of us are grateful just to be alive (hello? fashion!) with a visual history.

Links à la Mode: November 25th

• Be Fabulous Daily Applying old-school academic standards of original content and citation of sources to fashion blogging
• Boheme Noir Best outfits 2010 of style icon Giovanna Battaglia
• Fashion Butter: How to DIY Fur Collar with Chains
• Fish Monkey's Writing Stuff Lanvin + H&M: Is there a downside?
• Frock and Roll A code of ethnics for advertorials on your blog
• Grit and Glamour RSS and Sharing for Dummies—and Lazies
• Haute Halifax Out of sight, out of mind? A look at the impact of the textile industry in Africa
• Holier than Now The Under $50 Gift Guide: Fashion, guy-friendly goods, eco and charitable finds and more
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: Are you addicted to blogging?
• Make the World a Prettier Place 30 Vogue covers from 1922 to 2005
• Mary Van Notes A vintage style post from a tree house
• Pancake Stacker Lessons from "Changing Fashion: Internet and Blogging" featuring Liz of Late Afternoon, Yvan Rodic of The Face Hunter, and more
• Positively Bleak Tips on staving off the winter blues - with a bonus compilation of free demos and EPs from alternative rock bands!
• Previously Owned A carefully selected gift list for the foodie, fashionable, beauty obsessed and generous
• The Chic Curve Winter coats for everyBODY. No matter what size or shape, there is a fabulous jacket just for you!
• The Coveted: Frock Luxury Vintage: A local NYC discovery
• The Fashion Pawn The Business of Blogging: Your Blog Brand
• The Lingerie Addict: 5 things Every Woman Should Know About Her Lingerie
• The New Professional A bloglover's tips for keeping up with your blog reading
• Tickle Me Chic: Get rid of those blogging blues: Tips and links to ban discouragement
• Wanderlost 10 things to look forward to this winter

Terrain and Shu Uemura Deals

Hello sweet reader! Hope you are having a great Thanksgiving weekend! I managed to spend time with family and have a nice little Black Friday shopping trip to the outlets in Napa - a great resource for discounted American Apparel and J.Crew

Below are a few deals that I found in my inbox which I thought I'd pass along for those interested:

Terrain (Anthro's sister home/garden/body site) is having a Friends and Family 20% off deal with code FRIENDS thru 11/29

Shu Uemura is having 20% off $50 orders with free shipping with code WISH2010 thru 11/29.

Leifsdottir Free Shipping Begins

Leifsdottir just released free shipping to help keep us occupied over Thanksgiving. However, the deal is only for domestic orders of $250 or greater and ends 11/29/2010.

All the details are in the graphic below.

What I Love Now! - November Turkey Edition

Well dear readers, I am sure many of you are starting to get ready for Thanksgiving. So here's what I am loving for the season:

Lisa Eldridge and Chantecaille. Lisa's video makeup tutorials are amazing as you can imagine coming from a pro makeup artist that has done high fashion work. My favorites include her makeup removal video and 4 ways with Lipstick video.

One of her recommendations from her own palettes is the Chantecaille Lipstick in Petunia - a lilac rose with no glitter or pearl. I got mine from Nordstrom.

I have to admit the quality of Chantecaille lipsticks is really amazing, and I found it to be very moisturizing yet long lasting at the same time (even more so than the Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick that I reviewed previously). I am still a bit on the fence on the colour - the lilac rose is quite a statement against my pale olive skin though I had originally expected a more "neutral" colour. I find in natural daylight looks more lilac than rose on my lips. But in unnatural light (i.e. indoor lighting) looks just lovely. In any case, I will probably keep it because the colour is really so unique. I love the Chantecaille brand and quality and already have a bit of a wishlist for more of their lipsticks!

Karla Sugar has of course the full line of Chantecaille swatches.


Eva Franco and the Learning Curve Dress. As you may well know, rarely do my online orders from Anthropologie work out as well in person. Such is the problem of being petite. However, the Learning Curve Dress by Eva Franco was lovely! I managed to snag one on sale that happened to pop up as being available once again on my wishlist.

Eva Franco Learning Curve Dress

Style#19029404

$119.95

This is definitely a Emma Pillsbury-worthy dress. We're talking a pretty massive bow on a wiggle dress rendered in a retro yellow and brown heavy tweed fabric. All prior reviews about this dress being pretty tight on the bottom are true. I ordered it in a size 0. But it does create a true curvy pencil shape - so if you're willing to suck it up a little it does look lovely.

What I'v also noticed is that Eva Franco seems to have reliably flattering, feminine, skirts and dresses that look pretty on petites. The fits are more constricting, but the effects are quite beautiful.

Links a la Mode: When Fashion Teaches You a Lesson

When fashion teaches you a lesson

Edited by: Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista
As fashion bloggers, we are often the ones sharing and giving advice about fashion. But what happens when fashion turns the table on us and teaches us a lesson or two? From learning how to be thrifty, coping through a crisis, or the economy, these fashion bloggers took a cue from fashion's lessons and turned them into a delicious and delectable read- and I have rounded these up for you...

Links à la Mode: November 18th

• Almost Sober Mag: Pull It, Push It and Come Back When You Proved It: Direct experience from a newly established independent publisher: a week as a fashion editor.
• Beyond Fabric: On the relation between Body Language and Fashion Photography
• Dedicated Follower: To Write Love on Her Arms - I join the movement and write love on my arms in honor of a lost friend.
• Exiled from the City: Throughout the past few years, there has been a paradigm shift in consumer variables and the function of fashion.
• For those about to Shop: Society must take some responsibility for the dangerous obsession to be thin.
• Freeda Style: "Appropriate Attire" Are ALL the old rules of fashion dead? Or should some survive?
• Haute World: Grace Kelly Exhibition: How a royal style icon can teach us a lesson in thriftiness.
• Heathers Design Blog: Musings on fashion now and fashion then, based on the exhibit "Fashioning Fashion" at LACMA.
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: Self-Promotion 101: It's not about you
• LivLux Mag: ComfortZones: Even Fashionistas get insecure when trying new styles.
• Make the World a Prettier Place: History of Fashion: The New Look (1947)
• Miss Vinyl Ahoy: I've read some negative comments about the 30 for 30 challenge, and wanted to explain more of what it is and why people should care about it, from my POV.
• Modesty Theory: Welcome to Hijabi Fashion Week- showcasing the style of Muslim women for various occasions.
• Oh My Massila: Reflections on the crossroads between fashion and feminism.
• Previously Owned: The tale of the "00s" Vintage and the mockery of the consumer... Are we becoming victims of the mass media?
• RetroChick: Why Fashion isn't Frivolous
• Return to Sender: Sometimes life gets in the way of fashion. How I Survive A Crisis
• Searching for Style: Fashion 101: Who Owns What. The lowdown on the big fashion conglomerates and the companies they own.
• Socialite Dreams: Sparkly, glam shoes are a must have for the holidays! Twinkle Toes: The Holiday Shoe Guide
• Taste and Style: Keep Being YOU.
• The Curvy Fashionista: How to determine quality in plus size fashion

Review: Anthro Floral Muse Slip

Floral Muse Slip

style #18797837

$19.95 (orig. $38)

Hello readers! It's been a while since I've done an Anthro review - I've been a bit annoyed by the seeming changes in fits (sweaters too long for petites, pants that seem to fit weirdly) and hence have taken a bit of an Anthro break.

Anyhow! Thanks to the free shipping deal going on I did end up ordering a few items. The first I have received is the slip above. Unfortunately I had assumed from the photo that it was pink. Indeed, it's actually more of a lavender colour with deep purple trim, and apparently the colour name from Anthro is "mauve" - which now makes more sense. 

I tried the small but found it kinda felt like a tube of control top panty hose around your entire body - too tight for my personal tastes and again the colour wasn't what I had been expecting. The length, straps, softness of the material all seemed to be fine.

Verdict: This one is going back to the store. Still waiting for the rest of my shipment - let's hope those work better!

Links a la Mode: Behind the Clothes

Behind the clothes

Edited by: Florrie Clarke of Intrinsically Florrie
It's war of the underwear this week! What can lingerie do for our figures, what does body shaping underwear say about our feminist principles and how does our choice actually affect our health?
The post that will stay with me this week is The Button Owl's, which broke my heart. Fashion isn't just about vanity, but how we present ourselves to the world and this is all the more important when you have troubles to hide.

Links à la Mode: November 11th

• Any Second Now: Is it really practical financially to buy high-end clothing for children? Parents can be creative and frugal with wardrobe for their kids.
• Bachman's Sparrow: Heels usually get all the glory when it comes to fashion, but in this post I want to show you a few ways to kick the heel habit.
• Be Fabulous Daily: Why I'm throwing away my Spanx (and what I replaced them with... it's not entirely self-love).
• Fashezine: 4 ways to wear a basic American Apparel shirt, illustrated photography included.
• Forever Amber: Channeling Joan Holloway.
• Haute World: Deliciously fashionable: edible couture & more at Salon du Chocolat in Paris.
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: The Copywriting Scorecard for Fashion Bloggers
• Intrinsically Florrie: Dress success and another reason why I love the online fashion community.
• Love of Lace: A Lesson In Style From Europe: A comparison between ‘Secrets of French Girls’ and North American style.
• Modly Chic: How to read your google analytics and make blogging decisions based on your findings.
• Out of Order: Do-It-Yourself pom-pom headbands.
• Perfectly Indecisive: Pushing your fashion boundaries in summer (for those just heading into Summer not Winter)
• Retro Chick: Lingerie Love - Retro Shapewear from Gok Wan.
• Seamstress Stories: Can I wear a corset and still be a feminist?
• Simple Subtle Style: The Art of Layering for Winter.
• Style Every Day: How to travel with your jewelry.
• Style Geek: Interview with Dallas-Based Designer Sarah Jones of STATUS Talking about her line, how she started & the Dallas fashion scene.
• Style Symmetry: How To Purge & Pare Down Your Closet.
• Sweet Faced Style: Translating art into a look: An ode to Flaming June in an orange dress.
• The Button Owl: My best friend began dying when she was eleven years old as a result of kinder failure; "clothes are my defense".
• The Demoiselles There's talk of creating a "Photoshop Law" for fashion adverts. What do you think?

Inspiration: Verrier

Randomly browsing online, I discovered a gorgeous line of clothes called Verrier. Although the designer, Ashleigh Verrier, is an American and Parsons graduate, her designs feel very European, vintage-inspired.

Below are some examples from her Fall 2010 collection - where her colour choices are really intriguing and interesting. They make the looks more vibrant and modern - preventing things from looking stuffy or too costume-like:

Verrier Fall 2010 Collection

Meanwhile, her collection for Yoox was inspired by the Belle Epoque period. Check out the gorgeous silk blouses:

Verrier Blouse Fall-Winter Collection

Verrier Blouse Fall-Winter Collection

Also check out Ashleigh Verrier's blog for the things which inspire her!

Finding your Perfect Lipcolour

I've always found it really difficult to figure out lip colour for my pale olive skin. So many colours end up looking rather "orangey" on me. I've been randomly typed as both cool or warm by SAs and generally have ended up just doing a lot of trial by error. Not to mention knowing what to buy online is even trickier.

I have found a handy tool - Sephora's Make Up For Ever Lipstick Finder. You enter in the type of skintone you have golden, beige, olive or pink. (There's also a handy foundation Shade Finder as well). Then, enter in your haircolour - black, platinum/white, blonde, red or brown.

Below is an example of the lipstick shades suggested for my skintone and haircolour in both pinks, reds and nudes (hurrah!). I've found this useful even if you're not planning to buy the actual Make Up Forever colours listed. It helped me figure out the right lip pencil colour in their line and has given me a good idea of what colours to look for in other brands. For example, berry reds tend to look better on me but coral reds won't work.

What tricks do you use to find the perfect lipstick shade? Do share in the comments!

Links a la Mode: The Power of Words

The Power of Words

Edited by: The Sunday Best
One story dominated my thoughts this week, and I was glad to see an IFB member tackle it in a post. I'm talking about the Marie Claire article. I'm not going to link to it, or even say what it was about, since I assume you dialed in people are familiar with it. [Pulls out soapbox.] The problem with the article, and its apparently apologetic writer, isn't the ignorance it exhibited, or the hate it might engender, or even, I would argue, the sentiment expressed, although it was certainly the worst example of each. The problem was she used the most demeaning language she could think of to describe a group about which she apparently cares. She used this language and neither her nor her editors nor anyone at Marie Claire saw fit to deny it. And Marie Claire's ridiculous mea culpa, where they celebrated the "discussion" they had fostered, was like saying the Titanic sinking was good for discussions about marine safety. Worst of all was the author's own apology: "I never wanted anyone to feel bullied or ashamed after reading this". So you used the most demeaning language you could think of--edgy!--and called people gross--keeping it real!--and were shocked, SHOCKED, to find them taking offense. I would call her a liar but out of deference to liars, she might just be an idiot. Think before you write - words are powerful.

Links à la Mode : November 4th

• A la Modest: This is vintage...now.
• Beyond Fabric: Portraying the essence of Autumn.
• Closet Hound: Do you wear his pants in the relationship?
• Dans Mon Boudoir: Tying scarves for Fall.
• Daisy Dayz: Menswear trousers the new way to cover up this winter.
• Employed Panache: Finding new ways to remix my wardrobe.
• Grit and Glamour: Why I'm not on Weardrobe, Chictopia, Lookbook, or Hypeed.
• Houndstooth and Tortoiseshell: The retail blues.
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: 5 Sites to Strengthen Your Writing Skills
• Kitsch by Kat: Better than reality TV!
• One More: Taking a risk.
• Other Dutch Animals: Champagne sequins: Worn two ways.
• Seamstress Stories: Cuteness and female rivalry.
• Shopgirls Blog: Jewelry with a story to share.
• Sidewalk Chalk: 6 perfect photo locations that are right in front of you.
• Style Activist: I love me. And I don't care if you don't.
• Stylish Thought: Five lessons Nicki Minaj can teach you about personal style.
• The Coveted: Women at work.
• The New Professional: The long and short of it all.
• The Sunday Best: Caring about what you wear is just caring.
• Tickle Me Chic: Everyone deserves to be happy - a response to Marie Claire's "Should 'Fatties' Get a Room".

Anthro Sister-site Terrain Starts Free Shipping

Looks like Anthro's sister-site Terrain has also started free holiday shipping. Terrain specializes in home, garden, bath and body and jewelry. This one requires the code HOLIDAY for complimentary standard shipping on any orders over $100.

This begs the question - is Leifsdottir going to be next to offer the deal?

Lanvin Pour H&M

H&M just released a fantastic video preview of it's Lanvin collaboration. The full collection on  is going to be released Nov 4th on the H&M website and in selected stores Nov 20th.

My one hope is that all the gorgeous looking dresses will be rendered in silk or cotton rather than horrible polyester versions. Let's hope Alber Elbaz feels the same way about material quality.

Lanvin H&m video