catching your pinterest (or what to spend hours on)

Wow. Pinterest is very shrewd. First of all, there's a waiting list (unless you get invited by an existing member). So they're just snobby enough to make you want to get in...none of this instant accessibility like Facebook or Myspace. Secondly, they allow you to hold onto the url...and repin other people's stuff.

I had originally found out about Pinterest from Elisha, from El Segundo's Anthro. She's the head of visuals there, was really friendly and helpful all those times I stalked her (and Connor) and I LOVE her Pinterest page. She's so clearly very talented.

I love that you can "catalog the things you love." Now I can remember the names of Anthro items, even after they disappear from the website. That's the biggest reason I started out with to have an account.

And then I saw what my boards looked like, and now I'm just having so much fun.

It's like looking into someone's internal inspiration board. 

Outfit of the Weekend

 Wearing:
Anthro Girls of Savoy dress
Anthro belt
F21 tights
Target Mossimo booties
Tiffany ring

I love the colors of this summery dress and insisted on wearing it despite foggy weather and even after an unfortunate incident at a Vietnamese restaurant involving what Chris calls "noodle lash."

Even thought of a haiku for the day:

Despite gloomy clouds
Girls of Savoy dress triumphs
Best sale stalk ever. 

Of course, the last picture depicts the adorable keyhole neckline. This photo is more involved than you would expect: 
The ring is not my wedding ring, because even post-preggo, my joints are completely swollen and my rings don't fit--just one that Chris bought me and that keeps all the overeager junior high boys at bay--I imagine SO many of them would be ALL up in my grill, otherwise. 
Plus, I wanted to show the keyhole but not the unsightly stain from lunch, so I have my fingers just SO. Also, said fingers badly needed a manicure, so they are curved to nailless perfection. What ragged nail you can't see, doesn't rankle. See what a wonder of sophistication this blog is?

Even Weirder.

Is it just me, or is Anthro the last place I think of when I'm running low on dental products? Also, I love how they name EVERYTHING with indecipherable names. Can you see these running out on sale day? I have my local Anthro on speed dial so I can put one of those Acca Kappas aside.

I know, I know. Maybe a tad snarky. Still. Weird, right?

Happy Mother's Day

 

I woke up luxuriously late this morning to a bed with no husband and no squawking baby.

Baby was on a walk with Grammy (my mom). Apparently, Husband had scurried off to the florist and to stand in line with dozens of other husbands at Trader Joe's for groceries (he said it was like Christmas morning, with a mad, frantic rush once the doors opened at 8 am).

He then proceeded to assemble a scrumptious, festive brunch for mom and me.

Then came my favorite part of every special event--reading the card, with its sweet, sentimental, thoughtful message penned in his bold, neat script.

And the inevitable cartoon of us which he draws on every card.

Me and my braces, with neater bangs than are true. Him with his thick eyebrows, square jaw, and mole. And now with our baby, mouth happily agape and tightly wrapped in a swaddle.

What a wonderful picture.

A warm and lovely Mother's Day to all--present and future mothers alike. And many more to come.

Weird.

Anthro is trying out real models for their "Knits and Tees" section, instead of just the dress forms. Not a fan. What is this--Forever 21?!
Give me back my soulless, headless automatons!

Things Are Not What They Seem

Statement of Fact #1: My dear friends and former roomies, Kimi, Rita, and Kat pictured at a baby shower honoring Rita (That's me in the Silken Stitches dress on the far right, if you don't recognize me. I know--that's a lot of Asians).

Item of Confusion #1: It appears Rita and I are both pregnant. I assure you, we are not (although one of us says she is--we'll see). Just that one of us needs to go to Yoga more often and not eat 3 cupcakes in a row emblazoned with cream cheese frosting.

Statement of Fact #2: Chris and Avery accompanied me to Anthro, reveling in the beauty of the kitchenware. Chris really enjoyed some of the lettuce serving bowls on sale and insisted that we buy 2. He insisted. I simply complied.

Item of Confusion #2: They both appear disinterested and resigned, waiting around Anthro for me, especially since someone forgot the Baby Bjorn and someone else weighs close to a bag of bricks. 

Statement of Fact #2.5: Avery is in fact, a girl.
Item of Confusion #2.5: She appears bald and frequently wearing green/blue tones without the convenient pink barrette to alert the occasional passerby.

Statement of Fact #3: The El Segundo Anthro is staffed with a brilliant visual staff. This is how they used their corkage allowance.

Item of Confusion #3: The next door Pinkberry is not actually INSIDE the Anthro, although if I could get some kind of Anthro/Pinkberry stamp card, I would go Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.

Statement of Fact #4: Usually stuffed animals are your soft, cuddly friends.

Item of Confusion: Until they turn mutinous on you and try to bury you alive.

Have a wonderful weekend, peeps.

Mom's in town--that means date night, Anthro runs, a deep-tissue massage, and catching up on 30 Rock. We already did an American Idol marathon last night--and are belatedly devastated that Casey's gone. First Pia, and now this?! I know. I know. SO last week.

Well, We've given up on America. Or at least its Idol. Let's hope Anthro and Tina Fey can mend our broken hearts.

Wishlisting

Butterfly Net Dress
Love: the print, the colors, the pleating at the bustline.
Not sure about: cotton as the fabric--too casual?, the black sash (would prefer another color).

Lingonberry Dress
Love: the draping, the gorgeous print, fabric.
Not sure about: the wide neck and hip area. Would love to try it on in person.

Pellucid Wings Blouse, see review here.
Love: fabric, beading, everything.
Not sure about: sheerness.

Summer Tartan Tank
Love: the adorable retro checks/peter pan collar/ruffles. Very June Cleaver/Betty Draper.
Not sure about: blousy waist in cotton. May need a belt.

Pormenor Corset
Love: the silhouette! the stitching! the subtle ruffles! the appliques! A-DOR-able.
Not sure about: spending a months' grocery budget on something that I won't be able to wear too often. Probably wouldn't care. Still so gorgeous.

What do you guys think? Has anyone else wishlisted these dreamy items? Does anyone else buy a time share of the Pormenor Corset? We could split it 4 ways--and everyone gets 3 months. Dibs on summer.

Fitting Room Reviews: Taking Flight

Happy Saturday night, Anthrofriends! 

     Hope you are all enjoying the weekend and wherever you are, there is lovely weather. That would have to mean, then, that you are NOT ducking tornadoes in the South. Wowsers--what a motivation to stay indoors and do all shopping online, if you can get access in the ol' bunker.

     Well, I got to try on a few items that I had seen online this week. 

     Leave it to Anthro to teach me some new terms. Like "pellucid." I fully intend to start throwing that around as part of my everyday vernacular. It apparently means the same as "lucid"--just that added syllable though, adds class, elegance, and apparently is worth an extra 75 bucks. 

Pellucid Wings Blouse, Moulinette Soeurs, for $128. First of all, the cut is quite flattering. It's true to size--I wore a size 2 and it draped quite nicely without excessive blousing. I also love that the v-neck neckline is twisted and romantic. Good length, too. Perfect for tucking in or belting.

Furthermore, the silk is gorgeously printed, although somewhat sheer. At first glance, it appears to be covered in upside-down butterflies, but upon closer inspection, they're brightly colored swallows.

There is beautiful beading over a few of the swallows on the upper left and right waistline. It literally took my breath away. I actually became short of breath. In the Anthro dressing room. Overly dramatic? Maybe.

 Or maybe not.

Further on the whole winged theme, I had to try Lil's Monarch Skirt, for $78. The cut appears pretty classic: wide ruched waistband which sits on the natural waist and drops into narrow pleats and fairly deep side pockets with a side zip.

It was not true to size--even the size 2 seemed to be a bit billowy, with the waist not QUITE as crisp as I would have liked. Would recommend sizing down, but I couldn't find a size 0 to try on. The length was just above the knee (I'm 5'5'').

The fabric was cotton, fairly light, with monarch butterflies in rows, only seen on closer inspection. From across the room, it appears to be a regular polka-dotted number.

 I liked this skirt, but really found the texture of the fabric to be mediocre. It's not a distinct shape, and tends toward blousiness, which would be fine for other less hippy body types.

 Still love the pockets, though.

The applique and pleating of this chambray Wiltern Dress, $168 caught my eye. The cut is almost a halter with pearl buttons (which are a little challenging) at the back, crisp pleating from the neckline, and wonderfully plunging deep side pockets.

The fabric is chambray, but is so well tailored along with the applique, that it is appropriate for beach, dinner, and everything in between. True to size? I think so--given the cut of the torso, although the skirt is so roomy. It hits just above the knee, that is, if you're 5'5'' and have odd posture. 

Also, roomy enough to hide a burgeoning waistline--food induced or otherwise.

In other news, I LOVE a few items Anthro has come out with, which is a relief. I was a little concerned about a month ago, but I think they're back on the upswing (can't say that about their stock, though). Anyone else agree?
More on that tomorrow! Happy weekending, friends!

Happy Easter! Fresh Eggs, Fresh Blooms, and OOTD

 

     Happy Easter, lovely people. It's been a little foggy and misty these past few days. Do I wish I hadn't gloated about Southern California's perfect weather last post? Maybe. Didn't keep me from enjoying Easter foods. Especially since I didn't have to make any of it. 

     These hand-dipped eggs were made by my friend Gabby. She used leaves from her garden, panty hose, and a pot she didn't mind throwing out. That's also hand-made bread, which was completely delicious with a LOT of butter. Didn't need it--I just like butter. 

     Gabby and I went to a garden center the other day together. We both love plants--me, blooms. Her, succulents. 

     I only have irises for you.

 OOTD: I wore my Eva Franco dress for church, and Avery wore a flowered Carter's dress.

Yes, I know--I should have taken a full-length picture. Sorry I'm so lame. Just believe me when I felt like an Asian Jackie O without the yacht. Or Asian Joan Harris without the crazy chest.

Avery looks like a baby Asian Laura Ingalls Wilder.

The dress was too tight, so had to slip into some Deletta--perhaps the most comfortable dress I own. Just all jersey softness. Off, off, oppressive tweed!

OOTD:
Anthro Deletta Corsage Twirl Dress
Anthro Moth Windy Dunes Cardi

Avery's outfit:
Skirt and Cardi, gifted
Baby Legs, Leg warmers
Headband, gifted

Happy Easter, everyone!...And the winner of the Perricone giveaway is Alexandra! Congratulations!