Raveneli Blouse Styled by Yours Truly...

I was DESTINED to own this blouse. Here is why. First, I spied its loveliness in the Anthropologie catalog a few months back. Second, one of my favorite blogs, What Would Emma Pillsbury Wear? highlighted it in a post on whether or not Emma Pillsbury would in fact wear it. (Decidedly yes!) Third, on the VERY day I bought it on sale, Dea of The Dea Diaries goes and shows how she wore it. Yep, three times a charm.

And here is a fourth.


Sizes:
Top: Size 6. Could have gone with a four as there is plenty of room throughout, but I kind of like it a little loose. It can still be yours...a few sizes are left on the Anthropologie website. I will go into the details of the top after the next photo (which shows the blouse on its own).
Jacket: Size 8. Love how the schoolboy blazer is structured enough to balance the ruffles and bows of the blouse. Very nice contrast.
Pants: Size 10. Another example of WHY. YOU. SHOULD. NEVER. BUY. CLOTHING. POSTPARTUM. Yes. It is now too big and when I bought them they were too tight. Sigh. Oh, well, at least I think I can dry them in the dryer to take in some inches. You can't really tell how big they are, but trust me, I was doing the ole "hitching up" dance all night. Don't pretend you don't know what that dance is... :)
Boots: Size 9. Yes, I love you, Naturalizer! Best $25 I have spent in a long time. I wear these all the time!

We were going to IHOP and then bowling. Both were fun. Did you know that if you have a kid at a bowling alley, they let the kid "cheat" by giving them this cool metal ramp to give their ball a good ole head start down to the pins? Rex did way better than me and Mr. Dina...and we used to be on a bowling league (no joke--we own shoes and everything!).


So here is the top sans jacket. It is fluffy and bow-tastic, but not enough to make Mr. Jim crack up at my expense or anything, so in my mind, this makes this top a winner! ;) Go, go, Girls From Savoy (they made the top).

What is Rex doing back there?

Have a great night, all!

New Hudson Fresco Print Shell Top...A Mini-Review...

It is true, I am on a vacation in wild and wonderful West Virginia, but that can't stop me from posting at least once. But it will be a quick post. I have been meaning to get around to this post, but since it isn't warm out, I haven't really had an opportunity to wear this outside. Plus, this top is a smidge small on the hip, so I have to lose about 5 more pounds to be able to wear it for any great length of time.

But since this top is on sale at J. Crew for 59.99, I thought this post may benefit a couple of you ladies who are interested in purchasing it.

This is the way it appears on the website. You can find it here to see more views: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/shirtstops/camisblouses/PRDOVR~14594/14594.jsp

Here it is on me. I cut off my head because I am not wearing makeup and because I think it is important for you to see the fit and the colors. The fit is true to size. I purchased a 6 because I want a good fit in the bust area (sort of like the model on jcrew.com). I did not want it to be too loose. I am so close to this top fitting well in the hip that I can taste it, but until that happens, I will not wear this top...so those of you ladies who worry about things like that can chill out! :) The fit is immaculate in the bust area...it lies flat and nicely highlights my shoulders and neckline, which I believe are two of my nicest features.

If you choose to purchase this top, go with what you would normally wear in a J. Crew top. Bear in mind the hip measurement (important if you are a tad heavier on bottom). I actually discussed this with the Customer Service Rep. and she gave me the exact measurements, so I was more than prepared for the fit.

I want to mention that I personally love the slub silk...so pretty, with a beautiful and subtle texture. The fabric really makes this pattern sing. This top is very unique and I believe will be a piece I will receive many compliments on when I finally get around to wearing it!!!

Please, please, please, I beg of you to keep in mind I took this shot for the blog and was NOT planning on going out like this. (You must have more faith in me than that!) I have not one ounce of makeup on my face and my hair is pulled back. I have no flash, etc. to help light this shot. I wanted simply to show you the fit from a different view/angle. :)

I also want to mention that I will definitely be wearing this with the cardigan below, and probably well into summer because I know that the pink border is an almost exact match to my skin tone--and until I get my very faint tan by mid-July, I will not go out in this top without some sort of contrast piece. (I normally wouldn't explain in detail what I plan on wearing with this but I have to cover my bases for the commenters who stress out way too much about the littlest details of my outfits, makeup, hair, etc. I want the commenters to know I am not stupid--I really, truly get that the border of this shell is a match for my skin and I know that it needs a bit of something to make it truly wearable for me--especially before I get a little tan...) I still love you all, but really...not necessary to point out the obvious...I am really truly my own harshest critic!!! ;) (I say all of this with a smile on my face...)

Here is the cardigan (how divine and precious):

I love this shade of light yellow-green with my skin tone and I really think it will look superb with this shell. :) The cardigan can be found here: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/sweaters/cotton/PRDOVR~13471/99101690155/13471.jsp

You all have a great weekend. I will come back with more tomorrow night...and I might even post some more pics of my kids having fun (from Cub Run Rec Center last weekend to the hilarity of West Virginia).