Thursday, November 1, 2012

Gather Round and You Shall Hear....

Of Parcel Received and an Addendum to Cape Fear...(Fred is in France, dammit, so I can take over the rhyme time,...)




First off the mark....

Oh My Goodness.  I am not not only the muse of George Clooney and sometimes other stars of screen and stage, I am now also in complete synch with THE SARTORIALIST!!!!
Imagine my surprise to get emails late in the day directing me here!!

Yes, I WAS thinking of capes.  How delightful that you should ask Monsieur...

Now looking at those capes, I am pretty sure that he was agreeing with Gigi and Ema, as I do not think these are delightful images at all.  I wondered if the cheeky "If You"re thinking of Capes" was the equivalent of anti-smoking ads with wrinkled skin and respirators saying "If you're thinking about smoking.."

I'm not going to lie - the man in the middle scares me.  I am good.  I am not getting a cape....


Source

Okay - if the Sartorialist blogs about Turquoise, J Crew  or black and white polka dot pants tomorrow, we officially have a psychic connection and this is no mere Halloween Hoax....

So...

Box 1 was waiting for me when I arrived home.  I madly tore into it and there were mixed reactions all around.  This is the one issue of only getting things by mail order.  Oh well, c'est la vie!

First off:  Turquoise cashmere tshirt and antique white pencil skirt:



Note pasty white legs.  I like the sweater, though I see every bump and would need to a) lose that darn 10 pounds and in the interim, b) spanx it.  But great colour, great price, I am in!  The picture does not do the colour justice.  I am going to take a prope photo of it with my camera.  It is lovely.

The antique white pencil skirt is lovely.  I am not 100% in love with it.  I think it could work and i did look at it with a couple of existing sweaters for interest's sake:



Paired here with the nougat london cardigan and the tippi in leopard print.


Or with my black and cream pink tartan cardigan.  I think this could be quite lovely and I will likely keep it,.



Same outfit, topped with the dream cardigan in heather periwinle.  Do not worry, I honestly would not wear it with the tshirt....

I actually really liked this sweater.  I looks all soft and dreamy and is just loverly.

I took a photo of it side by side with my jackie in periwinkle:


Much softer in colour, like looking at a colour through the mist.  I really like this and this would get a thumbs up, as Gigi would say!

Last but not least, the tiny dot cafe capris.  I had high hopes for them after seeing them on other lovely JCAs, but they are not for me:



I am sure with heels they would look better, but... well... they were soft and looked like pyjama pants, but they weren't special pyjama pants...

Another shot:



DOn't ask me about the lighting.  It is Halloween, I guess!

They are wool /viscose and here they are close up:


They are very soft and unlined.  My daughter was not a fan.  Look at the lovely lining however:


They almost felt sweat-pantish to me.  But for what I paid, that was too much.  I think I would prefer silk versions of pyjama pants.  So back they will go!

I am definitely keeping the sweaters, on the fence on the skirt and sending back the trousers.  That means only one thing: crazy pants are in my future... you know they are.....  and then the sartorialist will do a thing on them...

Have the most happiest of Thursdays and stay safe out there, since it Day of the Dead....

29 comments:

  1. Hi, Wendy, me being blunt again, about those bumps, not necessarily a spans issue, consider having the "upper underpinnings" professionally fitted. I get a "check up" at my favorite fitter every year or so, since I'm not 25 any more and things do change, alas, and I come away with a few style numbers that I can pick up on sale as the occasion presents... Once they've fitted you, they keep your measurements, and will do phone orders. If there's no one reliable near you, I can give you a suggestion or two for your NY visit. Hope this is not overstepping, I dragged my sister to "my" place and she says it changed her life. Well, she can be dramatic.

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    1. Thanks WFF - I actually did have them fitted a couple of months ago and now am racking my brain to recall if this is one of those bras...I don't disagree at all!

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    2. You wear blues so easily, love the turquoise & periwinkle

      I'm so clumsy I can't even consider a cape !

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    3. I do love the turquoise on you! What are we wearing on our legs with this winter white skirt? I find this so difficult for some reason.

      What is a good fitting place for underpinnings in NY? Nothing here. I am supposed to get down to the city next week as I have Jake Gylenhaal theater tickets(!) but poor NYC-- I hope can get there and the suffering level is down. Unimaginable.

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    4. Well, ladies, I have had the best luck at The Town Shoppe and the worst luck at Linda the Bra Lady. Call The Town Shoppe for an appointment a few days ahead . The original Old Lady Who Could Eyeball You From the Window and Tell Your Size Before You Came in the Store is deceased, but she trained most of the fitters who are there now. Linda just likes to sell you what she has in stock.

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    5. Ahh, thanks for the info! Amazing to me that there is such a shop; I love NY! Underthings shopping is about as appealing as hunting rats in the subway, but I expect this could be a fun adventure!

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  2. The first three in capes are terrifying, a cabal of capes.

    The turquoise is beautiful, I need to play around with my skirt, I only have one look for it so far. As to Fred above, oh I really need a fitting, I am spilling out of my present 'intimate apparel" which is giving me the double lump look, I tried at home measurements and got various things between 34 DD, E and God forbid F!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. Oh I am so there. I am going to recheck again as I do not plan to send this sweater back - I love it. But i am well and truly dieting as things are definitely tight and it is driving me mad!!

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  3. That's too bad about these dotted pants, I was thinking they were must-haves. Guess you might be joining Dani and me in the choccy dotty jammies club.

    As for the capes, I've wanted one for my wardrobe fantasy ever since J. Peterman included one in a catalog in the late 80s. I think I want one but I doubt I'd ever wear it. Thus, I'm happy/relieved I haven't realized that one.

    You look so pretty in the blues and periwinkle.

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    1. Thanks Tiffany Rose! I think a cape falls into my "aspirational" dressing category! The dotted pants would be fine if they were half the price, I would wear them as lounge pants _ they are just not dressy enough for work!

      Thanks for kind words on colour. I usually like to polish up for you all, but I was anxious to get the pictures taken before the trick or treaters!!!

      Still on fence in white skirt. I actually ordered the charcoal grey and mauve to compare against when they went on the great sale last week. I will NOT be keeping them ALL, do not worry. I think I am coming to the end of my love of pencil skirts. I am quite sure i have enough and none may stay. I am just not getting the feeling! However, will wait till Saturday and see again - to quote J.R.R. Tolkine "do not be too hasty". Well, I am actually quoting an Ent in a a Tolkien book, but he still wrote the Ent's words (I think! :-)

      Have a great one! Ordered purple crazy pants with my last remaining 20% off card last night... we shall see....

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  4. WMM-

    Love the blue sweaters and am curious on how the dream sweater will wear. I agree about the pants and am excited to see you ordered the purple one's! You are so funny and I love reading your take on things every morning :) Have a great day!

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    1. Thnaks Mini! I am curious about dream as well. Since I only paid $60 and love the colour, I am willing to give it a shot!

      Shoes haven't shipped yet and likely won't for a bit withe the storm!

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  5. Decisions! I missed your cape post? Oh it's been hectic around here, thank goodness Halloween is over, and today the first bathroom is complete. I was inhaling drywall dust all night long, get out the mop!
    LOVE the blue cashmere, your color my friend. I guess you'll be mailing things back. You know what I would say, if you're on the fence don't keep it!

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    1. Dani,
      The best, the very best antidote to drywall dust is damp, used Bounce dryer sheets-use them on a swiffer for the floors or in hand for surfaces. Be sure to get the unscented variety or you will have another issue. The drywall dust just keeps droppings for weeks. I changed all my windows, you can only imagine.
      AA

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    2. Hey Dani - exciting! Barry is drywalling today, so yippee's comments are appropos. I love the blues! I am having a Dani wardrobe existential crisis. There is a post in there somewhere soon! I think the weight exacerbates it, but is not only reason. I realize i want a work uniform. I am going to work on that and leave most of the fun for the weekends - i am just not that great of creating all of the coordinating ensembles! Of course, i reserve right to change my mind since i only had 3 hours of sleep last night - sick dog.

      Can't wait to see bathroom pictures!

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  6. Good Morning WMM! Hope the four-legged gets better fast and props to the DH (laundry room?) Joining the DBP chorus, only keep the items you truly adore and will honestly wear, that fill a gap in your closet and make you happy (not just the arrival rush but I feel "GOOD!" in this. There will always be another markdown, new arrival, brown box on the horizon. When I travelled tons for work I had a 10 item uniform system: a suit jacket with skirt and trousers that fit me perfectly, a printed silk shell/ blouse, a JC (cashmere) tee in a jewel tone, a 120s coloured dress, a pair of coloured capris that went with the suit, a button down a/o a fun pullover top (in my case usually a striped/ bateau sweater). I would add shoes (black and leopard), scarves and coloured belts to mix things up, plus a pair of jeans if needed. This got me at least 12 days of M-F outfits. I have gotten away from it and it might be a bit "boring" for you. But I would encourage you to put 10 of your perfect/ favourite pieces on the bed and see how many workweek outfits you can make, surprising and makes getting dressed routine far easier.

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    1. GetFresh - great idea! I really need to remove the stress of standing there and trying to make it work. And it makes me cross! You see tomorrow's photo - you will think - that is one cross puppy!

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    2. I posted about it over at Dani a few weeks back, but when I am having a good hour on the weekend or one evening (with ideas from perusing blogs etc.) I have 5 special empty hangers with clips etc. at end of my closet rail. I pull full outfits for them right down to scarf/ necklace/ belt. And then those are my choices for mornings. Helps my closet get worn and prevents extra morning grump and rush (even 2-3 days in advance helps).

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    3. GetFresh--such a wise thing to do. You are inspiring.

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    4. Ta Lane, sweet of you to say! Mainly it's just what keeps me sane - and decently dressed - at 6:30 a.m. Also helps tone down "I have nothing to wear" shivers, makes sure I get ironing done etc.

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    5. Oh Get Fresh - great idea. I need you to pop over, too!!!!

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  7. I love the blue tee!
    Are your reserves re. the white pencil about the fit or about the fact that you don't know if you need it/will wear it enough? I think it will be lovely around the holidays. But I also understand pencil skirt boredom! I am looking for a white bottom myself and I am weavering. I am suffering from cafe capri boredom and I had sworn off pencil skirts, that I don't wear enough. My felted wool white mini feels really short but I can't push myself to buy the same one (this year's one is a bit longer) just to gain some inches. Decisions, decisions...

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    1. That is why I am thinking of keeping the white and holding off on the others till I see the three colours side by side... I am also sending bakc the pink small check blouse from a couple of weeks ago - it is still sitting there with tags on. Bad sign! Plus, I have such a wee closet that I am forced to be brutal. However, I need to stop, try on some outfits and polish myself up a bit before I make the decision!

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  8. That blue sweater is a winner, keep for sure! I don't know about the white skirt either... I do like it but I think it looks good with neutrals (I liked ajc's gray with it) and I think you look good in color and I don't know if I like the white skirt with color (am I making any sense?). Did you like the leopard top with it? Did you try it with some other colored tops? I agree the blue dot pants aren't fantastic (are they too big?), too bad because I loved that fabric. Can't wait to see the periwinkle sweater with the shoes!

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    1. Hi Cate - I think the trousers might have been better as a 4 for sure, but I do not love them so much to reorder down a size. I agree on the blue with the white. I am going to try the skirt with a couple of neutrals on the weekend just to see!

      I can't wait to see the shoes as well - will be fun!

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  9. Hi nice to meet you, I came through Tiffany Rose, you look lovely in the periwinkle cardy - its a keeper. recently I interviewed a shopkeeper -or boutique keeper - who had ordered a whole lot of expensive navy capes to find the arm slits were in the wrong place and you had to do a tin soldier to do anything.

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    1. Hi About Last Weekend! Welcome! Isn't Tiffany Rose the best? So chic and lovely! Too funny about the navy capes! I am afraid that would happen to me, too! They are lovely but...

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    2. Two of my favorite people to connect. You are both charming and hilarious. We will have loads of fun!!!

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  10. I love the Pagoda blue sweater, you do wear blues very well. Ordered this one in the LS version and it should arrive today. Thanks for the reviews and entertainment.

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Kindness is a virtue...