Sunday, November 18, 2012

In Which WMM tries on some things, sends some back and generally makes a nuisance of herself to her daughter

Don't cry for her Argentina, but my beloved daughter was forced to take many pictures of the things that finally arrived fron the 25% off sale of a week or so ago.  If you recall - we are the colonies and things do take a while to get here!

Where to start?  Well let's start with a couple of items i had ordered to go with the purple tie silk pants to try:



The matching flats in the same tomo pink.  I was not sure about doing this matchy-matchy thing despite my natural tendency to want to dress like a parade float, but I loved this print and I thought "what the hey" - if they didn't look okay with the pants or looked particularly stupid, I figured there were other things in my closet that would work with them.

I love them!  They are comfy, comfy, comfy.  The perfect flat for around the house! Last year's henna/green pattern, which I also have, have an elastic gore around the top of the shoe; these do not and are all the more comfortable without it!



A close-up, sitting on my unmade bed! 

and I wore them the other night with my dahlia lolli pants of a couple of years ago:



I would wear these as well with my toothpick jeans, black trousers, navy minnies.  Of course, it is too cold now to wear these out of the house, but they could easily travel with me in my little shoe pouch and be put on when I get to a nice dinner party!  I would wear them with a little navy or black dress to make them more fun.

So these are a keeper and you can get yours here at the inevitable next sale! 

Ah, but I needed something on top, and that's where things started to go very wrong....

(cue dramatic horror music and wailing babies)


editorial aside - daughter demands you not look in her closet!)
The handknit popcorn sweater in heather pond.  You can see it below:

Handknit popcorn sweater

I KNOW better than to order/buy this type of sweater, lovely though it is.  Why?

1.  A short sweater with that much texture is never going to look good on me ever.  I need to listen to that Taylor Swift song "We are never getting back together" - I probably looked good in this kind of sweater in 1970. 'nuff said.
2.  Heather versions of any colour look terrible on me.  I need clear colours, not colours with greyish or brownish undertones.

It is a beautiful sweater, but you can get a sense of the "muddiness" of it below:


I think it is very well made however, and for you lovely little dolls out there who can withstand those extra bumps and lumps, this sweater will be a delight for you!  Sadly, mine is going back.

The next item, is the heavyweight silk bow top in frosted plum.  My friend Tiffany Rose wore it spectacularly in the ivory colourway here in her delightful blog, A Trail of Sequins.

Me?  Not so much:


I like you all so much that i am willing to post this picture for the betterment of humanity at my own, humble, expense.  My dauther was horrified.  I could have gone up to a size 8, which might have helped, but realistically, this was not going to work, as none of these blouses have worked well on me to date.  I don't actually like this colour on me either.  I think I need a purple-ier lilac.  Back it will go and it can talk to the heather pond sweater all it likes en route back to Lynchburg about the nasty woman who gasped when she put it on!

Mary Poppins has taught me that a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, so I will now share some things that did work:



Same crazy pants, but with a lovely soft black merino sweater.  Calms it all down in my opinion, but would love yours.

And things I bought that get to live with me:



The thermal waffle henley with gold buttons. The buttons scared me, but I liked the colour, which is described as vintage burgundy.  These are cozy shirts and I didn't mind the gold one bit as I think it looks nice with the colour.  I see me wearing this a lot when it gets cold and you can buy yours here.

Next up is a blouse I have been looking at for ahwile, the collection leopard blouse:


Collection leopard blouse
Get it for 30% off until end of today here
It was on final sale for awhile, but as soon as that ended I pounded.


I reallt like this, and am wearing it hear with my Ralph Lauren trousers and chocolate brown suede donald pliners.  Look Ma!  I am mixing patterns!!!!! 

I am wearing a black cami underneath as it is sheer, which you can see below:



The tag describes it as an inside out blouse, which it is - all of the seams are on the outside.  This might bother some, but I find it quirky and different.  It is a lovely chiffony silk and very well made.




A close-up of the seams so you can see what you are getting yourself into!  This arrived at $113 CDN after the sale, and it is well worth it.

Below, I am wearing it more casually with my jeans, a vintage tippi cardigan and the pumps again:




Apologies for no makeup; I am still REALLY bone tired, but I wanted to get these up before the sale ended!

Finally, I ordered the navy dream cardigan to wear with the new fair isle leggings, which I absolutely love and which will be my go to "play" pants around the house and for long winter walks.  I could have gone down a size to a small in these if I wanted them tight and I may order another pair a size smaller when they go on sale eventually.



They are actually baggy on my skinny legs, but I am keeping them a bit large for lounging in the house as these were bought purely for cuteness/comfort factor.  You can see them from the site below:

Fair Isle leggings


You can buy them here and the navy dream cardigan is on sale here for 30% till end of day.  I know many hate the dream sweaters for their pill factor, and i only have a couple, but since they were bought purely for casual wear and since I am finding the j crew cashmere is also pilling a lot these days, for $50, I am okay with that.  They are very cozy!

Hope these reviews help!  I still have the plaid skimmer pants coming from the factory site and will post a pic when I get them, though I think others have great pictures of them up as well!

Have a happy and restful Sunday!  Stay safe out there!



 

39 comments:

  1. I surprisingly love those shoes, good idea! The black with the purple pants is perfect. The gold buttons on the waffle henleys are not my favorite but I live with them because I love the warmth of the waffle tops. I have considered switching out the buttons, but who am I kidding, I hate to sew. The leopard blouse is beautiful on you! I've almost bought the fair isle leggings several times, but I've held off. I know I'm going to cave one of these days, hopefully on a sale. And the popcorn sweater, I loved it but it looked terrible on me. Why does J. Crew do that bulky/boxy shape so much? It's not flattering on many people. Well I'm glad your boxes contained some keepers!

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    1. Thanks Cate - if it didn't look good on you, I was doomed from the start! I hear you on the gold buttons - I wish they were even pearl. But like you, I am kidding myself if I think I will take the time to put on different ones!

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  2. I would love a pair of crazy house pants, I like fun clothes when I'm at home and they are so cheery in winter.

    You look fantastic in the leopard shirt and trousers and of the tomo pink concoctions, I think the black sweater outfit is the winner.

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    1. I agree Tabs, and I am now stealing the term "tomo pink concoctions" for future use. You know that now I am going to have to think of a cocktail!

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    2. TOMO ARIGATO There are lots, but please stay away from any with grenadine ;-) To start you off a Christmas version - cran and orange >
      - 50 ml (1½ oz) Cointreau or Grand Marnier
      - 20 ml (¾ oz) lemon juice
      - 30 ml (1 oz) cranberry juice
      Shake with ice and strain into glass.

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    3. Will it go all pink GF? It needs to be pink! I am going to make this today! Yummy! Will we call it
      THE TABS TOMO CONCOCTION?"

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    4. Now I want a pink cocktail - so easily led.

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    5. I know - I am thinking about cocktails and it is only 11:13!

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    6. Yes, it's pink. And sun is over yardarm somewhere.

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    7. Well it's cocktail time now where Tabs is!

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    8. WMM LOL one of the benefits of having a friend in Scotland!

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  3. BUYERS KEEPERS Hello WMM! You know I am not exactly Ms. Pinky. But I think those shoes are adorbs and, as noted previously, solves issue of "what footwear with these mad pants?!" and makes for nice long leg line on your already great pins. The black pullover combo is just right fun and classic to me. I also really like the leopard blouse with your chocolates, although external seams a deal-breaker for me. Re. other tops you really see difference neckline and overall shape can make. IMHO with your lovely stand-out hair, non-fussy up top is way to go. Was just IMing with cousin and she says leggings do stretch with weekly wear, so yes, you might want to size down next pair. Re. the DVF, sweater material always has a bit of extra give, I think M would work. Will see if I can find that pink frock IRL uptown this week re. fabric, length etc. as I only have her traditional stretch material dress.

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    1. Thanks GF! Maybe I will shrink them! (Whoops - just joking - don't want to tempt gods as husband will likely do that for me!) Maybe I will send them back and order a small this week in replacement! Thanks for checking on the DVF for me! I hear you on the leopard, but it looks fab under blazers, so is a keeper!

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    2. I think you probably need a small in the leggings. I tried them on and my legs are not as skinny as yours and the small was perfect on me (and I don't like my clothes tight). I think I need these leggings... :-)

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    3. Cate we all need them for late Christmas eve and Christmas morning and lounging on Boxing day when zips and buttons have become evil.

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    4. I may get a small and a medium - actually I am supposed to be heading to small/xsmall again!

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    5. Go with small then, baggy knees are not a good look, even at home. And you have great legs anyway.

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  4. Too bad that the popcorn sweater didn't work on you because I saw it yesterday in the store paired with "your" pants and they are really made fo each other. I did try the white on me and I can pull it off, it actually looks MUCH better than the beaded Collection one that I was returning (see my post). I would get it but I have the fisherman one from last year that is VERY similar (except for the "popcorns"). They didn't have the pink dress but they are receiving new stuff this Tuesday, I was told so I will look for it again.
    I LOVE the chiffon leopard blouse on you. I have too many blouses at this point but it wlooks so great on you that I am tempted.

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    1. Hi Ema! I was betting that sweater would look great on you! I think I would have managed it if it was slightly longer and not a muddied hue, which I really can't pull off whatsoever! I love these types of sweaters however, so may keep looking!

      Thanks on the leopard - I would wear it sans underpinning (well I would wear a bra!!!) under my tuxedo jacket for a dinner party at a friends house and I love, love, love it!

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  5. I've been lurking a lot and not commenting enough, but I must say that your RL pants look amazing on you. I really enjoy your witty remarks and on more than one occasion, you've made me cackle out loud in the wee hours of the morning and wake my husband up from a deep sleep. That's gotta count for something! :-)

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    1. Thanks anthro blogger - I only wake my husband up from a deep sleep when I try to put a pillow over his head for snoring!

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  6. I LOVE the way you write, just LOVE! you make me smile, and my day starts happy :-)
    To be honest, may be crazy for some but i like the popcorn sweater with the crazy pants and shoes! Love you with the lavender, the best with the back, I agreed it calms down the pants :-) actually my favorite is the Jean with the print blouse and burgundy cardi, so pretty!!!
    I also love the isle leggings and the dream cardi, out to web to check them ou :-) have a lovely Sunday!!!

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    1. Thank you Andrea - believe me, I will be wearing purple on top with those pants at some point!

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  7. I think I prefer the silk capris with the pumps from the earlier post instead of the ballet flats. A blazer on top would look lovely with those pants, IMO.

    Love the leopard print silk blouse with the trousers on you!

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    1. Hey rose - I agree - think I will pair with my American eagle tuxedo jacket! I think it would look smashing!

      Thanks on blouse!

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  8. "cue dramatic horror music and wailing babies" - Laughed out loud at that one. The black sweater looks great with the pants. Love those fair isle leggings - I need those!

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    1. I know - they are divine! I have decided to re-order mine in size small so they are a bit more fitted.

      Thanks for the compliment - it really was quite horrible! SOme of these pictures make me want to run to the other end of the world, but I know people like to see models of all shapes and sizes and it sure helps when you are making a decision about clothes!

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  9. WMM I loved this post and I wish you had been with me as I was going through my recent J Crew box, truly I need your sense of humour!
    Love the tomo pants and flats, such a pretty pattern.
    Hope you've had a good day lounging in the fair isle leggings, what a perfect home outfit.

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    1. Well GF has convinced me that my knees are lookin too much like My old Aunt's knees in them so I am going to order a size down so back they went into the plastic sack - ready to head back tomorrow! I need a sense of humour these days! Went and got the nice seasonal greenery baskets and a wreath for the front door and am now feeling very festive indeed! I need a few more wreaths but this is a nice start!

      Hope your day was swell!

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  10. Hi WMM, those shoes are adorable and perfect for holiday festivities!! I agree with you about the popcorn knit sweater - those chunky knit sweaters are actually very difficult to wear unless one is not model-thin and tall.

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    1. Louise - you are so right! Just saw Skyfall - AMAZING! thanks for the recommendation!

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  11. Too bad about the sweater but I'm sure you'll find one. Great shoes and I'm hope they'll have a promo for the pants. I really like it with the black sweater to ground it.
    I hope you're having a lazy Sunday with the all the emotions of the past week.

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    1. Hi Marsha - I actually napped this afternoon - which was good, as our septic field backed up (!) and left that to Barry to sort out! We actually went to Skyfall tonight, which was great and a real diversion! Thanks so much for thinking of me!

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  12. What a great haul! I LOVE your humor. You make me laugh out loud all the time!!!

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    1. thanks Rynetta!! I liked it all, just wished it all liked me!

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  13. Like others said I love the black sweater with purple pants and the leopard blouse with trousers. I have 3 of those thermals from last year and I love them. The flats are also very cute although I think they look better with solid pants like the lollis. Popcorn sweater looks fine in the pictures but ikwym, I have similar problem and I also prefer more saturated color, muddy pale shades are awful on me.
    Thank you for all the reviews and your daughter is a trooper for taking all the pictures, she could be in club with my daughter, I get a lot of eye rolls and 'only one mores', lol.

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    1. Hi AJC! Your daughter and mine should definitely start a support group! I think you are right on the shoes/pants, though I will pair them now and then for some extra fun! They looked really great with the lollis and I think they would look great with my navy minnies, my black trousers, etc!

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    2. First off the leopard blouse with the RL pants is fabulous a really great look for you. The pants fit perfecto. Love the the black sweater with the lavender pants. The lavender sweater isn't terrible but the proportion is wrong. Instead of being cropped at the waist needs to be longer. I think for the money it cost you can do much better! What about a mohair sweater in a tunic style? Of course it probably doesn't exist anywhere but in my mind!

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