Anthro's Striped Intersection tee

Yesterday I went over to my local Anthropologie to exchange a blouse and cardigan my husband picked out for me. He saw the combo on a mannequin and thought it looked cute. God bless him, but the mannequins wear a size 4 and a small bralet. I know because I used to dress them when I worked there. I wear a size 0 there and my rack cannot fit into one of their bralets. So the top was a little big in the shoulders and the button down cardigan was way too tight in the bust. But he tried.

Now, my favoritest of favorite things I purchased is this top, the "Striped Intersection" tee:

I don't care who you are. This top will give you the illusion of a tiny waist and sexy cleavage. It also looks really cute tucked into a tulip skirt!

I bought another top that was one of their newer arrivals, but it's not on the website yet. It had an interlocking cumberbun of sorts and also makes the chest look great.

That's the ONE good side effect of all of the pills I'm taking-- my bust right now is a very full DD. Instead of worrying about stretching sweaters out, I'm embracing my inner Dolly Parton and having fun with it.

I also scored a fab deal on a tulip skirt. Yesterday was the last day, but all sale merchandise at Anthropologie was an additional 50% off. I ended up getting a great dark wool skirt for only $15!

Did anyone else find something fabulous during their sale?

Treat day!

I guess today is my official first day back to being a housewife. Household executive. Stay at home non-mom. Cute housewife by day, trained assassin by night.

Never you mind... Today I have a very busy schedule that consists of a mini spa day at the ritzy Red Door Spa on Michigan Ave. (FYI, it's really on Walton. The plaque for it that its address is based on is posted right outside of the Louis Vuitton on Michigan Ave.), lunch and doing an exchange at the Anthropologie on State St. (pro tip: in the secret mall that no one goes in, compared to the Chicago Ave. location).

What better way to kick things off than to just relax today and get prettied up in anticipation for NYE and a party New Year's Day?

Some nail ideas I found while wasting time on Pinterest:

I really like this jacket by Liefsdottir at Anthro:

Structured outerlayers work really well on me right now. Though with jackets, it is all about how the arms are constructed. I like a nice narrow arm, because looser arms can make a petite girl like myself look 10 lbs heavier instantly.

I love winter white and I think this piece would look great with silk tanks and jeans tucked into boots until spring time. In spring, I can see it thrown over a sundress with sandals or paired with white skinny pants for an evening dinner look. I hope my local store still has it in the size 0! Online is sold out!

PS- I am also doing a few other productive things today like unpacking the ungodly amount of Fab.com purchases from the last three weeks and grocery shopping/making dinner tonight. And if I have time, getting my library/office perfectly organized so I can begin working on my children's book illustrations. It's my new "going to the office."

Score! A bangle that fits my small wrists!

Check it out. David Yurman's Fleur de Lis bangle fits my tiny wrists. Happy 4th night of Hanukah to me!

Shimmer for the New Year

Yesterday I bought this delicate lace-stitch metallic cardigan in silver:

Not bad for only $27 from Banana Republic... Isn't that how it always works though, you go into a store to purchase a gift for someone else and find something for yourself too?

It's the perfect throw-over with a v-neck tee, jeans, and tall boots or ballet flats.

My husband is so cute... He bought me the cutest blouse and sweater from Anthropologie for Hanukah. Unfortunately, the blouse was too wide in the shoulders and the sweater was way to small in the bust. Still, it's the thought that counts!

I completely forgot I owned this.

It took me six months, but I finally got around to unpacking the majority of my jewelry. I forgot that I have great stuff!
I cannot believe I forgot about my favorite watch: Michael Kors Jet Set unisex chronograph with faux horn.
When was the last time you shopped what you already have? It seems like the holidays is the perfect time!

The perfect French manicure for NYE

New Year's Eve is in under two weeks from now. Are you and your party shoes ready?

I love this black French manicure I found while browsing Pinterest earlier today:

I think this matte and gloss manicure would look great with either a little black dress or a glam sequined number.

I'm keeping it on mental file for when I wear my cropped satin tuxedo jacket with skinny jeans.

Nioxin

I went back to Jake at Solo Salon last night for a trim.

That serious Bumble & Bumble conditioning treatment I had last time is still working. He said that I didn't really need it again yet! I am going back in on Monday night for the Nioxin scalp microdermabrasion treatment and a golden-red color gloss to brighten up in time for the holidays.

According to my stylist, Nioxin can reverse hair loss and thicken your hair. Which works for me since I had to go back on steroids and I've noticed more hair falling out than usual when I style it. It consists of an in-salon treatment (microdermabrasion) and a kit to take home to maintain your scalp between treatments. The price at solo for the in-salon treatment is approximately $25.

Do you use Nioxin? How do you like it?

A few days ago, I picked up another Lush beauty mask to keep in the fridge: Love Lettuce. And I love it! It consists of seaweed, lavender oil and crushed almonds... I used it last night for about 5 minutes, and I woke up to find soft, glowing and bright skin (granted I also used a bit of EpiDuo as well) with no irritation. I highly, highly recommend this product!

With a fresh haircut and glowing skin, I cannot wait to meet my husband after work for dinner at Deca! I've had lunch there before and it really is incredible. This will be my husband's first time, but he's excited since they are a French-inspired Michelin 2012 Bib Gourmand winner.

Anticipating Dior's announcement of new head designer

I think that the LVMH must of heard my cries to leave Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton, because rumors of Raf Simons as the new chief designer for Christian Dior keep increasing.

In fact, WWD posted last night that they are in the middle of securing his appointment.

I hope this solidifies. Because Marc Jacobs has done so much with Louis Vuitton that it would be a shame to see him leave. And Raf Simons will undoubtedly inject clean tailoring and modernism into Christian Dior.

Raf Simons for Jil Sander womenswear is pretty drool-worthy, so imagine what he can do with higher stakes at a couturier like Dior?

Do you hope to see Simons take over the LVMH's couture crown jewel?

J'adore Dior

This ad has been running for some time, but it still causes me to swoon:



Besides how great it is they used Gossip for the soundtrack, I really feel like this commercial (*ahem, un petit film) not only sells the fragrance J'adore but really sells the brand. You have the leading ladies who wore Dior well, but you also have glimpses of their iconic pieces like the quilted handbag designed for the late Princess Diana.

I never really "got" Dior until we went into their boutique in Portofino, Italy and then later passed their Cannes boutique on Croisette. The American department stores carry pieces here and there that work with American style, but to see everything RTW together the way intended is really special. I know the audience was supposed to hate the character Inez in Midnight in Paris, but damn if the wardrobe stylist for the film didn't utilize Dior right. I loved how Rachel McAdams carried Dior through the film.

Somewhat related side note: I cannot wait to see Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt in Young Adult. Anyone else?

Burberry pre-fall 2012

Courtesy of Style.com:

These shades of gold and olive look great on me.

I love the Burberry pre-fall 2012 collection. I especially like the versatility of the leather bow belt... It's definitely the standout must-have accessory for the season!



What's sexy for holiday?

So yesterday, I went to the press reception for Victoria's Secret PINK's Bears event with PINK model Elsa and Bears player Matt Forte.

I took a photo with Elsa. Life lesson: never (NEVER) take a picture standing next to a Victoria's Secret model. Unless you are also a Victoria's Secret model.

And yes, her hair is completely glorious in person. And she's super sweet too. Life just isn't fair sometimes.

I asked this athletic duo the same question: What is sexy for holiday?

Elsa suggested lots of sparkle... and that men really cannot go wrong giving their sweethearts a set of flirty panties. Fortunately, PINK carries both. And sparkly panties too!

Matt's answer was simply, "clothes." (He may wax his chest, but that man is definitely straight.)

Lovely dress.

I know, I need another dress like a hole in my head.

But I'm hoping the Chicago Ave. Anthropologie has this in store:

What a great holiday dress, without it being too sweet or young. I think it would also look hot with some high heeled sandals and bare legs in the spring!

Okay, I need more pants.

I need more pants. I can rock a pair of jeans like nobody's business (which worked out for me when I worked for AG Jeans), but it's almost impossible to find dress pants that are 1) a flattering rise and 2) still cup the bottom and don't give me a saggy appearance.

I have two pairs of velvet leggings, ponte leggings and a pair of Theory dress pants that have the perfect leg line for me (but of course, I was an idiot and removed the price tag with the style name on it so I have no idea what to search for online).

If you're petite (or as they say, fun-size), where are you buying great pants?