OOTD 5.13.10: featuring Boden's Rosette Top in Multi Painted Stripe

Boden's Top, Boden's Pic

I'm really happy with this top... nice colors (the stripes make me think "sun washed Juicy Fruit"), comfortable fabric, pretty but not overwhelmingly foofy (not that there's anything wrong with that) rosette detail. The armholes are slightly small... usually in a top like this they drop a little lower... but I don't notice because the fabric is stretchy and it is not at all uncomfortable. The brown stripe closely matches J Crew's Desert Brown (my Jackie color of choice today), and the lavender J Crew's Misty Lavender.

Rosette Top against J Crew's Misty Lavender Jackie (last year's)

...and my earrings are a recent Anthropologie purchase... I couldn't find online but they come in different colors and are priced at $28.

I have a super busy Friday and weekend coming up so probably won't be posting for a few days. I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

xoxo

Two OOTDs: 5.9.10 and 5.10.10

Yesterday morning for church, running late (again). I love a simple jersey dress for this reason - very little thinking involved:

ATL cardi, ATL Ruched Knit Dress, Style #237896 $69.50 but I purchased at the 50% off sale promo for about $30, TB Millers, Anthropologie Bauble Bath bracelet

Monday, volunteering at school (no mealworms involved today... just grading math papers), and then back home to straighten things up after the weekend (and possibly blog & tweet), and afternoon running around:

J Crew's cotton-gauze petal cardi is very sheer... I've been trying to think of a way to describe the fabric (very heavy on the nylon - 32% - and 68% cotton) and the closest thing I can think of is that it is similar to those Capezio ballet tights, but more loosely woven. Gigi did a review of this and I know some have found it scratchy. It does not bother my skin or make me itchy at all. I like it - but it is very different from the usual cotton or wool cardi. My favorite feature is that the ruffles are so nicely sewn - I like the workmanship - no unfinished or raw edges and they hold their shape nicely.

J Crew cotton-gauze petal cardigan in Dusty Shale, J Crew cami (last year's or older), Target Merona midrise denim capris, TB Revas in silver

Next post will recap Mother's Day. I hope everyone had a nice weekend and is starting out a good week!

xoxo

Two OOTDs: Lavender + Gray, Gray + Lavender {+ a puppy pic}

I love that the ruffle on this tank is a nicely finished woven fabric - no raw, fraying edges.

J Crew tissue garland tank in lavender, Target boyfriend cardigan (last year's) in heather gray, jeans, Tory Burch Revas in black

Nothing like a good empire-cut tank when you possibly ate too much lasagne and garlic bread the night before.

J Crew tank in heather gray (last year's), J Crew Jackie in Misty Lavender (or Lilac... last year's), jeans, Tory Burch Millers in silver, J Crew outlet necklace

...and I haven't posted a puppy pic for a while... here is Winston yesterday, 4 months old already and closing in on 5 lbs! (And definitely ready for his first trip to the groomer!) I'll be sure to post a pic when he's all spiffed up.

Happy Weekend everyone!

xoxo

OOTD 5.6.10: Pastiche + Pearls

My latest J Crew order arrived yesterday (except the bracelet - shipping today), so I am wearing my new Pastiche cardi. I am also really happy with the lavender tank and the dusty shale cardi so those will be featured in OOTDs soon. Since it is such a splashy floral I am keeping everything else very neutral - gray, khaki and brown.

Pastiche + Pearls by sweetteainseattle featuring J Crew

Perfect for a morning spent volunteering (I got to replace rotten apple pieces with fresh ones for 20+ mealworm/beetle habitats in second grade today. I did have a tweezers.) and afternoon running around - school pick-ups, library, dance classes. I hope everyone is having a good week!

J Crew watercolor pastiche cardigan, ON tank in heather gray, ATL Marissa lean boyfriend chino pants in sandy beige, La Scarpa Paris suede ballerina flats in brown, Nordstrom Rack faux pearls - doubled, custom citrine ring, Juicy Couture cupcake earrings, Gucci oversized coin-logo sunglasses

I like the these pearls knotted, too:

Happy Thursday!

xoxo

Anthropologie: Blue Pots

I found these great crackled, aged turquoise-y glazed pots at Anthropologie last week and brought a couple home for my bell shelves (I switch out candles, etc. on them all the time). I've used really warm, cozy colors in our main living areas - Audubon Russet, Chestertown Buff, pecan velvet, toffee - so I like a few little pops of blue here and there to keep things fresh, especially in the Spring and Summer.

I couldn't find these online. There were a couple of styles and sizes varied slightly. Mine are about 7 1/2 inches high. There was also a cream color. The number on the sticker is 17559519. Made in China. $8.00 each. Yes, eight dollars, as in less than two grande-nonfat-caramel-macchiatos, each.

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

Caldrea at Target {...and some girly decorating}

Another great brand arrives at Target... this time for the kitchen counters. I'd been using Method, but when I sampled these scents I had to give them a try... so I brought home Caldrea's countertop cleaner and stainless cleaner in Herbs of Provence (essential oils of rosemary, thyme, and sage). They make my kitchen smell like I've had a lovely candle burning. (They do have kitchen candles too... and hand soap, dish soap, hand cream...).

The countertop cleaner is safe for any sealed natural or synthetic stone, and also wood and tile (finished/sealed). It cleans with vegetable protein extract, is biodegradable, and not tested on animals. Love. The stainless cleaner has been doing a great job with no streaking (though my following directions and spraying on the cloth, not the surface, and rubbing in circles, may have something to do with it.) At any rate, both of these products get two thumbs up from me. Next time I'm going to try the Olive Oil scent.

...and I have to share a small accomplishment from the weekend. We finally went and picked out a chandelier with my younger daughter for her room, and got it put together and installed. I love it, and so does she. I've been meaning to put small chandeliers up in both my girls' rooms since we bought this house about 3 1/2 years ago!

Now at this point, my older daughter doesn't want one (she picked out a lava lamp - remember those?) - and we are currently in discussions about how we are going to re-do her currently very Pottery Barn patchwork, gingham, and pink room. Purple and green are in the running, a color combo I love. For my younger daughter, we are looking at the Paris Toile collection from Pottery Barn Kids. Tres chic!

PBK's bedding, PBK's picture

I hope everyone is starting out a great week!

xoxo

OOTD 4.30.10: Peacock Blue + Shine {and a cupcake}

My new TBs arrived from Saks on Thursday, so of course I wore a pair Friday.

OOTD 4.30.10: Peacock Blue + Shine by sweetteainseattle featuring Tory Burch shoes

J Crew cardi, J Crew Carmen tank, ON denim, TB Millers in super shiny sliver

And I have to mention that I finally hit Trophy Cupcakes on the right day and got to try the Peanut Butter and Jelly!

Excellent!

Happy Weekend!

xoxo

ps - I know many people ask about Tory Burch sizing. I see a lot of recommendations to size up (Saks said to size up 1/2 size on the silver ones I just ordered, but I didn't. Nordstrom gives the advice that they will stretch, and doesn't say to size up.), but have also heard of them stretching out too much. On Revas (regular leather and suede), I go with my "true size" - what I generally wear in everything else. (I don't own any in patent but I've heard to size up 1/2 size in those.) Initially they feel a little tight, and the scrunching at the heel can dig a little, but with time they stretch to perfection and feel like the most comfortable little slippers on my feet. A Chanel saleslady told me once that you should buy Chanel ballet flats to just fit your feet and that they will be uncomfortable for a little while - but then stretch to the perfect fit. I've found this to be the case with Revas - as long as the length is okay and your toe is not jammed up to the front of course. On the Millers, Saks recommended to order your true size, but from my experience (and a review I read) they run a tad short... the sole/footbed is definitely shorter than other similar style sandals I own... so I went 1/2 size up on my new silver ones and find they fit perfectly for me - I don't like to have my toes right on the edge.)