An Artist's Style

I couldn't resist sharing these pictures of Elsita with you. Doesn't she look lovely?

An incredible sense of style is just one in a long list of Elsita's admirable accomplishments. She is an amazing artist who works in a variety of mediums and seems to excels in everything she does. Reading her blogs and looking at her art I always wonder "how does she do it all?" I'm always in awe of people who seem to have 25 hours in their day (and still manage to look this good).

50's Inspired

This is not from Anthoropologie, but I love this classic, a la Audry Hepburn look.

To see more of Elsita's style, visit her blog, The Hidden Seed.

Sifting Through the Sale Section

My Picks from the SALE section.

Lemon Mousse Sweater - $39.95 (was $78)

The name says it all! So soft and delicate with pointille blooms
and decorative flower buttons.

Pom Flower Pullover - $49.95 (was $98)

I like the "watercolor " look of the flower print
and the clean silhouette of this sweater.
The neckline detailing in the back adds an extra flavor
to an already lovely piece.

Wind Rush Blouse - $29.95 (was $58)

So fresh and summery looking. I prefer the white with blue,
but the yellow is nice too for someone who'd look good in this color.
The price is very reasonable,

I don't remember the last time I bought anything at Anthropologie for $29.

Day-In, Day-Out Dress - $59.95 (was $128)
Does anyone have this dress? I'm curious what it looks like on.
I like the silhouette, but I would change the belt and add a brooch to give it some color.

Two Rivers Dress - $59.95 (was $118)
It looks so flowy and flattering and the color is perfect for Summer.

Who are you and what have you done with Anthropologie?

I received the most bizarre catalog in the mail today. The cover had some kind of abstract print design on it and so I didn't catch on right away what it was. On leafing through the pages it became obvious to me that I was looking at an Urban Outfitters catalog and not until I got to the home decor section did I start having doubts. What was I looking at? I didn't know Urban Outfitters sold the same furniture as Anthropologie. I went back to the cover and saw ANTROPOLOGIE spelled out in a rubbed off looking print at the bottom. What the he**? Did they start recycling clothes now between the two brands? I was under the impression that Anthopologie catered to a different age group? More financially secure and with better different taste. Granted, the Americana themed styling is very creative, but looks more like a cross between Urban Outfitters and the Sundance catalog.

The clothes too, have undergone some unwelcome changes. What happened to the well tailored, figure flattering styles I used to rely on Anthropologie for? Now everything is looking shapeless and dull. Did I mention ugly? Sorry Anthropologie, but it needed to be said.
Are the designers getting paid less due to the plunge in the economy?

The home decor section never disappoints...

Visual Delights

I couldn't resist sharing with you some of my favorite images from that May Anthropologie catalog.
These are no ordinary catalog pages as we know them. Anthropologie took a step further to merge your catalog shopping experience with some heightened visual stimulation.
It's true that it's a bit harder to tell from these what the clothes actually look like, but who cares? These images captivate the viewer, they draw you in, beg to be studied and of course they are memorable, which is more than I can say for most apparel catalogs. If I want a clearer image of the clothes, I can always see them on the website, which is where I go to place orders anyway, but while all of the other catalogs make it to the trash the same day they arrive in the mail, Anthropologie catalogs get saved and stashed away. Is it crazy to save catalogs? I have a hard time parting with anything remotely inspiring and visually stimulating. I'm sure I'm not a lone in these practices. Thank you Anthropologie for constantly feeding my beloved paper collection.

Floating Lotus Dress

Bergamot One Piece

Shell Strewn Bag

Reflections Chemise

Waves & Waves Espadrilles

In-store Sale

Just received this e-mail. Biggest in-store sale of the year starts today, May 19th. Happy shopping!
Please let me know if anyone picks up something really phenomenal.

Mom's Day

First, let me say that every day should be Mother's Day . Second, being a mother myself and knowing how unrealistic that is, I'm glad someone made Mother's Day an established calendar day. Not that I get any presents from my kids just yet, but theres hope for the future.

For now I have to speedily figure out what will I be giving my Mommy (ok, I'm a procrastinator, I do last minute present shopping).
Anthropologie has put together a page of suggested Mom's presents, but my Mom is not into gardening, has no need for journals (however beautiful they may be), doesn't wear long chandelier earrings and certainly will not in a million years occupy herself with puzzles.
As for perfumes and candles, my Father is allergic to all kinds of smells, so those are ruled out.
What am I left with? A cake platter? A lemon squeezer? I was really hoping to do better than that, but the last time I bought my Mother a present from Anthroppologie ( a beautiful sweater), she returned it saying it looks "too young". Mind you, my mother is not that old. I would really like to believe that I'll still be shopping at Anthropologie when I'm her age, but the disturbing thought set in, "what if I'll think it too young?" Shouldn't there be a branch of Anthroppologie-like stores for ages 50+?
Ok, I'm getting side tracked. In the mean time, I stubbornly refuse to believe that there is absolutely nothing at Anthropologie that my Mom would enjoy. Partially because I really want to "convert" her and partially because I really have no patience with shopping somewhere like Century21.
When it comes to clothes, Anthropologie did become a little too "Bohemian" lately even for my taste, but I would like to believe it's a passing phase.
So here are some of my ideas for Mom's present from Anthropologie.

Can you believe this thing? How cute is it? A Retromodern Mini Grill ($98)! I don't know about my Mom, but I want one! Finally, a"girly" grill. No self respecting man will ever go near this thing.

Marilee Bowls - $14
You can never have too many bowls!

Organic Seasonal Cookbook - $19.99

My Mom is a devoted "Organic" consumer, so this should be right up her alley.


Cadiz Mug - $10

I remember that last year, before Mother's Day, Anthropologie had a free shipping promotion, which as far as I know is not happening this year (someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

I also found some very giveable items on Etsy.com Lately Etsy became one of my very guilty pleasures. There are so many creative people making so many beautiful things!
Here are some of my Etsy picks.

For the artsy Mom - Vintage Brass Nouveau earrings by Bijoutiful

Reversible Hobo Bag by Retrofied


Hand knitted Melange Shawl by Tijusai

Any other ideas? Please share!

Happy April 2009

I know by now all of you have seen the April catalog, but you don't come here for the pictures, you come here for my take on them. Right? Right.

Ah, April. Finally, a catalog worth posting about. You might have noticed that I didn't mention the previous two. That's because there was no incentive. April however, is refreshing, soothing to the nerves and easy on the eyes. The photography is just gorgeous. So perfect in it's "imperfections". The April catalog is vibrant, it has motion, it's got life. The models are not over groomed mannequins but look warm and serene. Did I mention happy?
Of course the cover says it all. A beautiful family frolicking on the beach in front of shimmering blue water. That's pretty innovative, a family right there on the cover... yeah, and with kids too; three kids! It's very, very easy to project myself and my family into this picture.
The April catalog, seems to be a step away from the usual Anthro 'meditative reflection, melancholic brooding, a bit decaying, slightly mystical' feel of Anthropolgie catalogs.

Pleated Petal Tank - $98

I love the perspective of this two page spread. The lines of the car and the girl leaning out of the window lead the eye right in towards the floppy hat and the tank. Good photography is not just about clicking a button, ladies and gentlemen.

Pieced Gauze Dress ($168)
So romantic!

It's no longer just a perfect looking couple in a perfect setting (agham, J.Crew), it's a good looking but NOT perfect couple with kids. The guy is a bit geeky compared to the men in previous Anthro catalogs, which makes the whole scenario of him being married with three kids and his wife affording Anthro clothes more believable. The lady/mother figure is not a generic looking blond with blue eyes, which makes her appear more human (Not to suggest that blue eyes are inhuman, but it's nice to see some variety).
Where was I? Oh yes, perfect in it's imperfection, because after all, life is beautiful but never perfect.

I don't get the scarf on the guy though...

Would someone explain this look to me? Is it a beach scarf?

A Dog Moments

Yesterday as I was walking down the street with my two kids, ages 6 and 5, two men were walking towards us with a pit bull. The pit was not on a leash and was freely roaming about, running ahead of it's owner and sniffing here and there as dogs tend to do.
I don't know where my kids got the idea to be afraid of it, but the sight of this dog approaching us unattended, made them panic. Both kids grabbed on to me on either side and tried to climb me as if I was a tree. The owner of the dog was watching our proceedings with an impassive expression.
"You should have your dog on a leash", I said to him.
Without batting an eye he growled - "Mind your own f***** business!"
Well, I'm pretty sure that my kids hysterics and safety is MY business, but I did not take this further, not having any confidence that the creep wouldn't seek his dog on us.

I've lived in NY most of my life, and by now I should be immune to some New Yorkers particular brand of rudeness, but I'm not. The incident had a very deep impression on me.

Firstly, there is a law in most states, NY included, stating that a dog's owner is obligated to have the dog restrained at all time in public places. Second, pit bulls are famous for being aggressive. I was not even aware to what extent, until I googled them and found numerous articles of cases where people were mauled, scarred for life and even killed by unrestrained pit bulls. All of you dog advocates out there, don't get your feathers ruffled yet. I'm not saying that all pits are inherently evil or dangerous, but there must be a good reason why this particular breed is outlawed in some States/Countries and those people who chose to own one, have a responcibility to take proper precoutions in the interest of public safety.
Third, speaking as a mother of two precious, dearer than life, children, how dare anyone out there take chances with my, or any kids safety in the inerests of their dog?!
Finally, the fact that this man, in his early thirties, had absolutely no scruples about cursing out a mother in front of her small innocent children, for showing justified concern for their safety is just beyond low. Why do some people insist on being such scum?
In our family, we positively abhor cursing. Not for any religious reasons but because we feel it's lowly and undignified. We strive to raise our kids to be intelligent, pure and compassionate individuals who will never lower themselves or their fellow humans by resigning to such language, and it saddens me to think how many rotten people my kids will have to encounter on their journey through life.
Thankfully, this incident only left us with a bad feeling, but there's a lesson to be learned from all of this. I know what I learned, I hope you people learned something too.
Though this has absolutely nothing to do with the general gist of my blog, I had to get it off my chest as I feel very strongly about this point.

PEOPLE, KEEP YOUR DOGS ON A LEASH!

Stained Glass Swimsuit

Just though you might like to know that the Stained Glass Swimsuit I wrote about in an older post is on sale for $69.95 (originally $128). It's still not cheap, but what is these days?
As I mentioned before, this one is a personal favorite. It looks very flattering and timeless.
Not all sizes are available though, but if you're one of the lucky sizes (4, 6, 10, 14) hurry up and snatch it up!

E-Mail Heads Up

Received this e-mail last night. For those of you who can't read the tiny print, it states that an expended assortment of wear-now looks will go on sale today, March 16th in Anthropologie stores.
Sounds extremely tempting, but fortunately or unfortunately I'm home-bound today doing some product photography. I have to confess though, I am distracted by the words "expanded assortment". I wonder what Anthro's definition of "expanded" is. Please, please let me know if anyone picks up something really sensational today. Happy Shopping!

March 2009

How did Anthropologie know that the one thing I want to do right now, above anything else, is lay in the sun and lazily dip my fingers and toes in the warm blue water?

Ahhh, IF ONLY March looked like this in my neck of the woods.

Worries fall like dominoes? No, not exactly. We're in prime flu season here. Both my kids have been home for the passed week. It's a wonder my immune system is still holding up against the onslaught of their germs.

I have a friend who lives in Palm Beach and fantasizes about snow and winter sports. My husband tells me the grass is always greener on the other side, to which I reply "that's because there is NO grass here!" Just white. I can't even see my car under the snow hill it's covered by...

Cheating on Anthropologie

To continue from my last post,

In my attempt to unveil the identity of the mysterious sweater I found at Anthropologie ( on sale!), I Googled in the name on the tag, Leifsdottir. Anthropologie came up first in the results, followed by Bloomingdales and Nordstrom . I clicked on Bloomingdales and surprise, surprise! I see some familiar styles.
What do we learn from this? That not all Anthropologie styles are made exclusively for Anthropologie. I knew this to be true for shoes and some accessories, but not the clothes.

Recognize these?

Anthropologie calls this "Morning Colors Dress"

Bloomingdales calls it "Octopus Flower Dress"

Center of the Sun Cardigan (image from Bloomingdales)


Fairy Cake Jacket (Bloomingdales calls it Patissarie Jacket)

Riata Skirt (image from Nordstrom)

Sylvan Scene Cardigan (otherwise known as Melange Sweater)

Now a question begs to be asked. If I wanted to buy any of the Leifsdottir designs, would I buy them from Anthropologie or elsewhere?
I do get immense satisfaction of making purchases at Anthropologie, maybe it's those little muslin pouches they put my receipts in, I don't know. I would probably take a peek at other websites to compare prices, though. There is no commandment that says "To Anthropologie, thall shall be true". If the price was the same, well, then the shipping charge would be the deciding factor :-). Think about this long and hard, Anthropologie.

Mystery Sweater

On my recent trip to Anthropologie I made a little discovery, which lead me to a bigger discovery.
The little discovery was this pretty mystery sweater. The reason I call it a "mystery" sweater, is because I'm pretty sure it never appeared on Anthropologie website or in any of the catalogs. I was under the impression that all Anthropologie merchandise appears on the website, but it seems I was wrong.


This sweater is phenomenal quality with lot's of little details and it can be worn in a variety of ways. It's made out of a very soft woolly blend with velvet trim and velvet covered buttons with little embroidered buds.
Now I have a confession to make . I'm a sucker for velvet. I haven't seen enough of it this season at Anthropologie to satisfy my velvet cravings.

button detail

I like how the bottom curves to show a triangle of the velvet placket underneath.

The funnel neck has the same embroidered velvet on the outside and you can wear it up, rolled down, or opened.
Though you can't tell from my pictures, this sweater is semi-fitted with princess seams in the back. When I tried it on, it was figure flattering and felt soft and comfortable.

If anyone has any idea what this sweater is called, I'd love to know. Being that Anthropologie is big on giving all their articles of clothing a name, I'd prefer to continue the tradition and be on first name bases with this one.


As I've mentioned in the beginning of this post, this little discovery has lead me to a greater discovery, but as I have a limited attention span for blogging, I will tell you all about it in my next post.

WHY???

As I was browsing Anthropologie website, I came across these bloomers. BLOOMERS???
Why? Someone explain the attraction of these to me? Are they supposed to be cute? Do they enhance your bottom? Would anyone wear these in front of a man?
Sometimes Anthropologie gets just a little carried away with the whole "retro" thing. Next thing you know they'll be selling sleeping caps.

Berry Sprinkled Bloomers

Is this where we're heading?

Fun Aprons

Behold the evolution of the common household apron. No longer just a piece of horrendously hued, shapeless broadcloth strapped on to protect our clothes, Anthropologie aprons come in a wide variety of styles and fun patters to brighten up our mundane chores (and make us appear easier on the eyes of onlookers). Retro, shabby chic, French maid fantasy, crafty mama and everything in between, whatever your style may be, these aprons will make you dance around your kitchen (would also make a nice supplementary gift to jewelry, hint, hint).

Sewing Basket Apron

Sweet & Lucky Apron

Parisian Cafe Apron

Owl Invasion Apron

Farm Fresh Apron

Floral Frock Apron

Big Frills Apron

Stockholm Floral Apron

3-D Toile Full Apron (also comes in half-apron)

Jitterbug Apron

Fruit Stand Apron

January Impressions

There's nothing about the January catalog that says "January". I know retailers are always ahead of seasons, but it's still winter where I am. Hopefully by the time I'll be in spring mode, most of this January goodness will go on sale.

With-The-Sun blouse - $98
So delicate and feminine, this one is a personal favorite.

Willow's Weep dress - $218
It's completely beyond me what is it about this dress that justifies the price.

Waiting-for-Poems sheath - $178
Lovely colors and embroidery.

Every time I receive a new Anthropologie catalog, I play "name that place" game, whereby I try to figure out where this catalog might have been shot. This looks like Europe, but definitely not France or England. Prague? Latvia? Poland? What do you think?

View From Above cardigan - $88

This picture of Prague looks like the background on page 5.

The-Road-Ahead dress - $188
This will sound complete fashion-backward, but how do you wear a bra with this dress? And if you don't...well that poses even more problems...

Happenstance pencil skirt - $118

This is another one of those Anthropologie bloopers. Apperently every catalog needs one. The combination of garish colors and patterns on this skirt makes my skin crawl. The backlit photo is gorgeous though.

Cirrus Bedding

Bittersweet

Heads up!

Checking my Anthropologie wish list today was very satisfying, as a whole bunch of winter stuff went on sale, including the adorable kid's knits I've been admiring in one of the previous posts.

The only thorn in my sale euphoria is the shipping fee. Anthropologie has this retarded way of calculating and overpricing shipping charges based on item's price, not the weight. Will I ever see the day when Anthropologie adopts a standard shipping fee like so many other on-line retailers?

Here's to you, Mrs Tymoshenko!

Anthropologie's choice of model and her hairdo for the December catalog seems to be paying tribute to the Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

Ranking #17 on the Forbes list of world's most powerful women, Tymoshenko was doubted the Ukrainian "Joan of Arc" by her supporters for standing up to the corrupt Kutchman regime under the banner of "Raise up Ukraine!"

Tymoshenko's signature look is a braid wrapped around her head which has been compared to a halo of sorts. Apparently the braid is not worn as a fashion statement, but is supposed to be a powerful political and cultural symbol.

Tymoshenko has often tried to capitalize on the revival of the church in Ukraine, and the braid echoes the halos found in representations of Orthodox Christian icons.
The success of her look can be seen in central Ukraine. In a village home, an elderly woman posted a photo of Ms. Tymoshenko right next to that of a traditional Orthodox icon.
Ms. Teplyuk seemed to regard both with equal fervor.
Tymoshenko has tried to play up that view with her other signature look, white clothing, which is intended to show her purity in the face of what she has called a corrupt political and business culture. - Clifford J. Levy


.

Tymoshenko inspired milkmaid-braid trend?

Soft & Pretty

Eye Candy!
Have a look at Anthropologie's new Soft & Pretty collection.

Graphite Garden Scarf - $38

Blind Embossing Scoopneck - $98

Miharu Tumblers - $48

GPS

Tap'd NY is a bottled water company that sells filtered NYC tap watter. The obvious question would be WHY? See, there's nothing really wrong with your tap water, unlike the bottled spring water which travels to you from distant lands and pollutes our environment in the process. They call it "wasteful practices". Is it my fault I don't live in Fiji? Can't I at least have a little taste of Fiji in a bottle?
When I first saw Tap'd bottles I said they must be joking. Why the heck would I be buying their water when I can drink the crap from my own tap?

While being on this subject, the husband came up with a new business venture.

Green Postal Service, or GPS.

You know how there are all these hitch-hikers out there who manage to travel cross-country at almost no cost? As long as they're doing it, why not have them deliver your mail?

GPS delivery time - indefinite. Our motto is MAYBE.
Save the planet by sending your mail the green way!

So now I need investors for our new company. You might be wondering why I need investors since our company has no expenses. Well, you see, being the CEO of GPS I have an Anthropologie dress code at work which requires funds. Lots and lots of funds.