October Catalog and Some New Arrivals

October is looking quite promising. Though the thought of colder weather makes me want to pick up and move to the nearest Caribbean island, I do love textured, fuzzy sweaters and wool skirts.

Our October heroins are roughing it in the great out doors, and lounging in a lakefront cabin. I can picture there being an annoyed man somewhere in this scenario, saying "Damn woman, you will sprain your ankle, climbing rocks in those shoes and then I'll have to carry your fat a**". Men just don't get it.

Popham Peacoat

Veiled Alder Dress

Check out Roxy's review here.

Soft Chevrons Pullover

It seems that photography is the current fad (remember when it was sewing and crafts?).

In the BodenUSA fall catalog there's a whole theme with a lady photographer.

Also, Lands End woman's catalog has an image with one of the models holding what looks like a manual camera. Digital is just not cool anymore.

To be a real novice, you gotta be shooting with film.

Ruched Marigold Coat

Multiburst Sweater Dress

and Neo-Jacquard Pullover

Pinnate Shimmer Shell

Empyreal Cardigan

Glimmer Graph Shell

Alabaster Tassels Sweater

Neckerchief Sweater

I like the retro look of this sweater. It would look perfect with a pencil skirt.

Melting Blocks Cowlneck

Trench Coats

I don't know how it happened, but Fall just crept up on us. Chill is in the air and you know what that means. Trench Coat season! I have an obsession with trench coats. I think I have Audrey Hepburn to blame for this. At this point I own three trench coats, a full length wheat color one, and two short ones in black and white. Despite the three I already have, I can't say with full certainty that if another perfectly lovely one came across my vision, I'd be able to resist it. Damn Audrey.

Recipe of a perfect trench: It must have a timeless cut with a bit of an original twist to it. It must be figure flattering and made of nice quality fabric.

Alice Stitched Trench Coat

by Nick & Mo

Contrast Piping Trench

Sophisticated Gardener Coat

Wuthering Delights Coat

Skirted Twill Trench Coat - Old Navy

One of the most economical version of the Trench Coat that I've found.

Pansy Corset Trench

Definitely not your average trench.

Pansy Corset Trench in red

Fair Lady Trench

Annie Mac - Monsoon

Short Button-Front Trench - Old Navy

Velvet Trim Trench

Also comes in blue and red.

The velvet trim makes this one stand out.

Plaid Trench - Banana Republic

Lucky Sizes

So have you had enough of a break from shopping? I thought so.

Time for another e-Bay excursion.

Today's luck size seems to be 8.

Catmint Blouse - size 8

Spring 2006 catalog

Rosa Canina Trench (Odille) - size 8

From Spring 2006 catalog

L'Accordioniste Skirt (Odille) - size 8

Spring 2006 catalog

Abbey Jacket (Odille)- size 8

also size 6 HERE

and size 4 HERE

Gifts 2005 catalog

Fei Corduroy Skirt - size 6

I got this skirt in my size on e-Bay some time ago

and I'm really happy with it.

It's super flattering, cut on a bias and drapes beautifully.

Wilhemina Blouse - size 4

Summer 2005 catalog

In My Humble Opinion

It seems that everything that can possibly be said in regards to the whole Anthroholic situation has already been said by other bloggers. There's not much that I can add here. In case you've had your head stock in the sand for the past couple of days, here's a breakdown from bloggers who elaborated on the issue.

Anthrofans: Where do we go from here?

Why I Will Never Use Anthroholic's Personal Shopping Service Again

Alert! Protecting yourself from online transaction scams

Anthroholic Issues…Anthro-pology

Breaking The Silence

My only two cents that I can throw in are, (and I don't mean to sound insensitive to those who lost money and encountered a lot of frustration in dealing with Kim's personal shopping services,) why has the pursuit of desired Anthropologie items has taken so many to giving money to a complete stranger, even if she had a blog? Did her personal shopping services come with any reviews? Did she run a registered business? I understand that the heart wants what it wants, but at which point do we say "it's just clothes"? If we don't buy this today, we'll buy something else tomorrow. Yes, it's pretty, but it's not a one-of-a-kind work of art that needs to be pursued at all cost. It will enhance your life for a little while until Anthropologie or some other brand will come out with the next coveted item and then the whole scenario starts all over again.

I know first hand what it means to be scammed, since it happened to me with an e-Bay seller many years ago when purchasing some photography equipment. I was young and naive. He did have 100% positive rating. The reason I'm telling you this is because I want you to know that I know what it means to be a victim of a scam and I'm extremely sympathetic. However, I'm still under the impression that with Kim (and I don't know anything about her, this is just a hunch), it's simply a case of lack of responsibility and not actual fraud. Of course this doesn't make anyone who lost money feel any better.

Maybe the lesson with which we should come out of this situation, is to take clothes a little less seriously. We should enjoy what is accessible to us through normal means and efforts and not chase after what is not easily accessible. Life it too short to spend it hunting for that one unattainable item. I bet what an average Anthropologie customer spends on clothes per month can feed a village in Somalia for a year. Think about that.

Knitted Dove Sale

Zulily is having another Knitted Dove - clothes with vintage flair, Sale today.

Clay Hide 'N' Seek Cardigan

I purchased this one at the last sale

and I wear it to death. It's made out of the lightest, airiest

pointelle cotton knit which makes it very comfortable in warmer weather.

I did remove the bows from mine, but that was a personal choice. The bows

definitely dress up the cardigan, but I wanted a simpler look.