Jazz Age Lawn Party On Governors Island

If you love dressing up, swinging to jazz music and picnicking outdoors, the 7th annual Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island is the place to be. The event is hosted by the Dream Land Orchestra and was selected by the New York Times as one of the most memorable events of 2011.

The party will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 18th-19th. Guests can take dance lessons, shop for vintage clothing and accessories, picnic on the lawns, admire 1920's motor car exhibit, and enjoy the sounds of live jazz music, as well as authentic records playing on antique phonographs. I don't know about you, but to me, this sounds like a dreamy way to spend the weekend. 

Discounted VIP tickets to this event can be purchased at GILT CITY . 

What's included:

• VIP admission to the 7th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island 
• Dedicated, separate VIP line for admission 
• Five cocktails or beers 
• Three-course picnic lunch 
• Dance lessons taught by Roddy Caravella at 11 AM 
• $25 gift certificate to Worth hat shop 

Hmm, that dress looks familiar.

One stylish couple.

Images via NewYork.Metromix.com

August Anthropologie Catalog

Leafing through the delightful August catalog, I was taken with all the rich hues, textures and details. As it turns out, I've seen many of these styles earlier, in the New Arrivals section of the Anthropologie website,  but didn't recognize them because of the difference in representation. The vivid colors in the catalog draw you in. They look alive and juicy, whereas the photos on the website, appear cold, lifeless and completely unappealing. I do appreciate Anthropologie making a decision to showcase all styles on a model, as it takes the guesswork out of trying to visualize the garment on a person. However, I think the new style they've adopted for website images completely destroys the appeal of the garment for the online customer. The colors are dulled, while at the same time the contrast is hyped up, creating a very unrealistic and unnerving effect. The models' skin tones are almost non-existent, giving them the appearance of mannequins. The whole effect is just so out of character with the feel of Anthropologie stores that it's really a shame. I was in a store today, and found so many things that I liked, which apparently I completely skipped over on the website.  So that's my five cents on the importance of presentation. Luckily, Anthropologie still puts out catalogs that are a feast for the eyes.

Without further ado, here's August. 

Odissi Jacket

Goldspun Paisley Dress

(also on the cover)

Tangled Vimina Hat

Marled Peat Cardigan

Peppin Buttondown 

Open-Air Theater Dress

Dayflower Blouse

Amborella Necklace

Striped Moss Cardigan

Looped Buds Cardigan

Ruffled Flight Cardigan

Striped Galao Pullover

Beaded Phoenix Necklace

Tindra T-straps

Avian Myth Shift

Peplum Ponte Tank

Pilcro Serif Cord Leggings

Lace & Lines Pullover

Feline Karma Dress

Bowline Belt

Joppa Pumps (orange)

Bordeaux-Ruffled Oxford Heel

Furina Mary-Janes (turquoise)

Cosette Bed

Atley Duvet Cover

Catalina Quilt

Inge Chair

Marmara Rug

Amina Blouse Review

Lately I've become very attracted to the color yellow. I have a closet overflowing with various shades of aqua, and yellow feels like just the perfect antidote. It's like craving salty food after an overdose of sweets.

The Amina Blouse is a pleasant, sunny shade of yellow that can go with so many different colors. I like all the cute design details on it, like the rounded collar, the buttons an the texture of the cotton fabric. Unfortunately, no matter how much I wanted to love this blouse, the fit was all off on me. While the top portion of the blouse is well tailored, the waist is actually  higher than it appears in the picture. It ended right under my chest, with the bottom portion of the blouse flaring out in a maternity-like style. If you're a stick figure, perhaps wearing a maternity style top wont incriminate you, but if you have some curves and a bit of a belly, people will wonder.

Now I'm feeling grouchy, since I ordered a couple of other items along with this top, which I had high hopes for, but for various fit and quality reasons they are all going back. I'm out of $13.95 shipping fee for no good reason. I think I'm gonna make it a policy to order stuff only when I can get free shipping. So, so fed up with the high fees! Especially now, that they've cheapened out on the packaging (read Roxy's post). 

I actually complained to someone in customer service about the lack of flat rate shipping and the best answer she could come up with was "Well, many of our customers don't mind the shipping fees". Uhhuh. I would love to hear from an Anthro  customer who feels that ordering from Anthropologie is such a privilege, that the obscene shipping fees don't bother them. Perhaps Anthropologie should at least consider some sort of "frequent flyer" program for their most loyal customers. Place three orders withing some reasonable time span, the fourth ships free. Seriously, they should be paying me for all the advice I dispense.  

And don't even get me started on international shipping! 

Free People SALE

 Rue lala (a boutique sale website), is having a sale today on really cute,

Bohemian styles by Free People.

The Trifecta Cardigan Is Back!

I was happy to find that the Trifecta Cardigan has made a comeback on 

Anthropologie website in new colors. Though navy and burgundy are more

 appropriate for Fall, this is a perfect Summer weight, barely there, cardigan. 

You can read my review HERE.

Best Of Anthropologie SALE

Some really nice styles, many of which were saved in my wish list,  went on sale today.

I also had a birthday coupon for July, and Anthropologie customer service rep was

nice enough to apply it for me to a phone order. My day is off to a good start!

Here are some of my favorite sale items.

Amina Blouse - $40

Gossamer Flight Cardigan - $60

Rusicada Asymmetric Top - $50

Idella Tank - $70

Split Narcissus Shell - $40

Island Macaw Tee -$40

Electric Vines Skirt - $60

Polka Dotted Mini Dress - $90

Sale On Scotch Naturals Non-Toxic Nailpolish

I'm one of those slightly nutty people who rarely use nail polish. Sure, I love the look of sleek, beautiful nails just as much as the next gal, but the idea of inhaling God-knows what while I'm getting a manicure really doesn't appeal to me. Recently, my ten year old daughter started nagging me to let her put on nail polish, since she saw some of the girls in her camp wearing it. Never mind the fact that I highly disapprove of doing things simply because someone else is and don't feel that kids need nail polish all together, I just can't get past my old paranoia of inhaling toxic  fumes. I gave my daughter the whole "if they jumped off the roof", speech all the while feeling slightly guilty for suppressing her girly urges to pamper  herself.

Luckily, in our wonderful day and age, if a concern exists, someone out there is addressing it. I was so happy to stumble upon a company called Scotch Naturals that sells non-toxic nail polish for women and kids!
Their nail polish is water based, eco-friendly, and doesn't contain any of the chemicals that are found in typical nail polish. It is free of ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, nitrocellulose, acetone, and heavy metals.
They offer 34 adult colors, plus kid's colors, a base coat, a top coat and polish remover.

Today, The Mini Social is having a SALE on Scotch Naturals products, 

allowing us to stock up on all the non-stinky goodness at a nice discount. 

Sale ends 07/19 at 3am EDT.