Hipstervention

A: For potential boyfriend perusal.

M: These men are EXHAUSTING.

A: They are all so high-maintenance.

M: The accessories alone. I'm not sure I could be with a guy with so many accessories.

A: I like Mister Fancy here with the arm party and pocket square and pin and watch and suspendrrrzzzz

M: And the baby pink suit? Baby. Pink. Suit.

A: I just cannot.

A: Also, I just want to roll up in there with a wheelbarrow full of socks and start passing them out.

M: Lot of sweaty feet there.

A: I'm gagging.

M: You brought it up.

A: You know what's needed here? A hipstervention.

M: Dandy rehab.

A: Schadentrousers!

Adrien: Summer Dress.

Here we have a normal hot-as-balls summer work outfit and another example of the kind of dresses I tend to wear with low heeled sandals. Easy, comfortable, still pulled together. Maybe a little boobtastic for work, but that never stopped me. And hey, look at me carrying the neglected tote again! Two whole uses in the same calendar year. I'm trying, y'all. 

Wearing clothes. Like you do.

Totally different with the bag on the other side. What.

Stuffs.

These are the earrings. I know, right?

dress: Max Edition (cute similar dress)
sandals: Sam Edelman Trina 
bag: Juicy Couture (another great coated canvas tote)
necklace: Ann Taylor Shimmer Stone Pendant 
earrings: Anthropologie Weights and Measures drops

Marianne: Review of Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls

A quickie post from me today (let me tell you, the new baby is awesome but he really cuts into my blogging time!). I tried a new hair product recently and since I know y'all love to talk about curly hair, I wanted to review it. Complete with pictures!

Commenter Allison recommended Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls,and I was so intrigued by her description that I had to try it for myself. And I really like it! It gives me defined curls and wards off the frizz even in humid weather. My hair stays looking decent for a few days without washing, too. BUT. It smells so strongly of fabric softener that it kind of freaks me out. If you're sensitive to smells you may hate this.

Downy fresh scent aside, it's a good product and has me intrigued by the whole line. Has anyone tried the Quick Curls or Creme de la Curl? What about the interestingly named Curly Meringue?Do they all smell like laundry products?

Adrien: Anthro-apology.

I haven't been in Anthropologie much at all recently and the last few times I ventured in it was to find a birthday gift or something house-y. But, my great friend Ashley was in town recently and she doesn't get a lot of shopping time so off we went and tried on a bunch of stuff and it was really fun. Most of the stuff I tried on was pretty awful on me. (Like, if a dress is marked down to $29.99 it's probably FOR A GOOD REASON.) But I did find a few good things.

I tried on this Embroidered Kurti Top and really quite liked it:

Embroidered Kurti Top

The color was perfect and I loved how light and floaty it was but it was just on the other side of being too sheer to wear without a cami which completely defeats the light-and-floaty point. I didn't buy it. Instead, I bought a bunch of these:

Latte Bowls

I know, those are latte bowls, but aren't they stylish and cute? YES THEY ARE TOO. And basically the same color. (Also, they were marked way down in-store. Like, Target prices. And they have mini ones too!)

I also bought a pair of earrings that I'm basically in love with. I think we're getting married:

Weights and Measures Drops

I know, right? They are so sparkly and light and pretty. I think they only have the pink colorway online but there were lots of the green version in-store. I'm wearing them right now and I can't say enough about how damn good they are.

I'd basically stopped shopping at Anthro but this recent trip was a pleasant surprise and I think good bargains can be found if you really dig. Do you shop at Anthro? Any good finds lately?

Wannabe.

source: The Sartorialist

A: Hey, remember the Spice Girls?

M: I am disappointed this isn't Sporty Spice.

A: She's dressed more like Baby Spice. Sporty is looking pretty good these days:

M: Sporty Boobs.

A: That would have been a fine addition to the lineup.

M: They certainly would have had a more diverse fanbase. Unrelated: if those shoes are back in style I quit. Everything.

A: I don't think those particular shoes were ever in style and the last I checked there was no Nurse Spice.

M: Nurse Spice! Zigga-zig-aaaaah.

A: No! THE SHOES MUST BURN.

M: I'm sorry, can't fight the pun.

A: Fight it.

A: Also, I really liked the Spice Girls. Just putting that out there.

M: I know you do. I really like David Beckham. Does that count?

A: Absolutely.

Adrien: Modest. Ish.

So, you all might remember that I'm big into mountain biking and with this sport comes some distinctly un-blogger-like afflictions. Right now I have a couple of giant bruises on both my legs from a fall as well as a wicked case of poison ivy on my left arm. Nice! I'm basically a leper and it's forced me to be slightly more modestly dressed. I balance this by wearing pants that are clearly a bit too tight. Girl's gotta do something, you know?

top: Theory (similar striped tee)
pants: J Brand 811 skinny (here in another fun color)
cardigan: Banana Republic long cardigan
sandals: Aerosoles (similar studded sandals)
necklace: Ann Taylor Shimmer Stone Pendant (On sale in-store)
bag: Marc Jacobs Stella (similar style/color) (similar color)

Marianne: This is the End.

Okay, true that I have a two-week-old baby (and thank you all SO MUCH for the sweet words on Hugo's little announcement post, I love you all to bits), but I figured after all these months I owed you guys one more example of Maternity Style. Plus, this is a great follow up to my maxi dress post. And so, here I am the day before I had a baby, at 38.5 weeks:

Now, perhaps the ombre effect on this Merona Kimono-Sleeve Maxi Dress makes me look like I've been wading through a marsh somewhere, but I loved the color and the neckline is perfect for breastfeeding. And let's face it, I was excited to wear something that wasn't maternity.

Good lord. That baby was ready to come out! 

dress: Merona Kimono-Sleeved Maxi Dress (another cute ombre maxi dress)

sandals: Dolce Vita Archer

bag: Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Mini (very similar teal bag for cheap!)

Adrien: Sparkly Bits.

I don't talk about jewelry much, probably because most of what I wear is basically disposable. I think Forever 21 is a great source for dirt-cheap jewelry if you don't think too hard about the implications. I hate Forever 21 but I am very attracted to their shiny cheap crap. Like a crow would be. I mean, come on:

FOREVER 21 Spiked Fringe Beaded Necklace

This Spiked Fringe Beaded Necklace is all on-trend and would look really cool with a plain t-shirt. Then when you can't bear to look at another damn spiked thing you can just throw it away. (Or do what I do and relegate it to a dusty corner and never wear it again.)

These Studded Hoops are really cute and look to be the perfect size:

FOREVER 21 Studded Hoops

They're also mint colored so you can wear them for, like, the next 20 minutes. Yay!

This Hexagon Cuff is really cool and looks way more expensive than it is:

FOREVER 21 Hexagon Cuff

Or, it will until the gold stuff rubs off and turns your wrist green. But until that happens, you will be looking pretty, pretty, pretty cool.

Okay, enough of that. Here are some slightly better jewelry ideas. I mean, nothing obscene (ugh, isn't that beautiful?)  just nicer sparkly bits that I would very much like to decorate myself with:

House of Harlow 1960 - Rif Pebble Stud Earrings (Matte Gold) - Jewelry

I think these House of Harlow Rif Pebble Stud Earrings are really quite interesting and they're on sale to boot. I should probably just buy them. Something about that matte gold "stone" just really appeals. I also like these Juicy Couture Pave Feather Drop Earrings quite a bit:

Juicy couture Pave Feather Drop Earrings

Feathers are probably played but they're pretty and sparkly and fuck it, right? I like them.

I lovelovelove my Giles & Brothers Skinny Railroad cuff bracelets and definitely would like to own something else they make. This Skinny Cortina Cuff is polished and understated and might actually fit on my puny wrist:

Giles & Brother Skinny Cortina Cuff

Finally, I think this Alexis Bittar Crystal Spear Necklace is the perfect mix of edgy and delicate:

Alexis Bittar Golden Spear Necklace

I'd probably end up spearing myself in the chest with it but wouldn't it look glamorous before that happened? I think so. Now, tell me about your favorite piece of jewelry. Or just tell me about your day. It's been lonely around here without Marianne.

Cutest Boy Ever.

M: I have a really cute boy for you.

A: Ooh ooh! I want to see.

M: I'm warning you, he's irresistible. 

A: Who? Superman again? Beckham? Good God, let's do this.

M: This guy:

 

A: OH COME ON. HE IS THE CUTEST EVER.

M: Well, he is well dressed. 

A: I'm dead. This is my ghost typing. SO CUTE.

M: I have to warn you, we are pretty serious. 

A: True love! Awwww.

Baby Hugo is here! Marianne and family are doing great. He's pretty awesome. 

Adrien: A Few of My Favorite New Things.

I haven't written a beauty post in a while so I thought I'd get on it. Lately I've been using two new products that I'm really happy with. Like, REALLY happy wish. First, I finally tried the NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer that Marianne loves so much and it was fine. I don't know that I want to marry it the way she does but it was okay. However, when I went to Sephora get a sample I got talked into buying the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and YOU GUYS. It is so so so good. I have concealer issues and this is as close to perfect as I've found.

First, it goes on like a dream. This stuff is just pure, creamy pigment and you only need a tiny bit. It works really well with a brush but I usually just use my fingers. Two coats and I'm good for hours. Hours! And it doesn't crease badly at all. (I will be straight with you - all concealer creases on me, but this one is minimal.)

It's expensive, but considering how little you have to use, it'll last for a long time. Oh, and the packaging, like most NARS products, is very luxe. (I mean, if you're paying nearly $30 for concealer it better be pretty fucking fancy, right? Right.)

The second product I bought recently is Clinique Almost Lipstick in Chic Honey. I've been a fan of the very popular Black Honey for years but it seems like such a winter shade to me and I wanted something a bit more summery.

Chic Honey is a pretty sheer berry shade that I think would look great on almost anyone. It doesn't have the purple undertones of Black Honey or the brown undertones of Fresh Sugar Plum, so it's toooootally different than the other similar lip glosses I own. Totally different! Truly.

It has almost no staying power (really, this is lip gloss not lipstick) but I don't mind reapplying from time to time. And, at $15 this is not that much more expensive than a drugstore product, so I don't feel like I'm getting ripped off for once.

Now it's your turn!  Tell me what you've bought lately that you're loving.

Kork-Ease Deborah Sandal Review.

We've been talking about sandals a lot lately and one of my readers recommended the Kork-Ease Deborah sandal:

I'd already purchased my Lotta Clog sandals so I wasn't really in the market for a second, similar, pair of black clog-style sandals, but there's so much I like about them that I couldn't resist giving them a try when I found a decent sale online. 

The sandals arrived and right out of the box I liked them. They seemed well-made and not too heavy. I really like the stud detail and the padded footbed is a really nice bonus. Then I tried them on:

And...they're fine. I wasn't blown away by the way they looked on my feet but they certainly are very damn comfortable, like, immediately. And true to size. Oh, and squeaky. Squeaky squeaksqueaksqueak. 

I think it's the leather straps that are woven through each other in the back, but man, they were not quiet shoes. This is a problem that will probably go away with a few wears, but I thought it worth noting. 

In the end, I sent them back. They were perfect in a lot of ways but it just wasn't true love and with shoes at this price point I feel like you should REALLY LOVE THEM. If they go on super-sale later this summer I might re-buy. We'll see. I can definitely recommend them for overall comfort and general quality. 

What do you think? Should I have kept them? 

Marianne: Good Maxi Dress, Bad Maxi Dress

After bashing maxi skirts, I felt the need to defend maxi dresses. Because these fall from a higher point on my waist (instead of relying on clinging to my hips/butt to stay up, like maxi skirts), I think these are a lot more flattering in general. I could be kidding myself, but I think this one is pretty cute, even hugely pregnant:

But the maxi dress can go wrong too. I'm trying to find some dresses that will work for me right after I have the baby, and here is a secret: for a dress to work immediately post-partum, it should pretty much work while you are pregnant too. And so, I ordered two of these Target Mossimo V-Neck maxi dresses, in a pretty teal blue and a great coral orange. When I first wrote about them, I thought they looked comfortable and nursing friendly, but they don't work on me. They are cut really big on top and narrower in the hips, which is the opposite of what I need. They are also just a tad short, and too long waisted. Maybe good for someone, but not cut right for me at all. Oh well!

Mossimo® Womens V Neck Sleeveless Maxi - Assorted Colors

I'm still on the hunt for some easy, cheap dresses I can wear this summer while I'm home with the baby. When I returned this stuff to Target I bought this Liz Lange Maternity Maxi. AND IT IS SO GOOD. Hint: if you're tall and curvy, maternity maxis are awesome. Cut out the tag if it bothers you. I'll wear the hell out of this one.

Liz Lange® for Target® Maternity Sleeveless Maxi Dress - Black

I also picked up this shorter Liz Lange dress. Both are labeled nursing friendly and are great transitional pieces.

Liz Lange® for Target® Maternity  Pleated Front Nursing Friendly Knit Dress - Black

I'm also thinking about some straight up 70's-style caftans for around the house. I mean why the hell not?