BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): TJ Maxx Again

I've just returned from a whirlwind trip to visit Marianne and I'm swamped with real-life responsibilities so I will keep this short - TJ Maxx online has free shipping today so now is a great time to snap up some of that cool Lulu Frost jewelry I posted about last week. If that's not your thing, I took a quick look at the clearance bags and found:

This perfectly excellent Botkier Vivi leather satchel, which is well under $100. I also found this:

A really cool Frye leather tote in an unusual color that will absolutely go with everything and it's only $80! And, finally this little nugget:

A little Frye leather keychain wallet in a beautiful cognac color for $22. I mean, that would make a nice gift, wouldn't it? Or just treat yourself, I don't judge. 

Weekend Window Shopping: The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

If I don't talk about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, am I even a blogger? I was trying to avoid the temptation of looking, even knowing my very favorite underwear is included in the sale, but, as it turns out, a lot of the stuff I really loved (uh, hello beautiful) has already sold out anyway, which is fine. Never fear, I still have a fantasy shopping cart filled with the things I'd desperately like to buy. This stuff right here:
                 
       

         
       
     
     

We Discuss: Veronica Mars (and some mild Logan body-shaming)

M: You haven’t started the new season of Veronica Mars at all right?

A: I HAVE NOT

M: Ok

A: Omg

M: No nothing big just let me know

A: It might be a few weeks

M: No rush!

M: Are you watching it for the first time or re-watching

A: Re-watching

M: Kk

M: I should have. I just watched the movie and dove in. But I rewatched a couple of years back

A: Is the movie available on Hulu?

M: It’s available to rent on Amazon

A: I’m rewatching from the beginning, but mostly only watch when I’m stuck inside on the bike trainer

M: Gotcha

A: I might have to jump ahead

M: You may get spoiled if you don’t but I don’t think it’s a huge deal. I don’t have huge thoughts but I’m curious what you’ll think.

A: Hmm

M: Don’t read into it!

A: Okay, okay

M: I’m not done yet anyway

***

M: I am honesty uncomfortable with how jacked Logan is now

A: NO TALKING ABOUT THE NEW SEASON

M: That’s not a spoiler his abs have been all over the Internet for like a year!

A: I know, but I’m pretending it’s not real

M: 😂

A: He really should’ve worked his legs too, tbh

M: Yeah it looks WEIRD

M: His head is too small

M: Too much cod sir

A: That’s what happens when you only work your mirror muscles

M: 

A: Give him some carbs

A: I really love Logan, tho

M: Yeah

M: I really loved young Logan

A: Agree

M: And Dick!

A: YES

A: He’s barely in season 1

M: I love Ryan Hansen so much

A: I’m enjoying young Max Greenfield so much

M: Also adore!

Outfit of the Day: Ally Cupro Tunic Time.

I meant this to be an outfit post but it's also a review of my new top, except I kinda already reviewed it. It's a confusing minefield, this blog stuff. Anyway, I am VERY into my new overpriced Anthropologie Ally Cupro Tunic:

I so rarely purchase anything without a discount that it felt scandalous to pay full price but I was afraid I'd miss out otherwise. (It'll probably get marked down to $29 next week.)

I've already written a little about what I love about this tunic but for me it's one of those rare pieces that fills my desire for simple clothing with interesting details. This is just what makes it for me:

I really dig the funky cut-out shapes that reveal a little bit of my new tattoo and I love that I could wear this top with faux leather leggings (maybe these?) and feel edgy but dressed up, or wear it with a pair of great jeans and feel pulled together but also completely comfortable. By the way, my jeans are from Madewell and I posted about them last week. (PS. extra 40% off of sale at Madewell right now! Run! I'll wait.) I really love the button fly:

But hey, guess what? This top does not really lend itself to tucking. Like, at all. That was a lot of work. Now, details:

How much labradorite is too much? Heh. I am wearing Panacea earrings (these are similar), a small Argento Vivo pendant (similar style) and my Dean Davidson tassel pendant, which is sold out, but this one, also by Dean Davison, is similar. 

I am still aggressively insisting on carrying this Miu Miu bag (currently on sale again) which I can't love more than I already do. My sandals are Lotta From Stockholm peep toe clogs and they're good times if you are a clog lady. 

That's all for today! Hope y'all are having a good week. 

BUY THIS: Lulu Frost Jewelry at TJ Maxx!

My friend Nina alerted me to the fact that there's a bunch of Lulu Frost jewelry over on the TJ Maxx website! Some of it is predictably weird, but there's some really cool pieces as well:

This necklace of labradorite and amazonite inlays originally retailed for $488! I am VERY tempted but not sure if it's "me" or not. And there's this crystal necklace: 

I knowwwww. So pretty! So retro! However,  I think my favorite of the necklaces is this aventurine And crystal necklace:

Wear this over any old thing and you are DRESSED. It looks expensive (and definitely was) but is only $49.99 at TJM. I am weeping. And there's more! Like these fun sequin pom pom earrings:

They definitely fall under the "predictably weird" category but they are sparkly and still $123 at Last Call. I also like these earrings, which are a bit more funky retro-glam: 

And this bracelet is the COOLEST and matches that first labradorite necklace up top:

I also found a few more pieces of Lulu Frost that are pretty and well-priced but somewhat more subdued:

Ugh, you guys. I can't buy all this stuff! I'd go broke. But, maybe some of you love Lulu Frost too and can benefit from these crazy bargains. 

Outfit of the Day: Loft Dress, Two Ways.

Remember last week when I told you about the LOFT Gathered Side Tie Tee Dress but I didn't back it up with pictures? Well, I'm going to fix that today, especially since it's now marked down to $29.99. Seriously! Ridiculous. Okay, first, this is how I'd wear this dress to work:

Cute! I love that the side tie does magical flattering things to my mid-section. Here's a detail shot:

Trust me when I tell you that posting a close-up of my least favorite body part is high freaking praise for this dress.  I'm wearing it with my very excellent Madewell Reid flats and of course, my Miu Miu shoulder bag (which is back up to "full" price. Whatever, Barneys.) I then decided to dress it up a little:

Not too bad! With the right accessories this comfy, stretchy little dress can look quite fancy. It's not cocktail party fancy, but definitely will work for a night out or a dressy event. 

I'm wearing it with my block heeled metallic Kenneth Cole sandals and my old Marc Jacobs python bag (mine is long gone but this one is a deal). My necklace is Soko and the petite version is still available, but I think this Soko pendant is closer in size to mine.

So, there you go! Oh, and for reference, I'm wearing a size medium in this dress, so I'd say it's fairly true to size.

Weekend Window Shopping: Shorts Week. (Like Shark Week.)

There's been a lot of shorts talk on the blog this week but it's summer and Marianne and I are both really into our Outside Shorts. These are not running shorts or denim cut-offs, but something in between. They aren't fancy and they definitely have pockets. These are the shorts you wear to garden, hike, run errands, whatever. Maybe you even hike or whatnot? You need shorts for that, right? So, why not get a good pair?  Here are my picks:

         
       

         
       
     
     

BUY THIS (Because I Already Did): These Madewell Jeans

You guys! I bought a couple of things from the Madewell sale last week including these cute-ass 10" High-Rise Skinny Crop jeans right here:

Okay, listen. They are final sale which is stupid but if you know your Madewell sizing, I'd go for it. They are made from the delightful Tencel material that I love so much, have magic pockets and a 10" rise which is the perfect high rise. And those buttons! Plus, they are just the right amount of cropped to be perfect with ankle boots. Note: I got my regular jean size and they're fine but I probably could've sized down too, so if you're between sizes, go down.  (Also, they are going fast, my apologies)

We Discuss: Mom Shorts.

A: Did I tell you I went INTO an American Eagle looking for more shorts?

M: no!

M: #brave

A: Girl, do not do this.

M: Tell me everything.

A: FIRST OF ALL, They do not carry the Bermuda shorts in-store because they are for The Olds.

M: Duh.

M: The Youths are scared of all of that fabric.

A: I didn’t think it through.

A: They only had booty shorts with a 12" rise.

M: I amend my comment--they prefer all that fabric wrapped around their torso.

A: Back in my day, we wanted the fabric to swirl around our lower legs whilst our ass-cheeks tried to escape out the top.

M: Life really is a rich tapestry.

A: I just wheezed-laughed

M: Like, I don’t want my butt escaping out the top OR the bottom!

A: Anyway, the young lady working there showed me some mom-jeans abomination in the hopes of appeasing me

A: BECAUSE I AM LIKE HER MOM I GUESS

M: HAHAHHAA

M: Okay but my AE jeans are really cute.

M: I noped backwards out of that store.

A: I do love those ragged-ass AE shorts quite a lot but I will continue to buy them online as God intended.

M: Me too though I have been wearing those North Face shorts you recommended a ton because it’s so hotttt.

M: Without ever setting foot in a mall, amen.

A: I really like my pair* too! They are not exciting but they are very good for walks and the pockets will hold my giant phone.

M: They are just so lightweight and denim is so cruel when it’s humid.

A: Well, except for my AE denim shorts which are made from string and hope.

M: true.


*The North Face shorts are really good! Marianne's link is to the 6" inseam, mine are 4".

Review: The Loft Stuff I Kept.

I did keep a few things from my recent Loft order and I was hoping to wear one of them in an outfit this week but my photo remote thingy broke, so while I wait for Amazon to throw another one on my porch, here's a review with stock pics:

This Lace Trim Mixed Media Tee was keeper! It's very pretty, lightweight and easy to wear - definitely the kind of thing I love having in my closet for summer. It's really cute worn with cropped jeans or shorts (or ragged denim cutoffs, obvs.) It also comes in a pretty raspberry color and it's on sale for $14 right now!  The other thing I kept is this Gathered Side Tie Tee dress:

Honestly, it's easy to miss on the website and when it arrived I was like, huh, because it didn't seem very exciting. And honestly, it's not. It's not an exciting dress but when I put it on I understood the (mostly) glowing reviews. Something about the cut and the adjustable waist tie makes this dress extremely flattering and the weight of the material makes it hang just right without being too clingy. It's lined, which is nice as well. This dress is not going to change your life but it will be a dependable closet staple when you want to look pulled together. It would be easy to wear with in the warm months with sandals and a fun pendant necklace, or in the cooler months with tights, ankle boots and a cute jacket. It will be what you want it to be! So, not exciting, but a dependable black dress doesn't need to be. PS. Right now you can get 40% off with code SURPRISE.

Weekend Shopping Report: Anthropologie. (And a Prime Day Rec!)

Hey all! I am not doing a whole Prime Day post because it all moves too fast and the links tend to change as things sell out. BUT, one of Marianne's favorites, Grande Lash, is 30% off:

Per Marianne: This product is OUTSTANDING. My lashes look amazing and there's zero irritation, and one tube (used daily) has lasted since February.

(Also, my favorite little silicone scrubby thing is now $8.99, but that's not a Prime Day thing, just a good price.)

***

Now! On to my weekend shopping report. Mostly I returned things - the Athleta raincoat and half of my Loft order. I ended up keeping the black dress and the black top but returned the print dress (the cut was all wrong) and the snakeskin top (super pretty but the color washed me out.) I then found myself in Anthropologie where I haven't been in a while and I tried things on. You know what that means - unflattering dressing room pics!

First, I gravitated towards this grey snakeskin top because it looked so pretty and floaty:

Nope. On me it was voluminous and unflattering. Pretty in theory but not for anyone with boobs. Next, I tried on this Maeve Catherine Shirtdress because I loved the print, though the style isn't really my thing:

I wasn't feeling it but I still love the print. Tigers! Next, I tried on this crazy Maeve Tania Tiered Tunic dress because the print was VERY me:

And y'all, it's a floaty sack but I really loved it. I'm also now realizing it comes in other good prints! I am going to keep an eye on it and hope it goes on sale. Finally, I tried on this Maeve Ally Cupro Tunic top which surprised me, a lot:

My picture is terrible but trust me - it's just beautiful IRL. It comes in black but I went for the "wine" color (a coral/melon) and it was so flowy and flattering and really deserves to not be tried on with ratty denim shorts. The fabric feels buttery, like silk, and those cut-outs in the back:

YAS. I envision wearing it with faux leather leggings or dark skinny jeans and ankle boots and just floating through the day. It's that kind of top. (Also, I am wearing a size small - so if you're between sizes, go down.) I can count on one hand the number of Anthro items for which I've paid full price and I bought this with no hesitation, despite it being most definitely over-priced. I just wanted to be able to take it home and try it on with my own things, to see if it's really worth keeping. I will report back!

Weekend Window Shopping: Madewell Again I Know.

Listen, I was all good after going to Madewell last weekend and buying nothing. I was GOOD. I NEED NOTHING. And then they sent me and email this morning all, an extra 30% off sale stuff with code VERYRARE and I lost my damn mind. More on that next week. Here are my picks from the sale that I think you should probably know about:

         

       

         

       

     

        

Outfit of the Day: Something Old, Something I Should Return.

Today I'm wearing what is probably my favorite summer dress and it's an old one from Loft. I wish they'd make this exact dress in other good patterns and colors because it's just so comfortable and reasonably flattering: 

I also love the print, which feels kinda 60s-vintage to me. I'm having trouble finding anything really similar! I was hoping this dress would be similar but it's just got a tie-waist, not elastic so the fit isn't right. Maybe this one? That's pretty cute. This one at Anthro also has a similar vibe and this one from Target has potential! 

I ruined up the whole thing with my J.Crew chambray shirt which is basically a cardigan now. This is the current version which is good but wait for a sale! You could also get the Levis version which is pretty damn good looking. I am just saying.  On to details: 

Again, with another terrible picture of my giant head as I try to show you my earrings. They're labradorite drops by Panacea and I can't find my exact pair, but how cute is this version?  Nordstrom Rack has a ton of Panacea jewelry dirt cheap right now. My necklace is House of Harlow and it's this one (but mine is black.) 

Y'all sick of the Miu Miu bag yet? It's all I've carried since I got it and I have no regrets. My clog sandals are Lotta From Stockholm peep toes and they're always fun to wear and cheaper than Swedish Hasbeens. 

Okay, now to play a game I call: I Should Return This, Right? 

This is the amusingly named Rain Drop Jacket from Athleta. I loved everything about it until I read the reviews and found out it's not even remotely waterproof. It fits well and has great details, like a cinched waist, deep zip pockets, sleeves that flip up to reflective material and a two-way zipper. And oh, that cute pleat in the back: 

I KNOW RIGHT. I bought this when it was an extra 20% off the current sale price but it still wasn't cheap. Sooooo, I should definitely return it. Definitely. I really should return this dumb rain jacket that does not repel rain. Right? 

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): J.Crew is Full of Cats.

Just a warning that this is cat-heavy but I CAN'T HELP IT. I can't. 

Okay, listen, J Crew is doing some "5 day, 5 surprise sales" nonsense this week and today is 30% off full-price styles and an extra 40% off sale styles with code WEDNESDAY. I hadn't checked out the new stuff so I took a casual look and OMG I love all of it. Okay, maybe not the super ruffle craziness but I like A LOT of it and I am in trouble. Let's start with this: 

A City Cats tee? Are you kidding me? There is also a dog version, but the cats are way funnier. Also this is the kind of cat print that I am just insane about: 

Actual tigers leaping all over this adorable silk blouse. Are you kidding me. This is basically hurting my feelings because it's not mine. UGH.  Let's take a break from the cats for a minute for this: 

Oof, I know. Gorgeous olive suede with that amazing thick saddle leather strap? It's all about that strap. Back to cats: 

AH! I know! It's like it was made for me. STOP IT, J.CREW. And you know you've been thinking about one of those long cardigans that come in a million neutral colors but just get the red one because:

Damn. I know right? This is all basically perfect. I just want all of it, even the leopard heels which I can't wear but I still love them. Now, you know how I am about wearing black in the summer, right? Right: 

Come be a goth summer queen with meeeee! (It also comes in white, which is fine I guess.) If you're eyeing her cool cat-eye sunglasses, never fear: 

They can also be yours! These are just the coolest shape and I love the purple lenses. Okay no more cat things, I promise. This is a very pretty tassel necklace that comes in three colors: 

But I think this multi-color version is the best of the bunch. So pretty! And ooh, jeans. I am so into this deep cuff: 

The rise is maybe a smidge high for me, personally, but that CUFF with the boots? I am almost ready for it. But first, sandals: 

These sandals have everything - a walkable heel, an interesting color, and studs! (cue Stefon.)

Okay, I lied. This adorable swimsuit is simply covered in leopards. Just accept and embrace your new cat overloads. You are welcome.