My, how time flies. January of 2011 is still fresh in my mind – it is amazing to be now in a completely different year, and what feels like, an altogether different state of mind! I should probably make some resolutions…I’m in the [...]]]>

My, how time flies. January of 2011 is still fresh in my mind – it is amazing to be now in a completely different year, and what feels like, an altogether different state of mind! I should probably make some resolutions…I’m in the process (some that I would like to share, and some that I would not). But let’s stick to the frivolous stuff for right now.

My New Year’s Eve wasn’t too terribly eventful. I spent the day with my mom, making some returns and doing some shopping (I about broke even. Which for the day, is a good thing. You shall see why). And for my night, I went to a nice fancy dinner with my parents. I had a few other options, but my Christmas was not at all restful, and neither was this past week at work. *Plus,* Houston is such a huge city, that I really did not want to stray too very far. Driving home from my company’s holiday party, I did at one point find myself behind someone that was very obviously under the influence. And well, not to be a downer, but someone that I work with was in a really horrible car wreck last New Year’s Eve. He and his wife had just left church when they were in a really horrific accident when they were hit by a drunk driver. All parties survived, but this colleague has only been cleared to return to work as of the 3rd of 2012 (remember, this car accident happened December 31st 2010), and is still walking with a cane. Perhaps it is related, but perhaps not. Apparently no one at my work opted for anything crazy this year. I hope that the rest of you had a safe and happy New Year!

I just ended up wearing one of my favorite easy dresses for the day.

…Too bad the shoes were not so easy.

If anything, 2011 was the “Year of Fiscal Irresponsibility Like Whoa” for me. Seriously. First, there was the trifecta of “Seriously Adorable, but Seriously Unnecessary Anthro Summer Dresses” (Hello, Mompos, Spiced, & Gathering Breeze lovelies). Which was followed by another unnecessary splurge on the Polka Dot d’Orsays from BHLDN (I’m totally blaming Leni for this one). And lets not forget the cataclysm that was “But, It’s My Birthday ‘Month!’”. (Plus, comfy as they are {no seriously, after the pain that I was in with the aforementioned UO wedges, these were the only pair of shoes I could stand to wear, except for my flip flops}, I can’t imagine that my Mirrorball Wedgescould be considered “fiscally responsible.”)

And yet, I’d already decided a few weeks ago that it was time for a change, and I tightened up the purse strings quite a bit. I mean…I really do own enough pretty things. *Really,* I know it. But.

As I said, 2011 was really my year for fiscal irresponsibility, so it only makes sense that I go out with a bang. I was presented with a very unique opportunity to purchase an item (non-Anthro), that I had lusted over, even dreamed about in 2010. That, of course, I had not seen available to purchase anywhere in the 14 months since. I did not purchase it then, because I had considered it to be, well, let’s just continue with the theme, an “irresponsible decision.” (However, in condensing my transgressions from 2011 above, it probably would have been far more responsible to have purchased it in 2010.)

This actually is not my first Chanel bag. I own one other bag (not a typical Chanel, right?) that I purchased in college at a charity event (I’m not the only guilty party here – my roommate purchased a Prada. Funnily enough, I’d been hoping to purchase a Prada, and she had wanted a Chanel) following a summer internship. Actually, I agonized over my purchase for months. It stayed in its box, tag still attached for nearly 4 months. I posted photos all over The Purse Forum & The Fashion Spot. Chanel connoisseurs all confirmed the bag’s authenticity, but this was all based on information that in my extensive research at the time, I found to be commonly available online, and therefore still made me nervous that it could have been faked (plus, I had a snippety online acquaintance who purchases exclusively designer & couture items tell me that it looked “so fake” and “of poor quality.”) It also made me nervous that I couldn’t confirm the collection that the bag had originated from (I now believe it is from the Cruise 2007 line). It wasn’t until I brought the bag to a Chanel boutique over Christmas break, where the SA smiled & confirmed that I “have a very lovely Chanel bag here,” that I felt comfortable enough wearing it! Plus, the girl who sold me the glitter Flap above is quite the Chanel expert, and she recognized my 1st bag immediately, confirming its authenticity (HAH snippety online acquaintance!)

At the time, it was an equally (relatively speaking) fiscally irresponsible decision. Not in the sense that I was/am spending money that I don’t have (on the contrary, I have a nice savings account, and this money has been earned by me through a lot of hard work), but I know that I could be spending my money more wisely & saving more.

Which is really leading my to my big New Year’s resolution, that I feel encompasses a lot of the shortcomings that I faced in 2011 – I resolve that in 2012, I will de-clutter. It really means a lot more than just “I need to clean more.” I definitely need to de-clutter my possessions. This involves *alot* of cleaning and organizing. And means I really shouldn’t accumulate much of anything new. Basically implementing the good habits I had developed between December 5th & December 29th but…without such a <s>hiccup</s> bang. I own a lot of pretty things, but there is definitely too much of them. To the point that altogether they are very “un-pretty.” And really, I just need to take better care of myself. I let myself get stressed so easily and by so much (perhaps a part of the problem that causes accumulating so many pretty things), I need to learn to eliminate those pressures, or at the very least eliminate how I let them effect me. It would also help if I de-cluttered and eliminated all of the junk food I allowed into my life. I used to have such healthy eating habits, but in 2011 I seemed to forget how to limit red meat, cookies & cheese.

Don’t get me wrong – 2011 was a great year, and I had so many great experiences. I have an absolutely wonderful & thoughtful family. I traveled to San Francisco & Miami for the first time in my life, and I got to share those experiences (and many other special experiences) with my very dear “manfriend.” I received 2 raises and a promotion at work (and I *LOVE* where I work), and have made some new friends along the way. Still, I know that my physical and mental health has not been at its best this past year, and it is time to fix that!

So, I definitely can say farewell to 2011, saying that it was truly a wonderful year for me in many ways. And I am looking forward to what 2012 has to bring!

I hope that all of you lovely readers had an equally enjoyable holiday – I would love to hear if you did anything special or exciting, and if you have any resolutions for the new year?

Darjeeling SkirtI had noticed this skirt online, and liked it, but it wasn’t until it was marked [...]]]> Well, I will gladly admit that I am shamelessly um, “borrowing” a feature from Roxy. As 2011 is wrapping up, I thought that I ought to share my favorite Anthro purchases from this past year!

Darjeeling Skirt

Take Action dress

Verdant Slip Dress

Spiced Dress

Gathering Breeze Dress

Gathering Blossoms Top

Bowed Lacerta Mary Janes

Layered Column Dress

Which leads me to my final favorite Anthropologie item…

Mirrorball Clogs

I know that the anthro blogging world generally considers 2011 to be…well, hit or miss. Definitely mediocre at best when compared to Anthro days of yore. And while I agree to a point (shapeless and sheer, made from polyester @ a higher price point is not my idea of wise on Anthro’s part), I still seem to have managed to find plenty of beautiful pieces to add to my closet.

So what will 2012 hold? Well, given the new arrivals, I feel that Anthro is steering their product back in the right direction. Myself, I am very much fawning over the Ruched Martins dress & Hanging Wisteria Skirt. The cut of the dress appears as though it would be extremely flattering, and I love the yellow print (and it looks like there is embroidery). The skirt also has a lovely white embroidery cascading from the waistband that I just find to be beautiful. It is a very romantic piece that is work-appropriate and in a neutral colorway which means that it should work well in my closet.

However, while Anthro’s products appear to be improving (i.e.: reminiscent in style of previous, much loved Anthro pieces), Anthro’s customer services has seriously taken a negative path. While the SAs in my local stores are always friendly, I have had some very unpleasant experiences with Anthro’s customer service team on the phone. Unpleasant to the point of rude (including when I was waiting for the arrival of my very pricey Mirrorball clogs). I’m not the only one that has noted such a change in their “customer service.” I feel that if I (very much an Anthro addict) can be turned off by such treatment to the point that it is deterring me from making the leap to purchase the aforementioned new arrivals, I can only imagine how others who have had far worse experiences recently must be feeling.

While there is always room in my closet for more Anthro, I predict that the pace at which my Anthro wardrobe will expand 2012 is going to greatly slow down (if not halt altogether), if they cannot revamp their CS as they have their product.

Well readers, what have been some of your favorites (or even misses) from 2011?

This week has definitely been one of the [...]]]> Good evening everyone! It does seem that most of my updates occur on or about the weekend. I suppose that I have found my weekdays to be challenging, to say the least, and so I don’t much feel like snapping an outfit photo when I get home!

This week has definitely been one of the more challenging ones. My current job tends to pull me in all kinds of directions, and while the workload itself isn’t overwhelming…having to be flexible and always in transition often is. In addition, the holidays are in full swing. My company’s holiday party, while fun, required some prep work and *everywhere* is so overcrowded. I apologize for the blurry photo (I did not have time to get a good photo before I left, apparently no one at the party was in the mood to take photos, and I was exhausted when I returned, but in the end…I chose color!:

Also, I guess I’m not as much of a conservative dresser as I should be. At the end of the night, I was leaving with my coat on, and a girl that I don’t know very well told me 5 times to pull my dress up. Ummmm. I hope I wasn’t wearing something too scandalous, because it wasn’t showing anything, and wasn’t going to go up?

My company also does an annual cookie swap, and I definitely felt the competitive edge come out in me. I settled on peppermint mocha macarons, and went through a couple of trial runs first – the first appearing *completely* different from the link, but they tasted amazing. It turns out that my iPhone app converted some measurements incorrectly, and when I did them properly, they appeared as they should (tasted as they probably should, as well), and while they were perfectly acceptable, I decided to botch the recipe from memory for my third and final try. Those who knew what they were were very impressed at my “mad skillz,” and they were completely gone at the end of the day. And oh, one of my co-workers made his “famous” bourbon balls. They should have their own flipping octane rating. I really don’t drink very much, and after tasting one, I felt like I’d just done a shot of gin (or bourbon). It was literally on my breath, and I felt warm. At 11am. On a workday. I swear he must have been drinking a fifth while he was making them. He could not remember quite how much bourbon he put in, but it was at least a cup, which is 3 times what the recipe called for. Awesome.

I am very happy, however, that my oldest friend has moved back into town. She and I became best friends in *kindergarten!* We are both in our mid-20′s now, and while our interests and paths diverted greatly over the years, she is still a very dear and supportive friend, and I am so glad to have her back in my life. Especially now. However, “back into town” has to mean she is clear on the other side of town! We did meet up in downtown for dinner earlier this week, and today had lunch at the Galleria before catching a showing of My Week With Marilyn.

In the end, I kind of reached for “an old friend,” (hah, see what I did there?) one of my favorite outfits from a couple of years ago. I am unsure if I can still pull it off (which I find to be a weird statement, but a couple of years have passed, and I am up 8 pounds), but it was an outfit that I always felt comfortable and cute in.

And oh, how I wish that I could wear this beauty out of the house.

Last year, I purchased the lovely Spinning Lace dress using my [...]]]> Well, okay…it’s not really a dilemma per se (we’re talking 1st world dilemma), but my company’s holiday party is around the corner – tomorrow night – and just as it was last year, I’ve begun flip flopping over what I would like to wear.

Last year, I purchased the lovely Spinning Lace dress using my birthday discount (and it was a partial gift) with every intention of wearing it 6 weeks later to my company’s party…

So fast forward to this year, and I become enamored with Yoana Baraschi’s Veiled Alder dress, and purchase *it* with my birthday discount with the intention of wearing it to the holiday party.

Very cohesive. Very pretty.

But THEN. I kind of start falling for the Flickering Slip Dress in the green, and thought that more color might be more fun. Especially with the gold accents.

Holiday Party #2 by laurentamale featuring burberry shawl

(exact jewelry + gold shawl not pictured)

I don’t feel like the latter look is as cohesive (I don’t know that I have a jacket or coat that really matches, but the Elimovna coat has some lovely mint and gold embroidery on it), but…I feel that it’s probably more comfortable…plus, I like the green. But then, I’m also unsure that the dress is formal enough!

See, definite 1st world dilemma.

For those of you attending holiday parties this season – what will you be wearing?

I’ve been off for 4 days now – during which my diet has consisted of a lot of coffee, chocolate, & *alot* of pumpkin – Pumpkin loaf, pumpkin butter, pumpkin pie, & winter squash soup (I adapted [...]]]> I hope that everyone has had a Happy Thanksgiving & (hopefully) been enjoying some much needed time off!

I’ve been off for 4 days now – during which my diet has consisted of a lot of coffee, chocolate, & *alot* of pumpkin – Pumpkin loaf, pumpkin butter, pumpkin pie, & winter squash soup (I adapted it from this recipe sans the half and half).

I did partake in the Anthropologie sale, ordering the Agnita in a size 6 at 25% off. To be quite honest, I was better off in the 4, which I wasn’t crazy about. Sizing up made the top *EXTREMELY* blousey, so it is going back. But, I’m trying to save my pennies, so I didn’t attempt to snag anything during the 50% off, and am glad that I can return the Agnita. I do hope that most of you had a good experience (reading the comments on Roxy’s blog, tells me that a lot of people had a hard time) and were able to snag some great deals!

Other than eating and relaxing…well, hand in hand with eating and relaxing, I’ve been watching a lot of movies!

Of course, it started with Home Alone. Ever since I can remember, it is a family tradition to watch this on Thanksgiving while eating our pumpkin pie. Plus, it’s one of my parents’ and my favorite movies. Love John Hughes

The day after Thanksgiving, we braved the mall crowds and headed out to see Hugo with one of my sisters, her husband, and 3 kids. It was absolutely beautiful, and the opening scenes completely justified the extra cost of seeing it in 3D. We just have a weakness for all things French (especially Parisian). As you’re about to see…

I’ve been having my own movie marathon of sorts the past couple of days, looking online at furniture and for some decorating inspirations. I have a lot of really great pieces in my room already, but the clutter has seriously gotten out of control, and I’m seriously not happy with most shoe storage options out there. I’ve found something I really love at Ballard Designs, but it is pricey and I’m not handy enough to build one myself. This will have to wait until 2012. I’m also on the hunt for the perfect mirrored vanity table. But some movies, just get the inspiration juices flowing for me…

Although the plot, acting, and sometimes really annoying music don’t really hold my attention, every second of Marie Antoinette is truly stunning. Yes, when I finally get my own place, it will have lots of crown molding & Louis XV furniture hah.

With dashes of tartan thrown about. Plus, I find the story in (at least the film) Gigi to be very sweet.

Le Divorce is another one that is universally flagged as having a weak plot & story, when in reality, it’s one of my favorite movies . Again, the cinematography is lovely, and this really shows how much of a Francophile I am. The comment alone about the sugar cubes makes me giggle and sends me back to when I was spending my summers with my grandparents, and feeling very grown up at age 7 having le goûter with my espresso sized cup of coffee (half water, surely) and 3 sugar cubes for dipping.

So all of this heat (and the whole upcoming 75 degree Thanksgiving) has me thinking cool thoughts. I’ve actually been meaning to post this for a while, now. While Anthropologie’s outerwear offerings have been appealing this Fall (well, “Fall,” for me), I’ve definitely been having some deja [...]]]>

So all of this heat (and the whole upcoming 75 degree Thanksgiving) has me thinking cool thoughts. I’ve actually been meaning to post this for a while, now. While Anthropologie’s outerwear offerings have been appealing this Fall (well, “Fall,” for me), I’ve definitely been having some deja vu moments. The reason Anthropologie’s outerwear offerings have been appealing is because they are drawing quite a bit of inspiration from successful pieces from seasons past!

Left: Cheongsam Dress Coat ($268.00), Right: 2009 Elimovna Coat; both by Tracy Reese

Left: Stitched Spindles Coat ($268.00), Right: 2009′s Through the Lens Coat (again, both by Tracy Reese)

Left: Runway Lapel Coat ($198.00), Right: 2010′s Grand Island Dress

Left: Enduring Tweed Overcoat (on sale for $199.95), Right: 2008′s Ruffled Plume Jacket

Are there any other “inspired” pieces that I missed?

So Anthro’s markdown this week did bring me into the store, as I was wanting to pick up one piece (no worries, [...]]]> Good evening everyone! After a long week, I wanted to go ahead and share reviews of a few Anthro pieces that I tried on, as well as my OOTD from earlier this week.

So Anthro’s markdown this week did bring me into the store, as I was wanting to pick up one piece (no worries, I returned something, and was “in the black.”)

The first item I tried on was the Flickering Slip Dress. I’ve been admiring the green online, and while it hasn’t made an appearance in any of my stores yet, I was at least able to try the nude on for size.

Next up is the Night Sky Blouse.

I have such a soft spot for stars – prints, jewelry, etc.. However, this blouse being originally priced at $228, I absolutely refused to try this one on at full price. It was marked down this week, and so I took the opportunity to try it on. What you see above is the 4…and it’s just all kinds of wrong. I find the photo on the website to be deceiving. This blogs, once on a body, appears to have some sort of weird bubble hem that adds lots of bulk near its hem (my HIPS). Just no. No, no, no, no, no.

The final review is for Maeve’s Valparaiso Dress.

I originally purchased this dress in a 4 with my birthday discount. It was a complete whim – the color simply caught my attention when I spotted it in store. When I tried it on, I found that it would be work appropriate, and therefore I would get a lot of wear out of it. However, after I got home, I tried it on and realized that it absolutely swallowed my top half. What you see above is the 2. The 2 was definitely a much better fit, however, I am still not convinced. While the color is stunning, and the dress could be versatile (work appropriate with some tights and heels/boots, as well as can easily be dressed up for a night out), I’m really not liking the sleeves. At all. Plus, as you can see in the above photos, the skirt is definitely see-through.

I would consider this on sale, but for now, it has been returned. For those that are interested, I definitely recommend sizing down!

Can I just say that I really love the Anthros in my city? After doing so much traveling lately, and visiting other Anthropologie locations, I realized how lucky Houston is. My absolute favorite location is the CityCentre location. Visually, it is definitely a unique store. and its location is FANTASTIC. A very fun and unique location. Lots of places to eat, with a fun outdoor atmosphere.

Fountains + fire

SWEET Houston. They have cupcakes, very yummy macarons, cake truffles, cookies, and have started making croissants in the morning.

Lastly, I leave you with my OOTD, featuring my one sale purchase this week.

Details:
Top: Anthropologie Dots Within Blouse (still available in stores)
Jacket: Anthropologie All Yours Blazer (Fall 2009)
Pants: BCBG (these are my leggings…ish)
Watch: Michael Kors 5270 (buy here)
Shoes: Chie Mihara Atame “shooties” (see detail here) (similar here)

It may all be about those pants and that watch. I have 3 other watches that i love, but it’s the Michael Kors watch that I’ve been reaching for every day for the past 2 weeks. And the pants. Surely fashionably unacceptable, but I’ve never received so many compliments. They are definitely form-fitting, curve hugging pants, but I believe theta they are too thick to be “leggings.” Can you tell that I feel guilty over this matter?