Leifsdottir Roses and Bees - An OOTD Inside & Out

I'm thankful today is my Friday! I went on a photo shoot early, in the Park behind the Taj Majal. Trash cans make the perfect tripods.  Just the right level for placing a camera. Just don't let it roll into the trash.  Ha-ha!  No I didn't.

Yesterday's high was 107° F.  Today's expected high is 101° F.  By Sunday the expected high is 81° F.  I'm thankful for this unheard of 26° cool down over 5 days. 

Today's OOTD is another Summer 2009 favorite. Leifsdottir's Rose and Bee Blouse.  Also known as Anthropologie's Night Blooming Blouse.  The original price for this 100% Cotton Blouse with Silk Tie was $228. I picked one from Anthro on sale for $100 in June  2009.

A wide Black Silk tie laces up the back through metal grommets, then ends at the nape with a trailing Silk bow. The blouse front is embellished with White pop-up crochet flowers next to sweet gathered puffed sleeves. White gauze cotton fabric features bunches of sketched roses interspersed with honey bees.

The online description claimed the blouse was lined in Silk.  It was not. This was not the first time Leifsdottir claimed a blouse was lined, and we were duped.  I added my own white Cami, because the cotton is see through.  And let's face it, the blouse is awesome.  I get compliments when I wear it. 


One thing Leifsdottir does well, is detailing.  And I am a detail kinda girl.

A pair of black Wide Leg Cargo's are the perfect staging for this Blouse. These are Anthro's Year Round Pants by Hei Hei in Black. Original Price was $98, I found them on sale for $50.  Lots of button pockets and seams on highly comfortable Black stretch Twill.  Machine wash, tumble dry.  I don't even bother with an iron. These are a bit big for me.  Pardon the baggy look. 

Rounding out the bottom are a truly awesome pair of Rachael Double Strap Wood Platform Sandals by the Frye Shoe Company.  The oldest shoe company in the US of A.  Anthro had these long before I started my Anthro addiction.  I remember seeing a few pop backs in red.  I found this pair on Amazon in July 2008.  I love the slip resistant crepe base, the burned in Frye logo, the soft padded foot bed, and the rugged metal rings and grommet details. Price $170.  I did see some colors on sale at Sundance months later.  The Yellow was hard to come by.

First Class Citrine and Sterling - Etsy Shop bm1coastsbeadworks $22 - Sept 2009

Let's talk Bee Jewelry.

This is Anthro's Bejeweled Bee Ring by Kenneth Lane. Original price was $105. I paid $70 on sale in July 2009. This is 22K gold plating (although the description didn't specify the plating part), with enamel and swarovski crystals.  I heart this ring.  It has a springy comfort ring on the inside of the band.  After a year of wearing this many times, it looks brand new.  I don't get it wet. 

You can view and buy the same ring here.

I am also very careful not to get perfume or any other chemicals on any of my costume or fabric jewelry.  This includes natural stone too.

When I purchased this Etsy Necklace, it hadn't occurred to me that the charms were so small. The honey drop is a Yellow Citrine faceted Briolet, along with Sterling Bee and discs on a fine braided leather cord with toggle clasp.  Price was $44. However, the tiny bee charm is the same size as its Rose buzzing counterparts on the Leifsdottor Blouse.  Perfect in this small scale.

Finally we come to this magnificent Natural Stone wonder from Etsy Shop Mud and Mint for $43. Last I checked the Shop was still closed.  The owner seems to have gone on a very long vacation. She does gorgeous stone jewelry designs that are both simple and comfortable.  This is her Warm Sugar Bracelet.  It's composed of both smooth and faceted rounds of Opal, Calcite, Bronzite, Moonstone, and Rutilated Clear Quartz on Non-Tarnishing Silver.  She also does wonderful examples using Oxidized Silver.

Here you can see the dome on my office building that earned it the nickname - Taj Majal

This OOTD was my second example of last Summers Theme Outfits.  I still consider these outfits among some of my favorite tried and trues.

What do you think of these as compared to my detailed, texture driven outfits for this Summer?

I see many OOTD's using color themes. I love Jamie's recent dessert themed outfits. 

I would be fascinated to see themed outfits like my Bees outfit, and Mondays Strawberry theme?

Love, Laura (GeoInCalifornia) lauramartinsemail@yahoo.com