What's in Your Hopi Basket? A Shirtdress, a Tata, and Little Old Me!

This outfit turned out so much better than I expected.  Not only do I love it, I picked up the Hopi Basket Cardigan by Sparrow and the Double-Breasted Shirtdress by Moulinette Soeurs on 2nd cuts for a total of $70.  Full price these two items would have come to a whopping $286. For me this is thrifty.



Double-Breasted Shirtdress - by Moulinette Soeurs - Anthro Orig $128 Sale $30 - Jan 2011

Hopi Basket Cardigan - by Sparrow - Anthro Orig $158 Sale $39 - Jan 2011

Spruce Corset Belt - Anthro Orig $32 Sale $20 Red Tag $15 - Dec 2010

Ribbon Rays Necklace - by Tataborello -Anthro Orig $258, Sale $129 - Mar 2010

Straw Makers Earrings - Orange Carnelian and Purple Jade - Anthro Orig $38 Sale $20 - Jun 2008



One new change I have made to Anthro Closet Chaos is to provide the link to the full product image and specific information whenever I mention the name.  When you click the link you will be redirected to my virtual closet.  Why did I do this?  So as to not bog down the blog with additional photos.  It should be easier to comment now.


Double-Breasted Shirtdress - by Moulinette Soeurs - Anthro Orig $128 Sale $30 - Jan 2011

Spruce Corset Belt - Anthro Orig $32 Sale $20 Red Tag $15 - Dec 2010

Striped Tights Red Motif - by Eloise - Anthro Orig $18, Sale $10 - Apr 2010

Malted Barley Boots - by Area Forte - Anthro Orig $378 Sale $190 - Apr 2010

Ribbon Rays Necklace - by Tataborello -Anthro Orig $258, Sale $129 - Mar 2010

Straw Makers Earrings - Orange Carnelian and Purple Jade - Anthro Orig $38 Sale $20 - Jun 2008



I'm pointing out another of my Grandmother Cooper's watercolors.  This one is of Venice, Italy. 

I almost ordered the Double Breasted Shirtdress at full price.  As soon as the reviews started rolling in I knew I would wait for sale.  If most women can't wear it, it's a sure bet I can.  My only issue is with the belt. The 100% cotton twill is slick, so the belt would not stay put.  I opted to change it out for the Spruce Corset Belt.  The dress arrived a wrinkled mess that required about 1/2 an hour of ironing.  I think once ironed it will be fine with only minor touch ups for many wearings.  And it's Machine Wash Tumble Dry.  Huge plus.



Double-Breasted Shirtdress - by Moulinette Soeurs - Anthro Orig $128 Sale $30 - Jan 2011

Hopi Basket Cardigan - by Sparrow - Anthro Orig $158 Sale $39 - Jan 2011

Spruce Corset Belt - Anthro Orig $32 Sale $20 Red Tag $15 - Dec 2010

Striped Tights Red Motif - by Eloise - Anthro Orig $18, Sale $10 - Apr 2010

Malted Barley Boots - by Area Forte - Anthro Orig $378 Sale $190 - Apr 2010

Ribbon Rays Necklace - by Tataborello -Anthro Orig $258, Sale $129 - Mar 2010

Straw Makers Earrings - Orange Carnelian and Purple Jade - Anthro Orig $38 Sale $20 - Jun 2008



Ahhhhh!  The Hopi Basket Cardi. It's a marvelous blend of mostly Cotton with Nylon, Viscose, Lambswool and Cashmere.  Soft, comfy, pocketed, and NOT frumpy one little bit.

See Mandy of Stylistic Idiom wearing the Hopi Basket Cardi by Sparrow HERE.

I'm so jealous of her Miss Albright Peep Toes.  Mine were delivered looking like a 10 year old sewed them. BooHoo!

Since neither the dress or cardi are catalog items, you will have to haunt the Anthro Sale Section for Pop Backs in about a week or two. I ordered TTS for both items.



Striped Tights Red Motif - by Eloise - Anthro Orig $18, Sale $10 - Apr 2010

Malted Barley Boots - by Area Forte - Anthro Orig $378 Sale $190 - Apr 2010

Sepia Crocus Bag - Dark Multi-Stem Shiny Laminate Tote by Orla Kiely AW08 - Anthro $178 - June 2008



I found the Malted Barely Boots by Area Forte in the October 2009 Catalog (in April 2010) on Pop Back.  They were my gateway boots to another Anthro Addiction.  It was all I could do to hold out until Fall of 2010 for the new crop of boots to appear.  I think I am satisfied with the 4 pairs I picked up in Fall Winter. What do you think of the Striped Tights in the Red Motif with this outfit?  I'm not so sure these are the perfect pair.  Although Heidi D. loves them.  I ordered the Cockle Shell Tights in Copper on Pop Back last night. I'm smitten with the bold copper color.

Another gateway item is Anthro's Sepia Crocus Bag.  Also known as Orla's Dark Stem Print Tote AW08. This bag sent me off on a wild and wonderful love for the collections from Irish born, London based, Designer Orla Kiely.  An addiction that continues to rule.

Her AW10 Collection is on sale everywhere right now.

"Heishe! Stop showing your little cat butt to the camera"  He's goofy in love with me that cat.





Double-Breasted Shirtdress - by Moulinette Soeurs - Anthro Orig $128 Sale $30 - Jan 2011

Hopi Basket Cardigan - by Sparrow - Anthro Orig $158 Sale $39 - Jan 2011

Spruce Corset Belt - Anthro Orig $32 Sale $20 Red Tag $15 - Dec 2010

Ribbon Rays Necklace - by Tataborello -Anthro Orig $258, Sale $129 - Mar 2010

Straw Makers Earrings - Orange Carnelian and Purple Jade - Anthro Orig $38 Sale $20 - Jun 2008



I brought in sparkling Orange and Pink jewelry.  Anthro's Straw Market Earrings in Orange Carnelian and Purple Jade from 2008, along with Anthro's Ribbon Rays Necklace by Tataborello from 2010.

I hope all my East Coast Blog friends are staying warm, dry and safe today. Hopefully you took a snow day and stayed home as suggested. Please, please take care if you are cummuting to work today.  I can't imagine how much tougher daily life must be for you.

Anthro Sister Love, Laura

Finding Hidden Anthro in My Closet! A week behind OOTD!

Polling for the Yellow Cloud closes tomorrow morning.  If you haven't voted for your favorite Style, the Gadget is on the right side bar. 

This is last Monday's OOTD.  Notice my hair is pre-salon appointment.. My photographer kindly agreed to meet me at the Riverwalk Park for a quick mid-day photo shoot and lunch on me at Panera Bakery. I had tried unsuccessfully to take a photo with my mini tripod at this vine covered brick wall next to the Maintenance Yard of all places.

I love finding hidden Anthro in my closet.  Take this Green Sweater Dress for example.  Had I lost it, or returned it? Because the last time I looked, it was nowhere to be found.



Great Lengths Sweater - by Sparrow - Anthro Orig $88, Sale $50 - Aug 2009

I'm pretty sure I wore it one time with Grey Leggings and Gold Sandals.  I remember I wasn't thrilled with the outfit, despite getting a compliment from a female co-worker.

I was jazzed when I accidentally ended up holding the Sweater Dress in one hand and the Vines and Buds Cardi in the other. 

Vines & Buds Cardigan in Beige - by Charlie & Robin - Anthro $128 Sold Out - Dec 2009


 This outfit is overly warm for even a relatively cool day in the sun.  As it turns out, the sweater dress looks great without the Vines and Buds Cardi. The sparkle of the necklace stirs up some needed interest when the  Sweater Dress stands alone.


Striped Tights in Red Motif - by Eloise - Anthro Orig $18, Sale $10 - Apr 2010



This outfit screamed for special legwear. And these Stripped Tights in Red were the perfect amount of special.  Heidi D, Christine, and my Photographer all agreed.  A rare occurrence. I'm calling these Orang-ish - Coral.  The online Product shot looks Brick-Red.

 



Ribbon Rays Necklace - by Tataborello -Anthro Orig $258, Sale $129 - Mar 2010

 





 

Malted Barley Boots - by Area Forte - Anthro Orig $378, Sale $190 
 From Oct 2009 Hidden Catalog Stock - Apr 2010

I wasn't sure about the boots. But the Reddish Brown two toned colors compliment the greens. Funny thing!  The stem print on the Cardi is a perfect match to my Orla Kiely Dark Stem Tote and my Porcelain Mug.

What do you think of the Reader's Challenge Results. I am very pleased. Four of the Five outfits were in a neck and neck race.  This beats having one or two outfits that score well.  And I am very grateful for all my stylish and talented Readers who pitched in with suggestions for styling the Yellow Cloud Dress.  I believe Jessica was satistisfied too.



I knew this was coming! I was upset and angry yesterday when I got this news.

My Co. is ramping up the work force to drain our reserves as fast as possible. And they are out to impress the newbies by offering them all Window offices.  I hinted at this coming a few weeks ago.  A co-worker with a window, is moving into by 13x13 windowless office, and I am moving into a 6x4 foot cubicle. I am sadly feeling de-valued after 10 years of loyalty. 

I'm not going tot get over this quickly. At least until I get 4 walls around me again. It felt like I had just been fired as I carried out half of my office contents to my car. The work environment right now does not feel friendly between the employees and the Company. 

Is this a new era for the American Worker?  Has this happened to you? Is there tension and dis-satisfaction in your work place?

On to a better topic. 

Have you ever lost a seemingly useless item in your wardrobe, only to find it again and put it to good use?

I can't wait to hear from my Readers about either of these topics.

Anthro Sister Love, Laura (lauramartinsemail@yahoo.com)