No Anthro Zone Review! Tracy Reese! Oh To Be Admired!

 No Anthro Zone Review:  Powdered Pigment Dress - A Plenty by Tracy Reese





Powdered Pigment Dress - by Tracy Reese - Anthro Orig $228 Sale $129 - March 2011
Opaque Tights in Brown - by Hue - Anthro $12.50 - 2009
Lass & Laddie Oxfords - by Poetic License - Anthro $98 Sold Out - Aug 2010
Green Line Satchel in Ochre SS09 - by Orla Kiely - Orig $598 Sale $398 - July 2009

  

Not in a thousand years could I have planned this photo.  Heishe's sweet little whiskered face, staring in rapture from the edge of a picture.  He had been stomping, purring and circling the stool where my camera was sitting.  Desperate for my attention.  I see from the camera angle that he managed to bump the stool and turn the camera in his direction. His appearance in my photos always makes me smile. 



Powdered Pigment Dress - by Tracy Reese - Anthro Orig $228 Sale $129 - March 2011



"Anthro's Model shot of this dress is atrocious. The bodice looks all wrong. Does this photo look off to you, or is it just me? And try not to notice how wonky my belt looks.  My rib cage makes it difficult for me to hold a non-stretch belt in place.

Despite having no faith in this dress ever working for me, I took a chance.  The thin Silk is just asking for every bump and roll to pop-up and wave Hello.

SIZE:  Online reviews suggested this dress runs large through the bust. So I crossed my fingers and ordered a SIZE 4.

I'm 5'6" Tall, 34C-D, 130 lbs, 35-28-36, larger than average rib cage. Normally a problem when sizing down.



Powdered Pigment Dress - by Tracy Reese - Anthro Orig $228 Sale $129 - March 2011
Eighteen Karat Belt - Anthro Orig $58 Sale $30 - Feb 2011
Fresh Catch Cuff in Mauve - Handmade in the USA - Anthro Orig $258 Sale $130 - Dec 2008
(14K gold fill, Opal, Amazonite, Christophase)
Straw Makers Earrings - Orange Carnelian and Purple Jade - Anthro Orig $38 Sale $20 - Jun 2008

FIT: This is one carefully planned and executed T Reese FROCK. I'm a 6 in most dresses to accommodate my larger bust and rib cage. The 4 is a perfect fit. Bra strap isn't visible across the open back. A well placed strap keeps the shoulders in place. The fit is perfect through the bodice. Perhaps slightly snug at the rib cage as expected for me. The arm hole length is spot on. The cowl slightly low. Don't bend over or the girls will high five. Length grazes my knees.



Powdered Pigment Dress - by Tracy Reese - Anthro Orig $228 Sale $129 - March 2011
Fresh Catch Cuff in Mauve - Handmade in the USA - Anthro Orig $258 Sale $130 - Dec 2008
(14K gold fill, Opal, Amazonite, Christophase)
Straw Makers Earrings - Orange Carnelian and Purple Jade - Anthro Orig $38 Sale $20 - Jun 2008

 

DETAILS: I have come to appreciate the BRIGHT COLOR PALETTE over the last few months. The faux wrap front is a little strange. Stripes don't match up at the waist. A belt will nicely cover that issue. I am wearing this minus a slip. You can't see through the thin SILK. The cowl is a bit floppy. The dress looked best ironed.

Powdered Pigment Dress - by Tracy Reese - Anthro Orig $228 Sale $129 - March 2011
Gumshoe Sweatercoat - by Charlie and Robin - Anthro $168 - Sept 2009
Eighteen Karat Belt - Anthro Orig $58 Sale $30 - Feb 2011
Opaque Tights in Brown - by Hue - Anthro $12.50 - 2009
Lass and Laddie Oxfords - by Poetic License - Anthro $98 Sold Out - Aug 2010
Green Line Satchel in Ochre SS09 - by Orla Kiely - Orig $598 Sale $398 - July 2009
Fresh Catch Cuff in Mauve - Handmade in the USA - Anthro Orig $258 Sale $130 - Dec 2008
(14K gold fill, Opal, Amazonite, Christophase)
Straw Makers Earrings - Orange Carnelian and Purple Jade - Anthro Orig $38 Sale $20 - Jun 2008

I see many possibilities for this dress to be styled YEAR ROUND. With or without tights. From Strappy Pink Sandals to Sky Blue Platform Pumps. Along with solid Cardi's in Vintage or Sweater Coat length.

Prepare to see me wearing this styled several different ways over the ensuing Spring and Summer months.

Shop the Powdered Pigment Dress on sale HERE.

One more of Heishe...



My Secret Admirer!  Heishe!

This one could make a 2nd cut.

Anthro Sister Love, from a No Anthro Zone, Laura (lauramartinsemail@yahoo.com)

Baby it's Cold Outside!

After last weeks 85 degree afternoons, I think I can safely call 55 degrees F, COLD. At least for Bakersfield, Ca.

When I saw that Ashley of Anthropologie Girl plans to wear the Fragrant Valley Dress in Fall and Winter, I thought why not.  What a great dress to go with my new Pebbled and Primped Boots.

And thank you for all the wonderful comments everyone left for me on yesterdays No Anthro Zone Reviews. I plan to answer as I always do.  Then I will be making my blog rounds tonight to see each of my blog friends.  So many times I wish I could meet every one of you in person. Wouldn't an Anthropologie Community Blog Convention be awesome.




Fragrant Valley Dress - by Corey Lynn Calter
Anthro Orig $198, Sale $100 - June 2010





 I don't know what it is about this dress that makes me love it more each time I wear it.  Could be the Cotton / Silk Blend, or the wonderful colors, or even the flattering style and fit. And each time I end up outfitting it completely different from the last.  Sandals, booties and boots!  Summer and now Fall!  It certainly is versatile, and easily transitions from Summer to Fall. probably why I have never changed my Blogger Profile Photo.

See how I styled this dress for Summer





Gumshoe Sweatercoat - by Charlie and Robin - Anthro $168 - Sept 2009

 

If only I had this delightfully ruffled sweatercoat in the Red and Black colorway too.  I adore a sweater with huge buttons and pockets.  Don't you?  Although occasionally I do feel like I'm playing the role of Mrs. Partridge in the Partridge Family.



Pebbled and Primped Boots - by Miss Albright - Anthro $258 - Nov 2010

  


 If you missed my review of the Pebbled and Primped Boots read it here. 

See what I mean about the colors.  These boots are definitely not Black as Anthro specifies.  And I am not disappointed.  The Brown, Grey, and Olive Green are to my liking. And I love how well they go with my favorite Orla Kiely tote.

Shop the Pebbled and Primped Boots

And thank you for all the wonderful comments everyone left for me on yesterdays No Anthro Zone Reviews. I plan to answer as I always do.  Then I will be making my blog rounds tonight to see each of my blog friends.  So many times I wish I could meet every one of you in person. Wouldn't an Anthropologie Community Blog Convention be awesome.

Opaque Tights in Gold - by Hue - Anthro $12.50 - Nov 2009

Purple is normally not a color I wear. I was attracted to the blend of earthy colors along with the Purple and even a small amount of Pink.

I patiently waited for this dress.  When it finally went to $100, it quickly disappeared from the sale section while there was still a majority of sizes available.  I immediately sought it out in the March Catalog.  I then proceeded to watch it, until a week before it was doomed to disappear when the June Catalog would overwrite March.  So I bought it for $100. Then watched from my Wish List as it was given a price cut to $30 in the stores.  Who was to know? With no store within a 2 hour drive, I wasn't about to miss out on this one.

 

Shinning Eddie Bracelet in Purple - by Tataborello Italy
Anthro Orig $218, Sale $100 - June 2010


Meet Heishe!  My little 4 year old cat.  I told him not to look at the camera.  He doesn't listen very well.

The vet initially told me he was a she.  When they went to do surgery, they discovered otherwise.  So my little Pixie Girl became Heishe Boy. Just a little pun on words. Heishe is also a type of shell used by the Penobscott Indians of Maine to make tribal jewelry.  My friend Karen is Penobscott Indian and we are both from Maine. 

It's pretty funny, because my baby boy has a rather high pitched MEOW! I also call him Scallywag.  He is by the way a Puppy-Cat through and through.

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

Pigment and Canvas Dress - A Vintage Styling

I had decided I would return this Dress.  Now I have changed my mind.  I thought I would use the refund towards financing the Babergh Dress. I can't bear to do it. And I never use a charge card for clothing.

Now that I have put together an outfit, I want to keep the dress.  Am I too old to wear this clingy dress?

My kitties thought I was acting silly, running around the yard with a chair and my camera at 6 am taking photos. But the cool morning temps are such a blessing here.  I thought I would get out and enjoy my yard for once. The lighting was perfect for showing off this dress.

Pigment and Canvas Dress - by Nathalie Lete - Anthro - Was $248 - Sale $60 - Aug 2010
Sorry there is no buy it here for this dress.  It's sold out online.  Look for pop backs in the sale section.

I am literally poured into the bodice of this size 4 dress.  It was all I could do to get the exposed side zip up without including skin.  The corset like design is a blessing.  When I first tried it on with a bra it was a no go.  The band was too tight and pressed the underwire into my ribs painfully.  This is a common problem for those who suffer from a big ribcage.  So off went the bra, and on went the dress.  Even more carefully, up went the zip.  I'm no spring chicken and certain things start to loose altitude after awhile.

I couldn't believe this dress is 100% cotton.  With a laced cotton slip lining.  Even better,  it's MACHINE WASH and TUMBLE DRY. How can anyone pass this up for the $60 sale price tag.

Another problem I often experience is with shoulder straps falling down.  But this dress was so far perfect.  It's really hard to give up a dress that not only fits great without additional tailoring, but also looks so darn good.  I spent hours working on the last two dresses I ordered.  Something I don't really mind doing if I have the time.

You can see the results of my handy dandy tailoring with the Graphical Dress by Edme and Esyllte here. 

And another outfit for the Graphical Dress here.

Vintage Inspired Peep Toes in Sky - by Frye Shoe Company (the oldest Shoe Co in the US) - Zappos - not on sale $170 - Apr 2009

In keeping with the Vintage aged look of the print backing, I chose these leather Frye pumps in Sky. I think I did a number on them frolicking around the yard right after the sprinklers had been on.  I love these pumps.  The 3/4 inch platform makes the 3 1/2 inch heel feel like 3 inches.  Very comfortable and stable.  I have slipped in these before though.

A little corny mirror, mirror on the bureau staging. The little Lady Bug off to the side kinda resembles a tattoo. I like the simplicity of my layered necklaces.  The only Anthro jewelry is the cuff. 

Toasted Meringue Cuff - by Lee Angel - Anthro - was $198, sale $99 - Mar 2010

I was so happy when this cuff went on sale after having it Wish Listed for months.  I love the neutral color and the vintage brooch in the middle.  Expensive, but worth every penny.  I was a little worried about the wide metal cuff.  But it's fairly light and if I push it up my forearm, it stays put. Lee Angel designs are creative and very appealing to me. I did have to use fray block on the ribbon ends.  Clear nail polish works just as well.

Bye, bye for now......

Oh wait, I almost forgot about the rest of the outfit.  After I took these images I got an idea. The dress has such wonderful purples and blues.  So I thought I would add something of the PURPLE variety.

The Gumshoe Sweater Coat - by Charlie and Robin - Anthro $168 - Fall 2009

When this light weight wool coat hit sale, there was no PURPLE left. So I am happy I paid full price. But since I am not a fan of PURPLE I don't wear it much. So any excuse to match this up with an outfit and I am on it. I love the vintage ruffles. The wool felt is soft. Most boiled wool drives me nuts. This stuff is great. Even has pockets, and adorable huge buttons.

 

Nothing adds Vintage drama like layering multi length necklaces.  I have an assortment.  The blue costume choker necklace belonged to my Grandmother Edna on the Martin side.  It's about 80 years old and looks brand new.  It's now a collectors item by Mazer Bros.

The freshwater pearl strand with magnetic closure was made by MWTT (Mum With The Thumb) my Mom.  It was part of my Bridal jewelry 11 years ago. 

The long double strand is freshwater pearls and pearl coins with crystals strung on Silver thread.  This was a gift with an order from Etsy Shop WahtVeritas.  I love it more than the stuff I ordered.

And laying broken in the dish (sniff) is a lovely crystal necklace that belonged to my Grandmother Ena on the Cooper side. I broke the necklace when I took it off.  I will re-string it with special thread for crystal because it tends to chew through most thread.

And the Icing on the Purple Cake is Blue...

Kaitlyn Straw Cloche - custom made by  Mary Ann Koch Milliner - Couture Creations $145

I love how this arrived in a hat box, with a little signed Thank You card from the Milliner.  My Anthro hat arrived crushed in a delivery box. Even better was a 20% off card for my next hat.  Which I used for a beautiful Turquoise Wool Cloche I am sure I will show you come Fall Winter.

You can order the Kaitlyn here. Plus even more hats.  Most of which you can pick and choose from colorful Vintage Stock to your hearts content.

And here are the final outfit images....

I don't know why I look so skinny here because I'm not.  This sweater makes me look flat chested.  Which I'm not. 

Hope you enjoyed this OOTD.  Please tell me what you think.  Do I look like a GIANT PURPLE GRAPE? Perhaps the epitome of a Flapper Girl?

Tons of Love to my Anthro Sisters and non Anthro Sisters too, Laura (GeoInCalifornia)  lauramartinsemail@yahoo.com