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

An OOTD Replication! Anthro's Hibiscus and Eggplant Outfit with Lanai Welcome Necklace!

It's just another Manic Monday for this OCD riddled,

Anthro obsessed lunitic, from a No Anthro Zone.

Sunday night was grueling. I labored for an hour over the addition of 4 belt loops to my Marianne Tank. Spent another hour destroying my meticulous closet while attempting a replication of the Hibiscus and Eggplant Outfit from Anthro's June Living Color Outfits. All this after hours of household chores.

No sooner did I complete my replication project, when my boy kitty walks right up to me and gives me a wink. Not because he was impressed with the final results. My baby boy had an eye problem. I called the vet and made an appointment for today. When I checked him out this morning his eye was fine. I think I may have scratched him with a brush. Wow do I feel like a real idiot.




I am very pleased with the final results of the outfit replication. I managed to pull everything I needed to complete the Hibiscus and Eggplant Outfit right out of my closet.

The only necessary item I recently purchased was the...

Marianne Tank - by Girls From Savoy - from Anthro on sale June 2010

I found it necessary to add 4 belt loops to the tank. Wearing a belt higher than waist level is one of my most difficult fit issues. My large rib cage will cause any belt above the waist to slide back down. The bodice of the Marianne Tank ends high. Going without a belt was not figure flattering along with my larger bust. The tank is gathered with a full skirt that resembled a Tutu on me.



I have two Anthropologie belts. Why only TWO? I normally can't pull them off due to the reasons discussed above. I was on a mission to wear this belt after owning it for more than a year. It's stretchy, comfortable and RED.

Outlook Belt - Anthro June 2009

I tried on about 5 skirts from my closet. There were a few from Athleta that almost did the trick. I finally decided on this denim skirt. The same skirt I used in last Monday's restyle of the Spotlights Tank. I am finding this skirt to be very versatile after pretty much ignoring it for a year.

Ruffled Panel Dark Denim Mini - by Leifsdottir - Gilt Fuse Summer 2009

I purchased this skirt in my normal size 4. Knowing it ran big. This dropped the high waisted skirt down to rest just above my hips. Lending me some additional needed length and making it far more comfortable to wear.

I adore these Pikolinos. I wear them often. They did need some break in time. They were tight around the big toes. The leather is fairly soft and these awesome shoes stretched out to perfection after just a few wearings.

Stunt Double Booties - by Pikolinos - Anthro on sale May 2010

I rounded the outfit out with a handbag from my favorite London designer. I heart Oral is to say the least. This is an all leather beauty with lots of space inside and two additional outside pockets. One pocket is hand stitched with Bright Pink patent leather shoe string using her well known stems design.

All Leather Holdall (in INK) from AW08 (Autumn Winter Collection) - by Orla Keily of London - perriberri.com on sale March 2009

It was recently pointed out that Anthro has not had any Orla Keily items this year. Take a look at Orla Keily online USA or UK. Great Summer sales right now. There are also lots of online stores that carry Orla Keily. PerriBerri and Garnet Hill have some of the best sale prices.

My outfit topper really pulls my version together. Just my opinion. You might recognize the Lanai Welcome Necklace from Anthro. Now SOLD OUT at the whopping price of $198.

Hopefully I fooled you for a few minutes with this copy. This necklace is from the extraordinary Etsy Shop WahtVeritas. Saraporn, the shop owner and designer, is a wonderful friend that lives and operates her shop from her home country of Thailand. I requested this custom order necklace using a photo of the Lanai Welcome Necklace. Saraporn made this almost exact duplicate at a fraction of the cost. She is a trusted source for real stone jewelry.

Stone Masterpiece Necklace - from Etsy Shop wahtveritas - June 2010

I like the black Onyx beads just as well as the clear quartz beads used in the Anthro version.



Dear wonderful, fabulous Readers of ACC,

Tell me how I did. Please! I want to know what your opinion is. Good or Bad!

Did I accomplish my replication project?

Is my version AS GOOD AS Anthro's Hibiscus and Eggplant Outfit?

NOT AS GOOD? BETTER?

What made it BETTER? When I use an Anthro Oufit I always try to add an improvement?

What made it not as GOOD AS? I always want to improve my styling even when borrowed from Anthro.

Should I have replicated this exactly using the Anthro items and spending far too much money?

CATS ARE AMAZING LITTLE CREATURES!

Heishe's (5 people years in Oct) eye is completely healed. I read on the Internet that a cat's eye injury (like a scratched eyelid) can heal within 12 to 24 hours. This was him last night. I know, he looks unhappy.

He was actually playful and eating treats. But he was also very clingy with me. I still think he came to me and showed me his eye. Thank goodness his eye was completely normal this morning and I was able to cancel my vet appt. and make it to work on time

Sorry for the crappy iPhone image!
Love to you all on this bright beautiful Monday in August, Laura