No Anthro Zone Review: Tupelo Dress by Maple with Nightshades Heels by Chie Mihara

Anthropologie's Tupelo Dress admired by Heishe
Maple - $168 - August 2011

This must be an exceptional dress to attract the admiration of Heishe.  Really though, what he is trying to tell me is, he needs a good scratch (he hates to be brushed) and some kitty treats.

See Heishe admire the Mompos Dress HERE and the Powdered Pigment Dress HERE

two Tracy Reese Dresses that Heishe found fascinating

NO ANTHRO ZONE REVIEW - The Tupelo Dress by Maple $168 

Shop the Tupelo Dress HERE

Who doesn't love Cobalt Blue Silk and a Ruched Sweet Heart Neckline?  The urge to splurge was made even stronger when combined with Anthro's Free Shipping and Return Promo through September.  I'm not feeling as left out while stuck in My No Anthro Zone.

Anthropologie's Tupelo Dress  - by Maple - $168 - August 2011

If you guessed that my hair is a mess and I'm not wearing make-up, you are absolutely correct.

SIZE: I'm normally a 6 on top and a 4 on the bottom. Most size 6 dresses will fit great through the chest, but run large through the waist and hips. I'm a 34C to D, 5'5" Tall, 130 lbs, 35-28-36, narrow from shoulder to shoulder. I ordered a size 4 from online.  It was Bonnie's review (Small Town Fashionista) of the Tupelo Dress that helped make the correct sizing decision.

FIT: The elastic back panel makes it possible to size down to a 4 to fit my smaller lower half, and still have the space and comfort of a 6 on top. The hemline hits at the knee. The waist is slightly high. Nothing a belt can't solve in Gold, Bright Orange, Red, Brown, or Navy to Blend. I usually wear a Full Coverage Bra, plus my shoulders are narrow so bra straps show at the neckline and in back. For work I will wear a Cardi, or try one of Anthro's Seamless Reversible Tanks under the dress.

Many online Reviewers had the same bra strap issues.  Many did not.  I assume it depends on the style of bra you wear, or if you are narrow across the shoulders as I am.  I plan to purchase a Demi Bra and give that a try.  I don't own one since I find that the girls tend to fall out the front.

FABRIC: 100% Silk Shell. Dry Clean. I didn't find the Silk to look or feel cheap.  The Bold, Colorful Print is flawless. The dress is fully lined in Poly, which helps keep the price of the dress down. I'm a firm believer in wearing thin shorts under my dresses in the Summer.  The shorts land a few inches above my knee, keep my legs from the sticking together, keep me dry and comfortable, while protecting my dresses from perspiration stains.  Which in turn keeps the dry cleaning bill almost nil.

Shop my Modcloth shorts HERE
Available in Four Colors
Ivory and Black are Out of Stock

Pockets are a plus. The dress was covered with wrinkles that didn't easily press out. My short arms didn't have a problem with the side zip. I easily slipped the dress over my head with the back hooked.

Style year round. Dress up or down. Evening out or to Work with a Cardi. Flat Sandals for Spring/Summer. Tights with Brown Boots in Fall/ Winter.

No Anthro Zone Review - The Nightshade Heels by Chie Mihara in Navy $438 - Gulp!!!!!!!!!!

The Nightshades Heels are Out Of Stock at Anthro.  Ped Shoes has the Navy version along with Red, for the same price HERE.

I've already protected the Suede on my newest insane infatuation. When the Nightshades appeared, they were immediately Wish Listed. When I later turned attention to my Fall shoe needs, I discovered my dream shoe in Navy was Sold Out.

Along came Miss Albrights Lake and Land Heels.  An alternatice to the Nightshades that would satisfy a need for Navy. The Lake and Land Heels arrived and were perfect. Then the unthinkable dilemma occurred. Later that night, the Nightshades popped back into my Wish List.

The answer was obvious...I was about to blow my entire Budget on the Nightshades, and return the Lake and Land Heels to offset the cost.  A mighty good deal all around.

SIZE: Most of my open toed Chie's are 38.  Anthro suggested sizing up one 1/2 size. Cheers to Anthro for getting that right. As luck would have it, the Pop Back was a 38.5.  It was a sign that I was meant to have them.  I could have ordered them from Ped Shoes.  But I did recently commit to shop Anthro exclusively, whenever possible?

The Gleaming Pillars Bracelet in Purple - by Kenneth Jay lane - Anthro Orig $199 Sale $20 - Aug 201 

I love my Bejeweled Bee Ring by Kenneth Lane.  Imagine my surprise to discover the Gleaming Pillars Bracelet is by one in the same.  The original price was an unthinkable $198.  I realized the other day that the Bracelet came out in the August 2010 Catalog.  This has been waiting in my Wish List for over a year.  I picked it up for the bargain 3rd cut price of $20.  Granted it's resin, and the gold paint scratches, and it's held together with stretch cord.  It's also super comfortable and totally eye catching.  Wish I had all three colors.

I had to throw this in somewhere.  The Gleaming Pillars is Sold Out.  You can stalk the Product Page HERE.

Back to the Nightshades....



INCIDENTALS: Everything you expect from Chie Mihara. Designed with comfort and style first. Padded foot bed. Spacious Toe Box. The softest leather and suede lining. Finished on the bottom with Non-Skid soles. Enough heel height to give a boost, while allowing maximum comfort from a hidden platform.

SUEDE: Soft, rich, and of the highest quality imaginable. The color is Black in Bright Sunlight. In low light Navy, or even Dark Teal.

DETAIL: Petals of Leather reminiscent of Calla Lilies. At the center a snippet of round leather cord, textured in Shimmering Blue.

Anthro's Nightshades by Chie Mihara - Teapot and Cups imprinted on onsole - Aug 2011

But wait...an unexpected surprise adorns the foot bed! What's this? A redesigned insole?  The Leather has been imprinted with....hold it.... Vintage Tea Pots and Coffee Cups.

For the moment, my shoe collection was complete. Then Anthro struck again with the Bowed Lacerta Mary Janes by Miss Albright. I'll have no Fall Dress money left at this rate.

In my opinion, this item fairly reflects the higher price tag.  As a responsible, gainfully employed, single woman, with no back taxes or credit card debt, I am therefore able and willing to pay such a price!

This last message was brought to you because a few individuals that have designated themselves the shopping police.  You know who you are.

Just one more Anthro Sale item to gloat over, I mean discuss with you.

The Quazar Necklace - by Gilda Grey - Anthro orig $398 Sale $100

The Quazar Necklace by Gilda Grey didn't make it to my Wish List until I discovered that it wasn't selling at the $200 price tag on 1st cut.  When it made 2nd cut to $100 I made off with it.  Now Sold Out. You can stalk the Page for Pop Backs HERE.


This necklace is Enchanting.  The work of Sorcery and Wizards. The design is intricate, pretty, and eye catching without making an "in your face" statement.  Reminiscent of drawings made on a Spirograph. If you are old enough to remember the plates and wheels drawing kit.  The Necklace is light weight, comfortable, perfectly proportioned, and fuss free.

The color combination is versatile and will easily style year round.

The style is similar to Steam Punk Jewelry (examples HERE) only delicate.  Usually made from bits and pieces of discarded machinery and metal.  Not something that has ever appealed to me until now.

How about those crazy 2nd and 3rd cuts?  Do you like them?  Or do you normally tend to stay clear of those reductions, believing the item must not be worth attention?  Sometimes that is completely true.


If you are a blogger:  Have you received any comments meant to ridicule lately?  It appears that stupidity and petty jealously are on the rise.


Anthro Sister Love Laura (lauramartinsemail@yahoo.com)