TGIFO - Another Mix of Then and Now

I am back at work today after a 9-day absence.  But it was no vacation for me.  Thank goodness it's a short day.  My boss is so understanding.  He told me to let him know if I was having any problems.

So here is my Thank Goodness It's Friday Outfit - TGIFO!  Please forgive the grainy iPhone images while I wait for delivery of the new Kodak. I'm still upset over the destruction of my Olympus.  It was a my 10 year gift from my company. I let go before my son had a hold of it. Smashed the lens right into the driveway.  I blame it on the nerve.

  

Jacquard Sweater Tank - by Charlie and Robin -  Anthro $148, sale $70 -  Nov 2009

 I seem to have a difficult time styling this sweater.  This is the second time I have worn it in almost a year.  The skirt is the biggest issue. The textured knit is too heavy for Summer, but the lack of sleeves doesn't work well in Winter, or a cold office. It styles well with skinny pants, or a pencil skirt. Anything else is laughable, unless you WANT to look like a Fairy Godmother. I just missed my friend Christine wearing the same Sweater yesterday.  I think it would be fun to show up to work as accidental twins.  She does not.

Dragonfly Lace Front Skirt - by Leifsdottir - Nordstrom $228, sale $114 - Aug 2009

I ordered this Leifsdottir skirt for the lace-up front and wide single pleat down the center front.  But so far I keep covering it up. The style is unique, yet very simple. And I wear a lot of Brown, so versatile. The lace-up front can be used to adjust the fit, so I can wear the skirt high waisted or low on the hips.  There are side pockets and a back zip.

Maiden's Braids Cardi - by Moth - Anthro $88, sale $50 - Jun 2009

 I love Pink.  But I'm not a fan of wearing it.  This is the only solid Pink Cardi I own.  And I don't have anything that is truly Pink-Pink.  Except my car, depending on how the sun is reflecting on it.  I did say I love Pink.


Love these Lavender tights.  You will be seeing them again soon with a very special dress.  I bet some of you know what dress I am hinting about. In the mean time I am making them work for me here.


Dotty Cluster Tights - by Eloise - Anthro $16 -  Sept 2010

            Shop these tights from Anthro here.

Anthro has a wildly colorful selection of textured and patterned tights.  I already have a drawer full from previous years. But as my Mother always says "A girl can never have too many tights."  OK, so she was speaking of coats, but I figure why not use this as an excuse to buy everything in abundance.

Shop all Anthro tights here.
 

Rensselaer T Straps - by Miss Albright - Anthro $148 - Aug 2010

Shop these shoes from Anthro here.


Woohoo!  I love these vintage inspired SHOES.  What more can I say.  Miss Albright does some nice shoes.  And the price is too right to wait out a sale.  Unlike the Lass and Laddie Oxfords by Poetic License, these are still available in every size. I normally wear an 8, so I ordered up one whole size to a 9.  They are a tad loose, but super comfortable. The strap keeps my foot from slipping up and down. 



All Leather Bowling Bag with Hand Cross Stitched Multi colored Wool 

Orla Kiely AW08 Collection - Orig $800, $400 eBay -  April 2009

Just in case you haven't heard the story of my most prized handbag, here it is again. I waited for sale.  There was no way I could swing this bag full price. When the bag finally made it to sale, it was the wrong time for me to buy.  It broke my heart to see it go.  I searched for months. It was nowhere to be found. I decided it wasn't meant to be and stopped looking.  Months later I was on eBay and looking at Orla Kiely, and there it was.  Gently used, but in perfect condition.  The Seller was the original owner. Thank goodness there were no other bids. 



Present Perfect Necklace - by Tataborello Italy - Anthro $138, sale 40 -  Mar 2009

I started buying Tataborello jewelry from Anthro earlier this year.  I didn't discover that I already had a necklace from this Italian designer until recently.  When I checked my records (ha! record) I discovered it was a bargain.  I think I have worn it one other time.  It's a little messy looking.  And it's probably too much even with this outfit.  But it goes, so what the heck.  I thought about giving it away as a free gift on my sale page. Maybe not!



Chiaroscuro Bracelet - Sundance (Labradorite w/ 14K Gold Vermeil Sequins) - $130 - Mar 2009

 Naturally I can't help but love Labradorite.  What Geo wouldn't.  The iridescent blues and greens are stunning.  Sundance is way over priced.  I could have found a similar bracelet on Etsy for much less.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Depending on my nerve (the nerve of some nerves) I just might go to Frazier Park where my friend Heidi D lives.  It's a small mountain community between Bako and LA.  She has an over abundance of wine she is willing to share.  She is really missing Mike, who is currently serving in Afghanistan.

I would love to know where all my Readers live. What areas of the US and Canada are you from?

Tell me a little about yourself.  What do you do for a living?  Are you a stay at home Mom?  Do you have a career outside the home?  We are all fashion crazy, yet totally different from each other.  Anthro, Athleta, Orla Kiely, Leifsdottir, shoes, jewelry, and lots of cloths are part of the reason we come together, and the reason we are broke half the time. All that plus the fact that we love sharing what we find and talking about it. He-he!  At least I do.

Up and coming ACC Posts:

Rachel will be guest reviewing the Best of the Bunch Cardi from Anthro.

I am expecting delivery tonight of an Anthro Jacket.  I hope it stands up to it's current high ratings.  So look for that review this weekend as well.

Please comment!  Or I start to feel lonely!  Give me encouragement and I will answer.

Love you guys, Laura (lauramartinsemail@yahoo.com)




Re-Style with Accessories - Hats off to the Cloche - Say Hi to Heidi D

There is nothing that wakes me up on Tuesday morning like an Anthro Sale. Do you hop out of bed for a good sale?

Remember I was BAD last week when I ordered the Phlox and Coral Coat by Tracy Reese?
You can see it and buy it here.

So I was a very bad girl AGAIN yesterday! Show you later.....

And then this morning I did it again.

What I got on sale today...

Chocolate Box Cardi - by Monogram - Anthro Sale Aug 2010

You can buy it on sale here.

Black Fennel Flower Skirt - by Floreat - Anthro on Sale Aug 2010
SOLD OUT

Pigment and Canvas Dress - by Nathalie Lete (the painting is anyway - don't know anything about the brand or designer)

This was $248 now $60 on sale at Anthro. Loving that price cut.

You can buy it on sale here.

Today's OOTD is all about the Accessory's. Do you see something that you like?

All I see is what I don't like. The shadow cast by the hat. Phooey!

And there it is again...

That's is. This cloche should not be worn indoors. Off with the hat.

That's only slightly better. My picture taking skills took a big hit today. The sale excitement was distracting me.

This really is a great "dressed up" look for work. I got many compliments in the office today. Too bad my camera didn't like it.

I'm going to go through today's OOTD fast. I'm way behind schedule due to the sale.

Through-The-Clouds-Tank - Anthro on sale Jul 2010

The cut-outs and appliqued flowers are so feminine and romantic.  exactly why I was attracted to this top. But the fit is large through the torso and small through the bust. An XS would not have fit across my chest. So I kept the Small. By the time I got around to ordering this one on sale, they had corrected the issue with the 2 flowers located directly over the nipples. He-he!  I also washed and dried it in the dryer.  It did shrink some.

Cafe Cream Skirt - by Eva Franco - Anthro on sale Feb 2010

I would have loved to have every skirt in Eva Franco's collection from last Winter. But the sizing was inconsistent to an extreme. I ran anywhere from a 2 to an 8. I am normally a 4. By the time my order arrived in the mail, and I found out I need a different size, they were gone. Next time I will have to pay full price if I want them.

NO ANTHRO ZONES SUCK!

Sterling Shadow Jacket - by Cidra - Anthro Feb 2010

Adore the Pink Polka Dot Lining that shows through the Gray lace front. But my jewelry gets caught on the lace and leaves little pulls. Sniff!

And now for yesterdays bad...


Did you know there are really 2 Geo's in California? My friend and co-worker Heidi is a Geologist.

She had an Anthro delivery at work yesterday. But they didn't fit her. They did however fit me. So I did what every good friend would do. I bought them from her to save her the $6 to return the.

I was NOT trying very hard to wait for sale. Heidi re-ordered immediatly. 

Rensselaer T Straps - by Miss Albright - Anthro Aug 2010

NO! THEY WERE NOT ON SALE


I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY COST


I HAD TO HAVE THEM NOW


SO HEART POUNDING CUTE
IT'S MY MONEY

SHOES!
You can't have too many!

And while we are at it....

You also can't have too many Coats, Cardi's, or Handbags either! Despite what your Mother, Husband, BF and everyone else in your life says.

And we should know!  Right Heidi! And Katie, Lisa, Jamie, Chrissie, Diane, Heather, LC
Dea, Christine, Jess, Loraine, and HS (Heidi)

Are these shoes amazing looking or what? I normally wear a size 8. The 9's are just slightly big, which is a good thing. If you are a whole size, go up one size. If you are at a half size you are much better off.  Just go up to the next whole size. I just don't understand why only whole sizes are available. You can get them here.

Twinned Ribbon Cloche - by Christy's - Anthro April 2010

I assume this is made by the same Milliner named Christy's out of London. I just can't figure out why the hat was so cheap. Except that they are all the same size. Which means the hat is a size 22. That is the standard for ONE SIZE FITS ALL in hats.

I have one other straw hat made by Couture Creations - Mary Anne Koch is also a Milliner. That hat was 3x the cost of this hat. But it's also custom made for me in my color choices. This hat is so cool and fits great. Just don't try to take photos indoors wearing it.

Orla Keily All Leather Bowling Bag with Hand Cross Stitched Multi colored Wool AW 08 Collection
eBay April 2009

Yes! A bowling ball will fit in this Orla. This bag is HUGE. I couldn't afford this bag when it hit sale on Orla Keily's online site. I was so bummed when it was gone. I searched high and low for 6 months for this bag. One day I logged into eBay and there is was. I have never seen it again since. I didn't bat an eye over the price or it being slightly used. I couldn't thank the original owner enough. $600 was the original price. I paid $400. I will never part with this bag.

And here is Heidi in her OOTD for Monday. This is the Anthro Addict that spread her addiction to me.

She is also a Marathon runner. Can't you tell by her great legs. She kicks butt. She is also a Military Wife. Her man is currently in Afghanistan. She stays busy shopping, and running races all over the US.

Heidi's Outfit:


Crossway Heels - Anthro Aug 2009 Catalog
Hillside Vista Skirt -  by Tracy Reese - Anthro Oct 2008 catalog.
The jewelry is a mix of Sundance and Anthro.
The Embroidered Silk Blouse is from Sundance.  You can buy it here.

I love the way she mixed and layered her necklaces. So I did the same for my jewelry today. And she says she can't put together an outfit.  Don't believer her.  After all I learned by emulating her to a degree.

Please leave a comment for the Two Geo's In California. And don't forget to tell me what you scored on sale.

Love Laura (GeoInCalifornia) lauramartinsemail@yahoo.com