Polkas and Primary Sparkle in the Navy - F21

Happy Back To Work Monday! Yesterday, Camden and I set out to Bakersfield's Valley Plaza Mall.  I was out to get my iPhone makeover. A free iPhone case from Sephora.  Never mind, they were all gone.  So son and I took a walk through the mall.  Pretty much deserted on Sunday.  Robinson's May is now a Target. I haven't stepped foot in here for many months.
  

Vintage Dots Skirt - by Leifsdottir -  Neimans Orig $198 Sale $69 - Sept 2010
Proscenium Cardi in Navy - by Splendid - Anthro Orig $68 - Jun 2010
Outlook Belt - Anthro $28 - Jun 2009
Pizazz Tights in Navy - by Eloise - Anthro Orig $18 Sale $10 - Feb 2010
Honor Guard Booties - by Messeca - Anthro $168 - Dec 2010
Butterfly and Flower Set- Gifted and Handmade by Saraporn - Etsy Shop WahtVeritas - Dec 2010

As I round the bend to where Gottschalks used to be, what do I see?  A huge department store size FOREVER 21. Impressive.  Maybe not.  As you can see, not much action going on here. 

So I made my first F21 purchase.  No big deal!  It's a $10, long sleeved, Gray Tee. 



Forever 21
Valley Plaza Mall - Bakersfield CA - Jan 2011

 Today is a partial re-mix of sorts.  Only one item I am wearing is new.  I've posted this outfit previously. See me wearing the Anthro's Proscenium Cardi in Navy by Splendid and Leifsdottir's Vintage Dots Skirt in a previous post HERE.



Vintage Dots Skirt - by Leifsdottir -  Neimans Orig $198 Sale $69 - Sept 2010
Proscenium Cardi in Navy - by Splendid - Anthro Orig $68 - Jun 2010
Outlook Belt - Anthro $28 - Jun 2009
Pizazz Tights in Navy - by Eloise - Anthro Orig $18 Sale $10 - Feb 2010
Honor Guard Booties - by Messeca - Anthro $168 - Dec 2010
Butterfly and Flower Set- Gifted and Handmade by Saraporn - Etsy Shop WahtVeritas - Dec 2010


Today I added a splash of Red with Anthro's Outlook Belt. Then carried sparkling Navy down with Anthro's Pizazz Tights by Eloise.


Pizazz Tights in Navy - by Eloise - Anthro Orig $18 Sale $10 - Feb 2010
Honor Guard Booties - by Messeca - Anthro $168 - Dec 2010
Quilted Patent Iris Bag in Cream - by Orla Kiely AW10 - Yoox Orig $335 Sale $170 FS - Dec 2010

 I brought in a bit of Military style with Anthro's Honor Guard Booties by Messeca. These now Sold Out shoes get tons of comps. The SA's in F21 loved them. I was able to repair my wayward snap that kept popping off with Engineering tape. Something the shoe repair guy couldn't handle.  He would have to replace all the snaps to match. Engineering tape is the answer to Super Glue when you need something a little thicker.  I can press Anthro hooks on my doors with the stuff.


Dyed Howlite Butterfly and Flower Set - Gifted and Handmade by Saraporn - Etsy Shop WahtVeritas - Dec 2010

 And now for my new item.  I received this necklace and earrings set from my friend Saraporn in Thailand.  She is the owner and artist for Etsy ShopWahtVeritas.  She sent both Heidi and I a set for the Holidays. She is such a sweet friend.  She hand makes all her jewelry.  This necklace is made from dyed Howlite and stainless wire.


 

Diamondplate Coat - by Leifsdottir - Anthro Orig $398 Sale $150 - Dec 2008
Glittens - Anthro - Gifted from Christine - Dec 2009
Quilted Patent Iris Bag in Cream - by Orla Kiely AW10 - Yoox Orig $335 Sale $170 FS - Dec 2010

Introducing one of my favorite, but not so versatile coats, Anthro's Diamondplate Coat by Leifsdottir. And to add a punch of Primary color into the mix, I donned this pair of bright Yellow Glittens gifted to me from Christine in Dec 2009. I have been carrying my new Quilted Patent Iris Bag by Orla Kiely non stop for two weeks now. I can't get enough of this gorgeous little bag.  The strap unhooks to convert to a clutch.  Awesome!

Tonight I will have my repaired Laptop in my hot little hands. It's amazing how excited I am over a Laptop.  More so than an Anthro delivery.  I actually have a bunch of those coming tonight too.  I have a feeling I'm not going to get much sleep.

Ask me questions please!

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

One Jacqueline, a Falling Ribbon, Two Stunt Doubles, and a Stone Garden = Wednesday's Girly OOTD

Guess what? The lights were on all over the Taj Majal building at 5:30 AM. I took pictures on the stairs!

Woohoo! This week is progressing nicely. So without further delay, here is Wednesday's OOTD.

The Falling Ribbon Cardi - by Sparrow - $98 - Anthro Dec 2009

The Falling Ribbon Cardi in the Navy version didn't make it to sale. It was part of a cute little outfit seen here.

Anthro Outfit Fall 2009

I purchased the Cardi and Necklace from Anthro, and the Leifsdottir Top from Nordstroms. Nordstroms had the top on sale months before Anthro. I got tired of waiting.

Jacqueline Dress - by Maeve - $98 - Anthro July 2009

I ordered this Maeve Dress in Yellow, the color is actually Chartreuse, months before the above Anthro outfit appeared. The dress is almost the the same color as the Leifsdottir top, and the ribbon falling down the Cardi placket. A few months back I spied them together in my closet and hence a new outfit was born.

Along with the spectacular Stone Garden Necklace (another sell out), I was totally in love with my creation. Have not worn the Anthro outfit since.

Stone Garden Necklace - Designer ? - $178 - Anthro Dec 2009
Freshwater Pearl, Serpentine, Citrine, Smoky Quartz, Carnelian, Red Agate, on Sterling
The best Christmas Present I have ever asked for and received

This natural stone necklace SOLD OUT the day my BF ordered it for me. My Mother refers to it as "The Most Beautiful Necklace in the World." A fitting name.

If you like this necklace, you can see similar here, or if you love natural stone jewelry you can find plenty at a great price here. My friend Saraporn in Thailand makes all her jewelry by hand for her Shop WahtVeritas on Etsy.com. She is a wonderful lady to work with. Much of her jewelry looks exactly like many items Anthro has offered.

And here is another Etsy marvel. When I first scoured Etsy 2 years ago looking for Wrap Bracelets there were not many. Now they are all over.

Faceted Carnelian Leather Wrap Bracelet - Etsy Shop RowdyWear - $75 - Sept 2009

You can see many examples of wrap style bracelets and request a custom order for this exact bracelet here.

Stunt Double Booties - by Pikolinos - orig $188, on sale $90 - Anthro May 2010

Also worn here.

After I ordered these booties online, I scoured the Internet for more Pikolinos I might like. I didn't find any styles that truly suited me like these do. They are still a little tight across my toes, but I have worn them only a few times.

Today's Orla Kiely is the handbag that started my obsession and my collection. I know a few of my readers, such as Rachael and Loraine, are big fans of Orla Kiely.

Anthro's Sepia Crocus Bag - Orla Kiely Dark Multi Stem Cotton Laminate Tote Bag -
$178 - Jul 08

This Dark Multi Stem Print is one of the most sought after prints from Orla Kiely's collections. I have seen it sell for more than the original price on eBay. Not that I would ever give mine up.

Here are a few Orla Kiely things that I love:

The first set of 3 flip book I bought on sale at Anthro online the Summer of 2008. These three books lasted 2.5 years. I recently re-ordered them on sale for $19 including shipping from TraylorPapers.com. Sadly they are now gone. Orla does have them on her UK site here.

These fabulous little note books fit perfect inside any Orla Kiely Wallet.

I can even carry a pen inside my wallet. This older wallet is completely lined with leather. I have been carrying this one for 2 years straight. It looks brand new. Some new wallets I have seen are nylon inside. It may depend on if the wallet is part of her Mainline Collection (all or mostly leather) or her ETC Collection(mostly laminated cotton). She used to use nothing but cotton lining on her handbags, but recently I am seeing some of the laminated bags with nylon lining too. Very disappointing. And I am wondering if this is part of the reason why Anthro has carried no Orla Kiely products since last Winter.

Athena Wallet - Orla Kiely SS08 Collection - orig $148, on sale $80 - Anthro Aug 2009

I will leave you with a few more images of my outfit. I also included a final image of one of my Anthroholic Reader's Outfit Submissions from a few months back. I am using PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in that image. Hard Hat and Goggles, but no Steeled Toed Boots. PPE is what I wear every time I go into the Oil Fields for Safety Sweeps.

I'm a set of bookends! Teehee!

Safety Laura

Bye for now! Don't forget the Labor Day sale at Anthro starts tomorrow morning. I will be checking in with Kim at Anthroholic tonight to see what info she got, and check out the items that may be offered.

Please leave a comment.
Do you like my re-style using the cardi and necklace from Anthro's outfit?
Why do you think Anthro has stopped carrying Orla Keily products?

Love to hear from each and every Reader today. Don't be shy.

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

If you don't want to comment on my ACC Blog. Just drop me an email anytime.