Thank you Kelly and Elizabeth - Anthro’s Floe and Current Coat with Avonlea Dress - Classic Leifsdottir 2008



This Post is in part for Chrissy of Passion for Fashion. 

Dear Readers,  Please try to over look my obvious Spring like colors today.

But first I'm so happy to announce my first blog contest wins.  You did read that correctly!  I won two giveaways in one day. So my head is spinning just a bit as you can see above.

The first win is from Kelly of Fashion Fuel D.C.  I won a $45 CSN gift certificate and Kelly picked out the cutest Red Wellie Ornament. Along with her blog, and a contest, Kelly just moved to NY in the last week.  She is a busy girl with fabulous Anthro Style.

The second win is from Elizabeth of Have Your Cake and Eat it Too.  I won second place for a pair of Kendra Scott earrings.  Elizabeth has a photo of a big ferocious Jelly Belly on her blog. She is also hosting another great GIVEAWAY HERE. So be sure to enter.  I did.

Please pay a visit to both these wonderful gals and say hello.

 

Anthro's Avonlea Dress and Floe and Current Coat by Leifsdottir




 This is one coat I couldn’t get out of my head.  So I know how Chrissy must feel.  I didn’t have enough money to order it the day it went sale two years ago.  Heidi D. kindly loaned me the balance.  She’s just sweet like that.  And I love her dearly for being such a great friend and fellow Anthro Addict. We also combined shipping on that order to qualify for Free Ship.



Avonlea Dress - by Leifsdottir - Anthro Orig $298, Sale $70 - Dec 2008



Just two weeks later the Avonlea Dress went on sale. Another Leifsdottir that intrigued me. I love drop waist dresses.  And this 100% Silk Garden Print dress is indeed gorgeous. And guess who also has this dress.  I don’t have to mention her name do I.




Avonlea Dress - by Leifsdottir - Anthro Orig $298, Sale $70 - Dec 2008

 

The Avonlea Dress was originally $298.  I ordered it a few days after it went on sale for $150.  The dress received another cut to a miraculous $70 after the next sale.  So I picked up a nice little PA.

The BF didn’t like my Lady Beetle Necklace. He was mean and called it gaudy.  OK it is!  But he admits that it’s perfect with the Avonlea Dress.



Floe and Current Coat - by Leifsdottir - Anthro Orig $498, Sale $150 - Dec 2008

 The Floe and Current Coat went directly to sale from $498 to $150. This is unheard of for Anthro of today. Notice Anthro doesn’t give Leifsdottir any additional price cuts anymore?    BooHoo!  I don't mind.  I haven't found much Leifsdottir over the last year to get crazy about.




  

This coat is awesome. Leifsdottir of 2 years ago was far different than Leifsdottir of today.  The coats offered in 2008 were spectacular.  I haven’t seen another wool coat from them that equals the detail of the Floe and Current and the Diamond Plate Coat.




Floe and Current Coat - by Leifsdottir - Anthro Orig $498, Sale $150 - Dec 2008

 

The details alone are enough to send a girl into a swoon. Lined in 100% cotton, with Silk embroidered trim.  Two outside Velvet lined pockets and a third inside lapel, velvet lined, glove or glasses pocket.  Then there are the copper signature buttons.  And you can’t help but die from complete joy over the Gold Toggles on the Floe and Current. 

The BF didn’t like my Lady Beetle Necklace. He was mean and called it gaudy.  OK it is!  But he admits that it’s perfect with the Avonlea Dress.



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



You guys all know these shoes.  Probably because they were just on sale.  Obviously I couldn’t wait.  Let’s not mention my lack of will power lately for boots either.




UO Lace Crochet Tights in Ivory - Urban Outfitters $14 - Nov 2008

  Love the Tights, Shoes, and Dress Combo here.

Since I did mention boots...over the weekend I reviewed The Bowtied Beauty Boots.

See my review for the Bowtied HERE.

My pair slouched unevenly and rubbed an ankle.  I called CS and they turned me down for a replacement pair.  So Saturday I re-ordered them at my expense. I have never been turned down before!  Whaaaaa! 

Well Anthro (not knowing what one hand is doing from the other) air mailed a new pair Monday using the credit from the original order.  So two pairs are on their way.  Nuts!

I could have used that money to order both the Berry Stitched Boots and the Over the Moon Booties that went on sale. So, because I'm a good girl, and have a rule of thumb about using credit, I have to hope both pairs of boots are still available on Friday.  Darn You Anthro!



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

Warming up to Anthro's Doubly Adorned Dress




Darn!  I don't look anything like the model wearing the Doubly Adorned Dress in the August Catalog.  Not only that, it's too early for sunlight, the car is just wrong, and the scenery is out of whack.

Anthro's Doubly Adorned Dress by Floreat - $30

I really wasn't going for copycat this time.




Anthro's Doubly Adorned Dress - August 2010 Catalog

  

Doubly Adorned Dress - by Floreat - Anthro Orig $148, Sale $30 - Oct 2010

This dress is darling!  The fit is definitely me! And my wallet was in agreement on the $30 price tag. I did need to iron, clip strings, and permanently sew the straps in to prevent a wardrobe mishap.  All for a dress made from synthetic materials.  When nothing issued forth from my closet in the way of an outfit, I decided to order the scarf Anthro paired with the dress. 

Oops!  To late! 




Anthro's Doubly Adorned Dress by Floreat - $30


Both versions of the scarf are gone. Occasionally a Doubly Adorned Dress will Pop Back in the soon to be overwritten August Catalog HERE.   I ordered the dress as a Pop Back in a Six.  I was swimming in menswear. I was able to find a size Four through a store search. 

Thank you CS.


Cultivated Caplet - by Moth - Anthro Orig $118, Sale $70 - Nov 2008

Back to the closet I went for another try.   Everything was either too boxy, not the right style, or covered the fabulous dress detail.  I finally settled on Anthro's Cultivated Caplet by Moth (2008).  The short hemline doesn't entirely cover the waist detail. The fit was tailored enough to make a nice topper. The dark Turquoise worked nicely with the color scheme.  And the added light Blue embroidery was the perfect detail to liven up the rather plain plaid of the dress.  I wasn't thrilled with the 2 wooden buttons or the fabric piece with button holes. 

So off came the buttons and in went a hook and eye.

Now that I had finally had a starting point for an outfit, I thought no problem.  The next obvious decision was legware.  I stood in front of my drawer full of tights and considered about 30 pair.  There was the Grey Plaid Mullion Tights.  No way! More plaid, in Grey and Turquoise, was not going to be acceptable. I really wanted a third color. I finally settled on the Brown Pin Dot Tights with Green Polka Dots.



Times Three Booties - by Schuler and Sons  - Anthro Orig $198, Sale $100 - Nov 2010


 The Brown tights now made it easy to work in my new Schuler and Sons Three Times Booties.  I'm past the point of no return for wearing open toed flats this year.

Shop the remaining Three Times Booties HERE. 

But you must click on the Fall Frolic Booties to find the Product Page.

See me wearing the Three Times Booties with the Lolland Sweater Dress HERE.

Blooming Tendril Necklace - Anthro Orig $188, Sale $80 - Apr 2009

I don't find enough excuses to wear this Necklace.  The flower and leaf pattern mimics the embroidered design on the Caplet. The girly-ness balances out the menswear plaid.  Not only does Heidi D. have the Doubly Adorned Dress, she also has the Blooming Tendril Necklace, and the Cultivated Caplet. She didn't wear the necklace or caplet  with her dress.  Because unlike me, she was smart enough to buy the scarf when it was still available.

Hope you enjoy your second outfit for the Doubly Adorned, Heidi!

The Final outcome for Mondays OOTD. 

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

No Anthro Zone Review - The Bowtied-Beauty Boots - I forgot to shoot for the Anthro Moon

Kelly of Fashion Fuel DC is hosting a giveaway.  You can visit Kelly for all the details HERE.
Last weekend I checked up on the availability of my Wish Listed Anthro favorites.



My Sweetie brought me my favorite flowers yesterday!

That is when I discovered the first size had sold out for the Bowtied-Beauty boots. Size 8. My size naturally. So I did what any Anthro Addict would do. I immediately ordered them in an 8.5.  I read all 84 reviews and not one reviewer mentions Lucky Penny as the Brand. I should also mention that this is the third pair of tall boots I have purchased in my life.  Boots and my feet have never had a meeting of minds.  Until the Pebbled and Primped Boots arrived last week.  I am now a fledgling Anthro Boot Addict.

See my No Anthro Zone Review for the Pebbled and Primped boots HERE.



Bowtied-Beauty Boots - by Lucky Penny - Anthro $248 - Nov 2010



The boots arrived last night. I had them on my feet immediately. My first reaction was....Too Big, and Too Tall. The Pebbled and Primped Boots are described as 16 1/4 " high, the Bowtied-Beauty Boots are described as 16" high. The Bowtied are actually 1" higher and thus hit the back of my bent leg. I was not impressed with our first 2 minute meeting.

This morning I tried the boots on again.  Turns out the 8.5 is very comfortable to slightly large. So I call these TTS. Plenty of space for thick socks.  Just as comfortable as the Pebbled and Primped Boots. After wearing these boots for 10 minutes or so, the leather warms and slouches in a very agreeable way. So they no longer were hitting the back of my leg.  First two issues from the previous 2 minute meeting solved.

I suggest wearing new shoes around the house for at least 30 minutes, or longer. Even better, wear new shoes all day in the office on carpeted surfaces only.

Now issue number three appears.  I suddenly notice that the right boot has slouched inward and is now rubbing my ankle as I walk.  I tried several pairs of socks in different thicknesses. No relief!  Meanwhile, the left boot achieves perfection.

These boots are equipped with a half zip only. Zippers both worked freely for boots.  Pulling them off is tricky.  I suggest using a seated position. An assistant might be appreciated. I also noticed in the light of day, the near perfect left boot had a small amount of glue on the front and appeared to have many small scratches on the leather.

I should mention that my UPS package arrived completely broken open with all air pillows gone. The bows and leather bands were all evenly aligned.  The ruching on this pair are even.  The leather is a lovely rich Reddish-Brown.  Soft and pliable, but not shiny as they appear in the model shot further down. And yes, the bows do have a tendency to stick out in a fun, quirky manner.  Only you yourself will notice. The toe is nicely rounded with a spacious toe box. The heel is low and the sole is flexible for walking.  There is anti-slip traction on the bottom. 

 I am a scientist by trade. So diagrams speak for themselves.
In the image: Blue arrows show the level of my ankles.
 Blue circles show the level of the inward slouch.

I examined the boots and came to the conclusion that the right boot slouches inward at a lower position than the left. The right slouching inward directly below my ankle.  Each time I take a step the boot slides against the lower part of my ankle.  Whereas the left boot slouches above my ankle and does not pose a problem.

By now, I have managed to put together a very cute copy cat version of one of Anthro's Outfits starring the Bowtied-Beauty Boots.



I was not fit to show face!

Shop the Bowtied-Beauty Boots HERE.


I am thoroughly in love with the boots.  What is a girl to do?  Call Customer Service!  After all Anthro has always been fair with me in the past.  So call I did.  I spoke with Tamera, whom I have spoken to many times before.  I attempt to explain the issue with the right boot.  My ankles are normal.  One is not lower than the other. I didn't think it was necessary to press my claim as a defect. YET!
 
What do I want she asks?  I want another pair I say. I will need to clear this with my supervisor she says.  I know the routine.  I was so sure that the decision would be fair.
 
I recall a certain pair of Coclico's on sale that arrived with an annoying squeak. Anthro airmailed a replacement pair at the speed of light by the next day. Completely trusting me to return the squeaky pair. But that was not to be the case this time.  Oh no! 

You guessed it!  I couldn't believed the outcome.  I can return the boots.  There are 46 pairs still in stock. A new pair will be shipped when the returned pair are received 10 to 14 days from Monday.  But with size 8's sold out, I know these 46 pairs of 8.5's will likely disappear at the double the normal speed.  I didn't even argue.  I was too dumbfounded. By later in the day the 8.5's were down to 41. By my calculations these are gone in about 9 days.  And that is a conservative guess.
 
So, despite the fact that I couldn't really afford the added expense.  I did as any fledgling Anthro Boot Addict would.  Thank goodness for Free Shipping over $150.  I immediately re-ordered the boots. Online!
 
As I sit thinking about the conversation, I now realize that I didn't follow routine as I normally do.  I didn't say, do I really have to wait 2 weeks for these boots.  I also didn't bemoan the fact that I really can't afford to re-order the boots.  I forgot to mention that I purchase exclusively from online, and that I review every single item I order.  I also stupidly forgot to bring up the fact that I am a Top 10 Anthro Reviewer.  Stupid, stupid, stupid.  I should have argued.  I didn't shoot for the moon as expected.
 
But that's OK!  I love these boots! I'll be back with this outfit next week!

I think I know where I went wrong.  But I would appreciate any suggestions on how to deal with CS for an issue like this one.

Also being a fledgling boot wearer, do my Readers have any boot issue solutions to share?

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

Lolland Copy Cat! An Anthropologie Product Page Switcharoo!

Do you remember the October 2009 Anthropologie Catalog photo of the model wearing this dress?



Lolland Sweater Dress - by Moth - Anthro Orig $188, eBay $180 - May 2010



Let me refresh your memory...



Anthropologie Catalog - October 2009


I ordered the dress in mid November.  I asked the Customer Service Rep for the bust measurements.  The Small was 32, Med 34, and Large 36.  When I inquired if the material had stretch, I was told no. Since I am a 35 I ordered the dress in Large.  Big mistake.  It looked like a sack on me, so I returned it and didn't re-order the dress. 

In May 2010 I found the Lolland Sweater Dress in Small on eBay.  Marked up quit a bit from the Sale price.  But I would not have been able to get a Small on sale anyway except through a store search.

Heidi looked so cute in hers, I couldn't resist.  Heidi strikes again!  And the dress in Small fit very good.  I was in love again.

Can you believe this dress has FOUR pockets?

Can you spot the differences between my outfit and the outfit the model is wearing?




Merry Days Necklace - by Tataborello - Oct 2009

 
The model is wearing the Merry Days Necklace by Tataborello.  Heidi has this necklace.



Ribbon Rays Necklace - by Tataborello -Anthro Orig $258, Sale $129 - Mar 2010


I am wearing the Ribbon Rays Necklace by Tataborello.  I purchased this piece before I purchased the eBay dress.  At the time I didn't know the Merry Days Necklace was Tataborello.  It wasn't until I asked Heidi to check the necklace that I found it was.  Sweet success!



Sweater Cuffed Booties - by Schuler and Sons - Oct 2009

  The model is wearing the Sweater Cuffed Booties by Schuler and Sons. 

Times Three Booties - by Schuler and Sons - Anthro Orig $198, Sale $100
Nov 2010

I am wearing the Three Times Booties by Schuler and Sons. More Sweet Success!

I have been waiting for these booties to go on sale.  They were showing sale in my Wish List but were no longer in the regular shoe section, or the sale section.  I ordered them.  Out of curiosity I checked the September 2010 Catalog. Imagine my surprise when I clicked on the Three Times Booties to find the Product Page for the Fall Frolic Booties.  Huh!  So I clicked on the Fall Frolic Booties right next to the Three Times Booties. 

September 2010 Catalog

These booties are running out fast.  If you wanted them, but don't have them Wish Listed you can find them on Page 32 of the September 2010 Catalog.   But remember to click on the Fall Frolic Booties.

What do you think of this latest tricky little switcharoo by Anthropologie?  Why hide inventory like this? 

I believe it was done intentionally.

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