Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you all had a good break.  I have notice the lack of new post in the blogger world.  Everyone is busy with their families I bet.

So did you score any deals from black Friday?  I was at Disney, so no getting up early to the store for me. We went with the family of my daughter's best friend and it was so much more fun than going by ourselves.    I happen to caught a cold and lose my voice.  Let me tell you, it is not easy to herd the overly exited girls without your voice.  I was worried sick that they would get lost in the crowd. We all trying to teach our daughters our phone number just in case they get lost.  We end up writing them down and put in their jacket after they repeatly missing a digit here and there :-)

I frankly didn't appreciate Disney after we have kids. We had always been the national park type. But after my son is born, we were so traumatize by the trip we had taken him at 1 year old that we didn't have any vacation till he is 5. The trip we took was to disneyland, thinking if it became too much for him we can just drive back right away.  To our suprise he enjoyed the trip.   We felt so liberated.  We finally felt that we can go somewhere and stop being the prisoner of our own home.  Disney had put a lot of thoughts in taking care of their guest and the service is impeccable.  From the clean bathroom to the volume control of the music,  everything is done with great attention in details.  I know how some people think it is over crowded and everything is fake, but I have to say the crowd is unavoidable, but they did their best to make their guests comfortable.  I appreciate how they use the techniques in the movie to give you the full sensory enjoyment rather than just the thrills of drop and turns.  For the crowd, they routed the long lines so kids felt there is progress, providing fast pass to the popular rides, open up special event such with the princess royal carnation ceremony so they accommodate a bunch of girls who wanted to see princess at the same time during holiday seasons.

My favorite at Disney had always been the firework.  The music and the firework is so in sync.  Other park's firework just pales in comparison.  Every time during firework,  I watch the children's face, with their expression so attentively and their eyes sparkles with the lights of firework.  It makes me want to cry.  Somehow it makes everything worthwhile.

Thanksgiving is not a traditional holiday for us, but the Chinese has a long tradition of "Following the tradition of the locals".  So the day at Disney, we got a Turkey leg for lunch.  Haha.  I am not a big fan of turkey, but I must say the turkey leg is pretty tasty. It is also darn cute to have little kid holding the gigantic drumstick and eat it too.

Naturally I miss the Anthro Sale last Tuesday.  But there isn't much I really wanted, other than the Pholox and Coral coat.  You can see my review here.

After we got back,  we went to a friend's house for their house warming party.  Ah, how I envy their gigantic master bath and the walk in closet and the ample room in the kitchen!  It is a gorgeous new house and functional too with the in-law cottage and workshops and balconies, all nicely architected. Normally I'd wear a skirt or dress to a party, but I was in too much of a rush that morning from waking up too late at 9:30.  Had to drive my daughter to Chinese class, drive back, make lamb bryani for my son's lunch, fearing there is nothing he can eat at the party due to his diet restriction, take a shower, run back to pick up my daughter, wrap the house warming gifts and feed my son ahead of time as he tents to get cranky on empty stomach, and yes, the party starts at noon so there is no telling when the lunch will be begin.  Good thing is my son love the bryani I made. I gave him some and he clean the plate as if it has been licked clean.  Not a single drop of rice left!

Top:  Anthro Wild Bunch Tank.

Cardi: Anthro 2010 don't remember the name. 

Pants: Arden B super skinny jeans (I don't like Arden B.  These jeans are from my experiment buy from this store and I won't buy from Arden B online again) 

Boots: UGG autstralia.  They are warm and they are water proof, best winter boots ever!

Winter Fern Sweatercoat - a review

I was returning the pinafore pullover the other day.  The Winter Fern Sweater coat stands out among all the pretty things in the store.  I was wearing the kindred spirit dress that day, naturally the bright red print in the Winter Fern sweater coat lifted the whole outfit and I was immediately in love.  There was a lady with her son passing by commented how cute it looks on me.   Despite it is full price @$228, I brought it home with me because it is such a stand out piece.

Here is some detail about the sweater. It is by Lia Molly.  It is not very warm or thick although in the picture it might look warm and fuzzy.  According to the description on Anthro's website, it is made of rayon and cotton.  It is very silky and soft to the touch, almost like a silk cotton blend.  The knit and the pattern is very beautiful and detailed. Lia Molly is known for its fancy knit and this piece certainly stands out.   It is between crimson and rusty orange, not as deep as in the picture.  There is a large hood in the back.

After I cooled my head a bit,  I decided to return this item.  Or maybe also because when I try it on the second time I was wearing jeans.

The hood and the length give the whole sweater a very bathrobe feel, although a nice luxury robe.  The fit is weird.  I sort of know that at the store because I had Initially try the XS in the store.  Although finding the top part to fit well, when I button it, the waist area feels tight. I upsize it to the small.  The top feels loose on the bust area  and the sleeves are a bit looser  and the waist still a bit tight. At the store,  I attribute it to the attached belt on the kindred spirit dress.  But with the jeans, it is still the same problem.  The sweater looks good unbuttoned.  When it is buttoned, it became very unflattering.  This is largely due to lack of curve and structure in this sweater. It is a rather straight cut and the waste band in black doesn't stretch much. Aside from that, the length of the sweater is a bit too long and draggy for my height.  For your reference, I am 5'4".

I think the reason it had worked with the Kindred spirit dress is because a) I wore it open b) the dress flares out a little bit, giving the sweater a bit of curve.  This sweater being so thin, drapes nicely with the dress. However with $228, I want to spend on something look nice universally with a lot of outfits instead of just one dress.  

Late Slip

Today we have to get a late slip at school for our son.   Somehow we were extra unlucky on our way.  We hit every red light on, not a single one escaped.  My daughter sings every time we hit a red light because she believes if she sings, it will make the traffic light turn green faster.  Oh, well, superstition starts early.

So we were 5 minute late by the time we got to the classroom.  We drop our son off at the classroom and then headed to the administration office.  My daughter goes in, takes a deep breath, and sum up all her courage and said to the lady in the front desk in her somewhat still baby-like voice:

"I need a late slip."

After a long pause, as if she needs another big breath, she add,

"for my brother".

The lady in the front office was very amused. So was I.  I hope when she gets to kindergarten, we don't  have to get many late slips for her.

Here is an OOTD picture.  I just want to show off all the good deals I have got lately, haha.  Have you been buying things out of your wishlist just because they are on sale?  I was doing that with Anthro second cuts.  I just couldn't resist.  For example, with this Anthro Formally Layered Cardigan, I don't know how many times I pass by it and every time I saw the two layer, I thought, hmm, that just looked really weird.  Along came the second cut, I just had to try it on and end up liking it.  It is rather thin so the look is a bit deceiving if you are expecting something warmer.  Otherwise, it is rather nice, drapes nicely and very fall like.

Spec:

Cardigan: Anthro Fromally Layered Caridgan. $39.99
Top: Anthro In Flight Tee $9.99 (still available in both sky and moss Item number is 18421016)
Pants: LOFT knit black pants $29.99
Shoes: Matisse Women's 'Holmes' Booties $52.99. ($96.99 now at overstock.com)

Honest Tea - OOTD

I am addicted to Honest Tea.

Before this addition started,  I had always drink just water.  Very rarely I drink soda or juice although I do usually get coffee in the afternoon but solely for the caffein.   Now I have to have at least one bottle a day.  I  am tormented when Wholefoods sold out the flavors I like.  Unfortunately they always do, especially when they run their promotion of 5 for $5.  The Mango and Pearfect white tea flavor are always gone!  After I accepted a new flavor of Peach-Oolong out of desperation, they  went constantly missing too.  Felt like the whole world against you at those time.   I really wish they come in big jar like the gallon juice and hopefully with the discounted pricing too, then I don't have to feel guilty about throwing so many bottles into the recycle bin.   What is your favorite drink or addiction?

Top: Anthro (what is the name?) 
Bottom: JCREW linen pants. 
Shoes: Born Brenta  Cardi
JCREW jackie carigan  
Belt: Anthro snakebite in brown

Sale season starts early?

There seem to be many deals going on right now.  Many offers 30% discounts.  Gap just finish their round of Give and Get promotion.  Right now JCREW has save extra 30% on sale items promotion using the JCREW promotion code. I didn't see anything particularly stand out for myself but did get to score something for my son.  Many are gone instantly like the military jacket for $38.   Still available is the Boy's Sherpa hoodie

Jcrew's Sherpa hoodie is of very good quality.  I have bought other brands of similar product, such as Crazy 8 and Gap, none has the quality that would remotely compare.  It is very warm, enough for the winter here in SF bay area and is super soft.  It withdands many wash without getting thin out.  Of course this is a gender neutral piece that can easily pass down to my daughter.  Highly recommend it for its quality.  With the discount it came out to $30.24.  It is still expensive.   Considering boys don't get to have many cloth,  I felt it is worth the splurge on a few piece he constantly wears.

Ann Taylor also has the friends and family 30% off promotion.

I strongly recommend the Luxary Drape Wrap.  I have a thing for unstructured wraps.   This is such an interesting piece because it can be wear in so many different ways  and is very soft and warm.  I got the gray color after drooling over it for sometime  and loved it.  The current addition of carmel color adds lovely warmth to the tone.   It is slightly itchy so I would wear a long sleeve inside though.


I have also noticed that the store sometimes have the sale item cheaper than online so if you have time it is probably better to go to the store.

Kindred Spirit Sweaterdress - a sale review and request for styling suggestion

Apparently my taste is quite different from the rest of the Anthro-loving population.  Kindred Spirit Sweater dress although went on sale for half of its original price, still have plenty left around.   Why is that?  I think the deviation of my taste also explains the lack of followers.  Ha!

Back to the topic of Kindred Spirit Sweater dress.   This is one of the two piece hubby pick up with me during my birthday (which is in the middle of the summer) and I didn't end up returning.  The other one is the acting out skirt.

There are two types of cloth.  One is so beautiful and fancy looking that it is like a piece of art.  I think Anthro has plenty of those items.  However the fanciful detail sometimes took all the attention away from the person who is wearing it. On another word,  the cloth is wearing the person. The Kindred sprit sweater dress does the opposite.  It is of an almost dull color of green, but the dark color also helps with sliming the figure as well as making it a bit more work appropriate.  It shas enough detail such as the gathered collar with the buttons.  The neckline is just lovely.   Low enough to be flattering, but not so to be revealing.  The material is soft, no itchy at all, thanks to the cotton and cashmere blend.  The dress drapes very nicely.  It  does not show lumps and humps like some sweater or jersey dress do.  The cut is superb.  It is so figure flattering that it really makes you felt you had trim down 10 lbs.   I did not find it clingy even though it is unlined.  Worth mentioning is that this dress run slightly larger than the  usual size.  For your reference, I am wearing a XS here.  In comparison, I wear XS in the popular camellia dress but a 4 for Botanical Stroll dress.

The biggest draw back?  The belt.  I think it has received enough complain.   It is attached, so I am not really sure what to do with it.  I felt this dress can use a somewhat more defined belt to dress up a bit more.

So why I haven't wore mine?  It wasn't cold enough.  Now it is cold enough, I don't know how to layer it.  I end up with this Simple J CREW V-neck Cardigan.   Any other suggestions?

And can you guess what my daughter is doing?  Don't answer putting her arm up or taking a picture :-P That would be too obvious. A penny for the correct answer.

The disappointment of the Pinafore Pullover

I had ordered the Pinafore Pulloever as a gift for myself for taking care of two kids by myself while hubby is in China for the whole week.   This is sweater is so sweet and romantic looking.  I really love how it looks in the catalog.

Before I got my order, Cat from Anthrosdottir did a review on this sweater and I thought "oh, no".  And She is right on with the sweater. Here is the result.  Front is pretty sweet although the sleeve is a bit long. For reference, I am wearing a S.

Here comes the problem.  I think this just invites question like "when is the due day...."

I am not sure sizing down would make this problem go away.  On line has sold out on this sweater, but I am sure there will be pop-backs. At least mine will go back.

This is what I wore that same day with the same side profile.

This outfit is more than 10 years old and I still love it.  I had gotten the sweater the skirt as well as the boots when I visited Hong Kong.  Hong Kong is really a shopping heaven.  This outfit and a pair of wool tight are among of the favorites I have.  Some how the color is very off in the picture, the sweater supposed to be grey and skirt and boots are supposed to be deep purple.  I had wear this in response to Cindi's purple request and in recognition of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month after reading Cindi's post.  I guess I'll have to come up with something more purple than this.

Oldie but goodie

Don't you love seasonal changes?  It is like you had a whole wardrobe of new cloth again because you haven't wore them for a long time.  I have been so addicted to shopping that I need to remind myself that I have A LOT of cloth that has been sitting in the closet instead of looking at the new sale session of the Anthropologie. Here is something I haven't  wore for a long long time.  It is not really my style,  so no wonder hubby was somewhat surprised by it. Ha, At least I caught his attention.  When you have been married for more than 10 years, that is a good thing :-)

Cami - Old navy cotton empire waist tee and Old navy ruffle blouse
Cardigan - J CREW Merino wool ruffle cardigan
Pants - BR cargo capri
Shoes - Söfft peep toe heel

Men's wear fashion?

Men's wear inspired clothing has always been around.  There is the boyfriend chino, or boyfriend cardigan, then there is Men's suit inspired dress.

I myself was never really into any of those trends, mainly because I had such a straight figure and the slouchy pants usually make my already petite figure even shorter.

On the other hand,   I totally love it when Crew cut uses boy's cloth on their girl models.  They are so cute!

Oh, and how I love when my daughter wears her brother's pass down cloth.  Maybe because most of the time she is such a girly girl, wanting to wear a dress and be pretty all the time. It was a new fresh look she is still too young to appreciate herself.  So what is my daughter wearing? Top: Gymboree turtle neck sweater, Bottom: CREW cut boy critter chord pants (pass down from my son). Hat: Gap Shoes: Hello Kitty glitter ballet slipper from target

I think at this age, they can pull off wearing anything.

Beauty and the Bird and the Haloween horror

Photo taken at school Halloween parade.  Dress: Southern Bird Dress, Cardigan: J CREW Cashmere Vneck Cardigan, Vest: JCREW puffer vest, Belt: Via Spiga Studded Belt (buy it here)

Hope everyone all had a blast during Haloween weekend. This is a catch up post from the Halloween. Hubbie has been out of town for a week. Without me spilling my complains like crazy, I tell you this much, taking care of an autistic 6 year old and a needy 4 year old by myself is very exhausting. Every early morning of last week, one of them gets a nightmare and cries.

So what is a halloween without a horror story, right? Well, our horror story was -- actually a gross one. Remember the cute Mickey pumpkin we had?

Mickey's ear fell off on Halloween!

Hubbie had put it on top of the fridge before he left for China for a week. He was worrying the kids will mess with it. There were nails used to secure mickey's ear to his head so we didn't want them to accidentally get hurt.

The room temperature is too high. Mickey melted into a puddle of water and the ear falls off because of the main pumpkin gets so soft. We didn't notice till my daughter screamed. Of course clean up is a bit troublesome with some water leaked into the freezer session and froze.

Despite the little misfortune with our pumpkin head, we had a pretty fun Halloween. My daughter is her usual princess.  Last year she was a fairy.  What else? Disney marketing team should pad themselves in the back.

Here is a Maryln Monroe post.

Here is my handsome transformer at his school parade.

Anthroholic Outfit Styling Challenge: Rushing Ruffles Dress

Kim from Anthroholic is doing a styling challenge.  It is rather interesting.  This is such a versatile piece I felt it can be style a million different way. I am exited to see what people would come up with. While I am not particularly creative, this is the two ways I came up with.  One way is probably my lust list,  which may not necessarily be her style, was to do a cozy comfortable set with sweaters and hats and boots.  I would even put on a scarf that is thick and textured.

Anthroholic Outfit Styling Challenge: Rushing Ruffles Dress by inkmark

Another idea is to accessorize it by simple jewelry.
The strand pearl necklace Kim already own and the shoes I believe she has also. I'd layer it with the sweater coat (she already own) with a coat like this one from JCREW to give it extra warmth considering she is from Chicago and it does get quite cold.

Anthroholic Outfit Styling Challenge<2>: Rushing Ruffles Dress by inkmark