anthropologie lila frock fitting review and styling options

just when i wanted a new work appropriate dress option, anthropologie brings us another tabitha ensemble classic: the lila frock. 

i think when it first popped on the website, it was also called the taschen & blumen frock? but lila frock is today. i managed to skip out on the variety of similar versions that came out over the years, with the exception of the night blooming dress from 2009. now is time for an update and this color combination will be perfect for spring, summer, and fall. i went with a size 8 and felt it ran true to size. here it is:

 

unlike some of the versions, i felt this one was long enough for work on my 5'4 frame.

 

i went to a couple different anthropologie's to scope out the print placement. yeah. i am that girl. i wanted a dress with more yellow than black. it definitely changes the look of the dress as some of the prints are way more purple, brown, or black depending on where the pattern hit. i wanted an easy option for work besides a blazer, so i added the climate control cardi by moth in pink.

 

by adding in the pink high gloss belt, it breaks up the matchy-matchy thing. here's the breakdown:

lila frock, styling option #1 by prettycupcake

Taschen & Blumen Frock - Anthropologie.com
$158 - anthropologie.com

Sonia Rykiel high heel shoes
$612 - shopsavannahs.com

Sunglasses
$68 - anthropologie.com

Belt
$28 - anthropologie.com


here are some other ways to wear:

classic and feminine for work:

anthropologie lila frock, option #2 by prettycupcake

Dress
$158 - anthropologie.com

J crew
$230 - jcrew.com

Lanvin patent leather pumps
$865 - ssense.com

Juicy couture bag
$279 - zappos.com

Faux pearl necklace
$595 - nordstrom.com

or taking it a little edgy with a motorcycle jacket and heels:

anthropologie lila frock, option #3 by prettycupcake

Dress
$158 - anthropologie.com

Roberto Cavalli snake skin jacket
$3,000 - net-a-porter.com

L.A.M.B. leather sandals
$265 - heels.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs pocket tote bag
$400 - net-a-porter.com

Locking bag
$12 - tillys.com

or lastly, into fall, it could easily pair with boots and a cardi:

anthropologie lila frock, option #4 by prettycupcake

Dress
$158 - anthropologie.com

J crew cardigan
$30 - jcrew.com

Sam edelman boots
$120 - amazon.com

J Crew leather belt
$48 - jcrew.com

sale - AllProducts - Lattice-stripe tights - J.Crew
$23 - jcrew.com

until next time,
S

pin love

remember this j.crew picture from this fall?
i thought it was fitting for my recent finds. i am finally able to share a picture!

i love them all clustered together like that and can't wait to wear them on my suit jackets for a fresh update to my usual flower brooch. (but don't worry, i don't plan on looking like the inspirational/editorial photo anytime soon.)

6.20.11 update! it looks like the pin's made it to j.crew's website...
elephant pin
jeweled monkey pin
mini-pin trio

happy shopping!

until next time,
S

anthropologie bosky lace skirt styling options

greetings from the coffee shop! hope you had a lovely weekend, as now it is sadly winding down.

i have been busy, busy between work ramping up and my new place, i have't had a moment to spare! things are coming along in the apartment and i can't wait to share pictures with you. on friday night, i took a little trip to ikea and yesterday, i finished hanging an art wall in the entry way and creating a little entry way organization. before i share some snapshots, i wanted to let you know about the new addition to my closet.

i tried to avoid the bosky lace skirt by beth bowley, but it kept calling out to me. i went a full two weeks before trying on. then it was only a matter of days before it made it home... so what sold me? honestly, i loved it, but was unsure of what to wear with it. only after pairing with the loosened shelby blouse in the blue colorway was it a done deal:

loosened shelby blouse, option #6 by prettycupcake


what do you think? i just love it. the bright colors are so fun for the summer season.

i went with my true size. i could go a size down, but i actually liked this one worn a bit lower than my natural waist. because of the pleating in the front, wearing it higher gave me a little more pouf than i needed in my middle.

here's how i plan to make it work appropriate for tomorrow's debut:

outfit of the day: 06.13.2011 by prettycupcake

how else could you wear it? i thought it might look cute with my find from old navy:

bosky lace skirt, option #1 by prettycupcake featuring two tone flats

Old Navy long sleeve top
$9.99 - oldnavy.gap.com

Lace skirt
$118 - anthropologie.com

J Crew slimmer belt
$33 - jcrew.com

Marais two tone flat
maraisusa.com



or maybe taking it more casual with this adorable tee from j.crew:

anthropologie bosky lace skirt, option #2 by prettycupcake

J Crew short sleeve top
$33 - jcrew.com

Lace skirt
$118 - anthropologie.com

New Arrivals - Clothes - Anthropologie.com
$98 - anthropologie.com

Nine west shoes
$89 - ninewest.com

Aerie Painted Wood Ring Set
$4.95 - ae.com

 

 

lastly, it could easily glam up with a blouse and fancy earrings:

anthropologie bosky lace skirt, option #3 by prettycupcake

J Crew cami tank top
$88 - jcrew.com

Lace skirt
$118 - anthropologie.com

Earrings
$28 - anthropologie.com

Agave Peep-Toes in the SHOP Shoes at BHLDN
$350 - bhldn.com

ooh. i can't wait to wear!  did you fall in love with any pretties over the weekend or pick up any sale finds with the extra 25%?

until next time,
S

heeellllo pretty nightshade heels

like i needed something new to love from chie mihara...
check out the nightshade heels that just popped up on anthropologie's website.

good thing they are suede and it's 90 degrees outside. otherwise, i would be seriously tempted.

until next time,
S

feeling a little bohemian...

as you know, i picked up a pouf from the target calypso collection. it started a bit of a bohemian style that i am embracing for the summer. maxi dresses... bangles... lounging about on the daybed. :)  these are some of the finds i recently picked up:

feeling a little boho by prettycupcake

Chemise
$88 - anthropologie.com

Aerie floral shawl
$9.95 - ae.com

Wire Tealight Holder - Lilac Fog (Large) : Target
$15 - target.com

Wire Tealight Holder - Lilac Fog (Small) : Target
$9.99 - target.com

Aerie Painted Wood Ring Set
$4.95 - ae.com



oh and aerie has some new markdowns. if you haven't gone there recently, you must. i am finding so many gems (and not just cute undies anymore)!

until next time,
S

well, hello again.

this is only a quickie note to say hi! i am here! (well, sort of. still no internet at my new place. i think i will wait until mid june? not sure yet.)

pottery barn cubby organizers in weathered white (old apartment, fall 2010)

i have been busy with my move, which is finally complete. no more double-living! things are coming together nicely, but i still have some work to do (you know, hanging curtains, sorting out clothing).

my sister visited over memorial weekend. we didn't get as much as i had planned to get completed done, but we sure had a lot of fun!  we went to ikea on saturday night. they had an amazing special where whatever you ate in their cafe, they would take it off your total if you spent more than $100 in furniture. amazing! we had yummy mac and cheese, french fries, salmon, swedish fish, and of course some salad hehe... sustenance for the shopping! after dinner, we spent quite some time in the showroom.

i have been busily dreaming up ideas for my craft/project/studio space.  i love alicia paulson's studio she featured here. i wanted to also use white furniture in the space since all my crafting things are brightly colored and fun. nicole balch from making it lovely also has an enviable studio here. want some additional inspiration? check out these from apartment therapy.  it was exciting to think of the possibilities!

after browsing the ikea website for days, i was all set to purchase the EXPEDIT bookcase. i liked the price and thought i could do something fun with the little display squares.

what i was concerned about? would it be too many "boxes" when my pb cubbies were on the wall? it also was a bit modern. my sister pointed out i might need more clothing storage and less book storage that i thought anyway. older sisters can be so wise :) so it was a no-go on the expedit.

for clothing storage and some book storage then, i decided i wanted to get the ASPELUND wardrobe.

this was one i had liked for awhile, but didn't realize how perfect it would be in the new space. i didn't end up purchasing it yet (i'll get to that later), but it is definitely at the top of my wishlist. i also think it could work in a variety of spaces in the future (something very important to keep in mind when apartment living.)

what i did end up getting, was such a find! my sister and i had liked the HEMNES bookcase in white in the showroom, but $185 was just too much for only one bookcase.

holy ikea surprises. we went into the "as is" section and there one was! no dents, no dings, just an old display for only $125! wahoo! we dis-assembled it in the store and took it home. it worked perfectly on the smaller wall, which means the aspelund will still also fit on the original wall i was planning. yay!

i need to snap up some pictures to share with you. but i am loving the space already!

until next time,
S