Creativity

Very late post by the late Steve Jobs that really speaks to me on creativity...  no real reason why, other than I'm feeling guilty about being on my blog instead of giving my prof my full attention this attention wandering Wednesday night....

"Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things. And the reason they were able to do that was that they’ve had more experiences or they have thought more about their experiences than other people. Unfortunately, that’s too rare a commodity. A lot of people in our industry haven’t had very diverse experiences. So they don’t have enough dots to connect, and they end up with very linear solutions without a broad perspective on the problem. The broader one’s understanding of the human experience, the better design we will have."

Feathered Village Skirt - my pick of the November early peeks :)

Feathered Village Skirt by denimdreaming featuring earrings


See other November sneak peek items HERE 

Lust List - What's currently on my radar

I felt the need/desire/whathaveyou  to put my current eyecatchers on here at the moment.  This may become a semi-regular thing.  

This showed up on Anthropologie's site yesterday, and skyrocketed onto this list immediately since I loved the shirt version (and the dress version looks so sweet with it's print, and has the bonus of looking swingy and twirly as well. I'm also addicted to knit dresses). (Tsubaki Dress by Baily 44)

Trace the Stars Blouse- this has been on this list since it came out- so for about a week now, lol. All the things I like- silk, stars, blue, Maeve. Just hope the fit lives up to it.

True Religion is almost always on my radar to be truthful but they are hitting it out of the park at the moment with their washes.  These two are at the top of my picks- The Tony slim bootcut in the Clementine wash reminds me of the old non-stretch Bravo wash that I loved but couldn't wear due to the lack of stretch.  The Becky bootcut on the right?  It has the lovely new Chestnut combo stitch Super T stitches that are a fantastic new choice for women in my opinion.  It's about time that TR started offering stitching that looks more like what they offer for men.  And less bling, studs and other outrageous ornamentation.  I like TR because the fabric is heavy but stretchy, they fit good, their washes are good, not because of the frou frou decoration.


Anyone who has followed my polyvore sets has had to have realized by now that I sort of love Fossil jewelry.  And purses.  I tend to stick to clearance and outlet purchases for them, but this beautiful watch is tempting me so much.  I'm on a kick lately of mixing in "other" metals after years of only wearing silver tones, and this rose gold is just beautiful. 








I think for now that's the tops of my list....  So what's on your list at the moment?  

Anthropologie review time! Many Folds Dress, Sweetheart Shrug tee, Slung Sash Tee, Salix Petal Blouse, Tintype Tunic more

I took a study break trip last Friday that I'm just now getting around to doing something with the photos....  Yeah, school this semester is sort of kicking my butt.  Look for a mini- Banana Republic post sometime soon too- "my mall" (aka Mall of Millenia)'s location is newly renovated and I just "had" to go in and try on some lovelies in the fantastic new location.  It's a seriously beautiful store now.  But, back to Anthropologie!

I would call this trip overall fairly successful- I have one item in this bunch that is now on my birthday month wishlist, one that would be if I had a comfortable and flattering strapless bra because if I did, it would rock and a few other assorted items.  So let's get to it.

Tintype Tunic by Deletta   I mistakenly sized down in this after looking at it on the hanger- I should have stayed with my sometimes usual (usually a large, occasionally a medium, yet again occasionally an x large.  Gotta love consistency in sizing and the fun that having a chest causes), but I got a decent idea of fit and features regardless.  This top is growing on me- definite tunic length, which okay, the name says.  The lace insets are pretty and not too revealing.  I took the side view picture because I was unaware of the side bottom inset lace- and I really liked that one.  The sash is not exactly effective at doing much of anything except..tying.  Flutter sleeves that don't add bulk.  Print with more colors than I realized and very pretty besides.  Soft.  This is actually wishlisted for me now and it was barely on my radar before I saw it in person.  The colors don't register all that well on the net  (their are pinks in the floral print, not just the gray, black and yellow that are more obvious, it's a nice accent).  Of course, it's wishlisted in a large for me, not the medium I'm wearing above.  In case you are wondering, the one I have on above is super tight in my armpits and is not having the flowy-ness that I would expect a tunic to have.  at all. 

Adelie Blouse  Charlotte.  One of those I wanted to like a lot, but I ended up liking a little.  Tried on in my tts.  Fit well in the bust, the waist also was a decent fit.  I love the penguin silhouettes.  The colors were also very nice- the golden yellow and blue weren't too drastic a contrast and weren't too pastel either.  So the bad?  The peter pan collar combined with the flared bottom made it very pregnancy top look- and the flare hit at just the wrong place on my hips.  So sad.  Well, the price point really doesn't help much either but hey, there's always sale for those pieces that work well but are at a too high price point.  Unflattering pieces?  Those aren't helped as much by sale.  I hope this works well for some of you out there because the concept is awesome.

Trifecta Tee  Postmark.  This is another top  that looked very appealing online but the fit just had...issues.  Ruching is one of those things that either works well or is disastrous.  There just seems to be no in between with this feature.  This is not a time when it works well.  It seemed to create more lumps and bumps and hide good curves- and just generally...well, let me put it this way, it made me feel awful enough I felt like a-not taking a picture and/or b- deleting the photo on the spot.  Not a good thing when it's in one of my favorite shades of blue to wear.  Some reviews have noted it runs big in the chest- I didn't have that experience, but hey, tops running big in the chest really aren't usually a problem for me. 

Salix Petal Blouse  By Odille.  This blouse caused something really rather amusing to happen- I had to take about ten pictures before I could get a couple that my camera could almost sort of focus on the print.  My camera wanted to focus on anything but the diagonal floral print.  No idea why but it was both slightly frustrating and bemusing at the same time.  This little shell by Odille has a random drawstring waist (I say random because the string is just that- a string, it barely cinches, a belt would do a better job, or just leave the darn thing free!  It seems a poorly planned attempt to bring the waist in on an otherwise pretty top).  Fluttery sleeves and a cowl neck.  The real draw is the sweet floral print in many tones- reddish cranberry, gold, white on a blue that is somewhere between royal and navy.  It strikes me as a layering piece.  It also strikes me as needing some adjustment- i.e. the drawstring needs to go.  If this goes down low enough on sale, it may very well end up in my closet because I do really like the print, and I happen to love cowlnecks, so I could see the merit of layering this piece, BUT I can't see paying much for a piece I know I'm not going to wear on it's own.  So for me, this is a second cut piece. 

Slung Sash Tee by Baily 44.  You know how I mentioned that one of the items I tried on ended up on my birthday discount wishlist?  This would be that item.  Probably in the black or the also available dark green color (see it on the site- soo pretty!) but this pink was surprisingly pretty too.  Love this top.  Very flattering- double layer in front, extra length which is good for me, might not be good for everyone (I had visions of it being long enough for a dress for those very petite girls, it's that long.)  Bottom hems are  strangely unfinished, but I had a thought that might be so you can make it shorter if you want?  Back is not double layered, which means it does tend to show lumps, bumps, and bra straps (which is why I contorted myself to try to photo the back view).  Form fitting, of course.  Shows cleavage, so not so work appropriate.  Amount of cleavage shown varies from person to person- and not completely dependent on amount of boobage- more dependent on shoulder drop I think.  (like my technical speak? my spell check doesn't :)  )  

I happened to look at new arrivals today and Anthropologie is selling a dress version of this top as well in a cute floral print....  Score another for my wish list methinks.... 

Sweetheart Shrug Tee by Velvet.  This would be the top I mentioned that would be perfect if I could find the perfect strapless bra.  It is sexy but the top guarantees the need for a strapless or convertible bra that can handle the wide top.  The bottom is actually more flattering than the picture tends to show too- I don't know why it didn't translate as well to pictures as it did to mirror.  I loved the top but generally felt a bit fidgety in it because my bra was very illsuited to it.  It is a bit low cut.  Loved the ballet feel to it overall.  The black and soft pink (called beige online I think) it is offered in really carry that ballet theme forward too. 

Final two reviews are dresses- one is one that got a lot of blog attention before it even made it to Anthropologie's website :) 

Fluted Ponte Dress Girls from Savoy.  I was surprised by the heft of the knit of this dress- it's surprisingly heavy.  The color is a mustardy gold.  The attached belt is velvet.  The dress is very stretchy and I could have probably sized down to a medium for a better fit through the waist and top.  However, it is short!  I wouldn't have sized down due to this- a medium may very well have been tunic length on me.  Not a good one for me but I can see this looking fantastic on others....particularly petite girls.  I love what the design is going for, just not for me.

Many Folds Dress  Maeve.  This dress has a rather complex design that ended up reminding me of a kimono robe, which I think is intentional.  Unfortunately, I ended up feeling as covered as if I was wearing a simple silk robe, which I hope was unintentional.  The print amuses me greatly- it's various origami (is that the plural?)  There is a lot of intricate pleating on the sides under the bust (see the closeup) and in the back of the dress which adds  to the kimono feel.  The top is ever so slightly blousy while the waist is super fitted.  And about that waist.... since it is so fitted, I had some concerns about the buttons gaping- there is none of the somewhat standard at this point Anthropologie reinforcements at the buttons- no hook and eyes to keep them from gaping or help if a button pops off.  There is a button, and the sash if you wear it reversed and tied across the waist.  That's it.  One button.  And in my case, one button that gaped.  I wore the sash reversed across the waist to feel more secure.  Can you figure out why I felt like I was in a silk robe?  The dress is unlined.  Without a slip, I felt very exposed in this dress.  So although the nipped in waist is flattering, the print is cute, the kimono styling is intriguing, this dress has some flaws that just left me feeling uncomfortable and realizing if it ever was mine, I would be doing my own alterations to add reinforcements at the waist, and I would HAVE to wear a full slip underneath to feel secure.  Or risk feeling like a potential flasher. 


Until next time!  (which will be Banana Republic mini reviews once I get around to editting that post) :) 

Hoping for a birthday discount- Birthday wishlist :)

 
So my birthday is in November, and knowing what I know about Anthro's birthday discount, I have my fingers crossed that I will be lucky enough to score a discount this year.  An online one would probably be best....  Anyone out there listening?  lol.

Here's my current list of lusts, although the November catalog is coming along soon and may disrupt this list, of course!

(and yes, I played a bit to present my wishes....lol-  I enjoyed the panda having its birthday cake)

Marquee Gemmed Heels by Miss L Fire- I've sort of unofficially had yellow gold heels on my wishlist for a while and Miss L Fire's fall line is art deco based- major intersection there....  Major love for these shoes.

Borrowed Cables Sweatshirt.  Weather cooled off to a low of 50 and high of 70 today.  It reminded me I don't like to be cold....and I don't like simply wearing a basic hoodie when I am cold.  This is darn cute and unexpected and (bonus!) cotton so I could actually wear it.

Trace the Stars Blouse- This has most of my favorite things in one blouse- stars, Maeve, blue, silk, and Anthropologie.  yay.  Just hope the fit lives up to the rest.

Slung Sash Tee- most likely in black.  Killer fit, versatile.  Fantastically long.  Priced too high to simply buy at full retail but at sale price or with birthday discount, hmmmmmmm.

:) 

Tees by Anthropologie
Tops by Anthropologie

backlog of OOTDs :)

Thanks to our new camera and my husband being nice enough to take some random late night photos, I have some actual outfit of the day photos!  you may notice that each and every one of these photos are in denim....  there is, after all, a reason denim is a part of my blog title....  it is what I love to wear, what my husband loves me to wear, and well, what I like dressing up :)  So, even though I wear skirts and dresses quite often, denim gets photographed quite a bit more.  oops.  

These first two are from early to mid last week- the weather around here finally "cooled off" and I put quotations around that because our version of cooling off means highs around 80.  I'm super stubborn, so that means  breaking out the Fall wear, one way or the other, lol.  I'm wearing my new Onthemoon boots by Ninewest that I scored from 6pm.com with an additional discount :)  the Lush Lattice tee that I also got on sale, Splashdown earrings (tee and earrings from Anthropologie, of course), AE Jeggings that I've had for a year now but they still carry, because they are that good, and my cute little J Crew  giraffe necklace. 

Polyvore set here: http://www.polyvore.com/ootd_10_2011/set?id=37851500

This next one was the same week, also reveling in the 80 degree and below weather, not yet aware that we were about to get at least two full days of rain (seriously, it's still raining!) I need to work on my non-model posing.  By non-model posing I mean, any sort of posing.  I can't pose at all.  My husband ends up laughing at how awkward I am.  Oh well, it's all in good fun.  In this outfit: AG Angel Bootcut in 14 year wash, Anthropologie Sweater Cuffed Booties by Schuler & Sons (omg I love these boots!), Idylle Crystal Blossom t shirt, AE Women's military hooded sweater, Fossil Berry Strand Necklace- found here (although I found mine in my clearance trolling, so that's also a good place to look), Francesca's Collection bird earrings.  Most items in this outfit are older and sold out online, hence the lack of links.
Polyvore set here:  http://www.polyvore.com/ootd_10_2011/set?id=37819400   yes, I had a little bit of attitude that morning, not sure why *blush*

Last one was worn out to dinner with hubby and kiddo.  One of my new favorite outfits actually and I'm sure I'll be wearing it again, most likely completely as is.

I have seriously wanted the Lemon Liftoff blouse since I first tried it on oh so long ago (late July reviews here), so I was super happy this week when it not only went on sale, but also got the additional 25% off treatment.  It got to join old favorites like my Lucky Brand Zoe bootcuts in Ol Hangman wash, the Sweater Cuffed Booties I wore in the earlier outfit (best ebay purchase in a long while it seems :) ) My turquoise Abuzz cardigan by Moth from Anthropologie, and the Sea Drops earrings in gold and turquoise that gave me the idea to put the teal sweater with the gold blouse in the first place. 
Polyvore set here:  http://www.polyvore.com/sometimes_patience_pays_off/set?id=37933762
(and yes, I changed my mind on jeans, I got lazy and just picked up the pair that already had a belt threaded through the belt loops....  instead of getting the pair that was neatly folded and not pre-belted, lol).

Until next time :)