Yowza! Sexy Secretary!

If you have a curvy body a-la-Joan Harris, or even if you don't, this dress will look fantastic on you...the Tie Neck Sweater Dress from Anthropologie is stunning on!  A few things to keep in mind: the material is thin and as with the model in the picture where you can see her navel, you'll need Spanx or a skin-smoother to avoid lines.  It's a beautiful length though - hits the knee, so it's great for the office.  The top is a bit greener in person.  All in all, one of the best work dresses I've seen and to boot, amazing price point!

Anthropologie Tie-Neck Sweater Dress, $158

And while I'm on the Anthropologie site, Cynthia Rowley has designed a beautiful Brocade Paisley Dress that's available.  I love anything Paisley...although it is a higher price point than I'd usually pay for Anthropologie, it looks gorgeous.  Must Try On.

Anthropologie Brocade Paisley Dress, $398

Oh, and a review to the Anthropologie Four Corners Dress

I was really so excited to put on the Four Corners Dress.  I know my style is a bit conservative, probably driven more by my career than anything, but I thought this Paisley pattern (I capitalize as the pattern is named after a town in Scotland) with beautiful oversized sleeves would be beautiful addition to my wardrobe...it was not meant to be for me.  As an hour glass shaped gal, the bottom was just too tight and it ended up looking like an odd mini dress...

So instead of this:

 it actually looked like this shape:

And was unfortunately not what I had in mind.   This is definitely a try on before ordering dress.  For me anyway.

Dresses at Anthropologie

Everyone I know loves how much I love wearing dresses...so easy to wear, so easy to run out the door with.  Just add accessories and go!  Sundresses are great for weekends and sheathes are just as easy for work, and much more comfortable than a skirt (which always seem to shift 180 degrees on me by the time I've walked any distance, no matter how small).

I'm lucky that dresses are in style now and many designers make dresses that have a jacket that can be work with it.  Although, if dresses weren't in style, I'd probably still wear them.  Teenflo/Judith & Charles make beautiful sheathes, Anthropologie also makes some beauties...Club Monaco, Armani, Hugo Boss, Milly (although less business friendly) as well.  I'm already thinking about the fall and some of the colours that will look gorgeous so I've added a few pieces from Anthropologie that are just gorgeous that I hope to try on this weekend!  My shopping budget this month has been absolutely gutted as I treated my cousins to their hotel in New York which really put a dent in my discretionary budget.  It kills me because all the fall collections are coming in right now!

 Sea Nettle Shift, $188
More of a fun dress but I can make this one happen for work.

 Skyscraper Dress, $298

More of a want than a need...but if I had an occasion for this, it would be in my closet!

Four Corners Dress, $298

I will be a better person when I have this dress.

More Anthropologie!

I think a little bit of Anthropologie goes a long way...I see some women that must shop nowhere but Anthropologie and it looks too hippie-ish for me.  But I do love the summer dresses...so I bought another!  I tried this on and left without it a few times in the last couple weeks but something kept drawing me back so this time I bought it.  It's gorgeous and so different from what I'd usually choose in colour palette.  And I just love those one piece dresses that look like they are two pieces.

Lila Frock, $158 US/$188 CDA (grrr!)

I also stopped by my favourite store, Judith & Charles, and tried on dress after dress...all of which is gorgeous and so beautifully made!  I was really impressed with how everything fit.  In particular, the Dorian Skirt and Vicky Blouse were so feminine and demure, reminding me of clothing from Mad Men.  

Vicky Blouse, $270 and Dorian Skirt, $240

Iris Dress, $375

Spending the day outdoors tomorrow so I am looking forward to getting a healthy dose of Vitamin D (with sunscreen of course!) and wearing a sundress.

New York Buys

A trip to New York always means a shopping trip, even if I was here for another reason...like work.  This visit was mostly fun with a little bit of work, which was early on the trip.  It's also one of the longer visits to New York - 5 days!

From Anthropologie, the Gathering Breeze Dress ($258, below) was absolutely gorgeous on, back ordered on the website until late August and sold out at the store...that is, until the sales woman working with me came skipping to my room as she had found my size in the store!  Thrilled, I tried it on and it felt and looked as beautiful as I had hoped.   So happy, I bought it.

I went to Kate Spade Soho, which had some serious sales, and picked up this beautiful piece, the Maire Dress, Regularly $395, marked down to $277 plus 25% off!

I have done well so far...with some goodies from Benefit - Cha Cha Tint (a coral skin and lip tint), Brow Zings (eyebrow kit) and Play Sticks (foundation and complexion enhancer) and Banana Republic camisole with adjustable straps ($39, Monogram Collection at Banana Republic).

I use this brow kit (Brow Zings in Light) every day - tweezers aren't so great but the combination of wax and powder keeps your makeup on!

 

Play Sticks (in Paper Dolls) which feels beautiful on the skin...light with just enough coverage. 

 Cha Cha Tint - beautiful on light skin tones

Banana Republic Monogram Crossover Cami, $39

That will likely conclude my shopping experience...with the exception of Tiffany's as I brought my Elsa Peretti Cuff to be sized and will be buying an Elsa Peretti Bean Necklace for Mum, $175, for cat-sitting while we were gone.  It has significance as my nickname was "Bean" to my parents, so I think Mum will be happy.

Irene Dress + Anthropologie Wants

One of the best things is finding something on sale that you regret not buying.  This was the case with the Irene Dress from Judith and Charles (Regular $295, Sale $209) from Holt Renfrew today.  I bought it in both the blue and white and love how it fits.  It's stretchy and has an almost knitted look to the fabric.  The shoulder detail is what makes it so different than just a solid sheath.

I saw these dresses that I'm dying to try on from Anthropologie on my next trip to NY (next weekend!)...Not so sure how the first one will look on me but I'm interested to see.  I think it looks like one of the more fun weekend dresses.

 Night-and-Day Dress, $158

Now this dress below is something special.  I love the a-line skirt and how it looks like it just beautifully flows and the top looks so gorgeous and lacy and feminine.  Date dress!  

Gathering Breeze Dress, $258

This Quilted Pastachi Dress, $228 looks gorgeous...I saw it in person but not long enough for more than a gaze.  The fabric did look quite heavy.  We'll see when I try it on.

I love the heavenly back details on this Strappy Dandelion Dress, $128, which has a great price point.

This is the perfect time for shopping summer sales.  There are such great deals and most of the summer is still left!  Holt Renfrew has fantastic sales on right now (lots of DVF styles on sale which is fantastic value as they are wearable through every season and never lose their style!)... I can't wait to see New York's sales too.  My cousins are here from abroad and, no doubt, they will want to hit all the great spots.  So I'm glad I'm able to accompany them.

I heart you, Kate Spade

Every time I'm in New York, I always make it a point to go to Soho...and every time I'm in Soho I always make it a point to go to Kate Spade.  I think almost every woman wants to have the kind of life that Kate Spade clothes make you think of...

I love trying on the beautiful Kate Spade dresses...they are always gorgeous and colorful but still stay within wearable range so they aren't over the top.  Kate Spade shoes are just gorgeous too...I can't speak to the comfort of them but I love the patterns and colors that are combined.

I just wandered into the online sale area of the KateSpade.com and saw lots of approachable pieces!  I've listed a few below that are great deals right now...

 Kate Spade Floral Josie Dress, $445, now $199

Kate Spade Villa Adelle Tunic, $265, $186

Kate Spade Solid Lola Dress, $325, $228

Gorgeous stuff!  These dresses remind me of The Cat's Meow front window, in Toronto, which is changed almost every day and is the highlight in going by when on my way to or from work.  The dresses are gorgeous and look like they're right out of Mad Men.  

I have whispered into my boyfriend's ear when he's in San Francisco this week that I would love some Toms Wedges in Coral or Yellow Nautical Stripe (both $69).  These plus a dress from Anthropologie that just hit the sale rack!

 

Dutch Yellow Shift, $79 (from $158)

Wednesday Shopping

I went to return, yes, RETURN, a dress I bought at Banana Republic Don Mills that looked oh so cute on the model and oh so ugly on me.  Damn this model, whoever she is, because she looks gorgeous in everything.  Not even model-ish, just stunningly naturally gorgeous.  I love yellow but this was a crepe draped fabric around the lower tummy, and quite frankly, there aren't many women who can pull that off (as I casually wipe a tear away)...

I will keep my eye out for the next sale on Banana Republic website, because a yellow dress I will be in this summer!  I like this halter dress, but the problem is forever that it won't fit you exactly as it does in the image when you order online...so I'll wait to see it in stores and try it on.

I also went to Anthropologie and bought the Readymade Dress ($148) which is going to be a go-to piece this summer, I just know it!  With a tan belt and cute leather sandals, the soft, soft, soft dress is going to be a wear-around favourite.  What does chap my a** is that Anthropologie clothing is $40 to ship to Canada and costs about 25% more than their US stores.  What's up with that?

I also bought a great large flower wrap dress in an extremely approachable price point from Tristan & America that I'll find the image for shortly ($69).  Polyester, yes, but made in Canada!  Charlotte helped me out and was absolutely adorable (and a dead ringer for Sarah Polley).