Christmas Eve [Christmas Outfit 2 of 3]

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I've taken a nice break from blogging to enjoy what was one of the best Christmas celebrations I've ever had. I've a bit caught up in the happy spirit so forgive me for neglecting to comment on post out there! Starting today I have a few posts lined up, first to finish off my holiday celebrations off, then to show off some of my beautiful gifts.

For Christmas Eve, I like to sparkle and go as over the top girly and fun as I can. I wore nothing but pink tulle and lace last year, and this year I couldn't resist the Spinning Lace dress. I've been wearing this dress quite often, and I admit this isn't my favourite outfit I've made with it, but it was festive and sparkly fun none the less. I wanted to match my mum's adorable mini tree in the dining room. She always gets one smaller tree that is nothing but shades of blue, silver, and pale gold. My two new accessories in their shades of pearly taupe, blue and subtle gold shimmer were perfect accents.

Christmas Eve;
Hair: Anthropologie Floating Gardenia hairband
Dress: Anthropologie / Tracy Reese Spinning Lace dress
Top: H&M taupe shrug
Belt: Anthropologie Dewy Sash belt in blue
Necklace: Topshop floral cameo necklace
Legwear: Hue tights in blue
Shoes: Steve Madden Ulltra gold glitter heels

I look forward to catching up on the holiday looks sported by the Anthropologie blogging community over the weekend!

Christmas Party [Christmas Outfit 1 of 3]

It's time to wish everyone who celebrates a very Merry Christmas! My holiday preparation has already been rather hectic but I'm still so excited for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The outfit in tonight's post is one of my three big outfits for the season. You'll have to endure three different Christmas posts, dear readers.

My parents always throw a big party for our family friends a few days before Christmas, so I went with something a bit easily elegant to be able to rush around greeting every guest, posing for pictures.
I wanted to thank the community at Effortless Anthropologie for helping me track down this beautiful frock. I had to call at least a dozen stores to get this beauty and I couldn't be happier with it. The shift style silhouette makes me a bit nervous because it doesn't suit my body type normally. This dress though has enough of an A cut that I feel it's forgiving of my curves.

Christmas Party;
Dress: Anthropologie Discovered Lace Dress
Necklaces: Urban Outfitters typewriter key initial & Miss Selfridge
rose & pearl ribbon
Bottom: Anthropologie Scant Summer Petticoat
Legwear: Topshop dusty rose tights
Shoes: Steve Madden Heaven leather flats

Making a special appearance in my holiday posts is my mum's beautiful Christmas decorations. She's been collecting Christmas pieces all her life and goes all out decorating our home. Many of her items, and all my favourites, are from Scandinavia. Her family is Danish, so we've been to that part of the world many times over the years, though she is the only one lucky enough to have gone at Christmas. I really love Christmas decor. Besides the traditional Scandinavian pieces, she mixes in a lot of Victorian items, 1940s vintage, and even some fun modern items.

Sing Sweetly & lost imagination...

This will be brief, dear blogging world, because I must run off to do about a thousand things for Christmas preparation. I just had to check in with some new arrivals at Anthropologie and I was delighted to find this new dress. Oh yes, Sing Sweetly Party Dress, you will be mine. Anthropologie always seems to know there is no resisting birds. Their last bird themed dress, the Snowy Egret Shift, was a disaster on me, much to my displeasure. I think I will have far more luck with this frock. I have to tap into my restraint until after Christmas though and oh will that be tough. Are there any early January arrivals tempting your wallet?

Speaking of a lack of will power, I picked up a few sale and FP items during Anthro's unexpected 25% off sale. Sadly the item I was most excited to get, my blue Artist's Imagination Necklace (right), was canceled from my order. It's so small I'm not sure I'll track it down and pay for shipping on a charge send since that would negate the brilliant discount. I was dying for this necklace to go on sale and it slipped through my fingers. My local store never had this lovely thing so alas I think I'm going to go without it. I did at least pick up a few belts and a blouse for a tidy price. Did anyone else indulge in this rare percent sale?
The rest of my order; Floating Gardenia Headband, Celia Blouse ($28), Soft Bow Belt ($11), Dewy Dash Belt ($15), Climbing Ticket Pullover.

Blair Waldorf

I've been resisting for a while, but I have to admit that I've fallen for Gossip Girl. I love my bubble gum TV, especially when it involves people as well dressed as Blair Waldorf. I have lusted after nearly everything she's worn. While I don't have the money to afford most of it, I decided to try my best with my closet of high street items to create something in Blair's style. Sure my dress is H&M rather than Chanel, my pearls are fake, and my Mulberry is from Target, but I think I captured the spirit of Ms Waldorf.

Blair Waldorf;
Hair: Forever21 ivory bow hairban
Dress: H&M pale pink dress with black trim (thanks to Anjali of goldenmeans for posting about this dress a few seasons back!)
Cardigan: Old Navy white ruffle trim cardigan
Necklace: Anthropologie Perpetual Spring pearl beaded necklace
Legwear: Ruffian for Anthropologie Lacy Vine tights
Shoes: Steve Madden heaven leather flat
Bag: Mulberry for Target patent satchel

The one item I could see Blair approving of are my couture Ruffian tights. I wish I had bought multiple pairs of these when Anthropologie sold them last year. They are nothing like any other pair of tights I've owned. I definitely see the allure of couture hosiery now.

Little Women

Every time the seasons change, I decide the current season must be my favourite. Truthfully, they're all my favourite since I live in the lovely and mild Bay Area California. Our winter is about as cold as I like things to get. We get temperatures just cold enough to call for wool coats now and again which is all I need. I have some gorgeous outerwear, so it's time to show it off.

Little Women;
Hat: Accessorize (UK) crocheted beret
Hair: H&M pale pink bow clip
Outer accessories: Urban Outfitters bird applique scarf & lace fingerless gloves
Coat: Old Navy wool peacoat in bottle green
Cardigan: Anthropologie Blooming Lattice cardigan in green
Necklace: Silver birdcage (gift)
Dress: H&M ivory ruffle shirt dress
Legwear: Target heather gray leggings
Bag: Urban Outfitters BDG Primary Satchel
Shoes: Anthropologie Winding Ruffle boots

I haven't done a post for a Clothbound Classic book in a little bit so I'm glad to post the latest entry in my series. I took a break from the classics for a bit to read a book loaned to me by a friend ("Hello, I'm Special" by Hal Niedzviecki) and to catch up on some past New Yorkers, but I'm back to them now. I always like to read Little Women in the wintertime. The story makes me think of fireplaces, ice skating, and sipping hot chocolate. I am, in fact, enjoying a cup of hot chocolate as I sit here finishing this post.

Beauxbatons

I alluded to it in a past post, but it's time to out myself. My name is Alissa, and I'm a Harry Potter nerd - a big Harry Potter nerd. I spent Thanksgiving with my family and dear friend Amanda in Orlando, enjoying Disneyworld and more importantly, Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I was in heaven. Since I still haven't come down from the joy of the theme park, this outfit is my unabashed ode to my favourite book series.

Beauxbatons;
Hair: Urban Outfitters metal floral hairband
Cardigan: H&M gold boyfriend cardigan
Top: Beauxbatons Academy tee from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Necklace: Foever21 double chained key necklace
Ring: Topshop pink unicorn ring (I forgot to wear this for the photoshoot, but I have a close-up below!)
Skirt: Anthropologie Leifsdottir From-The-Sky skirt
Legwear: Hue opaque tights in black
Shoes: Steve Madden heaven leather Flat
Bag: Mulberry for Target patent satchel

I am a big fan of graphic t-shirts. I am convinced that they can still be a chic and beautiful outfit given the right design and the right outfit. With this Beauxbatons shirt, I knew its reference was subtle enough, and its design beautiful enough to still look fashionable. The one thing I wish is that I had an ice or Tiffany shade of blue cardigan to go with this shirt as well.

At Boyfriend's request, I have two special guests in my final photos: Sirius Black (played by my dog Luke), and Arthur, my Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes Wonder Witch pink pygmy puff (I told you I was a big nerd).

Norwegian Wood

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Americans out there!
This is just a quick post because I'm currently in Florida with my family, lounging by a Disneyworld Pool or with a Butterbeer in hand in the Three Broomsticks. I hope your holiday has been just as fun!

Norwegian Wood;
Necklace: European Robin by N2  (Paris)
Hair: Urban Outfitters metal flower hairband
Top: Lace layering tank top and basic tee from Forever21 in blush
Bag: Pink lace bag from Etsy
Cardigan: H&M gold boyfriend cardigan
Skirt: Anthropologie Norwergian Woods skirt
Legwear: Topshop chunky knit otk socks
Shoes: Anthropologie Bouquet of Roses heels

Laced with floral grace

Laced with floral grace;
Hat: Accessorize (UK) crocheted beret
Necklace: Topshop (UK) love birds necklace
Dress: Anthropologie Laced with Grace dress
Bag: Pink lace bag from Etsy
Tights: H&M dusty pink floral pattern tights
Boots: Seychelles Four Leaf Clover boots in dark brown

I actually have a substantial little collection of hats. I need to make better use of them because they are awesome. There is one pink cloche in particular from Anthro that I haven't worn nearly as much I should given its high levels of beauty.


I also have a slightly insane collection of patterned and colourful tights that I have been neglecting. Being an Anthro addict, I find that my current wardrobe is now almost too adorned with embroidery, print, and bright colours, so I have a hard time mixing in loud tights.  I 'm trying to invest in a few more subdued dresses and skirts now that I've weeded out a lot of old items from my closet. It has been a struggle! I have a difficult time parting with a lot of cash for something seemingly "plain" as a solid coloured item.  I think this dress and the Waffle Weave in my previous OOTD post are a good start at bringing some solids into my dress collection.

Lanvin ♥ H&M

I didn't have the time nor devotion to get up early enough to be a part of the release of the Lanvin ♥ H&M collection. I decided to wander up in the afternoon to see if there was anything left to observe and try-on, then see if a friend who worked in the store was free to hang out. When I walked in around 3:30, it looked like there was nothing left of Lanvin. I looked again and found a lone tulle dress, size 8. The giant tulle dresses were what I fancied most from the collection so I knew I had to try it on. Every other woman in the store looked at it with such awe, and all the H&M employees congratulated me on good luck in finding a piece from the collection.

When I tried it on, all the crazy layers of tulle were a total fantasy. I couldn't resist taking it home with me after that.

Lover's Stroll

I'm back with some new outfits of the day! Daylight savings and my work schedule have thrown a wrench into my normal updating plans but now I have some shiny new updates.

Lover's Stroll;
Hat: Accessorize (UK) crocheted beret
Necklace: Forever 21 gold, rose-adorned book locket
Dress: Anthropologie Waffle Weave Dress
Top: J.Crew tissue turtleneck in pale pink
Bag: Electric Love Letter pink rose handbag (found via Tien of adiaphane!)
Tights: Ruffian for Anthropologie brown lace tights
Shoes: Anthropologie Rensselaer T-straps

I never thought much of the lovely Waffle Weave dress until I made some Polyvore sets with a mini editor from Effortless Anthropologie some times ago. I really loved this set I made. Suddenly brown, plum purple, off-whites and pinks all came into my head and looked so beautiful together! I found a lone dress on sale a while ago and snapped it up. I desperately wanted to have a go at creating outfits based on my polyvore set. I've recreated it almost exactly with the Wish You Were Here cardigan but in the colder weather, the turtleneck here was a must.


I have to thank Tien, whom I linked above, for sharing where she got this lovely handbag. I saw it and ordered it almost on auto-pilot. I always, always, always want more pink and more roses in my life. I normally end up carrying such large handbags, but the forced simplicity of this tiny bag is actually a quite freeing. With only the essentials, I get to just run out the door and run around without being bogged down.

Reviews; Field Skirt, Laced with Grace Dress, and Spinning Lace Dress

I've decided to try my hand at a few Anthropologie reviews since I recently indulged in three full priced items. With free shipping back, I ordered the items online to try on from the comfort of my home. Please excuse the smudge filled mirror and my shoe-less after work style!

First up the latest version of the Field Skirt ($78);

To be perfectly blunt, I hated this skirt! I was excited to try it because I missed out on all the previous versions that Anthro released (Circle the Globe, et al) and they seem to have a lot of love from other bloggers. I thought the corduroy fabric on this version made me look frumpy. I tried on my true size (10) and the pull on, elastic style rather than being at all forgiving, was very stiff and clung uncomfortably to my body. I suppose that means it won't stretch out easily but yuck! I looked like a lumpy mess. Return for you, skirt.

Thankfully I had much better luck (too much luck I daresay) with my two lace adorned dresses.

Laced with Grace Dress ($168);

Now this dress was definitely for me. I love the medium, sage green colour. Continuing on, that wide, defined waist is my best friend. With a full chest, the waists on Anthro's latest offerings have not been placed to flatter me but that's not true here. The sleeves also make a lovely and delicate bell shape. I used to be far more Free People than Anthropologie in my personal style, and the romantic boho feeling of this dress fits with that aesthetic very well. I was again in my true size (10) and it was perfect. Nothing was too tight or too loose. Brilliant! This is a keeper, even at full price!

Spinning Lace Dress ($288);

Oh, Anthro. What's a girl to do against a dress like this? I already have a weakness for lace, roses, and full skirts, so if this fit well, I knew you'd win. Unfortunately for my wallet, it fit very well so I'm waving goodbye to my money. If I had one complaint about this gorgeous dress, it would be that the waist for me is slightly high, but it's not noticeable enough to talk me out of it. I'm still in my true size (10) which is a bonus! Tracy Reese normally calls me to size-up. I can't get over how soft and lovely the material is for the lace either - gorgeous!
See this again on Tien (adiaphane), and The British Anthropologi(e)st.

I decided to return my latest Anthro items to trade for the two lace dresses. I had been hunting for the Barbergh and Southward Stop dresses but once I finally had them, I was torn. The Southward Stop wasn't very flattering on my hourglass/pear shape. With the Barbergh my lack of self-confidence did me in. Despite my Hallowe'en as Joan, the form fitting style made me too nervous. Similarly I returned the Cascading Bow Dress for being both a bit form fitting and hard to style. Red is not my colour.
They were three beautiful dresses but three that would have neglected.

That about rounds up my first batch of reviews. If you've reviewed these items on your blog as well, feel free to drop me a comment and I'll link back to you!

a privy seal to keep the feel of 1960's style

Better late than never, I wanted to show off my Hallowe'en costume. I'm still in keeping with the style theme of my blog since I'm dressed as one of my style icons, Mad Men's Joan Holloway.

I have such a weak spot for 60s style. If I could, I would dress in vintage styles pretty much every day of the week. However those who have tried vintage shopping know what a disappointing chore it can be at times. You have to contend with your favourite finds being in questionably wearable condition and in only one size. Living in San Francisco for years, I'm not wanting for selection, but when you're a larger size, finding something that fits and is a style you want is almost impossible.

Trying on my best sassy Joan faces.

Luckily for me and my Joan ambitions, I found a seamstress on etsy who made perfect replicas of her costumes. I've never had a dress that fit this well in my life! Custom made dresses are definitely the way to go (amazing blogger Kristina J knows what I mean). I need to break out my old sewing machine and brush up on techniques so I can maybe give some of this a crack myself one day.

Joan's signature pen necklace was another modern replica, but my purse and earrings are actual 60s vintage. I had the necklace before the idea for the costume. With it I get to keep a bit of Joan in even my bland days full of t-shirts and jeans.

Overall the costume was a great success and makes me long for more replicas of 60s dresses. Also, I have to admit I look pretty good as a redhead! 

With Boyfriend, as the
X-Men character Gambit.