Anthropologie fitting room reviews, part 2; a.k.a., sometimes my boobs are too big for Anthro

I'm finally getting around to posting the rest of the photos from my recent trip to Anthropologie. Some of these are fails. I guess that's why I wasn't in a hurry to post them.

Garden Sketch Top, Anthropologie (tried on with my own skirt). My hubby picked this top for me to try on when we were walking around the store. I think he envisioned a youthful, sexy top. Instead, I ended up looking like a Quincianera cake. This is size large. I thought the medium might be too tight on me so I only grabbed a large. Will pass on this one. Maybe it's for tall and skinny women.

Up & Away Mini Dress, Anthropologie. I fell in love with this dress. I started out with a large, but it was too big around my shoulders and arm openings. This medium is perfect on me. When I finally lose more weight, it will continue to fit me well. I normally like either more eye-catching prints or brighter colors. But maybe this is a nice, grown-up change for me. Plus, there's something really cool about the vintage, hot air balloon pattern. Totally gonna get this one...on sale, of course.

In Bloom Blouse, Anthropologie (worn with my own skirt). I had just blown right past this blouse as we were shopping around the store when my husband stopped me and suggested I try it on. It didn't catch my eye at first but, something about it felt oddly familiar, in a modern way. The largest size they had was medium, I reluctantly took it to the dressing room. I ended up falling in love with the colors and print, but my chest was completely busting out of it. I don't even think I can button it closed if I move up to a large. I might need extra large (already sold out online)! I couldn't help but think of GirlWithCurve's recent post about how she has this same problem all the time with button-up tops due to her size. Maybe I should try this top over another top.

 

Bubbled Bands Shirtdress, Anthropologie. Another item that did not work for me. The largest size they had available was too small for my chest. I really liked the ruffly front and olive green color. I think this would look cute with some sort of black cardigan or blazer. But even if I had been able to try on my proper size, I don't think this style is right for me. Passing. Shirtdresses never work on me.

Anthropologie new fall arrivals - fitting room reviews

First, I need to give a shout out to the ladies at MAC who did my makeup prior to these photos. I normally look a mess in these photos, but while I was uploading these photos, I thought I looked better than my usual disheveled mom look. The MAC store is only about two blocks from Anthro at The Plaza shopping district in Kansas City. I went there first to buy makeup for the new job I start on Monday and then my hubs and I walked over to Anthro to return this dress. It was so nice to shop without the monkeys this time. Since we have to drive 1 1/2 hrs. to shop in Kansas City, we always bring the whole family. But this time my mom is here visiting and she stayed home with them while the hubs and I got a late anniversary day out without the kiddos.

I need to also give props to the Sales Attendants (SA) at Anthropologie. These people really know customer service. From the moment I walked in they treated me like a VIP. I had only gathered a couple of items before someone offered me a dressing room and then when I got there the SA had found a couple of other items that matched what I had already picked out.

Imprecise Graph Skirt and Looped Buds Cardigan. My hubby wanted me to try on this skirt because he said I look good in skirts. I was hesitant because I thought it would make me look too full on bottom. Surprisingly, it looked good on me. I don't know if I will buy it because the sizes are numbers, rather than generic Small, Medium or Large. There's not a lot of room in this skirt for losing or gaining weight and I'm still working on losing more. I would get it if I were at my target weight. Due to it's asymmetry, this seems to be one of those skirts that you either love or hate...I love it!

The SA had left this cardigan in the dressing room for me to try when he put the clothes that I had picked out myself. I'm not sure if he meant for this to go with this skirt, but I thought this would be a great way to try out this fall's new print-mixing trend. For more info about how to print mix, you can check out super-Anthro-expert Roxy's blog.

Zoomed Lubok Mini skirt (wearing my own shirt). The hubs also picked out this skirt while we were browsing through the store.  It looks ok, but at $98, it's just not a "wow" item for me. It looks like something I could've picked up at TJ Maxx for $16 (like I did the other day). Cute but not worth the price, even when it goes down to 50% off.

Peplum Ponte Tank and Workwear Trousers (?). As you can see by the look on my face, I'm not too sure about the Peplum-style top on me. I know that Kim Kardashian has recently made this an uber-trendy style and I love the way it looks on the super curvatious, fashion blogger Girl With Curves. The SA had left this top and pants for me to try, no idea if he wanted them to go together. The pants were probably a size too big. I really love the rugged fabric and rusty color, but again, due to my weight loss plan, I wasn't interested in them right now.

Ruffled Flight Cardigan. I'm obsessed with this cardigan. The birds remind me of the folk art I used to see growing up in Mexico. I also love blue. I love this sweater so much that if I actually had any money left in my bank account, I might consider buying it at full price (*gulp* did I just say that?). The sleeves are crazy long, but I'm willing to overlook that flaw. It's a thick sweater, but felt generally comfy. This back view isn't the most flattering on me...whatever...I don't have to see that part of me anyway.

I tried on more items and will be posting those later. I also came home with a couple of sale items that I also need to post.

work clothes

I recently got a job working at the county courthouse and since I'll be around judges and lawyers, I need to dress appropriately. I haven't had a real job in 9 years and had few clothes that would make the cut for an office job. As a stay-at-home mom for the past 7 years and a full-time graduate student 2 years before that, my wardrobe had become pretty pathetic. I mostly wore old jeans and Old Navy khakis with $4 plain fitted tees from Walmart. I couldn't have anything nice because I always had children getting stains all over me or I'd accidentally spill a drop or two of bleach while washing cloth diapers. My weight has also fluctuated from having 3 children, but I'm finally getting down to my regular, pre-children size. In anticipation of re-entering the work force, I went work clothes shopping this summer.

One of the things I've learned about my body is that I look best in dresses or tops that have a v-neck. Because I put most of my weight around my middle, I've also noticed that loose dresses or skirts with adjustable (elastic or wrap) waists are excellent for when I lose or gain a few pounds. I tend to avoid pencil skirts, shirt dresses or structured tops that do not stretch or make me look boxy.

When I was shopping at Banana Republic, I came across the Gemma wrap dress. I think that because I'm only 5'3" tall, style experts claim I should stick to small prints, but I think this specific black and white print works on me. The neck area felt a little low for my new office job so I think I'll be wearing a black cami underneath. I could also throw a black blazer over it for an even more professional look. I loved this dress on me so much, I also ended up getting it in black (3/4 sleeves) and in orchid (long sleeves). I think I ordered each one individually every time I received a 35-40% off code on any full-priced item from Banana Republic (free shipping with any order over $50).


Gemma wrap dress by Banana Republic / black opaque tights by No Nonsense / black faux patent leather mary jane heels from Off Broadway Shoes

Anthropologie order fail

Despite the bad reviews by other fashion bloggers and customers who also bought this dress, I went ahead and ordered the Polka-Dotted Mini Dress by Anthropologie as soon as it went on sale this week. I had originally tried on size Medium back in June (in this post) and since I broke out into a sweat trying to peel it off, I ordered it in Large. Technically, the dress fits me. But it just isn't flattering on me at all. Like other reviewers have stated, it's hard to know what kind of body this was made for, certainly not mine.

 One of the problems I see with this dress is that the bust line is a bit too high and I think I have an average-sized chest. I don't mind the dress being short because I'm only 5'3" and I think I look better with dresses that hit me slightly above the knee.

I tried it on with a belt that I bought at TJ Maxx this summer, which I think improved the dress, but it's still a miss for me. The dress is already back in it's original packaging ready to be sent back. 




Polka-Dotted Mini Dress by Anthropologie / Nine West belt from TJ Maxx / black opaque tights by No Nonsense / black faux patent leather mary jane heels from Off Broadway Shoes.

county fair

 We took the kids to the county fair this weekend. Even though the temperature was in the 90s and low-100s during the day, it cooled down enough in the evening where we were able to have some fun. My husband rode on the merry-go-round and the bumper cars with our two older kids while I stayed with our 2-yr-old and the stroller.

 

 My son was so excited because he won this game against his sister and another little girl. I explained to him that he had to play many times to trade up to a Smurf prize, and that it would take lots of money. He was glad to have won a red stuffed rose. I tried to encourage him by suggesting that it looked like one of the flowers on his Mario Bros. games.

We didn't use up the tickets on Friday night that I had bought in advance at a discounted rate. We returned Saturday to use up the rest of the tickets. The kids enjoyed going on the slide with woolen bags on both nights. 

ants

 I've been fighting an ant invasion for weeks now. If I keep the kitchen clean, they disappear, but as soon as I let my guard down, they return. Because I'm home all day with small children, I don't feel comfortable using conventional bug sprays. Who knows what's really in there and what damage it could do to us long-term from constant exposure. Instead, I've decided to fight them the good ol' fashioned way. I've been trying to keep the kitchen as clean as I can, wiping every spill and hand-washing dishes as soon as we're done using them. One time I was sure the ants were gone and when I opened the dishwasher to put away the dishes we used for breakfast, the ants were feasting on leftover strawberry ice cream from the previous night.

 The ants have been coming in from somewhere behind the microwave and marching across my kitchen sink. I read that if they ingest Borax or boric acid, they can take it back to their colony and die there. So, I've been making a paste from dish washing soap and Borax to wipe down the sink and counter tops. Check out the rustic iPad base my handy husband made for me after I saw one just like it on Etsy. The guy who was making them no longer has any for sale. They're made of scrap 2x4. The more weathered, the better.

And of course, right after I took the first two photos, my husband and kiddos decided to have ice cream for an evening snack so I had to wash their mugs and spoons before the ants caught wind of it.

Mexican tuna salad

I grew up eating tuna salad in Mexico, especially in the summer. It's super cheap, tasty and refreshing on a hot summer day. I like to put it pita pockets for a fast and healthy lunch. This is the basic recipe, although I normally add whatever is on hand so the ingredients change from time to time. In Mexico, this recipe normally contains some elbow macaroni, but I was in a hurry and starving when I made this. I also like to add cilantro and jalapeno peppers for an extra punch. Healthy food should be delicious!

Pita pockets stuffed with Mexican tuna salad

1 can of tuna, drained

1/4 cup frozen corn

1/4 cup frozen peas

1/2 red bell pepper

1/8 cup. diced white or red onion

1 spoonful of Mayo (omit for a healthier option, or use only 1/2 spoonful) 

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions: drain one can of tuna salad and put all ingredients in a mixing bow. You do not have to thaw out the corn and peas because they will cool off your room temperature tuna and will be ready to eat by the time you sit down. Mix ingredients and then stuff inside pita pockets. Yields 4 mini pita pockets.