Day 1: Toys, No Cone & Cheeseburger Meatloaf

We've had Kaleb since Friday, but this is Day One at our house. So, this is when the fun really starts!

Since we picked him up, he's been talking about his "presents." It's not his birthday, so I don't really think he should expect presents. I asked why he thought he was getting presents, his response was "cuz my mom told me I was." It's a good thing I had that package from my Mom! He loved everything in it and Danny had him call her to say thank you. But he still wanted to know where his presents were.How many toys does this kid need? He brought two bags with him! So, we told him we could go to Walmart and buy one toy and some books so we can read together. He liked that idea! We came home with toys for the beach, 2 books and a coloring book. He asked me to teach him how to read. I, of course, said yes. So I asked what his mom read to him...he said she doesn't....

We took Miley's cone off today! It's so nice to have my pretty puppy back! She hasn't been bothering with the area at all. And she's already back to her crazy antics, but I love it! We went for a little walk before dinner! Of course I snapped some shots!

I need a tripod! I wanted to be in this picture!

I was a little nervous about dinner, but it's safe to say if Danny eats it, Kaleb will eat it. I made cheeseburger meatloaf tonight! Basically, everything you would put into a burger, including pickles! baked together in meatloaf form. He ate it up...but didn't like the mashed potatoes! I thought that was a kid staple! He got to have a blondie for dessert. He looked at Danny and said, "Daddy you're right...she IS a good cook." Yep, totally made my day! 

More fun tomorrow...and Danny has the day off! 

A boost for As and Bs: The Little Bra Company

***Use code EXTRAPETITE15 for 15% off your entire TLBC purchase (good til Oct. 2010)***

To me, a good push-up bra is a must-have accessory - one that I leave at home for work and family gatherings, and whip out for weekends and going out. Finding ones that suit my petite frame has never been an issue, because my mom buys them for me by the dozen in Asia. In this half of the hemisphere, however, The Little Bra Company (TLBC) bras are amongst the best that I've tried on.

I first heard about TLBC from Alterations Needed  - see her posts here and here. They specialize in A and B cup push-up bras in band sizes ranging from 28 to 36. TLBC recently contacted me and kindly offered to send a sample, as well as sponsor a giveaway for readers (stay tuned!). I used their size guide and determined that I was a 32A - no surprises there.

Here is a demonstration of how their strategic push-up bra compares to one I got years ago from a department store. First up, TLBC Angela T-shirt bra, $52:

Left: Lily of France push up in 32A (from JCPennys)

Right: TLBC "Angela" in 32A (sold here)

H&M dress, sz 2

Continue reading for more pics.

I say these bras are strategic because the cups are shaped and the padding is placed to maximize petite-sized goods. Take a look inside the Angela:

The padding on the Angela is placed at approximately 45 degree angles, and the cups are closely set. Instructions on the attached TLBC tag say to lean forward and "scoop" up towards the center. By scooping more or less, one can control the amount of cleavage. For a simple sundress, I scooped minimally so that the goods were boosted, but not obnoxious:

Left: Lily of France

Right: TLBC Angela

I also tried on the Sascha strapless in pearl, $60, which I absolutely love. I actually do not own a strapless (prior strapless photos had straps stuffed in to the cups) because the ones I've tried on tend to be either too flattening or too roomy. The Sascha in 32A fit me perfectly both band and cup-wise. It comes in pearl white and black, and will also come out in nude this Fall. I would say that 90% of my bras are nude colored, because nude camoflauges so much better under clothing.

My favorite part of the Sascha is the sweetheart neckline. I was finally able break out this dress:

H&M tube dress XS, just $9.95 (I added the ruching)

The padding inside the Sascha is different from the Angela - the pads are placed at the bottom instead of at angles, and both pads and straps are removable. This structure results in less cleavage than the Angela, but is better suited for strapless support.

As you can see from the comparison photo - the cups of the Angela are also more narrowly placed than the Sascha. Although both bras are the same size (32A), the Angela measures 9 inches from the edge of cup to cup, whereas the Sascha measures 10 inches. Again, the closer cups seem to play a big role in maximizing cleavage, but if you are wider set I would recommend a different style.

Anyone else who has tried TLBC - feel free to share your experience with sizing and styles here!

Disclosure: The Angela and Sascha were given to me courtesy of TLBC.

I'm Baaaack!

Did you miss me? Cuz I missed all of you! I promise I'll try to catch up on everyone's blogs...if I missed something super important, let me know please!

We had a great long weekend! Me, Danny and Miley took the ten hour trip to Ohio to see Danny's family and get Kaleb. Miley whined most of the trip up, she was probably scared because we had her cage and food with her, first time we have ever done that in the car! I hope she didn't think we were getting rid of her! The trip was long, the weather in West Virginia was crazy and we enjoyed McDonalds and Hardees. My arteries are in defense mode right now. I saw a funny looking mountain, funny looking people in West Virginia...and we drove in the clouds! We finally picked Kaleb up around 1am, got to Danny's dads....and passed out.

Saturday was BEAUTIFUL out. We went to the Cleveland Zoo, free admission for active service AND dependents. It cost us nothing to get in. The zoo was huuuuuge. I didn't know this, but Ohio has a big Amish population...I thought I was time traveling with their plain outfits! My favorite part of the zoo might sound a little boring, but I was intrigued by the Mexican blind fish. They had no eyes! I thought that was amazing! Kaleb fed the seals and was only interested in seeing dinosaurs, tigers (off exhibit) and the sharks!

 Saturday night we saw Shrek Forever After...I thought it was the cutest movie ever! And the theater had amaaaazing popcorn!

Sunday we went to Danny's grandma's house, the boys played a little baseball, Miley played in the flowers and got messy.

We had some lunch and then started the long trek home. I expected the trip to be much longer with a puppy and a five year old. But the trip was faster. Kaleb made up stories and told them to Miley..it kept both of them busy which was great!

Even though it was just a weekend, I'm so happy to be home! Danny has today and tomorrow off yay! We have lots of things planned for Kaleb, and starting Wednesday it will just be the two of us! He said he's excited to try new foods (he already tried shrimp and sweet potato fries...and liked both!)

I hope you all have a great Memorial Day!

REMINDERS:
Enter my giveaway (I might extend it if no one enters soon!) Giveaway 
I'm doing the 30 Day Meme
And Avon is in it's 13th Campaign...Buy One Get One For 99 Cents!

Guest Blogger: Star Spangled Stockings

One of my favorite bloggers, She Who Waits, posted a few weeks ago that she thought she was becoming "that" wife...you know, the one who follows her husband around from place to place and bases her identity on her marriage and husband. Then, Riding the Rollercoaster blogged recently about how her career path detoured in ways she didn't expect, and she ended up with a husband and kids much sooner than planned. Both of these amazing women got me to thinking about ruts and the road less traveled.

I think that as women, we naturally compare ourselves to others. We compare bra sizes, shoe sizes, boyfriends, the age at which we get married, the age at which we give birth, etc. etc. Sometimes these comparisons are helpful and build camaraderie, but other times they make us feel down on ourselves for not reaching a certain landmark by a particular time. And yeah, there are plenty of women out there who will criticize our choices about focusing on career vs. family or whether we can fit into a size 4 vs. size 14, etc, but really, I think nobody is as hard on us as we are on ourselves.

And this brings me to my particular rut. I sometimes think that I'm becoming "that" late-20s, perpetually single career girl. You know the type...the one who is so driven to "succeed" that she focuses all her energy on academics, getting the right work experience, moving around the world and across the country to launch her career, living in an (admittedly fabulous) apartment with another career girl. We don't have pets, because that would mean we'd have to stay home on the weekends. We go to happy hours after work with other buttoned up, high-heeled career-oriented types and pay $10 for a beer...and talk about work. (It's about as fun as it sounds.) There are perks to this lifestyle, such as, say, spending a summer in Athens and weekends on the Greek isles, meeting a former president and his wife multiple times, and having the freedom to travel across Europe, Egypt, China and the US.

There are downsides as well. In the past five years, I haven't had a boyfriend for longer than eight months. I think that I'm so hopped up on my own independence that I find it hard to let a man "be the man" in a relationship because I don't think I "need" one. I don't want any guy to get too close because I don't want him to take over too much. Exhibit A: my current sort-of relationship with a (wonderful) man who lives on the complete opposite side of the country. Sometimes I think I'm crazy for dating someone who lives so far away, other times I think maybe subconsciously I did it on purpose. And if you've read my blog lately, you know the reason that we're having problems is because he stepped on my feminist toes.

But you want to know my secret? The truth is, deep down I want to get married and have babies and make a home with the man I love. I think part of the reason I like blogging so much with all of you is because I love reading about your lives with your husbands and kids and I live vicariously through you. To you, baby spit up and cooking dinner for your honey may seem mundane, to me it seems so lovely. I guess I'm just not sure how to straddle my world and yours.

I take heart in thinking that we lead the lives we've chosen...the here and now is a culmination opportunities seized and crises averted. I also believe that if there is something we don't like about the direction our lives are going, we CAN change it. I am going to try to change by slowly slowly letting my man in, and not being so scared of serious relationships. I'm also going to try to appreciate what I DO have instead of focusing on what I don't. If I compare myself to other women, I want to do it in such a way that it will lift them up instead of bringing them down, and I hope they'll do the same for me. I will also try to take in the big picture, and remember how lucky we are to have the luxury of having these choices in front of us, thanks to the wonderful men and women of the military, and the unsung heroes back home who support them. Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

~I can complain because rosebushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses~

**Star Spangled Stockings**

A Hopeful Post

Pink Lemonade

I know, I know - I've pretty much been absent for the last two months. Seems like every time I think I'm going to get back to a "normal" routine something else comes up! I'm hoping that's going to change though and that I'll be back to my normal blogging and listing and creating self :) So far - so good. One morning accomplished! Oh wait...that's not much of a start is it? Well here's hoping for more than just the one morning!

Seriously though, I had some pretty massive migraines this week and we're not really sure why it was so bad. I had about three days where all I did was sleep! Argh. I think it was just a bad convergence of factors, but it was still frustrating. So I stayed home from my Market today (probably good, it's wet out) to relax some. Having said that - I'm still kinda "working" around the house :P But this way I can rest!

I'm so bad at relaxing >_>

Memorial Day!

I'm taking the weekend off from blogging, the online world, and technology in general. I plan to enjoy a good book, nice weather, and my amazing husband. I hope you all take this weekend to enjoy, appreciate, and remember. Be safe, have fun, and take lots of pictures!

 (guest blogging will still be happening on Sunday, make sure you stop by to  check that out! And if you want to be a guest blogger..e-mail me fsc200408@yahoo.com!)

Who lives in a house like this?!

After cleaning my pet out last night I realised I had put a little too much paper in for her! The only time ive seen her today is when ive come with ginger nut biscuits!

Can you guess what it is? Her name is Monkey as she likes to climb.

She's a rat! She is absolutely lovely. She has a real personality and incredibly fond of food!

And this is her trying to get her ginger nut!

On the subject of monkeys would you take a min to fill out a quick survey created with Survey Monkey. You will automatically be entered into a draw to win a black agate pendant

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SRRLJ6X

Recipes From the Cookout!

I get a lot of requests for recipes on here and on Facebook. So, I'm going to start a weekly recipe post. Hope you guys like them! And if possible, I'll try to post pictures to go along with them.

Mom's Famous Potato Casserole

  

1 stick of butter

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 onion, chopped

16 oz sour cream

1 package shredded cheddar cheese

32 oz Ore-Ida Southern Style potatoes

  (about) 1 - 2 cups of Corn Flakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Melt butter in small sauce pan, add soup, mix and combine well.

Place potatoes and chopped onion in a bowl.

Add cheese, sour cream, and soup mixture. Mix well.

Put in baking dish.

Top with Corn Flakes and spray with cooking spray.

Bake 30 - 45 minutes (heated through and Corn Flakes get a little brown and crispy!)

(

(you caught me, not my picture this time! I didn't decide to do this post until the casserole was gone!)

You can also make this ahead of time! Just don't spray the Corn Flakes until you are baking it!

ENJOY!

H&M Haul + 20% off entire purchase printable coupon

Click here to print out the H&M coupon, good 'til June 6th, 2010 in U.S. stores only. 20% off your entire purchase is pretty awesome for a place like H&M! Even those who frown down on the quality can probably find some good basics during this sale - tees, tanks, socks, etc.
This is what I picked up today (sorry for the terrible iphone pics! snapped these hastily at work in dim lighting):

1. H&M "Trend" peachy-cream bodysuit with mesh panels, sz 2, $24.95 before discounts. The color is so much prettier in better lighting, I promise. I have absolutely no idea how to wear this, and will probably return it because it's too trendy for me. Suggestions?

2. Petite-friendly bangle bracelets! $7.95 per bunch. When I slipped these on I couldn't believe that they stayed on my wrists. Only after purchasing did I notice they were size XS/S - good thing I didn't grab a M or L! They measure about 2.5 inches in diameter and are "hand made" - not sure where, though. Each set comes with three colored bangles, 1 wood one, and 1 thin gold bangle.

3. More accessories - Divided bold summer earrings in coral, $5.95 and really pretty linen scarf with navy background and cream and gray flowers, $9.95.

4. Divided white cuffed trouser shorts, sz 2, $17.95 - my fave purchase of the bunch. Per my last post - I love trouser shorts for summer! These also came in black, which are perfect year-round, but my size was sold out:

I also picked up one last thing for a secret DIY project, lol. To be showcased next week only if successful. Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!

Bright Sunshiny Day

It is so beautiful out today! One of those step outside, start sweating instantly type of days. And yes, I like that! I like when there are no clouds, bright sun in the sky, SPF50 on, and an iced coffee in my hand. Perfection.

We're having a mini-cookout with some friends tonight. Bacon wrapped filets, Mom's famous potato casserole, and blondies for dessert! Amy and Nick EAS on Friday and they head back to Massachusetts on Saturday (jealous!) I'm excited for them to come over...my first real dinner guests at the new place! 

Mailman just came. My favorite time of day. Today I got both of my books from Military One Source, all sorts of free samples...and Mom sent another package. This time, it's not address to me. Or Danny. Or even Miley. Kaleb is receiving mail at our place already! Jeez, this kid doesn't know how lucky he is!

Thursday Five

Happy Thursday! My favorite day of the week in Blogland.

Join me over at Mannland5 and list the five things that have made you

Happy

Joyful

Excited

Jubilant

Grateful

or just plain ol' happy this week!

1) Yesterday I got the best package in the mail from Mom. She taped a note to a picture frame. The note said, "This is the best picture ever. Just goes to show some things are just meant to be! You will know what I mean when you remove this note and look at the picture." And Oh.My.God I about died of laughter. It's me and my sister in a motorized car at some theme park. I look about 8, which makes her 4. She is the driver, waving and looking so happy. I look petrified! EDIT: By popular demand..here's the picture!

2) I hungout with my friend Amy on Monday. We went to the Olive Garden and got yummy soup, salad and breadsticks! But the best part of the trip? I bought a dress at Target...in the little girls section. Yes, I still fit into little girls clothes! (but seriously, it's the cutest dress ever!!)

3) I have a grocery budget. Every week we get a certain amount of  money for groceries. Yesterday I got all of our usual stuff PLUS things Kaleb asked for (juice boxes, chicken nuggets, some snacks) and still came in under budget! Coupons are amazing!

4) It's a long weekend. 'Nough said.

5) Me and Danny have started watching Lost from the beginning. This is my second time doing the DVD marathon with a Lost-newbie. The rules? No questions because I will not answer them! I didn't get to ask questions when I first watched and he should have to suffer too!

30 Day Meme 

Giveaway! 

What's Your Top Five?

On Friday, Rolling Stone Magazine is unveiling their new list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. Today they gave a sneak peak at the list, in my opinion...the most important part of the list. This is Rolling Stone Magazine's top five greatest songs of all time...

5. Aretha Franklin - Respect
4. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On?
3. John Lennon - Imagine
2. Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
1. Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone

It's the exact same as the list from 2004! Atleast they are consistent! I like all these songs, but my list would be a little different.

5. Beach Boys - Good Vibrations
4. Bob Marley - Could You Be Loved
3. The Beatles - Hey Jude
2. Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
1. John Lennon - Imagine

What's your top five?

I Want It Wednesday

I want to find a good book to read! It's been a while since I read a good book. I've been working on Julie & Julia for OVER a month and really can't get into it. I thought since I loved the movie, I would think the book was amazing. In this case...not at all.

I like biographies, memoirs, anything that is interesting and moves fast. I really like memoirs about people who are not famous. Here are a few of my recommendations:

My Lobotomy by Howard Dully 

Waiter Rant by The Waiter 

How Starbucks Changed My Life by Michael Gates Gill 

Steve and Me by Terri Irwin 

What books do you recommend I read?

Don't forget to enter my giveaway! Click here
And I'm doing my 30 Day Meme here

Reader Request: How to Look Older in Casual Attire

Reader Request: "I'm a 23 year old 5ft 90lb Asian girl who often gets mistaken for a 15 year old (or an 18 year old on a good day). Can you offer any fashion advice on how to look more your age? Specifically when it comes to casual clothes. I'm in grad school in the sciences and don't have the benefit of wearing nice professional clothes."

Being the approximate age and size of this reader, I set out to illustrate her situation. I put on my "grad student of the sciences" ensemble: sweatshirt, jeans, sneaks, and a curious face. I avoided makeup and pulled my hair back into a simple ponytail. I pictured my parents nodding vigorously in approval (their mantra is: a minute wasted on makeup, hair, or fashion is a minute that could've been better spent on studying). End result - below left.

Before (left): Ready to get carded for a PG-13 movie.

After (right): A few changes make a big difference in age.

 Left: Gap hoodie PXS, A&F kids tee sz M, True Religion "Joey" kids sz 12, New Balance sneaks kids sz 4

Right: BR top PXXS, J.Crew cardigan XS, True Religion "Stella" kids sz 12, Cole Haan flats sz 5

To keep casual and grad school-appropriate (I'm picturing long treks across campus and hours studying in the library), I avoided high heels. I wouldn't call myself fashionable, so keep in mind these aren't tips to look more stylish, or taller - just more mature:

And although this isn't fashion advice - I feel that looking more mature or sophisticated truly starts at one's face. Asians, especially, tend to have young baby faces that can really be transformed with a little eyeliner, mascara (on curled lashes), and bronzer. I am wearing the products from my "5 minute face" video except NYC liquid eyeliner instead of pencil. Huge difference:

Continue reading for more suggestions...

I decided to put together another outfit for casual weekend-wear:

Before (left): going to jump rope in the park

After (right): going to an outdoor bistro lunch w/ handsome date (yea yea, humor me)

Left: Abercrombie tee XS, A&F kids shorts sz 12, Old Navy flip flops

Right: Gap white tee sz XS, H&M shorts sz 2, Alfani sandals (Macy's) sz 6 "borrowed" from Mom, BR earrings

You'd be surprised at how many people I see around Boston donning jorts (jean shorts), a graphic tee, and rubber flip flops. What could look acceptable on a normal sized woman, though, is devastatingly childish on a tiny petite. My tips for the casual "tee and shorts" outfit:

Low wedges and strappy sandals are my must-haves for summer. I love strolling around Boston, but I don't enjoy doing so tottering in heels or flopping around in rubber thongs. I've amassed several pairs of summer "walking shoes" from Macy's and Target at decent prices.

Hope you guys found this post somewhat helpful, or at the least - entertaining! I also hope I didn't offend any grad students. I have no idea how the reader in question dresses typically, so just gave it my best shot.


Readers - please share your tips on looking or dressing your age : )

My Poor Puppy Girl!

My poor Miley when I picked her up at the vet

She is so sad, hates the cone and only wants to cuddle with Danny!

Too Fast!

Weekends go by way too fast. But this weekend was kind of a bust, so I don't really mind that it's over. I was supposed to have friends come down but that didn't happen. Friday we brought the puppy to the beach, she loves running and digging. Saturday we went to Wilmington for dinner and comedy...we ended up just doing dinner. Sunday we did the usual haircut routine and I watched four and a half hours of LOST, which wasn't as satisfying as I wanted it to be. (and I made a delicious quesedilia casserole. mmmm)


I'm getting very excited for Kaleb to be here. I've been small talking with his mom on Facebook, mostly about foods he likes and stuff like that. He likes "hotdogs, chicken nuggets, pb&j and cheese sticks with pizza sauce." She says he doesn't like veggies, but if I can get him to try something new...more power to me. So now I have made it my goal to get him to like new foods! I've said it before, and I'll say it a million times more...magic happens in the kitchen. If I can get him to cook new things then I think he might like some of the stuff! Easy-peasy! 


 I love this video. I've supported this band since I was 16. I was let into the bar, I sat in the front row drinking coke and fell in love with them. Check out this video and their website www.meandjulio.net

Wish Miley luck, she is being spayed today. Poor girl will be a cone head for a few days!

Sniffle, Snuffle...

blech...woke up with a sore throat and general feeling of ick today. As tempted as I am to blame my new running plan, I'm pretty sure it's more a product of "run down". So, there will be no cleaning for the next week, I will not bake, the toenail polish color won't change, and anything else I can cut out for the next few days will be chopped. That will probably mean that I'll be extra slow in getting things up on the website so if you see something you like just let me know and I'll put it aside! I don't usually make beads but had a special request for beads to coordinate with some pendants...I actually enjoyed making them enough that I think I'll add them in as a regular offering. Maybe even square ones too! I also made these large circles, 2 1/4 inches across and have a few extras...wouldn't they be fantastic as a focal for a multistrand necklace? I have a few more firing away right now in the kiln...the kiln which is bound to blow out its elements in the next couple of firings, it's taking forever to complete a glaze firing at this point. If I were smart I'd order the replacement elements now but since I'm on extra work strike right now I'll wait until the sniffles are gone. On that note...I'm going to make a nice big cup of tea and put my feet up!

Bargain Finds at Bloomingdales Pre-sale

If you have the chance this week, check out the sale racks at Bloomingdales' women and kids departments. This Thursday (5/27), they are having 40% off already-reduced items plus additional 20% off with coupon, but they are pre-sale-ing this weekend. I didn't have a coupon, but the SA was happy to give me both discounts upon being asked.

At my store alone there were 3 racks of Theory sale merchandise, plus plenty of contemporary womens' stuff. With an extra 40% + 20% off tacked on, the prices weren't bad at all...so go soon before everything is picked over! My tip for petites is to not look only for your tiny size. If you find something you like, more often than not the SA can help locate your size at another store.

I wasn't planning on stopping by the kids department, but racks of "premium" white denim caught my eye. Petites who wear up to a sz 25 can probably fit in kids jeans (they go up to 14 or 16), but may need a hem job.. This is what I tried on:

1. True Religion Girls Julie skinny jeans, kids sz 12. $106 $33.07. These are currently on Bloomies online for full retail price. Click here for the adults version.

Pros: I love the weight and stretch of TR jeans - I already own the same style and size in dark denim, so I knew that I would like these.The length was good, and could probably accommodate someone 2 inches taller than me.

Cons: My biggest issue with their kids jeans - and this is a biggie - is that they use a SNAP button closure! It looks just like a real button, but I guess snap is easier for little kids. I'm guessing the inseam was 29-30 inches, based on how much I had to cuff.

Continue reading for more sale finds...

2. 7 for all Mankind Girls Roxanne skinny jeans in kids sz 12, $99 $29.80 after discounts. Click here for the adults version.

Pros: skinny tapered leg was slimming; back pockets made my tush look good.  

Cons: the denim was thin and felt like a mix between twill and denim. I could see the front pockets through the fabric. The waist was very snug and would be too tight on me if the pants shrunk at all.

After much deliberation and nagging my disinterested boyfriend for his opinion, I ended up with the True Religions. I just felt that the denim was of higher quality and the overall fit was more comfortable than the 7's. 

3. J Brand Girls 12" Skinny Jeans in dark denim, kids sz 12. $110 $36.96 after discounts. I tried on these as well as the J.Brand denim leggings ($110 $26.40 after discounts - still full price on Crewcuts!) but the regular denim ones were the winner.

I've been interested in J.Brand ever since spotting the adult 10" skinnies on AlterationsNeeded and A.Fashion.Deliberation. When I saw that these were the 12," I didn't think they would be narrow enough, but they are actually quite skinny (hopefully I remember to keep these out of the dryer). My legs look stubby in the fitting room pics, but I think these jeans will look great with some heels.

All in all, I ended up with 2 pairs of designer denim for a great price. I've paid full price before for True Religion kids, as they were already substantially cheaper than the adults line. I've been wearing them for 3+ years and still love them.

Other items that I loved, but ended up passing on:

1. Theory Maryelia Skirt - still full price here at Barneys, but only $68 after discounts at Bloomingdales. There was only sz 0 at my store, and a $14 shipping charge to get sz 00 from another store (shipping is free for items over $150). The SA said this skirt nearly sold out the first week it arrived. I hope a fellow petite picks this up ... I love the wide waistband and pleats. Here is the style # for easier locating:

2. Theory Caprine Jacket as seen here on AlterationsNeeded. I just love it on her! The "Crunch" material was crisp and lightweight, perfect for warmer weather. It was just $140 something (was $415) after sales despite still being full price on the Theory website. It was hard passing on this, but I have too many black jackets. Definitely have your SA search for this if you are interested!

3. Aqua kids brushstroke dress with 100% silk skirt, sz L. $29 after all discounts. I'm always on the lookout for kids clothing made with nicer materials, like silk or cashmere. The fit of a Large was comfortable and lightweight. The poly/spandex top has little white and navy stripes, and the silk skirt has a colorful brushstroke print. Those who want longer length can probably size up to XL.

Happy shopping! Feel free to ask me any questions about sale info if you are interested in any of the above items.