Banana Republic Petites Review - Hits n' Misses

My Banana Republic order arrived and my feelings are lukewarm. First up is this cable shrug. It's cozy, it's warm, it's soft, it fits nicely...but for some reason that I can't put my finger on...I just don't love it. I'm going to sleep on this one. I can definitely see myself wearing it, but is deserving of $35 and coveted wardrobe space?

Sweater: Banana Republic Cable Shrug in PXXS (buy here - use BRJAN30 for another 30% off))

Jeans: Gap Legging Jeans in "faded dark" sz 00P (buy here)

Suede Booties: Adrienne Vittadini "Adam" sz 5.5 (buy here on final sale)

Trying it on with trousers (Theory "Mark B" sz 00) for biz-casual:

If you're around my height, the length of this sweater is good for leggings. The length in the back will cover up some tush, but you'd still need a longer top underneath to conceal dreaded camel toe.

I got these Adrienne Vittadini ankle boots in size 5.5 during my last order. I haven't heard of this brand before but it wasn't a bad price for suede. I love my CK ankle booties to pieces and wanted a similar pair in a different material. These run small! I wish I ordered size 6, as the 5.5's are very snug with socks on. If you look at the Piperlime reviews several of the ladies agree that these run about half to one size small. Other than that I am happy with the silhouette and quality.

The second item I got from BR (can't find it online anymore) doesn't really warrant a review. This is me saying wtf to a size XXS Petite:

I am going to end this post with some quick and dirty fitting room reviews:

1. 3/4 sleeve wrap dress in Petite XS (no PXXS in stores). This fit okay with just a little too much "wrap" fabric, but I can see one size down being perfect. The proportions were right. However I want to stop buying blacks and grays. I think that will be my goal for this season, starting....now.

2. Brigitte Double-Knit Ruffle Dress (2 colors) in 00P. The ruffle detail doesn't strike me as classic or feminine. Instead it felt more like an Elizabethan collar. Fit-wise, the top was fine but hips were VERY roomy on me.

3. Maria Lace-Trimmed Sheath in sz 00P. This was my favorite out of the 3 and I still didn't really like it. For a cocktail dress, the sultry top portion is right but the bottom is much too drab and not fitted. For a work sheath, the bottom is okay but the top is much too va-va-voom. I can't imagine an occasion to wear this dress to. See it on Cher here.

Verdict on everything: Paaass - except maybe keep the first cardigan.

Readers - Do you own (or have you tried on) any of the above? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Top 10: Vacations

I love love love traveling. This is my top ten list of vacations...in no particular order. I don't think I could order them if someone asked...each trip was different and amazing in it's own way. In a little over a week me and Danny will be taking our first vacation together! So, without further ado...here's the list!

1. Ireland 2006

If you have never been to Ireland...what are you waiting for? People always tell you how green the grass is...but you have no idea what that means until you see it. This was a quick trip over Thanksgiving break..but we fit so much in! We traveled by train and were able to see all sites...and we had Thanksgiving dinner in an American pub! If you go to Ireland...stay in a Bed & Breakfast...there is nothing quite like Irish hospitality (and bacon!)

2. France and England 2004

This was a trip I took with my high school. I was a senior and leaving the country for the first time! My Mom packed secret notes for me to open everyday while I was gone, I still have all of them. We stayed in London for one sunny day and I fell in love with Indian food. Then we hoped on the train and headed to Paris. I was scared shitless as an American in Paris...but managed to have a good time! And walk down the stairs of the Eiffel Tower...alone. Did you watch Channel 1 in high school? I totally met Derek Shore!

 3. Aruba 2008

One word to describe this trip? Amazing. We were celebrating my grandfather being cancer free. I danced on a bar, ate yummy food, visited a sunken ship, and got a BAD sunburn. If I could relive any trip...this would be it!

   
4. St. Thomas 2007

This was another family trip. Beautiful weather, lots of iguanas (they are like squirrels there!) and lots of alcohol. To this day my sister claims she was "boat sick." We did some snorkeling, took a trip to St. John and spent a lot of time in the sun!

5. Jamaica 2009

Me and my sister went on a craaaazy trip to Jamaica. Our hotel was all inclusive..I was at the bar every morning while she soaked up the rays. We danced our butts off at Margaritaville. And went snorkeling in the middle of the ocean. If you can survive Jamaica, you can survive anything!

6. New York City 2007
I've been to the city a few times, but this was my favorite! I went with my Mom, sister and my mom's friend. We saw a bunch of musicals, shopped, ate...and saw Maya Angelou at Bobby Flay's restaurant. If you have never eaten at the Mesa Grill, get your booty there ASAP!

   
7. Wilmington, North Carolina 2005 - 2009

These were the ultimate tourist trips. We went down to stalk the cast of One Tree Hill. We were extras twice, found all the houses and met some of the cast. We went to the charity basketball game, visited all the shooting sites...and geeked out the entire time!

  
8. Myrtle Beach 2008 & 2009

Roadtripping with friends can be amazing! We did the roadtrip from Massachusetts twice...and each time was so much fun! In 2008 we did all the touristy stuff and got tattoos. In 2009 we ate pizza with strangers and pretended to be mini-golf champs!

9. Washington, DC 2009

I went to DC with church in 2000 and 2001, but this was my first time visiting someone who lives there. I went on a private tour of the Capitol, went to a local bar where I had to make my own drink, went to a DMB concert and saw the stairs from the Exorcist!

  
10. Summerville, SC 2009
I have family in Summerville. I took Amtrak down from Durham, NC and spent the week with my family. It was hot hot hot, spent time with my cousins, and relaxed!

Where is the time going?

Once again it has been a long time since I last blogged. I did say that I was going to blog about 2010 in the life of Zazu Jewellery but unfortunately my scanner has broken so cant put my press articles in!

I have decided to start a party plan business so if you would be interested in getting some extra cash please do let me know.
I have my first recruit who lives in the same town as me and she has her first party booked  in a couple of weeks time.

I have been busy refining collections like this:

Creating new collections like these:

Its only two months til the British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) and i'm getting really excited. There is absolutely loads of stuff to do still.
I now have all the stand furniture and need just a couple more necklace stands. The hotel is booked and most of the collections are completed.
I do however still need to design some promotional material, make up a stock of jewellery and get a hair cut!
I am hopeless with my hair so I plan to get it cut the day before we go in the hope I can keep the style looking good for 3 whole days!

First Giveaway of the YEAR!!!

Who's Ready for a GIVEAWAY??? I know I am :) 

I've decided it's time to start doing regular giveaway's! Everyone like's getting things with out spending money right? And what woman doesn't want more jewelry? So the plan is to do one about every 4 weeks (about once a month) and I'll be giving away a wide variety fun gifts! 

What will I be giving away? This round I'm giving away 3 pairs of earrings valued $15 total! In the future - who knows? Just about anything is possible! 

So how can you win the above pair of earrings and two more surprise earrings? Simple! The first, and easiest way to enter the contest is to simply leave a comment on this post - just make sure I can reach you either through a follow back link to your blog or by leaving your e-mail address. 

But wait, there's more! There are a LOT of ways you can get entries into this contest! Here they are:

1. Leave a comment on this blog = 1 entry

2. Visit my FB page and "like" it. Leave a comment there to let me know your a new or returning fan! = 1 entry

3. Visit my Artfire page or Etsy page, come back and leave a separate comment with your favorite piece = 1 entry

4. Follow this blog or let me know your already following = 1 entry

5. Announce this contest on plurk or twitter, come back and leave a comment with a link = 1entry

6. Blog about it! Since this is means monopolizing your blog space it = 2 entries

7. Make a purchase in either of my stores (Artfire or Etsy) = 5 entries! 

That's a total of 12 possible entries! Please remember to leave separate entries for each entry to make my job easier! I'll be keeping track in a spreadsheet and each entry will be given a separate number (based on order received) and I'll pick a winner using the random number generator. 

*** Winner will be announced Saturday Morning, February 5th! ***

Have Fun :) 

~ Ruthie ~

11 in 11 Check In

Can you even believe that today is the last day of January? 2011 just started and it's already flying by! Remember when we were little and time went by s-o s-l-ow? I miss that. Remember when you got up early, went to elementary school did homework, had time to hangout with friends, do homework, eat dinner with the family, and were in bed by 8PM...AND the day STILL dragged...what happened to that?!

So, I made a list of goals for 2011. Let's do the one month check in

Goal #1: Get Up and Move More:
I've been doing really good with this. Zumba once a week...and Youtubing random Zumba videos. When I'm not doing that I'm doing my Dancing with the Stars workout video. And hopefully this week me and Natosha are going to start walking again.

Goal #2: Floss:
I did AMAZING the first week. Now I'm averaging every other day. Better than it was, but could be better.

Goal #3: Make an Attempt to Learn How to Drive:
Fail. BUT atleast it's ALWAYS in the back of my mind now.


Goal #4: Take Avon more seriously:
I've been passing out brochures, but haven't made many sales. I think I need to actually TALK to people and push it. I had a little Avon mishap a few weeks ago, I honestly think they "stole" $22.54 from me, but the after a week of "fighting" about it...I got fed up and gave up.

Goal #5: 8 Hours of Sleep Every Night
I think I've been doing this :)

Goal #6 Cook every recipe from one cookbook:
I'm actually giving up on this goal. It's expensive...I try to cook with ingredients I have and only buy things on sale. But I've been using my cookbooks more..just not the same one all the time.

Goal #7: Take vitamins and drink more milk:
Milk: CHECK! Vitamins: FAIL...maybe I'll get some the next time we go grocery shopping!

Goal #8: Take a class, any kind of class. And make plans to get my Masters.
Well, I'm taking a Zumba class...but that's not what I meant by "any kind of class!"
As for my Masters, I've been TRYING to get information...but these online schools are RELENTLESS with phone calls. I keep asking to be SENT information so I can review it, but instead they just CALL more. It's really quite frustrating.

Goal #9 Put More in Our Savings Account:
Maybe after Disney....

Goal #10 Practice Patience
BIG FAT FAIL

Goal #11 Read One Book Every Week
Going great! Catch up on my list HERE!

I was on my Rollerblades

Dress-Topshop

I love this dress, i wear it with leggings or tights & black pixie boots as its just too cold! it has long sleeves and a peter pan collar, simple but lovely. I think the colour is so pretty, i have a cardigan in this colour from a vintage shop in Italy which I wear with everything!

This is the first outfit post i have done on this blog so far, what do you think?

Moreemilk xx

I don't know what to say,

Hello. Many of you know me from my you tube channel for a long while I was stuck on beauty; however I have recently been immovable from some of the amazing fashion bloggers blogs, & have become more interested in fashion itself, so I have decided to delete all my old posts & start fresh. Hopefully (fingers crossed)it will all go well.

MoreeMilk xx

Room Redecorating

We have been in the apartment for almost a year and I'm still rearranging...good thing we plan to resign our lease! My first project is the bedroom...I hate it! We have IKEA furniture, our bed is low to the ground, and it's dark. I literally hate our bedroom!

One of the first things I need to do is find a LCD TV stand. Our TV is currently on Danny's dresser...which leaves no room to put his stuff. So, of course, everything spills over onto my dresser! It's a disaster....and it needs to be fixed!

Check out this gem for only $47.99! We might have a winner!

Do you have any room decorating tips for me? HELP!

Etsy Blogger of the Month: The Art of Joy

Looking for some illustrated printable items to make you smile? You've come to the right place... Stay and shop! It's funny that is The Art of Joy's shop announcement. As I was looking through her shop and found myself smiling. Cute Kawaii notecards, invitations, and stickers can be found in her Etsy shop.  Take a look at the sweet notecards and pirate invitations I found.

This Creative Mamma, has an incredible blog full of free printable downloads, podcasts and articles. As many of you know, I'm a marketing manager full time, and I give her site an A! On her site, you can see she's very up to date, participating in all the social media out there: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr to name the big ones. The design is awesome and clean and easy to read. But most of all, I find her generosity of podcasts and downloads the best part of her blog. Her illustrations are top notch and just plain adorable. Make sure you subscribe to her site/blog so you can stay up to date on her latest. And while you're at it, be sure to follow, friend, subscribe you name it! I can't wait for my first update from her shop.

Learn more about EtsyBloggers!

Giveaway Winner!

Quick post to say that the lucky CSN stores giveaway winner is.... Artisan Clay! Congrats and check your email for instructions on how to use your gift code. Let us know what you decide to use it on!

Looks like my fabric goodies won't arrive until Monday so I won't have any sewing end results to show you for at least another week (and the handbag will take much longer than that!).

There are a few new goodies set to show up on the website today if I can get around to prepping the pictures...not much excuse if I don't get it done...the only other items on the agenda today are a quick run and dinner with friends.

I took a little leap this week and contacted a shop that sent out a notice that they have some space opening up Feb 1st. It's been a few days and I've received no response so I'm a little bummed out. When I sent the email I was a bit ambivalent about it but as the week has progressed I've realized how interested I actually was... I suppose there's still a chance they might respond but I think it's more likely that they had other (better for them) options. Now I'm wondering if I should send one follow up message or just let it go as not meant to be...
Any suggestions?

Planning V's Wedding

My friend Veronica is getting married next January.

I asked her the wedding colors she said maybe silver and merlot.

Well, I got to searching and discovered aubergine.

I'm secretly hoping this is the color scheme she chooses!

Photos from Google Images (Dress J Crew)

Inspiration Board by Me

Veronica and Pete want to get married in the Berkshires.

A small wedding in the Berkshires?!

It's going to be so beautiful!

 Here are a few places I've that would make their day extra special...

  Willowdale Estate

Bucksteep Manor

Race Brook Lodge

I'm already counting down the days until their big day!

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Book #5: Marley and Me

I'm crossing books off my list like mad woman! Marley and Me was not my first choice for book number five, but after 80 pages of the other book I was bored to death....just in time for Marley and Me to be delivered to my door!

John Grogan's Marley and Me is my life. "Worlds Worst Dog." Miley and Me flows off the tongue just as easily as Marley and Me!

I laughed out loud when John described Marley eating flowers...five minutes earlier (I swear!) Miley was trying to eat the flowers that were delivered to me. Keep the trash can on the table? We do that too! Maybe Miley isn't the worlds worst dog! And my puppy is just as sweet at the puppy in the book.

This was such a great book about life with a dog..and falling in love with a dog. Even when John read that unstable dogs should be put down...I recognized myself in him. A dog is a mans best friend, they feel the same we do, and can not be put down because they have too much energy.

I'm in love with this book. I read most of it while snuggling with Miley on the couch and when I cried she looked at me like "hey, stop that...I'm not going anywhere for a long time!" I recommend this book to all dog lovers and fans of the movie. I loved the movie but the book is deeper....and better.

EtsyBloggers: January Blog Carnival - Valentine's Day Childhood Memory

My question to answer and blog for this month's blog carnival is: February 14th is Valentine's Day. What is your best childhood memory of Valentine's Day or What childhood tradition do you now carry out with your children.

That's a tough question because I've never been much for Valentine's Day. I think because of its proximity to my birthday. Many birthday gifts from friends were Valentine themed. Didn't care for that. Too much pressure at school about who collects the most Valentine's, who has the most boyfriends of that day, those types of things. My best memory, I blogged about last year. But I do remember making my box to take to school to collect those cards. We'd keep the shoe boxes and mom and the sisters would all gather around the table amongst the red, pink, white shades of paper, doilies galore, glue, glitter, you name it! I didn't have any brothers, so it was just plain fun and girly to decorate. Mine always had to be perfect and cohesive in nature. NO box showing at all!  I'd make sure I had that right box every year. The size had to be just right for whatever I had in mind. I can't recall any specific designs. But I do remember when I cut my hearts, they had to be just right, or they were not used. I always had a vision.  If I had to participate, I was going to do it right!

J.Crew & YesStyle Snow Day Outfits

I picked up this J.Crew tee on final sale this week (several colors in XXS left at my local stores) and am trying to pair the gold with everything. An XXS fit me perfectly, but it's stretching out a little with each wear. Hopefully a wash and dry will shrink it back down to size.

Tee: J.Crew Perfect Fit BoatneckTee in XXS (buy here for $9)

Wool Skirt: YesStyle "The Mari" brand size S/55

Cable Tights: Heritage 1981 sz S/M (buy here)

Booties: Target sz 5.5

I can't find this exact skirt on YesStyle anymore, but here is an affordable option (it's available in one size SMALLER than the one I'm wearing!). I'm interested in getting this in ivory or gray, but what is that little "hand-made" tag on the front? I sure hope it is removable.

As for sizing, the skirt I own in size S/55 fits like an XXS, but every brand may fit differently. Be sure to check the provided measurements. If you are ordering, code EXTRAPETITE gives you $5 off.

Disclosure - YesStyle.com is an advertiser on my blog, however I am not affiliated with the company in any other way. I do not earn a commission, and the item shown here was purchased by me. 

Thanks to a tweet by the thoughtful Vicky, I picked up a second Lady Day Coat in the "cobblestone" color - a dark, taupe gray. It's quite boring given the spectrum of colors that their coats come in, but it's...me.  I don't need two, so after some deliberation I'm selling my olive green Lady Day Coat in 0P with Thinsulate (see review and measurements). Email me if you're interested. 

Here is a tip to add some color to a neutral winter coat - a vivid silk scarf! I know silk scarves rarely come out in the winter but I couldn't resist. After some trial and error, I settled on the following method:

1. Using one hand, tuck one end of the scarf securely into your coat.

2. Using the other hand, cross the other end until it overlaps, and then tuck it securely under.

3. Fluff. End result:

Coat: J.Crew Double Cloth Lady Day Coat in 0P 

(buy here - 0P gone in regular but left in Thinsulate)

Silk Scarf: thrifted

The sales are still going strong at petite-favorite retailers. I've recently had luck in-store at LOFT and J.Crew (additional 50% off sale items at both). Here's a pic of a top I just picked up at LOFT which I adore for tucking into skirts, and here's the tag info ($15). Happy shopping!