Banana Republic Embroidered Shell review, plus a surprising find.

In the midst of my crazy 2-job schedule, I managed to find time to do some shopping (there's always time for shopping, right ladies?). I heard there was a sale at Banana Republic, so I anxiously headed over to the mall to find this pretty embroidered top that I had fallen in love with there a few weeks ago:

(click to see the detail closer)

When I first saw it, I knew I should wait a few weeks until it went on sale, since Banana Republic ALWAYS has sales. Sure enough, today I found it for 40% off! I was sad, however, to learn that BR no longer combines discounts. :( Oh well. I couldn't be happier with the pretty little shell, which fits very well:

Shell: Banana Republic, sz. 00P (buy here)

It is rather see-through, so I need to wear a camisole underneath. The length is perfect and the armholes are just the right size- well done, BR! I've found they're pretty hit-or-miss when it comes to accomodating narrow shoulders. I could've actually worn a size or two bigger than this one for a more boxy vintage feel, but decided I like the length as it was. My mother told me that my oh-so-fashionable grandmother wore a top just like this one in the 60s, which makes me happy. :)

I also stopped by New York & Company to pick up a pair of cheap sunglasses for camp (note to petites- their frames are great for small faces!) and ended up buying a shirt there as well. I wasn't expecting to find anything there, since they usually run quite large. However, I couldn't pass up trying on this shirt since it was such a good price, and in my favorite color:

 

Top: New York & Company, XS (buy diff. pattern here)

Shocking! My only problem with it is that it's synthetic fabric (I tend to stick to cotton), but that's not a big deal. Another surprising find for petite fit!

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I'll be heading to Southampton in a few weeks, so I'm saving my shopping until then! I hope you are all having a wonderful summer!

*ShortBlonde*

White Skirt Season

Along with being able to wear bright, fun colors like coral and aquamarine, being able to wear white is one of my top reasons for loving summer fashion. It's unfortunate that white skirt season only lasts a few months! Especially up here in NY where the warm skirt/short wearing weather doesn't really start until May (and sometimes June). In the following outfit, I paired a tight white skirt with a belted loose top:

Shirt: Banana Republic (last season), XXSP
Skirt: Vineyard Vines, sz. 14 girls
Belt: Forever 21 (In Stores Now), S/M
Bag: Dooney & Bourke

At first, I tried tucking the loose-fitting top into the skirt, but it looked awkward and unflattering. Wearing the shirt over the skirt and belting it creates a classy and flattering hourglass shape, although tucking it in might work with a longer pencil skirt. You can find similar loose tops in Banana Republic now, but most of the styles such as this one come pre-cinched.
The belt was a great petite-friendly find I scooped up today from Forever 21! The store had several small styles that shocked me with how tiny they were. The belt I'm wearing above is a size S/M and could fit 25-26 in. waists well with no excess, but they had an even SMALLER size XS/S that would fit size 22-23 in. waists!! I was extremely surprised, considering I had been in every other store in the mall and had no luck finding a well-fitting waist belt (I've heard good things about Ann Taylor belts from you fellow bloggers, but there were a limited selection of styles.)
Although I normally stay away from anything with metal chains, this skinny faux-leather belt has a metal chain detail that is subtle enough for me to like:

I tried to find it online, but had no luck. Although I wouldn't recommend Forever 21 for quality, I would definitely recommend it to any petites looking for a casual, well-fitting find. Regardless of whether or not you're a petite, the store has a great selection of waist belts in all sizes that is worth checking out.

Another favorite white skirt of mine is this linen skirt from J.Crew (pardon my squinting):


Tank top: LOFT, XS (buy here)
Skirt: J.Crew, sz. 0 (last season)
Necklace: New York & Company (in stores now)

This simple look can be worn in a variety of ways, depending on your own personal style. This skirt (similar styles can be found everywhere, including LOFT) flatters both curvy and slim ladies, and gives the waist definition with its thick band. I like this skirt in particular because of its linen material and pockets (I'm a sucker for pockets!)
I'm wearing the skirt with my absolute FAVORITE tank from LOFT, which I picked up in two additional colors today. I love its straight, broad neckline (helps those of us with narrow shoulders) and its bra-hiding straps.
Another good find I came across today was this necklace (featured above) from New York and Company, a store I rarely visit:

I was looking for a sophisticated, statement-ish necklace that wouldn't overwhelm my frame, and this was perfect! Its brushed gold and silver colored metals can be worn with a ton of different colors, and it adds just enough style to an outfit without being too loud.

What great finds have you come across lately?
How do you style your white skirts?

*ShortBlonde*

Today's outfit + flattering colors: what's your "season?"

 I went shopping this weekend and was dying to wear one of my new purchases today, so I decided I would wear my new Banana Republic button-down shirt. Although I got it for student teaching, I wanted to see if I could wear it casually:

Cardigan: XSP, Banana Republic, last year.
Button-Down Sateen Shirt: XXSP Banana Republic (buy here)

Skinny Belt: S, J.Crew

Jeans: 25x29, Forever 21 (buy here)
Camisole: Super old. Who knows.

Boots (Can't really see, but they're knee-high black suede): Size 5, Ralph lauren

Bag: Nine West

Of course, what struck my attention about the BR shirt was its fabulously blue color! I'm very drawn to blue clothes after years of being told that blue is "my color." Everyone seems to have their own flattering color...my green-eyed, brunette aunt looks fabulous in olive, and my dark-haired, brown-eyed friend looks striking in magenta. Considering my entire immediate family has blue eyes and fair skin, we all tend to gravitate towards blues.

There's some kind of science behind flattering colors, which author Carole Jackson made known in her popular 80's book Color Me Beautiful:

(and it still has the 80's cover, too!!) 

Let me just say, this book is AWESOME. It's alright that it's outdated, because flattering colors are timeless and universal (Although the shoulder pads featured in this book's photographs are NOT!) :) Everyone has a season depending on his/her skin tone and hair/eye color. Because I have fair skin with cool undertones, dark blond hair and blue eyes, I'm a Summer. The book has a flattering color palette for each season, which is really helpful to know while shopping and debating whether or not a color is "right" for you or not...especially when your girls aren't there to give a nod of approval.

To find out what season you are, take the test here.

Once you find out your season, you can check out blogger PinkPlaidPhotography's post on color palettes to find out what colors best suit you. 

So are you a spring, summer, fall or winter?

*ShortBlonde*