Aida ~

Part one: A fabulous shopping tip I learned from Angie
During the October Seattle YLF meet up while in H&M, Angie spotted a necklace she loved on a mannequin. Instead of looking around the store for it (and in this case, probably wouldn't have found it), she simply took it off the mannequin and bought it and wore it out, just like that. What a revelation! It had never even occurred to me that I could do this, but of course stores are using those displays to sell stuff anyway! This little tip has stuck with me (thank you Angie!), and I have since scored a couple of my favorite necklaces and even a top with this. So ladies, don't let the fact that something you love is only on one mannequin stop you from getting it :)

Part two: My Perfect Neon Lime Necklace
I have been looking for My Perfect Neon Lime Necklace for, ohhh, I'd say about 1-1.5 years now (I am picky). On Monday I was at Ann Taylor returning the pile of slouchy pants that didn't work for Una and me, and as I was walking out there it was, THE neon necklace I had been looking for. Seriously, if I could've designed it myself, it would look just like this, in exactly this color, AND it had a matching bracelet! It was nowhere else in the store, so I immediately purchased both the necklace and the bracelet right off the mannequin. My goodness, without having seen Angie do this back in October I'd simply have left the store and lamented for a loooong time afterwards not seeing those pieces "available" in the store!!

So here's my new necklace, thanks to Angie's fab shopping tip! I was perfectly happy with how neon it was INside (#1), but when I took it OUTtside (#2)? It GLOWS in the sun, ladies! Lights right up the most amazing shade of neon lime because the back of each piece is mirrored but clear (#3). I am in neon heaven :D

Hi ladies. I wore my new Boutique 9 peep toe oxfords today, and managed to step one foot and shoe into a pan of dirty motorcycle oil (don't ask -_-). They are no longer available in my size. If anyone who bought these from Amazon for the $40 got them in multiple sizes in the taupe color, happens to still have a size 8 that's waiting to be returned, and would be willing to sell them to me for cost of shoe+shipping please PM me. I'm really, really bummed right now :(

Thanks to Una I was able to try a pair of the AT slouchy trousers in my size but petite instead of regular. To my (big) surprise I'm liking the petite fit better!

The regular pair would certainly need to be hemmed before I could wear them out, but after looking at the petite I'm wondering if the regular pair is too baggy (both pairs are baggy/slouchy; the regular is just baggiER/slouchiER.). As I said in my other thread I will be back to my normal size in the next month or two, which will put me about 0.5-0.75 pant sizes smaller.

The tan pair in #1/3 is the regular, the orange pair in #2/4 is the petite. Ignoring color and keeping my upcoming shrinkage in mind, which fit do you ladies prefer? Angie I hope you can weigh in on this, too. Again, I'm thick skinned :) Thanks!

My slouchy Ann Taylor trousers arrived this morning (yay!!), along with a few other items I ordered. Would love to hear all of your thoughts and opinions on these, I've got thick skin :)

#1/2 - First let me say that I LOVE THESE TROUSERS. Whew, now that that's out of the way I do have a couple concerns. I didn't order the petite because I thought they would be too short, but I am almost certain that these are waaaaay too long. I like a lot of scrunch, but I think this is just too much. Now, I am currently in the process of losing the last bit of extra winter weight so I will be losing about 0.5-0.75 pant sizes; this will make the pant sit lower and those legs even longer. The other problem I usually have with petites is the rise is always too short. With all of the above in consideration, what do we think of the fit of these? :)

#3 - I'm currently thinking of returning these black walk shorts. They're baggy in the seat, and will get even baggier by the end of April once the weight is gone. I also don't think black is going to be the best color for my summer wardrobe; olive or gray would fit much better. So unless you gals think these are amazing, I'll be returning.

#3-5 - I had high hopes for these pointy flats, but goodness they are LONG. And I think the bright blue tips are making them look even longer. I'm on the fence about them. They are comfortable, and seem to fit properly but are just so very pointy. Was hoping they could act as a nude flat for non-pant looks, but I dunno now. I don't have feet issues but I feel like these are making my feet look... Aladdin-y. Thoughts?

#3/6 - Well I was expecting this cuff to be ivory instead of gold, and it's, like, really solid. It's borderline too heavy to wear, so this is almost certainly going back.

I'm looking at an Obi belt online, and the sizing listed is "S - Waist 32in" and "M - Waist 34in" etc. Does this mean that MY waist should be 32" for the small to fit, or that the length of the belt is 32"? Thanks!

(EDIT: I do realize that since my waist is smaller than that I can just tie it tighter :) )

Hi ladies! I have a few items I'd really like to get some feedback on. I love all of these items but would like to keep only 10s, and welcome ALL honest and frank feedback. Thanks in advance :D

1/2 - Black and gray sweater dress. Does the black triangular shape coupled with the elbow dolman sleeve emphasize my IT shoulders too much? The fabric up top is fairly loose, though I don't think it shows in the photos.

3/4 - Taupe sweater dress. How is the fit? Too, erhm, bootylicious from the side? And did I do the giant cowl right (how do you work those things!?)?

5 - Dotty wrap dress. This is the first true wrap I've tried so pardon the uneven/tight tie job, I promise I've figured it out now :) How's this look? Is the top too loose looking?

6/7 - Bright scarves. I'd like to keep one of the two on the right. One is citron/gray, the other tomatoey-coral/tan. Does the citron color work for me? I'd love to keep that if it does, I have nothing else like it.

8/9 - Miz Mooz Jayne taupe boots. I've wanted these since seeing Rita (and then Christy) fabulously model them, and my husband got them for me for Xmas! However I am concerned that they may be too wide and/or tall for me, and they are a bit loose at the ankles (fit OK from the side, a bit gappy at the top corners from front/back). I'd love to be able to wear both with bare legs/hose AND with pants, is this possible? Is the color too cool?

Here's what I bought during the Everett YLF meetup shopping trip, it was a blast shopping with everyone! Happily all of these items work nicely together, as well as with LOTS of my existing wardrobe. None are returnable, but I'd love to hear any styling suggestions you ladies have! Lightly styled, but mostly just piling on items to lessen photo load :)

• gray faux fur trimmed vest (Ann Taylor)
• wine turtleneck, winter white turtleneck (Ann Taylor)
• charcoal tweed cropped jacket (Banana Republic, rated "Killer" :D)
• tassel necklace (LOFT, shamelessly copied from Christy ^^), knot necklace (Ann Taylor, Angie's find for me)
• brown and white dotty scarf with poofy tassels (JCrew)
• purple chunky beret, red chunky beret (ok purchased a week ago, but still new; Old Navy)
• bright red-orange and navy striped tee (JCrew, Angie's find for me)
• bright red-orange handbag (Kate Spade, Arya has this too!)
• cognac heeled oxfords (Nine West)

Angie had commented that the orange tee would look fun with the tweed jacket, so I thought I'd roll with that and wear today! Feels very autumnal :) Feedback most welcome.

Well these Matisse cheetah print booties were a lovely thing to find at my door when I got home from work today! I'd been eyeing them since Angie posted them on her blog entry about how to wear animal print shoes, and of course after seeing them in action during her NYFW coverage I was totally sold on them.

The booties are beautiful, with very soft leather and great comfort level. However they are a gappy around the ankles (I'm on Team Small Ankles); acceptable amount or no? What do you ladies think about these shoes for me? Animal print is already out of my comfort zone, so Cheetah print booties are WAY out of my comfort zone. Worth diving? :)

I recently picked up a couple of items I would love to get some feedback on. I am very keen on getting some interesting toppers for this fall, as well as improve my under 4" heels selection :)

1,2 - Leopard print cardigan. Animal print is way out of my comfort zone, but hey I'm all for plunging right in ^^ I like the gray tonal print here, but am a bit concerned with the fit. Is it possible/worth getting the waist taken in? Am I being silly? This is the smallest size. I think I can wear this in a way that fits my style, what do you ladies think?

3,4 - Military vest. I was looking for one all spring/summer without luck, and randomly spotted this one when I wasn't looking any more. The color is a wee bit richer in person. Thoughts?

5,6 - While on a help-sister-shop-for-fall-clothes outing, we stopped by the new DSW (my first time at a DSW, boy could I do some damage there if I'm not careful!) that opened near us. Saw these lovely black and cream shoes, and managed to not purchase (I'm currently on a don't buy heels diet). But immediately after we walked out of the store, I turned around and walked right back in to buy these beauties because I couldn't bear to leave without them :) Totally don't regret that decision!

7,8 - The only Missoni for Target clothing items I ended up keeping were the silk scarves. While out shopping with my sis I also picked up two necklaces and a coral skinny belt. Planning to keep all of these.

Hi ladies! NAS purchase thread found here. These are some other fall purchases I made which I would love to get some feedback from you all on. I would like to keep only 10s.

1 - Hinge peacock blouse, from the YLF store.

2 - Halogen shirt dress. I feel like this dress was made for me :D

3 - Dotty blouse. I normally don't go for ruffles, but rather like this one. Too far off from my style?

4 - GAP black slim pants. Purchased after seeing Angie's post with them, been looking for a pair for a while now.

5/6 - GAP faded black dress shorts; 5 is size 4, 6 is size 2. In size 4 the pleats fit better, but is bigger in the waistband and back; in size 2 the pleats poof out, but waistband and back fit better. And overall, do we like the style of these for me?

7 - J Crew silk camp shirt. I think it's too large, and it's no longer available; look at the shoulder seams. What do you all think? It felt much bigger in person than when I see it in the photos.

8 - Old Navy cropped crochet cardigan. This looks OK in the pictures, but in person felt incredibly unflattering and voluminous in the wrong places. Taking this one back.

9 - Target sequin knit vest.

10 - Accessories: GAP bucket bag from YLF store, Target metal belt, Target scarf.