Fashion

Muumuu Quest 2018! An Anthropologie Adventure in the Land of Crazy Expensive Caftans

June 27th, 2018 by Karen 19 Comments

FYI, Anthropologie is where it’s at if you need a $500 muumuu (or mu’umu’u)!

I wish I could say I was kidding, but I’m not. While I was there other day plundering the sale rack, I spotted this bright, silky green caftan on sale for $300 (marked down from $500 though!).

Needless to say, the current status of Muumuu Quest at Tabs the Cat Industries LLC is still DSM (Desperately Seeking Muumuu).

(Pause here for OHEMGEE face.)

Doesn’t the print look like an abstract painting of peacock feathers? Or an abstract kelp forest in the ocean?

I think it’s lovely, and the silk felt fabulous (seriously, when does one get the chance to try on a $500 muumuu?), but there’s no way in hell I’m spending that much for a dress to knock around the house in.

Mind you, the Mrs. Roper-ness levels on it were very, VERY high. Helen would be totally feeling it. It looked terrible on me, though, because the drawstring waist hit at a weird spot, the sleeves were a little too drape-y, and the neckline was way too wide.

It was a hard no.

This muumuu-esque dress by Maeve has navy tassels, oh-la-la!

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Old Navy Leggings/Summer 2018: Dressing Room Try-Ons and a 50% Off Sale

June 22nd, 2018 by Karen 25 Comments

Question: Where does one go looking for a mu’umu’u or caftan in the spirit of Mrs. Roper?

Answer: Among other places (Marshall’s, Target, etc., and so on, everywhere), Old Navy!

Unfortunately…I didn’t find anything in the loose-fitting brightly colored dress department this time, but I did find some crazy cute workout leggings on sale for 50% off.

FIFTY PERCENT!

The same power that compels me to 1) shimmy-shimmy-cocoa-pop across a busy intersection to retrieve a wayward dollar bill in the middle of the road and 2) discourages me from paying full price for anything (also known as “I’m turning into my mother”) almost — ALMOST — made me get two pairs.

But here’s what stopped me: squats. I was stopped by squats. None of the pants were 100% squat-proof. Mind you, they didn’t feel flimsy, especially the two I almost bought (the navy polka-dot one with the mint green drawstring, and the printed green pair with the pink stripe down the side). The fabric on those was thicker than the Champion brand leggings at Target, for comparison, but thinner than (much pricier) Zellas and Senitas.

But when I bent over or dipped into a deep test squat, I could see the tag (and my underwear) through the material, which was…not good, so I didn’t get them. My leggings absolutely NEED to pass the squat test; otherwise, how else am I gonna get a J. Lo booty?! That thing won’t build itself.

If you’d be mostly wearing these to look cute in, I’d say go for it. They’re bright, vibrant, soft, and the patterns are SUPER cute. I’d suggest trying on a pair with a high rise (holds everything in) and a 7/8 length. I love me some 7/8 tights. They have a hem that hits just above the ankle, so the bottom hem isn’t flooding into your shoes, and they aren’t as short as crops or capris, so they can pass for, ya know, real pants.

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Cute Jewelry at Target, Muumuus, Custom Cat Caftans and Mrs. Roper Dreams…

June 20th, 2018 by Karen 29 Comments

mrs roper caftan green 1 — The Rainbow Brights iPhone Case, and the mu’umu’u is from Ross.

I’ve been wanting to dress like Mrs. Roper lately. *shrugs shoulders*

I’ve probed the depths of my mind trying to find a reason why I’ve been wanting to rock her style (you might remember her from Three’s Company infamy!), and the most rational reason is the weather.

When it’s hella hot and you don’t have air conditioning in your house, the idea of wearing a big, breezy gown that’s flow-y, isn’t too clingy, and has a fun pattern and perhaps pockets (POCKETS!) and a ruffle or two sounds very appealing (note: it may also have a hem that lightly dusts the floor).

Maybe I’ll eventually come to my senses and seek out a chic black maxi dress, but for now, it’s MRS. ROPER FTW! 🙂

A friend of mine mentioned that Ross has some good cotton caftans, so I popped in and found a couple crazy and colorful ones that were less than $10 each!

I couldn’t decide between these green and burgundy numbers (and was super shocked that the bottom hem didn’t drape along the ground ’cause I was in flats), but ultimately nixed both because neither of them had tassels, fringe or ruffles…and if I’m going to wear a muumuu or something similar, it’s gonna have at least one of those things.

Also, the women’s dressing room at Ross, OMG! It was like walking into a wet, sweaty sock that had been sealed in a dirty underwear drawer for 10 years. (Fun fact: stinky places severely mess with one’s muumuu decision making powers.)

Another friend suggested an online store called Lava Hut, which has some really cute prints, styles and, yes, ruffles. LOTS OF RUFFLES. I like these black muumuus because I really like the idea of wearing a muumuu that make me look like Mrs. Roper working at a MAC counter.

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18 Adorable Spring Sandals

March 22nd, 2018 by Karen 10 Comments

I stepped in five puddles on my way to DSW today. It’s been pouring! Before the past two hours, during which we’ve had a brief sunny respite, I’d seen the sun twice all week long. But that’s OK! Because spring is here! — she said, rocking herself back and forth. The sun will be here any time.

All we have to do is hang in there, and to pass the time we can talk about cute sandals. 🙂

I went to DSW today with Novato’s littlest shoe fanatic, who was very opinionated, by the way. She had no qualms about telling me which shoes passed muster.

I saw a bunch of cute sandals while we were there…

1. B.O.C. Adney Flat Sandal in Blush ($39.99)

Like these B.O.C. blush flats. The foot bed was squishy and comfortable, and I love the little petals.

2. Dr. Scholl’s Wander On Flat Sandal ($49.99)

The rubber bottom makes these Dr. Scholl’s Wander On Flats look a little like hospital shoes, but I like how the fabric twists on the top.

3. Sam Edelman Gates Sandal ($39.99)

I like these mostly because they remind me of Snuffleupagus.

4. Kelly & Katie Bania Flat Sandal ($39.99)

They’re faux leather, but they look more expensive than $40 to me. And there’s something very Jackie O. about them.

5. Sam Edelman Grace Sandal ($39.99)

The cutest beaded detail! I like the mixed metal action happening, too. I think these would go with lots of different outfits.

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I Found the Cutest Tops at Target in the New Universal Thread Line

February 9th, 2018 by Karen 9 Comments

target universal thread — I’m a little obsessed with the new Target Universal Thread women’s clothing line.

***TARGET SHOPPER ALERT***

I found the cutest line of clothes at Target. I think it just launched — like, literally just rolled out! — because when I walked into the store this week, the sales associates were pulling these huge racks of clothes, and they were stocking the displays and ooh-ing and ah-ing as they hung the shirts, dresses and sweaters, which, of course, stopped me in my tracks.

The line is called Universal Thread. It’s very J.Crew-meets-Levi’s, with a sprinkle of Ann Taylor on top. There’s lots of denim and prices mostly around $25, with different cuts of jeans, different washes and — get this — different lengths. I saw short, regular and long. And some cute mid- and high-rise styles, too.

Buuuuuuut I didn’t get any jeans, LOL! I grabbed a few tops instead because 1) they were adorable (hi), and 2) I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to find my size if I hesitated, so I just went for it.

I’m head-over-heels for this light blue denim button-up shirt.

target universal thread 2 — Someone once told me that the denim-on-denim look is called a “Canadian Tuxedo.”

It’s comfy heavyweight 100% cotton and has two pockets on the front (also seems well made). The fit’s on the looser side, too, so it fits like a boyfriend shirt, but it isn’t over-sized or anything.

I’ve been wanting something like this for ages to layer on top of dresses and tank tops. It’s perfect! And I have a feeling it’s going to last a long time.

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