Little Girl Big Closet

A Life Well Lived

2011-10-04T11:51:00.001-04:00

This morning, I read a post by Jewish Girl, that talked about how small, seemingly petty workplace perks add up to a sense of greater job satisfaction than something more significant like, say, less grueling hours. This got me thinking about how often in life my own choices are based on my preference for little pleasures over "the big stuff." Of course, this doesn't (and probably shouldn't) hold true for every important life decision. For instance, I never would have married someone I didn't think was mentally stimulating and likely to be a good father, based solely on the fact that he had a nice smile.

Anthropologie Goldfield Skirt

Anthropologie Tank

Urban Outfitters Heels

H&M Cardigan

Most of the time, I don't stop to articulate (to myself) the precise reasons why I choose one thing over another. JG's post, however, got me thinking, and I realized this phenomenon applied to many aspects of my life. Most obviously, to my occupation of choice. Being a photographer allows me to be a creative dresser in a way that, say, being a banker probably wouldn't. Having a job that allows me to work from home also lets me have Rufus and Malcolm nearby, which might seem like an odd "perk" to list, but somehow has a profound impact on my overall sense of well-being. It also just occurred to me that I far prefer working more, but flexible, hours, over working fewer, inflexible hours. And this is just skimming the surface.

All this to say that oftentimes it's hard to understand the actions of others, especially when they are so incongruous with our own sense of priority. I sure do love money, and I love to please people, and I love the idea of living in harmony with those around me. For the time being, however, there are things I would rather have in my life, if it came down to a choice. Color, beauty, afternoon reruns, Monopoly with my husband, and a warm, bunchy critter underfoot.

Of Rainbows, Butterflies And Other Innocent Hobbies

2011-10-03T09:45:00.002-04:00

Some people collect stamps. Some geek out over Warcraft. And then there are those who....well....see for yourself:

It's not that serious, you guys!

(We know)

Please give it up for Lisa, Sara, Dea and Jewish Girl for being such great sports :o)

Wordless Weekends

2011-09-30T10:42:00.000-04:00

Anthropologie Gathering Tank

Anthropologie Darjeeling Skirt

H&M Cardigan

Anthropologie Band Over Band Heels

J.Crew Quincy Tote (similar)

Fall's First Stirrings

2011-09-27T11:59:00.001-04:00

I'm sure I've said this before: Fall is my favorite season of all. I get to step outside my home without fear of being reduced to a sweaty, wilting mess. My favorite stores somehow save the best of their creative juices for their respective fall turnouts. Holiday season is around the corner and anticipation is the best part of living. More than anything else, though, the thing I love most about fall is the small sensory pleasures that I get to enjoy unexpectedly, and usually keep to myself.

Anthropologie Take Action Dress

Anthropologie Deco Dash Headband

J.Crew Cardigan

Seychelles Box Step Pump

Spring's pale hues may be playful, fresh and (to some) even romantic. But to me, there's something very satisfying about the deep, saturated colors of fall: teal, purple, rust. And although summer's one-piece outfits are far easier on my wallet, there's a familiar sense of comfort and security that comes with wrapping myself in layers and layers of soft fabric. I walk down the street with a plush sweater keeping me warm, but let my hands fall to my sides, so the rushing air chills my fingertips just so. A drop too cold, and they threaten to retreat into my pockets. Like an elaborate and very intentional game of hide-and-seek.

Things sound still. Even in the busiest part of the day, the crisp quality of the air makes things seem quieter. The soundlessness lends an air of solitude to everyday life. I like this.

If I had to pick my one favorite thing about fall, though, I'd say it was the smell. Not always, but every now and then, I catch a whiff of burning firewood. A smell of smoke, sandwiched between pockets of cold air that almost sting when you inhale: This takes me back to every autumn I have ever lived, anywhere, everywhere in the world. Halloween becomes Lohri, Diwali becomes Thanksgiving, I am eight years old again, and all memories are one. In the fall, I can be wherever I want to be.

A Handful Of Chicago

2011-09-26T14:57:00.001-04:00

Humble travels are one of those things whose immense positive impact on one's well-being become apparent only in retrospect. Here are a few quick snapshots that detail my time in Chicago, a city that will forever hold a fond spot in my heart:

Modcloth Too Much Fun Dress

Anthropologie Anemone Bloom Cardigan

Seychelles Box Step Pump

I went to the Navy Pier with the sole intention of scoping it out for a photo shoot that was to take place there the following day, upon the request of a friend. As the universe would have it, the results of that shoot will never see the light of day. The evening I spent at the pier with my husband, however, will always remain a happy memory.

7848 miles. I considered this figure with alarm and sadness, and gave myself a brief moment amidst the joy to feel homesick and utterly lost.

There was an Anthropologie store mere minutes from where we were staying, and I ventured in one morning, simply because my schedule hadn't allowed me to see the inside of my local store in well over a couple of months. I longed to see the colors, feel the textures, and try on a few pieces I had had my eye on for a while.

Loosened Shelby Blouse and Contoured Crewneck

A G Stevie Ankle and Twisted Ascot Tee

Interspersed Ponte Dress

And a necklace I should have bought, but didn't. Ultimately, I walked out with a headband bought on sale, and a pair of earrings I had promised the winner of my last giveaway.

Devon Street was quite the shock to my senses. I felt suddenly and, without warning, transformed to some market I had visited in India once upon a time. Windows lined with lovely glass bangles, dishes rich with spices I had all but forgotten, all those familiar garish colors, and old men drinking tea on the sidewalk while reading newspapers in their native language. We ended up in one of the dozens of tiny restaurants lining the street, eating what was essentially a free meal, at the insistence of the very gracious hostess. I felt humbled, nostalgic and happy.

Most of all - and I realize this might sound strange - it felt amazing to, once again, look up and see a dizzy sight of skyscrapers disappearing into the blue. My hard-working pair of yellow pumps, the only pair I had packed for the week-long trip, served me quite well. I walked as much as I could and saw more than I thought I would. I concluded the trip with this small handful of photographs, and two pretty heinous blisters on my feet: happy souvenirs.

PS: Congratulations, Dianna Wan! You're the winner of the Smile Smile Giveaway, and I've sent you an email notification asking for your mailing address so I can send you your goodies :)

Breaking The Silence

2011-09-15T18:09:00.007-04:00

A lot has happened in our little style blogging community over the last couple of days. It has come as quite a blow to many that something so significant and horrifying could have gone on unreported for so long. Ever since this situation first started to unravel, I have been thinking about what, if anything, to say about it all. Torn between indignation, embarrassment and sympathy, I finally came to the conclusion that I would bare my soul and just say everything there is to be said, start to finish.

My hope is that this post will:
(a) allow me to finally purge my own thoughts and lighten my emotional load,
(b) answer many of the questions posed by readers and members of the blogosphere, and
(c) begin to set a foundation for rebuilding some of the trust that has understandably been lost from this formerly trusting community of women.


Part I: A history of my personal experience:

I started my own blog back in 2010, inspired by a handful of the juggernauts in the world of Anthro blogging. Over time, my blog became less of an Anthro-centric blog, and more of a personal journal of style, however, I somehow remained part of this inviting and supportive community. In March 2010, I asked a fellow blogger to please pick up a dress for me that wasn't available locally. She did, and the dress reached me in record time. I was thrilled. This experience, and the knowledge that others in the community had had similar great experiences, bolstered my faith in "the system." Throw in the implicit endorsement by many reputable brands, as well as bloggers growing ever-closer to one another through collaborations and cross-references, and it all added up to a sense of security and camaraderie that made the blogosphere feel like a safe haven.

In November 2010, I entered a blog contest and won a $25 gift card which, in spite of email inquiries on my part over the course of the next five months, never came. In this instance, I eventually stopped asking, because I felt petty for making a fuss over $25, especially since I hadn't "earned" it with sweat on my brow.

In March 2011, once again, I was in search of a seemingly hard-to-find item, and turned to the same blog, which had, in the past year, grown to include a personal shopping service that I had heard rave reviews about. I paid for the item up front, as I had done before, without hesitation. To cut a long story short, two months and a dozen emails later, there was still no sign of my item, nor of honoring my repeated requests for a refund. In spite of well-meaning friends trying to convince me that I was being taken for a ride, I chalked it up to sheer flakiness: annoying, but not malicious, and certainly not deserving of any overt signs of anger or rudeness on my part. Only once the excuses got so outlandish as to be insulting to my intelligence, did I get upset, and only once the tone of my emails got grim, did I finally get a refund, minus a small fee. In this instance, in the day or two preceding my refund, I considered the consequences of discussing my "problem" on my blog, but decided against it. Because I felt there was a chance this really had started out with good intentions. Because I didn't want to cause somebody public humiliation over something that might very well be a mistake. Because this person was so highly regarded in the blogging community, that I thought nobody would believe me, and I might end up looking like a jealous, mean, liar, and lose the trust of my readers in the process. And, (this part is what saddens me the most, in retrospect) because the possibility that I really had been briefly taken advantage of made me feel embarrassed and ashamed of myself.

In the months following this hiccup, our dynamic eventually went back to the way it used to be, and I felt guilty for ever having been upset about something so small, since it seemed she had bigger problems to deal with, namely, frequent instances of what seemed like cruel cyber-bullying. We commiserated: I had dealt with instances of childish name-calling on my own blog and knew how hurtful and demoralizing it could be. I helped her set up a more secure commenting interface, and hoped things would get better for her. Eventually, on a work-related trip to Chicago, I finally met my long-time blogger friend in person one evening. I did some photography for her, and we talked about her blog troubles, specifically, that a handful of unscrupulous persons were maligning her reputation on online forums. At the end of the evening, my overall impression was that this was a genuinely nice, soft-spoken, funny, kind person, very much in line with the persona I was familiar with online. I went to bed hoping her troubles would go away soon. I was in for a rude awakening.

Over the next two days, it became evident that I had been only one of hundreds of people who had had an unfortunate financial transaction with this blogger. As more and more information came to light, I saw people go through a whole range of emotions: shock, outrage, blind anger, sympathy.

True to form, my own reaction to this unfolding horror was complicated, to say the least.
(1) I was shocked and horrified at the extent of the wrongdoing.
(2) I was angry at the perpetrator for having taken advantage of my (desire to) trust.
(3) I was angry at myself for not having had the courage to speak up a long time ago, and for having put my concern for my reputation as a blogger ahead of my responsibility to myself.
(4) I was angry on behalf of the hundreds of unsuspecting people who had been taken advantage of.
(5) I was sad. Incredibly, heart-breakingly sad. For her. And I wished her a speedy recovery.

I realize my saying this will probably upset some people, especially those who lost significantly more money than I did, and are yet to recover it. For (5), I owe you an explanation.

Part II: A history of my own demons:

Please see here for a brief recap of my own past struggles with oniomania. To those of you too impatient to read through that post, here's the gist: I spent almost $6k of my parents money, without their permission**, over the course of one summer while I was in college. Much like this young woman in front of me, I had, at the time, deluded myself into thinking nobody would notice. But of course someone did; it was a significant amount of money. Just as in this case, the people affected by my wrongdoing wanted to know why I had done it, and what I thought was going to happen. Honestly, I simply hadn't thought about the potential consequences of my actions at all. And (I suspect) just as in this case, I had stolen, not because I needed new clothes- no, my closet was chock full of pretty things then as it is now- but because of other psychological issues that manifested themselves in my desire to always soothe myself by buying.

Today, I spoke with my mother about this recent scandal. Halfway through the conversation, I finally said out loud what we both were thinking: "This could have been me." It could have been. Had I taken liberties with a stranger's money, instead of my own father's, it could have been me. Had I not been caught, and shamed, by my family, it could have been me. Had I not, subsequently, gotten professional help for the underlying psychological issues that led to my bizarre addiction (hint: it wasn't greed), it could have been me.

Having been the perpetrator, and now (in a smaller sense) the victim of this senseless crime, I have a perspective that might be unique and even controversial in some circles. I don't presume to tell other victims of this tragedy how to deal with their situation. It's true, some lessons are only learned through dire consequences, and I can understand and fully appreciate the murderous rage of people who feel so terribly betrayed by somebody they loved, respected and idolized. I, however, cannot but feel heartbroken for her. I think I know the sense of loneliness, guilt and gut-wrenching shame that comes with being made to face one's demons. Of course, when I say "I know" what she is going through, what I really mean is "I hope."

Part III: A conversation about money:

Over on Effortless Anthropologie last night, many readers suggested it was time for style bloggers to address "the elephant in the...parlor." Style bloggers are often accused of perpetuating a dangerous myth: that reckless spending comes without dire consequences. In this very visually-propelled world, it can be easy to lose one's grip on the not-so-glamorous realities of life. I have often discussed these issues on my blog, and am open to further dialog on the issue, but for now, here are relevant excerpts from previous posts:

Taken from "A Working Closet" (read full post here) :
On wants versus needs:
"Being aware- of your self, and of your needs- is probably the greatest service you will ever do yourself. This principle can be applied to your closet to great effect. There are the needs of your lifestyle, needs of your closet, and then there are emotional needs....
It satisfies an emotional need, which is also a legitimate need. One pair of red heels. Not ten. If you feel like you need ten pairs of red heels to fulfill an emotional need, please stop here and see this post instead. Anything- anything- that you can't reasonably justify as a "need", you must honestly admit to yourself is a "want".
Admitting a want for what it really is, is the first step to keeping a rein on your purchases. I won't tell you to curtail your wants, because that would be hypocritical and frankly, inhumane. Instead, I'll say this: Be very mindful of what percentage of your clothing budget you spend each month on wants. Chances are, once you've crossed everything off your "needs" list and know it, your monthly clothing expenditure will shrink, since you'll be aware that what you're now buying is just "extra". Step 1, while it may seem redundant, is quite possibly the most important of the bunch. Too many bad closet (and life) decisions are made because we were just going through the motions thoughtlessly, buying into something that looked good on someone else- be it a dress or a dude. Don't be a sheep! Be acutely aware of your own sartorial personality, and the rest will start to look easy....."

On Setting Limits:
"Ideally, your closet should function so as to maximize your happiness while minimizing your suffering. If you're constantly working overtime in anticipation of hefty credit card bills, if you have to cut back on other important things- good food, health care, a social life, double-ply toilet paper- because you're allotting too much money to your monthly clothing budget, stop! Remember, you don't work for your closet- your closet works for you! Nice clothes are supposed to enhance the wonderful moments in your life, not replace them entirely.
Set limits for your closet, and set limits for your wallet. Then impose these limits unflinchingly. Be ruthless! Treat your closet space and your wallet like bratty children- the more strictly you impose discipline on them, the nicer they will be to you. Trust me.
If you absolutely must break your monthly budget, like for an emergency .......consider selling off a few things from your closet to make up the monetary loss. Not because an extra $100 one month will be the thing to drive you to bankruptcy, but because it'll be a good reminder that there's only so much space in your closet, in your budget and in your life- if one extra thing comes in, you've got to let go of something else you hold dear in order to make room for it. Think you can't do without all those clothes in your closet? Try Kendi's 30 for 30 challenge. It might teach you a thing or two about yourself- like the only thing that isn't limited in life is the bounds of your imagination. One pair of modestly priced blue jeans can take you farther than ten designer dresses."

Taken from "Shopaholics Anonymous" (read full post here):

On my personal spending habits:
"Realistically, my budget simply can not keep up with my ever-growing wants, and I refuse to even try. I will not veer from my self-imposed monthly limit.
I am fortunate enough to not have had to start my life out with debt hanging over my head. I have no student loans to repay, no car payments. And no credit cards*. I have a debit card linked to a checking account, into which a fixed amount of money goes in every month, and that is the money I allow myself to spend on, what I must admit, are non-essentials. I won't go into numbers and figures, but I'll tell you something I do know from first-hand experience. Even when I was "constrained" by a monthly budget three times what it is right now, there were just as many things on my wishlist I couldn't afford."

On Shopaholism:
"Oniomania, or shopaholism, as you and I know it, is not something you nudge-nudge-wink-wink about on fashion forums. It is a serious disorder, and can be as debilitating to the persons and the families it affects, at least in its financial backlash and emotional toll, as some other "real" addictions. If you find yourself, or someone you care about, incurring debt, habitually buying things you don't use, or having to hide purchases from friends and family, please recognize that these might be signs of a real problem.
Reach out to your best friend, or your significant other, or a trusted coworker. See a counselor if you think you need to. Chances are, all these people won't think you the weak, irresponsible, monster you think they will. Chances are, they will give you support, advice, and encouragement that might make you confront the real issues that propel you to buy excessively. Self-soothing, void-filling, overcompensating- I'm not a clinician, but my own experiences lead me to believe that shopaholism is very seldom just about pure greed."

The thought of divulging exact numbers and figures on the internet is a frightening one for a number of reasons. However, I do believe style bloggers owe it to their readers to not mislead them into buying into the hype with no regard for consequence. I am as open to reasonable requests and questions as I have always been, and encourage you to ask me anything you'd like within the bounds of respectful dialog.


Part IV: Rebuilding the faith:

One of the things that most upset me about this community's recent crisis, aside from the outrage that is the actual wrongdoing, was the disheartening realization of its implications on the rest of the blogging community. This debacle has left an undeniable bad taste in everybody's mouth. I have read comments from readers who say they feel the need to distance themselves from all the blogs for a while. I have read comments from fellow bloggers who want to stop blogging. Understandably, simply being a silent spectator of this wreck must be so very exhausting. In no way am I trying to pass the buck. I won't tell you how "just because there's one bad apple, doesn't mean you should distrust the whole bunch." I know that trust is a delicate and innate thing, often unconstrained by reason, or an understanding of "should" and "must".

To be honest (and at the risk of being misunderstood), I will say this: I feel like we are all, as a community, somehow complicit in this misfortune. After all, it was we who exalted someone to such great heights, that no single person dared question them, for years on end. Maybe the lesson to be learned here is to be sensibly wary of anything that looks too good to be true, just like your mother taught you. At the very least, I know that trust is like a house of cards: it takes aeons to build, and a split instant to come tumbling down. My own positive experiences within this community, however, lead me to believe (hope? - there's that word again) that in time, we will all be able to move on and find the familiar comfort and camaraderie we so love about this little corner of the big, bad internet.

I hope this post helps answer some of your questions (I will not be able to respond individually to every email I have received re: comments on this matter, at least until I am back home in D.C.)
One last thing: In your discussions, please be as graceful and respectful as your emotions allow you to be. Remember, this is a sensitive time for many.

* Since the publication of this post, I have acquired a low-limit credit card which I use once or twice a month and pay off regularly.

** Initially, I had used the word "stole", but vehement protests from my mother ("you can't steal that which is, in a sense, yours", "stop berating yourself" etc.) have caused me to soften the proverbial blow a little. Still, for the purposes of this discussion, which is on addiction and not thievery, the gist remains the same.

A Stunning Fall Line-up

2011-09-08T13:03:00.002-04:00

Although summer is technically my favorite season, fall is undoubtedly the most anticipated by my closet. I'd even go so far as to say fall is what Anthropologie does best. Maintaining a degree of whimsy and femininity through the bulky layers of cold-weather apparel is quite a feat in and of itself. This fall, Anthro seems to be gearing up to make some changes to my usual dress-cardi-coat routine, which I really appreciate. Among others, there are two trends that the brand seems to be espousing this fall that really caught my eye. One is a tendency towards prim, vintage shapes, à la tie-neck secretary blouses. The other is a play on lengths, as evidenced by hemlines that are longer or shorter than the standard fare.

The thing I'm looking forward to most this fall, is something I generally avoid: sweaters. A welcome change from the dozens of cardigans I usually turn to in the colder months.

The Contoured Crewneck caught my eye right away, not only because of its rich green hue (I love jewel tones for the drab, colder months), but because of its many special details: the unusually long patch of ribbing on the sleeves, the chain-stitch cross detail at the neck, the knit bands at the hem and, of course, the hemline itself. Cropped on the front, it provides the perfect counterpoint to a long, fitted tee or a shift dress layered underneath. This is one piece I plan on picking up for certain.

The Cabled Camellia Pullover is what comes to mind when I think of the words "classic Anthro." The gorgeous floral print over cobalt wool is very evocative of vintage silk scarves, and the ombre shading in the back is just as pretty. The subtle star of the show, as given away by the name of this piece, is the cabling running down the length of the sleeves. Here's another sweater that is somewhat cropped at the waist, and would be beautiful over, say, a blush-colored dress.

The Bailong Pullover is another study in unusual lengths, and sheer layers seem to be a big trend for fall. I love the airy mohair knit and the light chartreuse hue, and the modest proportions of it make me more likely to embrace its sheerness than summer's sheer tops, which I avoid like the plague. I especially like the idea of pairing this number with maxi skirts and dresses, as seen in the lovely model shot.

The Lemon Liftoff blouse, named after its bright yellow hue and whimsical owl print, seems to have stolen many a heart in the blogosphere. It's got that conservative tie-neck I've been craving, but the blindingly-bright-color-meets-cutesy-print had me scratching my head for something to wear it with. That is, until I saw this amazing outfit on Anthro's Facebook page.

The Wrap Around Blouse has almost everything I'm looking for in a top right now: stripes, color, and a silhouette that is as modest as it is unusual. Worn with skinny jeans under autumn's tweed blazers, this would be perfect for work or play.

The Sepviva Pullover is actually a knit tee, masquerading as a Victorian-inspired blouse. The slight balloon-sleeve, the neck tie, and the gorgeous wine color is just what the doctor ordered for my fall wardrobe, and I can see this being paired with everything from blue jeans to wool skirts for the winter.

The Twisted Ascot Tee has a mock tie-neck, and brings some welcome respite from all the boxy cuts we've been seeing on the shelves lately. To me, this looks like the perfect "something extra" tee, since I am beyond sick and tired of the ruffle-embellished tees Anthro has been churning out for...oh...the last two years or so now. This beauty comes in four colors, of which I plan on picking up the ivory, as well as the "beige" (pictured above) which reads like a muted mustard color to me.

Leave it to Anthro to break my I-hate-denim funk. The Pilcro Stet takes on yet another big trend for fall: colored jeans. This muted salmon shade (the website calls it "pink") is more up my alley than some of the more out-there colors available, and I've been lusting after it ever since it showed up online. Perfectly proportioned for petites, and a beautiful partner to the Cabled Camellia Pullover pictured above.

The On Air Skirt is yet another piece that seems to have generated a lot of blogger buzz, and it's easy to see why. A sheer layer of blush-toned silk chiffon floats over the lining, garnering this piece rave reviews from everyone who's tried it on so far. At 34.5", it's somewhere between a midi and maxi length for petites like myself, which is an intriguing length. The elegant simplicity of this skirt makes it the perfect foil for fall's thicker knits up top.

The Extended Argyles Sweater Skirt is a lesson in autumn luxury. I don't remember ever having seen a skirt that so ingeniously couples cozy sweaterknit with an elegant maxi length. I love the way the bold pattern is tempered with a neutral palette and, if the model shot is to be trusted, the skirt seems to have wonderful drape and movement to it. Yes, please.

The Swaying Meadow Skirt seems more appropriate for late summer than fall, given its length and viscose construction. The details, however, completely win me over. The deep chartreuse shade is something my closet has been craving for months (sorry, Chartreuse Shoots Dress), as is the paperbag waist (sorry, Million Pleats Midi), and the peacock feather print is just too beautiful for words. My only worry is the fit, which reportedly runs big, so any information on sizing from ladies who've tried it on is much appreciated.

Another thing I love about fall at Anthro, is sweaterdresses, and the Glinting Persica Sweaterdress does not disappoint. I can't decide what I love more, the peach-and-taupe florals, the glinting gold threads, or the window detail in the back, but all-in-all, this dress is sure to make it to my closet this fall.

The Interspersed Ponte Dress is another piece that evokes classic Anthro style. The plum shade is especially lovely (it is also available in black), and the star of the show is the gorgeous lace panel that comprises the sleeves and back. Yet another perfect marriage of comfort and beauty.

The Agnita Dress is, in many respects, the fall/winter dress of my dreams. With its stunning mix of multiple sweaterknits as well as (what appears to be) printed and solid jersey materials, one must really scroll over the product shot or see it in person to appreciate all the amazing details in this dress. The only down side? The cruelly painful price point!

So that's the long and short of my fall wishlist. Anything on my list that catches your fancy? Anything you've tried on and care to share your opinion on? Did I miss a couple of your fall favorites? Let me know what you think!

Rockstar White Review + Smile Smile Giveaway!

2011-08-31T09:45:00.004-04:00

Once upon a time, I was an anemic little seven-year-old, and the doctor ordered a daily spoonful of iron tonic to help matters along. As the universe, in its infinite wisdom and its cruel sense of humor would have it, the tonic stained my teeth an unsightly, splotchy brown, which reduced me from a giggly little kid to a self-conscious, giggly little kid who spoke, smiled and laughed with her hand covering her mouth. A few years later, the splotches were gone, but the self-doubt remained. Cut to 2010: like many brides-to-be, I wanted to flash a dazzling smile for the camera, and dove head-first into an out-patient whitening regimen that left me underwhelmed, and with a much lighter wallet (seriously, I could have had hired a videographer for what I paid that dentist.)

Well, not too long ago, I was offered the chance to review Rockstar White, an in-home teeth whitening system that supposedly affords you all the benefits of a professional whitening session, right in the comfort of your own home. I have tried home whitening kits in the past, and right off the bat, the one thing that sets Rockstar White apart from the others is the fact that you get your own custom-fitted dental tray, like you would at the dentist. No more messy plastic strips that peel off and make you drool awkwardly all over your chin (ugh.) The kit comes with a sort of translucent putty that you bite into, to create the dental molds, which I thought was quite a clever innovation. You squeeze a small amount of the whitening gel into the molded trays, put them on for about an hour, and you're done. The simplicity of the whole procedure is only the beginning of what I loved about this product. Here's the good:

* The custom trays did not budge like strips tend to do. They stayed put very snugly for the entire hour.

* I had ZERO dental sensitivity. I emphasize this only because my teeth are generally very sensitive. Enough that I use Sensodyne Pronamel everyday, and my whitening session at the dentist's office as well as other in-home systems (Rembrandt is one I can think of off the top of my head) left me with mind-blowingly painful zings for over a week afterwards.

* It comes with an ointment for sensitivity, should it occur.

* The gel is supposed to last a whopping 27 separate applications. I can't vouch as to the accuracy of this, since I haven't used it that many times yet, but even at a hypothetical 20 applications, it's a steal for the price.

* Speaking of which, the price, compared to what I got for almost ten times the money at the dentist's office, is amazing.

* It works. I saw significant and noticeable change within 4 hours of my first application. And that impresses me.

And now, the not-so-great:

* On me, the whitening effects were most apparent after the first three sessions. After that, it sort of starts to plateau out. Now I will only be using the product a couple of times a week, for maintenance, rather than for actual shade correction.

* For about an hour after each application, I saw splotchy, white discolorations on some of my teeth that caused me to panic. These discolorations mysteriously disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only white teeth, in an hour's time. But this means you cannot use this product last-minute, like in the car, on your way to an important meeting or a date.

So there's my review of Rockstar White. Overall, I'm very impressed, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others. And now comes the good part: The generous folks at Rockstar White have graciously offered to give away a kit to one lucky LGBC reader. And and and...there's more! In addition to the whitening kit, the winner of this giveaway will also receive these beautiful Anthropologie Sea Drops Earrings, c/o Me!

All you have to do to enter the giveaway, is:

1. Be a follower of Little Girl Big Closet, and in the comments, leave the id you use to follow, as well as your email address, so I can notify you if you win.

2. Name three things that make you smile. Be honest and original!

3. You get one extra entry for tweeting and/or blogging about this giveaway.

That's it! Easy as pie :) So get started, count your blessings, and share what makes you happy!

Anthropologie Glanz Dress

Anthropologie Cartography Cardigan

J.Crew Thompson Tote

Seychelles Wedges

**Giveaway ends Sept 16**

Review 1: Misikko Hana Flat Iron

2011-08-23T22:04:00.001-04:00

A couple of weeks ago the gracious folks at Misikko contacted me and asked if I'd be interested in reviewing the Hana Professional 1.5" Flat Iron for them. I'd heard good things about Misikko from the blogger grapevine; specifically, that they were a small company with excellent customer service and an array of great hair products. Not only that, my own trusty T3 straightener, having served me faithfully for three years, wasn't quite getting the job done as quickly and efficiently as it used to. So, I was in the market for a new straightening iron. Honestly, I had my heart set on a CHI straightener, since the line routinely garners rave reviews from users, and is also readily available at my local Target. I have never personally tried a CHI straightener before, but I have been trying the Hana iron that the Misikko folks sent me, and here's my review of it:

First, my hair iron came delightfully packaged with a half dozen other free goodies (emery boards, elf cosmetics, hand sanitizer, sleep mask etc.), best of which was the full-sized bottle of Hana Shine Shield, a light-weight serum that eliminated static (a common problem my fine hair has had with many flat irons in the past) and gave my hair a sleek texture and glassy shine. In the interest of concision, here's a list of pros and cons I've compiled from about two weeks of using my new flat iron:

Pros:
* The wide plates get more hair at a time than my old iron, and finish the job faster.
* Curved plate edges mean I can curl and flip my hair more easily.
* There is absolutely no snagging, even when I use it as a curler, which is impressive.
* The temperature dial is on the inside of the clamp, so I no longer accidentally turn it to low while using it.
* Even without the serum, there is virtually no static problem.
* After two weeks of use, mostly without the protective serum, I see no increase in dryness or split ends in my hair, so I am prone to believe the claims about this iron being less damaging.
* The heat-proof storage pouch it comes with, which means I can stow it away right after I use it, without worrying it might burn the contents of my bathroom cabinet.

Cons:
* It takes noticeably longer than my T3 to heat up to the highest setting.
* That's it, really. That's the only real negative I can see so far.

Overall, and especially compared to my T3 which was quite a bit more expensive, the Hana flat iron is really the best flat iron for my money. My only concern now is if it will last me as long as my trusty T3.

Since you all see me with pin-straight hair everyday, I decided to try a slightly different take on my usual hairstyle for this post, to demonstrate the versatility of the Hana iron. I flipped the ends of my hair out into bouncy, random curls. I quite like the effortlessly voluminous look it created, and it took less than five minutes to do. All in all, I'm smitten with my new flat iron. For a great video review of the straightening function of this iron, visit Infinite Whimsy here.

Disgruntled Anthro Patron

2011-08-12T20:10:00.004-04:00

Dear Anthro,

Let me preface this email by telling you that I have been one of your most loyal and adoring patrons since the day I first discovered you, 7 years ago. I love your clothing and everything it stands for. Further, I am a style blogger who wears Anthro on an almost-daily basis, and I enjoy reading the blogs of like-minded women with similar taste.

This morning, I moseyed on over to one of my favorite blogs, Effortless Anthropologie, and was delighted to see this post describing the Color + Print event that she and other NYC area bloggers were invited to recently. This blog post directed me to a contest on Anthro's Faceboook page, where readers were asked to vote for their favorites from among an array of bloggers modeling some of Anthro's fall looks. I was thrilled to find so many beautiful women of all shapes and sizes, showing off their unique sense of style, and went a little click-crazy, "liking" many of my favorites, since it was too difficult to just pick one.

And then....sadness. I scrolled through the comments and saw some of the most vile, hateful, hurtful words I've ever had the misfortune of encountering in all my time as a style blogger. The vast majority of the negative comments were gratuitously malicious, and could in no way be interpreted as constructive criticism. As I kept reading, it felt like someone had just punched me in the gut. People were not only bashing Anthro clothing in general, but tearing down real women who had come out to support your business. It was just disgusting. I can't begin to understand why you would put all these wonderful women out there and indiscriminately invite the world to comment on them, and not exercise an ounce of moderation. Why didn't you protect these young women who were kind enough to model your wares for you? Why didn't you protect the feelings of patrons such as myself who actually happen to like your "gross" "grandma clothes"? Why didn't you delete the comments that were especially vindictive and hateful, with a warning to the authors of those comments (I saw several repeat offenders)? If all you wanted was to run a contest wherein people would vote for their favorites, why didn't you simply allow Likes, and disallow comments? There are so many different ways in which this could have been handled.

I am all for freedom of speech, and think that people who absolutely hate Anthro should have just as loud a voice as those who love it. But free speech mustn't be confused with abusive rhetoric whose sole discernible purpose is to denigrate. In addition, when I, an Anthropologie patron, join an Anthro-run fan page on Facebook, I expect to find, at best, useful information, inspiring pictures and discourse, and like-minded lovers of the brand and, at worst, people who have a neutral opinion of the brand, or are there to air a genuine grievance re: service or quality. I do not expect to find hardened Anthro-bashers in an Anthro fan group. I don't think I am being unreasonable in my expectations. So when I visit your page and find that a mind-boggling majority of the comments are geared towards hurting the feelings of women like myself, who happen to like these clothes and choose to put them on everyday, I feel let down. In this day and age, you have a responsibility to your loyal patrons that goes beyond pretty catalogs and whimsical prints. That responsibility includes having the foresight to not put your patrons in a position where they may be privy to hurtful speech directly or indirectly aimed at them, by virtue of your negligence.
.....I'm just baffled. And I am saddened. And angry, hurt, and thoroughly disgruntled.

Sincerely,

Tara B.
Little Girl Big Closet.


ETA: Many of you, since having read this post, have written in asking if Anthropologie ever responded to the email I sent them. They did. The following is the email I receoved from Anthropologie's community manager, Kelly Thurman, on Monday:

Hi Tara,

I hope you’re doing well and enjoying your summer. I read the blog post you wrote on Friday in regards to our Facebook post on the Color and Print blogger event. The intent of the post was to share with our Facebook fans the sneak peek of our fall apparel and how the bloggers styled their own outfits. When the post veered in to unkind remarks around body image and physical appearances, I too was shocked and saddened by our fans. I do want to let you know that we were monitoring the conversation very closely and all negative, hurtful commentary was removed. Unfortunately the nature of the Internet allows a vocal minority to create noise about matters with which we do not agree.

Furthermore, we posted the following message to our wall this morning:

“We’re hours away from announcing winners of our Color+Print contest! Thanks to those who kindly voted...notice we said “kindly." We're disheartened some chose to make unkind comments about the participating bloggers. To not like our fashion is one thing but to be rude to fellow women is uncalled for. (We hold you to higher standards!) One last note: to the 23 gals who gracefully accepted our styling challenge, we say "brava!" Nothing can take away the fun we had, nor inhibit your fearless style!”

As you know, Anthropologie is a brand that stands for individuality, confidence and diversity. I speak on behalf of the Anthropologie home office collective of women when I say, we echo your frustrated sentiments and are much in favor of celebrating and supporting our fellow females.

Best,

Kelly

KELLY THURMAN
community manager

One Day Older

2011-08-12T10:38:00.000-04:00

A few days ago, while clicking around the blog, I realized, to my pleasant surprise, that somehow I had gotten to the 1K reader mark at some point this year. This discovery made my heart skip a beat, naturally. So I wanted to take a quick moment to thank everyone who takes a few minutes off their lives to come read my rambling monologues, and participates by leaving words of support and encouragement. Thank you.

This also got me to thinking about how my life has changed since having started this little bloggy (ad)venture. Most obvious among its effects has been the fact that putting my sartorial habits out there for people to peruse has made me a more thoughtful dresser: I make an effort to put things together in more creative and unique ways than I did before, and am part of a community of other creative bloggers (and readers!) who provide me with constant inspiration and push me to try new things I never thought I would. I am more purposeful in what I put into my closet and on my body than I've ever been before. An unintended, surprising and very happy side benefit of fashion blogging in general, and of thoughtful dressing in particular, is that I now spend less- much less- on clothing than I used to before. I have a reasonable monthly budget and I stick to it ruthlessly, because just glancing at my blog reminds me of how much I already have. And because I spend less on clothes, I have more in hand, which allows me to, simply put, live better. I don't live like a queen, but I can allow myself little pleasures like giving to others.

But the biggest blog-induced changes in me have come about from the many lessons I've learned from hiccups along the way. That I must be especially careful in choosing my words, because while this is my space to do with as I please, the fact that it is open to the public means that others are invariably affected by what I say. That I must balance cathartic candor with responsibility. That bullies exist outside the schoolyard, and in dealing with them, I must prioritize maintaining my own dignity over shaming them. That I must, at times, eat humble pie for the sake of civility, even when I'm convinced I am right. And, best of all, that complete strangers can touch my life in a way that is profound, uplifting, and enduring. Thanks again for sticking with me so far. I hope to be able to make it worth your while :)

Anthropologie Network Dress (similar here)

Anthropologie Climate Control Cardigan (on sale here)

Urban Outfitters Patent Slingbacks (similar here)

J.Crew Cameron Satchel

Owl pin- gift from my mother

Thankless Art

2011-08-08T22:14:00.002-04:00

I make pictures for a living. I know, right?! Leading the "OmgNoWay" parade is my poor, befuddled mother: It's difficult for her to understand why I would choose to give up (temporarily, she hopes) on a promising academic career in favor of something as trivial as taking pictures of strangers. Something so undemanding of my intellectual potential, so frivolous, so ignoble, that it is often referred to as my hobby. Why not go back to graduate school? Write a book? Do something other than spend hours in the sweltering heat, with sweat on my brow and bloodied feet, climbing down a sheer, rocky drop or wading waist-deep through muddy waters to get the perfect picture of the best day of someone else's life, only to have many of them never so much as acknowledge me with a smile or a "thank you" afterwards. So why do I do it? I'll tell you if you tell me.

Why do you do what you do for a living?

Anthropologie Artist's Rendering Dress

Anthropologie Budding T-Straps

J.Crew Quincy Tote

Wordless Weekends

2011-08-05T21:34:00.002-04:00

Anthropologie Neo-Refinement Pullover (other colorways here and here)

Anthropologie Lengthening Rays Skirt

Anthropologie Silver-Dusted Wedges (in black here)

Forever21 Necklace

Rainy Day Women

2011-08-02T14:28:00.004-04:00

I suspect that every once in a while, most women have the kind of day when they feel like everyone and everything in the universe is out to get them. And never is this sense of impending doom and paranoia more likely to plague me than on a day that involves the DMV. From the four-hour wait to the sour young lady at the window who snarls at me menacingly, and speaks to me in a tone so harsh and condescending, it would make a houseplant wilt. She tells me I don't have all the requisite documentation for her to process my request, never you mind that I called ahead to ask for a list of everything I would need to bring along. I offer to wait at the window while the husband runs home to retrieve said document; after all, we live but a minute down the street. Without so much as looking up to acknowledge our request, she tells us we must get back in the now mile-long line and wait our turn again. She then proceeds to turn her back to us, and to nobody in particular, makes a shockingly rude and downright obscene remark, in a language she doesn't realize I speak fluently. I cringe and sigh.

Anthropologie Crop Patterns Dress

Anthropologie Anadyomene Cardigan (budget substitute here)
Forever21 Satin Slingbacks (similar here)
Urban Outfitters Headband (similar here)
J.Crew Thompson Tote (similar here)

As I am typing this and you are reading it, we're probably quite a privileged minority of women, not only in the world, but even by the standards of this nation alone. Not many women have the luxury of having all of their basic needs comfortably met, such that they have enough spare time on their hands to concern themselves with the esoteric, the aesthetic and the sublime. Knowing this frequently makes me feel guilty for complaining about anything at all.

But let's be honest, among the perks of being part of a community (of any kind), commiseration comes in a close third after support and vicarious pleasure. So come join me. Rant, bitch and gripe about something that's rubbing you the wrong way. We're all here to listen.

Wordless Weekends

2011-07-29T22:50:00.001-04:00

Modcloth Sandbar Sunrise Dress

Anthropologie Climate Control Cardi

Anthropologie Silver-Dusted Wedges (in black here)

J.Crew Thompson Tote

A Quick Hello

2011-07-27T18:17:00.002-04:00

Here's what I wore to a weekend wedding :

Anthropologie Gathering Breeze Dress

BHLDN Gilded Trillium Kisslock Clutch

Seychelles Veronica Pump (similar here)

The verdict? It wrinkles after a few hours of sweating, sitting and squirming, but other than that, it is by far the most beautiful dress I have ever put on.

Of Marriage And Other Weighty Things

2011-07-18T22:15:00.001-04:00

This summer has been significant for me in more ways than one. About a week ago, my husband and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary which, I can now admit out loud, was as much a surprise to me as it was a joyous occasion. I'm not sure just how typical my experience is, but from where I stand, in spite of all the love, trust, and good intentions two people bring to the table, the first year of marriage is really quite enough to drive them both up the wall. Suddenly, things you once found endearing or, at least, tolerable, now rub you the wrong way with ever-increasing abrasiveness. Unsoaked dishes, little quirks, wet towels on the bed... and you begin to realize, the most important thing that keeps a marriage afloat, at least in its infancy, is not love, but patience. Oodles of it. Great, big, heaping truckloads.

Modcloth Gilded Pearl Dress

BHLDN Gilded trilluim Kisslock Clutch

Anthropologie Silver-Dusted Wedges

Now I'm no more an expert on marriage than a carrot is a Persian rug, so I won't presume to lecture anyone on the subject. The only reason I even bring this all up is to express my relief at having made it as far as I have (God knows I'm not always Miss Congeniality.) Having reached this humble milestone, I feel somehow lighter. Like I don't have to hold my breath all the time, ready for disaster. Like I am not as irredeemable, insufferable, and woefully impatient as I had feared. And that knowledge might be the momentum I need to make it through another year with another one of these on my face -----> :)

This has also, in many ways, been a summer of acceptance for me. Most notable in its relevance to this blog, acceptance of the way I look. Long time readers may recall this post addressing my long battle with body image. As it is with many young women, I have fallen into the trap of letting the so-called fashion gurus play on my insecurities and tell me that I should steer clear of this, that and the other. That this would hide my curvy hips or that would hide the fact that I am two inches shorter than I would like to be.

The funny thing about pushing oneself outside one's comfort zone is that often, one finds that some things are better left untouched, and why-fix-it-if-it-ain't-broke. One satisfies one's lust for adventure, and comes right back home to Sundress and Cardigan (So long, wide-leg jeans! Alas! It was not to be.) Every once in a long while, though, one stumbles onto something good. A new comfort zone. A place where I-think-I-like-how-this-looks-on-me-and-never-you-mind-that-I'm-only-5'2".

Hello, maxi. Pleased to make your acquaintance.

Simple Simon

2011-07-14T20:56:00.000-04:00

Forgive me, dear readers, as I am still stumbling about this whole blogging business somewhat awkwardly, trying to get back into the groove of things. Just for giggles, let's dive right in, shall we? In the time that I've been gone, a curious thing has happened. Nine out of ten days, I have been reaching for whites. Long-time readers of this blog might recall how unusual it is for me not to drench myself in color. When I realized how I had been dressing for these past few months, the annoyingly over-analytical side of me got to work. I am still mad about color, and have been buying lots of it- just not wearing much. The only answer I could come up with that made any sense, was that I was subconsciously reaching for tranquility. My days overburdened with duties and my mind cluttered with un-inspiration, I just wanted some quiet time. And because I am an emotional dresser, well...you catch my drift.

J.Crew Silk Sophie Blouse

Anthropologie Conch Shell Skirt

J.Crew Thompson Tote

Seychelles Box Step Pump

Just out of curiosity, are any of you prone to emotional dressing, too? How does this come across in your outfit choices on a day-to-day basis?

Before I go, please allow me to sing praises of the J.Crew blouse you see in these pictures. You see, aside from being an emotional dresser, I am also known to be a not-so-practical dresser. My closet is chock-full of pretty dresses, yet woefully lacking in quality basics. And in this blouse, I have found two of the pieces I have been looking for, for what seems like ages: a summer-appropriate white shirt, and a ladylike silk blouse. From the light-as-air crepe de chine to the brass buttons and pin-tucked yoke, this blouse is tasteful details galore, and I simple cannot stop reaching for it day after day. Okay, I am done gushing now, and promise (pinky swear this time) to be back this weekend with another summery white number I've been dying to share with you!

Adversity

2011-06-25T12:41:00.000-04:00

To me, it seems that the greatest challenges faced by a woman are often not the ones imposed on her by society or circumstance, but the obstacles she willfully casts in her own path. Such is the case with lack of inspiration, a demon whom I never thought I would encounter, and in that smugness lay my greatest folly. For weeks, even months, now, my entries have grown rarer. I could keep lying to you, or worse, to myself, and maintain firmly that I have simply been too busy. Poor health, too much work, and too many social obligations are the labels I have put on this nameless enemy.

I got to a point where "all was good" with the little corner of my universe that is this blog, and the elation soon gave way to trepidation. My happiness and the small victory that was mine, rather than pushing me forth to do more, held me back. Essentially, my mind decided to get out while the going was good. Even having reached this realization, anything that is my own- little joys, little accomplishments, even though there are plenty- is no longer enough to sustain my inspiration. I am still stumbling about mindlessly, trying to find something that might put me back on track so my creativity is self-perpetuating. A beautiful place, a poem, a picture, I don't know.

Anthropologie Lengthening Rays Skirt

J.Crew Candy Tee

J.Crew Thompson Tote

Seychelles Peep-Toes

In the meantime, thank you for your patience, thank you for sticking with me, and here, as promised, is part one of the dozens of OOTDs from the backlog I have accumulated.

Anthropologie's Summer Fashion Show

2011-06-10T08:00:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago I was invited to attend a fashion show at Anthropologie's Annapolis, MD store, that was to showcase the brand's summer offerings. I was quite excited about this because, given the hectic nature of the last month or so, I was in desperate need of some pretty distractions. I was allowed a guest, and naturally, I brought along my trusty cameraman/chauffeur/bestie, my husband Daniel.

L: Buttonside Pullover, Discreet Designs Skirt.

R: Hypnotic Maxi Dress, Line-Upon-Line Cardi.

I had no idea what to expect, since I had never been to such an event before at Anthropologie, or anywhere else for that matter. To be honest, I felt a little intimidated at the prospect of sitting front-and-center with seasoned fashionistas, judging and being judged, didn't seem like something I was cut out for. What I found when I got to the store, however, was quite a pleasant surprise. the air was more-or-less informal, and the staff was just as friendly as ever. As a matter of fact, there were even several shoppers walking around behind the "show" area, perusing the offerings on the racks. The only thing that marked the event as something out-of-the-ordinary were the tables of delicious treats for the guests, and the makeshift runway created by the parted rows of seating. A couple of familiar faces in the crowd, and I was already beginning to feel a lot more at ease.

L: Spring Shelter Cardigan, Blazing Blouse, Cropped Culottes.

R: Noisette Jacket, Textural Paradise Top, Forty-Eight-Hours Duffle.

L: Wildflower Foxtrot Dress, Lace Braid Vest, Skinny Weave Belt.

R: Pointelle Posy Pullover, Slouchy Tapered Trousers.

Fly Me Away Anorak, Annie Trousers, Tayrona Necklace.

L: Chevron Cardi, Tradewinds Trousers, Amoeba Necklace, Braided Finery Belt.

R: Splashed Tank, Pale Bright Skirt, Sempervivum Belt, Ponderosa Fedora.

L: Filtered Rays Top.

R: Lobster Bake Chemise.

L: Filtered Light Tunic, Coining Necklace, Nomad Scarf Bag.

R: Confluence Top, Odonata Culottes.

As the fashion show began, one after another thoughtfully-compiled ensemble was paraded down the runway. Upon retrospection, it's clear that they all had one thing in common: a very decidedly laid-back air, quite appropriate to the sweltering summer we're now experiencing in D.C. Spring's slightly-structured bohemian looks gave way to an even more relaxed, cool, neutral palette, with occasional flashes of riotous color to brighten things up. Flowing, slouchy silhouettes, loungewear worn as everyday clothing, and crisp, tone-on-tone whites evoked memories of a seaside getaway, with a few of the outfits bordering on what I think of as resort wear. Of course, every show has its star, and the star outfit of this show, to me, was this:

Dutch Yellow Shift, Fading Madras Blazer, Tabby Cloche.

Once the fashion show ended, we joined the other guests, exploring the store, and picking out our favorite pieces from the runway to try on. I was struck by the profusion of "easy" pieces, very non-typical of Anthropologie: pieces that could transition into just about anybody's closet to update and polish a summer wardrobe.

R: Fleeting Peony Hat.

R (on model) : Roll-Up Slouchy Shorts, Flourishing Stripes Tank, Striped Crossover Jacket, Monarch Wing Headband.

Embroidery Pattern Skirt, Gull Wing Dress, Tabby Cloche, Fringed Botanicals Pillow.

Village Green Bag, Nomad Scarf Bag, Beaded Geometry Bag, Artist's Rendering Dress.

The Artist's Rendering Dress was one I had been wanting to try on ever since having laid eyes on it online. I was somewhat disappointed to find that it did not, as suggested by the product photograph, come with a black sash, but was still determined to give it a go. Lara, the beautiful and talented Personal Shopper from the Tyson's Galleria store (who you might remember from this series), talked me into trying several other pieces that she thought might win me over and, as usual, she was spot-on.

On Lara: Mementos Maxi Dress.

Artists's Rendering Dress, Butterfly Net Dress, Seashell Cardigan, Night-And-Day Dress, Fading Madras Blazer, A-Bit-Unruly Top, J Brand Love Story Petite Jeans.

Although trying on the pretty clothes and experiencing an Anthro fashion show was quite a treat in and of itself, my favorite part of the evening was simply walking around the store, taking in the sights and sounds. As usual, I loved seeing the way the store mannequins had been styled, and marveled at just how many beautiful, stylish young women I found under one roof.

L: Smocked Gauze Dress, Hyperbole Pullover.

R: Off The Vine Top, Iznik Scarf, Dynamic Zigs Dress, Skinny Weave Belt.

L: Rugby Stripe Blouson, Discreet Designs Skirt, Inner Circle Necklace.

L: Gull Wing Dress.

R: Spectrum Caftan.

The evening surpassed my wildest expectations, and was really the breath of fresh air my melting summer morale needed. I came away with fresh ideas, inspiration galore, and loads of wonderful memories. The Anthropologie team was as gracious and pleasant as ever, and running into familiar faces was quite the treat, too. Heartfelt thanks go out to Lara and the entire team at Anthropologie Annapolis for the invite, and for hosting such an enjoyable evening and, as always, mad props to the photographer ;) I hope you all enjoyed this post as much as I did reminiscing about it, and I apologize for having taken two full weeks to post it, given my horrible health as of late. No worries, I plan on beating this pesky bug yet! I'll be back with more summery goodness and a huge backlog of outfit posts in a minute :)

Hello, World!

2011-06-02T15:57:00.000-04:00

It's been a long, long time, readers. May was an impossible whirlwind of commitments, illnesses, tragedies and celebrations. And although I admit to have been thinking of taking a self-imposed break from blogging anyway, as things turned out, I really didn't have one spare minute in my day to devote to my blog. So imagine my delight at having found myself a few hours of respite this afternoon. A great deal has transpired since I've been gone and, thankfully, much of it has been documented so I will, at some point, be sharing it with you. For now, though, I will ease back into blogging with a handful of pictures taken on a windy day:

Anthropologie Goldfield Skirt

J.Crew Tank

Seychelles Wedge

Before I forget, Amelia is the winner of my Anthropologie Summer Giveaway (Hello Amelia, check your inbox for a notification!) I'll be back tomorrow with my coverage of Anthropologie's summer fashion show in Annapolis, MD, so please do stay tuned and...thanks for sticking around :)

Taking It Easy

2011-05-10T09:55:00.002-04:00

These past few weeks have been a complete whirlwind for me. Funnily enough, as the weddings to attend, photoshoots to plan, chores to take care of, have been piling on, so has my resolve to take it easy. Granted, it doesn't always work the way I want it to, and many nights I go to bed feeling frazzled, overworked, and completely drained, but all of this only bolsters my determination to "chill harder" tomorrow. To help me along in my quest, I've compiled a list of things to do along the way, big and small, that I am hoping will add to a sense of calm in my life:

Anthropologie Shifting Buttons Skirt

J.Crew Embroidered Flowers Tee

J.Crew Glass Mosaic Chandelier Earrings

J.Crew Chain And Crystal Cuff

J.Crew Thompson Tote

Muddy Target Pumps

1. Clean the house: Do I have time for this? No. But nothing puts me more on edge than waking up or coming home to a messy house.
2. Drink more water: I have a nasty habit of not picking up on my body's desperate cries for hydration. I simply go about my day feeling tired, cranky, and with a raging headache, and hours pass before I realize I should probably grab a Pellegrino.
3. Knock off the little things first: Things can feel a little overwhelming when I wake up with a massive home remodeling project on my to-do list. I suspect simply taking ten minutes of my day to get that Anthro P.A. will give me a tiny sense of accomplishment that might fuel my resolve to go look at flooring later in the day.
4. Let go: Most people who really get to know me know that if there's one thing I'm an expert at, it's holding a grudge. I remember (and often talk about) a million little happy memories, but the flip side is that I remember every little unpleasantness too. It isn't with the intent to keep score. It's just really hard for me to forget. And twenty years of microscopic grievances add up to one gargantuan mass of anger and grief, which weighs me down constantly, rendering me incapable of giving my all to anything. I'm tired before I even wake up in the morning. I don't know how to begin letting go, but with so much lying ahead of me, I am determined to find a way.
5. Manage my expectations: A lot of my frustration comes from the fact that I build unrealistic expectations- of myself and of others- and when those expectations aren't met, the resulting unhappiness keeps me from getting things done more efficiently and with a more positive attitude. At the ripe old age of 26, I'm only just starting to learn how to be more reasonable in my expectations, especially when it comes to other people's emotions and behavior.
6. Just say no: No more overcommitment!!!! Easier said than done, especially with wedding season around the corner.

This is all I've got for now, but as always, I am very grateful for your input. My birthday is fast approaching, and I would love for this new year in my life to get acquainted with a calmer, MUCH more relaxed version of myself. So...any tips for me?

Home Sweet Home

2011-05-04T22:36:00.000-04:00

On last month's trip to California, much of my time was spent marveling. At the food, the weather, the people, the sights and sounds. This was...is...a good thing. The flip side of it, however, was that I kept comparing everything to "the way things are back home", and "home" always came up short. More than once I caught myself not wanting to return to DC. The sterile streets, the frou-frou eateries with the overpriced, inauthentic meals, the dark, foreboding silhouettes of leafless trees. And then, AirTran happened. Our flight back home was probably the most traumatic travel experience I've ever had (this, coming from someone whose first time traveling as an unaccompanied minor was at age three.) Twenty-four grueling hours later, we touched down at Dulles airport, two hours after that, we were reunited with our kids, and about seven hours after that, we were reunited with our baggage. I looked around at our messy home. Something smelled strange, and I remember thinking I should have emptied out the refrigerator before we left. And I remember thinking I wanted to drop to my knees and kiss the dirty carpeting under my feet. I was so glad to be home.

Anthropologie Mid-Creation Skirt

Anthropologie Breezy Polkas Cardigan

J.Crew Grand Ruffle Shell

J.Crew Thompson Tote

Urban Outfitters Heels

In the six days since we've been back, I've found a local place that serves an Indian delicacy that I've missed for years, and never thought I'd taste again. I've reconnected with an old friend. As for the trees, in the days since we've been gone, the entire city seems to have turned into a magical, lush blanket of bright green.

What do you love about your home?

Return Of The OOTD

2011-05-03T00:21:00.000-04:00

Once, several months ago, I came upon a nice young lady (anonymously) saying something that I'm assuming was meant to be a criticism of my blog, on another blogger's comment forum. Her main complaint was that my blog wasn't "really a style blog." Far from upsetting me, it actually made me quite happy that she felt this way, since it was....well....kinda true. I do enjoy using this little corner of cyberspace to connect with people over a multitude of issues, many of which are not related to fashion at all. But this was and still is, in large part, a place where I document elements of my personal style. Looking through the last couple of months' entries, I see that I've been neglecting this aspect of my blog quite a bit. Not because I've been uninspired, nor because I haven't been dressing up, but simply because I've been really awful at time management, what with trying to start a new business venture and taking on too many commitments at once in other areas of my life.

Anthropologie Ardennes Skirt

J.Crew Cameron Satchel

Seychelles Box Step Pump

J.Crew Belt

J.Crew Tee

Starting now, I vow to try and be more faithful to my blog, and more regular with my OOTD posts, since that's what really got this little blog started to begin with. Not because I feel guilty or forced, but because when I do find (read: make) the time to blog, it gives me a teeny sense of satisfaction that I enjoy and look forward to. On a somewhat related note, I promised to tell you what I snagged on my California Anthro raid, so here's item#1, the Ardennes Skirt, which I picked up as a consolation prize, after being heartbroken about the hot mess that my would-be birthday dress, the Kingston Road Dress, looked on me. Although I am saddened (and a wee bit panicked) at the loss of my ideal birthday dress, I'm actually quite pleased with my sale purchase of this skirt, made even sweeter by the additional discount I received because of a few loose strings I managed to fix at home.

And, on a completely unrelated note, if anyone has any tips on how to master the art of time management, I'm all ears, err...eyes :)

Since I've Been Gone

2011-04-30T12:07:00.001-04:00

I've missed you, dear blog, and I've missed you, lovely readers! California was an absolute blast, especially since I had never been to the west coast before. The bay area was breathtakingly beautiful, and we ended up staying longer than we had planned on, so I have tons of pictures for you. In the interest of brevity, I'll let the pictures do most of the talking. Enjoy:

The scenic beauty just blew us away. There seemed to be tranquil waters, rolling hills and lush green everywhere we turned.

Here's something you may not have known about me: I love cities. I revel in exploring the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of new cities, and San Francisco did not disappoint on any of those counts. As much as I like living in the D.C. area, it's always felt a bit sterile, a bit posed to me. In comparison, San Francisco felt like more a "real" city, from the stately architecture to the seedy roadside food stalls.

Of course, we ended up doing a lot of touristy stuff, taking in as much of the city as we could each day. And, for the first time in decades, I looked forward to public transportation. Seriously, riding the cable cars was probably one of the biggest highlights of my trip. The other had to have been the food: dungeness crab, popcorn chicken, and In-and-Out were but a few of the delicious treats I indulged in for the first time ever, and let me tell you, I was in foodie heaven!

And yes, of course we goofed off, as we are apt to do in any city we visit. The trip to the Musee Mechanique was especially hilarious: much mechanical arm-wrestling and how-sexy-am-I-ing ensued on the vintage arcade machines.

The company wasn't half bad, either ;) Tien was just an absolute treasure, and such a joy to spend time with. We're both self-proclaimed introverts in real life, and probably ate more meals/ went on more explorations together during my week there than I generally do with friends in a couple of months. One of those nights, Anjali joined us for dinner, and she was disarmingly soft-spoken and sweet. DH got to meet up with an old friend as well, and all-in-all, it was a pretty grand ole time.

Finally, what vacation would be complete without a trip (or two) to my favorite local store? The Anthropologie in San Francisco was spacious, well-stocked, and I couldn't resist picking up several beautiful pieces I've been lusting after for a while.

And that, in a nutshell, sums up my trip to California. Unfortunately, the flight back home was a bit of a nightmare, given the stormy weather and given AirTran's mind-boggling lack of accountability, and I'm still suffering from jet-lag, but I'm home at last, with tons to share with you, and I'm happy as can be. Stay tuned for a recap of my vacation Anthro haul, and much more to come this month on Little Girl Big Closet.

Summer With Anthro Giveaway

2011-04-25T12:37:00.003-04:00

Precisely three weeks 'til my birthday, folks! And what does this mean, besides that I'm getting old and decrepit? Well, for you, it means an Anthropologie giveaway to get you good and ready for my favorite time of year: summer! If you've been following your favorite store's take on this summer's hottest trends, you know that natural stone jewelry and a casually draped scarf are two of the chicest ways to get into the easy, bohemian mood that is so prevalent in fashion right now. So I've scoured the pages, and picked out two of my favorite pieces to give away to one lucky winner:

Voluminous Scarf Necklace : Fresh, white linen strewn with pretty polka dots adds a dash of elegant flair to your summer outfits.

Sautoir Necklace : Pools of minty jade make for a refreshing and understated way to wear the stone trend.

Here's how you enter for a chance to win these goodies:

1. Be a follower of Little Girl Big Closet, and leave a comment with a valid ID that you use to follow, as well as your email address, so I may contact you if you win.

2. For one extra entry each, you can blog about this giveaway, Tweet about it, and/or share it on Facebook, and let me know you have done so. This means if you do one of these, you receive one extra entry, if you do two, you receive two, and if you do all three, you receive three extra entries.

3. For another three extra entries, you can send me a Polyvore set titled "My Bohemian Summer", featuring one or both of these items. You may send as many Polyvore sets as you'd like, but will only receive a total of three extra entries for doing so. Your Polyvore set does not have to contain all Anthro items!

Giveaway closes 8:00AM EST on May 16, so get cracking!

On Holiday!

2011-04-22T22:02:00.000-04:00

To those of you who noticed my long, unexplained leave of absence, I owe an apology and an explanation. I've been in California, tending to some personal business, and the internet service in my hotel room is significantly, maddeningly slower than what I'm used to. I promise to be back next week, with pictures from my trip: meet-ups with some of your favorite bay-area bloggers, a recap of my vacation outfit remix challenge, pictures around San Francisco and, of course, what I picked up at Anthro most recently (I've been deliberately skirting all the "what did you get?" questions since last week's collaboration with Anthro, and now I can answer you all!)

So thank you for bearing with me, and hang tight! I'll be back before you know it. In the meantime, here's a long-overdue picture of my outfit from the night before I left DC:

Anthropologie Pom Flower Shift

American Eagle Cardigan

Seychelles Box Step Pump

J.Crew Thompson Tote

J.Crew Blakely Bling Bracelet

Part 3: Interview With Anthro

2011-04-15T21:32:00.003-04:00

If you've been following Parts 1 and 2 of the Anthropologie Summer Outfitting Event, you'll know Lara Licciardi as the Personal Shopper extraordinaire behind the eye-popping summer outfits Stormie and I got to try on. Lara works out of the Anthropologie McLean store in Virginia and, if you do some asking around among her clients, you'll see why I was so thrilled to interface with her for the purposes of this collaboration. Believe it or not, my appointment with her was the first ever personal shopping appointment I'd ever been to, at Anthropologie, or otherwise. I wanted to take advantage of this intimate setting to ask Lara some questions I had about what we could expect from Anthro in the months to come, and about her role at Anthropologie in general.

What are the big clothing trends at Anthropologie this summer, and how is Anthro putting their own spin on these trends?

Anthropologie has always been inspired by both the past and the present, and we present this mix of styles in an effortless and relatable way for our customers. Some of my favorite examples from this season are our Raglan sleeved blouses and long maxi skirts. When paired, they really exude a provocative mix of old and new. We’ve also been turning a lot to the 70's for inspiration, but with our own twist. Flowing and ethereal dressing and neutrals are big. We’re also featuring many bright prints, especially florals and ethnic-inspired looks like batiks and ikat designs, on everything from dresses to jumpsuits. Pants and skirts are enjoying the spotlight as well, with varying degrees of length from super maxi to calf length silhouettes. Finally, shorts are also making their way into womens’ wardrobes, especially more dressed up, so you can where them to that cocktail party after all! For pants, flared and cropped is trendy, and we offer them in both sporty, casual styles as well as tailored and sophisticated ones.

What's big in accessories this summer?

Accessories are at the forefront of style this season, with nods to all our favorite trends from the past. Bright neon colors on handbags and belts are a throwback to the 80's. Fringe on shoulder bags, wedge sandals and clogs remind us of all the things we loved about the 70's. Cat-eyed sunglasses, straw hats and headbands evoke that chic 50's and 60's style we all adore.

I'm petite and pear-shaped. What should I be keeping in mind if I want to wear this summer's trends without being overwhelmed?

Embracing your body is always the best way to approach trends because you can find the best silhouette to flatter you while still being fashion forward. Being petite myself, I focus on the waistline to define my shape. For instance, using a belt over a maxi skirt or pairing it with a longer sweater will give the illusion of height. Shying away from too long, tunic styles or overly blousey shapes on top will also flatter you and balance out what you wear on the bottom as to avoid accentuating a "pear-shape". Wedges and wooden stacked heels are a great way to elongate legs, and give you the opportunity to wear those flared jeans or maxi and midi length skirts. My favorite trend that most petite customers believe they can't wear is the slouchy, cropped pant. Cinched at the waist and cuffed right above the ankle, these can be incredibly flattering. And of course, wearing a heel never hurts!

Who should consider making a personal shopping appointment?

Everyone! I work with all types, from busy business women to moms with their hands full. Women in their 20's shopping for a rehearsal dinner to grandmother in her 60's, reworking her wardrobe. A personal shopper is there to help you find the best clothes that will flatter you and enhance your personal style!

What do you love most about your job as an Anthropologie personal shopper?

I’m on top of the world when I’ve given someone a great shopping experience. Often I have women approach me who have a hard time embracing their bodies or are in search of their personal style. You’d be surprised how many people regard shopping as stressful experience. If I can turn that around and have them walk out of an appointment smiling and feeling beautiful, I know it sounds silly, but that is truly priceless for me. There really isn't a way to express how fulfilling that feels.

What are your top ten summer essentials for clothing and accessories?

If I were to assemble my "dream shopping list" this would be it! It was a tough job to narrow it down, but I feel these really say summer to me:

1. Amplified Stripes Blouse: A beautiful silk blouse with stripes can be worn tucked in or worn out for effortless glamour.

2. J Brand Gwen Shorts: Nothing says summer than a great pair of cut off jean shorts!

3. Ardisia Maxi Dress: This is the ultimate maxi dress, worn with flats, you'll feel like a goddess.

4. Pilcro Zip-Pocket Crops: These pants have an instantly hip vibe with the ankle zips and crop length.

5. Vintage Modified Cat's Eye Shades: Retro sunglasses are a must-have for the Summer. Meow!

6. Muted Paillettes Bag: Everything about this bag is perfect! It's size, lovely details and bucket shape!

7. Forgotten Avenues Tee: Mint green is one of my favorite colors and looks great with bright pops of color.

8. Unearthed Sandals: They are so unique and delicate. Plus flats are my go-to shoes since I am on my feet all day!

9. Beaded Toile Scarf: Scarves make an outfit instantly complete, without looking like you tried.

10. Tassel Exhibit Necklace: If you’re going to wear one piece of jewelry, make it this fabulous!

So there you have it, folks, straight from the stylist's mouth! If I've learned anything from this experience, it is trust. It was really difficult for me not to have complete creative freedom over what I put on my body, but I took a leap of faith: I put myself in the expert hands of someone competent and empathetic, and came out of the situation with a lot of new information...about myself. That unbeknownst to me, my body had been changing, and that my aesthetic hadn't kept up. That my figure was a lot less awkward and a lot more hospitable to elegant clothing in styles I had never before explored. And that a gentle push every once in a while can send me free-falling into one of the most beautiful, sublime experiences of my life.

Before I wrap things up here, I'd like to thank the following people for bringing this project to fruition: Adrienne Kirkpatrick, DC District Manager, Anthro's Community Manager Kelly Thurman, to Kate and Jared for our wonderful experience at the Chevy Chase store, to Dana, Alison, Mariana and Elisa at the accessories boutique for the gorgeous, thoughtful present, and of course, Lara, whose amazing talent wowed us all. very, very special thank you goes out to Stormie, who is just the best sport, and the prettiest model I could ever have asked for, and to my darling husband Daniel, for all the magnificent pictures (let's face it, this blog wouldn't really be much fun to look at without him.) I hope you all enjoyed this series as much as I did sharing it with you. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Anthropologie Summer Outfitting Event:Part 2

2011-04-14T21:22:00.010-04:00

One of the things that the Anthropologie home office wanted me to highlight in my time at the outfitting session was the accessories. While this might sound like fun to many women out there, I secretly panicked. If you look through a month's worth of outfits on my blog, you'll probably be able to see why: accessories just aren't a big part of my wardrobe. Being as petite as I am, I worry about being overwhelmed by too many or too-big pieces. Although I own countless pairs of earrings, countless necklaces, dozens of pairs of shoes, I wear only the same three or four in heavy rotation, mostly because they blend in quietly with the rest of my ensemble. So when I was asked to put the spotlight on summer's accessories, I was a little out of my comfort zone, once again.

A Million Sparks Clutch, Beaded Thrill Clutch

When I first walked into our personal shopping part of the session with Lara, I was quite taken aback by what I saw: there was a rack of clothes for Stormie,a rack of clothes for myself, and three piles of accessories: an entire rack of purses, belts and scarves, a table set with several pairs of shoes, and another table that housed dozens of pieces of jewelry. During our 4 hour long session, I tried to soak in everything I was seeing and hearing about all the beautiful add-ons we were being outfitted with. Once we were done, we headed over next door to the accessories boutique (most of the accessories we tried on during our session were graciously loaned to us by them.) Stormie and I took our time looking around at the plethora of shiny, pretty things, and I made quick mental note of some very clear-cut trends I saw among the shelves.

Sculptural Stack Necklace, New Life Necklace.

Kiln Garden Necklace, Gilded Cord Necklace, Golden Renaissance Necklace

Marathon Strand Bracelet

Party Animal Necklace, Kith And Kin Necklace, Abstract Byzantine Bracelet

Beaded Fan Earrings, Raw Gem Earrings

Colorful Crags Ring

Jewelry: Sure, there was still some of the standard whimsical pieces we've all come to expect from Anthro every season, but what really seems to be a big trend in jewelry this summer is statement pieces; big bold necklaces, cuffs, even earrings. And the material of choice right now seems to be stone. Large pieces of semi-precious stones like agate and jasper were practically everywhere we looked.

Side Part Heel

Whispering Rainbow Flats

Make Fast Flats

Take Five Flats

Corn Lane Slingbacks

Toile Landscape Wedges, Wise Walker Sandals

Shoes: With the rise in popularity of maxis and 70's style wide-leg jeans, the emphasis right now is on adding va-va-voom height with wedges and clogs peeking out from under those long hems. Another big trend in shoes this summer is natural materials- lots of wood, and a good amount of jute, which is in keeping with the earthy, bohemian feel of the 70's. Not surprisingly, brown is the most abundant color in the shoe section of Anthro right now.

Pascale Bibi

Big Bang Bag

Other goodies: In the movement towards dressed-down ease, scarves are a really big accessory trend we're seeing this summer. Seriously, just go take a look at how many dozens of them there are on the website- many of them, in various colorways. Since our personal shopping event, I can appreciate why. Right now, scarves aren't an afterthought, but rather, a deliberate piece that completes an outfit by making it seem more effortless and chic. They're a way to take a maxi hem, and make it seem less grand, by adding a dash of casual elegance. When it comes to eyewear, Anthro is jumping onto the cat-eye bandwagon that seems to be so popular everywhere this season. I'm not big on sunglasses, but I saw Stormie rock the Vintage Modified Cat's Eye Shades with a few of her looks, and thought she looked very glamorous in them! The fact that there are so few of these vintage shades to go around makes them even more alluring.

Strawberry Ice Fedora

Petal Patchwork Clutch, Buttercup Clutch, Candy-Dusted Clutch

Petal Pouf Bag

Sustainable Sunflowers Bag

Facing my fear of accessories turned out to be a much less daunting and a much more pleasant task than I could ever have imagined, and I came away with a new appreciation for many of the fantastic pieces I saw during the session. Most importantly, I loved how the right accessories could not only complement a look, but could actually transform a look from plain to glamorous, or from stuffy to easy and undone, and could be used to draw attention towards or away from whatever I wish to highlight or hide. And for the first time ever, I actually have accessories in my Anthro wishlist : the Glinting Windowpanes Scarf, the By Hook Belt, and my favorite- the Windowpane Wedges.

Stay tuned for the third and final installment of this series: an interview with the very talented Anthropologie personal shopper behind the beautiful outfits you saw in Part 1, Lara Licciardi.

Anthropologie Summer Outfitting Event: Part 1

2011-04-13T21:15:00.004-04:00

This little project has been in the making for months, and before I begin, I'd like to thank the wonderful folks at Anthropologie for so graciously working with Little Girl Big Closet. This wouldn't have been possible but for the efforts of the Anthro community team, Lara Licciardi, the personal shopper at Anthropologie McLean, and the lovely staff at the Chevy Chase stores. It's hard to believe summer is right around the corner. When I first pitched my idea to Lara last year, I could never have imagined it would snowball into the amazing collaborative effort that it has.

As someone who obviously doesn't have the typical "model" build, I am happy to have found "my style"- a general formula that seems to work for my body, that I stick to for the most part. But when I see my favorite store doing seasonal fashion trends in the beautiful, refined way that is typical of them, I must admit I feel a twinge of jealousy towards women who dare to explore these looks without the restrictions I put on myself. When Anthro gave me the green light with regards to this feature, I thought I ought to take advantage of the opportunity and put myself in the expert hands of someone who would, while helping me stay true to my personal aesthetic, push me out of my comfort zone. And my, what a push it was!

The three of us arrived at the Chevy Chase store on a Monday afternoon: I, a petite, pear-shaped lover of all things feminine and whimsical, our friend Stormie, with a slim, hourglass figure and a love of anything vintage and edgy, and our volunteer photographer for the day, my wonderful husband Daniel. Upon our arrival, we found a section of the dressing area cordoned off for us, with our gracious hosts waiting to welcome us and make us feel at home. The entire set-up was so adorable, and the flowers and hand-painted signs really won me over. It was sweet and humbling: just the kind of personal touch that keeps shoppers like me coming back to Anthro season after season. They even had a spread of refreshments and champagne for the occasion, which helped steady my nerves a bit.

Lara had really been paying attention to my style cravings. Not only had she picked out pieces that would allow me to explore all the trends I was fascinated by and yet, afraid to try, I would have to complete the look by facing one of my greatest fears: accessorizing! The focus of the outfitting session for me, per my request, was to help me "dress down" without compromising my very feminine aesthetic (something I have a lot of trouble with), while the focus for Stormie was to help her explore her bohemian personality through summer's new silhouettes. Without further ado, here is a round-up of the top summer trends at Anthropologie:

One of the biggest trends that Anthro is standing behind this summer is the maxi. This is a look I have craved for what seems like eons, but have been extremely wary of because of my height. As it turns out, I have never felt or looked taller than I did in a maxi dress in all my life. For our first look, we were each outfitted in nautical-inspired, floor-skimming dresses:

The Nautical Dreaming Chemise paired with the Back Porch Blouse for a hint of feminine flair, with the red By Hook Belt thrown in to break up the navy.

A-Different-Stripe Maxi Dress paired with the Draped Surplus Jacket for an edgy look, with ample servings of red: Sveaborg Picnic Clogs, necklace (not available online) and Daisy Fay Headband for a bit of subtle shimmer.

Next, we were both given the gorgeously earthy Macias Maxi Dress, but while my outfit had a modest, feminine flair, Stormie's had a bohemian-chic vibe to it:

Macias Maxi Dress paired with the long and lean Duster Cardigan (an extremely versatile, flattering and visually lengthening piece that I never would have tried on otherwise), with a wide belt to draw attention to the waist, and a delicate necklace made of quartz and crocheted gold.

Here's the same dress worn long and loose, paired with the Plaited Cayenne Sandals, Day's End Sling Bag, Vintage Modified Cat's Eye Shades, Colorful Crags Ring, and Ocean Jasper Necklace.

Next, we moved on to skirts. With skirts, too, the summer trend is veering towards longer lengths in airy silks and chiffons. For my third outfit, I tried on something a little closer to my tried-and-true style: a below-the-knee skirt, paired with a solid tee: the twist was a scarf, casually draped over in lieu of a necklace, dressing down the beautiful silk skirt. Stormie wore a full-length skirt and tee in eye-popping colors, with flats to keep it all casual.

Mid-length silk skirt (not available online yet) worn with Solid Boy Tee, Lemon Stick Wedges, and a scarf to pick up the blues in the skirt, while balancing the volume up top.

The Lengthening Rays Skirt was the surprise show-stealer of the day. It instantly elevated a plain, solid tee to something magnificent and stately, but the addition of the Wise Walker Sandals and Beaded Fan Earrings added a dash of fun and kept the look from getting too stuffy. The Links In Time Belt, hip-slung casually, was the perfect touch. I've had sleepless nights over this outfit since having seen it on Stormie.

Next, Lara helped me tackle a wardrobe problem I've been grappling with for a while: wearing my many pencil skirts casually, without looking like I'm headed to the office. Watch closely, because what she did here really wowed me in a big way. Stormie's outfit was focused on taking a summer trend: translucent whites, and making it fun and fresh rather than too ethereal.

Here's the Star Streams Skirt (which runs quite small, by the way) paired, surprisingly, with the Safe Travels Pullover, to give it a delightfully casual spin, and added the Ten-Speed Necklace for an unexpected dose of fun. I especially loved the way this cropped sweater hit high at my waist, minimizing the focus on my hips.

Tucking summer's billowy, white blouses into the Doodle Shorts lends them a bit of structure, and the addition of the Tied and Thatched Wedges made Stormie's legs look a mile long! The Strawberry Ice Fedora added an incredibly whimsical, edgy feel to the ensemble, while being very summer-appropriate.

Next, we both tried on flared jeans, a summer trend you may have noticed is making a huge splash, especially at Anthro. Being petite and pear-shaped, my only concern was finding a pair that wouldn't draw too much attention to my hips, and would fit high enough on my waist to create a long, unbroken line at the leg. Lara pulled out all the tricks in the book to make the trend work for me: a dark wash for a slimming effect, a wide leg that wouldn't cling to my thighs, and more. Stormie had a different dilemma: being short-waisted, the high-waisted flares ran the risk of making her torso look disproportionately small. Wearing an eye-catching blouse and leaving it untucked gave her the illusion of a longer torso.

The Pesisir Top works well in this pairing, since the bare collarbone and shoulders draw the eye up and away from the hip. A wide belt accentuated the smallest part of my ribcage, and the gorgeous Windowpane Wedges added some length. The Shaded Rays Wrap added volume up top to balance out the bottom, and the Sky Drop Earrings added a much-needed bright pop of color.

The AG Farrahs, paired with a bright top, made the perfect casual backdrop for fun add-ons. The first option shows it paired with the Eye-Dazzler Scarf, and this very ethnic-chic bag , while a second option pairs it, once again, with the long Duster Cardigan for the added illusion of length to the torso, and the Portrait Of Light Necklace for some sparkle. And another option for the Farrah jean: a light, summery blazer in white, with an airy blouse layered underneath.

Of course, what's a summer catalog without a nice pair of shorts? This was the one thing I wanted to fight tooth-and-nail, since I almost never wear shorts unless I am in imminent danger of death by heatstroke. To my shock, this was one was by far my favorite of all the outfits I tried on that day. Since the shorts were high-waisted and tailored, they didn't seem overly casual or sloppy. Stormie's outfit featured two more summer trends that at big at Anthropologie right now: the peasant trend, and the safari trend.

My outfit paired the Brushed Trouser Shorts with the billowy First Hints Blouse and leg-lengthening high heels, adding bright pops of color by way of accessories to break up the palette.

Here, the Graze The Pier Bermudas were paired with the May Flowers Top and the Influential Anorak for a layered, voluminous look. The Mellifluous Cinch Sandals and Tayrona Necklace added some pretty sparkle to top things off.

The final trend we explored was crops. Once again, I was completely out of my element, but Lara managed to put together pieces that worked for my proportions, and Daniel said it was his favorite outfit on me, which makes it a success in my book. Stormie was pushed a little beyond her comfort zone in pairing her crops with an ultra-feminine peasant top, and looked fantastic in the ensemble.

The Holding Horses Cropped Boyfriend was wonderfully slouchy, and paired with the Endless Horizon Top and Expeditionary Jacket, made for a very casual combination I was surprisingly attracted to. The Shoelace Espadrilles added the perfect, leg-lengthening touch.

The J Brand Ankle Skinny paired with the Florid Spectre Blouse was a combination I thought was really beautiful. To make it a little less dressy, Lara threw in the Petal Confetti Sneakers, Theda Bag, and a gingham scarf to tie it all together.

And that, dear readers, wraps up our 4 hour long outfitting session at the store. Don't go anywhere, though- because this was only one part of my trip. I'll be back tomorrow with a round-up of what's big in summer accessories, a Personal Shopper interview, and more!

PS: For more information about accessories you see in this post, please do call the accessories store at (301)652-1056.

The Anthropologie Summer Outfitting Event: A Sneak Peek

2011-04-12T20:48:00.000-04:00

Ok, I've been getting some emails about this from readers, and the cat's out of the bag. Here's the "big surprise" I've been promising you: Recently, I had the opportunity to work with the amazing folks at Anthropologie on a summer outfitting collaboration for Little Girl Big Closet, and it was one of the most enjoyable and memorable experiences I've ever had. We're still working on putting the finishing touches to the project, but in the meantime, here's a little sneak preview to whet your appetite:

I hope you enjoyed this little peek into what's to come. Please stay tuned for the rest of this multi-part presentation through the course of this week. I am so excited to be able to share this wonderful experience with my readers, and hope you enjoy the ride just as much as I did!

Wallet Woes

2011-04-10T20:12:00.000-04:00

Not since 2006 has my wishlist been brimming over in such a terrifying manner. I guess it's just as well that my birthday is coming up next month, and that I have hardly made any new purchases in the last couple of months.

Parading Hues Dress: Lo, the dressed-down cousin of last summer's Subcontinent Dress, whose loss still haunts me to this very day. Any long-time reader of this blog knows of my chromatophilic tendencies, and this dress indulges my wants ever so cheerfully. The removable straps are a huge, huge plus for my freakishly small ribcage, so I won't have to wage a war to hold the dress up.

Tuileries Dress: Although I usually favor zoological over botanical prints, the realism of the unusual print, the saturated colors, and the relatively reasonable price for this silk confection really has me swooning. I'm absolutely heartbroken it's sold out in my usual size, 0P,and am hoping I can have the regular 0 taken in at the torso without cutting off too much of the luscious print.

Gathered Hemlock Dress: Another spring cousin, this time, of fall's Soft Structured Dress. The same uber-flattering cut and drape, only, with shorter sleeves and in three new colorways, of which the vibrant orange (pictured above) is my favorite. My only hesitation is the length- at 38 inches, it's bound to hit quite a bit below my knee, so I'm dying to try it on before making a decision.

Blooming Bulbs Shift: A shift dress rendered in cotton spandex? This might make for very interesting fit issues on a petite, pear-shaped person like myself. Because of the gorgeous,life-like botanical print and sublime color scheme, however, I am extremely eager to try this on, and think it would make the perfect dress for a garden party or even a summer wedding!

Bocagrande Dress: The gorgeous cut-out detail at the neckline, the easy shift silhouette, the crinkled gauze and the color- oh, that magnificent coral color: I fell head-over-heels for this dress the second I laid eyes on it. But $248 for a rayon dress seems completely unreasonable, no matter what the perks.

Kingston Road Dress: Of all the dresses currently on offer at Anthropologie, none has so completely swept me off my feet as this one. The nubby cotton, the lovely, colorful stripes, and the simple, timeless shape make me want to throw caution to the wind and shell out the big bucks for this dress. But...but but but....the neckline...that plunging neckline- I just don't think I can pull off something so risque, the way my body is built. Of course, I won't know for sure until I've tried it on, but if, if for some reason this dress doesn't work out for me, I'll be almost as happy with the consolation prize: its sister, the Ardennes Skirt.

Mid-Creation Skirt: This is the Anthro I know and love. The feminine, interesting print (the very concept behind the aptly-named skirt, in fact: an artist in the process of coloring in his sketch), the rich colors, and the very subtle beading detail, make this skirt a piece I am absolutely certain will be coming home with me. The fact that it's available in petite sizing makes me love it all the more.

Monarch Skirt: I can honestly say that I have never, ever seen a creature print done so subtly, so tastefully. The pretty, yellow butterflies on this very reasonably priced skirt are rendered in the most beautifully ordered, geometric way. I can see this one becoming a summer evening staple.

(Un)Fortunately, there's not a lot in the tees and blouses section that has me jumping for joy, but maybe the new arrivals over the next couple of weeks will change that, too. What do you think of my wishlist? These are all things I have yet to try on,so any input on sizing/quality is very welcome.

Best Foot Forward

2011-04-07T21:12:00.001-04:00

Earlier today, I was talking to a friend about our foray into the photography business, and how it has made me an even keener observer of the human condition than I was before. I say this, not as a boast, but to mean simply that the opportunity to unabashedly stare at someone and document their every move over the course of an hour affords me the privilege of seeing a side to them I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise, in any other context or setting, no matter how much time I spent with them. Even with the most boisterous and confident subject, I get to see moments of unmistakable frailty: uncertainty, vulnerability, doubt. It's beautiful. Along with the creative freedom that comes with the territory, this is an aspect of being behind the lens I quite enjoy.

Anthropologie Tick Tock Cardigan

J.Crew Muse tank

J.Crew Belle Skirt

Seychelles Veronica T-Straps

Ann Taylor and Modcloth necklaces

Of course, I'd be lying if I said the job doesn't come with its own frustrations and disappointments, just like any other. One thing that I find especially maddening is people who simply refuse to dress for the occasion. We have been lucky so far, in that almost all of our clients have been flexible, creative and up for some fun. But every once in a while there are people who claim that dressing up, by any definition of the term, is out of the question for them. In fact,this is an issue we have actually (amicably) parted ways over with more than one would-be-client. When pressed for a reason, they all respond alike: That's not us. We just want to be ourselves. Now this is a very, very puzzling sentiment for me.

First, as far as I know, everyone has many sides to their personality, and many facets to their lives: you're an employee, a tomboy, a theater-lover, a bride-to-be: all at once. I would never ask anyone to try and be someone they're not. Be yourself! But can't you be the best version of yourself instead of the worst, just for an hour? Faded tee, dirty nails...? And second, come on- you're scouring the market for a photographer you like, and shelling out your hard-earned money to capture moments commemorating an important event in your life: an engagement, a pregnancy. Why go to all that trouble just to treat this day like you would any other? Your friends and family already know what you look like in your ripped jeans. If you just want an everyday picture, why not just use your iPhone? That's what the rest of us do. Why would you have someone else go to all that effort to make something for you that you yourself aren't willing to contribute to?

This wasn't meant to be a rant, but rather, a reminder to myself, and to anyone who might need one, that every once in a while, it's ok to put your best foot forward. It's even kind of sweet. It marks the occasion as special. Which it is. Is that really such a bad thing?

Road To Recovery

2011-04-05T23:23:00.000-04:00

Hey you! Remember me? I'm still here...And after an unbelievably grueling week of illness, long hours of work and important family obligations, I'm back, and I promise, I'm better than ever. In my fever-induced delirium, I lay awake in bed, sweating, feeling debilitating guilt for having neglected my blog for as long as I had. My attempts to put the matter out of my mind failed miserably, and I felt more and more anxious with every passing hour.

When I complained about it to DH, he responded by asking me what it was about an unplanned blog hiatus that bothered me so much. Was it because I felt like I had abandoned my readers? Well....no. For one thing, I didn't presume there was actually someone out there who was scouring their Google Reader daily with bated breath, disappointed at not finding updates from me. This is, after all, still quite a small blog, with a modest readership at best.

I realized the reason I felt as anxious as I did was because I felt like I had abandoned my blog, which, to me, was an entity in itself. More importantly, it was a part of me, and by being forced to stay away from it, I felt like I was neglecting a part of who I was. At the very beginning of this year, I had come to a few key decisions about this blog. One of them was that I wasn't going to allow it (or myself) to get tied down by common perceptions of what a style blog should be. This is a little corner of my universe that is very personal and uniquely important to me. It isn't about OOTDs and it isn't about crossing items off my latest Anthropologie wishlist. It was about taking little pieces of myself, and putting them out there for someone to find.

Once I remembered what Little Girl Big Closet was supposed to be about, it got much easier to lay back, relax, and let the Nyquil work its magic. Sure, I was gone for a while. And now, I'm back. With fresher ideas, bigger collaborations, and one really, really big surprise for all my fellow Anthroholics...so stay tuned ;)

Aah, it feels good to be back.


PS: To see what I've been up to while I've been gone, mosey on over to my other blog later this week....It's still under construction, but I've been uploading my since-I've-been-gone accomplishments steadily.

Busy Bee

2011-04-01T00:55:00.001-04:00

Although the weather man refuses to corroborate this, spring is officially here. Which means I am wearing exactly what I wore all winter long, except without the six layers of tights. Ah, the joy of little things. Unfortunately, spring also means the beginning of wedding season, and to those of you who were wondering if I was dead, I am here to speak words of reassurance. I'm here! I'm here! I just seem to have bitten off a little bit more than I can chew, and am now sorely lagging behind on posting my OOTDs. For shame. So here's an outfit from a few days ago:

Anthropologie Green Thumb Skirt

American Eagle Shirt

J.Crew Dream Cardigan

Forever21 Headband

Target Pump

When I first ventured into the photography business, not long ago, I naively thought that setting my own hours would mean I would have all the time in the world for leisure activities. Surprisingly, I have found things quite to the contrary. Working from home means there's no real, physical divide between work and play time. No five o'clock sigh of relief, when I turn off my computer and head out for happy hour. Instead, I stay, "just five more minutes", to "edit the last batch", "seriously"- and before I know it, it's midnight, and I have eight new gray hairs. I leave you with a promise to return as a better version of myself; one more adept at juggling work and blogging, and less prone to complete and frequent system failure. Tomorrow will be a much, much better day.

An Open Letter To J.Crew

2011-03-30T10:52:00.001-04:00

Dear _______________ (let's just all pretend for a minute that someone at J.Crew still cares about the customers, shall we?),

My order # 1029753347 has been completely botched by you. Again.

I ordered item#34055 , size XS, color Marled Oat.

J.Crew apparently slapped on the UPS label for my order onto someone else's package. Someone named B****a B**d, who ordered a little girl's swimsuit, which is what I found when I opened "MY" package, much to my shock, disgust and extreme annoyance. My package actually has one UPS label, half-slapped on over another UPS label. Someone at J.Crew cares so little about their job, they didn't notice two 5 x 10 inch labels on one package.

Per the bill in the package that I received today, B****a B**d's order# is 1029748932. Maybe she's wondering where her daughter's swimsuit is. You might want to let her know I have it.

As you can probably guess, I am pretty irate right now.

I wouldn't even expect this kind of service from the Dollar General. Shame on you, J.Crew. Over the last several years, I have spent literally thousands of dollars on your products, only to bemoan the steady decline in the quality of your customer service, the shockingly rude behavior of the sales associates at my local store (Tysons Galleria, Mclean), and the fact that my orders mysteriously get canceled every now and then. And now I have to put up with paying for one thing and receiving another? Where does it end?

- Tara B*******.

ETA: Shortly after this post was published, I received an email from J.Crew apologizing for their error, and saying they would refund my purchase price and issue me a $50 gift card to compensate for my troubles. Unfortunately, the item I had originally ordered was a final sale pop-back, and is now no longer available for (re-)purchase on the website.

Embrace

2011-03-28T20:59:00.000-04:00

I want to be a better blogger. I want to be a better photographer. These were among my tangible goals for 2011. I consider myself to be at least reasonably intelligent, and what I lack in diligence, I try to make up for in creativity. So what was really holding me back from accomplishing these goals? Turns out, it was me. For so many reasons (some of which you have already been privy to, and others you will probably learn about through the course of your readership), I have always carried the burden of being extremely self-conscious.

Anthropologie Darjeeling Skirt

J.Crew Muse Tank

H&M Cardigan

Forever21 Classic Wingtip Oxfords

Overcoming this psychological hurdle has been among my top priorities this year, and so far, the experience has been one that has induced mixed emotions in me. When stopping to photograph my outfit for the blog, I usually cringe, at least inwardly, when I notice passers-by staring curiously. In the car, on the way to our first photography assignment with a client, my stomach was in knots. Would she instinctively know what to do, and spare me the horror of giving her directions? Would my nerves hold up as I crouch-walked awkwardly under her watchful eye, in my outrageously puffy winter jacket and these jeans that, while keeping me warm enough to do my job, accentuated my least favorite body part? (She didn't, and they did, and, in retrospect, she was probably more nervous about me than I was about her.)

My height is something I have always been quite self-conscious about, and although nine out of ten times, wearing high heels is a matter of personal aesthetic, that one remaining time I wear them, propelled solely by this self-consciousness, and at great cost to my comfort and convenience. Last weekend, when I was at the mall, I spied these Oxfords which, being adorable and reasonably priced, seemed like the perfect low-risk opportunity to push myself a little. I wore them out yesterday. There was no huge revelation, and no tearful self-validation afterwards, but the outing was pleasant enough, and my shoes weren't the only thing I was thinking about the whole time.

The same self-awareness that I value so much when it comes to making me a purposeful human being and a thoughtful blogger, when taken to extremes, becomes a paranoid preoccupation; a crippling force that keeps me from realizing my potential and from fully enjoying anything I do in the presence of others. If you have tips to help me and others like myself overcome this problem, please do share them with us. In the meantime, I'll try and put these Oxfords into heavy rotation to get my money's worth of confidence.

PS: On a related note, read Lisa and Jewish Girl's take on the matter.

Reader Feature: You Decide

2011-03-25T22:44:00.000-04:00

Good evening, dear readers, I trust you're all well on your way to winding down for the weekend. I'll keep this post short and sweet. You know I love hearing from you and having you all participate enthusiastically in Little Girl Big Closet's goings-on. For a while now, I have been toying with the idea of introducing a reader feature on the blog, but have held back because I wanted to make sure everybody was on board with it. Having given it some thought, I've decided the best way to come up with a feature that's sure to please you...is to simply ask you!

Anthropologie Bold Boutonniere Dress

Modcloth Darling Type Designer Cardigan

J.Crew Blakely Bling Bracelet

UO Suede Pump

I know you all are a smart, creative bunch, and I'm eager to hear your ideas and requests. You may come up with a feature that is solely a reader project, or one that would be a collaboration between readers and myself. You may come up with something that is strictly fashion-related, or something that is a little broader in scope. If it's something you think you'd be interested in coming back to every week, I want to hear about it.

To make matters a teensy bit more interesting, as we are apt to do on this blog, I'll throw in a little incentive: I will give away

a $25 gift card to Anthropologie or J.Crew

to the reader whose idea gets picked to be the new feature on LGBC. Sound good? Well, get cracking, then, readers. I can't wait to hear what you come up with!

Critics Unite

2011-03-24T10:28:00.005-04:00

I'd like to think that here, on Little Girl Big Closet, we try to be a community of good people. Nice people. The kind of people with good taste and self restraint. The kind of people who would rather not say an unkind word about others, even under the most pressing of circumstances. The truth of the matter, though, is that we all have our limits. Life comes chock-full of tedium, frustrations and petty annoyances, and every once in a while, most of us catch ourselves saying something about someone else that we probably wouldn't want others saying about us. And that's okay. Really. After all, we're only human. In this small, crowded world of ours, it's so very hard for us not to step on each other's toes once in a while. And when my toes get stepped on, it's hard not to wince and mutter profanities under my breath.

Leifsdottir Fire Wing Blouse

J.Crew Merino V-Neck Cardigan

J.Crew Belle Skirt

Seychelles Veronica T-Strap

What led to a revelation for me, however, was when my husband accused me, last week, of "hating people." That was it. There was no qualifier, such as "you hate tall people" or "you hate loud people", and it wasn't said with malice or disdain, but rather matter-of-factly, as if I would nod my head and say "Well yes, that's true, of course."

To say that I was puzzled would be an understatement. I do not think of myself as a people-hater: someone who simply does not like other human beings as a general rule. In fact, I like to think of myself as an especially optimistic person, and one who routinely derives pleasure from the little things in life: a smile from a stranger, soft green grass, an especially sweet raisin. I gave it a few hours worth of thought, and came to the following conclusion: I'm impatient. It is exceedingly easy for someone, or something, to annoy me to the point where my irritation is outwardly apparent. Usually, this level of annoyance is enough for me to voice my grievance, at least to my husband. If I had to guess, I'd say that for every hour I spend outside my home, I come across at least one thing that annoys me enough to move me to speech. This is in addition to all the things I think are wrong with the world today, and the long-standing disdain I have for sundry people I know personally.

Based on this calculation, it isn't all that hard to see how someone who spent a lot of time around me may have concluded that I hated all of mankind.

The thing is, for every hour I spend outside my home, I also come across at least three things that genuinely make me smile. On the inside. Note the difference. When I notice something I like about somebody, I usually keep it to myself. When I notice something about them that irritates me, I let loose, and you better believe some poor soul gets to hear all about it.

As a rule, I try to keep negativity to a minimum on this blog. Today, however, I decided on an exercise I thought might interest some of my readers, too. It is an exercise that is designed to simultaneously allow you to vent about someone you don't like, openly, without judgment, while also pushing you to be more appreciative and give credit where credit is due. I plan on doing this for an entire week, maybe longer if I feel like it actually benefits me in some way. You can participate by leaving your comment below. Okay? Ready? Here's what you do:

Think of someone you know personally, whom you have a complaint about. Go ahead and air your grievance. But for every one criticism, you must say two nice things about this person as well. You may have three complaints about this person, but then you must come up with six nice things to say about them, as well. You may also complain about multiple people, but the same rule applies to each individual. Got it? And what if you simply cannot think of two nice things to say about somebody? Well, then you say nothing at all, of course. Please remember, you must know this person personally (Charlie Sheen, Muammar Gaddafi, and your least favorite blogger do not count.) Also, please do not use any real names, because the purpose of this exercise is simply as mentioned above; the goal is not to hurt anyone's feelings!

To get the ball rolling, I'll begin with some examples of my own:

My friend X: often says really ignorant things. But she has been a dependable friend in time of need, and is usually very fun to be around.

Someone in my extended family: is one of the rudest people I have ever had the misfortune of knowing. But she has what seems like a very successful relationship with her significant other, and she is a great cook.

I must admit, it was easier to come up with the complaint than the compliment, but that's exactly the point: Almost everyone we come across in life has some redeeming qualities to them, and that life is easier to swallow (for us, and for those who generously lend us an ear) when we acknowledge the good along with the bad. Right? Right?? Ok, now it's your turn to share. Go ahead, give it a shot!

What Is A Woman? Anthro Giveaway Winners

2011-03-23T11:34:00.000-04:00

Before I announce the winners of the Photo Challenge Anthro Giveaway, I wanted to share with you all the entries that were sent in to the photo challenge part of the giveaway. About one in fifteen readers who entered the giveaway actually took on the challenge as well, but the ones who did, really surpassed my expectations. Sure, they all sent in some beautiful photographs that brightened my day, but what was more interesting to me, was the manner in which each of the participants interpreted the challenge.

The photo challenge, for those of you who missed it, called for entries to the theme "Portrait of a Woman", and asked that the entrants refer to the photography tutorial I had posted earlier in the month. Predictably, several of the entries were self-portraits, but what was delightful to see was the many personalities that shone through in the pictures: pensive, stylish, coy, melancholy, playful...every woman chose to define her "womanhood" in a unique way:

Siri

Nava

Another common theme to be found in the portraits was motherhood: how women viewed this milestone of life-giving as the ultimate manifestation of their femininity, and the thing that defined them, more than any other aspect of their life, as a woman:

Alicia

Cristy

Ana's friend, at 10 weeks along

Still others sent in pictures of loved ones who represented womanhood to them:

Elizabeth's sister, Aurora

Michelle's best friend

Finally, there was Shana, who sent in a pleasant surprise: a portrait of a woman in the making. To me, this portrait represents possibility. Not what a woman is, but what she could be:

Shana's daughter, at 10 months

Please join me in applauding these wonderful readers for pushing themselves to capture these great, thoughtful, creative images, and for sharing them with us all, and feel free to leave comments and words of encouragement to our budding photographers :)

And now, for the winners of the giveaway:

The winner of the $50 gift card is: Alicia Fedell!

The winners of the $25 gift cards are: Lori and Leana!

Congratulations, ladies- I will be emailing you personally to notify you as well. A big thank you goes out to everyone who participated, and if you didn't win this time around, don't sweat it- just wait until next week. I have something else up my sleeve :)

Spring Florals

2011-03-21T20:53:00.001-04:00

Temperatures are finally on the rise, readers, and the advent of spring brings with it budding blooms as far as the eye can see. I'm not usually one for overly feminine prints- I prefer my prints to be more quirky, more whimsical. This, however, is the only time of year I allow myself a few flower-sprinkled pieces, and these are my top picks so far:

Adrianna Papell Print Overlay Dress: There's something very soothing about this abstract-print floral dress. The cool blue-and-grey palette and the airy chiffon layers are just the right weight and freshness for spring, and would be perfect for that April bridal shower/birthday dinner/wedding reception, no?

Adrianna Papell Print Sundress: The fit-and-flare of this lovely dress may be retro, but the square neck and the bright coral tones are something my closet hasn't seen much of at all, and the price isn't all that hard to swallow, so for now, I've added this little number to my ever-growing wishlist of dresses, fueled mostly by Anthropologie.

Talbots TuileriesFloral Skirt: The print. The color. The texture. I die. Lately, I have been lamenting the death of pretty at J.Crew, which was formerly my greatest resource for beautiful, printed pencil skirts. This olive-gold-and-pink confection satisfies my craving just in the nick of time.

ASPESI Knee-Length Skirt: There's something so, so very vintage and sweet about this skirt. Admittedly, it's just a wee bit pricey for a silk-polyester blend, but the print, cut and colors have me swooning. I would wear it with a crisp white cotton blouse and patent leather pumps in a nice, bold color, all through spring and summer.

Tucker Yoke Blouse: Where do I begin with this blouse- the unusually bold yet fresh print, the split v-neck detail, the gathered 3/4 sleeves. This blouse is very different from my usual closet fare, and would be a welcome change for sure, but at its current price, it's a bit rich for my blood right now.

Love21 Silk-Blend Rosy Top: I have been quite impressed with Forever21 lately- specifically, with their Love21 line, which boasts nicer materials and more modest cuts than their usual teeny-bopper styles. This silk-cotton blouse has a classic floral print reminiscent of grandma, but in a very chic, sweet way. I especially adore the way it is paired with a pink scalloped skirt and multi-strand pearl necklace on the Love21 start-up page here.

UO Cooperative Floral Oxford: As usual, I've saved the best for last. Lately, I've been on an Oxford kick, and these are by far the prettiest ones I have ever seen. The print reminds me of an antique chintz and reads "girly" like nothing else. Yet they're practical, comfortable, and so very spring appropriate!

PS: The Anthropologie Giveaway/Photo Challenge is now closed, but please bear with me while I tabulate your entries and announce the three winners. In the meantime, I will also be sharing some of the beautiful, truly impressive entries that readers sent in for the challenge, that won them five extra entries towards the prize. Thank you to everyone for participating, and stay tuned for another giveaway coming up next week :)

Twofer

2011-03-19T23:15:00.001-04:00

Spring's first stirrings are here, and I have been far too busy soaking in the sun these past couple of days to really do much else. Last night, I ditched blogging to go see a movie. In a dress and flip flops. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences I have had in a while. And tonight, I'm off to greedily devour yet another balmy, moonlit night, but I'll leave you these OOTDs to tide you over until the weather forces me back in again:

Anthropologie Vappu Dress

Anthropologie Peeking Lace Blazer

Seychelles Veronica T-Straps

Forever21 Necklace

Ann Taylor Necklace

J.Crew Thompson Tote

Anthropologie Blue Bonnet Dress

Urban Outfitters Suede Pump

PS: Tomorrow is the last day to send in your entries for the Anthropologie gift card giveaway. Details here.

Let's Talk Green: Money Troubles

2011-03-17T23:40:00.000-04:00

Money matters can be a difficult thing to talk openly about. Growing up, I witnessed discord in my own family over money, and probably because of this, money had a very negative connotation in my mind for the longest time. Specifically, there was always a lot of apprehensive talk of how tight money was, yet looking around at other families, I could see we were living quite lavishly. So the two things I learned about money as a child were "We spend a lot of money" and "We shouldn't spend a lot of money." This unexplained incongruity brought with it a sense of extreme anxiety, at least in my mind. So much so, that as a young adult, I fell into a self-destructive pattern of needing to spend money to feel a temporary sense of elation, then sinking into a depressive, guilt-ridden angst for days, from which I emerged only to make my next big purchase.

Anthropologie Sing Sweetly Party Dress

Modcloth Acanthus Belt

American Eagle Cardigan

Urban Outfitters Suede Pump

In more recent years, my observations have led me to believe that usually, people fight not over money, but rather, over the allotment of it: what's being purchased with the money, and what is the opportunity cost of the purchase? In other words, what could I have bought with this money if I hadn't spent it on a dress? A different dress? A better meal? A retirement plan? So anxiety over money (within a person or between members of a family) really boils down to differences in priorities. Once I came to the realization that money was not inherently evil, it allayed my anxieties about it enough for me to give some serious thought to how I wanted to start spending my money without having a panic attack.

As I grow older, it helps to constantly remind myself that money is not an end in itself, but simply a means to an end. Let's say happiness is my end (it kinda is.) If a dress makes me happy- not in a "temporary high" sort of way, but rather, in a "wear it for years and feel beautiful and joyful every time" sort of way- then the dress is a good purchase. If, on the other hand, financial security is my end, then I'm better off putting the money into my savings account. Or if happiness is my goal, but purchasing the dress won't really further that end beyond a few hours, then the dress is a no-go. Of course, this is a huge oversimplification since, even with clearly demarcated priorities, there are always other questions in the mix. One example is the question of "when?" Would I forgo a small pleasure today, if it meant the possibility of a greater pay-off tomorrow?

Of course, I don't have all, or even most of the answers yet, so I am unable to respond in a more significant way to many of the readers who write in with questions about budgets and personal finances. Since this community is so very generous with their support and advice, I thought it might be a good idea to start a conversation about this on here. If you're reading this and can offer words of wisdom, share personal stories, or even a few everyday tips and tricks that help you make financial decisions that are in tune with your own priorities.

PS: Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone :)

Taking A Stand

2011-03-15T22:32:00.000-04:00

Dear Blogger-Basher,

You say I am ugly, self-centered and vain. You defame me, you try to break me. You say you hate my nose, my knees, my weight, the length of my skirt, and that every word I write turns your stomach. You dig and you scout to find a stray word, an excuse to rip me to shreds; to find one thing, anything, to justify your hatred. You go looking for reasons that don't exist. Because you dare not admit to yourself that the real reason you hate me is because I have something you don't:

When I look in the mirror, I like what I see.

Where you see big hips and too many dresses, I see a big smile and a thousand happy memories. Where you see a shallow materialist, I see a capable mother, a loving wife, a loyal friend. Where you see conceit, I see confidence.

I fascinate you enough to keep you coming back, and I anger you enough to kick at me every time. You hide and you cower, and you hit where it hurts, retreating quickly into dark anonymity. You are faceless: you are every schoolyard bully, every cruel tormentor, every pitiful, self-loathing hatemonger. But I? I have a million faces: I am the reckless spender, I am the fat b*tch, I am the whiner, I am the the (insert racial slur here.) The funny thing is, in spite of all these faults, I am also well-loved. I am also joyful. I am also successful. Especially in my own eyes. And that is clearly something you cannot say for yourself yet.

Because I am stronger everyday, I dare to open myself up to the world around me. And because you are not, you try to scare me back into the dark oblivion whence you come. But for every one of you, there are a hundred benevolent strangers, and my faith in the world remains unshaken. I stand for myself, and I stand for my friends who suffer you in dignified silence. I'm not going anywhere.

Anthro Free Zone (Almost)

2011-03-14T23:54:00.002-04:00

My ever-growing Anthropologie wishlist is a matter of public record, so I thought I'd share with my beloved readers a few of my current wants (one of which I already caved in on yesterday) from other stores. Absolutely any input from anyone who has actually tried any of these items on is very much appreciated:

The Tissue Flowers Top from Modcloth was recently added to my list of March purchases. I simply couldn't resist the beautifully sheer criss-crossed sleeves and the delicate, creamy lace draped over the rose-printed bodice, and decided this was unique enough to make it into my closet at its modest price.

The Lady Lace Popover from J.Crew: Have you ever seen a sweatshirt so drop-dead gorgeous? A feminine confection of chiffon and merino wool in a 14-gauge knit that won't make you feel bad about "dressing down" once in a while.

The Neapolitan Cardigan from Boden has been on my radar for a few weeks, and having read the reviews, the only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger on it is that I haven't been able to decide between the red (shown here) and the mint.

Ok, I know I said no Anthro, but I just had to slip these in- Anthropologie's Sera Petal Posts. They're teeny-tiny, so they hardly even count. Right? Right?? My pearl posts have been my everyday earrings for three years now, and I do believe it is time to make a change. Baby steps.

And finally, these Candy Dipped Flats from Modcloth are the one thing that'll make me embrace my short stature without a grumble. The leather construction, the shiny red patent wingtip, everything comes together just right, to make the most enchanting oxfords I ever laid eyes on.

PS: You have 5 more days to enter my Photo Challenge Anthro Giveaway, for a chance to win three Anthro gift cards totaling a $100! See here for details.

Sweet As Honey

2011-03-14T00:19:00.001-04:00

Is there something really small, something really, really teensy, that secretly brightens your day? Something nearly imperceptible to everyone but you? Like a song that plays on repeat in the back of your mind, making you tap-tap-tap your feet to a beat only you can hear, while the world rushes and whirs and crumbles around you? I had many readers chime in with much appreciated words of advice in response to my last post, with suggestions that ran the gamut from relaxation for the body to relaxation for the mind, and absolutely everything inbetween. The one common thread linking all of the things that women do to keep themselves sane, it seems, is that they all involve partaking in something that is for "me, and me alone." An activity, or a thought, or a philosophy for one. This is something I am happy to get on board with.

Anthropologie Night Blooming Dress

J.Crew Maya Cardigan

American Eagle Tights

Seychelles Box Step Pump

Ann Taylor Crystal Necklace

Having someone- a friend, a mother, a sister, a lover, to share one's life with, is a blessing and an incomparable joy. Still, I find that a great number of the things I delight in the most, are things that are solely mine. My memories of lying in the grass on sun-drenched winter afternoons, eating salted oranges with my mother. The sweet smell of perfume on the insides of my wrists, too faint for anyone else to notice. Breathing onto a cold window, and scrawling a butterfly onto the fog with the tip of my icy finger- quick, before someone sees!

Today's outfit is inspired by, and built simply, around this dress, which is a favorite of mine, not only because it is the first dress my husband ever bought me as a present, but because of a happy memory it invokes- one that I'll share with you today: The print on the hammered silk reminds me of a book of Japanese woodblock prints by Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806), called "A Chorus of Birds." A book I bought for a dollar at a used book store several years ago, on a very happy day. The book is filled with beauteous pictures of birds that have been the secret inspiration behind many of my artistic ventures in the years since I first bought it. Isn't it amazing how a dollar's worth of yellowed pages can nourish the human spirit endlessly?

A Snippet

2011-03-11T21:54:00.003-05:00

Today is one of those rare days when I feel too exhausted, both physically and emotionally, to assign words to what I want to share. So tonight, I plan on making a conscious effort towards purposeful relaxation. A rejuvenating detox not only for my body, but for my mind. In lieu of an actual write-up, I'll share with you a glimpse into my day:

Work:

Love:

Blog:

Anthropologie Crop Patterns Dress

Modcloth Darling Type Designer Cardigan

Anthropologie Specklaed Tights

Target Pump

In exchange, I would really appreciate it if you could spare a minute of your time to offer advice and suggestions to help me get started on a relaxation regimen. Specifically, I'd like simple, effective ways to wipe my emotional slate clean an unburden myself mentally at the end of the day. I'll be sure to check back tomorrow, and try every reasonable method you suggest, until I find one that works for me. Tonight, however, I will simply spritz on my new Jo Malone perfume on my wrists and make it a point to wave my hands around in an exaggerated manner whenever I speak, so I can soak in the fantastically heady scent of nectarine blossoms deep into my being, every chance I get. For now, that is enough. Thanks Marie!

A Well-Loved Dress

2011-03-09T23:59:00.004-05:00

"I once was new and crisp. I sat proud, perched on a shelf, atop a dozen others like myself. Soft, white light lit the store and kept us warm, as they came to look at us. They rifled through us, checking tags, picking one or the other. And the chosen one- the lucky one- would flit away, smiling back proudly at the rest of us. Days went by, our numbers dwindled. There were three of us now, then two; we were pushed to the back of the shelf as new dresses came to take our place. And then, I was the only one. Months passed, and soon, I was relegated to a cramped little room in the back. Surrounded by others who had missed the boat to their forever home. Shirts, sweaters; we were piled, cramped, stacked high against one another, breathless, and week after week, I went unnoticed in the crowd.

Until she found me. Could this really be the day? Her eyes sparkled with glee as she clutched me tight in her little hands but.... I didn't want to get my hopes up just yet. I was set down on the counter, wrapped in thin, white wax paper, and slipped into a bag. Some time passed- minutes, maybe hours, and I emerged from the bag, inside a dimly lit yellow space. At first, I thought I was in the back room again: I looked around myself, and saw others, hanging neatly from the shelves. I was some place else. Some place new. I couldn't read the look in her eyes in the brief moments that she held me up to peer at me: Doubt? Regret? Would I be returned unceremoniously to that cramped, sad room in the back of the store like so many other once-hopeful contenders? In one swift motion, she jerked something off my body. I winced in pain. My tag! She was smiling down at me now, as she hung me on my very own white hanger. I was home.

Weeks went by, then months: she picked me again and again. With the navy pair of shoes from down the hall, with the blue sweater from the shelf next door, and once, even with a cardigan with clocks all over- although I haven't seen him in a while since then. She wore me on happy days. I traveled: I saw bridges, gardens, a river bank. Covered in sauces, grass stains and paw prints, tired and elated, I would return home. She would wash it all away with her gentle hands, under the warm, running water, and I would return, refreshed, to my place on the white hanger.

And then one day, I saw a sight that frightened me. She walked in, tears streaking her cheeks, her face contorted in anger, or perhaps sadness. She rummaged roughly through the shelves, pausing a moment to look, then ripping me briskly off my hanger. She threw me on in a huff, with a cardigan to keep me company, and stormed out the door, wiping her eyes on the sleeve. For hours, we strolled through the brick roads until she grew calmer. The cold air made her wrap her arms tightly around herself. We headed back in silence. When we got home, she stripped off the cardigan and headed straight for her bed. On her way past the mirror, I caught a quick glimpse of myself: two threads had come loose where she had ripped me from the shelf, and I hung limp, wrinkled, off her body. My stripes looked faded, tired. She fell into her pillow and almost immediately, into a deep, restful slumber. Someone pulled the covers over her. Over us. I lay against her chest, listening to the gentle rise and fall as she dreamed.

In her darkest hour, in her time of need, she had chosen me. I was a joy, a comfort. My heart filled with pride, and as she turned to her side, I felt a seam tear open. I was loved."

Friends In High Places: Dressing For The Soul

2011-03-08T16:33:00.002-05:00

We've all heard of "dressing for your body": rules for the pear-shaped, rules for the short-waisted, and about five dozen other dos and don'ts we keep in mind so we may dress ourselves in accordance with who we are on the outside. And then there are all the other external factors that dictate what we put on our bodies everyday: where we work, what we do, where we're from, where we're going, and that ridiculous rule about wearing white after Labor Day. My point is, there exists a multitude of ways in which external factors- physical and societal, guide our choices on a daily basis.

In many aspects of our lives besides dressing, most of us are adept at finding some small way to remain true to our inner self, in spite of such external pressures. I once had a friend, a Boston implant, originally from the deep south. And anyone who met him would swear he'd been born and raised in a big city up north- he even had a New England lilt when he spoke. Except for one little thing: every evening on his way home from work, he liked to crank up those southern country blues and sing along, happily out-of-tune, as he drove through the streets of Boston. It was a curious sight, and people stopped to stare. But he did it anyway and he did it everyday. That's who he was. Doing little things for the soul is at once, essential to our overall well-being, and a wonderful luxury.

So why not allow ourselves the innocent little pleasure of dressing for our soul every once in a while? The idea behind today's FIHP feature is something that my lovely co-blogger Sara (of You, Me and Anthropologie fame) and I feel quite strongly about. Sara works in an environment where the standard attire of choice for women is dress pants. And while she concedes to their practicality for the purposes of the job she performs, they don't inspire in her the sense of emotional well-being that she needs in order to do her job happily, day after day. I'd hate to give away too much: to see the other half of this collaborative effort, and to read about Sara's personal journey of "dressing for the soul", visit her blog here.

When I think about dressing based on who I am on the inside rather than on the outside, a barrage of ideas come to mind. Generally speaking, I can broadly categorize this method of "inside" dressing into (A) dressing for my personality and (B) dressing for my mood.

Anthropologie Twinkle Twinkle Dress

BDG Wingtip Pump

J.Crew Belt

Gap Blazer

For the purposes of this post, I use the term "personality" to mean a somewhat consistent set of psychological traits that are characteristic of an individual: "Me." Obviously, it really pays to take the time for introspection, and to get to know myself like I would a good friend. For instance, I thrive on creativity, and crave ways to express myself that set me apart from a room full of other people. On the other hand, I feel most secure and, as a result, most confident, when I am covered modestly (this was not always the case, which serves to support the idea that personality is a dynamic construct.) As a matter of fact, many of the pieces I have in my closet cater to both these psychological needs simultaneously.While it may be impractical to always expect to dress according to the needs of one's personality alone, I have heard people complain of a general unhappiness with their usual manner of dressing, or a feeling of being "stuck in a rut." It often turns out that many of them have been ignoring their psychological needs, or going against the grain entirely. Forget your body for a minute, and forget what everyone at the office is wearing. Who are you? An introvert? A traditionalist? A free spirit? Your wide hips and the fact that you sell paper cannot possibly be your only identity!

"Mood" I will define here as a lasting emotional state: one that persists from anywhere between a few hours to a few days. I briefly touched upon the relationship between mood and dressing in this post a couple of days ago. Most of us are familiar with the idea of dressing for our mood. Sometimes, though, it actually pays to dress in spite of it. Basically, rather than dressing for the mood I'm currently in, I ought to dress with a view to setting for myself the mood I want to be in, an hour from now. A good way to do this is to be aware of what it is that you like about your "favorite" clothes. For instance, I love polka dots. They evoke in me a sense of playfulness and good cheer. I don't wear big polka dots often, but they're a great pick-me-up for when I am feeling blue and need a transient reason to smile. The same goes for red shoes. To me, they are a quick hit of energy; a reliable morale-booster. Knowing what I do about the effect of certain colors and patterns on my psyche, on a day when I'm feeling sad, I am careful to pick pieces that are likely to elevate my mood, rather than to play along with it. A dress and a pair of shoes: the most basic formula can make all the difference when it incorporates components that are key to my emotional well-being.

Anthropologie Mullany Dress

UO Suede Pump

Most of us have busy lives, and a million factors that govern what we put on our bodies. I'm not suggesting that you show up to a board meeting or to your grandfather's wake in a short, flirty polka dot skirt (please don't.) What I propose is simply that we all become more thoughtful dressers. And that once in a while, instead of dressing around our flat chests or our big thighs, we dress for our flattened egos or our big dreams. Trends come and go; I hear the 70's bohemian look is set to make a comeback this spring: but it really does pay to get in touch with your basic emotional needs, and take the time to indulge your inner self every now and then. Try it today; it's good for you.

Hello Darling!

2011-03-06T18:28:00.001-05:00

Dear readers,

I've been keeping a secret from you: a new love. A couple of weeks ago, I saw, and fell head over heels for this top on the Anthropologie website. It was a brand I had never heard of: a British brand, it turns out, by the name of Darling. The name sounded vaguely familiar, and a little bit of research led me to find the very same top at Modcloth, for $25 less, at full price. This finding irked me a great deal. My annoyance soon turned to glee, however, as I beheld page after page of mind-blowingly gorgeous clothing, all at a price-point well within my reach. Not all of them were by Darling (although most of my favorites were), but they all had that whimsical, uber-vintage vibe in common. Here, for your viewing pleasure, I have compiled a list of the very best (click the pics to get to the product page):

Super-ornate pearl buttons, and an ecru lace collar make this Darling cardigan one of the most fantastic pieces I have seen in a while. I simply could not resist this cardigan's great attention to detail, and picked up this lovely piece as my first purchase for the month.

Clouds of beaded lace flowers float atop a grey-blue sky. Another Darling cardigan with amazing attention to detail, including pearl buttons and stunning latticework.

A barely-there blush pink cardigan by Darling, with a collar drenched in gold sequins and pearls. The statement piece to add glamor and sparkle to just about any old outfit.

Swaths of sheer, blush fabric, billow over a charcoal layer, creating this lovely dimension. The back has a whimsical column of bows that lends an already-pretty top even more charm.

A demure Peter Pan collar, cuffed sleeves with intricate detailing, a keyhole detail in the back, and a lining for modesty: these are the things that elevate this ivory Darling blouse from ho-hum to a pretty staple you can pair with almost anything in your closet.

The single-button closure adds even more interest to this very detailed Darling cardigan (are you noticing a theme with this brand yet?) The shoulder and yoke feature a cut-out floral overlay with tiny, black beading. An evening stunner fit for cocktail hour and date nights.

The layered detailing in the skirt, the self-covered belt- everything about this beautiful dress leads up to the star attraction: the dreamy print, reminiscent of a Monet.

Sky blue makes for the perfect backdrop for a myriad of winged beauties, rendered in vivid color, over a cute, ruffled hemline. Another British-made lovely, by The Get Cutie Co.

Sharp little pleats, an interesting but subdued shoulder detail, and graduating polka dots make this Darling dress a winner for any occasion- in cream (shown here) and navy.

How do you make a modest shirt-dress riotously fun? Why, a dash of hot fuchsia, of course! There's no lining, but the self-covered buttons and sash make this under $50 dress even more appealing. I owned and loved the black version of this dress until I accidentally burned a hole in it >:(

The perfect note upon which to end your winter. A navy wool-blend coat with pearly buttons, a bow-bedecked back, and two removable bows at the pockets, by yet another British brand, Tofu. How adorably mod!

The Dress Happy Experiment

2011-03-05T22:23:00.000-05:00

Several reputable studies indicate not only a correlation, but a strong causal relationship between perceived mood and clothing choice among women. It makes sense to me, that I am less likely to want to "dress happy" when I'm feeling down in the dumps. Generally, on days when I am exceptionally irritable, I am likely to put less effort into dressing myself. On days when I am feeling unsure of myself, I am likely to try on several outfits, second guess and pass on all of them, finally settling on something muted. When my mood is elevated, I am most likely to reach for pieces that reflect my emotions outwardly- something bright, beautiful, or exceptionally eye-catching.

Anthropologie Laced With Grace Dress

Anthropologie Anemone Bloom Cardigan

Ann Taylor Crystal Necklace

UO Suede Pump

Clothing, then, can be, and often is, an expression of mood and/or emotion (and there is a significant difference between the two terms.) In this respect, dressing is quite similar to facial expressions: a pair of bright red heels is a big, confident smile; a black cardigan, a knitted brow. It is a well-known fact that there exists a positive feedback loop between facial expressions and emotion. What this means is that not only does feeling happy lead you to smile, but the act of smiling itself engages certain neural pathways, leading to a secretion of certain chemicals in your body and, eventually, to the experience of the emotion our brain recognizes as "happy." "Fake it till you make it" really does work, to a significant degree, when it comes to our emotions.

This recollection of high school psychology got me thinking...if my clothes are a little like my facial expressions, and my facial expressions can dictate my emotions, could dressing "happy" really make me feel happier? It was a slightly weird idea, and one I had not read much research on, but since I had nothing to lose- I doubt at the end of an unpleasant day, my one regret would be wearing a pretty dress- I gave it a shot. I can honestly say that I started out my morning feeling overwhelmed and uncertain, and as my day wore on, my mood improved a great deal, and not for any obviously apparent reason. I accomplished less than I had hoped to, and came across more than a handful of irritating phenomena that, on most days, would probably have affected my mood for longer than they did today. In spite of everything, I am pleased to note that I am in quite a pleasant state of mind as of this minute.

I realize this may just be a fluke, so before I make up my mind, I plan on continuing this experiment for the next six days- Sunday through Friday this coming week. Each day, I will "dress happy", and go about my day as I normally would. I intend to keep a mental log of my mood throughout the week, and am very interested to see what comes of this little exercise. Anyone else up for the challenge?

Epic Fail

2011-03-04T23:14:00.000-05:00

I had a topic sketched out in my mind for today's post. I had an idea of what I wanted to talk about- nice things, happy things- an idea of what I was going to wear, where I was going to go. In spite of my best efforts, none of these things worked out. Crushed, demoralized, I headed home, my mind an utterly exhausted blur of self-pity. The interesting thing is not that this happened, because days like these are a dime a dozen. The interesting thing is what followed. As I marinated in the misery of this defeat, things went from bad to worse, faster than you could say "Die, Comcast, die!"

Anthropologie Drifting By Dress

J.Crew Ethereal Ruffle Cardigan

Anthropologie Pinwheel Tights

Target Suede Pump

While I was in the throes of this unfortunate series of events, it struck me that a lot- a lot- of the awful things that were now happening to me were a direct result of the fatalistic mindset my first failure had put me in.

I have now been sitting here for over an hour, trying to come up with the words to follow my previous sentence, and it's clear to me that today just isn't going to get me anywhere at all. So I will leave you with a handful of quick snapshots from my day, and promise to be back tomorrow with happier things, or at least, with a more articulate version of myself. In the meantime, I'll leave you with a list of things I have failed at so far, in 2011:
Learning French.
Getting in better health.
Being less aggressive.
Cultivating better control over my emotions.
Renovating my closet space.

Have a failure of your own to add to the list? Leave it in the comments. The idea, by the way, is not to self-deprecate, but to find solace in sharing. You may do it anonymously, if you'd rather.

PS: I'm feeling much better now, and aim to keep it that way by not pushing myself to write.

Big, Big Plans

2011-03-03T22:56:00.002-05:00

Good evening and happy March, dear readers! I apologize for the short, unexplained disappearance- I had some personal business to attend to, and now I'm back. I'm back to inform you of all the big developments you can expect to see around this little blog over the next couple of months.

Anthropologie Antiquarian Dress

Anthropologie Cartography Cardigan

Anthropologie Pindot Tights

BDG Wingtip Pump

First, there's the launch of Little Girl Big Closet's sister website, the official online presence of our new business venture: One Summer Day. 1SD has been in the making for a little while now, and I've been careful to keep it under wraps here. With the website finally up and running, though, the time is right to make the announcement. A significant part of the credit goes, believe it or not, to you. Our interest in improving our photography skills, in its most rudimentary form, started out as just something to keep you happy, and to give you something a little something extra that would keep you coming back to LGBC. That little wish has now snowballed into this, and I hope that, per your usual generous nature, you will come support us in this fledgling endeavor. What will the launch of this venture mean for you? For one, it will mean better pictures on this blog. Also, for one loyal reader in the metro DC area, it will mean a free, hour-long photo shoot!

Second, I am extremely excited to bring to fruition a long-in-the-works collaboration with my favorite store of all time. You guessed it :) You can expect this extravaganza, by far the most fantastic thing to happen on this blog since its very conception, some time next month. Yes, just in time for the the Spring/Summer 2011 offerings.

And finally, as you may have noticed, I've replaced the "Wishlist" tab with a "Coveted" tab. I chose to do this since I realized that realistically, I couldn't possibly acquire or even hope to acquire all the pretty things I put into that list. Rather, I thought it more practical to simply come up with certain looks that I loved, built around one or two key elements, with others drawn from my closet- or yours- to complete the ensemble. There is a short explanation of the driving force behind each look, and I will be updating this tab as often as possible, given that inspiration, unlike nice new things, is never in short supply.

PS: I've been delighted with all the entries for my giveaway, but just wanted to quickly remind everybody that your entry does not have to be a portrait of you. It can be of anybody- your mother, your great-grand-aunt, or just a mysterious stranger on the subway.

The Photo Challenge Anthro Giveaway

2011-02-28T12:46:00.005-05:00

The time has come for yet another giveaway on Little Girl Big Closet. Only, unlike previous giveaways, this one will have not one, but three winners! That's right, up for grabs are

1 Anthropologie Gift Card for $50

and

2 Anthropologie Gift Cards for $25 each

Sound interesting? Read on to find out how it's going to work. To enter, you must:

(1) be a public follower of this blog.

(2) leave a comment on this post using the ID that you use to follow, and an email address where I can contact you if you win.

(3) for one extra entry, you can blog or tweet about this giveaway, and let me know that you have done so.

Here's where it gets interesting. On my first giveaway of 2011, many of you said you had resolved to improve your photography in 2011, but I have a sneaky suspicion that most people have not kept this promise to themselves. So, to give you a little incentive- a nudge in the right direction, if you will- I have come up with a reader challenge:

If you haven't already read my 5-part photo tutorial, go do it right now! It's very basic and easy to follow. Then, implement what you learn, to create a photograph around the theme "Portrait of a Woman" It can be a self-portrait, or a picture of your UPS delivery lady. It can be a head-and-shoulders shot, or a full-length photograph. It can be realistic or fantastical. You may use a DSLR, or a point and shoot (no cellphone pictures please.) The only rules are that you must use the tips provided in the tutorial to create your entry, and the photo must, must, must be your original property. Please email your photo entry, along with the ID you use to follow, to littlegirlbigcloset@gmail.com.

You get 5 extra entries towards winning the giveaway, for participating in the reader challenge.

The most beautiful entries will be showcased here on this blog, with due credit to the budding photographers who created them. The purpose of this challenge is to encourage readers to crawl out of their comfort zone, push themselves to maybe learn and implement a new set of skills, and have some fun in the process. This is not a photo contest. The winner of the gift cards will not be picked based on how good your photograph is, but submitting a photograph makes you six times likelier to win a prize, which is a great incentive. I must also add, that only those photographs that follow the guidelines provided here, will get counted as entries towards the giveaway.

The giveaway and the photo challenge will end midnight, March 20, and three winners will be picked by a random integer generator. Any questions regarding this giveaway and/or challenge must be sent to my email address, and not asked in the comment section.

Please read all the rules before leaving a comment. Comments left anonymously or without using a verifiable ID will be deleted at once, to keep the giveaway fair for genuine reader entries.

----This contest in now closed----