Orla Kiely Tins

Merry Christmas to me!

This year, my husband and mother-in-law teamed up to get me some Orla Kiely tins for Christmas. 

When I tore open the Christmas wrapping and saw the familiar stem print, I got super-excited.

Here's a detailed photo of what's inside.

Orla Kiely Linear Stem Canister Tins - Set of 3

$46

I'd say the canisters are true to what they look like on the label and the website's stock photos.

Measurements for the largest canister: 10 5/8" high, 5" diameter

Orla Kiely Round Nesting Cake Tins - Set of 5

$68

Measurements for the largest tin: 5 9/16" high, 10" diameter

 Each tin was even wrapped in its own Orla Kiely tissue paper (which I was very tempted to keep,  but then realized that would be hoarding).

I'm super happy with my tin collection. The prints and colors are, as usual, completely adorable and put a smile on my face every time I see them. Now, all I have to do is decide what to put in them. For now though, they will be sitting pretty in my kitchen.

Maeve Striated Lace Dress

Maeve Striated Lace Dress

On sale $159.95 (originally $228)

www.anthropologie.com

Item: Striated Lace Dress

Color: Blue motif

Price: On sale $159.95 (originally $228)

Size: 4

Overall Rating: 4/5

My usual size 2 wasn't available so I'm wearing a size 4 in the photos above. The size 4 was too loose all around, so I would say this dress runs true to size. I love the muted colors and the lace details. There's a side zip making this dress very easy to put on. The scoop neck is very modest - not too low, which I really like. I hate it when necklines are too low and I end up having to wear a cami underneath. The only thing I don't like about this dress is the price. Definitely gonna wait for this one to go on sale some more!

Orla Kiely AW12 Collection Sale - Up To 50% Off

Make sure to check out www.orlakiely.com for their Autumn/Winter 2012 collection sale - many items now up to 50% off. Here are a few things I'm eyeing:

Hidden Hedgehog Print Silk Crepe Neck Tie Blouse

On sale $165 (originally $330)

Tumbling Hedgehog Print Jersey Shirt

On sale $90 (originally $180)

Fox Fairisle Boyfriend Cardigan

On sale $165.50 (originally $335)

Cute as a Fox Wool Crepe Tea Dress

On sale $247.50 (originally $495)

Punched Wallflower Leather Ivy Bag

On sale $373.75 (originally $535)

Giant Stem Print Scarf

On sale $112.50 (originally $225)

Outfit Of The Day: Lace Mixed Media Dress

What I'm Wearing:

Laced Mixed Media Dress by LC Lauren Conrad

Faux fur stole by Abercrombie

Tights by Merona

Shoes by BCBG

When I missed out on last year's Dulcie Dress, I was disappointed. I tried to wait for a sale, but by the time it was marked down, it was sold out in my size. 

Weston Wear Dulcie Dress

www.anthropologie.com

But as fate would have it, one of my favorite bloggers, Liz, wrote a post about this very similar LC Lauren Conrad dress. 

LC Lauren Conrad Lace Mixed Media Dress

www.kohls.com

The details are so similar, so I was thrilled to pick this up at the reasonable price of $40 (sure beats paying $168 for the original).

Plenty by Tracy Reese Chrysanthemum Tea Dress

Plenty by Tracy Reese Chrysanthemum Tea Dress

On sale $99.95 (originally $198)

www.anthropologie.com

On the left, I'm wearing a size 2, on the right a size 4.

Item: Chrysanthemum Tea Dress

Color: Brown motif

Price: On sale $99.95 (originally $198)

Size: 2 (left) and 4 (right)

Overall Rating: 5/5

When I first saw this dress, I loved everything about it. Beautiful print - check! Retro style - check! Fitted bodice - check! I initially tried on the size 2, which is my typical dress size. I was able to zip up the dress, but man oh man, I could hardly breath in it! The bodice was pushing into my ribcage and the armholes were so tight. I initially thought this was a result of the 10 more pounds of baby weight I have yet to lose, but after reading the other reviews online I decided to try the next size up. Ah, much better! The size 4 fit perfectly. None of the other dresses I own are a size 4 - all of them are either size 0 or 2, so I would say this dress definitely runs small. Size up at least one size for sure. What I love most about this dress is the retro fitted-bodice-and-flared-skirt silhouette. If I could dress like a 1950s housewife everyday I would. But alas, that's a very impractical style for where I work. Looking back at these photos, I feel that it actually doesn't look so bad with the ballet flats, which leads me to believe that this dress can be quite versatile when deciding what shoes to wear with it. Ultimately, though, I think I will wear it with a nice pair of high-heeled maryjanes. This dress is by far one of my favorites!

Miss Albright Gift-Trimmed Pumps

Miss Albright Gift-Trimmed Pumps

On sale $19.95 (originally $168)

www.anthropologie.com

Item: Gift-Trimmed Pumps

Color: Nude

Price: $19.95

Size: 7

Overall Rating: 3/5

I bought these shoes at such an amazing price - $19.95! Can't beat that, especially since they retailed for almost $200. These pumps are available in both black and nude, but since I didn't have any nude-colored pumps, I decided to go with those. Plus, I felt you could see the bow detail a little better on the lighter version. Underneath the bow is the same foil color you see inside the pumps. The shoes are extremely cute and very Kate Spade. They are genuine leather and made in China (boo!) The neutral color makes them very easy to pair with many different outfits. But that's where the positives end. These shoes are pretty stiff and uncomfortable. I'm wearing my usual size 7 and they pinch my feet, but I think sizing up would make them too big. So I'd say they run true to size. I'm even wearing them as I'm typing up this blog and they still hurt my feet! Imagine walking around in them! However, I think they have the potential to feel comfy once I've broken them in. There's a slight platform which makes the heel not seem so high, therefore making them easier to walk in (I love the look of high heels, but I'm not crazy about walking around in them). This is definitely one of those shoes meant for wearing to church or a dinner party, where your'e bound to be sitting a lot and walking is minimal. They are definitely a cute shoe though - just needs a lot of breaking in to make them comfy.

Weston Wear Sasonger Tulle Dress

Weston Wear Sasonger Tulle Dress

On sale $89.95 (originally $168)

www.anthropologie.com

Item: Sasonger Tulle Dress

Color: Blue/navy

Price: On sale $89.95 (originally $168)

Size: XS

Overall Rating: 5/5

I missed out on last year's Dulcie Dress and I've regretted it ever since. So when Weston Wear came out with this polka-dotted navy version, I jumped at the opportunity to try it on. I think it fits true to size as I was able to wear the x-small quite comfortably. The top portion is so soft and fitted and hides any flaws you may have. The tulle skirt is right on trend and seems pretty substantial, although I am a little nervous about snagging it. It's a pullover style dress with a button on the back neckline and a tie in the back. All the details are lovely, such as the slight pleating along the neckline and the ribbon along the waist. For the current sale price, I'm still not sure about it, although I'm afraid I'll be kicking myself for not picking this one up before it sells out in my size. I think I can hold out though for a 2nd/3rd price cut.

Orla Kiely at Anthropologie

Once in a while, Anthropologie will carry an Orla Kiely item. In the past, they've sold great pieces such as the Fox Intarsia Sweater, De Moda Cardigan, and Beanstalk Dress (OOTD here).

Their latest Orla Kiely offerings include the Heartwing iPad Case and Perforated Petals Wallet.

Heartwing iPad Case by Orla Kiely

$88

www.anthropologie.com

Perforated Petals Wallet

$208

www.anthropologie.com

Penguin Blouses and Dresses

In case you hadn't notice, I have a slight obsession with penguins. Seriously, anything with a penguin on it, I feel like I have to have it. If you're looking for a last-minute Christmas gift for the penguin-lover in your life, check out these gift ideas that will surely put a smile on her face. 

Penguin Love Blouse by Sugarhill Boutique

www.redlane.le

Penguin Blouse from Wanted Vintage

$85

www.wantedvintage.com

Printed-Chiffon Button Blouse by Old Navy

$29.94

www.oldnavy.com

In It to Penguin It Sweater from Mod Cloth

$72.99

www.modcloth.com

Paper and Penguins Dress from Mod Cloth

$84.99

www.modcloth.com

Chiffon Blouse by Sugarhill Boutique (also available in red - see below)

$61.57

www.asos.com

And in writing this post, I stumbled across this blog that featured those most adorable vintage penguin dress.

lolavintage.blogspot.com

Oh, how I want. Unfortunately, this dress is long gone as it was available for purchase from Etsy in 2009!

Maeve Bagatelle Buttondown

Maeve Bagatelle Buttondown

$78

www.anthropologie.com

Item: Bagatelle Buttondown

Color: Blue motif

Size: 0

Price: $78

Overall Rating: 5/5

Continuing with my love of all things penguin, I tried on this lovely blouse on a recent trip to Anthropologie. Once again, I am in love. It's such a fun, quirky print, but I think the colors somehow make it less crazy and more manageable to wear, even to work. It's comfortable and fits true to size. It's a very lightweight cotton, unlike the more fitted, structured shirts you may find at J. Crew. I love the idea of rolling up the sleeves and tucking it in, as seen in the product shot, to make it look more polished. Despite the loud, quirky print, it's quite versatile - wear it with jeans on the weekends or dress it up with a cardigan and skirt for the office.