Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Orla Kiely Journals Now Available

Orla Kiely has released a new set of journals - one for Baby, Gardening, and Home. Each is adorned with one of Orla Kiely's signatures prints, both on the cover and the pages inside. I'm particularly smitten with the Baby journal, and the Home journal is a nifty little book to keep things organized in your house. I don't do any gardening, but I have family that does, so the Gardening journal would make a nice gift for them. Amazon also has a cool feature where you can actually look inside the book so you can see all the pretty printed pages :)

On sale $15.92

On sale $15.92

On sale $17.99

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

New Orla Kiely Bags and Luggage at Target

 
Photo courtesy of calicoriver
 
Orla Kiely has released a new set of bags and luggage for Target! They are available in the same styles as before, but this time feature the Acorn and Shadow Flower prints, and the luggage has the same Linear Stem pattern, except this time in a deep navy blue. Now, I certainly don't need even more bags or luggage, but I am absolutely loving the new colorway of the suitcases! I actually don't own anything in the Acorn print yet, aside from some stationery, so I might pick up the crossbody in that pattern. I haven't seen these in any stores near me or online yet, but you might have better luck than me so definitely check out your local Target! I'm gonna head out to a couple more Targets this afternoon and I'll report back anything I find :)

20% off Orla Kiely at Amazon

Amazon is running a 20% off handbags promotion, which includes a wide selection of Orla Kiely bags from the Spring/Summer 2015 collection, along with a few past season items that are already marked down. Below are a few of my favorites :)

Product DetailsProduct DetailsProduct Details

Orla Kiely for Douwe Egberts

Orla Kiely designs on Douwe Egberts jars 
Photo courtesy of Poppy Loves

Orla Kiely is teaming up with Douwe Egberts to promote their upcycling campaign. If you're unfamiliar with this coffee company, many people recycle their jars and reuse them for storage, art projects, and even as flower vases. Orla Kiely has created some limited edition designs for these jars that will soon be available. Check out the photos and read more about this campaign at Poppy Loves.

Orla Kiely at T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods?

 

I've been seeing so many people on social media posting their awesome Orla Kiely finds at T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods, and I must say I'm totally jealous! I have been to about half a dozen stores looking for these items, which includes sets of melamine cups, plates, and bowls in the Linear Stem, Pear, and Wallflower prints. If you've had any luck finding these items (pictured above) in your hometowns, please let me know! I'm curious where I can find them - hopefully they'll make their way to my local T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods stores soon :)

Monday, April 27, 2015

Orla Kiely Lighting Sale at ACHICA

 
This one's for my readers in the UK! ACHICA is currently running an Orla Kiely lighting sale, which includes floor lamps, table lamps, and mini task lamps in an assortment of patterns that includes the Multi Stem, Sixties Stem, and Rhododendron prints. Check out my favorites below (oh how I wish they shipped to the US!) and shop the sale here.
 
£175 (originally £315)
 
 £175 (originally £315)
 
£90 (originally £160)

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Orla Kiely on Hautelook


Orla Kiely is back on Hautelook, this time featuring clothing from the Spring/Summer 2014 collection. If you're new to Hautelook, click here to receive $20 off your first purchase. Happy shopping :)

$229.97 (originally $538)

$229.97 (originally $538)

$199.97 (originally $498)

$179.97 (originally $437)

$119.97 (originally $278)

Orla Outfit of the Day

OOOTD:
Old Navy belt
J. Crew heels
Kate Spade necklace and watch


I literally bought this belt from Old Navy about 15 years ago, and I still love wearing it! I felt this dress looked best belted, and I think the black and cream stripes add an interesting contrast to the allover cat print. I had a ton of fun wearing this dress, and I'm a bit sad that I'll have to retire it for the next few months since it's a bit too heavy and thick to be wearing during the hot spring and summer months.

If you read my previous outfit post, you'll know that I had a stressful work week, so here's hoping this week is a lot better. I hope everyone had a restful Sunday!

Orla Outfit of the Day

OOOTD:
Anthropologie belt
Banana Republic bracelet
Orla Kiely Quilted Leather Robin Bag (Thursday Purseday post)

I've had a super busy work week and then went out of town this weekend for my friend's daughter's 1st birthday party. I haven't really had much time to blog, so I'm going to post a couple quick outfit posts because they're easy for me to do :)



I actually wore this outfit about a month ago for my friend's baby's baptism. I've really been into these midi skirts lately, and I wanted to have a little fun mixing and matching prints. I thought this green floral blouse coordinated well with the green and white stripes of the skirt, and this Orla Kiely purse matched perfectly with the coral flowers.


Nail Polish Color: Butter London Kerfuffle

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Orla Kiely at Century 21


Orla Kiely is now available at Century 21 stores and online! Among the highlights are the lamps and Multi Stem ceramics.


I am so thrilled to find all these pieces, and at great prices, too! I wish I lived near one of their department stores since their online stock is pretty limited (not everything pictured above is available online). So if you're near one of their stores, definitely check them out! 

$89.99 (originally $245)

$6.99 (originally $18)

$49.99 (originally $84)

Monday, April 20, 2015

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Haul + Review: Lilly Pulitzer for Target Shorts and Sandals

This post does not feature Orla Kiely, but instead another fabulous print designer, Lilly Pulitzer!

Today was the launch of the Lilly Pulitzer for Target collection. And I must say, I've never had such a stressful time shopping one of these collaborations before! It all started early this morning around 1:45 am. In the past ten years that I've been shopping these collaborations (anyone remember Luella for Target?!) I have never gotten up in the middle of the night to shop the collection online. But I've heard other women being able to easily purchase items that they've wanted and not have to worry about waking up early to hit the stores, so I decided to give it a go this time. Target did not release any official time that the collection would go live, but I'd heard that 3 am was the magic time (I was only up at 1:45 am 'cause I simply couldn't sleep). So I hopped on my computer to see if maybe the collection was available a little early, and it wasn't, but I decided to check social media to see if anyone else was having luck, and it turns out that some women were able to add items to their cart by googling specific items on their mobile devices. This seemed to only work for a few items, and they were not the ones that I was interested in. So I decided to blog here to pass the time (see my previous OOOTD post here). Around 2:45 am, I decided to try my luck again, and I found more items through google search, but was having difficulties adding them to my cart as Target's site kept crashing and my items kept disappearing from my cart. So I waited a little bit longer and around 3:15, it seemed like the collection was officially for sale as I was able to shop the collection on Target's site without having to google the items first. I added the items I wanted pretty easily, but I guess I took too long deciding on certain items because by the time I tried to checkout, so many error messages kept coming up and Target's site crashed on me once again. My cart emptied out, and the whole process was so frustrating that I decided to throw in the towel and head back to bed to get a few hours' sleep and try my luck at my local Target instead.

So around 7 am, I got up, ate breakfast, and got dressed. Usually, I don't leave my house until 7:50 am for these releases because it only takes me about 5 minutes to drive to Target and quite honestly, I've always felt a bit silly getting to Target so early and standing in line. But I checked social media and so many women reported long lines already, so I decided to head out a little early. I got to Target around 7:45 am and there were probably 50 people in line already, the most I had ever seen at one of these releases (usually there's only about 5 women tops, including myself). I was quite taken aback, so I scurried in line and waited with everyone else. I was also surprised by all the women who decided to dress up in Lilly Pulitzer. I'm used to seeing everyone in sweats and no make up. But there they were, in their shift dresses and heels, super perky and happy with their cups of Starbucks, and I thought to myself, "So this is my competition." I am not an aggressive person by any means, but I know that when it comes to these launches, you have to be pretty quick and ruthless if you wanna get the pieces you've been eyeing. So I became even more anxious than I already was...

Around 7:58 am, women stared yelling and cheering, so a Target employee let us in early...and it was total MAYHEM! Everyone was running and just grabbing whatever they could. I was so overwhelmed, but was able to locate the display with all the sandals, the number one thing I wanted, and I just quickly grabbed a pair in my size, along with the last size small of the pink shorts (which I admit were not on my wish list, but I got caught up in the frenzy. I did end up taking them home with me because I thought they were very cute and the bright pink is super preppy and very Lilly Pulitzer). I then headed over to the beauty section, where I picked up three L'Oreal lip glosses that I ultimately put back because I realized I didn't truly want them or need them (although I loved the Orange Tempo color). I'm actually surprised I didn't pick up any of the Essie nail polishes (especially the color Mesmerized, which was a fabulous shade of blue) because aside from Orla Kiely, I also love and collect nail polishes. I just couldn't bring myself to spend $9 on a bottle of nail polish as I always get mine on sale.

I then proceeded to the children's section to look for, well, anything really. I initially picked up these Pompom Shorts since I couldn't find the Challis Pompom Shorts in Upstream that I really wanted. The XL looked like it would've fit me fine. I then headed back to the women's department to check for any leftover pieces and a Target employee was replacing the racks with a few of the crop tops...and the shorts I wanted! But only two pairs - one XS and one medium. As soon  as she placed it on the racks, I quickly grabbed the extra-smalls and went on my merry way.

I went to the dressing rooms, only to find a large crowd of women waiting around for any possible go-backs. It was pretty insane, as women quickly grabbed whatever items they could before employees could even place them back on the racks. One woman in particular was overly aggressive and literally grabbed items out of other women's hands. She eventually returned the items as her teenage daughter scolded her. I mean, honestly, the whole scenario was completely ridiculous, so I threw in the towel and left with the items I had. Aside from the Crochet Tank Top and Espadrilles in Upstream (which were an online only item anyway), I got what I wanted so I was pleased.

Now onto the reviews! For reference, I am 5'3", 115 lbs, and typically a size 0/2, XS/S, 25/26.

$24
Size XS
So these were the shorts I wanted the most. The extra-smalls fit, but I would've much preferred a size small for some added length and room in the waist, as I like my shorts to be a little loose so it doesn't create a muffin top. The waist is elasticized, though, so that's a plus. 

One of the only cons is that there were a lot of loose threads throughout. 

There's a front tie with gold detailing.

There are tiny "pompoms" along the hem. I wouldn't say that these are pompoms, but more like tiny crocheted circles.

The print is called "Upstream" which features blue fish against a white background.

Made of 100% rayon, they feel quite thin, but are surprisingly not see-through.

$24
Size small
So these were the pink shorts that I initially didn't want, but realized how cute and quintessentially-Lilly they were. These are a size small, which I felt fit way better than the XS shorts above. They sat very comfortably on my hips and didn't create a muffin top. The only thing I don't like is that the lining is about two inches shorter than the outer part - I just felt like they would've looked better if the lining were the same length.


The shorts have a very nice eyelet detailing in a vibrant pink shade.

These shorts also have tiny "pompoms" on the hem...

...as well as along the sides.

Made of 100% cotton, which felt nice and thick.

$30
Size 7
These pineapple sandals were the number one item I wanted. I'm a huge fan of How I Met Your Mother, and they remind me of one of my favorite episodes, "The Pineapple Incident" :) I'm wearing a size 7, which felt very true-to-size and super comfortable - they don't feel like they will need to be broken in. 

I actually tried on both a size 6 and a size 7. Even though 7 is my true size, sometimes when it comes to sandals, they can be a little too big and the straps sit away from my foot. I was happy that the straps on these sandals sat snugly against my foot.



The pineapples are made of a gold-colored metal, which are attached with studs, and they appear that they will hold up well.

The only issue that I have with these sandals, however, is that a tiny part of it has already come apart. All of the sandals were actually wrapped in paper, so I wasn't sure if they were the pineapple ones or the starfish ones. This particular pair that I ended up with were already unwrapped, so I grabbed these first (I should've suspected that something might be wrong with them). But it was so hectic that I didn't have time to unwrap the other sandals to make sure they were the ones I wanted, so I grabbed these. The other side is just glued together, so I'm sure I can glue this part back together for an easy fix.

I've checked frequently on Target's site today for any pop backs, but no luck. I'll probably check my local stores in a couple weeks for any returns, in hopes of finding the Crochet Tank Top and maybe a pair of those espadrilles. Overall, I am super happy with my purchases (especially since I had a coupon and a couple gift cards!) I'm excited to wear these pieces in the summer, and I'll have fun mixing and matching them with items in my wardrobe. 

How about you? Did you shop the collection today? If so, did you get the pieces you wanted?

And if you're ever wondering why there are times where I don't seem to blog as frequently, it's because of this little guy right here :) He can be quite distracting haha.

Happy Sunday everyone!