I Love Orla Kiely

Monday, July 29, 2013

Outfit Of The Day: Crop Top

After finally having lost a little bit of my pregnancy weight, I felt confident enough to tie a little knot in my tee to create a slight crop top. Pairing it with my Chairs Canvas Wrap Skirt created a fun look for a night out.

What I'm Wearing:

American Apparel Tri-Blend Short Sleeve V-Neck in Tri-Black (Men's size XXS)

Chairs Canvas Wrap Skirt

Cherokee Glenna Sandal in Brown (Girl's size 5)

Initial necklace (short) from Urban Outfitters

Quatrefoil necklace (long) from Banana Republic

I found these shoes perusing the clearance section at Target. I'd been wanting a pair of gladiator sandals for a while and I thought these were adorable. And they were $8 on clearance so I thought they were a steal! They are actually girl's sandals that were misplaced in the women's section, but I found a size 5 to fit perfectly (I am usually a size 7 in women's). So I've learned to also start shopping in the kid's section for good deals - kid's sizes are already cheaper, but when you get them on sale, it's even better!

This initial necklace was my ONLY Black Friday purchase last year. I remember showing up to the Town Center around 4 am hoping to score some great deals, but a lot of my favorite stores weren't even doing any special promotions. Urban Outfitters delivered with their additional 50% off sale, but this necklace was the only thing I could find. And it happened to be the very last one, on sale for only $2.50, AND it has my son's initial - it was meant to be.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Carole Middleton in Orla Kiely

Carole Middleton paid a visit to her royal grandbaby today and I was so excited to see her wearing Orla Kiely! She looks fabulous in this SS12 Dancing Girls Tea Dress!

www.people.com

www.polyvore.com

Orla Kiely Silk Crepe Dancing Girls Scallop Shirt Dress

Orla Kiely SS12 lookbook

www.gilt.com

Orla Kiely Silk Dancing Girls Sundress

www.gilt.com

Orla Kiely Silk Dancing Girls Top

www.lyst.com

This print is absolutely lovely and adorable and a closeup reveals that it's aptly named :)

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Orla Kiely Flower Girl Jeanie Bag

Anthropologie just released a 20th anniversary archival collection and it got me thinking about the one that got away. You know, that one blouse or that one purse that you just couldn't afford years ago because you were a struggling college student (pretty much me throughout the early 2000s). But sometimes, as luck would have it, you'd find that same item you were lusting after on eBay (or, if you were really lucky, at Goodwill) for a price you could actually afford. This was the case for me with the Orla Kiely Flower Girl Jeanie Bag. I first spotted this purse in a boutique in Amelia Island a couple years ago. It was beautiful and quirky, pretty much exactly what I look for in anything I buy, but I just couldn't afford it at the time (I tried to convince my husband that it was indeed a household expense, but to no avail). I stalked this bag on the website and eBay, and although it appeared from time to time, it was still just too expensive. However, one day, while perusing Orla Kiely's Past Season collection, I found the one.

Orla Kiely Flower Girl Jeanie Bag in Cobalt

I purchased this bag for $177 (originally $298). Still a pretty hefty price tag, but with the help of some gift money, I was able to make this bag mine.

It's a thin bag, but good for holding a laptop and some papers or books.

There's a zip closure.

And a button closure.

The inside is divided by a center zippered compartment and lined in Orla Kiely's signature stem print in a brown cotton.

One side houses a couple pockets and an attached keychain.

The other side has a zippered pocket.

I was pleasantly surprised that the center pocket was lined in the same coated cotton print as the outside.

The bag also has a detachable shoulder strap.

As with most of Orla Kiely's bags, there's a leather exterior pocket that can hold virtually nothing. I found that the only time I ever used one was when my husband and I were in New York and I needed a place to put my metro card for easy access.

The bottom of the bag has no "feet".

And it also came with its own dust bag for storing away when not in use. However, I don't think I'll be using the dust bag that often. Since this purse can be worn as a crossbody bag and has a briefcase shape to it (not to mention how spacious it is), I plan to use this bag as my everyday work bag. The bright blue color will be a great pick-me-up as I make my way to work every morning :)

Friday, July 12, 2013

Outfit Of The Day: Birthday Blues

Hello everyone! I know it's been awhile since I've posted an OOTD (sorry!) so here's a quick post on the outfit I wore last night to celebrate my husband's 31st birthday. We went out to dinner at Brio Tuscan Grille so I wanted to keep it casual, but a little dressy so I accessorized with some high heels and a couple fun necklaces. Hope y'all are enjoying your Friday!

What I'm Wearing:

Tiny Sprigstitch Top

AG Stevie Straight Petite in Dark Denim

Donald J Pliner Carly Platform Sandals

Gap Belt

Necklace (short) from J. Crew Factory

Necklace (long) by Dominique Cohen for Target

Nail polish color: China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint

Monday, May 27, 2013

MILK Books and Orla Kiely

You can now design an Orla Kiely photo book with www.milkbooks.com. For a limited time, you can pre-order your customizable photo book featuring Orla's designer fabrics for $60 (originally $75), which includes a limited edition Orla Kiely photo book, 20 chances to have your photo book signed by Orla Kiely (how awesome would that be?!), a complimentary Orla Kiely notebook, a digital Flip Book, and a linen slipcase.

I am beyond excited about this! I love photo books, and now I can customize one using my favorite designer's signature prints. I plan on filling my photo book with two of my favorite people - my husband and my son.

Monday, May 13, 2013

AG Jeans The Daisy - Denim Bianca Shorts: The Look For Less

The Daisy - Denim Bianca shorts by AG Jeans

$198

www.agjeans.com

The Liberty Collection for AG Jeans has many pretty florals and I'm strangely drawn to The Daisy shorts above (I say "strangely" because I never thought I'd like the floral denim trend, but once again I've fallen victim to fashion. Oh well.) While super cute, I can't justify the nearly $200 price tag for a pair of trendy shorts. But one day while shopping at Kohl's, I came across these LC Lauren Conrad denim shorts.

LC Lauren Conrad Floral Distressed Denim Shorts

$29.99

www.kohls.com

Item: LC Lauren Conrad Floral Distressed Denim Shorts

Price: $29.99

Size: 4

Overall Rating: 3/5

I give these shorts a 3/5 rating because I'm not entirely sure I'm sold on the floral denim trend. In a way, I think it looks very vintage-inpired and boho chic. But the cutoffs cheapen the look for me and make them seem a bit...er, trashy (for lack of a better word). If they were a finished hem, I would have liked them MUCH better. I tried on my usual Lauren Conrad size 4 and they fit very well - the rise is not too low or high, and I like where they hit me on my thighs. The inseam makes me feel comfortable and covered up. There is a bit of stretch that helps give you a custom fit. Overall, a cute pair of shorts and definitely a great and more affordable version of the AG shorts.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Mother's Day Gift from Orla Kiely Mercer Street

Orla Kiely Mercer Street in New York is giving away a complimentary body cream and shower gel with a minimum purchase of $250 (if I were there, I could easily spend this much in their store!) Oh, how I wish this same offer was available online! Having trouble deciding what to purchase to receive your free gift? Here are some ideas, perfect for mom!

Ottoman Seaview Print V Neck Dress

$458

Have a new mom in your life? Well, if she's anything like me, then she's probably still struggling with losing those post-baby pounds. This Orla Kiely dress is not only adorable, but the pleats and patterned skirt help camouflage that baby pooch while she's getting back into shape.

Nautical Multi Stem Print Baby Changing Bag

$244

I have an Orla Kiely diaper bag in the Oval Stem Amber print and I absolutely love it! It has many compartments for storing all your baby needs, and even comes with a changing mat in the same adorable print. People stop me on the streets and ask, "Is that an Orla Kiely diaper bag?!" Yes, yes it is.