Style Lush

Help Me Spend My Anthropologie Gift Card

By Rebecca

I got a gift card from Anthropologie for Christmas, and I need some help deciding what to buy. My usual modus operandi at Anthro is to look for cute tops that have some special detail. That's because I wear jeans all the time, but like I told you last week, I'm trying to wear jeans less, so maybe I should branch out a bit? I found a few things that appeal to me, and now I need your help!

Option 1 is the Breezed Crochet Pullover. I would probably buy this in black. I like the pretty neckline and would (obviously) wear this over a cami, either black or some color that would show through. I think this would be versatile because it would look great styled casually (JEANS ALERT!) or with a pair of slim cropped pants or even a maxi skirt. (Which I don't own, so this gift card might end up costing me money after all, OH WELL.)

Option 2 - the Strung Symmetry Pullover. I really like this top, but would it be weird/awkward with a bra strap showing?

Option 3 is the Vermillion Reflections Dress.This one would be kind of an investment in that my gift card covers, uh, a fraction of the cost, but how gorgeous is this dress? I could see myself keeping it forever. Hmm. Perhaps I should just wait for it to go on sale?

 

What do you think?

{All photos courtesy of anthropologie.com}

 

Polish Trends

by Christina

There is some crazy stuff going on in the land of fingernails lately. I've gotten used to the colors and the glitter and the new take on a french manicure with two colors rather than just white tips and most recently the shatter trend. But now it's just gone off the deep end. Some of what I've seen is sort of cool, this one for example.

Pretty but then I checked out the blog associated with the design. Letthemhavepolish.com and holy balls,this would take hours. So, that's one that I like but there are so many that just have me shaking my head...... What is that?

And these?

Pencils, really. Really?

And the sock monkeys? These make me giggle, I will admit they are a little cute but still, they are sock monkeys, on your fingers.

And last, the ugly dolls.

I'm not saying for a second that the people behind these designs aren't insanely talented, it's not that at all. I just don't get it. I did go outside of my normal comfort zone and get a mani with OPI's Rainbow Connection this weekend and I loved it. My hands looked like christmas ornaments, but, 24 hours later it was pealing off in chunks. A professional manicure at my regular salon and it was pealing. Lesson learned? Glitter isn't flexible and when your nail bends, it wont like normal polish. That was a bummer. I really did love it which has me wondering if its just a matter of time before I go to the dark side of #2 pencils? Stranger things have happend.

What do you think? Am I off the mark with thinking that this trend is a a little extreme or do you love it?

(images via the daily nail and let them have polish)

Is This Cute?: Swing Necklace

by Leah

This swing necklace caught my eye, but I can't decide if it's wonderful or too...too something that makes it not wonderful. Too whimsical? Too literal? Maybe just too big? I can't decide.

Photo from the adorable Emily of Orange Beautiful, who was sent the necklace by Maggie from Gas Up the Zamboni, whose Etsy shop has since closed.

I figured an idea so cute had to be more widespread than a single necklace that you can't even get anymore, so I looked and looked and found this one, from MarKhed's Etsy shop:

It's smaller and it's silver instead of white plastic, and I actually like it better.

What do you think? Is this cute or is it too...something?

 

T-Strap Ballet Flats

By Janet

I'm pretty much in love with these T-strap ballet flats, discovered in the recent Garnet Hill catalog. These are the first t-strap flats I've seen in ages (though I see plenty of t-strap heels), and I think they would look just adorable with a pair of tights.

Bloch Tina T-Strap Ballet Flats, $178 (my favorites!)

T-strap Ballet Flats, $98

 

Nara Shoes Benedetta Floral T-Strap Ballet Flats, $158

What do you think? Worth the splurge?

Is this cute? Gap striped tee

By Elisabeth

I purchased two of these striped tees last week and have fallen in love with the fit and the softness, but what I can't get over is the color. In person, this one looks less pink on the lighter stripe but more of a mauve, duller color.

What I am concerned with is my skin tone. I'm a pale ale, but have pinkish tones. Is this too drowning or just right? (I've got blond hair too.) All I have to bounce this off of is my husband. So...there's that.

 

Also, gap.com is having an up to 50% off sale all this weekend!

 

{photo credit: gap.com}

Reader Help: Driving Mocs

By Megan

Readers, I really need your help on this one. I can not decide if I love or hate these shoes.

Joanne Classic Driving Mocs in Dusty Autumn Sunset

What say you? Does it help to see how cute they look on the model? Or is she hiding her face for a reason?

{Photo credit: Land's End}

Bike Wheels as Decor

by Christina

Once upon a time I was going out to check my mail and saw a pile of old bike wheels in my neighbor's yard next to his trash can. I instantly wanted to grab them. There's got to be something cool I can do with a bike wheel. I was sure of it. So, I went to my back deck to spy a little and see if I could tell if they were home or not and then I ran back out front and grabbed one! I felt like such a bad-ass, let me tell you. "Stealing" my neighbors trash. What a high. (I'm totally not kidding.) I had no real idea what I'd do with that wheel but I started brainstorming before I even nabbed it. Maybe I'd hang it in the playroom? I ended up propping it up on the bookcase in the den and loved it. I loved it so much I ran outside AND STOLE ANOTHER ONE! This was a big day in the suburbs, y'all. So, I have two bike wheels on display. They make me smile even though they make no sense. I don't even own a bike, but whatever. Now that I'm on Pinterest I've seen two really fun ideas for bike wheels. I love both of these so much! I mean how cute! Comic book airplanes? Awesome

. And this one is great, too. The fabric memo board is getting tired, this is a really fun way to keep the memories and lose the literal board.

What do you think? Am I crazy or are these awesome?

(images via pinterest)

My boring hutch update

by Christina

A few weeks ago I asked for help with styling the top of my hutch. A space that has always given me trouble. I love my hutch but damn if I could make it look good. I shared this photo and got a ton of helpful tips. But everyone agreed that the scale was off. You are all so smart!

.

The one that I went with was to use all three globes and get a bigger mirror.

I had a mirror I'd purchased for another space and it didn't work out so I propped it up. I loved it. But I was really sad, that little aqua mirror was my favorite part of the set up. It brought the blue from my living room into the space (it's an open plan) and it was quirky. But the new mirror looked better in terms of proportion. Then a few days later I got a huge bundle of hydrangeas from my neighbor and put them on the table and it hit me! Put them on top of the mirror. I was a genius! It was perfect!

I called my sister to tell her about my best idea in the history of ideas and she, a wedding floral designer, totally popped my bubble. Because putting flower arrangements on mirrors is the oldest trick in the book. So, I guess I wasn't that smart but it still made me happy. So now the whole room is making me happy. I have my hutch looking good and my funky junk store spray painted mirror also in the room. Thanks, guys!

(personal photos, clearly)

Old Navy Perfect Khaki Shorts: Just How Perfect?

By Jennie

I need some summer shorts, but my summer shorts budget is ... wee. So, I planned to just fork over a few dollars at Old Navy and call it a day. But, my local Old Navy had a pathetic inventory and not a single pair of the perfect khaki shorts I wanted to try on (in my size). There's another Old Navy near work, but I haven't been able to steal away at lunch yet and it is most definietly SUMMER in Texas already, with it being 107 today or something crazily close to that.

I just want to order some shorts online and be done with it.

{Photo from oldnavy.com}

But, I hate returning things and I hate not trying things on at least once before buying and the name could be very misleading, too.

I assume someone out there has a pair of these shorts and can tell me if they're fabulous (as filler shorts for the summer, not as the best shorts on the planet, of course) or just a big flop. Also, do they run true to size?

(How cute is the plum color, though?)

Anyway, thanks, Lush friends. I can always count on you.

Are These Cute? Gladiator-Type Sandals

By Kristie

I think I love these.

 
Tell me, do you think these are cute? Is the open back a little strange?

{Photo credit:  Francescascollections.com}