Archive for January, 2018

18 cute pieces for you petite ladies

I know this petite-friendly post has been a long time in coming, and I apologize for the delay. I also promise that I will provide more, specific posts like this in the future, but for the first time around I thought I’d throw out pieces I like in every category (except dresses, which proved especially elusive). I was pleased to see that Eileen Fisher has a not-small petites selection, and very much like this vaguely sculptural stand-collar jacket.

J. Crew has petites too, although not as many as perhaps they should (and why don’t they get on extended sizes already while they’re at it?). I think the gathering on this popover makes it nicely feminine.

A very well-priced  V-neck cashmere sweater.

This jacket is just a tiny bit twee, but I somehow really like it, and cropped styles like this are nice and elongating.

As you may recall from my post last week on colorful tops, I am loving yellow these days, which might explain why I’m very much a fan of this quilted jacket.

A good denim shirt is such a solid classic that I don’t know why I’ve never included it in any of my rundowns of the best classics to own.

This spacedye sweater is quite Missoni-esque, but not nearly so pricey as Missoni.

The pink flowers on this sweet blouse are really good.

This flutter-sleeve top reminds me of Ulla Johnson, but—as with the above sweater—it’s a lot more reasonably priced.

A crisp white tunic with a hi-low hem comes in handy on those for days when you’re not at all interested in exposing your behind.

This striped tee comes in a few colorways, but I’m partial to the black and white.

Just a really well-cut blazer from J. Crew.

I am crazy for the color of this button down, and the barely-there print.

I was pleased to see that the Crew offers their downtown field jacket in petites.

Leather leggings that are pretty well-priced for leather leggings.

And here’s a super-affordable pair of cigarette pants.

White jeans in a nice slouchy boyfriend cut, just how I like them.

And finally: a pair of perfectly clean, un-distressed black jeans.

 

A few new beauty products I’m liking

Even though I’m happy with my current mascara regimen, I can’t help but but ask every beauty store clerk I encounter what their favorite formulation in the store is, because my quest for perfection in that realm is real. On a recent visit to Sephora, I was directed to this Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara, which is pretty fantastic: it goes on quite glossy and very black, and the volume it imparts is intense.

When it comes to lip color, my main priority (aside from the just-right hue) is something that goes on and stays stays put. I am also partial to matte as opposed to glossy, cause glossy is always so sticky. I am very much liking my new Nars Powermatte Lip Pigment in a color called Warm Leatherette. It’s on the pinkish side of berryish, so it’ll be even better when spring rolls along, but I’m wearing it now on those drab days when I need a little lift.

Until quite recently, I am embarrassed to say, I didn’t moisturize: everything I tried on my sensitive skin has played hell with it, and felt too heavy to wear under makeup. But Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Instesive Hydration Gel is so super-light you can scarcely feel it on your skin, and it hasn’t caused any irritation.

After I put that on, I apply Drunk elephant C-Firma Day Serum, which is also quite light and does a good job of evening out my skin tone, which can be all over the place. If you are interested in either of these Drunk Elephant products but aren’t certain about making the (not small) cash outlay, try this travel size duo.

Bloodshot eyes can ruin a good look, so on the days that mine are less-than-pristine, I use Rohto Cooling Eye Drops and they get an almost otherworldly white.

I loathe putting lotion on my hands, because it takes forever to absorb and I’ve got better things to do than just sit there and wait. But this Brazilian Bum Bum Cream sinks in shockingly fast, and smells delightfully of a Caribbean vacation, too.

What are are you loving on TV?

I ask because I inhaled seasons one and two of The Crown, and then watched Victoria—also quite good—but now I have to wait for new episodes of that (I have never been a big fan of the monarchy or period dramas, but now I can’t get enough. Go figure). Right now I’m catching up on season four of Broad City but not loving it as much as I’ve loved previous seasons. Suggestions?

Monday links

• Here are the winners of the black and white photographer of the year contest. (My Modern Met)
• The best legs of all time. (Vogue)
• I love these vintage covers from the now-defunct UK magazine Films and Filming. (Dangerous Minds)
• Somebody made a librarian action figure. (Flavorwire)
• This is pretty cool: several male BBC presenters have taken pay cuts to address gender inequality. (Elle)

 

 

20 pretty tops that ring in under $100

I really looked hard for tops that very much don’t look like they cost under $100, and was pleased to find so many, all of which I hope you like. This blouse has so much going for it: a nice deep neckline, cool, subtle print, and satisfyingly over-long sleeves.

This origami top is not left in a lot of sizes, but I think it’s so lovely and sculptural—and looks so much more pricey than it is—that I had to include it.

Just a good, crisp, white popover for throwing on when you want to feel pulled-together.

I like how the sleeves on this blouse are kind of sweet and romantic, but the rest of the top is nicely streamlined.

This is actually made of t-shirt material, but it looks much fancier, and is definitely work-worthy.

I don’t usually dig a high-neck blouse, but this is so chic, and feminine too.

A simple flowy top for throwing on whenever.

If you like plaid shirts but aren’t so crazy about button-downs, this popover might be the answer.

This t shirt looks appealingly like a kimono.

A cozy flannel shirt with graphic black and white stripes.

I’d wear this camisole top under a blazer on a date.

I have an army green shirt exactly like this one and wear it endlessly.

Pintucks give this a put-together feel.

The ruffle neck here is nice and subtle, and I love the red.

A good blouse for layering under a V-neck sweater.

This tie-front top comes in black and army green too, but I think this so-subtle shade of pink is quite pretty.

Give me stripes any old time.

OK, the print of this blouse is on the loud side, but I think if you wore it under a blazer or sweater and only part of it was visible, it would be great.

This is the kind of top that doesn’t make the hugest statement, but goes with everything.

And finally: a brilliant, vivid green bow-sleeve top.

 

 

If you missed it last week, here is a post on colorful, happy tops to combat the winter blahs.

Friday links

• Love these cool mosaic tile floors. (Colossal)
• Oprah will not be running for president in 2020. (A.V. Club)
• Here’s a great interview with the fantabulous Carrie Brownstein. (The Cut)
• I am so excited that Meryl Streep is joining the season two cast of Big Little Lies. (Vulture)
• Check out these fantastic old Mickey Spillane pulp novels. (Dangerous Minds)