Paint: Drift of mist (SW 9166) | Serena & Lily Riviera Side Chair in fog/white | Similar dining table | Click here for details of our dining area | Lined wire baskets (set of 3) from Homegoods
I’m relieved to share that we’re mostly settled in to our new place on the cusp of a much needed long weekend (we moved in two weeks ago). We did some renovations which took about a month to complete from start to finish. Securing the permit and scheduling the popcorn ceiling/asbestos removal delayed the timeline a bit. We decided to keep the dark wood floors versus replacing them since Ralphie is still a puppy plus nice new hardwood flooring is pricey. The existing wood floors are supposedly too thin to sand and stain. I’m still organizing and deciding where things should go (including Ralphie’s bed and playpen) so I’ve been hesitant to share more photos.
Our walls are still bare but almost all of the moving boxes are empty and broken down after two weeks which is a good feeling since the last few months have been trying. Contractors and vendors require a lot of coordination and follow up so I’m grateful to my husband for taking that on. Here are a few quick before and after photos of the dining area and kitchen (bloggers who can take pretty photos of their staged homes get major props from me). I’m just grateful that I finally have a kitchen with white countertops! Now I’m excited to explore all the good eats around our new neighborhood.
Dining area before:
Dining area after:
Nighttime photo of the chandelier (dimmable) when it’s in use
We have a 36″ round glass top right now but I need to replace it with either a 42″ or 48″ glass top.
Counter area before:
Counter area after:
Riviera backless counter stools
We removed the wooden frame around the cutout in the kitchen window for a more modern look at feel. Most residents in our building knocked down this wall for an open layout. Note that our counter height is 40″ and the stools are 26″ tall.
Kitchen before:
The previous owner replaced the above white appliances with stainless steel appliances before we closed but the new fridge that was part of the set was not counter depth (luckily a friend took the fridge off our hands). Getting a counter depth fridge makes a big difference since the kitchen doorway is more narrow (30″ wide).
Kitchen after:
Click here for details of the kitchen | Hickerson 3-Light Semi Flush Mount | Countertop and backsplash: Calacatta Vicenza Quartz from MSI
Photo taken at night to share how the flush mount looks like when it’s on
I also finally set aside some time to shoot a few try-ons while everything is on sale this long weekend. I’m still getting used to the natural lighting since the mirror is next to our large patio floor to ceiling windows and there’s a harsh glare if I open the shades depending on the time of day.
Get 40% off your purchase at Ann Taylor using the code WEARIT. Update 2/14: Get an extra 10% off your purchase today only. Refer to all of my Ann Taylor Reviews here. Shop my sales picks here:
Ann Taylor Sweater Trench, size XSP | Ann Taylor Seasonless Yarn Sweater Tee, size XSP | Ann Taylor High Waist Skinny Jeans in Light Stonewash, size 0P (Curvy fit pictured but I re-ordered them in Modern fit) | c/o Ann Taylor Mila Leather Pumps (review here) | Clothing rack (note: it can only hang a few pieces at most since the website description for a max weight of 50 lbs is inaccurate) | Click here to view the clip from my try-on
This sweater trench is true to size and I love the slits on the side for a flattering drape when you walk around. For reference I’m 5′ 2.5″ and currently 108 pounds.
Click here to view a clip of the sweater tee underneath. I re-ordered the sweater tee in SP for a relaxed fit since my usual size XSP is very fitted through the waist and hips. Update 2/14: I received size SP and it is a more relaxed fit that I prefer but it still tucks into the jeans nicely.
Ann Taylor Double Breasted Tweed Blazer, size 0P | Click here and here to view the clips from my try-on
This navy blazer caught my attention and I had to order it to try. It’s a relaxed fit through the body in my usual size without being too boxy. The material is a thicker weight so it would be perfect as a spring or fall jacket on it’s own. There’s a flattering back vent as well. It is fully lined and well made.
Ann Taylor Stripe Bubble Hem Wrap Top, size XSP (also available in black and grey here) | Click here to view the clip from my try-on
This striped faux wrap top is so cute and my usual size fit me well. I’m tempted to order it in grey as well. The top is secured with a small stitch at the modest v-neck neckline. It’s a great basic top to wear on it’s own or under a blazer or jacket.
Ann Taylor Floral Applique Sweater Tee, size XSP | Click here and here and here to view the clips from my try-on
This tee feels more like a thicker ponte material. I’m note sure why I referred to it as a sweatshirt in my try-on with air quotes. It has a relaxed fit through the waist and hips in my usual size so if you prefer a closer fit you may want to try a size down. You may want to try this ponte bubble sleeve top if you prefer a closer fit since I found that it was very fitted through the waist and hips (even more so than the sweater tee I reviewed above). I like the pretty floral applique detail on the 3/4 length sleeves and the slight puff gathered detail at the shoulders.
Ann Taylor High Waist Skinny Jeans in Light Stonewash, size 0P (Curvy fit pictured but I re-ordered them in Modern fit) | Click here and here to view the clips from my try-on
These three button high waisted jeans have a comfortable stretch to them. I accidentally ordered them in the Curvy fit so I just re-ordered them in the Modern fit. I found that they fit true to size. I also ordered these jeans in size 00P in the Curvy fit hoping that they would fit like size 0P in the Modern fit but they were too small to pull on all the way. The Curvy fit would bag out too much for me through the thighs by the end of the day due to the stretchy material and I have minimal curves. Update 2/14: I received size 0P in the Modern fit today and they fit me better than the Curvy fit. These jeans have a lot of stretch to them while the waist runs true to size so I don’t think I will be able to size down to size 00P in the Modern fit if I couldn’t even pull on 00P in the Curvy fit.
Ann Taylor Ponte Ruffle Hem Dress, size 00 regular | Click here to view the clip from my try-on
I ordered this dress in size 00 for extra length since I prefer a more modest hemline but I do wish I ordered 0P to compare the fit. I found that this dress fits true to size for a body skimming fit. The ruffles add a feminine detail to this classic little black dress.
Ann Taylor Tweed Pocket Jacket
I ordered this tweed jacket to try after spotting it in at my local store’s display window. I hope it fits similar to the navy jacket I reviewed above. Update 2/14: I received this jacket in the mail and my usual size XSP was very loose fitting through the waist (I can wrap the jacket when it’s unbuttoned to the other size of my waist). However, I don’ t think that I can size down for a closer fit since the shoulders fit me well in my usual size. I like how this jacket can elevate a basic white tee and jeans.
Ann Taylor Ann Taylor Multicolored Poppy Belted Midi Dress
I also ordered the above beautiful midi dress to try after seeing how flattering it looked in person. Hopefully it runs true to size. Update 2/14: The dress runs true to size and it fits me just like how it looks like on the mannequin. The midi length falls above mid calf on me in my usual size 0P. The matching belt it comes with even has a loop to secure the strap at the end so that it doesn’t hang loose which is a small attention to detail that I definitely appreciate.
I tried on the new two tone belted trench coat in my usual size XSP and I reordered it in size XXSP since I found that it runs very loose through the waist. The belt is also very long and the material is unlined so it’s a thinner trench coat but I like the black and khaki color blocking for added interest. Update 2/14: I received size XXSP which fits like my usual size XSP.
The Savannah leopard print haircalf leather lace up sneakers felt a half size to full size larger in my usual size 7 so I reordered them in a half size down to try. Update 2/14: I received size 6.5 and it fits like my usual size 7 but the look on the foot and the fit is wider so I’m debating if I should keep them since I like the sleek look of the Soludos Ibiza sneakers more. The sneakers have a strong smell to them that should go away once you leave them to air out.
I had high hopes for this double breasted blouse in the soft dove (light blue) color but there’s nothing to secure it at the neckline and the fit is more relaxed than I prefer.
This fringe tweed shell is not petite friendly but it’s lightly lined so it’s not too sheer with a nude bra. I ordered size XXS regular to try but it fits more like size S regular or M petite and the arm holes were much too large for me to make it work.
Get 40% off full-price styles and save an extra 50% off sale styles at LOFT using the code LOVEU. Update 2/14: Today only get an extra 14% off for a combined discount of 48.4% off retail. Refer to all of my LOFT reviews here. Shop my sales picks here:
LOFT Modern Anorak, size XXSP | Click here to view the clip from my try-on
This new navy jacket is not lined and it’s a thin jacket that’s suitable for spring and chilly summer nights. Size XXSP fits like my usual size XSP except the sleeves were too short on me since I have longer arms than most petites. You may also want to check out a similar jacket from J.Crew that I reviewed here.
LOFT Back Pleat Anorak, size XS regular | Click here and here to view the clips from my try-on
This new yellow jacket is so cute but the overall length is very short. This is yet another unlined thinner jacket. I tried on size XS regular since I wanted some extra length and I found that it fits like my usual size XS petite. Unless you prefer a more cropped length I would suggest trying this jacket in the regular missy size if you normally take petite sizes at LOFT.
LOFT Puff Sleeve Sweatshirt Dress, size 0P | Click here to view the clip from my try-on
This sweatshirt dress was on my wish list so I was excited to find it in store to try-on last weekend. My usual size 0P is shorter than I prefer especially if I want to bend over or raise my arms so I would probably need it in size 00 regular for extra length.
LOFT Flecked Mock Neck Poncho Sweater, size XSP | Click here and here to view the clips from my try-on
I couldn’t resist trying on this flecked poncho sweater but my usual size XSP is a very oversized fit. I should have tried on size XXSP for comparison.
I’m eyeing these cap toe ballet flats and these new white jeans for the spring. I have spring on my mind and I’m so over winter since I’m always cold.
RALPHIE UPDATE
Ralphie before his haircut looking nervous (making sure he had no knots beforehand).
Ralphie just turned 8 months this week! We took him to a new groomer that our neighbor recommended and these hands are happy to take a break from giving him haircuts and trims with the Scaredy Cut (manual scissors with clipper attachments). I combed Ralphie and I was pleased with the even cut despite the groomer letting us know that he wasn’t the easiest puppy to groom. She plucked the hairs around the inside of his ears as requested but I noticed that the inner ear hair is still there (he gets very finicky if I try to touch his inner ear with anything other than my fingers). Shih Tzu’s ear hairs can result in a ear infection if the hairs get tangled and block the inner folds of the ear which is what had happened to his right ear last month. When Ralphie got an ear infection in his right ear that’s the moment when I admitted that I still have a lot to learn since taking on self-grooming in September after his visit at the first groomer.
I love the gingham bandana on him from the groomer.
Thanks for stopping by!
