Before I delve into this week’s post I wanted to acknowledge that it’s been a momentous past few weeks full of learning and self-reflection. Last week I shared highlights of some posts that have personally spoken to me over on Instagram stories. I think that we could all use a ray of sunshine in our lives so do yourself a favor and follow @iamtabithabrown— tuning in to see her beautiful smile and hearing her calming voice is a lovely way to start or end to your day. ‘Reflections From a Token Black Friend‘ by Ramesh A Nagarajah really resonated with those that tuned into stories and I encourage you to read it and then share it with others. The anti-racism curve is steep and individually and collectively we’re only just getting started. The important thing is to keep the momentum going in order to care to effect changes in ourselves and in our communities.
“Radical change can take place in homes, in schools, in boardrooms, voting booths, etc… 401 yrs of systemic racism needs a comprehensive array of radical revolutionary intervention.” | Source: @violadavis
SALE ALERT
Get 60% off everything + free shipping at Ann Taylor. Use code CYBER60. Shop summer steals starting at $20. The maxi dress I shared in this post is now on promotion for $45. Refer to all of my Ann Taylor reviews here. Shop my sales picks here:
I just ordered this white eyelet maxi dress and I used some of my ALL rewards points for even more savings.
REVIEWS
I’m back with some new Ann Taylor reviews and outfit ideas– I’ve been working on this post since last week and I finally got my act together to finish it. Some of the featured items are self purchases since I couldn’t resist the recent sales and gifted items are marked ‘c/o’. I will preface this outfit idea by saying that I do not know when I will be brave enough to wear something like this out in public. The vest and pants are the same ‘natural’ shade but they have different textures since they’re not a matching set. I noticed that the lilac color of the pants are currently on sale for $20.
c/o Ann Taylor Double Breasted Vest, size 0P | c/o Ann Taylor The Drapey Marina Pant, size 0P (also available in navy, last featured here) | Ann Taylor Two Tone Leaf Drop Earrings | Vintage Gucci Crossbody from LXRandCo (review here) | Ann Taylor Bamboo Cuff Bracelets (review below) | c/o Ann Taylor Mila Leather Pumps (review here) | Click here, here and here to view a few clips of the outfit on me
c/o Ann Taylor Citrus Blossom Belted Flounce Shift Dress, size 00 regular | c/o Ann Taylor Ilaria Suede Sandals (review here) | c/o Ann Taylor Crocodile Print Tassel Bucket Bag | Click here to view a clip from my try-on
Update 6/13: I noticed that The Preview section is hidden during this current cyber summer sale.
I love a good lemon print and this lovely new dress (currently in The Preview with other lemon and citrus items) does not disappoint. I previously reviewed the green floral version of the belted shift dress in this post in size 0P. The dress runs true to size but the hips and flounce hem do not have much give so if you have curves I would recommend going up a size. The dress is fully lined so it’s not too sheer. I wish the sash came with belt loops but you can use a safety pin near the buckle to keep it from loosening up. The lemon print fabric is lightweight and not too heavy for the summer heat and humidity.
c/o Ann Taylor Citrus Blossom Belted Flounce Shift Dress, size 00 regular | Faux Cream White Roses and Anemones in a Clear Glass Vase from GlamFloral (click here and here to see a close up of the faux flowers) | Furniture details in this post
Ann Taylor Pima Cotton V-Neck Tee, size XXS regular | c/o Ann Taylor Flower Clip Full Skirt, size 0P | c/o Ann Taylor Minny Wavy Leather Sandals (review here) | Click here to view a clip from my try-on
This new white skirt is pretty (click here for a close up of the fabric) and it is a true white with no yellow undertones. It is lightly lined making it’ slightly sheer so I would be careful of what you wear and tuck underneath it. I noticed that they also have a dress using the same flower clip fabric.
c/o Ann Taylor Polka Dot V-Neck Cardigan, size XXS regular | Ann Taylor Draped Cami, size XSP (review here) | Ann Taylor The Paperbag Belted Pant, size 00P (review here, similar here) | Click here to view my review of the cardigan | Click here to view my review of the pants
This polka dot cardigan is thin and lightweight and I like the cropped length. It’s a hi-lo style and my usual size XXS regular is 20″ in the front and 21.5″ in the back. Update 6/25: I wore this cardigan and washed it and I was disappointed when I noticed that the dye ran in some spots as seen in this clip. The pants also require ironing after laundering since steaming isn’t enough for the material.
Ann Taylor Gingham Pleated Flutter Sleeve Top, size XSP (petite sizes here, review here) | Exact shorts are old favorites (similar here) | Ann Taylor Gingham Headband | Ann Taylor Two Tone Leaf Drop Earrings | Click here to view a clip of the outfit
I don’t wear a lot of hair accessories but I couldn’t resist trying the gingham headband with the gingham top.
Ann Taylor Floral Applique Sweater, size XXSP (reviewed here in size XXS regular) | LOFT Pull On Wide Leg Pants, size XSP (review here) | Bunny slippers (they were a present from my friend Annie) | Click here to view a clip of the outfit on me
I’ve been reaching for these black wide leg pants a lot since Ralphie‘s fur doesn’t stick to them as much as black leggings. They material is stretchy and very comfortable due to the elastic waistband.
c/o Ann Taylor Striped Side Tie Sheath Dress, size XSP (last featured here) | Click here to view the clip from my try-on
This striped dress washed well on cold and air dried. It does feel a bit shorter after laundering but the stretchiness makes it an easy, comfortable dress.
c/o Ann Taylor Bobble Trim Layered Cami, size XXS regular | c/o Ann Taylor The Drapey Marina Pant, size 0P (also available in navy, last featured here) | c/o Ann Taylor Crocodile Print Tassel Bucket Bag | Click here to view the clip from my try-on
I love the bobble trim detail on this cami but it has a wider swingy fit in my usual size. It is double layered so it’s not too sheer for a white top and the straps are adjustable. The Boston weather has been all over the place so I’m still reaching for the below sweater trench on chillier days and nights when we take Ralphie out for a walk.
c/o Ann Taylor Sweater Trench, size XSP (last featured here)
Ann Taylor Leopard Print Silk Little Scarf | Click here for a close up of the print
The colors on this scarf appear a little different in person than online since I thought it was a black and white print. In person it’s black, white and khaki/tan with a light orange border. You may see the scarf pop in and out of stock if people return it. I wanted the scarf to tie on this bag but the scarf came out later than the bag. I’ve noticed that the bag is also popping in and out of stock online.
Ann Taylor Bamboo Cuff Bracelets | Click here to view a close-up clip of the bracelet
This bamboo detail bracelet is well made and it has a good weight to it. It has a 1 1/8″ opening so it can be difficult/painful to slip on. It doesn’t bend and it may be returned and pop back online since it will be too small or too big for some. It’s easier for me to slip on the bangle on my left wrist than my right wrist which tends to be a little bit more swollen due to being my dominant hand. I have a 6″ wrist and the bracelet fits me well and it doesn’t feel like it will slip off since the opening is smaller. The bracelet is a stronger piece so I can see why one online reviewer did not like how it flowed on her arm. I prefer to wear it on my left wrist paired with my stainless steel watch.
Ann Taylor Bamboo Cuff Bracelets | Ann Taylor Bamboo Hoop Earrings
I also ordered the matching bamboo hoop earrings and I was pleasantly surprised by the size since the measurements were not provided online. The earrings are medium size hoops (1″) as seen on me below.
Ann Taylor Bamboo Hoop Earrings | Click here to view a clip from my try-on
c/o Ann Taylor Liv Cork Block Heel Sandals (leather version here)
These comfy block heel sandals are now available in cork for the summer (more cork options here including these cute cork sneakers). They run true to size and the cork straps are a little stiffer than the leather version but they soften up after a few wears.
Click here to view the clip from my try-on
Soludos Ibiza Classic Sneakers in cool sesame (true to size) | Click here to view a clip from my try-on
I was surprised to see that Soludos sneakers are included in the sale since they’re a third-party item and they’re usually excluded from promotions. I ordered them in the above nude color on final sale and I also purchased another pair of the white leather sneakers for 60% off since I wear the white ones a lot. Note that the white leather version runs a half size larger and the leather is the soft and broken in while the nude and suede versions are stiffer and true to size. In full disclosure, I purchased and reviewed the rock grey suede version a while back (review here) but I just sold them on Poshmark since I barely reached for that color.
RALPHIE TURNS ONE
Exact wicker chair with cushion (will be restocked in July, review here) | Outfit and decor linked here
Ralphie turned one yesterday and he enjoyed some nice grass fed steak for his dinner. My husband spoiled him with some new dog toys from the reopened T.J. Maxx store. Ralphie enjoys playing fetch inside with this bouncy latex squeaky toy as seen in this clip since it’s just the right size for his mouth. He is trained to go on pee pads indoors but I tried to be a good dog mom and take him outside three times yesterday to sniff all of the bushes, flowers, walls, telephone polls and fire hydrants along the way. Unfortunately, we got caught in the heavy rain during the afternoon so he had an unwanted bath on his birthday.
Ralphie at almost 3 months (and before his first haircut)
POSHMARK
My Poshmark has been updated and I will try to list more items soon as I continue to clean out my closet. Above is a cute photo of Ralphie demanding my attention while I was trying to take photos of the sneakers I wanted to list. Then I saw them in this old post and I decided to keep the sneakers (for now) because it is so hard to let go of some things even if I haven’t used them in a long time. On a related note, if the amount of stuff at home has you feeling anxious I recommend checking out Rakela @mystyletales‘ for some de-cluttering inspiration.
Thanks for reading if you made it this far!
