Something blue shoes (for less) + holiday weekend sales

Manolo Blahnik sandals (very similar for much less)

I recently dusted these babies off in anticipation of spring (a little premature, I know ; ) and finally removed the embellishments from our wedding day. I had hand-stitched crystal bracelets to the front strap, making sure to sew only along the existing stitches to not damage the suede. I got the general idea from a smart friend, who had done the same for her bridal shoes except with glue - I imagine that'd be sturdier and so much less painstaking, but I couldn't bear to glue my shoes. Anyways, I found an almost exact-looking dupe for these Manolos at a fraction of the price! I had been eyeing these Steve Madden suede sandals (more colors here) for a while in Sand, and noticed they just added blue suede - perfect for anyone looking for a little "something blue."

Banana Republic gray jeans 00p, Pleione wrap top xxsp, Zara navy heels (similar)

Goyard St Louis tote, J.Crew skirt (old), Manolo Blahnik BB pumps (old color)

My gray jeans above are currently marked down with extra 40% off (code BR40)! They are very stretchy and comfortable, and the knee holes hit at the right place on me. Length is an inch or two long on me which I wear cuffed up. BR has lots of other markdowns right now all with extra 40% off - see my last review of their collection.

The Ann Taylor wrap blouse sold out so quickly in the smallest petite sizes, although the versatile navy color still remains for sizes xsp and up. I wanted to share a few other similar options available in petites. I've mentioned the Pleione wrap blouse many times before, but had never tried on xxs petite, a new extended size they introduced last year (yay!).

I actually ordered this Pleione blouse over a month ago and the package got mysteriously lost, only to show up on my doorstep yesterday. My first impression is like when I tried it on years ago - the material feels and drapes similar to silk, and looks like a higher-end top. I love the slightly longer back, which in this size was not overwhelming on me. Compared to the AT blouse which is made in thicker, stretchy crepe, this is more billowy and lightweight, made of a chiffon-y non-stretch material. Petite sizes are also going quickly since it is on sale, but I've seen this top at Nordstrom for 3 years and am hopeful they'll restock colors and sizes!

xxsp measures: 21" length in front, 25" length in back, 13.75" across the shoulders, 21.5" sleeves (there's a button-closure tab for keeping sleeves rolled up). Snap button closure at chest.

Another option currently in-stock in small petite sizing is this light gray New Look wrap top, available in size 0P and up (more pictures & angles can be found in the regular-sized listing). Keep in mind sizing for petite brands on ASOS can run pretty small, and for a blouse this style I wouldn't mind a looser drape.

Now it wouldn't be a roundup without some food pics...this is Nick's homemade version of a brunch dish we fell in love with in Portland, Maine. Cornbread cooked in a skillet, with a runny egg nestled in topped with a little seared meat (bacon is the obvious choice, but we had Spam begging to be used), a little cheese and fresh herbs. Several of you asked for the recipe but unfortunately Nick doesn't write much down when cooking. You can follow your favorite skillet cornbread recipe (this one has good reviews) but about 5 minutes before the cooking time is up, take it out of the oven and scoop out a shallow hole on top. Crack an egg into that hole and finish baking, careful not to overcook the egg. The restaurant we had it at slid a pre-soft boiled egg fully into a hole inside the cornbread before concealing the opening with cheese and baking another minute, which is the way to go for a true "surprise."

Miso and Shoyo (in the back) at Ganko Ramen in Brookline

Ganko is the latest addition to Boston's ramen scene, located in quaint Coolidge Corner. I had really high hopes and thought it was good but not spectacular. I think mine had a little too much cabbage & bean sprouts which took away from my noodles, and the spicy garlic oil was not spicy. I did like the other components though and the egg was *perfect.* Nick wolfed down his Shoyo and we will be back to try the interesting "tan-tan" spicy sesame ramen.

PS - wanted to mention again that my swing trench coat has been fully restocked in both navy and cream, and is 40% off w/ code WEEKEND. See my review here - it is beautiful quality so I'd highly recommend, especially in a less stain-prone color like navy. Also, my longer wool Burberry Daylesmoore trench coat is marked down on their site in gray with sizes 0 and 2 left in stock! It's one of their classic coats which comes back each year. See my old review - I got a size 2 for layering room, and had the sleeves shortened and belt loops raised.

PPS - J.Crew Factory is having a HUGE clearance event with lots left in extended sizing, although sizes are going quickly. Use code EXTRA50 to get an additional 50% off clearance items, but beware of final sale. You can shop all and filter by size, or here's some items of note with great reviews:

- Double-serge wool pencil skirts in regular, petite, and tall, with colors starting as low as $19.99 after discounts.
- The black puffer coat I previously reviewed is now on sale for a whopping $49.99 after discounts. Still left in xxsp and several regular sizes.
- Wool-blend topcoat for $69.99 (I've seen this in-person and it is pretty nice for the price). This sold out almost immediately after being released but numerous sizes have popped back.
- classic-looking camel scarf for $10.99 - never hurts to check the men's department!
- Flannel sleep pants starting in xxs for under ten bucks

And from J.Crew regular, take extra 40% to 50 off final sale w/ code SALEONSALE:
- Petite bi-stretch wool martie pants - $29.99 down from $120, a steal. Lots of colors in 000p and up! I ordered mauve and gray in 00p. I had tried the 000p before and it was like stuffing a sausage, so good news for smaller-framed ladies.
- Petite excursion vest starting in $48
- Petite lady day coat in red left in 00p and 0p, on clearance for $174
- Their popular icon trench coat in wool-cashmere in 3 colors, left in regular sizing 000, 00 or 0 only.

Little red (bow back) riding hood // J.Crew Factory puffer review

Soprano dress XS (worn with my NuBra), ASOS blanket scarf, Steve Madden heels 5.5

I wanted to share a few more photos of this bow-back dress, which has just been re-stocked in all sizes (Update: for some reason page just became "not available" - maybe it'll be back up in a bit!). It's on backorder until after the holidays, but makes a darling cocktail dress for year-round. I'm wearing an XS regular...it looked very high-waisted on the model so I had hope, and sure enough it's petite-friendly! Measurements are: 12.25" across the waist, 13.5" from top to waistline, and 32.5" total length. It does come pretty wrinkled, but you can iron it at home on medium heat inside-out. The dress is fully lined, with a double lining at the skirt plus hidden tulle layer to help hold the fit & flare shape.

I also snapped a few photos of this Factory puffer coat below before sending it back (as you guys know, I got the faux fur hooded version reviewed here instead). For those who don't care for the furry hood, I thought this is a steal for a puffer coat that fits a petite frame. There's just a few remaining in petite sizing so don't miss out if you wanted this!

J.Crew Factory coat xxsp, LOFT jeans 24p, BP boots 5.5, Clinique lip "mega melon"

Unlike the J.Crew regular wintress coat which I thought ran small with short sleeves, I found this to fit true to size with room for layering. The sleeve length was also amply long enough for the "thumb holes" to comfortably reach and hook over my thumbs. The hood is removable, and the pockets are lined in cozy fleece with snap button closures.

And one last picture of this red dress from another angle (ps - my pearlized statement necklace is 50% off today. They make great little gifts for friends!) ~

Vintage Vibes with Modcloth

B.Jones Pine fan skirt** XS (24" waist), Caf� Parfait top XS, Leaf earrings outfit c/o

Steve Madden heels sz 5, Nars Shanghai Express lipcolor

This is one of my absolute favorite times of the year, when the streets of Boston are decked out in holiday cheer (and unseasonably warm weather which I'm not complaining about!). I'm wearing this exact outfit later today to a friend's quirky holiday party, for which I thought a retro-inspired pairing would be more apt than something glitzy. Both my top & skirt are from Modcloth and run narrow in my opinion; I'm wearing XS in each with no alterations. **I've seen them offer this skirt for several years now, so if your particular size is sold out, sign up for the waitlist and I'm sure there's a good chance of a re-stock.

If you haven't shopped Modcloth before, a few of my other petite-friendly favorites that I bring out season after season include the Stripe it Lucky skirt (see on me here or here) and the Dream of the Crop cardigan (see on me here or here). I take a size S in both of those. The cropped cardigan comes in lots of colors, and is the perfect basic for styling with dresses and higher-waisted skirts when you don't want to lose your waistline.

These photos were snapped at charming Farm & Fable again, owned by one of my sweet neighbors (who is getting married today! Congrats, Abby!). I've been to many a festive gatherings there and Nick is eagerly awaiting their next cooking class. If you're visiting this corner of the South End, be sure to also pop into Polka Dog bakery aka dog heaven for canine gifts, as well as Formaggio for some cheese to feast on back home.

"I clink, therefore I am" glasses

If you're shopping for others on your list, I've pulled together a few of my favorite little gifts, each under $30! The jewelry stand looks very functional, and those peas in a pod shakers...I die. What I really wonder though when I'm browsing Modcloth is who their copywriter is, coming up with these catchy names for each item.

The design of this top takes a simple tee and elevates it with a demure off-shoulder neckline, while still providing arm coverage. It's made of a very stretchy 95% cotton, 5% spandex. When un-stretched and lying flat, an XS tee measures "14 across the armpits and about 18.5" in length. Skirt does not have stretch and is unlined with a concealed back zipper and side pockets. An XS measures 12" across the waist and 27" long.

This didn't translate in the photos, but the fan pattern on the skirt is a raised velvet which looks and feels luxe. I was thinking of getting the skirt hemmed, but Nick and friends voted to keep it at tea length for a look different from what I usually wear. I still might get it shortened closer to the knees though to be more flattering with lower shoes.

And in the holiday spirit, I'm giving away a $200 gift card towards anything at Modcloth! Simply enter via the Rafflecopter form below before Wednesday, December 16th 2015. Giveaway is open to those over 18 years of age and have a mailing address in a country that Modcloth ships to (see full list here). One entry per household, please!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you to Modcloth for partnering on this post.

Cobalt blue lace

Eliza J dress 0p c/o, Steve Madden sandals, BlankNYC jacket xs, H&M faux fur (similar)

Lace is one of my favorite textures for all year round, and especially during the holiday season! Today I wanted to show some elegant options that either come in petite sizing or are petite-friendly in fit. I love my DVF Zarita lace dress (shown here along with my mom's more affordable version), and thought this Eliza J one was similar but with a swingy flared skirt. I really wish this brand would make more extended sizes, because I'm a big fan of their quality and feminine designs but the items are a little roomy on me. I loved my blue/white maxi from this post enough to get alterations, so wanted to give this highly-reviewed dress a try.

This is a 0P which is a size up from what I usually wear - the color is absolutely gorgeous but the fit is roomy throughout the torso on me and also at the sleeve width. I'm doing one of my favorite sewing-less shortcuts here by folding excess fabric over a thin belt, but for someone my size, alterations are needed for the dress to fit like it does on the model. For smaller-framed ladies, I found a few other options that were more snug in fit...

Lucy Paris Lisbon dress sz XS

This burgundy lace sheath (also comes in navy and ivory) has reviews all over the place, so I wasn't sure what to expect! Turns out the fit runs super small - an XS regular fit very narrow and was too snug for me in the shoulders and chest (I wear a 30-32A bra for reference). The entry is via a side zipper under the armpit which is a little more troublesome than a back center zip. The proportions work for petites as the waist placement is a little higher, hitting near my natural waist.

Glamorous open back lace dress XS

The pretty open back of this dress reminded me of Wendy�s gorgeous one that I borrowed in this twinsies shot! The quality of course is not the same given a big price difference. This one in XS fit me comfortably with a little stretch to spare.

My main concern was this is labeled as a fit and flare style, but the skirt was not as full and flared as I had hoped. It can be boosted with a tulle slip which I have, but to avoid that trouble I'd only recommend this to those who don't mind a less-full skirt. Suggested bra for this one is the stick-on Nu Bra I discussed in this post.

And here is how the Eliza J dress in size 0P looks on me with no adjustments or styling. Please note the listing indicates that regular sizing runs on the smaller side, however with petite sizing, it suggests ordering down if you're usually in between sizes. I feel this size would best be suited for those who are usually between a 0P to 2P.

The belt trick makes a big difference in my opinion...I love using it to transform some pieces in my closet that are a little roomy and longer than I'd like! Below, I styled this dress with my trusty BlankNYC jacket (runs small) and H&M faux fur stole (similar). 

This post was sponsored by Nordstrom to share holiday style ideas.

What to wear: black tie holiday party or formal winter wedding (and the right bra for low-cut or backless items!)

ASOS petite dress US 0p, Steve Madden heels (also here), Baublebar earrings (similar)

H&M faux fur wrap (similar here or here), NARS shanghai express lipcolor

On Nick: J.Crew Ludlow tuxedo, DIY pocket square (I always make him one to match me : )

As holiday party season will soon be upon us, I�m going to be sharing outfit ideas for all sorts of environments and dress codes! I�ve gotten requests for office-appropriate party attire and also more formal black tie wear, so will be showing those first this week. Earlier this month, Nick and I attended a fun Fall formal organized by our friends. They raised an amazing 100k for charity, and we got to dress up and drink the night away in the Children�s Museum, so win-win all around! For a winter formal party or wedding, I love the look of a long gown with a little sultriness and touches of glamour. Here I looked to my usual old-school hollywood inspiration with a high leg slit, faux fur wrap, crystal drop earrings and minimalistic shoes. I took to the same inspiration for makeup with a subtle smokey eye, wine red lips and wavy hair swept off to the side.

For this event, I had procrastinated and was at a last-minute loss on what to wear. I wanted to rent this sequin gown recommended by my petite aunt but it was booked up well in advance. For readers who ask about formal dresses for petites, I usually suggest browsing ASOS and filtering their selection by size and item type. Their sizing runs very small and they have some unusual styles that you don�t see everywhere. I ended up taking my own advice and ordered this dress 2 days before the event - their express shipping is amazingly fast from across the pond!

Here's are a few other formal dresses from there all under $200, starting in 0 or 00 petite...

And here are a few other budget options above for under $100!

I will say ASOS is a fast fashion retailer so you do get what you pay for. This dress is a bargain for a long piece but it is not made of high quality materials, so I wouldn't suggest wearing it to a nicer event where others may be decked out in intricate gowns or couture. I would prefer to pay more for better quality, but due to procrastination, was hard-pressed to find formalwear anywhere else that fits with no alterations at all, even in length! Please note that ASOS sells a variety of different brands in addition to their own in-house one, so sizing may vary. Their in-house brand runs 1-2 sizes smaller than American brands for me (I'm wearing US 0 petite here which was a good fit throughout), and I've heard from friends that Jarlo petite which they sell also runs very small.

And now for the common question of what bra to wear with these dresses that have dips and cutouts here and there. I was able to wear a regular bra with this one, but my bra drawer is armed with the four tools below for those unexpected times when you can't:

Low back items: low back bra converter strap in black, 2 hooks (or in nude, 1 hook). I showed how to DIY one of these back in this post but at $9, it is totally worth purchasing instead of buying the materials. ASOS also sells a 2-pack of converters in both black and nude, with 2 bra strap hooks and 2 size options.

Low front items: nude plunge front bra. This one is noted with cups that run small and the reviewers say the B is actually well suited for A cups.

Backless and strapless or other items that will show any bra straps: Nubra adhesive silicone bra provides the most minimalistic coverage. I have one from this brand based on a friend's suggestion, and highly recommend it in return! The A cups fit me well, create magical cleavage, and the adhesive can be re-used for numerous wears (listed to last up to 50 wears!).

Very low front or unusual cutout designs: adhesive nipple covers! Lots of choices out there with mixed reviews. The ones linked here have fairly positive reviews, and are probably best for smaller busts that don't need a lot of support.
PS - For this particular dress, If you�ll be out in breezy conditions, be sure to secure down the front flap with double-sided fashion tape, a safety pin, or some thread at the highest point you�d want it to fly open! Another alternative which I did is to wear a pair of biking shorts underneath and let the skirt flap away without worry.

Lady in Red at LA Urban Light

Ann Taylor coat & dress in xxs petite c/o
Steve Madden heels (runs narrow)

We flew to SoCal recently for our friends' wedding and decided to spend some extra time in the area. Compared to Boston it's a bit of a heat wave here, but the abundance of good eats sure makes up for it! These photos were taken by the Urban Light display in LA - it's a tourist favorite but still leaves me in admiration each time.

Ann Taylor let me pick out pieces from their most recent collections to review - I chose the flared sweater dress last shown here, and also wanted to post these bold red pieces that I thought were notably petite-friendly. The style of the jacket feels like a nod to the timeless coats that Audrey Hepburn liked to wear. It first reminded me of this one, from the flattering swing silhouette (one of my favorite cuts) down to the collar and bracelet-length sleeves. With the collar popped up (see stock images), it felt reminiscent of her bright tomato funnel-neck number made famous in the movie Charade. The fit of an xxs petite is slim in the shoulders and sleeve width, which I think is key for swing-style pieces.

The material of the coat, although an entirely synthetic blend, feels of sturdy weight and good quality, as mentioned in the online reviews. Some said it's a very heavy coat, which I think will definitely differ based on where you're from. In my opinion it'd be suitable for ~60 degree F weather down to ~40 with a sweater layered underneath. The buttons are sturdily sewn on and covered with fabric, the jacket is fully lined, and there are two front pockets. The curved "shirttail" hem on both sides gives the swing cut a little something extra.

On to this sheath dress - I usually get my Ann Taylor dresses altered to fit so was surprised that this dress was fairly fitted on me off the rack. Reading the online reviews, several shoppers mentioned they had to go up one or two sizes from their usual size. I found the cap sleeve and V neck cut to be flattering at the d�colletage area without revealing too much. I wore this, sans coat, to some pre-wedding festivities.

The stretchy fabric in a poly blend feels reminiscent of lightweight wool crepe on some of my Theory pieces. The downside is it is unlined, and I can see it'd be unforgiving with bra and panty lines if it were any more form-fitting, like some reviewers also noted. For dresses like this, I hope AT will listen to their customers and include a lining in the future.

Measurements of coat in xxsp: 13.6" across shoulders, 16.5" across bust, 20" long sleeves (bracelet length), 30" long. These are outer measurements, so please account for thickness of the material and lining.

Measurements of dress in xxsp: 15.25" across bust, 12.5" across waist, 33" long

Pink on Pink / Kate Spade Cedar Street Harmony bag

Kate Spade New York Cedar Street Harmony bag (6 colors) & dress (3 colors) c/o

Steve Madden heels, Clinique lip balm in "pudgy peony"

I wore this pink on pink look recently in NYC, and inadvertently coordinated with our hotel's vibrant lobby. My outfit is from Kate Spade New York's fall collection, which is full of color as well as the classic black & whites (which this bow-back dress is also available in) in feminine silhouettes. My bag from the Cedar Street collection is made of crosshatched leather, similar what most of us know as saffiano leather. I'm a big fan of this type of material as it's super low maintenance and wipes clean simply with a damp paper towel or cloth. This particular "Harmony" style converts from a crossbody for hands-free wear, to a cute mini tote that you can either carry by hand or loop over your wrists. It comes in numerous colors but the rose jade with (14k) gold accents combo is my favorite.

For reference, I am 5 feet tall and here's where the cross-body hits on me. The strap itself with chain is removable but not adjustable in length. I like my cross-body bags to hit higher at the hips, so my trusty handyman Nick subsequently helped remove and re-attach a few chain links on each side (a cobbler should be able to do this professionally on most bags). An alternative, easy shortcut is to "knot" the chain link on each side of the strap, which some of you might've seen in my snapchats.

The inside of this bag is lined in dotted fabric with two organizational pockets (one with a zipper). It's rather spacious compared to my usual cross-body bags and can fit sunglasses with case, phone, wallet and makeup bag with room to spare. The bottom has small metal feet for protection.

I also wanted to mention I'm wearing this dress in size 00 regular, which is fitted on me with no alterations. Kate Spade doesn't have a petites line, but if you keep an eye out for proportions (like the shorter, higher cut torso of this dress), some of their pieces can be rather petite-friendly. The material here is medium to heavier weight with good shape and is fully lined with side pockets. The back detail adds a splash of surprise with elasticized (also helps with fit) bows that happen to keep bra straps concealed.

Thank you Kate Spade New York for partnering on this post! Here's a few pieces I'm loving from their Fall collection, including other convertible bags that also come in this "rose jade" color. PS - their site has everyday free shipping & returns for US shoppers. 

Casual classics: Distressed jeans + Topshop petite drape blouse

Topshop Drape blouse in sz 2P (avail in petite/reg/maternity/tall; also sold at Nordstrom)

Treasure & Bond jeans (40% off!) in sz 24, Steve Madden sandals, Goyard tote

Today's post is a simple outfit of all casual basics - distressed skinny jeans, a draped white blouse (comes in several other colors & sleeve lengths), and minimalistic sandals. To add a little interest, I layered on delicate necklaces and a printed tote. I wear my long-sleeved white drape blouse to pieces and knew I'd get plenty of wear out of a short version. Topshop runs small compared to American sizing - 0P fit fine but I sized up to 2P for a looser fit. I think this is one of those pieces where regular sizing would work well also, because I wouldn't mind a longer length (you can casually tuck it in the front). I noticed they now have free shipping and returns for US customers which is awesome, esp. compared to before. While at the NYC store, I saw these distressed denim shorts in petite (suggest sizing up for a casual fit) and wanted to point them out as a very similar option to my sold-out Express ones.

When shopping for distressed jeans, an issue I often have is the knee hole placement (usually hits several inches below my actual knees). I was so pleasantly surprised at the overall fit of these Treasure & Bond jeans, plus they're currently 40% off! They are listed as crop jeans, which works nicely as regular jeans for someone my height (5 feet tall). The size 24 fits true to size on me with no waist gap, and the medium weight denim is stretchy and comfortable. If you have longer legs, I also tried on these distressed boyfriend jeans on sale at a bargain...

STS blue boyfriend jeans in size 00, BP V-neck tee (sized up to a S)

They are adorable casual jeans and the 00 was a slouchy but slim fit (unlike many boyfriend jeans which are too baggy on a petite frame), however the knee holes were 2" too low for me so I'll be returning. The length is longer but due to the cuffs, you can roll them up to your liking.

I finally got these Steve Madden sandals in a second color...my first pair in blush patent have truly proven to be the ultimate versatile sandal for me. They make shorter legs look long and the design is simple but elevated. Please note from my initial review on the blush ones that they run narrow! I'm usually between 5 and 5.5 and got the latter in these to accommodate my foot width both in the insole as well as the front toe strap.

Ray-ban clubmasters, Baublebar bar & pyramid necklaces c/o

If you're shopping for delicate necklaces, Baublebar has a "pick your pendants" option on their site that lets you pick three layering necklaces at a savings for $68 total. I'm wearing the slim bar short one, infinity medium one, and the longer pyramid spike Y (great for wearing with V-necklines) which are all part of the bundle pricing choices. The slim bar and pyramid Y chain are my favorites because of the sleek 14k gold-plated design, and add just a little something to the most basic outfits. From my Baublebar sale order last month, my favorite piece has to be the bowline cuff bracelet, also worn here. It appears to now be sold out on their site but I found it still available here - would recommend esp. for narrow wrists, since you can bend the metal slightly to adjust the fit.