Getting in the Swim

Today is opening day at our pool and although I won't be getting within an Olympic regulation distance of the water, I have been scoping out suits for a while now. First things first, you know.

Grace tipped me off to this beauty that I've been dreaming about for weeks... 

  

Nanette Lepore

...but then I saw this one at Anthro and I'm torn...

Nanette Lepore

AAAAANNDD... J.Crew's got some winners as usual but this one KILLS me...

J.Crew

...and Johanna posted this one yesterday, so I'm reconsidering...

Mara Hoffman

...and Seafolly has the CUTEST big floral that is just so ironically sweet...

Seafolly

As you can tell, I'm a one-piece kind of girl- no bikinis on this list. My apologies to anyone with a figure that can pull them off. 

Any thoughts? Advise? Suggestions? I'd love some input here because I'm paralyzed by indecision.

Happy Swimmy Weekend, Friends!

-Alissa

Pure + Good

As soon as the weather even hints at a chill in the air, I rush to bring out the tights. They make me feel not as bundled up but still warm and weather appropriate. In my love affair with tights, I've tried out many brands and so far the clear winner is 

Pure + Good from Anthropologie.

Color Palette Tights

Anthropologie can be a little hit or miss in the quality department (I think it depends on the brand) but Pure + Good has never failed me. They have great colors that are warm and well fitting but not so opaque that you feel like a school girl. I'm especially loving this current pair that are ribbed and sheer are the same time. Perfect to go with shorts- my fave.

Ribbed Sweater Tights

This fall, I'm super excited to be wearing the ones that lasted over halfway through my pregnancy last fall and winter and they're hardly worse for the wear. Not too bad for $15!

Is anyone else a tights lover? Or just me?

Whatever your choice of leg covering, get it ready because it looks like the cooler days (and nights) are ready to settle in.

Happy Chilly Weekend, Friends!

-Alissa

Finds and Treasures

Currently lusting after these whale bookends from Anthropologie! 

So cute, and so nautical!

- Grace

Floor Spotting!

This amazing herringbone pattern concrete floor inside and outside of the Anthropologie accessories store in Friendship Heights. I'm obsessed and want this in my kitchen!!

-Grace

Countdown to Summer - #4

Alright Spring, enough is enough, this is DC and in DC by mid-May it should be blazing hot with humidity to match... what is going on?! If you don't live in the area, I'm complaining about the weather. It has been gray and in the 60s for weeks and I've had enough. All my leggings (I don't wear jeans, don't ask) have holes in them from being over-worn and I am seriously ready to break out my shorts and sandals. In the spirit of my countdown to summer, here is my #4 pick - a gorgeous color block maxi dress from Anthropologie. 

Aquatint Maxi Dress
Anthorpologie
$398

Awesome dress I could see myself lounging around in on hot days. Adorbs, but with the usual prohibitive Anthropologie price tag of $395.... ouch! 

Think summer, people, think summer. 

- Grace

What Do You See?

Have you ever had your fortune told? My mom and sister used to get their tarot cards read, and I once went to a palm reader in college who predicted my future for $20 then asked me for more money so she could perform a ceremony to ensure her prophecies came true. Needless to say, I declined her generous offer. Obviously no one knows what the future holds, but it's always fun to speculate. Especially when lottery tickets are involved. There's also something about coincidences that never fails to give me a curious pause. Tea leaf reading, or tasseography, is another foretelling device that involves deciphering the clumps, patterns, and pictures that form in your mug after a piping hot cup has been drunk (coffee grounds and wine sediments will also apparently do the trick). Seeing a candle can signify enlightenment, a dog represents a loyal friend or relative, flying birds mean good news—but if it's a raven, it could mean death. And since tea leaves and coffee grounds and wine sediments are all dark, I don't know how you're supposed to tell the difference between those last two. Anthropologie has a Fortuitous Cup and Saucer by Molly Hatch for $78 that will hopefully help us figure this all out.

- Cathleen 

[Images courtesy of Anthropologie and Wikipedia]

My Favorite Shapes

It's week's end and I'm still thinking in shapes—but this time in pairs! Here's another quick round-up of some of my favorites from the internet as of late:  

CIRCLES!

Top: Gold Moon Shirt, $36 from alittlelark

Bottom: Blue Druzy Studs, $36 from diamentdesigns

SQUARES: 

Top: Hemlock Twilight Miniature Painting, $35 from acurryphotography

Bottom: Farmers Market Basket, $14 from Anthropologie

MORE TRIANGLES??

Top: Triangle Necklace, $26.42 from niceniceniceDE

Bottom: Triangle Serving Platter, $37.18 from Asleepfromday

That last one was a double whammy: triangles ON a rectangle! I know, I can barely handle it myself. 

- Cathleen

Artist of the Week: Elisa Werbler

I spied these prints pinned up in the hallowed halls of school last week and they literally stopped me in my tracks. Yes, I mean quite literally. I passed them, stopped, double-backed and took a good long look. I really wished I had my phone with me to take a picture. It would have lasted longer. But I committed the name posted next to the cluster of colorful images to memory and looked it up as soon as I got back to my desk: Elisa Werbler. The layered translucent colors and sharp edges of her prints are what really impressed me most—all effects rather difficult for any novice printmaker to achieve. Turns out Elisa also makes paintings, sculpture, furniture and—wait for it—Anthropologie window installations!! Her window displays are the stuff of repurposed material dreams! And her constructions have definitely made me stop to admire her handiwork on my walks around the city. You can see more of what she does on her website www.elisawerbler.com

Materials used: coffee filters, Cling Wrap, Q-tips, 

plastic spoons, cotton candy cones, wax, dye

- Cathleen