Back To Black

Hello everybody!!! How are you?

I have been absent from the blogland for some time.  I have been dealing with some personal issues and my little blog hobby had to take a backseat for a little while.  I never posted that I was going to be away because, frankly, I haven't really planned it and all this time I was going to post in the 'next couple of days', it just did not happen.  Since I have been busy with other stuff, I wasn't shopping much, in fact, I hardly bought anything in last three months and even the few things that I ordered in January and February I sent back. This is something I did not miss at all and it was a relief to be free from checking the websites and searching for sales.  Instead, I read a lot of books and listened to hours of music (including Amy Winehouse Back to Black on repeat, what a great song!) which did wonders for my soul and my wallet.

Last week however, I got an email from White House black Market advertising their Instantly Slimming Dress and it peaked my interest enough to check their website. I don't know about you, but I am always on a lookout for the perfect LBD and although I have a few black dresses I was never very happy with any of them.  Last year I bought a dress from Talbots with elbow length sleeves (I blogged about it here). I wore the dress couple of times but I realized that although sleeves sounded good in theory, sleeveless dresses are actually more versatile because sleeves tend to get in a way or make the dress too warm and if I need warmth I rather wear a shrug/blazer/cardigan. 

The dress got great reviews and after finding a code for 50% off I decided to place an order.  Most of the reviews were saying that the dress runs small so I ordered one size up (8) from my regular size (6).  I am not sure if the dress is really running small because the 8 is definitely not tight and maybe I could have gotten a 6 but the 8 is probably more comfortable.  I have also lost some weight, so maybe that's why, but in size 8 I don't feel like the power mesh is doing anything.  
 

I really like the dress.  If you despise man made fabric it is obviously not for you but I don't really mind it in sleeveless jersey dress.  The advantage is that it is machine washable, does not wrinkle and should keep the shape and color.

I love that the dress is bra friendly but still sexy and the neckline is very flattering which usually is the key to a great LBD.  

The straps have the snaps to secure bra straps, always a big plus.  It is not cut too low imo and the armholes are not too big.

It looks good with something over it if you need to make it more conservative.

My only complain is that I wish the back would not be so plain and just continue the straps or maybe if it was cut in a v but I think some may consider this to be an advantage.

As for the slimming effect, you can judge for yourself, but even if I don't feel the constriction of the power mesh, I am pretty happy with the way the dress looks overall. The faux wrap effect is also flattering imo.

I feel like with the 50% off the price is also reasonable. Overall I feel like this is a keeper. Next week I am going to a a cocktail party and I am excited about wearing this dress.

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That's all folks!

Do you like the dress?

What are your criteria for a perfect LBD?

Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!

Happy Easter (and review of White House Black Market Silk Tie Neck Blouse)

I hope you are having a great weekend! I wanted to wish Happy Easter to all of you who celebrate.

I was initially planning to have a quiet weekend at home, with just an immediate family. I was looking forward to it, because usually my holidays are pretty hectic with a lot of people over and a lot of cooking.

However, I have to admit that when I received my Bloomingdales order with the DVF dress, I realized it would be a perfect Easter dress and I started regretting that we are not going to have a company after all. This is what a pretty dress could do to me, lol. Coincidentally,  that same evening, a friend called me to invite us to an Easter branch at their house. Of course I said yes, I could not pass on the opportunity to wear a dress without even having to cook. My friend apologized for inviting us in the last minute. Do you think she might have gotten a new dress too?

On Saturday, we always go to church for the Blessing of the Food, it is an old Slavic/Polish tradition. Basically, you put bread, wine, sausages, decorated eggs, salt, sugar lamb (symbol of Christ) and candy in the basket covered with a doily, decorate the top with some green twigs and take it to church for blessing.  The eggs are then broken and shared at Easter breakfast, along with other blessed food. Pastry lamb is put in the middle of the table.   

My daughters decorated the eggs together

We also do an Easter Egg Hunt, right after breakfast, this is organized by our neighbours for the whole block. We have 35 kids on our street and they bring in a lot of candy!

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As I mentioned, the other day I have received the Polka-Dot Tie-Front Blouse,  I ordered from White House Black market. After trying in on, I decided that it would be just a perfect thing to wear to the Food Blessing.

At first, I tried it with black cafe capris and the new Theory jacket.

Size 8

With Theory jacket

But I thought it will be more fun with some color added.

This feels more 'Easter' to me

It will probably be too cold to wear it alone, so I will throw on the jacket.

Blurry, but just showing you the silhouette

The blouse fits me well in size 8. I read reviews that said it was very fitted, so I knew a 6 would be too small, especially that I was after a less fitted look of Alice+Olivia  Ria Polka Dot Tie Neck. I actually ordered an 8 and a 10, just in case, but it turned out that an 8 was perfect, definitely not too fitted.

The blouse is 100% silk and the seaming is perfect. I think you can also wear the ties loose, it still looks good imo. It has nice covered little buttons and gathering in the back.  I really like it and I think it is well worth the money.

Covered buttons and untied

HAPPY EASTER!!!

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What are you doing this weekend?
Do you have any special Easter traditions?
Do you have a special outfit planned?
Do you like the blouse?

Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!