Hello, Framboise!: March 2012

Friday, March 30, 2012

Printed Pants Party: Polka Dots

When I learned that colorful, printed pants were a major trend for this season, I let out a groan. Pants are hands-down the most difficult article of clothing for me to find, fit-wise, when shopping. I have a short inseam and narrow hips, which means that pretty much every pair of pants I buy needs serious alterations before I can wear them. I was consequently delighted to realize that capri and ankle-length pants were everywhere in stores. This means that I can buy a pair that would normally be capri pants on an average-height person and wear them as full- or ankle-length pants on me, no hemming necessary.

These H&M polka-dot pants probably will still require some alterations to make them fit perfectly, so I may hem them to capri-length, but I was happy to be able to wear them now. Readers, what do you think--keep them at their present length or hem them to be longer capri pants?

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Vacation Emergency: Petite Fashion Challenge #14

For this Petite Fashion Challenge, we were given this prompt by the lovely Couture Coco:

"You have a pre-booked dinner date on the first day of your holiday, but the emergency is that your luggage is delayed. This month’s challenge is to style your travel outfit into a special evening look using whatever you carry in your purse and anything else immediately at hand (i.e. no running out to buy a new outfit!). It doesn’t have to be a holiday; it could be any trip away from home."

Here's my look--my outfit for the plane is up first. Oh, and since this could be any trip away from home, I decided I was going somewhere warm and beachy.

I like to travel in a tunic and leggings, and while I generally wear flat shoes to schlep through the airport, I often carry a pair of heels in my bag for just this sort of situation. To be honest, this challenge was a little difficult for me--I live in fear of this very thing happening, so if I do check my luggage, I almost always have a spare outfit or two, a change of shoes, and a bathing suit tucked into my carry-on bag. It would be irritating to have to go shopping immediately upon arriving at my vacation destination, so I try to make sure I can make do with what's in my carry-on for a day or two, just in case my bag doesn't make it. Knowing I had a dinner to get to the first day I'm there, I would probably stuff a wrinkle-proof dress and heels into my tote bag. The superstitious, Murphy's-Law-abiding part of me feels like this is good insurance against lost baggage--but I digress.

Back to this challenge--I'm happy with how the dinner look turned out. It really made me long for a beach vacation! To see more travel-to-dinner vacation outfits from other petite bloggers, visit Couture Coco.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Petite Work Attire: Chic in Black and White

Hooray for Friday and gorgeous spring weather in Denver! Nearly 70 degrees in the evening meant I could take a stroll through Cherry Creek North jacket-free. I'm loving every minute of this early spring!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Hunter Regent Savoy Rain Boot Review

For all of you who know me well, you know that mornings aren't great for me (okay, yes, that's been nominated the understatement of the year), especially when they are rainy or snowy mornings. Seriously, what could be better than staying in, all curled up under your blankets, when it's gray and dreary outside your window?

Despite the dreary and uninviting weather on the morning we were supposed to go out and take photos, I was still excited to get a few blog shots with my new Hunter rain boots on, and they were great in the snow. My photographer, Katie, had always been telling me how frozen her feet would get in her Hunter Boots, but when I read some of the reviews of the Regent Savoy style, it seemed like they had some extra lining that kept your feet a little warmer. Lo and behold, there is a thin quilted lining in these that has been keeping my feet pretty toasty in cold weather. While Uggs they are undoubtedly not, the Hunter Boots are great for the wet snow or chilly spring showers that are just around the corner.

While I had admired the colorful line of traditional rain boots that Hunter has had available for a while, they didn't seem to work well on my petite frame. Once I tried on the Hunter's Regent line with its much slimmer and sleeker sihouette, I knew I had found the perfect rain boot. It was a tough all trying to pick which of the gorgeous Regent styles I wanted--I tried on the St. James, the Carlyle, the plain Regents, and finally decided on the Savoy with its quilted pattern.

Tip: if you do plan to order these online as I did, I would consider going half a size to a size down. I normally wear a 5.5 to 6, but I definitely needed this boot in a 5. If you're planning to buy the thick Hunter Wellie Socks with your boots, you should probably go down only a half size so the socks fit well. (Note: the socks don't fit wonderfully on the Regent styles because of their riding boot-type cut.)

Monday, March 19, 2012

Casual Chic: Colorblock Jewel Tones

I used to believe that colorful pants should always be paired with neutrals on top, but recently, I've been trying to wear my non-blue jeans with other fun colors. Here, I decided to go with a jewel-toned turtleneck to complement the deep purple of these jeans--a recent re-discovery in my closet. I love finding something I bought years ago and realizing it's on-trend at the moment!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and St. Patrick's Day!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Petite Work Attire: Winter Blush

When I left for Boston this past weekend, it was still winter in Denver, but when I returned, it seemed like spring had arrived! These photos were taken up in the mountains, but the last couple days here have almost been sundress weather--so exciting! For those of you still firmly in the grips of winter, a piece like this pretty pink coat with its rosy lining may help to bring you a little taste of spring.

P.S. If you read more than one blog, Bloglovin' is such a great way to stay organized and up-to-date on all the blogs you read--you can start by following me!

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Sunday, March 11, 2012

Sunday Snapshots

[Photo 1] Jacket: H&M | Shell: Ann Taylor (similar in petite and regular sizing) | Skirt: H&M (similar here for a bargain!) | Jewelry: Ann Taylor, Dior, BR, Kendra Scott | iPhone Cover: kate spade (similar here) [Photo 2] Necklace: Urban Outfitters | [Photo 4] Anklet: Etsy | [Photo 5] Mike's Pastry, North End, Boston | [Photo 6] Dress: J.Crew

Just wanted to share some snapshots from my Instagram feed over the last couple weeks! I've been in lovely Boston for the last couple days, and I was so excited to go to Mike's Pastry and to wear the gorgeous J.Crew dress in the last photo for my lovely goddaughter's baptism. Hope you all had a lovely weekend, too!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Winter Shorts

I couldn't wait until warmer weather before wearing these cute shorts the other day, so out came some fun textured tights (and a coat--don't worry!). I love the paper bag waist, too, and I can't wait to transition them into spring and summer.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Petite Work Attire: Pretty in Pink

The dress I'm wearing in these photos is one of my favorite things to wear for work--it looks like a conservative skirt and blouse, but it's actually one convenient piece. Goodbye, unseemly untucked blouse! I love having easy, go-to work pieces for the mornings when I can't seem to find two shoes that match (and not being a morning person at all, this happens all too often!).

My hair in these photos took only a few minutes to do--check out my sock bun tutorial for simple instructions on how to recreate it for yourself.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Weekend Outfit: Colorblock Sweater & Riding Booots

This is definitely my go-to outfit for a mostly-clear-with-a-teensy-bit-of-flurries mountain weekend. Not to worry, readers, my nice, heavy jacket is just outside the frame, so I wasn't cold for long (plus Katie is not only the best photographer ever--she is also fast, especially when her subject starts shivering!). Although these photos are from last week's escapades up in the mountains, I am presently packing for another mountain ski trip this weekend. Can't wait--TGIF!