Sveta's Blog

This is my NAS #5, matching my 5th year on YLF. For those who hasn't been a witness of my prior NAS adventures a little pre-history. I live in Canada and shopping NAS is not easy. Shipping is expensive, taxes and duties are mind blogging and returns are cumbersome and expensive. Luckily I live 1 hour away from the US border and only 2 hours from the closest Nordstrom so I just drive there for a day of ""all out" NAS extravaganza.
After a couple of years I developed a NAS strategy for myself: I order everything I am considering  to the store, then coming over when it is delivered, try everything on, keep what I want and return the rest. This works for me even if creating quite a stir at the store :-)
Anyway this year I was very restrained with my NAS shopping. I have ordered just 9 pairs of footwear ( for comparison there were 24 pairs in year #2!) and 3 items of clothing. NAS is mainly footwear for me as I have a hard to find size. 
Pic #7 is where you can see what my fitting room looked like with the loot. Sorry I forgot to get a regular picture of the boxes but they were already in the room and unpacked for me. 
So this is what got away:
##1-2  Attilio Giusti Leombrini booties
They are one of the top Angie's picks for a reason. The leather is incredibly soft and they look amazingly on. Alas - they were too narrow for me in the forefoot so it was a no-go. If you have regular or narrower width foot and looking for dressy booties give those a try - they are gorgeous!

## 3-4 Aquatalia Obsession tall boots
They made me cry! Again - the leather is amazing and they are perfect in any sense! After reviews I was sure that they would be too narrow in the calf for my 15.5" calves - but they were a perfect fit, both in height and circumference...but once again - too narrow in the forefoot! Before seeing them I was not sure I want to pay $360 for them but after seeing them and trying them on there was no doubt in my mind that I would - if only they fit :-(

##5-6 Aquatalia Sweetie mid-calf boots
Surprisingly these were wide enough for my feet and a serious consideration. 
I was not sure if they look too stumpefying with tucked in skinnies or skirts but my main objective for those boots would be to wear them with slouchy trousers which would fit over the top I think. The fact that they are waterproof, warm and slip-resistant was a huge bonus - it is not easy to find dressier boots with those criteria. However in the end I decided to pass - mainly because my left foot was not 100% comfortable in them: it felt like the top of the boot was pressing on my big toe and I was afraid it would be quite uncomfortable on long walks. For this kind of price my boots have to be perfect, right? 

##8-9 Sam Eldeman (left) vs. Stuart Weizman (right)
I was resolved to get an expensive but amazing pair of boots on this sale if this would be my single purchase. As both Aquatalia and AGL boots were out it left SW "Strapduo" booties. What was suspicious for me in the first place that they were not on Angie's top pick list.
There also was Sam Eldeman "Pacific" to consider. 1/3 of the price of SW booties but amazingly soft and nice leather for this price. Actually the leather felt nicer to the touch than on SW booties. Fit was good on both and both were comfortable so it was left to looks.
Here I am wearing both of them for comparison. They looked quite similar actually with the same heel height and straps. SW are about 2" higher in the shaft and I thought it makes them unflattering, especially with skirts. Too bad I forgot to take pictures with the skirt! The main problem was the width of the shaft though which was not close to the ankle because there was no zipper in those boots. You have to undo those 2 straps before getting them on and then fasten them again. This not only makes a wide opening but also is quite cumbersome to put them on or take them off. So - you guessed it - they stayed behind. I decided that for this price they have to be perfect and they were not.

I also was not 100% sure about SE booties but they came home with me. I am going to play with them both for comfort and style and see if I like them enough. I was looking for a pair of black low heel booties last year in vain. My old black Clarks are too high in the heel for comfort and feel too clunky for my style. I like that SE booties have a nice almond toe and look quite refined - more so that SW booties - aside from the wider opening and a  strap.
I also ordered UGG Chelsea booties - really the style I want - but they were backordered and won't ship until September 25. I decided to keep SE booties for now until I get UGGs. If UGGs work for me I will return SE; if not -then if I see that comfort and style wise SE works for me they would stay. 

I also tried some other tall boots - Vince Camuto Finella in brown and grey and Naturalizer in brown. All of them were too tall in the shaft and too wide on top - none fitted as perfectly as Obsession! They seemed comfy in the foot though so if you have longish and wider calves they may work for you. The grey color of Finella is beautiful, if they fit I would get those.

So this is what got away from me today (except SE booties which are under consideration).
The post on the clothing is to follow!

Another JCrew order came and up for the review. This one I am not sure about so can use all help I can get!
pic 1 Embroidered floral tee 
The only item I am dead sure about - it goes back. Too short and too stiff front so tucking is not possible.

pic 2   - 4 Merino tunic - the same one Suz got
I am not sure if this is the right size for me or if I need to size down. I loved how it looked on Suz but I am afraid I don't rock it as well :-( Definitely need help with this one.

pic 5-7 Stripe-sleeve merino sweater
This was one of Angie's picks some time ago and I was waiting for it to go on sale - and it did. This is the color I love the most and sporty stripes appeal to me here (rare event). This is XL and I am not sure if it is too big but it was the only size available when I ordered. However it came back in stock in L today so I ordered it again and I will reserve my judgement until I get it - but I think I definitely will keep it, just need to decide which size.

pic 8-12 Cashmere textured frame sweater
This order was Suz's lemming - she got one in blue. This was the only available color and size on a very good sale so I decided to risk it - and I am not sure. Is it too big? is this very light grey color unflattering on me? Should i send it back? I may need to take pictures in the daylight outside to see the color better. As for the size -- lately I am not sure about it anymor as I have changed...need honest help with this one as well!
That was it. I have a new order on the way with a different size for the lilac merino  sweater and linen amethyst sweater but otherwise this is it for now - I have been bad as is :-(
Thanks for your help, it is priceless as always!

You may recall the JCrew order I posted about last week? My second order came today and here is the report!

• I have risked to order eyelet front linen tees on final sale and happy to report that they are keepers! I got blush pink and white. The front is embroidered silk and the back is linen. It is a bit see-through on the silk front but works with nude bra and pant grinning can be fixed with a tuck or semi-tuck if I am not in a mood to wear a cami. Both colors should work in my wardrobe. pic 1-2 is blush tee and pic 3 is white tee.
• linen swing tank (it is gone from the site so I cannot link it in finds) - pic 4.  My first reactions was that I like it and it is a keeper. However it is pretty thin and see through and unlike the tee looks best untucked - which means it would require a cami and this just does not make sense for a tank. Also I think I don't use tanks as much as sleeved tops and shirts: I am getting cold easily and having my shoulders covered makes me more comfortable in A/C. So while I like it it goes back.
• Boatneck linen tee in azalea (pic 5 - on the right). This is a size up from the navy one I got before but I think it fits nicely. However I think it goes back as I like the amethyst pink of the sweater better for me (pic 5 on the left)  and I don't need one more pink top right now.

So this order is 50% - 50% which is OK with me because I began to worry i have ordered too much! I already purged 2 older shirts to make room for these 2 tees which stay!

My first JCrew order has arrived today and it made me happy and unhappy in the same time.
 Happy because navy  linen boatneck  tee I have ordered inspired by Suz's posts is a keeper (pic 1-3). As Suz suggested I went with my usual size (L) and it has enough drape and fluidity and in the same time layers beautifully under toppers. I think I am going to order other colors as well!
 Unhappy because I don't like how this  linen hi-low hem sweater ( from Angie's picks ) fits me. I love the color and I think it is a good pink for me but I think it is too big. I have ordered XL based on Suz's and Inge's experience with another linen sweater type ( V-neck) but possibly this one fits differently? I find it looking sloppy rather that stylishly oversized like it does on Suz. I think it goes back but should I try a size down or is this style just does not work for me?
I have 2 more orders to arrive but now I worry that everything may go back because I ordered XL like I wear in Tippi and it may be too big in other styles?
...and returns are not free! :-(

Rant over!

If you remember I was on the hunt for my first computer glasses: here and here. There were a couple of frames I liked but they did not come in colors which suited me...and meanwhile I continued to get tired eyes from work.
A couple of weeks ago I was shopping at Costco and decided to check their selection of glasses - and these frames jumped right at me. The color was good - deep cranberry red going into black on the sides. Hardware on temples was minimal and I though the shape was good for me overall. The price was good too so I decided to get them so at least I can start giving my eyes a break and later i can hunt for a better pair at leisure.
What do you think - I hope it is not a total disaster (and even if it is I will be wearing them behind the computer only , not walking in them everywhere so hopefully the damage is not too big.
Wore them today at work for the first time - it does feel weird... :-)

I have already asked for your help with glasses before and I was going to look for other options. My car troubles took over so I was not able to resume the specs search until today.

Here is a new installment - please tell me if any of those are good options. Unfortunately the colors did not photograph well but I tried to stay away from solid black and went for other dark colors instead.

pic 1: Dark teal / clear  These ones are big but I kind of like them anyway

pic 2: Oakley with turquoise inside and details - the front seems almost black though

pic 3: the same style as in #2 but  dark purple

pic 4: Versace  - medium purple 

pic 5: Vogue  - very dark purple. This one has a pearl embelishment at the temple but I think I can live with this kind.

Any of those get your vote or should I keep looking?
Thank you so much for your help!

When leaves are turning red and yellow it is definitely fall; when it is snowing it must be winter; when you need reading glasses you are irreversibly "over the hill" - and it looks like I just reached that happy stage of my life!
So trying to make lemonade out of lemons of getting older I want my first glasses to be a perfect accessory. The problem is  - I am a complete dilettante when it come to glasses and I need all combined YLF wisdom to make it right.
these pictures are from the first store I visited today. I am going to visit all of them in my city (hey, I need to have my fun, right?) but I would like to know if any of those are "maybe".
Colors are not captured very well here so I would like to get your reaction for the shape and size most of all. They are reading glasses for the computer so I will not wear them all the time (which should not prevent me from having fun with them anyway, right? :-) )

pic 1
Red frame on the left (I don't have a separate picture for this one). I was not sure if it is too square and not uplifting.
Green underside. I like the funky shape but not sure if it is too dark for me.

pic 2
Left: these are man frames which somehow attracted me but looking at the picture I think they may be too square? they have fun creamy yellow underside and sides are plaid.
Right: these are fun but is it too much? yellow inside and outside.

pic 3
Left: dark blue. Looking at the picture I think they maybe too wide for me?
Right: lighter blue. Both are pretty classic in shape

pic 4: not considering those - just for fun! I like my sunglasses big but somehow I want the reading glasses to be smaller...
Left; I liked white and black frame but too big!
Right: serious cat eye - or even butterfly eye here! 

Do you think any of the first 6 work for me or should I scratch all of them and keep looking?

Thanks for your help!

After beautifully warm and sunny weekend our arctic Vortex is back with the vengeance: I woke up today to 3" of snow! :-( My poor crocuses and irises all wore snowy hats today and looked quite pitiful. I really hope this is the last blast of winter.
...but it made the dressing difficult this morning. Does not matter how I wanted to wear my spring things it was too cold so skinnies and warm sweater were the way to go. However I remembered Angie's post on ink blue and white capsule and decided to wear a casual variety of it.

Ink blue boxy t-neck - Club Monaco
Cream skinnies - Banana Republic
Dove satchel - Danier
Python booties - Sam Eldeman

And of course I could not miss a chance to wear my red cape today while it is not too warm and i still can :-)

I am afraid this outfit is nothing special but it was comfortable and felt good. 

pic 1 is with semi tuck and pic 2 is untucked. This sweater has high - low hem so I feel it can be worn both ways - what do you think?

Now they promise sun and above freezing tomorrow so off I go to peruse Angie's ensemble posts and decide what to wear tomorrow! 

Thanks for looking and as usual all comments and suggestions are very much appreciated!

I had a history with this blue Zara blazer with gathered sleeves. First I saw it on Angie's post and thought that I love the color and the sleeves look interesting but I am not sure if they will work for my wide shoulders and if pale blue color is flattering for me. Then during our Toronto meetup I saw it in XL size and tried it on. I was amazed that this light blue color is actually flattering for me and that gathered sleeves look pretty good as well - and it was confirmed by my fab shopping mates Nicole, Emily, merwoman, Katie and Ami.
What I was not sure about was the length...so I did not get it.
Last weekend in Boston I decided to ask Angie's opinion. Unfortunately that store did not have blue in my size so I tried on the yellow. Amazingly it got approval from Angie as well - including the color which I thought is too bright for me. I did not get it again because I wanted blue and I already have a citron blazer.
So is third time the charm?  I have ordered the blue one from Zara...but I also ordered this pink one... and now I cannot decide which one to keep!
Pink is longer and more classic in shape but has regular sleeves.
Blue is a bit shorter but I love the sleeve shape.

Both of them work with dresses and skirt but what about pants?
Which should I keep - blue? pink?...or both?

Oh, and bonus - my new Lord&Taylor tee I got today. Our fab Shannon is always finding treasures at The Bay so I tried it today too. The black pattern on the front is made from black sequins and beads so even if this is a t-shirt material it looks dressy enough for me to feel myself in it. What do you think?

I saw this moto from Angie's roundup on crazyone in Boston's Zara but did not try one myself. however when I was ordering some other jackets from Zara I decided to try this one as well - just for fun :-0
It came and here it is for your viewing pleasure. I really like the fabric, very nice texture and not heavy for summer and the floral pattern is nice watercolor-like. It is quite short on me (shorter than on the model) but it should work as a cropped moto.
...but...I think it will go back. Patterned jacket is fun but I find it not very versatile for my wardrobe. I have a lot of patterned tops and dresses in summer and it does not work well with them. Also I already have  white, grey and faded denim moto jackets which are pretty cropped as well...but it was fun to try!

I hope you liked my fashion show :-)