Banana Republic Petites Review - Hits n' Misses

My Banana Republic order arrived and my feelings are lukewarm. First up is this cable shrug. It's cozy, it's warm, it's soft, it fits nicely...but for some reason that I can't put my finger on...I just don't love it. I'm going to sleep on this one. I can definitely see myself wearing it, but is deserving of $35 and coveted wardrobe space?

Sweater: Banana Republic Cable Shrug in PXXS (buy here - use BRJAN30 for another 30% off))

Jeans: Gap Legging Jeans in "faded dark" sz 00P (buy here)

Suede Booties: Adrienne Vittadini "Adam" sz 5.5 (buy here on final sale)

Trying it on with trousers (Theory "Mark B" sz 00) for biz-casual:

If you're around my height, the length of this sweater is good for leggings. The length in the back will cover up some tush, but you'd still need a longer top underneath to conceal dreaded camel toe.

I got these Adrienne Vittadini ankle boots in size 5.5 during my last order. I haven't heard of this brand before but it wasn't a bad price for suede. I love my CK ankle booties to pieces and wanted a similar pair in a different material. These run small! I wish I ordered size 6, as the 5.5's are very snug with socks on. If you look at the Piperlime reviews several of the ladies agree that these run about half to one size small. Other than that I am happy with the silhouette and quality.

The second item I got from BR (can't find it online anymore) doesn't really warrant a review. This is me saying wtf to a size XXS Petite:

I am going to end this post with some quick and dirty fitting room reviews:

1. 3/4 sleeve wrap dress in Petite XS (no PXXS in stores). This fit okay with just a little too much "wrap" fabric, but I can see one size down being perfect. The proportions were right. However I want to stop buying blacks and grays. I think that will be my goal for this season, starting....now.

2. Brigitte Double-Knit Ruffle Dress (2 colors) in 00P. The ruffle detail doesn't strike me as classic or feminine. Instead it felt more like an Elizabethan collar. Fit-wise, the top was fine but hips were VERY roomy on me.

3. Maria Lace-Trimmed Sheath in sz 00P. This was my favorite out of the 3 and I still didn't really like it. For a cocktail dress, the sultry top portion is right but the bottom is much too drab and not fitted. For a work sheath, the bottom is okay but the top is much too va-va-voom. I can't imagine an occasion to wear this dress to. See it on Cher here.

Verdict on everything: Paaass - except maybe keep the first cardigan.

Readers - Do you own (or have you tried on) any of the above? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Banana Republic Petites Review - Hits n' Misses

My Banana Republic order arrived and my feelings are lukewarm. First up is this cable shrug. It's cozy, it's warm, it's soft, it fits nicely...but for some reason that I can't put my finger on...I just don't love it. I'm going to sleep on this one. I can definitely see myself wearing it, but is deserving of $35 and coveted wardrobe space?

Sweater: Banana Republic Cable Shrug in PXXS (buy here - use BRJAN30 for another 30% off))

Jeans: Gap Legging Jeans in "faded dark" sz 00P (buy here)

Suede Booties: Adrienne Vittadini "Adam" sz 5.5 (buy here on final sale)

Trying it on with trousers (Theory "Mark B" sz 00) for biz-casual:

If you're around my height, the length of this sweater is good for leggings. The length in the back will cover up some tush, but you'd still need a longer top underneath to conceal dreaded camel toe.

I got these Adrienne Vittadini ankle boots in size 5.5 during my last order. I haven't heard of this brand before but it wasn't a bad price for suede. I love my CK ankle booties to pieces and wanted a similar pair in a different material. These run small! I wish I ordered size 6, as the 5.5's are very snug with socks on. If you look at the Piperlime reviews several of the ladies agree that these run about half to one size small. Other than that I am happy with the silhouette and quality.

The second item I got from BR (can't find it online anymore) doesn't really warrant a review. This is me saying wtf to a size XXS Petite:

I am going to end this post with some quick and dirty fitting room reviews:

1. 3/4 sleeve wrap dress in Petite XS (no PXXS in stores). This fit okay with just a little too much "wrap" fabric, but I can see one size down being perfect. The proportions were right. However I want to stop buying blacks and grays. I think that will be my goal for this season, starting....now.

2. Brigitte Double-Knit Ruffle Dress (2 colors) in 00P. The ruffle detail doesn't strike me as classic or feminine. Instead it felt more like an Elizabethan collar. Fit-wise, the top was fine but hips were VERY roomy on me.

3. Maria Lace-Trimmed Sheath in sz 00P. This was my favorite out of the 3 and I still didn't really like it. For a cocktail dress, the sultry top portion is right but the bottom is much too drab and not fitted. For a work sheath, the bottom is okay but the top is much too va-va-voom. I can't imagine an occasion to wear this dress to. See it on Cher here.

Verdict on everything: Paaass - except maybe keep the first cardigan.

Readers - Do you own (or have you tried on) any of the above? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Top 10: Vacations

I love love love traveling. This is my top ten list of vacations...in no particular order. I don't think I could order them if someone asked...each trip was different and amazing in it's own way. In a little over a week me and Danny will be taking our first vacation together! So, without further ado...here's the list!

1. Ireland 2006

If you have never been to Ireland...what are you waiting for? People always tell you how green the grass is...but you have no idea what that means until you see it. This was a quick trip over Thanksgiving break..but we fit so much in! We traveled by train and were able to see all sites...and we had Thanksgiving dinner in an American pub! If you go to Ireland...stay in a Bed & Breakfast...there is nothing quite like Irish hospitality (and bacon!)

2. France and England 2004

This was a trip I took with my high school. I was a senior and leaving the country for the first time! My Mom packed secret notes for me to open everyday while I was gone, I still have all of them. We stayed in London for one sunny day and I fell in love with Indian food. Then we hoped on the train and headed to Paris. I was scared shitless as an American in Paris...but managed to have a good time! And walk down the stairs of the Eiffel Tower...alone. Did you watch Channel 1 in high school? I totally met Derek Shore!

 3. Aruba 2008

One word to describe this trip? Amazing. We were celebrating my grandfather being cancer free. I danced on a bar, ate yummy food, visited a sunken ship, and got a BAD sunburn. If I could relive any trip...this would be it!

   
4. St. Thomas 2007

This was another family trip. Beautiful weather, lots of iguanas (they are like squirrels there!) and lots of alcohol. To this day my sister claims she was "boat sick." We did some snorkeling, took a trip to St. John and spent a lot of time in the sun!

5. Jamaica 2009

Me and my sister went on a craaaazy trip to Jamaica. Our hotel was all inclusive..I was at the bar every morning while she soaked up the rays. We danced our butts off at Margaritaville. And went snorkeling in the middle of the ocean. If you can survive Jamaica, you can survive anything!

6. New York City 2007
I've been to the city a few times, but this was my favorite! I went with my Mom, sister and my mom's friend. We saw a bunch of musicals, shopped, ate...and saw Maya Angelou at Bobby Flay's restaurant. If you have never eaten at the Mesa Grill, get your booty there ASAP!

   
7. Wilmington, North Carolina 2005 - 2009

These were the ultimate tourist trips. We went down to stalk the cast of One Tree Hill. We were extras twice, found all the houses and met some of the cast. We went to the charity basketball game, visited all the shooting sites...and geeked out the entire time!

  
8. Myrtle Beach 2008 & 2009

Roadtripping with friends can be amazing! We did the roadtrip from Massachusetts twice...and each time was so much fun! In 2008 we did all the touristy stuff and got tattoos. In 2009 we ate pizza with strangers and pretended to be mini-golf champs!

9. Washington, DC 2009

I went to DC with church in 2000 and 2001, but this was my first time visiting someone who lives there. I went on a private tour of the Capitol, went to a local bar where I had to make my own drink, went to a DMB concert and saw the stairs from the Exorcist!

  
10. Summerville, SC 2009
I have family in Summerville. I took Amtrak down from Durham, NC and spent the week with my family. It was hot hot hot, spent time with my cousins, and relaxed!

Where is the time going?

Once again it has been a long time since I last blogged. I did say that I was going to blog about 2010 in the life of Zazu Jewellery but unfortunately my scanner has broken so cant put my press articles in!

I have decided to start a party plan business so if you would be interested in getting some extra cash please do let me know.
I have my first recruit who lives in the same town as me and she has her first party booked  in a couple of weeks time.

I have been busy refining collections like this:

Creating new collections like these:

Its only two months til the British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF) and i'm getting really excited. There is absolutely loads of stuff to do still.
I now have all the stand furniture and need just a couple more necklace stands. The hotel is booked and most of the collections are completed.
I do however still need to design some promotional material, make up a stock of jewellery and get a hair cut!
I am hopeless with my hair so I plan to get it cut the day before we go in the hope I can keep the style looking good for 3 whole days!

A Peek Into the Creative Process...

I awoke to 3 degrees Fahrenheit below zero this morning, so therefore, I am chained to the fireplace trying to warm the house up.  It was 63 degrees when I got out of bed and I have been running the fireplace since 7am.  Now at 11 am, it is only up to 65 degrees!  No studio work today, so I thought I would bring you a special blog post:  A look into the creative process!

When I begin a design, I don't really go into it with any ideas in mind.  I retreat to the old button storage and pick out a button/buttons that suit my fancy for the day.

This drawer so happens to be mostly metals, but I have everything from mother of pearl to fabric to vegetable ivory in this storage box.  After I choose the buttons I will use for the piece, I set to gently restore them.

As you will see, this is a multiple stage process, and probably more time consuming that the actual creating of the piece.  And, yes, I did knit those fingerless gloves.  I have been a knitting fool every night and weekend since I learned how!

My main goal is to restore the original beauty of the buttons while retaining the aged patina.  One must remember that most of the buttons in my stash are from the mid to late 1800's, so there are many problems that have to be dealt with such as rust and the "green meanies" (the unsightly green oxidation on brass that is more suitable aesthetically to garden fixtures and outdoor decorations).  These issues are dealt with and removed with museum approved techniques and products.

 
For the final stage, a museum wax is applied to protect from further rusting and oxidation as well as water damage and retains a smooth, clean shine.  *Please note that this button looks the same from the first picture to the last as it was not actually restored, it was only used to demonstration purposes*.  While I am restoring the button/buttons, I run through ideas of how the button will be converted into a piece of jewelry, all the while running through techniques that allow me to create a piece of jewelry without harming or altering the button in any way.

By the time I am completed with the cleaning process,   I have a good idea of how to design the piece.  I retreat to my bead boxes (my red vintage bead box is shown above)...

and my brass filigree boxes and choose pieces that would be most suitable for the design I have in mind.

As you can see above, the actual piece begins to take form.  This piece is still a work in progress.  I guess I will not get to it again today...I just hate having to take all the supplies I need out of the studio to bring downstairs simply because I have to cart them all back upstairs when I am done.  These are the days that I catch up on computer work and maybe do a little tatting for chokers and bracelets.

As you can see, creating button jewelry is so much more than just making the piece.

First Giveaway of the YEAR!!!

Who's Ready for a GIVEAWAY??? I know I am :) 

I've decided it's time to start doing regular giveaway's! Everyone like's getting things with out spending money right? And what woman doesn't want more jewelry? So the plan is to do one about every 4 weeks (about once a month) and I'll be giving away a wide variety fun gifts! 

What will I be giving away? This round I'm giving away 3 pairs of earrings valued $15 total! In the future - who knows? Just about anything is possible! 

So how can you win the above pair of earrings and two more surprise earrings? Simple! The first, and easiest way to enter the contest is to simply leave a comment on this post - just make sure I can reach you either through a follow back link to your blog or by leaving your e-mail address. 

But wait, there's more! There are a LOT of ways you can get entries into this contest! Here they are:

1. Leave a comment on this blog = 1 entry

2. Visit my FB page and "like" it. Leave a comment there to let me know your a new or returning fan! = 1 entry

3. Visit my Artfire page or Etsy page, come back and leave a separate comment with your favorite piece = 1 entry

4. Follow this blog or let me know your already following = 1 entry

5. Announce this contest on plurk or twitter, come back and leave a comment with a link = 1entry

6. Blog about it! Since this is means monopolizing your blog space it = 2 entries

7. Make a purchase in either of my stores (Artfire or Etsy) = 5 entries! 

That's a total of 12 possible entries! Please remember to leave separate entries for each entry to make my job easier! I'll be keeping track in a spreadsheet and each entry will be given a separate number (based on order received) and I'll pick a winner using the random number generator. 

*** Winner will be announced Saturday Morning, February 5th! ***

Have Fun :) 

~ Ruthie ~