most recently spied http://truespies.org Updates from true spies. en-us book a week geek >> In which I convince myself I like something I previously disliked http://truespies.org/bookaweekgeek/2010/03/19/in-which-i-convince-myself-i-like-something-i-previously-disliked/ This is mostly so I don’t forget, but this week I finished the End of the Story, by Lydia Davis.  A few months ago I read, and plainly adored, her later book of short stories, Varieties of Disturbance.  I had been putting off reading something different by Davis, partly because I was so taken with [...] Pamcakes and Eggs >> It’s Friday! I put extra sugar in my coffee today. http://pamcakesandeggs.com/2010/03/19/its-friday-i-put-extra-sugar-in-my-coffee-today/ For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin – real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way. Something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on [...] Consume or Consumed >> Now I see what the fuss was about: Anthropologie Two Paths Trench http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConsumeOrConsumed/~3/2Wsxur8zvsU/now-i-see-what-fuss-was-about.html
I went out to the burbs to return the Anna Sui County Fair dress in person this weekend. While there I decided to try on a few items for fun and fit knowledge (in the anticipation of future sales). I was especially excited to check out the Two Paths jacket from Idra.
Anthropologie at ShopStyle
It is knock off of a much more expensive Burberry trench seen on the character Robin from the television show How I Met Your Mother. And it has been heavily reviewed all over the Anthropologie Blog Scene. I've never seen the show but I did love the coat when it was posted on Fashionism.
The drape of the fabric is very different from the vastly cheaper Anthropologie one, which is to be expected. But otherwise the coat is very close to the one above.
 
Size 8 was a good fit on the bottom but a little big on top
I really love the side view closed. Not as much open. The fabric is substantive and seems rain resistant if not entirely waterproof. The buttons are hard to close. I didn't buy it because I have a zillion light weight jackets and sweatercoats I rarely wear. If it makes it to the sale section, maybe I'll bite.
But I feel somewhat mixed about the knock off issue. It isn't counterfeit in that it doesn't claim to be Burberry but it does completely appropriate their design. Despite the knock off aspect, the quality of the Idra coat is impressive for the price. I couldn't afford the Burberry if it was still available anyway. Should that alleviate my knock off concerns?
 Pamcakes and Eggs >> 30 Day Shred. Bowie just threw up. ahhhh http://pamcakesandeggs.com/2010/03/18/30-day-shred-bowie-just-threw-up-ahhhh/ Just a QUICK update It’s 6:37 AM. Watching the news and drinking surprisingly good coffee from Trader Joe’s. Tuesday night I finally did something with the butternut squash that’s been sitting in the fridge for about a month. I got home from work, cut it in half, scooped out the seeds and placed it on a cookie [...] book a week geek >> fact vs fiction http://truespies.org/bookaweekgeek/2010/03/17/fact-vs-fiction/ Last week I lingered (for too long, maybe, longer than a week at least) over Mario Vargas Llosa’s Feast of the Goat, which is a really brutal tale of Trujillo and his, er, failings (politically, diplomatically, humanely and, best of all, physically). Things about this book & my life as of late: Fact: one of the [...] nah pop, no style >> mid-week announcements http://truespies.org/andybot/2010/03/17/mid-week-announcements/ Here are a few things for you to think on: This week’s MP3 Monday was Big Hurry; download that joint! You won’t regret it! Today’s paper (which goes online tomorrow) features my articles on Maree Gallagher (local promoter/publicity person) and The Ceiling Stares. Check it out! The Ceiling Stares release show is at Gooski’s Saturday night; you should [...] steel away >> Favorite underdog pump-up scenes, part 2 http://truespies.org/steelaway/2010/03/16/favorite-underdog-pump-up-scenes-part-2/ This is a continuation (finally) of a “series” started last month. This month I bring you the most memorable scene from what is probably one of my favorite movies of all time. In this scene, our underdog hero, Jim, attempts to win the girl by winning her father’s approval…by winning a challenge to [...] Pamcakes and Eggs >> Birthday Weekend!! http://pamcakesandeggs.com/2010/03/15/birthday-weekend/ Time to blog!! I have the motivation today. I think it’s because I ran 4.4 miles today! Aaron and I are doing the 2nd leg of the Pittsburgh Marathon Relay and our leg is 4.4. Let’s recap to my birthday last weekend… Last Friday I took a vacation day and went shopping! And took a picture of [...] Consume or Consumed >> Review: Anna Sui County Fair Dress from Anthropologie http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConsumeOrConsumed/~3/4KWteTFkmp8/review-anna-sui-county-fair-dress-from.html The other week I saw the extremely stylish blogger, Golden Means, in the County Fair dress from Anna Sui's Anthropologie collection.
She looked so cute and I was intrigued by her description of the fabric's substantive thickness. I don't typically buy dresses that are bare on top because I don't think they flatter me. But I had ideas about layering the dress to make it work so I gave it a shot. It was on sale and with free Anthropologie shipping I knew I could easily return it in person.

I really loved the fairground print.
And I was excited to try it on when it arrived. I ordered a size 8 after reading reviews on blogs and the dress's sale page.
 
It fit me awkwardly. It zipped no problem but there was strange excess space underneath my bustline, where it should have been snug all the way down to my waist. I layered a cotton t-shirt with long sleeves underneath to counteract the bareness of the spaghetti straps. The material of the dress was thick and stiff, akin to a durable canvas, making it unlikely for summer. While it seemed very nicely made, the shape didn't do much for me. So back to the store it went. It is a good reminder that when a dress works beautiful on someone with great style, it doesn't automatically mean you will be as in love with the look on yourself.
nah pop, no style >> things that have been done, things that have not: http://truespies.org/andybot/2010/03/14/things-that-have-been-done-things-that-have-not/ Done this weekend: Hockey watching, a few times. Harlan Twins/Boca Chica/Meeting of Important People at semi-secret(?) North Side location. Tons of laziness. Lunch at Crepes Parisiennes, dinner at Green Mango. Thumbs-up on both of those Being accosted by post-parade drunks soliciting a ride to Shadyside for $50. Sun Tornado and their friends Imperial China, who sounded really good despite equipment troubles, [...] steel away >> Be aggressive http://truespies.org/steelaway/2010/03/14/be-aggressive/ Pamcakes and Eggs >> Smiley cookies aren’t so good. http://pamcakesandeggs.com/2010/03/12/smiley-cookies-arent-so-good/ Good Morning!! I only have a few minutes before I have to get ready for work but I just thought I’d post one picture for you. Aaron and I did some volunteering last weekend… Have a nice day!! I’ll do a birthday weekend recap this evening. <3 Consume or Consumed >> A Suitable Replacement http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConsumeOrConsumed/~3/kl29_un7fh8/suitable-replacement.html
I became enamored of the Proenza Schouler PS 1 handbag a long time ago but knew it wasn't in the cards for my budget any time soon. Unwilling to pursue a blatant knockoff, I channeled that enthusiasm more generally to the category of vintage leather satchels. Recently I decided to take the plunge and bid on one from the Coach of yesteryear, on Ebay. I knew I loved vintage Coach leather so it seemed like a safer bet than going with a stiffer, shinier contemporary version in the realm of my budget.
I was pretty pleased when I received the result. While it was more worn than I anticipated, I grew to appreciate the aged leather. The cross-body strap makes it an idea purse for quick errands or dog walks.
It's certainly no PS1 but it was also only 1/100th of the cost. Shown with a Zara coat, Old Navy cords, and Tory Burch flats.
 The Noumenal Moon >> My Harold Diary: Harolds Number 19, 20, 21 and 22 http://truespies.org/noumenalmoon/2010/03/10/my-harold-diary-harolds-number-19-20-21-and-22/ It has been a while since I looked at the Harolds I have been doing, but I’ve been awfully busy with Wrestling Team and Player Piano and A Dangerous Woman and other things like looking for a job and such. My 401 class ended two weeks ago, and Harolds 19, 20 and 21 were performed [...] Don't Kick Food! >> For Norma Desmond http://truespies.org/dontkickfood/2010/03/08/for-norma-desmond/ Recorded on my phone while I was watching Sunset Boulevard. For Norma Desmond nah pop, no style >> what the hell did i do this weekend? http://truespies.org/andybot/2010/03/08/what-the-hell-did-i-do-this-weekend/ Here’s what the hell I did this weekend: Friday, Lawrenceville church fish fry with Lawrenceville buddy. There was fish. There was cole slaw (eh . . . it was okay). There was mac and cheese. There was Mountain Dew that was a couple months past its “Best By” date. And, most importantly, there was PUDDING. After that, [...] Consume or Consumed >> Mixing Colors, Patterns, and Textures http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConsumeOrConsumed/~3/bmqX7JoXdiY/mixing-colors-patterns-and-textures.html Because I've not really been buying much, lately I've been into layering and assembling pieces from my closet in ways that keep things feeling new and fresh. My recent trip to New Orleans happened to overlap with Mardi Gras and I encountered a slew of bright colors and textures mixed in unexpected ways on parade floats like these:
In outfits like these:
And in the unintentional haul of parade loot:
I didn't mean to accumulate so much stuff but during a parade Chris and I became acquainted with a nice southern family who keep piling it on due to their enthusiasm over it being our first time in New Orleans (not to mention our first Lundi Gras). By the end of the evening, I was inadvertently over accessorized.
But I came back from that trip feeling like the best way to beat the winter doldrums was to embrace colors and patterns that make me happy. So I've tried to do just that.
 
This year, I barely wore one of my patterned coats (MBMJ Domino) because I was reluctant to pair it with prints. But the other day when I went shopping in Shadyside with a friend, I decided to match this "punk harlequin clown coat" with a paisley dress.
The hues of navy and teal matched perfectly, (perhaps because the dress and coat came from the same designer) even though they were from Fall/Winter seasons a year apart from one another. Also shown: Linea Pelle belt and Seychelles At Last Boots. 
Perhaps it isn't the most daring entrance into the world of print mixing but it was my first non-patterned tights related print combo. I felt pretty conspicuous on Walnut Street. What do you think of it?
Pamcakes and Eggs >> Mental Health Day 2010! http://pamcakesandeggs.com/2010/03/05/mental-health-day-2010/ Today has been declared MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2010!!! I took a vacation day today. I’ve been a wee bit stressed lately…. new job responsibilities…wedding…moving…. plus tomorrow is my birthday(!) so I’m home today. And it’s AWESOME! Here’s what I’ve been doing lately. I ran home from work in the rain last week. Mascara fail: I took some pictures of [...] A (criminally vulgar) Casual Weblog >> Poetry and Other Nerd Stuff… http://casualist.wordpress.com/2010/03/05/poetry-and-other-nerd-stuff/ I’ve always LIKED Yeats, but I never got fanatical about him.  Recently I re-read “The Second Coming” and I was BLOWN away.  If I tell you that what sparked my re-reading it was the fact that the new run of Batman comics that Kevin Smith is writing takes its title from the first line of the [...] A (criminally vulgar) Casual Weblog >> New Day Rising… http://casualist.wordpress.com/2010/03/05/new-day-rising/ I’m drifting away from talking about clothes and trainers on here for a bit.  I think it has something to do with not getting new stuff and thinning out the herd, so to speak, of what I have.  It’s a good feeling.  I might get into some pics and such in the weeks to come, [...]