DID IT. TWICE.

 Yep.

In this Outfit:

Anthropologie Cosmos Jumpsuit (now $50 here)

Michael Kors Harness Satchel (similar in black on sale)

ALDO shoes (I freaking hate ALDO) (similar not by ALDO)

Banana Republic Cardigan (similar)

Marc by Marc Jacobs Marci Watch (here)

Kate Spade lever-back earrings (on sale in turquoise and white)

Kate Spade Doodles Pen Necklace (similar by Marc Jacobs for $29??)

Glasses from Firmoo (NOT c/o...I have owed you an updated review for months, ack!)

(note:  these are affiliate links!)

Wore it to work on Thursday, you guys.  And it was awesome.

Thursday was the perfect confluence of jumpsuit-inducing events:  I slept late (read:  did not go to the gym; read:  did not have to pack my clothes in advance; read: had the ability to experiment in the morning); I didn't have any big meetings during the day; and I was feeling like crap from working five 70-hour weeks in a row and needed a little pampering.

Pampering in the form of a one-piece polyester hug.

I'm not really sure what I expected when I wore this to the office.  I felt like I was looking over my shoulder to see if security would come take me away.  "Ma'am, we're going to need you to come with us.  You know why."

But no, no issues.  Nobody* even looked twice.  And wow, was it comfy.  It's no secret I like work clothes that fit like pajamas, and boy did these fit the bill.

*  Except one of my office friends, who told me I looked "seventies fabulous**," and two of my other coworkers who were like, "nice jumpsuit!"

** My mom*** was excited to hear I was wearing a jumpsuit, noting that she had two of them in the actual seventies.

In fact, I liked it so much that I MAY HAVE POSSIBLY worn it on Friday too.  (I was in the DC office Thursday, the NY office Friday.)  The second time, I didn't even bother with a jumpsuit-hiding cardigan, I just strutted around in my full jumpsuited glory.  Strutted right past the chairman of the firm who was wandering the hallways.

No sir, your eyes do not deceive you.  After all, isn't a jumpsuit just another kind of suit?  Really?  Semantically?

*** Speaking of moms, my only awkward moment was walking by the "Mamma Mia" theater:

My jumpsuit was different, though.  Totally different.

Also, I almost wore it Saturday.  But I stopped myself.  Mamma mia.

I hope you all had great weekends!  What did you do?  And don't you wish you'd been wearing a jumpsuit while doing it?  (PS:  peeing was not that hard.)

*~*~*

PPS:  A reader asked me last week why I don't mention which links are affiliate links.  I don't have any reason for not disclosing such a thing --- I figured the link paths were obvious so in-line disclosure was not really needed, but I don't mind adding disclaimers to make affiliate linkage more overt.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on how you expect responsible blogs to handle affiliate linking.  A line at the bottom of the blog post?  A parenthetical after each link?  A short explanation in the blog sidebar?

Incidentally, what are your thoughts on affiliate links?  As a reader, I don't mind them where they add to the content (e.g., "here's what I'm wearing, and here's the same thing or something similar if you like it" -- that's a helpful resource to me as a reader and I don't mind if a blogger may get compensation for making the effort to track those links down).  I personally don't like it where bloggers just dump a bunch of affiliate links in a post with seemingly no other purpose than to drum up revenue.  A wishlist post now and again is fine by me, but too much of that and I start turning off.

So, anyway, thoughts?

Friday Funday: The tragedy of the free Jimmy Choos, as told in .gifs

(said tragedy was originally referenced in this post)

So, I rode my bike into work in the morning like I usually do, all like,

When I went to change clothes, I realized...eff, I didn't bring any shoes.

After realizing I didn't have any shoes for work except ratty sneakers I was like,

But then I remembered that I had a few pairs of shoes from Target in my office that I'd planned to return, so I could just wear one of those in a pinch.  So I was trying both pairs on in the bathroom mirror, trying to decide which one to keep like,

When a power partner saw my struggle and was like,

She offered me two pairs of old shoes she kept in her office that she no longer wears.  I was like,

And then it turned out the two pairs of shoes she no longer wanted were both Jimmy Choos, and I was all,

I told my girlfriends and they were like,

But when I told my boyfriend that I got two pairs of JIMMY CHOOS he was all,

But then one of the shoes was already broken at the heel.  But I was still happy with the other pair like,

Then I took the unbroken pair of shoes to NYC on a trip with the BF and I was walking a few blocks to a power lunch

but then THAT pair of shoes broke at the same heel!  I was all,

The next day, I accidentally left the newly-broken shoes on the floor of the hotel room.  I didn't realize it until after we got back to DC, when I was like,

I asked BF if he'd noticed that I left a pair of broken Jimmy Choos in the room and he was like,

I was sitting there like,

He said he thought I didn't want them because they were broken and I was like,

I called the hotel but they said they didn't have them.  At first I was all,

And when I realized that housekeeping probably kept them,

So I spent a few days being like,

Now I'm just,

And this is why I can't have nice things.

Hasta Luego...

Farewell, New York!

As of today, the lease is up on my law school apartment and I'm heading down to Washington, D.C. to officially begin my post-grad life.  I am spending most of the summer studying for the bar exam (it's at the end of July) and then will be traveling through most of August and the first part of September.  I start my law firm job in mid-September.  I look forward to telling you more about my new neighborhood, new apartment, and new goings-on!

DC-themed mini golf at H Street Country Club.

Me and BF at a Washington Nats Game

Big life changes like this move excite me.  I love the feeling of directing my own destiny.  As much comfort as I draw from established routines, making moves---geographic, social, psychological, professional, whatever---comes with a feeling of power and self-efficacy that is second to none.

I am so thrilled to be living in one of my favorite neighborhoods in D.C., to be living by myself (for the first time in my adult life!), and to be DONE with bi-monthly commutes on the Chinatown bus to see my long-distance boyfriend.  I am ready to spend the summer learning the black letter law I'll need for the bar exam and the prospect of starting my CAREER in a few months---instead of just taking another odd job---makes my heart beat faster.  I love my firm and my office and I look forward to working.

In my second year of law school, I bought this "Keep Calm and Carry On" decal for my locker, which was located in a relatively high-traffic area.  The kid  whose locker was next to mine, a first-year student, had his red decal custom-made in response:

Even with this sense of happiness, I will certainly miss New York City.  Although I'll be back often for work and for play, I'll miss 24-hour establishments, the parks, the four Anthros within easy distance*, and the security of knowing that if ANYTHING cool is happening ANYWHERE in the WORLD, eventually it will make its way to New York.

* Fortunately, there are two Anthros and an accessories boutique in D.C., and then two more stores in driving distance in Virginia.

Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Competition on Coney Island.

Part of the reason I decided to go to law school in New York was so that I could check NYC off my "list" and take any job I wanted post-grad, without feeling bound to a job in NYC just so I could experience living here once in my life.  Now that I've spent three years here, I realize that I'll never really be able to take New York City off my list of places I want to live.  This city will always be one of my favorite cities to live, and I know that this isn't goodbye.

Ice skating in Rockefeller Center.

View from the terrace of my Law Review building.

A performance at Brandy's Piano Bar.

Until we meet again, fair city.  Until we meet again.

OOTD: Graduation!

I graduated on Monday!

Yours truly!  I get to keep this cool velvet hat.

The Outfit:

Then I ate a pastrami sandwich at Katz's.

In this Outfit:

Blooming Goldenrod Dress (Anthro) (8)

Heat Index Pullover (Anthro) (M, but runs TTS/big) ($30 here)

Mary Janes (Target) (9)

After the Rain Earrings (Anthro)

Globe Watch Pendant Necklace (Urban Outfitters) ($34 here)

The Book of Mormon

Just a quickie today!

BF and I got standing room tickets to see The Book of Mormon on Tuesday night.  Two thumbs way up!

Note:  I thought "Team America: World Police" was uproariously funny.  While I don't watch South Park religiously (ha ha), I seem to love all of the episodes I manage to catch.  If you thought these things were offensive or stupid, then I highly doubt you'd like the show.

This is not a review of the play.  I'll only say that I laughed out loud for huge portions of it and I am not an easy laugher.  BF and I have been quoting the lines to each other since Tuesday, and the big dance numbers were stellar.

I'd like to share a piece of the musical with you.  Please be warned, this may be, perhaps, the most offensive song ever performed on Broadway.  I beg you, if you know that you are sensitive about religion or anything that may resemble taking the Lord's name in vain, then you should not listen to this song.  You WILL be offended and you will want to leave me a nasty comment.  Don't listen to it just to see if you really will be offended, then get offended, then chew me out for posting this blasphemous music.  I'm telling you now, don't listen to this song.

In fact, for good measure, maybe nobody should listen to this song.

"Hasa Diga Eebowai"

The setup: two Mormon teenagers are sent on a mission to Uganda.  In this song, they meet the African locals for the first time.

(PS: Here's a slightly less offensive song if you really don't want to click the above, which is not a bad idea.  The setup: the two Mormon missionaries meet their other missionaries; one of the kids is disappointed with being sent to Uganda, so the other Mormon missionaries sing him this song.)

OOTD: Rainy Sunday

I got back from Atlantic City last night, just in time to meet my little sister for brunch as she passed through NYC. I love Sundays in the city; there's a relaxation in the air that makes you feel as though the only thing you need to do is to amble around aimlessly until it gets dark.

We ate at The Sunburnt Calf on the Upper West Side. They have an all-you-can-drink brunch special for $18; I'm fighting some kind of illness so I did not partake, but my sister had a few mimosas. I wasn't crazy about the spot. I like that the staff all have Australian accents (Real or fake? Couldn't tell you, and I don't care because the accents are sexy), and the food was fine, but the restaurant is so busy that "all you can drink" really means "all you can drink while you still have your food and before we need your table, which will be about 45 minutes to an hour." I don't have a problem with that in theory, but I'm spoiled by my neighborhood brunch spot, Sip, which offers an all-you-can-drink, delicious three course prix fixe brunch for $25 and will never ask you to clear your table until you're ready.

One awesome moment at the Calf: you get shots while waiting for a table and as a "parting gift" while getting your check. It's some kind of lemony-sweet thing (not very strong, but definitely alcoholic) served in a little plastic shot glass. There was a party sitting next to us with two very young children, one about three years old and the other maybe two. When the waiter brought the farewell shots for the table, he also brought two shots of orange juice for the kids. The tykes innocently sipped their OJ shots without understanding why all of the other patrons were suddenly pointing at their table and chuckling uncomfortably.

My sister and I spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the neighborhood, taking a break for cupcakes and groceries. We stumbled upon a treasure trove of goodies in the Goodwill thrift store across the street from our brunch spot, but that's a post for another day.

Here's what I wore:

Shirt: Button Parade Blouse (Anthro)

Skirt: by Odille (Anthro)

Ring: Coach

Necklace: Express

Belt: Anthro

Earrings: Gift from a friend in middle school!

Boots: Steve Madden (it was wet outside, so I nixed my plans to wear the Slinking Frills heels.)

Tights: Anthro

Also, I managed to buy two different pairs of shoes online today:

SARBER by ALDO, on sale for $28 in size 40 only, here (ALDO shoes run small)

Password Pump by Seychelles, on sale for $53 here

I almost bought three more shoes after the ALDO ones, and even drafted a "HOLD ME BACK!" blog post, but then the skies parted, angels sung, and I understood that I was meant to get only the Password Pumps, so I went for it. For the curious, the shoes I passed on are here (yellow, $90) and here (blue, $54). Anthro is selling this shoe as the "Sweeping Stitch Heel" in black and teal for $118.

Rolf's NYC: AMAZING

Based on the incredible photos and recommendation of Kate over at Embarrassment of Riches, I sojourned down to Gramercy on Sunday to enjoy some incredible Christmas decorations and German ambience at Rolf's.

I am almost ashamed to post my pictures (taken with an iPhone, no less) in light of Kate's gorgeous photos, but absolutely no photo prepares you for the experience of walking through the door:

This is a full holiday assault on your senses. Rolf's was featured as part of Kate's "Christmas in the City" series, and it's pretty clear why. There are lights and wreaths everywhere, and from the lights and wreaths dangle ornaments, shimmering angels with trumpets, and glass icicles. The smell of sweet, fried German food mingles with the aroma of spices from mulled wine and eggnog.

The place is small and the bar was packed, but we managed to weasel into a seat after about half an hour. Even without seats, the ambiance was fantastic despite the packed bodies. Of course, had someone jostled my mulled wine into my dress, I might have felt differently.

If you live anywhere in the vicinity of NYC, you MUST make it a point to visit Rolf's before the decorations come down. We chatted with some folks at the bar who'd come from Connecticut. Admittedly, no, not that far, but still, it proves my point.

Rolf's German Restaurant

281 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10010
(212) 477-4750

The warm mulled wine was absolutely stellar, and served in a seemingly never-ending glass. (Is this the magic of Christmas I hear so much about??)

The food looked pretty authentic, too...in that it was either fried or looked like a wiener of some kind.

After Rolf's, we went to Pommes Frites. This is relevant to nothing, but SOMEONE needs to know how many different mayonaises we tried:

Smoked eggplant mayo (my favorite), Vietnamese pineapple mayo, pomegranate terriyaki mayo, rosemary and garlic mayo, roasted mushroom mayo, hot chili paste, BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, mayo, and mayo+ketchup+onions.

I was bad at the Leifsdottir Sample Sale

If New York City is a Mecca of sample sales, you might say I'm a wayward lamb. I partake in sample sales about as often as I go to temple (that is: just for the High Holy Days). I've only been to a few sample sales since moving to NYC two and a half years ago, and it's generally just for the important things (so far, mostly jeans).

When I learned that Anthropologie's upscale wholesale brand, Leifsdottir, would have a sample sale this week, naturally I had to be there within an hour of its opening. NY Mag described the sale thusly: "Leather miniskirts are $180 (originally $448), lace dresses are $160 (originally $398), and silk ruffle tees are $72 (originally $178)."

Honestly, all that is somewhat out of my price range, but I went anyway blindly hoping that I'd see the room filled with stuff from the sale section of Leifsdottir's website, marked down still further.

God help me, that's basically what I saw.

Most of the stuff in the room was 60% off the retail price, with one section that was marked down 75%. The 60% off stuff seemed to be the clothes that are currently full price on Leifsdottir's website, and the 75% off goods seemed to be items that are on sale on the website. I didn't see anything for 80% off, and the sales associates didn't know whether items would be marked down further. The prices basically corresponded to the typical Leifsdottir "first cut" percentage on the nonsale items and "second cuts" on the sale items.

This was definitely a sample sale. I didn't see much above a size small, and most numbered sizes stopped at six. (I was able to score a size eight in the beautiful Ole dress - which I thought had been on sale, but is back up to full price online?). That said, there were a few non-sample-sized girls in the fitting room and they seemed to be having luck with items like the Andalusian Horse Dress (75% off - $74.50, which is over $100 cheaper than the online price!). Scroll down to the bottom to see shots of the sale room, where you can get a sense for the available merchandise.

I didn't see anything being restocked, but I was only there for an hour (on the first day, within an hour of opening) so I don't know how much merchandise is hiding in another room, waiting to replenish the showroom. There's only one mirror in the fitting room, so try to go during off-hours. I showed up at about noon and there was only one other person there, but at 1pm the lunch rush hit and it was hard to find reflection space.

Just a quick word on the sales associates: it felt like a little Anthro reunion in there, as some of the associates work for Anthro stores full time and chatted with customers they recognized. They checked on the folks in the fitting room at frequent intervals, bringing new sizes upon request. The space is very pretty and the scene generally lacked that cutthroat, tearing-at-hangers feel that I've seen at other sales. See, e.g.,

The entrance sets a nice tone.

I didn't expect to buy much, but in the end I walked away with three really lovely things:

Ole Dress. $328 online, $131.50 at the sample sale. I'm trying really hard to feel the appropriate amount of guilt about this purchase, but I've been pining for it on the website for a while, and it looked beautiful on me. This will be wonderful for spring and summer weddings. Seeing that it's full price online makes me feel a lot better about the purchase. (Note my boyfriend's reaction to this dress, via text message: "Fighting the winter at every turn eh?" Funny guy, that one.)

Volante Tunic. Regular price $358. On sale for $214.95 online. $89.50 at the sample sale. Ruffles are not usually my thing, but this looked shockingly flattering on me. It's a sweater-weight, so I can wear it now, and the bubbly details on the collar are super pretty. I was surprised to learn just now that this is a tunic. It's pretty long, and I'll be wearing it as a dress!

Picados Skirt. Regular price $148. On sale for $89.95 online. Purchased for $37. Holy cow, this skirt is absolutely gorgeous. This will be a new wardrobe staple.

Readers, please don't add up my total. I told you I was bad. On the plus side, though, I resisted (BARELY) the flamente dress (it is an extremely flattering cut, but the ruffles on the sleeves were a bit much for me), and the sales associate at checkout pointed out that my total came out to LESS than the regular price of the Ole dress.

...So I kind of saved money, right?

Leifsdottir Sample Sale

209 W 38 Street (between 7th and 8th) - 7th Floor

Wednesday through Friday, 11am-7pm

Shots of the Sale:

60% off.

This stuff is 60% off.

I wish I needed a coat/I wish these would actually keep me warm.

The Adalusian Horse Dress and the hairy cardigan are 75% off, but the Ole dress is 60%.

60% off. Sorry for the blurry photo---my hand was shaking both with excitement and with the weight of my purchases.

60% off.

Leather skirts.

I'd actually had my eye on this sweater for a while, but I looked like a bear when I tried it on.

The prettiest sample sale space of them all.

Even the fitting room couches were beautiful! (This photo is closely cropped to prevent appearing pervvy in the dressing room)

Other Stuff I Noticed:

(Not an exclusive list...just trying to gather the stuff that didn't make it to the photos. Accuracy may be limited by my recollection)

Tops (all of these are 75% off retail):

Amaya Cardigan

Andalusian Horse Blouse (in both fuscia and blue)

Bailaora Blouse (in both white and pink)

Pyrenees Cardigan

Ole Blouse

Bottoms:

Scaled Denim Mini Skirt (60% off)

Alicante Denim Skirt (75% off) (why is Anthro still selling this one for almost $90??)

Dresses (don't remember the discounts here):

Manteleta Lace Dress

Pavo Real Dress

Arena Dress