Springtime Surprises Courtesy of L.L. Bean

Never once - ever - have I put cute clothes and L.L. Bean in the same sentence. Don't judge me. You know it's true.

Backpacks - check. Flannel tartan pajamas - check. Outdoor gear - the mecca. Boat totes - accept nothing but the original. Fun summer wear? Keep on looking...

Not so fast. Apparently someone in Freeport took a stand and declared,
"We must free ourselves from the frump!"

While breezing through their latest clothing for women catalog, I was pleasantly surprised by the perfectly preppy gear they are touting - rightfully so. All a little Boden-esque, minus the crazy graphics. I think you will be equally pleased:

Note: All images courtesy of L.L. Bean

Skyway Canvas Button-front Skirt in Sunburst

Haven Skimmers - also in an adorable pink and green print


Lattice Print Handbag - cute, cute with the skimmers and skirt above.




Petal Poplin Shirt, Polka Dot - love the surprise of pink stripe on the cuffs!





Madras Skort - usually skorts are my krytonite, but it's a commendable effort L.L. Bean




Coastal Macintosh Coat in Glen Green lined in pink and green lobster/crab print



Seersucker belt - perfect with jeans




Seersucker Jacket - slim fit, with three-quarter sleeves


If you are in any way impressed with the above, I highly recommend hightailing it over to their website - where plenty more await.

Enjoy this beautiful weekend!

Yours in renewed faith of a classic (with exemplary customer service),

Mrs. News Readin'

New Favorite Catalog Contender

My love of catalogs will someday lead me to a church basement - sitting in a circle, sipping black coffee, talking about "addictive behavior cues." Until that day, I will continue to hurry to my mailbox daily to see what our mailperson has left. On a good day - Wisteria, Anthro or Sotheby's Jewlelry. Bad day - Duluth Trading. On a great day - a brand new catalog which I have never perused. Friday was a great day.

On Friday, Cambria Cove arrived. Here are a few of my favorites from their pages...

They had me at this:

MOR Tea Cup Candle...what a nice hostess gift!



I've never met anything patent that I didn't like...gogovoyage Patent Laptop Sleeve.



Love the old world look of these Cameo Earrings with carved ivory insets...




These Portuguese soaps are amazing...the perfect Claus Porto Deco Collection sampler.


Aren't these pretty for a summer cocktail with your girlfriends? Sunflower Etched Glasses.


And they have stationery.
Be still my heart.



Obsessed with these Berry Cartouche Calling Cards.





Mandarin Sunburst Correspondence Cards. Flat gorgeous...


If you like any of the above, checkout their website. There are plenty more well-chosen gifts, accessories, stationery and candles.


Yours amidst stacks and stacks of retail wants and wishes,

Mrs. News Readin'

Anthropologie: I love you. I love you not.

Does anyone else have a love/hate relationship with Anthropologie?

Seven years ago, I went through a "If it's not from Anthro I don't want to know it..." phase. Even my bedding was from them. Their clothes and accessories made me feel like a keen-eyed, sophisticated, bohemian. And poor. Because it goes without saying that for all its gossamer tank, adorable skirt and embellished sweater gorgeousness, Anthropologie is well...es-pensive.

Are ya' with me on this?

I'm fairly confident I'm on their watch list of habitual returners. Without fail, I'll buy two items and return at least one due to buyer's remorse. Most recently it was a grey blouse that in the husband's most astute observation, "looked like a bunch of napkins" for $178. Thank you, TimGunn.

But, with one skim of a catalog - I am instantly transported back to that pre-Mrs. young woman, who fantasized of skipping across Moorish rooftops in Morocco with tousled Edwardian hair and a $198 skirt from Moth with a $88 mis-matched striped tank from elevens. *sigh*

Then I remember that I do not weigh 90 lbs and would like a damn clown in such an ensemble and if I'm going to don a $200 out-and-about outfit - Morocco ain't the destination. (Been there on our honeymoon - can you say cesspool?...do not bring it up to Mr. NR...it's a sore subject.)

Imagine my shock when I spied this bathing suit, actually picked up the phone and ordered it without any hesitation. Usually a purchase from them includes online deliberations for two-three weeks with multiple phone consults with the BFF, Hilary. And buying a bathing suit - no less!

Had the flame from all those years ago been re-ignited???

Buri Checkered Bikini

It's a little Betty Page-esque, and I'm hoping that's what it will morph this "I've been downing grande hazelnut lattes all winter" body into miraculously. High hopes, no?

If not, here's Plan B:

The Lorelei Halter in Black

Definitely will not be mistaken for picnic buffet table and lends an air of "mystery" with that mid-section ruching.

So I wait with bated breath - hoping that this impetuous purchase of a bathing suit, made while snow falls outside and my treadmill lays idle, will not leave me once again hating Anthropologie (and higher on the habitual returner watch list.)


Stay tuned.
More at 11.

Orange you glad...

When I was a little girl, I loved looking through the Spiegel catalog. So many pages, so many outfits (that my mother would never wear)...it is probably the sole reason for my deep-rooted catalog addiction.

Not sure what happened to Spiegel in the last three decades, but looks like they are making a run at a fashionable turnaround. Good news for us, gang!

I'm not usually a big orange fan, but these are the pieces that really caught my eye.


Double-Knit Coat Belted, with roll collar in pumpkin spice. Yum. And only $99!

Here's the belt they have paired with it:


Metal Hinge Belt. (Scroll down to find it on the link.)





Silk linen duster with 3/4 sleeves. Comes in great colors like graphite and pinkberry.

It's pictured with this Silk Bow Pin.

Also in a variety colors...perfect way to change up the coat quickly and easily.


Throw in a little purple, just for fun:
Pleated Suede Bag. For $59.00, it's a steal.

Don't get me wrong...there are plenty of standard Spiegel moments of over-embellished, bad floral moments. But, at least there is promise and at a reasonable price point.

Happy shopping,

Mrs. NR

Buffalo Check Beauty

Buffalo check warms my heart.

There was a moment when I wanted to have a Christmas wedding and my bridesmaids to wear red and black buffalo check skirts.

Fear not. We got married in September and no one was forced to look like the bride of Elmer Fudd for my amusement. It was just an idea...

Had I seen this little piece of gorgeous, we would have toasted nuptial egg nog and six lucky ladies would have made Woolrich's way proud.


If only I had fabulously festive affair to attend this holiday season that would warrant such a display. (sigh) Although, not sure if I could pull this off without looking like a Braveheart extra or worse - someone who actually eats. Ahem.


Miss Bush: That bag obviously does not hold your FEED. Honey...you look like a bobble head doll. Get a meal in, dear. Life is much more enjoyable satiated. Promise.

But, j'adore your horsebit belt. Would make for a lovely bracelet.

In awe of your buffalo check-ness,

Mrs. News Readin'

Saving money on group therapy...

Apparently, my catalog habit was thinly veiled in my last post.
Preppy Pink Crocodile inquired about my lesser-known catalog favorites.

A few things ran through my mind when I read her comment:

1) Someone is reading?
2) Someone is reading.

3) Did she just ask about catalogs? Kindred spirit. Hmm...Strong potential as blogging BFF.

4) Where do I even start?

I ripped through my stacks and decided to focus on the ones I thought may not enjoy such wide circulation and represent what I am obsessing over these days: Autumn, hunting wear and going home to New York.

(Note: I do not hunt but love the gear that goes along with the activity.)

Here are my highlights:

The Andover Shop

Traditional New England. The tartan scarves are perfection.

Colonel Littleton

American, manly and the Colonel Can Caddies (pictured above) make great gifts.

Gorsuch

The most beautiful Colorado family has assembled fabulous mountain attire and accessories.

Stafford's

Shotgun weather vane. Need I say more? It makes me want to own a hunting lodge somewhere.

Woolrich
The original Buffalo Check shirt! The civil war blankets are pretty cool, too.

New York, New York

Scully & Scully

A New York landmark. I used to walk by the store everyday on my way to work. (sigh)

T. Anthony Ltd.

When Mr. News Readin' pushes Brian Williams out of that chair - it will mean matching leather traveling cases for yours truly. For now, we'll have to live with the canvas garment bag.

Smythson

If it's good enough for the Queen, I'm pretty sure they can do our serious stationery.

Love the little pocket notebooks. I have one that says "Enemies, Friends & Lovers."

MoMA Store
Great hipster wedding or baby shower gifts. It doesn't fit into the scheme of the News Readin' house, but we can appreciate innovative design.



Putter's Pick

This is our Yellow Lab, Putter. She's five and exhibits sophisticated taste.
She's thinking about Warhol-ing her image for above her food bowl.

In the Company of Dogs

Auction house catalog subscriptions contribute considerably to my "problem."

Currently, jewelry and watch catalogs from Sotheby's (New York and Geneva), Christie's New York and Phillips, find their way into our mailbox. And should I even mention the three smaller auction houses that act as my "uppers" in between the big three's sales? No, for fear I'll be forced to attend some meeting and have to burn them all or worse yet - gasp - rip pages out.

Mr. News Readin' wanted know if I was going to include this gem that arrived today:

Sure. Just for him.

But, only because they are offering free shipping.

Stay tuned: next week we'll cover beauty, home decor and culinary delights.

Thanks for inquiring Preppy Pink Crocodile! Would love to know what your favorites are...