Perricone Giveaway ($150 value!) Featuring Dmae Skin

I'm thrilled to offer (US) readers the opportunity to win an item of their choice from the NV Perricone MD website, courtesy of the brand. The winner can select any product they wish, valued at $150 or less.

I've struggled with my skin for decades and even with the help of a great dermatologist, I still find myself eager to try new products, new options, new treatments. NV Perricone MD has a great reputation for innovations in the creation of topical as well as vitamin interventions. One such intervention is DMAE (short for Dimethylaminoethanol) which works as an antioxidant membrane stabilizer. DMAE skin can be achieved through topical or oral methods to produce brightness, firmness, and smoothness. Sign me up! The Perricone blog also includes a list of anti inflammatory foods which is helpful if you want to consider diet influence on skin health.

Free shipping applies to all orders over $50. And entering is easy!

Eligibility:
You must be a public follower of Consume or Consumed to be eligible. Please click on the button beneath the "Comrades" section of my sidebar to join. This giveaway is open to US residents, only.

There are a few ways to win!*
1. For one entry please comment that you are a public follower.
2. For an additional entry, share your favorite skincare trick (whether it is cucumber slices, sugar scrubs, getting enough sleep, standing over a steaming pot of pasta, etc.)!
3. For a third entry, tweet this giveaway, including @jesspgh and @perriconeMD and comment that you have done so.

Simple enough! This giveaway will be open for 10 days and closes on Sunday, June 10th at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be drawn via random.org and published on Monday, June 11th so be sure to check back then. The winner will be put into contact directly with a Perricone liaison who will administer their prize. I will redraw if I cannot get a hold of the winner within 24 hours.

*To protect your privacy, you are not required to leave an email address or personal contact information on my blog.  

Good luck everyone!

In the Navy OOTD

Thanks to those of you who commented so sweetly on my previous post! I promise to share more details in the coming weeks. I have a bunch of Anthro reviews to get through that I did before there were any significant changes to my figure. And I have been searching for maternity lines as well as regular but stretchy brands that can allow my to bridge my style comfort zone with being ... comfortable. :)

I wore this to run some errands and take care of business. It was simple and comfortable during a pretty intense May heat wave. I feel really sensitive to the heat lately and hope that the warm winter and early heat doesn't portend temperatures to come. If my home had central air conditioning, it would be less of a concern, but it is an older place with giant radiators and hot water heat. So the process of installing a forced air duct system would be expensive and invasive. I should keep more Popsicles in my freezer!

Outfit info:
Anthropologie top (similar here, here, and here; similar plus; similar maternity)
Anthropologie Drawing Parallels skirt (similar here, here, and here)
Chloé flats (this season's version here; similar but for less here)
Vintage Alviero Martini bag (similar here and here)

I'll be back tomorrow with a super exciting giveaway opportunity so be sure to check in! 

Orla Kiely Haul

Orla Kiely for Uniqlo stem print tee

Orla Kiely for Uniqlo stem print scarf

Orla Kiely for Uniqlo sailboat tee

I am lucky that my friend Cam shares so many of my tastes and interests. She and I both were anticipating the second release of Orla Kiely for Uniqlo. She also enjoys the benefits of living in New York City, where she has access to Uniqlo stores. She proxy shopped the collection for me, picking up the three above pieces that I wanted very much. I already wore the stem top and plan to wear the sailboat top to a BBQ today. Thankfully I asked her to pick up one size above what I normally take and there will be room for a growing midsection.

Orla Kiely Oval Stem Baby

Relatedly, I also purchased the above Orla Kiely stem print bag (on sale at Piperlime). I had an extra 20% off coupon and decided to make the leap. Although I won't be needing the full function of this particular style until December (hint hint), I am excited to have such a fun print to assist in welcoming what is sure to be the happiest new addition to my life in some time. More on that in the coming weeks!

p.s. There are many new listings on Shop Jesspgh. Check it out!

Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale Wants

Cardigans
Flats

The Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale is on! And as Carol has written, Nordstrom remains unrivaled when it comes to customer service. I had two great experiences this week alone, in receiving a price match for an item I wanted to buy that was on sale with a competitor and in returning a pair of Chris's shoes that were defective. Whether I visit in person, at my local store north of Pittsburgh or use the handy Live Chat window on the website, I always feel like I'm treated with kindness and care. I think my favorite item now on sale has to be the Finch Charm dress from Marc by Marc Jacobs (which I reviewed here). I also think this 3.1 Phillip Lim cardigan is too cool. But really, I'm loving all of the above! Are you getting anything?

Primary Blooms Dress review

Primary Blooms Dress

I just love the vibrant colors and sunny print of the Primary Blooms dress. When I was at Anthropologie the other day, I grabbed it in a 10 to try. Although I am not as familiar with Girls From Savoy, I figured that between the 6 and the 10 that were on the wrack, I'd fare better with a bigger size. My instincts were correct. The 6 would have been far too small. The 10 was a bit large toward the shoulder/bustline area. You can see it gapping near my shoulder in the first photo. But fit nicely everywhere else. I wonder if the 8 would be the correct size since the waist and hips felt forgiving overall? I loved the pleating at the skirt and the drape of the fabric. It is fully lined and came to the knee on me. It features a lovely (and thankfully not too deep) V-shape in the back. My bra was not visible despite the V and the way the dress cuts into the shoulders.

Of what I tried that day, this was my mom's favorite. And it was my second favorite. The price point seems typical for a silk dress from Anthropologie and for that reason, I will be waiting to see if it still strikes my fancy come sale time! What do you think?

Dressing Room Outfit

I've been wearing variations of this favorite ensemble from summer 2011 with some frequency of late. It's just so easy and comfortable. Tights are optional, depending on the weather and whether I'll be hanging out in sunshine or in extreme climate control. I also realized I haven't worn my contacts lately, on the blog or otherwise. But with summer around the bend, I'm sure they'll be a go-to.

Details:
Forever 21 top (current version on sale here and here; similar here)
Anthropologie skirt (similar here; midi length here; midi plus here)
Burberry flats (similar here and here)
Spanx tights
Balenciaga bag in the background

Kate Spade one day sale

You probably know by now but in case you don't, there's a sale going on over at katespade.com. It began yesterday but was extended through today (despite what it says above, the sale ends May 17th at 11:59pm PT). I am resisting with all my willpower the magazine clutch version of this cute tote (also on sale) and this Stefania dress (much cheaper than the Neiman Marcus price). Shop cautiously because your purchases are final sale!

Additionally, you can score an extra 25% off shoes at Bloomingdales with coupon code SAVE25 (now through May 18th) and an extra 20% off everything at Beauty.com (also through May 18th).

Puzzled Pieces Dress Review (just in time for Anthro Tag Sale!)

As Roxy described in depth, today marks the start of the seasonal Tag Sale at Anthropologie. Although I considered waking up and heading to my local store bright and early, I realized I have too much work to do this week and will be lucky if I check out my store's offerings prior to a gym trip. Truth be told, when I went to bed after browsing the sale section of the website, I wasn't that inspired but what remained. But for those of you with lengthy wishlists, I hope you had/have great success in your sale shopping, whether it is in store or online!

 Puzzled Pieces Dress

The main piece that tempts me at the moment is the Puzzled Pieces Dress, which I just saw for the first time this week. It is silky and light with vintage-inspired details. The dress is unlined which for me necessitates a slip. But the color and shape are very lovely. I tried on a size 8 and it fit very nicely. It hit me right at the knee. It features side pockets and a forgivingly gathered waistline. I am otherwise unfamiliar with the brand, called Vanessa Virginia but I liked this dress very much. Steeply priced at full retail, I was excited to see this make it to sale today. It's still a little rich for my budget but it is 100% silk so at least the price point comes with natural fibers.

What are you buying from the Tag Sale?

All about my mothers

I've been thinking a lot lately about my mother and the other maternal figures in my life (especially my mother-in-law, my step-mother-in-law, and my aunts), as we approach this weekend's Mother's Day. There are so many positive ways in which familial and/or mentoring women have made an imprint on me. I think of the many moments in my life when I have needed support, encouragement, and words of wisdom from these women. And it has been given from them, unconditionally, without reservation, and without condescension. With empathy, understanding, and love... what a wonderful gift!

It heartens me to think about my mothers' relationships with their sisters and with their children. As a feminist scholar I also find myself thinking about family histories and the various women who shaped the mothers I know and love. I've been thinking a lot about my grandmothers, for example.

Although this holiday has become imbued with commercialism and notions about emotional expression via consumerism, it still strikes me as an opportunity for reflection and gratitude. And so, at the start of this weekend I already feel overcome with reverence for women as influencers, mentors, and maternal presences. Happy Mother's Day weekend to you and yours!

Keep or sell: Kate Spade Natalia ootd

I bought this dress last summer while I was on vacation in Delaware and although I think it is lovely, I've only worn it twice. And in its most recent wearing, shown above, I wasn't crazy about how it looked on me. What do you think?

Should this one move to ebay and clear space for more KS shirtdresses (which I think are more flattering on my figure)?

Outfit details:
Kate Spade Natalia dress (similar KS here; similar dot print here and here)
Nordstrom cardi
Tory Burch Revas
Kors watch; Redraven Studios necklace (c/o); vintage bracelet

Shopbop Giveaway Winner!

Announcing the winner of the Shopbop Consume or Consumed giveaway:

Comment number 41 was drawn randomly from 278 eligible entries:

Comment 41 is Ladeefrickindah (very funny name, btw!):

Please email me at jesspgh@gmail.com so I can put you into contact with Shopbop to claim your prize! Thank you to everyone who entered and to Shopbop for providing the $100 gift certificate to our winner! Stay tuned if you want another chance to win something as I will be back with another giveaway shortly!

Last Class Outfit

I wore this to campus during my last week of classes. The dress was a gift from Chris for my birthday 5 years ago. But somehow I don't think I've ever worn it on the blog. It is pretty tent-like so the challenge of styling it has always about reigning in the shape (so you can see that I have one). It came with a belt but it was cold enough to necessitate layers.

Outfit Details:
Nanette Lepore dress (similar blousey silk dress here, here, and here)
BP cardigan
Spanx tights
Tory Burch flats
MBMJ bracelet, Betsey Johnson watch, vintage necklace