The Workday Reading: April 4, 2016
Apr 4, 2016
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1) In the largest data-leak in history, the Panama Papers exposed the names of world leaders and billionaires who hide money in shell corporations. Here’s a cheat sheet. (Forbes; Digg)
2) This dot-dash fluid tee from LOFT is the kind of piece you’ll reach for all the time (also in petites).
3) What one author learned in 36-hours surrounding by some of the nation’s most powerful women. (The Cut)
4) Are you ready for sandal-season? I found these cool Steve Madden Elevait sandals for $60. These Rebecca Minkoff Georgina sandals are also modern and chic.
5) ‘Trust Me, You Don’t Want Her Life.’ Why the girl in the photo isn’t a dream girl. (Odyssey)
6) Need a way to organize your toiletries for the gym or travel? This Sweaty or Not Kit from Lulemon is perfect. Speaking of Lulu, their Restore wrap is so cozy.
7) Why don’t we have breakup registries for those ending a relationship? Also, what your ex says about you. (The Cut; Man Repeller)
8) Oh, ASOS. This white pencil dress with lace accents is just sublime. For something modern for spring, this coral drape back dress is tops.
9) How MM. Lafleur is changing the world of women’s fashion. (Fast Company) Both their Blair and Alexandra dresses are on my wish list.
10) Baublebar has the best necklaces. This mosaic collar is a stunner. This clear-stone choker is also really unique.
11) Meet Honey, the app that searches for coupon codes and discounts automatically. (h/t to Meghan)
12) I’ll never understand the cost, but Phillip Treacy’s derby-hats are just awesome.
*image found here.
YEA Honey! It’s so wonderful. Happy Monday lady!
I recently purchased the Blair dress (in black, though I’m tempted to trade for the Blackberry!), and the stylists at the DC popup believed it was being discontinued. If you want it, I’d suggest contacting MM now while there’s still stock and getting a straight answer from someone! Wouldn’t want you to miss out.
I really hope they don’t discontinue it! Just discovered this one, and it reminds me of a Banana Republic dress I bought 7 or 8 years ago that I wore until it had too many holes to fix.
It’s extremely flattering — I can’t usually wear wrap dresses, but this one has a similar effect. It’s the perfect “forgiving” dress for Thanksgiving or another large meal, too!
Belle – eBates has a browser extension that does the same thing as Honey, and if I recall correctly, you’re a fellow eBates user. It’s really convenient.
I love MM.LaFleur, but their Bento Box service did not work for me. I was left very disappointed, and didn’t keep a single item. I answered all the questions based on what I thought would approximate my personal style best. I even asked for the Morandi cardigan, which I’ve been wanting forever and had every intention to keep.
I specified that I wear strictly neutral colors and don’t fancy tight tops because I am a 34F and do not have a perfect stomach. I also personally prefer trousers, although I also love skirts and dresses.
So, on to what I actually received. I got a very tight sheath in a color/pattern called “crackle,” which looks exactly like that awful cracked nail polish trend or like paint peeling off a fence in an East European village. That dress also came with a belt. When I put this on I was very sad because it made me feel fat, and I am a size 8 and have a high self esteem.
Next, I got a black blouse, which was flowy and fit me well, but was entirely made from polyester and paying over $100 for synthetic shirts is not what I do. To go with that, they sent me teal pencil skirt. TEAL. To complete this look, I got the Morandi cardigan in “forest green” for the purse of matching the teal skirt, I assume. As an accessory, I got a pink and black abstract stripe scarf.
I had to return everything. Everything was wrong. The cut and construction are great, but the clothing is too pricey considering the materials being used. The only item of value I received was the cardigan, but forest green? No. The bento would only work for me if I were to tell them precisely which items and colors I like. If something sound like it’s too good to be true, it usually is.
I had nearly the same experience. I love MM.La Fleur (I have an Annabel), but my experience with the bento was terrible. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I was really hoping I would receive and fall in love with a couple items in the box that maybe I wouldn’t have pulled for myself.
Things started out all wrong when I received the Wear to Work book. I’m sorry, no one wants that. I actually thought it was a free add-in before I realized they wanted $26 for it. The single bezel necklace was a complete joke, who would send a 16″ necklace to a woman who is 5’11, size 14? The thing nearly choked me. The only specific ask I made was for a Morandi cardigan as well (and again, would have kept it) and didn’t get one in the box at all.
I had requested work dresses, and got the Hannah. It was 100% wrong for work and not my style at all. There was a drapey tee, which would look great on a lot of people but not a tall/long torso person. The final item was the Etsuko and I’ll admit that under other circumstances I would have kept it, but I was so ticked off by the entire box that I shoved it back in and sent the whole thing back. I sent an email expressing my disappointment and the response glossed over my concerns with no attempt at a resolution.
That said, I’m considering an Alexandra. Skip the bento, just order what you want.
I love the Alexandra (have it in black; ordered it in aubergine). I know what I like, so I’ve skipped the bento and just ordered a few pieces. The pop up was great a few weeks ago, so worth keeping an eye out for those. The stylist did a terrific job of bringing me items in line with my preferences (work dresses in dark neutrals), and even special-ordered a piece for me. Love the machine-washable options!
Hi Maria, I’m Alex and I’m one of the stylists here at MM.LaFleur. Thank you for leaving your thoughts! I love reading Capitol Hill Style, and I was disappointed to hear your first Bento wasn’t a hit. So you know, our stylist team is always available post-trial to make recommendations, or even give it another go since we missed the mark on your first box. If you’d prefer to shop our collection on your own, that’s an option as well. Please feel free to email bonjour@mmlafleur.com if you’d like suggestions, or if we can help guide you towards specific products that will better suit your style and needs.
While I have never ordered one of their Bento boxes, I have had a lot of success with MM. Lafleur (four dresses, three blouses and one skirt later.) For me, the cut, fit, construction, and wash-ability of the clothes justifies the cost. That said, I can see how their surveys might be off the mark, as I filled one of those out in advance of attending one of their pop-up events and wasn’t really into some of what they had initially pulled for me. I think you’re better off ordering what you like directly so that you get colors and styles that suit your taste.
Re Maria and M:
Seconded. I didn’t even like the fits during the first pop-up I attended, but had much better success the second go-round. I intend to keep ordering the items that catch my eye, rather than letting their stylists select for me. (Though I do recommend trying some items on in-person at a pop=-up if you’re so able — I found some gems I wouldn’t have chosen from the website.)
I own 2 skirts, 4 blouses, and probably well let’s see… 2 Emma’s, 2 etsuko, 1 Lydia,m2 Rachel, 2 Narie, 1 Karen, 1 Nisa, 1 masha – Alex 2.0 , ok. Like 13 dresses, plus the new pants, Dietrich jacket, and graham kimono, oh and one more blouse But I have never tried the bento service. I have pretty much just ordered everything I like on line as returns are easy and I return a lot of stuff. I’m 5’10”, 160 lbs, and wear their size 14 in most things. Sometimes 12 in skirts. Just order what catches your eye and try it on. If you don’t like it send it back, I’m often asked by them what didn’t work for me and then they might make a suggestion that address my problem. The Alexandra and Blair dresses are beautiful, as is the Annabel, and the Eleanor, but weirdly, even though I am very hippy, these dresses don’t work on me as they make me look hippier, I was sad. But now I’ve learned that that the more straight or pencil cut flatters me much better. So now I know to stick to those. Haven’t had any luck with the sweaters, and haven’t tried the accessories. I get a lot of compliments on my dresses. And the Emma jacquard is my power dress. I’m pretty much a neutrals gal too. But the new deep jewel tones are beautiful, like blackberry, the dark green and the indigo. Sounds like I’m better of skipping the bento, but one you know what shape works for your body…buy them all!
I’m going to speak up for the bento service: I’ve done 2 of them since February and could have kept everything in both, with the exception of 1 skirt that was way too sexy for my normal Clark Kent life. I love not having to pick out specific items or colors. I have kept the Woolf and Sant jardigans and am obsessed with them. Sorry the bento service didn’t work for you, but I am a big fan! I also think that after the first box (which was a bit across the board), they honed in on what I was after better with the second.
This is a really affordable alternative to the lululemom kit — it’s Muji’s hanging travel bag and so handy! https://www.muji.us/store/travel/packing/paraglider-cloth-hanging-travel-case-l-navy-16x19x6cm.html