Review: Classic Tee

So, while the Cassie skirt was my first foray into the world of LuLaRoe and there have been many dalliances there since (leggings OF COURSE, Irma tunics, the Julia dress...) my favorite, my true love, is the Classic Tee.

Let me just overload you with some pictures of me and my sweetie:

I wear a size small in a Classic Tee, but I have been known to buy a size XS - it's just a slimmer, closer fit. Still lovely, still flattering. I'm enamored of stripes. Not obvious by this picture and the next...right?

Confession: When fashion blogger people cut their heads off in pictures, I think it's really creepy. I apologize here. It's my mirror's doing. And my small bedroom. The second my SIL pulled this pattern from her box and I saw it on her live sneak peak, I texted and said, "That shirt is MINE." (Yep, I probably went all "The Ring" and "My Precious" on her...) 

The Pros: The Classic, like pretty much EVERYTHING LuLaRoe makes, is way comfy, yet look at the way it appears that I actually carefully put together my summer outfit here! ;) (Confession: I really did, but it was darn easy.) They are flowy, just the right amount so, IMHO. Too much makes you look bulky, amiright?  This one hides bumps and ice-cream bellies and still flatters.

Conversation I had with my husband the other night:

Him: Why do you keep tying up your shirts?

Me: I like it. It's very fashionable.

Him: Yeah, when we were in 8th grade.

Me: It's coming back. And I love it.

I do, I really do. I'm somewhat obsessed with it, and the classic tees are really perfect for doing that. (As are the Irmas.)

I love to layer with them, but their definitely long enough to not need another layer at all, and a high enough neckline as well. Like with the Cassies, I have no cons to report for this shirt. I would fill my closet with it, if I could!

Review: Cassie Skirt

So I confessed to you guys after DOUBLE PLAY came out that I have two loves: clothes and books. This is well known about me. Once, at a party, while playing a version of the newlywed game, my husband was asked if I had $100 what would I spend it on. He thought on it for a moment and said he knew of two things and was just gonna guess one. He said clothes (which is what I'd written! Ha!), but he'd been thinking of books too, which is what I'd told the girls earlier I didn't know which he'd say.

In short, it's time for some clothes reviews here. So why would I start with LuLaRoe? One, because I love and adore their stuff. It's comfy, like yoga pants-tee shirt-all-day-in-your-pajamas comfy, and yet can yet still be dressed up so that you're rocking life AND you feel like you just stayed in your yoga pants. (Do I have you hooked yet? If not...this might be the wrong blog for you. ;) )

Second, my SIL has just become a consultant (and I have two good friends who sell as well). This said SIL made sure everyone within hearing distance of her knew about my books when they came out, but she didn't just do it because she loved me and wanted to support me, but because she liked my books too. And I'm returning the favor, but not just because I love her and want to support her, but because I love the product she's selling. So they'll be a few clothing reviews now and again mixed in with my book reviews. And, we may have to get my mom (Robyn) to post some too, since she's just getting into LLR, and it's always good to have a second persons take on the clothes.

(Since this is a longish review, if you'd rather just hop on over to Ashleigh's Facebook Boutique, click on this link and explore the clothes yourself: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1085198178207852/)

So. The Cassie.

The Cassie is a pencil skirt. It's the first LLR product I purchased. I was invited to a party well over a year ago and went really just because it was a friend and I like to be social. I actually didn't plan on buying anything. I had heard about LLR, but wasn't really interested. I browsed the racks she had set up in the basement--the shirts looked boxy, I didn't need any maxi skirts, and I didn't actually dig any of the patterns. Then I came across a pink jersey pencil skirt with flowers embossed on it and I fell in love. I tried it on and that was the day I became addicted to LLR.

The Pros of the Cassie? It's a pencil skirt that feels like yoga pants. I've never been one to just wear skirts, but I wear my Cassies all the flippin' time--just around the house even. I repeat: They are SO comfy. Here are three different looks with that first Cassie I bought:

Left: All snazzed up. Comfy or whatever, tuck a nice blouse into this puppy and you're dressed to the nines and still feeling great. (Except for maybe if you add heels. ;) )

Center: I love pairing it with a loose, flowy v-neck or tee shirt. It's great to slip on a pair of flip flops and chill at the beach. (Which yes, I have totally done. That comfy. Do you believe me yet?)

Right: And just tuck that v-neck or t-shirt in and you have a great, something in between.

Here's another Cassie I have. It's a size smaller than this one (LLR is known for being able to rock many different sizes in a style for different types of looks. For instance, I could probably wear a size up for a looser pencil skirt look.)

For this set of photos, I used the same two pieces to create some different styles. A black Irma (worn a size smaller than my usual buy for a closer fit) and a striped cassie--it's a little bit different material than the one above. It's a tee shirt jersey, same was the Irma I'm wearing.

Left: Casual with the Irma loose. I've added heels to this exact outfit and looked pretty nice for church. Or slip on your flip flops or nicer sandals and you have a more casual look.

Center: The same Irma tucked in and the skirt pulled up to my high waist. (That's the skinniest part for me so it's a pretty flattering look on me. Experiment with where your best waist is for when you tuck in.)

Right: The top of this Cassie is perfect for rolling like yoga pants, so I've done that for a slightly shorter skirt, then I tied the Irma up. Again, depending on your accessories, I think this is easily a casual or dressed up look.

And my newest Cassie, which I'm SO in love with. It's an ADORABLE floral and chevron pattern. I've been looking for a nice floral pencil skirt for a while. I've seen lots of cute, cute, cute outfits on pinterest that have them. This one was spot on perfect for me and I knew it the second Ashleigh sent me a picture of it.

In both these pics I'm pressed down, but I think you get the gist of dressing up this skirt, right??

So on the left is what I did when I got home fro church yesterday. I'd worn this skirt with a cardigan and a Downeast cap sleeve in mint. I threw on this comfy color run t-shirt and hung out the rest of the day.

On the right, if you saw my earlier LLR posts on Instagram, you might have heard that in the last package Ash sent me, I accidentally coordinated all the clothes! Ha. HOW CUTE is this Randy with my pencil skirt? Give me some flip flops and let's hang out for the day. I love it.

The Cons.

Um, literally with the Cassie I have no downsides. I just don't. (I do have some thing with some of the other clothes, so if you're one of those trolls who needs negativity, stay tuned. ;) )

Robyn Reviews: TAILOR MADE (The Royals of Monterra) by Annette Lyon

Book: The Royals of Monterra: Tailor Made

Author: Annette Lyon    

Two people. An impossible Task. A traitor in their midst.

Sofia’s mother desperately needs medicine, and Sofia will do anything to get it—including working for a month at the royal palace, where she'll knit silk stockings from sunup to sundown. Yet if she can do it, Sofia will have the ability to get the medicine her mother needs, with money to spare.

But Sofia’s safe world of knitting needles and thread is turned upside down when she finds herself in the middle of palace intrigue. Head tailor Antonio and Sofia uncover a plot to sabotage the royal wedding and plunge Monterra into war. As they work together to save their country, she can’t help falling in love with the unassuming and attractive head tailor, even though she knows she can’t have him. Her country and her family need her. As they race to stop the traitor, the battle in her heart intensifies, and she fears that the victor won’t be love.

Audience: Adult

Genre: Historical Fiction, Novella

Length: 90 pages

Rating: 5

Review

This was a very interesting story. I was intrigued when I read that it was part of a “kindle world” set in the fictional kingdom of Monterra. The story is about a tailor and his very talented helper, Sofia. There is intrigue and romance. The description of the Castle and surrounding lands is very detailed. It made me feel like I was right there. Annette is very good at drawing you into her stories. The characters are well thought out and you feel like you are part of the story. Sofia was innocent, yet very smart and bold. I really liked the Queen (she reminded me a little of Princess Grace of Monaco), even though her part in the book was quite small. She was kind and thoughtful towards those who served her. Antonio was the best hero, strong, yet gentle and caring. He wasn’t afraid of doing the right thing and standing up to the bullies. The love story was very sweet. Maybe there could have been a little bit more controversy with some of the other workers. Overall, though, I enjoyed the book and seeing the story unfold. It is a fun and enjoyable read. This will be a fun series to read and get to know other people in the Kingdom of Monterra. You can’t go wrong with Annette Lyon, she always has something good to read!

Content

Sex - 1-Some kissing

Violence - 0

Language - 0

Overall Content Rating - PG For more adult themes. It was perfectly clean and sweet.

Robyn Reviews: GLADLY BEYOND by Nichole Van

Book: Gladly Beyond

Author: Nichole Van

From Amazon:

An ancient curse, fractured at the birth of three brothers.

Two strangers helplessly drawn to each other.

A love story two hundred years in the making.

Claire Raythorn arrives in Florence, Italy, shattered, alone, and anxious to rebuild her life--preferably one without men. But she soon finds herself hunted and haunted-- literally--when a mysterious stalker dressed like Mr. Darcy from BBC central casting appears in her photos. And only her photos. Who is this man? And what does his ghostly presence mean?

Dante D'Angelo simply wants to safeguard his brothers, despite the family curse that hounds his vision. But then Claire Raythorn walks into his life, untouched somehow by his curse. Soon, everything Dante thought he knew about himself starts to unravel, dragging Claire down with him.

Set against the lush backdrop of Florence, Italy--both past and present--Claire and Dante fight against an unknown evil for a future together. But, first, they must solve the mystery of their shared past . . .

Audience: Adult

Genre: Speculative Romance/Time Travel

Length: 400

Rating: 5

Review

I am not usually a fan of 1st person writing, but I got into this book quickly and really enjoyed the way it was written. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I will just tell you I really enjoyed this book. I enjoy time travel books, so this book intrigued me. You really need to pay attention to the book in order to understand what is going on. I loved the mystery weaved into the romance.

Claire and Dante make an enjoyable team. They work together really well. Nichole did a great job of drawing the reader in. I haven't read any of Ms. Van’s books, but I will certainly be doing so in the future. I would love to see some books telling the story of Dante’s brothers. I loved how this book showed the closeness of family and how they all loved each other very much. This is a wonderfully done book that lets the reader imagine all sorts of things. I really loved the surprise ending and who was the culprit all along.

This was a clean, enjoyable romance that kept me glued to my kindle in order to find out how their love story was going to end.

I received a copy of this book in exchange or my honest review

Content:

Sex - 1—some kissing and talking about ‘hotness’ and other such terms.

Violence - 0

Language - 0

Overall Content Rating - PG – Adult Themes

Robyn Reviews: FOUR CHAMBERS (Power of the Matchmaker) by Julie Wright

Book: The Four Chambers (Power of the Matchmaker)

Author: Julie Wright

From Amazon: Every time Andra Stone crosses paths with Everett Covington, trouble follows. First she loses her scholarship, then she loses the apartment she’d wanted more than anything. But tragedy hits hardest when she loses her grandmother—the best friend Andra has ever known. She determines that Everett is a talisman of ill fortune. When Everett comes to work in her hospital and is applying for the same position she’d been working toward since residency, Andra believes him to be her personal poltergeist.

The human heart has four chambers—four chances to get it right. Andra has only one chance left.

Audience: Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 219

Rating: 4

Review

This was a good book. I enjoyed reading it and following Andra and Everett and their efforts to get together. Everett has always been in love with Andra, but I felt like he sometimes didn’t try very hard with her, but then again, Andra wasn’t very helpful either. I sometimes felt like they weren’t very much I love with each other. I think Pearl got really frustrated with them, sometimes. Which actually makes them pretty real characters. I sometime felt very much like wringing Andra’s neck. :)

I really liked that they were friends first and had each other’s best interests at heart. Even when they thought they weren’t going to be together. I really like how each author in this series portrays Pearl in a different light. She has so many different ways of matchmaking! You will really enjoy reading this book. It is clean and sweet. The characters have to overcome many obstacles in order to be together. Read it, you won’t be sorry.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Content:

Sex - 1 – Some kissing

Violence - 0

Language - 0

Overall Content Rating - PG (Adult Themes)

Robyn Reviews: LOVE IS COME (Power of the Matchmaker) by Heather B. Moore

Title: Love is Come (Power of the Matchmaker)

Author: Heather B. Moore

From Amazon: 

From the Power of the Matchmaker series: LOVE IS COME

Nelle Thompson lives a life of privilege during the turn of the century New York City. When her parents are killed in a terrible accident, she’s forced to live with her aunt’s family in a small town in Connecticut, and treated as a poor relation with no financial independence. Broken hearted and riddled with insomnia, Nelle’s health begins a downward spiral. When a locked part of her heart blossoms around her cousin’s fiancé Mathew Janson, Nelle doesn’t know if she can endure one more heartbreak. Miss Pearl, owner of the local apothecary shop, becomes a mother figure to Nelle, but a fateful summer day has Nelle questioning everything she's ever believed and wondering if she’ll ever love again.

Audience: Adult (Clean)

Genre: Historical Romance

Length: 264 pages

Rating: 5

Review:  The Power of the Matchmaker series is lovely and fun. This book, Love is Come by Heather B Moore, live up to any expectations by this wonderful author! Historical Romance is one of my favorite genres. And Heather Moore is one of my favorite authors.

Nellie is a spoiled, yet sweet young girl. She is out to find her true love and thinks she has, when she is let down horribly by someone who is just after some kisses. When her parents are killed in an accident, she is sent off to live with her Aunt to await her inheritance. There she is treated as a maid and forced to fend for herself as much as possible. When she meets Pearl, she is shown how she can grasp her own happiness and Pearl teaches her how to see the good in others, despite their obvious differences and less than desirable qualities. Her relationship to Matthew, her cousin’s soon-to-be fiancé, is sweet and frustrating because it seems that both want to be together, but the cousin always stands in the way. I love the way Matthew treats her with respect and concern even when others think she is really crazy. I love Pearl. She tries so hard to push these two together, but they are determined to do the ‘right thing’ and stay away from each other. Through out it all, Nelle learns to love others and overcome the harshness with which she is treated and see the good in her Aunt and cousin. She is able to see beyond the surface. Matthew is an honorable, and lovable hero. He loves with all his heart.

If you are looking for good, clean romance with a little sass, you will love this book. There is sweet kissing and swoon worthy scenes that won’t embarrass you if your kids pick up this book :) I love that.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Content:

Sex - 1—some kissing

Violence - 0

Language - 0

Overall Content Rating -  PG (written for adult, has adult situation, but no sex or violence)

Review: MAGIC BITTER, MAGIC SWEET by Charlie N. Holmberg

Audience: Adult (Clean)
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 306 pgs

Rating: 5!

Audience: Adult (Clean) Genre: Fantasy Length: 306 pgs Rating: 5! I'm just a big fat Charlie Holmberg fan. I remember the first thing I read of hers, THE PAPER MAGICIAN of course. I'd planned on reat IMMEDIATELY and loved it with all my heart. 

MBMS is just...awesome. I loved the gentle fantasy to it, the heartbreak, and the lessons learned, the sweetness, the bitterness (ha!) the love, the sighs. Just great. And I won't tell you about the part I MOST MOST connected with, because that would be spoilery and I'm not mean like that. 

Content:
Language - 0
Sex - 1 (Mentions of character's {committed} relationship activities ;) )
Violence - 2 (Non-graphic discussions of slave violence, an attack on a village.)
Overall Rating - PG-13