J.Crew Fall Arrivals, Louis Vuitton Alma, and Beautiful Maui

It's September.  How is that possible?  I finally gave in and did some fall shopping (since we got a late start on summer in Seattle, I am in denial).  I went to J.Crew to check out some of the new arrivals.  I ended up with the Leather-tipped bell skirt, as see below:

Based on the picture with the model, I would've passed based on length.  The model must be really tall.  I'm nearly 5'7 and here's the length on me:

I really like this skirt.  It's super comfy and a great piece for fall with tights and boots. There are lots of possibilities with items I currently have:


I also took advantage of some sale items like the tissue pintucked tee, as seen above in navy, and below in warm redwood.  I also bought the black.  I know I will regret this, since the last few tissue tees I bought at J.Crew ended up with holes in them (Boo!  J.Crew on tissue tee quality.  It's annoying.)  However, the $19.99 in store price made me give in for what is likely disposable tee shirts.

I am trying to enjoy the last days of Summer before breaking out my fall wardrobe.  School started this week for my daughter (my son goes back next week) and we got back from Maui on Sunday.  This is our fourth visit to Maui in the last couple of years (I'm seriously addicted, as blogged about here and here).
This time, we stayed in the Westin Resort and Spa  on Kaanapali Beach for the couple on nights in an ocean front room.  This was my view:

After a couple of nights on Kaanapali Beach, we spent the week at Outrigger Ainu Nala in Lahaina, with a kitchen, two bedrooms and 2 baths.   The condo had plenty of room for the four of us and the pools were very relaxing.

relaxing poolside with my J.Crew flip flops and book

Lahaina is fun and there are great places within walking distance.

We had a wonderful dinner at Lahaina Grill.  My husband is a foodie and loved it.  He also enjoyed grilling out by the pool at the Outrigger.

I also got some shopping in.  I went to The Shops at Wailea.  I went to Louis Vuitton to see the Alma handbags.  Louis is hit or miss for me, but I was interested in the Prune Electric seen in the 3rd picture down on the left, but liked the Alma  Rouge Fauviste better, as seen below.  What do you think?

Here they are side by side?  What do you think?

I also got some cute short sleeve cardigans on clearance at Banana Republic.  I liked the one in Wailea better than the one near me in Seattle.

The only downside  to a glorious time was a sunburn on my scalp the last two days.  Here I am with my husband's hat, smothered in SPF.  Regardless, I had a blast.  I am sad to see summer end.

How was your summer?  Hope it was awesome. 

Happy Mother's Day!

I had a good Mother's Day weekend. 

I spent time with my family and went to dinner.  I got my brows done at Anastasia at Nordstrom (they needed it).  Then I got a manicure and pedicure with my 11 year old daughter. (She went for blue with flowers.  I was more conservative with a french manicure and OPI Miami Beet on the pedicure).  We also went to the Seattle Premium Outlet Mall today.  I picked up a pair of Cole Haan Nike Air Dark Silver Metallic Pumps at the Cole Haan Outlet.

That's Rufus, my miniature dachshund, checking them out.  :)  These will be good for work and something different than my other open toe pumps.  They are also made with Nike Air, so they are comfortable.

I  went to the Coach Outlet, which was packed with a line outside the store.  I got an adorable Coach Soho Leather Bleeker Zip Around Clutch Wallet in Pewter Metallic:

I went to the Banana Republic and J.Crew Factory Outlets and I didn't find anything I loved.  I know, hard to imagine, right?   The window display was cute, but in store was less exciting.  Hey, there are the pearls I paid full price for half that price!  Don't you hate it when that happens?

I did like the gingham scarf in store and ended up with a white t-shirt.  My husband was shocked when I walked out with a tiny bag spending under $20.

I wore my Sunburst Strip Tank with Nolita Denim Jacket with my Coach Metallic Sydney Boutique Edition Bag:

J.Crew Nolita White Jean Jacket- S
J.Crew Strip Sunburst Tank - M
Joe's Cropped Ex-Love Jeans
Coach Metallic Sydney Bag
J.Crew flip flops

Happy Mother's Day by Handbag Aficionado featuring leather shoes 

I am blessed to be a mother to two wonderful children. That's the best gift of all.