The Handbag Aficionado: amazon.com

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Friday, November 25, 2011

Holiday Shopping: Leopard, Tortoise and Wildcat Spots

Happy Holidays! Thanksgiving was a nice day to spend with family.

I didn't venture out into the stores early morning on Black Friday (I don't like getting out in that mess. I did shop online on Amazon.com). I did some pre-holiday shopping online and in the store with J.Crew. In the store, I got the Savannah wildcat print Airy Wool Scarf 25% off. This scarf is gorgeous! It’s a nice, lightweight wool material. The print is beautiful. I wore it to work and after to dinner had so many compliments. This is now my favorite scarf with so many options to dress up or down. This piece has wardrobe versatility. I love it!

Here it is in real life:

J.Crew Airy Wool Scarf in Savannah Wildcat

I also got the J.Crew Mona Tortoise Pumps online with the 30% off promo last week. These are beautiful and chic. I don’t know that I would agree with J.Crew’s description that they “incredibly comfortable” (seems like an overstatement in comparison to some others brands like Cole Haan or Stuart Weizman for around the same price, but they are nicely padded). They are made beautifully but sized more narrow than the other Mona pumps. I think I would need a half size up, which sadly isn't available on the website. I will try for the store today. Wish me luck.

I got the J.Crew Newsstand tote in leopard suede on sale. It's a very nice print, with brass finish hardware and cotton twill lining. It's beautiful, versatile, eye catching, and a great bag for around town, shopping, work, etc. I wish it zipped on top since it would be a great laptop or travel bag. This tote is huge in real life. I love it though. I have so many leopard bags now but this is fun.

J.Crew Leopard Newstand Tote

How was your Thanksgiving? Did you find any good deals on Black Friday?

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Veteran's Day Shopping at U Village J.Crew

On Friday, I went to University Village near University of Washington in Seattle. I stopped by J.Crew, Madewell and Anthropologie and went to the Ram Restaurant and Brewery where my husband went to watch the game while my daughter, her friend and I shopped. My daughter and her friend (both 12) had a blast trying on clothes in H&M and putting lipstick on in Sephora. I really like this mall and don't know why I don't go there more often.

The J.Crew at U Village is really nice and has a great selection. I tried on the Plaza Coat in cobalt.

It is a fitted silhouette (I've got a long sweater underneath and dress so it's not one you can layer a lot underneath without seeing bulk). I like the classic shape and length. It hits mid-thigh which is perfect for winter skirts and boots, like in the picture below.

I ended up with the Sequin Stripe Tee, although I tried not to like it. I am really, really trying to boycott more sequins in my wardrobe, since thanks to J.Crew, I have enough to make a disco. However, I love stripes, and this is a great tee with a nice fit and crewneck.

I paired it with the Navy Excursion Quilted Vest. I've never been a vest girl (I owned one in 1990, I think) but this is a lightweight puffer and easy to layer. I like it for some reason.

J.Crew Sequin Stripe Tee and ExcursionVest in Navy

Excursion Vest in Navy

There are some other fun colors including Getaway Green and Candied Cherry, as seen below:

In addition to shopping, I did some pampering and got a mani/pedi with a shellac french manicure. This looks really nice. I got it done a couple few weeks ago and it lasts a long time. I hope that it last for Thanksgiving.

I'm excited for the holidays soon. In the middle of all of it, I'm traveling to London, Dublin and Luxembourg for work in December. Either I need to finish my Christmas shopping early, do it all online, or pick up some things in Europe. Maybe all of the above.

I am super jazzed about the Kindle Fire tablet coming out on Amazon.com this week. I'm excited about the tablet version and the price. In addition to the Kindle Fire, here are some other things on my holiday wishlist from J.Crew, including the bubble necklace and bag:

Wishlist by handbagaficionado featuring chronograph watches

What are some items that you want to get or give for the holiday season?

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Summer Sales, Nails and Hotels

It was a busy week. I had a leadership summit for work at Willow’s Lodge in beautiful Woodinville Wine Country near Seattle. I know it sounds miserable, right? I did actually spend a lot of time in the conference so there wasn't a lot of time for play. The guestrooms were beautiful with fireplaces and a beautiful bathroom with a large spa tub. This is a lovely place to stay.

I got to do some shopping prior to the summit. I went to J.Crew at Bellevue Square. I finally ended up with the Whisper Linen Stripe Tank. This is true to size with a longer length than online it seems. I ended up with the Pointelle Beach Cardigan, which is now on final sale at $88 from $118 (and an additional 40% off in the store). I loved this looked in the catalog:

Here in real life (I decided to wear pants for my pic instead of completely copying the model). Check out my fabulous diva phone case (grrrrr!):

J.Crew Whisper Linen StripeTank
J.Crew Pointelle Beach Cardigan
J.Crew Leopard iPhone 4 Case

J.Crew Pointelle Beach Cardigan by Handbag Aficionado featuring a long sleeve cardigan

It's funny how I didn't love it at full price, but marked down significantly, it's suddenly appealing. I think it seems thicker in real life than in the catalog and the sleeves are longer. My husband said: "Isn't that sweater a little thick for summer?" Oh yeah, good point. It's final sale though, so I can't return it. I do have air conditioned offices and cooler Pacific Northwest nights, so what the heck. It's good for evenings around the fire pit. This is sized bigger. I am wearing a size down, and you can see the sleeves are still long and will need a little flip or push. This was the only one left in the store.

I tried on the Candace Dress. Here it is on the model, which is much shorter. The models must be 6 feet tall. I am reluctant to buy some the dresses since they look so short on the model, but some aren't when I try them on (I'm 5'7).

I have the other one in Paisley which like better. It's a fun, comfortable summer dress. They are super cute on their own or paired with a jean jacket or cardigan. I didn't end up with the Ink Dot one at full price, although, if this goes on sale soon, I may get it. I wore it with my Linen Island Cardigan, which is now $39 and an additional 40% in the store.

Candace Dress in Ink Dot
J.Crew Linen Island Cardigan
Born Sandals

I got a manicure and pedicure today with my daughter. She's 11 years old, so she went for the bright blue colors with nail art (multi colored dots). I tried out some colors from the new Summer OPI Collection: Nice Stems. I had the lightest color, Play with Peonies, for my manicure and the third color, Be a Dahlia, Won't You? on my pedicure.

OPI 2011 Summer Collection: Nice Stems

Amazon.com has this cute little mini set that I ordered. I am not such a fan of the glittery one but love the colors because the Poppy and Dahlia colors will compliment a lot of the J.Crew colors now in Poppy or Dahlia. I'm kind of obsessed with the new Dahlia items coming out in the store.

Hope your summer is going well!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Book Club: Odd Mom Out by Jane Porter

Last night I got to meet my favorite author, Jane Porter, who came to my neighborhood book club. It was such a privilege to meet Jane in real life, since I've read all of her chick lit books and I am a huge fan. She is so down to earth and it was great to hear how Jane came up with her characters. Jane's books are great beach reads and have accompanied me on my vacations and work related travel over the last few years. I can't wait until she writes her next one.

It was great getting together with my neighbors. I also got to meet a fellow blogger who lives nearby, Hip Travel Mama. Check her blog out if you enjoy travel.

I planned on wearing a charcoal shell and cardigan, but my 11 year old daughter advised me to wear something brighter and fun, so I switched to a striped tank and cardigan:

Book Club: Odd Mom Out by Jane Porter by Handbag Aficionado featuring embellished tank tops

In real life:

Last minute change: J.Crew pearls and tank, Joe's Jeans, Coach Handbag

I highly recommend Jane's books if you enjoy good chick lit or fun beach read:

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Happy Holidays!

What a busy month! Work, travel, shopping, wrapping presents...

I did a lot of Christmas shopping online and in stores. I stopped in J.Crew and bought a couple of sweatshirts for my son and husband and had to get a few things for me. Hey, it was 30% off with a $150 purchase. How could I pass that up?

I got two beautiful wool wraps shown below. I love this scarf, but now I am trying to figure out what I should wear with it. There are so many color options, I know, but I'm still pondering. Let me know if you have ideas.

I also bought the Vintage cotton traversa-stripe tank for myself:

I love Navy. Now I need a nice cardi or jacket to go with it. Any suggestions? I also tried on the Vento Tunic in Small, but didn't love it. I passed on it.

I also got my J.Crew order with the Lodge Puffer Jacket and Tissue Drape Tee. It's the best of both worlds with silk and cotton: the silk makes it polished in the front, and cotton makes it comfy in the back and sleeves.

Tuesday evening by Handbag Aficionado featuring j crew necklaces

We went to Ohio before Christmas to visit family, then returned to Seattle a couple of days before Christmas. My son got the flu, and was felt pretty bad Christmas Eve, then we made a trip to Urgent Care on Christmas Day. He's feeling better now. Other than that, the kids had a nice Christmas.

For Christmas, my husband and the kids got me perfume, Apple Airport Express, a beautiful Coach Handbag (seen below)

and a Coach Signature Messenger bag in Plum. I'm usually not a fan of signature anything (Coach, LV, Chanel), but this plum color is a so fun compared to my leather tan and black laptop bags:

Check out the Coach Leopard Shoes! I went to Nordstrom Rack and found these shoes (I used the $50 off Groupon - it expires tomorrow 12/31, so if you have a Rack nearby, take advantage of it). These were so cute, and since have an affinity toward leopard, I had to pick them up. Grrr.....

I also got a new Washer and Dryer. I realize that makes me sound really old and boring, but clothes are an investment and it has a steam option! Now I just need to figure out how to use it.

My big happy present is a trip to Maui in February. We went last February and in August, and I am so excited to go back. It's my happy place! The skies here are gray now, so I am looking forward to warm weather.

I'm inspired by bright colors. Here's a pic of me with one of my new wool scarves. BTW - I took this at work in the ladies restroom. I had a lady walk in a few seconds after I took the iphone pic. That would have been incredibly embarrassing and awkward. :) The top is the Muse Tank in Heirloom Pink with a Halogen cardigan very similar to the J.Crew one in style and quality, but I got this on sale for $12.99! Woo-hoo!

Hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Holiday Shopping Adventures

I decided I couldn't resist some pre-game black Friday shopping with J.Crew's 25% off purchases of $150 or more. Seattle got hit with a big snowstorm, so I've worked from home for two days while Madison's been out of school. We both had cabin fever! My son Dylan is in from college for Thanksgiving break and we all went to

Bellevue Square. After going to Zumiez with Dylan and Justice for Girls with Madison to hit their holiday sales, and I went to J.Crew.

I tried on so many things in J.Crew that the Sales Associate (who seemed new, since I seemed to know more about what they had than she did) innocently asked "Wow, are you buying a new wardrobe?" I said,"No, adding to the existing one, since I can't pass up a good sale." I was too embarrassed to admit that I went through this ritual a month ago. :)

I ended up with the Infinity Cardigan in black, Muse Tank (both pictured), Merino Boyfriend Sweatshirt in lilac (I love it - want another in another color), another Coralie Cami (in cream, I have one in Iris) and another pearl necklace that I don't need but had to have another (cream this time, I have windsor grey which I love) at J.Crew. It was funny, there was one Merino Boyfriend Sweatshirt left in medium. I saw it and picked it up and there was a lady nearby headed in that direction. She asked me if I was going to try it on, I said yes, and she waited around while I tried it on, because if I didn't want it, she wanted it. (It was fabulous, too bad for her, but I wasn't letting go, even though she cased the dressing room). The Sales Associate offered to call the other stores but this lady seemed committed to what I had picked up. I was wearing my J.Crew sequin sweatshirt walking out of the dressing room, and the lady came back and asked the sales associate to find her the sweatshirt I was wearing. The sales associate had no idea what she was talking about, but I did, and showed her at the front of the store where they were. Why can't I commission as a helpful customer? :)

I also picked up some Stila products at Sephora. I tried on jeans and tops at Nordstrom, didn't see anything I loved (shocking, I know), so I will try the downtown store. I didn't see anything at Ann Taylor or Banana Republic that caught my eye, either.

I'm looking forward to spending time with my family on Thanksgiving, some more shopping on Black Friday. Amazon has some great deals online (my cart is waiting to be clicked!) and I got a $50 Groupon for Nordstrom Rack (for $25, couldn't pass it up). I saw some Cole Haan boots at the Rack on Sunday for a sweet deal. If they are still there, then it was meant to be. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Holiday Shopping Adventures, Part #1 by Handbag Aficionado featuring j crew tops

Women - merino - Long merino cardigan - J.Crew
$90 - jcrew.com
J crew tops »

Citizens of Humanity Kelly boot cut jeans
$170 - net-a-porter.com
Citizens of humanity jeans »

Cole Haan Air Talia Pump Dark Chocolate Suede - Zappos.com Free...
$198 - zappos.com
Cole haan pumps »

Sydney Metallic Leather Shoulder Flap
$798 - coach.com
Metallic handbags »

J. Crew Pearl cobblestone necklace - pearl
$98 - jcrew.com
Pearls jewelry »

Amazon.com: CHINA GLAZE `Tis the Season Holiday 2010 Collection Phat...
$3.28 - amazon.com

stila cosmetics -category: lips >> lip glaze & gloss
$25 - stilacosmetics.com

J.Crew - Search
$60 - jcrew.com

stila cosmetics - search: dramatic eye
$15 - stilacosmetics.com

PS. Here it is on. (PS- the shirt looks bunched and wrinkled the way I have my hands on my waist, but you get the idea). Tying it a bit more seems to work better, which i didn't do in my picture, but the J.Crew model did).

J.Crew Infinity Cardigan
J.Crew Muse Tank
J.Crew Pearl Cobblestone Necklace

Saturday, July 3, 2010

The J.Crew Impressionist Skirt

I am kind of obsessed with my J.Crew Impressionist Skirt and my metallic Coach Sydney bag - my wonderful birthday present from this month from Brian. I paired the skirt up with the fuschia tiered top and a the white J.Crew Nolita jean jacket - another one of my favorites this summer. The skirt has so many options, I love it!