Tory Burch Riding Boots, J.Crew Gallery Tees, Lace Peplum Top and Sparkly Things

Happy New Year!  I've been very, very behind with blogging and pictures.

Here are some of the favorite things I'm wearing now and/or recent holiday gifts.

I am obsessed with Tory Burch boots lately.  In November, I got a pair of Bristol Riding boots in coconut.  They look great with jeans, leggings, pencil skirts - you name it.  I wanted a pair of black boots as well.  I tried the Tory Burch Kiernan Riding Boot in Black (see side by side below with my Bristol).  I didn't think I should get two pair so soon, but really wanted them.


Luckily, I got the the for Christmas!   Now my Bristol boots have a new friend!

I love the gift boxes and bags from Tory Burch:

I love them both so much.  I can't decide which ones I love more.  I think it depends on the day and outfit!

Tory Burch Kiernan Riding Boot

Tory Burch Bristol Riding Boot

The Bristol Riding boots look great with the J.Crew Schoolboy Blazer Beaded Tweed.  This is my favorite blazer.  I love at the tweed and collar.

Speaking of J.Crew, I got the Lace Peplum Top and love it.  I copied this look for New Year's Eve at the Space Needle with the top, black minnies (substituted the flates with my Black Tory Burch Kiernan Riding boots):

I'm also a fan of the new gallery tees from J.Crew.

I got the Hugo Guinness for J.Crew "Blah Blah Blah" Linen Tee.  I wore mine like Nicky Hilton did below.  I paired it with j.crew black minnies and flats.

I love this tee. I paired it with a a cashmere cardigan and J.Crew cerise bouquet-dot wool scarf.

I also got the J.Crew Hello Tee.  I haven't wore it yet and need to come up with some ideas for it.

J.Crew Hello Tee

Did you take advantage of any of the after Christmas sales?  I did and got the Darby glitter loafers.  I got them 40% off at $39.99.  I love some good sparkle.  Plus, these are super comfy.  I love these shoes.  I try to find any excuse to wear them, including less practical ones like walking the dog.

J.Crew Glitter Darby Loafers 

Speaking of sparkly things, I got the J.Crew Pear Bracelet on sale for $24.99.  I love this bracelet.

J.Crew Pear Bracelet

This bracelet is so much fun.  I have it on with the OPI color Honk if You Love OPI, which is more dark purple, but darker than I normally wear.

What are some of your favorite things?

J.Crew Spring, Michele Watch, Tory Burch Bags and the History of Mom Dance

Sorry for my long absence.  Holidays happened and I changed jobs.  In addition to a career opportunity, it was a great opportunity to wear new things. :)

I am very behind on blogging, so I will dip my toe back in and get back to a regular rhythm.  So here's to getting back in the groove:

It's February which means I can either shop a picked at clearance or be excited about Spring.  I choose to be excited about Spring, but it's still still cold in Seattle to break out the sandals.  So I am planning and dreaming ahead.  My very Personal Stylist emailed me some cute pics from Spring:

Love the pants.  Do I need more capri pants or polka dots?  Hmmm....

or this skirt with a simple tee shirt with the skirt from the January Style Guide?

I like it.  I like it a lot.

Here's my first day picture when my husband dropped me off (we do it when the kids start school, so he did it on my first day on the job).  I had on the vibrant fuschia J.Crew Double-Cloth Symphony coat, Halogen Cashmere Sweater, J.Crew Pearl Twisted Hammock Necklace,  J.Crew Pencil Skirt in royal paisley and Born Bitsy boots:

I loved this coat since I saw this pic in the winter 2012 style guide:

Since, I haven't updated since before the holidays, I have so new purchases to share.  Here's what Santa brought (Michele Deco Watch):

I am very happy with this watch and it compliments my other jewelry and wardrobe.  Thank you, Santa!

I made some other recent purchases.  This is my new Tory Burch Hannah Tote (paired up with J.Crew Lady Jacket in Blue Tweed, J.Crew Double Crystal Brulee Necklace,  J.Crew Lana Cami, J.Crew No.@ Double-Serge Wool Skirt and Born Bitsy Boots:

I love Tory Burch.  Last week, I got a smaller Tory Burch Robinson Mini Leather Crossbody bag in Poppy Red (which looks like orange to me - what's the deal lately?  J.Crew calls Orange "Modern Red" and Tory Burch calls it "Poppy Red."  Is there something wrong with saying orange?)  I see lots of options for this sweet little thing:

 Here is in real life (with J.Crew Factory Garment-Dyed Sweatshirt and J.Crew Leopard Print Scarf):

 

 

In other news,  I made some new makeup purchases that are worth sharing.  I am in love with the Trish McEvoy Lips and Eyes set exclusive to Nordstrom.  I never tried Trish products until last month when shopping the cosmetic counters and had a demo of the essential lip pencil and line refiner  (this stuff is great under eyes.  The sales associate put it on over my makeup and under my eyes and it was like magic and removed circles.  I said "Sold!")  I liked that and the nude lip pencil so much that I went back and got the Lips and Eyes set that comes in the cute little bag.  The lip color in the set in berry is gorgeous and I use the shadow all over and purple as liner with a liner brush.  The gloss is nice and neutral.  

Trish McEvoy Lips and Eyes

I also made a nice shoe purchase.  I got the J.Crew Everly Suede Pumps in Bluebird after seeing Michelle Obama rock the pink ones at the Convention.

(I will take pictures soon with outfits since these shoes look good with jeans, minnies, capri pants and skirts).  

Speaking of Michelle Obama, did you see her on Jimmy Fallon last week?  She did The History of Mom Dance and she rocked.

She also rocked the J.Crew Collection Featherweight Cashmere Cardigan in windowpane check and the the Collection Featherweight Cashmere Shell in Microcheck underneath (I think she also has on J.Crew minnies and I am not sure about the shoes).  After this video, the sweater started selling out.  I panicked (why I don't know but I am obsessed getting the sweater because a) it's cute for spring and a collection piece, b) it will be in the March Style Guide, c) FLOTUS rocked it and maybe I can if do these moves too.  I called and got it after a search.  Phew!  Should I get the shell underneath is that something only she can pull off?  Thoughts?

What items are you currently obsessing over?

Maui, Steven Tyler, Louis Vuitton's Alma and J.Crew's Panama Hat

We went to Maui for a family vacation before the start of school and returned on Labor Day.  It was awesome.  We spent part of the time in Wailea, then the other part in Kaanapali Beach and Lahaina.  I mostly sat on the beach or at the pool, but I did go to the Shops at Wailea to mostly window shop.  I went to Louis Vuitton and saw this beautiful Alma bag in Green for fall (they also have purple, red, blue, black - all gorgeous).  I want this bag.

Louis Vuitton Alma - my dream bag

Speaking of Louis and travel, they have a great online guide on The Art of Packing that I would highly recommend if you travel.  Very helpful!

I wore my J.Crew Panama Hat which I love. I pretty much wore it every other day  (last time my scalp burned, so I learned my lesson).  This hat is so versatile and worth every penny.  When I wear this, I hear the Van Halen song in my head!  It must be my inner rocker chick!

J.Crew Panama Hat

Speaking of this hat and rockers, when we were staying in Wailea, we did some exploring past Makena Beach. Steven Tyler.  I wore my favorite Shoreline-stripe dress in Kelly Green. This is now on final sale, so if you thought about it, buy it now. It fits true to size.  It's an easy and versatile sundress.) I had this on when I had a celebrity sighting. We went exploring in Makena and we unknowingly ran in front of Steven Tyler's house in Wailea. He was coming outside of his driveway. My son said "Hey, that's Steven Tyler!" and it was him.  I pulled out my camera and didn't get a picture though. He said "Man, no pictures.":( I will never make it as a paparazzi! So Steven, this is from the lady with dark hair in front of your home last week. I am not a stalker. Peace and Mahalo! :)  Here's what I wore (inspired by the J.Crew picture):

Celebrity Sighting by handbagaficionado featuring a striped knit dress

Steven does have some artwork on display at the gallery in the Shops at Walea, that I did take a picture of the display.  :)

This was much more exciting from my Larry David celebrity sighting last time.  While I didn't get my celebrity photo opportunity, here are some beautiful views and fun things from the other end:

On the windy day I hung out by the pool mostly:

My daughter's idea for me to get flowers on my pedicure.  Silly.

Mai Tai's at Aloha Hour.

Before vacation, I did check out some of the new J.Crew items.  I like the Bouncle Peplum Jacket for fall.

Here it is in real life.  The pic came out a bit cloudy but you get the point:

J.Crew Peplum Jacket and Naomi Top

I had to try the French Hen after all the clucking.  I don't know.   I'm over 40 and it's feels a bit silly (and I will wear all kinds of things).  If it were cashmere or merino.  I don't know.  I can't get past the merino and cashmere paired with nylon.  It's sort of itchy and not so flattering on me. 

J.Crew French Hen Sweater

Hmmm.

What the cluck?!?

I'm going to pass on this one.

I think I need a few weeks to get enthusiastic about fall.  I'm sad summer ended. 

Hope you had a great week. 

J.Crew Naomi Top in Polka Dot

This week I stopped by J.Crew in Pacific Place.   It was one of those weeks where I have a closet full of clothes, some still with tags, but nothing to wear for the next day to meeting.  Does that ever happen to you?

I am beginning to wonder if dots are the new stripes? They are everywhere!

My personal stylist was working and talked me into to trying this top.  I do like polka dots, but probably would have overlooked it, since I was a bit underwhelmed by the polka dot overload in the new August 2012 J.Crew Style Guide.

I am happy about my new J.Crew Naomi in polka dot.  This is enough dots be fun but style professional.  The top is blousey and fits true to size.  I love pairing navy and white dots or stripes with a "pop" color, like neon yellow, pink, red or jade green I have jackets, cardigans, pencil skirts, shorts and cafe capri pants in those colors I can work with it - this is a versatile wardrobe piece.

How I styled it for for work this week:

J.Crew Naomi Top in Polka Dot
Banana Republic White Cardigan
J.Crew Cafe Capri in Warm Jade
Italian Shoemaker Shoes
(my stacked bracelets cutoff - but you get the point)

How was your week?

J.Crew Keeper Chambray Shirt Review

Last week I got the J.Crew Keeper Chambray Shirt.  I'm not quite sure what took me so long.  Perhaps the $78  price, or that J.Crew, Madewell and others paired it with everything on the planet.  I saw this paired with for every season, so I finally decided to get one.  The shirt is cotton, long sleeves that can roll up, buttons on cuff and machine washable.  The color is called afternoon sky and it works with just about anything.  The fit is true to size.  In my last post, there was a comment asking how to wear it.  I thought about that question, since there are so many ways, I thought I would devote an entire blog post.  Here are the many ways to style it:  

Chambray, white tee and shorts, easy style

Paired with dark jeans, easy style

Preppy with the Tippi Sweater in Linen

This also works paired with a simple tee shirt, sundress or maxi dress.  Great for summer nights, picnics or concerts.

Paired with the T-Shirt Dress in Dizzy Anchors

I love how J.Crew pairs it with anything and it works.  Sequins?  You bet!   (I'm drooling over the jacket below).

Chambray Shirt + Sequins + Red = Pop and Sparkle

Style with The Sequin Jacket (love this!)

For extra polish, this shirt also looks good with blazers and skirts.

Paired with white pants and  Schoolboy Blazer in navy

Paired with Maritime Blazer and cut offs

You can always suit it up or pair it with a pencil skirt.

Paired with Bureau Jacket in Linen Canvas

Added with a black pencil skirt and any color of cardigan for different looks

Now here it is on me in real life.  I paired in with my No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Garden Floral (seen here) and Mona pumps in Poppy (seen here and here) for work.

J.Crew Keeper Chambray Shirt
J.Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Garden Floral
J.Crew Mona Pumps in Poppy
DKNY Watch
J.Crew Pearls

This shirt would look good paired with pink, leopard, black, navy, red, you name it.  I like adding a statement necklace or loads of pearls. Stacked bracelets would give it an extra edge, as well.

This is also a great super casual shirt to throw on for a weekend morning coffee and paper (I put it over my neon pink J.Crew tee this morning with cropped pants and flip flops):

Keep checking back as I add photos of different ways to wear this Keeper!  The name says it all.

Here are some different ways I will wear it with the items I own:

J.Crew Raj No.2 Pencil Skirt and Valentina Pump Options by handbagaficionado featuring a red nail polish

or this way:

Inspired. Now all I need is the bag... by handbagaficionado featuring long sleeve tops

How would you wear it?