J.Crew Spring 2013 Purchases

I fell in love with the J.Crew Crystal Drops Necklace ($148.00, item #01661) when the

style guide with jewelry came out in April.  I usually go for brighter colors, but this is so beautiful and different.  When the 25% off the entire website promotion happened last week (30% for cardholders), I decided to get it at $118. (Oh J.Crew!  You know I can't resist a good sale.)

According to J.Crew, this necklace is described as “a '60s-inspired piece dripping with geometric glass gems and translucent faceted resin. The mix of powdery pale hues and pops of neon gives it a fresh feeling (and the interplay between the palettes makes the entire piece more vibrant).”

I love the way the necklace pops on white.  The colors are so pretty.  It also looks good with denim and chambray (makes the blue stones stand out).  I'd keep it simple to make the necklace pop, with a plain tee and denim jacket, simple neckline or chambray shirt.  

J.Crew Keeper Chambray Shirt
J.Crew Perfect Fit Scoop Neck Tee
J.Crew Pencil Shirt
Michele Diamond Deco Watch
Cole Haan Sandals

The length is 20 inches 4 inch extender chain for adjustable length.  I like this better than the bubble necklace length because you have more options to make  shorter it or drop it down depending on what you wear (so that it doesn't dip in the valley, if you know what I mean).

Here it is close up (the flash made the neon green stones look yellow, but they are more neon green):



I paired it with the J.Crew Collection featherweight cashmere cardigan item 23241 in neon lime (it was $188 now $168 on the website.  I got it in store for $49 after final sale and 30% cardholder discounts).  This is fun color and the lightweight material will be great for Spring/Summer months. 

 

Speaking of fun, I also bought the Darby Printed Loafers  in leopard white canvas ($168.00 item #42185).  I've also heard them referred to as "smoking slippers" which reminds me of something Snoop Dog or Hugh Hefner would wear!  They are super comfortable and true to size.   Here's what the J.Crew website says about them:

Our designer was inspired by a gentlemen's formal dress slipper when creating these sleek, wear-with-all ladylike slip-ons. Crafted in new must-have prints, they're the perfect way to add a little elegant edge to any ensemble.  Fit true to size; interior wedge adds a little height and comfort.  Cotton upper.  Leather lining and sole.  Made in Italy.



Darby Printed Loafers

Here's what I say:  I love, love, love my Darby loafers (and the whole look below from the J.Crew April Style Guide for that matter!).  This is an anomaly for me.  I rarely buy flats since My husband has aversion to women in flats (he sees it as sweatpants in public - like you've given up!) but these were too cute to pass up.  I want to copy the look with the model below:

 

Here they are in real life:

 

J.Crew 1035 jacket in superfine cotton
J.Crew Painter Boatneck Tee
Paige Jimmy Jimmy Skinny Jeans
J.Crew Bubble Necklace
J.Crew Golden Cabochon bracelet
Michele Diamond Deco Watch
J.Crew Printed Darby Loafers





How was your week?

Spring Forward: Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Neverfull, J.Crew Cashmere Cardigan and Blythe Blouse

I appreciate handbags (hence the blog name) and have a closet full of bags in various shapes, colors, textures.   Although I didn't need a new one, but I really wanted a new one for Spring.  I went to The Shops at the Bravern with a friend.  We had a spa and shopping day, so I must have been giddy from all of the goodness.  After a trip to Louis Vuitton,  I ended up buying Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Canvas Neverfull MM.   (There is also a video showing the bag in different colors if you are interested).

The bag can be worn full and boxy like above or cinched in (real life pictures below):

J.Crew Leopard Watch
J.Crew Factory Sweatshirt
Michele Diamond Deco Watch

In addition to my new bag, I got some new noteworthy items for spring.  I bought the J.Crew  Collection Featherweight Cashmere Cardigan that I blogged about last time (the one that Michelle Obama wore on Jimmy Fallon).  The sweater is lightweight and perfect for Spring and Summer months.  It fits true to size.

I paired it with the J.Crew Ponte Peplum Top which fits true to size, AG Jeans Tomboy Jeans (I love these and they are super comfortable) and Tory Burch Amanda Pumps in navy. (The pictures below look super bright with flash). 

Another recent happy purchase the J.Crew Blythe Blouse in Polka Dot.  This blouse works well with so many different items in my closet.  I paired it with Paige Jimmy Jimmy Skinny jeans (my new favorite jeans) and a J.Crew Factory Merino Long Cardigan below, but it also works well with pencil skirts, blazers, etc.

J.Crew Factory Merino Wool Cardigan, Paige Jimmy Jimmy Skinny Jeans, Tory Burch Amanda Wedges

 

Have you ever stumbled across items in stores you already have for new ideas? Last week in J.Crew my husband I walked past a display that had two of the shirts I already own paired together (the J.Crew Chambray Shirt, reviewed here, the J.Crew Reverse-jacquard stripe popover and my Double Crystal Brulee Necklace.  He said:  "Hey, you should try those together!" and showed me the display.  I wouldn't have ever thought to team these up together:

 



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?