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?

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. 

Birthday and Book Club

It finally feels like summer in Seattle.  I missed the warmth and that big yellow thing that used to be in the sky.  It was a great weekend.  I celebrated my "un-birthday" (it's not about getting older, it's about the celebration).  I got this beauty for my birthday.  Isn't she gorgeous?  Her name is Kristin, and she's a limited edition and more stunning in real life.  The navy just pops and I love the styling, straps and size.  My husband got a 25% card in the mail (he gets them instead of me since he's bought birthday or Christmas gifts in the past).  He asked the Sales Associate at Coach about it since it expired a week ago, and they honored it.  Woo-hoo!

Coach Kristin Elevated Leather Sage Round Satchel, $698

They only had the one in stock that was on display in Navy, and after the sales associate showed me a little scratch on the clip, I decided it would drive me crazy, so they are shipping it and I get it over night by Tuesday.  Here it is in real life:

Coach Kristin Elevated Sage Bag
J.Crew Rialta Tweed Jacket
J.Crew Coralie Cami
Joe's Jeans
Italian Shoemaker Shoes

Here are some celebrity pics of Eva Longoria, Halle Barry and Rebecca Romijn caring the same bag in a different color:

I'm so excited.  I had a dream that this bag came early before the delivery.  I realize that sounds insane.  That just tells you how excited I was when the package came.

It was a beautiful, sunny day in Seattle on my birthday.  We went out for appetizers (and I had a margarita, or two) to Citrus in South Lake Union.  Then then went to Elliot's Oyster House for dinner.  Since I was full on my previous appetizer and 2nd margarita, I went with an seared Ahi Tuna appetizer for dinner (yum).  I had a blast:

The previous night, I went to my neighborhood book club.  This month's book was The Violets of March by Sarah Jio.  Here's what I wore:

J.Crew Fiona White Canvas Jacket (bought 2-3 years ago)
J.Crew Stripe Sunburst Tank, $24.99
Joe's Jeans, $168
 Italian Shoemaker brand Shoes
Coach Metallic Clutch

I did some more shopping this week.  I bought a pair of Joe's Jeans (my favorite brand now) at Nordstrom during their big Half-Yearly Sale.  Unfortunately, this pair wasn't on sale but it was the pair I liked so I got them.  So much for finding the sale!  There were some things I passed on from J.Crew.  I tried on the Mirabel Dress, and I think I am the only person it didn't work on either.  Just didn't love it. The dress seemed  horrible and frumpy to me.  

Mirabel Dress, $148

I bought the Linen Jacket last week, then regretted it, so I returned it.  I love white, but the Linen Bermuda Jacket seemed like a lot of work, and I liked it less after I got home and hung it in the closet.  I stared at it for 2 days before taking it back.  I did get a picture.  (My husband said hold your hands up, as I was rolling up the sleeves which explained the jazz hands).

J.Crew Linen Bermuda Jacket, $118
J.Crew Sequin Tank, $48

In addition to shopping for clothes, my hubby and I also went furniture shopping.   We wanted to do something for the house and get new furniture.  We ordered this couch and leather ottoman (used as the coffee table in the middle) from Pottery Barn (we've looked at it for over a year, love the look and keep going back to it):

Pottery Barn Pierce Sectional

In the store they paired it up with a chair that cost as much as the couch.  I didn't love the chair.  We ended up getting this chair in Bordeaux from Crate and Barrel (Pottery Barn's red leather chair was nearly double, and didn't look as good or was as comfortable in my opinion):

Crate & Barrel Streeter Leather Swivel Chair

I also got this nice throw pillow with poppies (which looked really good on the display chair):

While we were on this crazy buying spree, we saw a dining table and chairs with a buffet that we really liked, and at that point, decided to go for it (this was before the margaritas.  Perhaps we were crazy from the heat? Or, to my husband's point, the buffet cost what the handbag did).  We liked the Cabria Honey Brown chairs and table size, and we have so many big windows in the room, it looks odd to have the big cabinet that we've had for 10 years (bought for our previous dining room):

It was a fun weekend.  I'm exhausted from all of the shopping, birthday fun and sunshine.  How was your week?

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.

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!