Birthday Shopping at Tory Burch, J.Crew, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus

This week was my unbirthday, which I celebrate the event but not the actual age.   Of course, this is when I reflect.  What is the rule for fashion for women my age?  What age is too old to wear what?  After 40, I started having more fun with clothes.  Is this a mid-life crisis I am having with my closet?  Am I too old for colored capri pants, prints, etc.  Is there a rule?  Jennifer Aniston is my age and she rocks a mini dress because she can.  Should she get a high five and “you go girl” for pulling it off or should she stop and dress more mature?  As I was left pondering the meaning of age, life and fashion, I decided to throw my rule book out and have some fun going shopping.  I took the day off on my unbirthday and went to the Bravern and Bellevue Square to shop.  I also decided not to worry about it, celebrate life and ate chocolate and drank wine at Wild Ginger.   Here I  am celebrating with a delicious and naughty chocolate desert:

 

J.Crew Nolita Denim Jacket
J.Crew Blouson Dress in Polka Dot
OPI Nail Polish in Pompeii Purple

I  did a lot of shopping, and when I say a lot, I mean a lot, even for me:

Lots of goodies!

J.Crew Nolita Denim Jacket
J.Crew Blouson Dress in Polka Dot
J.Crew Watson Wedge shoes

Neiman Marcus was having a gift with purchase.  The gift bag is cute, and I like the samples.  I opted for the orange bag.  (I bet you guessed pink!  I can’t believe I didn’t pick pink.  I think I was trying to be bold and daring).  I got a bottle of Michael Kors perfume and La Mer eye cream (back to that aging thing).  I also had a makeover at Yves Saint Laurent and bought this glossy stain lip color in encre rose, perfect for summer and super long lasting (stays on for hours, seriously):

YSL Glossy Stain in Encre Rose

I went to Tory Burch and Nordstrom and went crazy on shoe shopping.  I'm more of a handbag girl (hence the name), but I've been on a shoe kick lately.

Shoes!

At Tory Burch I  got the Robinson Demi-Wedge Sandal.  I love these and the blood orange color is beautiful for summer and they are comfortable.

Tory Burch Robinson Demi-Wedge Sandal

I also got the Tory Burch Leather Amanda High Peep Toe Wedge, which are cushioned, comfortable and cute on.

Tory Burch Leather Amanda High Peep Toe Wedge

I got the Tory Burch Miller 2 Logo Thong Sandals in Royal Tan.   They are comfy and will go with a lot of things for summer.  I'm  still debating if I should keep these since I got so many others.

Tory Burch Miller 2 Thongs

At Nordstrom the Half Yearly Sale, I got a pair of Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan'Air Catalina' Sandal on sale for $99.  These are so cute and comfortable.  They have the concealed Nike Air Technology.  They are sparkly and even met my 12 year old daughter’s seal of approval.

Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan Air Catalina Sandal

I went to J.Crew and took advantage of the sales. I got the Vintage cottoncap-sleeve tee in stripe with neon pink stripes (item 80405) $34.50, in store sale of $19.99.   This is a basic tee shirt, true to size.

J.Crew Vintage cotton-cap sleeve tee

I got the Candy-stripe Jute Clutch.  This bag is so cute for summer (goes with brights) It makes me smile.  It’s on sale in stores at $49.99.  Grab one of these, since it’s a cute bag for summer that you can keep year of year.

J.Crew Candy Stripe Jute Clutch

I got the Summerlight terry pullover ($59.50 item 82341, on sale in store for $39.99) in café mint.  It super soft and comfy, fits true to size and is bright neon green which is fun for summer.  I love the neons.  Makes me think of the 80's.

J.Crew Summerlight Terry Pullover

I love the way it is styled in the June Style Guide:

I got the Villa Dress in green on sale for $49.99.  I reviewed the stripe dress.  I love this green shade.  So bright and cheerful.

J.Crew Villa Dress

I also got the Navy Golden Cabochon Bracelet in the store for the online sale price of $49.99.  It's beautiful in real life.  I've had several compliments on it already.

Here I am in my new things pulled together:

J.Crew Nolita Denim Jacket
J.Crew Villa Dress in Emerald
J.Crew Pearl Twisted Hammock Necklace
J.Crew Navy Golden Cobochon Bracelet
J.Crew Candy-Stripe Jute Clutch
DKNY Ceramic Watch
Cole Haan Catalina shoes

 In addition to all of this fun stuff, I got some beautiful earrings from my husband.  (I lost one of my diamond studs the day of my mother’s funeral in December.  Since then, I’ve been wearing costume and pearls). 

My husband said "After all of this, you won't need to shop for a couple of weeks, right?" Phew!  I am exhausted after all of this shopping, but excited about my new things.

 How was your week?

Summer Lovin'

Summer is my favorite season.  I love everything about it: the warmth, longer days, the styles - from fabulous sun dresses, skirts, flip flops, bright lip and nail colors on the possibility of a tan.  

I went to Ohio this week to visit my mother.  The weather was hot and muggy, and I pretty much packed sun dresses  and flip flops.  I got back late Sunday night after delayed flights to a busy work week. I did manage to do some shopping yesterday and last week before I went.  

I made a trip to J.Crew and tried on the Maritime Dress in Navy.   I tried the size down for a different look:

Maritime Dress, Sized down to Small

Here is my original dress in my regular size to give you an idea for cut, depending on how you want to wear it.  The sail blue seems softer inside.  Would it be ridiculous to get two of the same dresses in different colors and sizes?

Original Maritime in Medium (I typically belt it)

I found the Daytripper Pants on Final Sale for $13.99. Score!  These are great weekend pants that are as comfy as sweats.

I have been debating on the Sequin-Stripe Tank, then ended up caving and got this one online with the 20%:

J.Crew Fisherman Cardigan
J.Crew Montezuma Collar Necklace
J.Crew Sequin-Stripe Tank
J.Crew Daytripper Pants
Italian Shoemaker Shoes

The Fisherman Cardigan is so comfy.  I sized down because the sleeves were so long.

I liked the black sequin-striped tank that I tried last time, but ended up going for the dune color, which is opposite of what I would typically pick. Here's the black striped one just in case I should reconsider:

J.Crew Sequin-Stripe Tank
Kut from the Cloth Denim Jacket

At Nordstrom Rack, I found some great deals on sandals.  Now is the time to buy because you will find sales in anticipation of early fall arrivals.  I got a pair of Tory Burch Thora Metallic Flip Flops in Turquoise:

Tory Burch Metallic Thora Flip Flops, $69 on sale

Since I must have been on a metallic sandal kick, I also got a comfy pair of Born Chacha Sandals at the disagreement of my 11 year old daughter (she is not a fan):

Born Chacha Sandals, $49 on sale

I went to Nordstrom to try and buy some lip colors.  I went to the Laura Mercier counter and got the
Peony Stick Gloss. This lip color is as close to perfect as it gets.  It’s longwearing and hydrating, part lip gloss and blam that provides a beautiful wash of a sheer and universally flattering color.

I also bought the Laura Mercier Limited Edition Berry Sorbet Gel Lip Color.  This is so stunning for summer and I love the coverage.  I probably need another one to tuck away since I love it so much.

I hope your summer is going well.  What are you lovin' right now?