J.Crew August 2012 and Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

In my last post, I shared my latest obsession with J.Crew's Cafe capri pants. Since I recently got three pairs, I didn't think I needed more, but I really liked the Cafe Capri in Kaleidoscope Dot.  The print is bold and fun, it fits true to size (possibly a bit bigger due to stretch).  (Update:  now at 30% on the website.  I gave in!)

Here it is in real life (with the painter boatneck tee):

J.Crew Painter Boatneck Tee
J.Crew  Cafe Capri in Kaleidoscope Dot
J.Crew Watson Wedges

The way I will style this (with items I already own):

J.Crew Cafe Capri by handbagaficionado

I tried on the Top in Colorblock Stripe in festival green, which is currently $128.  I like this top but think I will wait it out for a sale. (Update, now $99 and 30% on the website.):

J.Crew Colorblock Stripe

In real life:

J.Crew Top in Colorblock Stripe

How I would style it (when I cave in):

J.Crew Color Block top by handbagaficionado 

Speaking of sales and caving in, did you check out Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale?  I got the new Laura Mercier Signature Essentials Travel Set.  I love the colors.

Laura Mercier Signature Color Essential Collection

I was recently honored by Closet Crisis and Rose with the One Lovely Blog Award.  Thank you!  I am a huge fan of both of their blogs.  Check them out!

 
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?

Memorial Day Shopping

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!  I had a great week. I went with three co-workers (and fabulous fashionistas) to J.Crew at Pacific Place in Seattle.  You get 20% when you spend $125 for shop and share.  It was fun.  Ask your local J.Crew about the discount if you are shopping with Friends and Family before to set up an appointment before you arrive in the store.  We all ended up buying a lot, because the store had 30% off clearance and we got the additional discounts!  I got the Long Perfect Shirt in Linen in Navy for $63.60 (regular $79.50).  I usually avoid linen because it’s such a pain and wrinkles but made an exception.  (Don't ask what I am doing in the last pic - I have no idea).  

Long Perfect Shirt in Linen, Navy $79.50

I also got the Forever Cardigan in White for $22.39.  I was thrilled, since I already have two that I love (one in pink and one in spearmint).  They were both on sale, and this one was $69 on the label.  I debated it since I got my other two previously for $39.99, and my co-worker told me it was a wardrobe staple and if I love it I will wear it.  I can’t argue with logical, smart women.  When I stepped up to the counter, I was prepared to only get the 20% off, so I was thrilled to get the 30% for final sale, then 20% discount!  Woo-hoo!

Here it is in real life.  My husband and I had date night at Luc in Seattle last night.  The sweater was perfect when it cooled down.  Forgive the pasty legs.  I need sunlight.

J.Crew Allure Shift Dress in Super 120's in Navy
J.Crew Forever Cardigan in White
J.Crew Necklace
Coach Clutch
Cole Haan Peep Toe Pumps

I also got the leopard printed flip flops for $5.59 and the Pretty Kitty Leopard Print Cashmere Blend Scarf.  One can never have enough leopard print, in my opinion.  If you are a fan of leopard, this is scarf is a must have.

Leopard Flip Flops

J.Crew Leopard Scarf

J.Crew Leopard iPhone Case

 I got some new items, the Grosgrain Cardigan with Sequins which I have not seen online or in the catalog.  I said I wasn’t going to buy more sequins, but this one was love at first sparkle.  This is so cute and I see so many possibilities.  It's cropped shorter and would be great over a tank dress.  The regular price is $62, but the $49.60 with the discount made $49.60.

I also got a Sheer Solid Cotton Scarf for $16.79 (in stores).   Afterwards, we had a great dinner at Mexico Cantina Y Cocina.  It was a fun evening.  In addition, I ordered some things online from J.Crew during the free shipping and 30% off final sale earlier this week.   I ordered the Daytripper pants in Cobblestone, another Stripe sunburst tank (this one in navy), and caved in and bought the Sun-drenched sweatshirt in abstract blue since it’s been sold out my local stores.

I also shopped on Sephora.com and Stila for some cute spring time sets and products:

Stila Garden Bliss (limited edition), Sephora, $25

Stila Berry Love Set, Stila Cosmetics, $40

Laura Mercier Cavier eyeliner - Midnight, Sephora $22

Stila Haute in Hamptons, $14

The sets are really cute but the Garden Bliss bag looks cheaper in real life.  I love the lip glaze color (guava).  The Laura Mercier liner is good and lasts throughout the day.

With work and all this shopping, I did find time for two date nights in two weeks.  My husband and I went to Red Fin, one of my favorite sushi restaurants in Seattle.  I was a little more casual for sushi.

J.Crew Buffalo Check Boy Shirt
Kut by the Kloth Jean Jacket at Nordstrom
J.Crew Dahlia Pencil Skirt
Cole Haan pumps 

This has been one of my favorite outfits.  I just switched the boots for pumps:

Dahlia Skirt by Handbag Aficionado featuring buckle belts

Red Fin Sushi

On Friday, I set up an appointment with Closets by Design.   I'm getting my walk-in closet customized to my chick cave (with 10% of my husband's stuff, of course)!  I'm so excited.  It will be a month from now for installation.   I'm going to purge and post some items from my closet soon.  Stay tuned.

I hope you are having a great holiday weekend!

Gray Skies, Sequins and Spring Fever

I'm so ready for Spring and vacation. How many until days?  11!  Who's counting?  The skies in Seattle in the winter are gray (which makes spring and summer beautiful), so that was my  inspiration for my outfit last week for my offsite. I love bold colors, but recently discovered I can wear grey after years of not wearing it.  It's bizarre, but I dig it now. J.Crew has some great colors like Heather Carbon that work for us jewel tone girls.

Here are some pics:

I started out with my J.Crew Muse tank, and my husband was lukewarm.  He liked the Shimmer Crinkle better,  so I switched:

Thursday Meeting by Handbag Aficionado 

I've also been all about sequins lately or some sort of sparkle or shimmer. Life's too short to fade in the background.  Not me, I'm a walking disco!  (Warning: you may need sunglasses to continue reading.)

Here's what I wore shopping:

I also got the  J.Crew Drapey Sequin Tank  this month and the Sequin Front Tank in Aqua from Nordstrom for $9.97.  I found one of the Barbie Stila Paint Cans at Nordstrom Rack.  It's so cute, so I couldn't pass it up. At Sephora, I got the Laura Mercier Flawless Lip Set, which I love.  I saw that MAC is coming out with the Wonder Woman Collection this week. So cute - I'm totally in.    I went back to the Bellevue Square again. My brows were a disaster, and Sophia at Anastasia at Nordstrom does the best job. I scheduled an appointment, since everyone else screws them up and gives me crazy arches or thins them out too much.

I also stopped at J.Crew.  Remember the striped J.Crew dress I blogged about last - 2 weeks ago?  It is on sale $30 cheaper in the store on final sale - REALLY?  I still have the tags on.  I was 10 days instead of the 7-day price adjustment, but they honored it.  Of course it helps if you buy more stuff.  I also may have blinded them with my Haya Sequin Sweatshirt.  I got 2 of the scoop neck painter tees in vivid violet and orange for $19.99 and the Nickley Bib Top.  This is $39 in the store, and $79 online. Wow!

I had a fun time, and heard from the sales rep that more Spring items will be in next week. I can't wait!


Have a great week!


Tammy