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 2012 May Roll Out and Reviews

I'm back.  Since I last blogged I had an amazing vacation (thank you Maui) then a busy month.  Here are some of my purchases:

Amie Maxi Dress

After I said Larry David!

I love the simplicity of the Amie Maxi Dress.   See on the beautiful model above, then me in real life at a restaurant (Lelaini's on the beach).  I had on my Ami Maxi Dress, sunglasses and J.Crew navy summer hat and had a Larry David Spotting (look over my shoulder).   I said (rather loudly, accidentally) "Larry David!"  My kids said "Who cares?  Is that a celebrity?" It could've been the mai tai's at Aloha Hour on the beach, but my husband and I are convinced.

Mai Tai, yummy. 

I think the Amie Maxi Dress is a head turner, regardless if you are a celebrity.

Okay, now back to reality.  Seattle had some pretty days that inspired my desire for Spring.  Then my J.Crew Personal Stylist, kept after me pushing my addiction, even after I said: "I spent too much on vacation!  Give me until May to even think about new clothes..." Then she sent me a link with the new May roll out. There I am, the j.crew junkie trying to withdrawal, going to the store, sucked in again...

So, here's the thing.  I had big aspirations.  I said "I will come in and peek.  Just let me get the clearance Valentina pumps and I will be on my merry way.  I'm trying to quit this month."

Then, I saw the pencil skirts. Wow.  I like.  Maybe just a little look, but none for me.  Well, I guess there could be worse things I could do.

A J.Crew bag full of lovely goodies later, here are some things I bought or tried:

J.Crew No.2 Raj Paisley Skirt

 The J.Crew No. 2 Raj Paisley Pencil Skirt Is it me, or does that skirt belong with my shoes?  I think so...

Next up, I'm the geek in the pink...and green...How about this skirt  - the No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Garden Floral.  I love the fit (I sized down), the color options are incredible (I can wear orange, pink, navy, green, white, you name it). Seriously.  This skirt.  I didn't need it, but how could I live without it?

J.Crew Featherweight Cardigan in Warm Jade

I also love the Garden Floral print in the Ella Dress:

Beautiful!

I had to buy the featherweight cotton cardigan, in jade.  Beautiful color and perfect for summer.  It fits true to size.  I paired the skirt and cardigan with the Vintage Cotton Tank in the Neon Azalea color that is all over the store.  Then I ordered pink shoes that weren't in store but online.  Arriving in 3-6 business days.  So much for April restraint.

I also got the J.Crew Drea Pumps in Leopard Patent for 30% off of 99.99 in store.

How was your week?

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. 

J.Crew Fall 2011 Collection Preview and Summer Sales

I was excited to see all of the new leopard items on J.Crew's website.  I received an email from my personal stylist at Pacific Place J.Crew regarding the new Fall Collection.

I got the Leopard Print No. 2 Pencil Skirt. The print is really nice.  It's more subtle and isn't as bright.  This is a bit longer than the regular J.Crew pencil skirts and a little more fitted at hips but the same in the waist.  It’s cotton and unlined.  I was worried about that but happy to report that after a full day of work, then dinner and shopping, it still kept it’s shape.

J.Crew black pullover (in store item)
J.Crew Leopard Print no.2 Pencil Skirt
J.Crew Mona Pumps

I got the skirt and wore it to work on Friday, paired with a basic black tee and denim jacket.  I see a lot of possibilities in this skirt to dress up or down.

J.Crew Nolita Jacket
J.Crew crewneck tee
Pencil Skirt
Cole Haan Air Carma pumps

I also tried the Leopard Tippi Sweater.  

I was so excited about this sweater when I saw it online in the picture above and wanted to love it.  I have and adore several leopard J.Crew cardigans so I liked the idea of a sweater in leopard print.  In real life, I hated it.  The wool was so itchy that I couldn’t stand it on.  Perhaps with a button down underneath it would be okay, but the cut is more fitted.  Too much hassle.  I love all things leopard, but this print looked a bit too Cougar for me.  I’ll pass.   I tried it with the no. 2 pencil skirt in double serge wool.  I didn't love that either, sadly, because the wool was itchy.

J.Crew Leopard Tippi Sweater
J.Crew no. 2 pencil skirt in double-serge wool
J.Crew Mona Leather pumps

I tried the Leopard Perfect Shirt. 

J.Crew Leopard Perfect Shirt
Joe's Jeans
J.Crew Watson Wedges

It’s cotton without the stretch that some of the other button down shirts have, which is disappointing for the price (the stretch would've actually made it a "perfect shirt"). However, I really like the print and think it will be cute under a black sweater, cardigan or blazer.   I didn't get it, but I still thinking about it.

The new fall shoes were in.  I loved the Mona leather pumps in brick red which looks more orange in real life.  At $198, I will wait for a sale or rewards, but want to get them.

I tried on the Watson Wedges, loving them, but I passed thinking they were full price.  I hesitated because I didn’t think $198 made sense for shoes that were more summery versus fall.  Then I went home and saw that they were on final sale online!  The store has 40% off final sale, so they ended up at $83.99.  I went back the next day, dressed in my leopard pencil skirt and all the stuff I bought the day before that was new.  They looked at me like I was insane or must have had a return.  I had to have the shoes.  It was meant to be.  

J.Crew Watson Wedges in black
J.Crew Leopard no.2 pencil skirt

I also ended up with the Watercolor Floral Scarf.  I’m all about it.  This scarf is gorgeous.  It's hard to see the green in my camera phone photos, but it's beautiful.

I also scored some 40% final sale items.  I’m going on vacation next month to Maui and took advantage of some of the summer sales.  I got the Jetty Dress for $17.99 after discounts.  

The color is Indigo Tile and very pretty.

J.Crew Jetty Dress
Tory Burch sandals

I got the beautiful Silk Casbah top for $48 after discounts.

I also got a pair of skinny wedge flip flops in Bright Dahlia for $7.99.  The flip flops are cheaper, but for the price and color (which matches my boatneck painter tee, sun-drenched sweatshirt and skirt).

Today is the last day of Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale.  I ended up with the Laura Mercier Everyday Classic Colour Collection.  This kit is $75 but worth the splurge (it’s valued at $218 with the full sized items and brush).  I love the colors and the brush. The collection features four Well Eye Color Palette (Buff, Guava, Sable, Black Smoke), Full Size Cheek color in Plum Radiance, Full Sized Lip Glace in Raspberry (exclusive shade), Full Size Mascara, Mini Foundation Primer, Cheek Color Brush and a Double Ended Ponytail/smudge brush.

Laura Mercier Everyday Classic Colour Collection 

There were plenty of leopard shoe sightings there.  I saw some cute ones, but didn't buy any.

I love all the fall items, but I am not in a hurry for summer to end.  It's my favorite time of year.  How was your week?