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?

J.Crew Stripes, Dots, Naomi, Bubble Necklace and Other Multiple Purchases

I am a multiple buyer.  It's a bad habit.  If I like something, I buy another (or two, or sometimes three) in another color,then it's overload.   I couldn't pass up the J.Crew ribbon-stripe boatneck tee after this beautiful pic in the July Style Guide although  I already had the one with the bright orange and blue (which I love).

J.Crew July Style Guide

Here is on me in real life, super casual:

J.Crew Factory Resin Droplet Necklace
J.Crew Ribbon-stripe boatneck tee
J.Crew Canteen Pants
J.Crew Golden Cabochon Bracelet
DKNY Ceramic Watch
Cole Haan Air Catalina Sandals

I got the J.Crew Factory Resin Droplet Necklace (mini bubble necklace) at 30% last week.  It's more every day wearable - and cheaper - than a bubble necklace (except of course, I got the citrus lime color.  My husband doesn't get this at all.)

Speaking of multiples, I just ordered an ebay version of the pink and the white like the one that was featured in the July Style Guide (cross your fingers, I am a little nervous, but the seller got good feedback, so I will let you know):

Here it is below it pink (ebay $18.99 - the bottom beads are a bit darker but who cares, the price is great):

I wanted the pink one after I saw this J.Crew pic, but didn't want to pay the $150.

I'll post some with the white one when it arrives.

I also bought the Naomi top on sale in hot pink (I LOVE everything about the look featured below - the hat, bracelets, perfection!).  I reviewed this in the polka dot version:

in Modern Red

Naomi Top in Neon Pink

I also got the painter boatneck tee in navy (fits true to size with gold snaps on the boatneck, which gives it some interesting detail) and Cafe Capri in Pop Art Polka dot (also fits true to size with a bit of stretch).  The pants are fun and will look great with a solid color of navy, pink, red, yellow, green.  They are also on sale this week for $99, so I gave in.  As I posted here and here, I've been on a bit of a crazy cafe capri kick (again back to multiple purchasing!)

J.Crew Painter Boatneck Tee
J.Crew Cafe Capri in Pop Art Polka Dot
DKNY Ceramic Watch
Tory Burch Robinson Demi Wedge Sandals

I must have been inspired by dots.  My daughter turned 13 yesterday, and we redid her room from Pottery Barn Kids Surf to PB Teen Dots (she loved this below in the catalog).  

How was your week?

Veteran's Day Shopping at U Village J.Crew

 On Friday, I went to University Village near University of Washington in Seattle.  I stopped by J.Crew, Madewell and Anthropologie and went to the Ram Restaurant and Brewery where my husband went to watch the game while my daughter, her friend and I shopped.  My daughter and her friend (both 12) had a blast trying on clothes in H&M and putting lipstick on in Sephora. I really like this mall and don't know why I don't go there more often.

The J.Crew at U Village is really nice and has a great selection.  I  tried on the Plaza Coat in cobalt.

It is a fitted silhouette (I've got a long sweater underneath and dress so it's not one you can layer a lot underneath without seeing bulk).  I like the classic shape and length.  It hits mid-thigh which is perfect for winter skirts and boots, like in the picture below.

I ended up with the Sequin Stripe Tee, although I tried not to like it.  I am really, really trying to boycott more sequins in my wardrobe, since thanks to J.Crew, I have enough to make a disco.  However, I love stripes, and this is a great tee with a nice fit and crewneck.

I paired it with the Navy Excursion Quilted Vest.  I've never been a vest girl (I owned one in 1990, I think) but this is a lightweight puffer and easy to layer.  I like it for some reason.

J.Crew Sequin Stripe Tee and ExcursionVest in Navy 

Excursion Vest in Navy

There are some other fun colors including Getaway Green and Candied Cherry, as seen below:

In addition to shopping, I did some pampering and got a mani/pedi with a shellac french manicure.  This looks really nice.  I got it done a couple few weeks ago and it lasts a long time.  I hope that it last for Thanksgiving.

I'm excited for the holidays soon.  In the middle of all of it, I'm traveling to London, Dublin and Luxembourg for work in December.  Either I need to finish my Christmas shopping early, do it all online, or pick up some things in Europe.  Maybe all of the above.

I am super jazzed about the Kindle Fire tablet coming out on Amazon.com this week.  I'm excited about the tablet version and the price.  In addition to the Kindle Fire, here are some other things on my holiday wishlist from J.Crew, including the bubble necklace and bag:

Wishlist by handbagaficionado featuring chronograph watches

What are some items that you want to get or give for the holiday season? 

J.Crew New Summer 2011 Arrivals

The store personal shoppers at Pacific Place at J.Crew in Seattle hosted a new collection event on Wednesday.  My personal shopper emailed me to let me know, although I just made a recent trip there.  Knowing that I am a sucker, that was a pretty savvy move on her part.  (Note: J.Crew Personal Shoppers are free.  If you set up time to come in, you can get 20% off for the personal shopper discount, and they can assist you with some existing items in your wardrobe from other brands.  I’ve shopped there for years and didn’t know until I tried the Personal Shopper in March.)

I bought the Paisley Skirt.  I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE (did I say LOVE?) this skirt.  I see so much long term potential.  A navy sweater, cardigan, blouse, jacket or tee as a pairing?  Check.  Or I could pair an orange Cardigan or tee?  Check.  How about cream or White?  Absolutely. Or perhaps add some denim or chambray?  Yes!  I have so many different options in my existing wardrobe with this purchase.

I wore it the next day and received several compliments from co-workers and some random weirdo on the street in Seattle.  Okay, so the weirdo was creepy, but the rest was all good.  I paired it with the Shortcut Sweater (see below in cream and navy, which was a color in store only.)  This is a nice versatile sweater that I walked out.

J.Crew Shortcut Sweater
J.Crew Montezuma Collar Necklace
J.Crew Paisley Skirt
Coach Sage Kristen Satchel Bag
Italian Shoemaker Shoes

J.Crew Shortcut Sweater (Navy in store only)
J.Crew Paisley Pencil Skirt
Cole Haan Shoes

I wore it to work Friday with the cream sweater and a jean jacket:

J.Crew Paisley Skirt by Handbag Aficionado featuring chunky jewelry

I bought the Montezuma Collar Necklace which was in the store for $118.  I'm very excited about it.

    

Since I was sold on the paisley print, I also tried the Candace Dress in Paisley at $148.  This is the same print as my skirt, but in a silk dress version with an A-line skirt and elastic waist.  This is a comfortable summer dress for beach, picnic, or cocktails.   I paired it with the Linen Island Cardigan in Indigo on sale for $59.50.

Linen Island Cardigan
Candace Paisley Dress

I was curious about the Sequin Stripe Tank.  I need this, right?  I didn’t get it, but I may get it.  I want it to go on sale first to justify since I have so many sequin items.  I was a bit nervous about the combination of two of my favorites, sequins and stripes, but it’s like pairing chocolate and peanut butter.  Once you experience them together, it’s a no-brainer.  The tank is comfortable and a good scoop neck that is not too low.  I paired it with the Conference Jacket in Linen, which is now on sale for $99. 

J.Crew Sequin Stripe Tank, $78
J.Crew Conference Jacket in Linen Beechwood, $99

How was your week?

Maui

Last night in Maui by Handbag Aficionado featuring a shift dress

 Beautiful Maui.  Wish I could stay longer than a week.

 My daughter's blue pedicure - she spends her time covered in sand!

Wonderful time.  I can't wait to go back.

Mahalo,

Tammy