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?

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?

J.Crew June 2012 Rollout and Nordstrom Shopping Goodness

I am really excited about Summer.  I'm ready for warm weather and new things.  I did a lot of shopping this weekend, even for me.  On Friday, I went to J.Crew to see the June rollout. I was excited to see the new colors and styles. 

I was excited about the No. 2 pencil skirt in Porcelain Paisley.  This is so beautiful in real life.  I love the print.  The fabric has a good amount of stretch and the fit is true to size. This skirt is very comfortable.  I love the way they pair it up with pink.  The only thing I disliked was the $158 price tag.  I'm crossing my fingers for a sale soon.

Here it is in real life:

J.Crew No.2 Pencil Skirt in Porcelain Paisley
My J.Crew Mona Pumps in Poppy 

I also tried on the Drawstring Tunic in Stripe.

I had high hopes for this dress because it was so cute on the model.  On me, it was like a shapeless bag.  So difference in my size or down, the fit was off, like a potato sack.  I tried messing with the drawstring to at least show the waist, but it's very limited on movement.  I'll pass.  I tried it with the navy bubble necklace which I love.  The color is beautiful, and this can look casual or elegant.  Great idea to make one in navy.  I also tried the Marci Patent Wedges which I didn't love.  They were not the least bit comfortable and sized small.  They also look cheap in real life but are priced at $198.  I'll pass.

J.Crew Bubble Necklace
J.Crew Drawstring Tunic in Stripe
J.Crew Marci Patent Wedges

Next up was the Whisper Gauze Peasant Blouse. 

I tried both colors in navy and chili.  I preferred the chili over navy since I have too many navy striped J.Crew tops.  This top is huge!  I wanted it to fit like the model and sized down 2 sizes and it was still blousy.

J.Crew Whisper Gauze Peasant Blouse
J.Crew No.@ Pencil Skirt in Porcelain Paisley
J.Crew Mona Pumps in Poppy

In addition the top,  I got the Tippi Sweater in Garment-Dyed Linen in neon pink.  I love this color for summer.

Here it is in real life (I love pink with pearls):

I also got the versatile Keeper Chambray Shirt (why did I wait this long to get one?)

I also stocked up on tees and got two vintage cotton v-neck tees (neon pink again and black).

At Nordstrom, I got the Citizens of Humanity 'Dylan' Cropped Loose Fit Jeans in the San Marco Wash.  I love everything about these jeans.  I had my eye on them from Anthropologie and didn't try them.

At Lululemon, I got the Chaturanga Tank and Wunder Under Crops along with a yoga tote.  I've been practicing hot yoga for 6 weeks now and I can see a difference.

How was your week?

October 2011 Reviews: J.Crew Hacking, Schoolboy and Nouvelle Jackets, Natasha Top and Silk Polka-dot Tee

Happy October!  The change in weather finally motivated me to look at fall outfits. I stopped by the J.Crew in Seattle.  I wanted to try some of the new blazers for fall.  I work for an internet retailer and I can jeans to work.  Although the dress is casual, I like pairing blazer with a pair of jeans.  It pulls it together for a polished look that you can dress up or down.  You can never have enough blazers.  I wanted to see the Hacking Jacket in Herringbone in real life.

In addition to the charcoal color above, the store had Grass and Vibrant Flame. They didn't have the Vibrant Flame in my size, so I wore the size down below to just show the color.  The Grass color was in my regular size.  I posted it below so you can see the beautiful orange color.

J.Crew Hacking Jacket in Herringbone  with Lace-Over Tank (in stores for $19.99)

J.Crew Hacking Jacket in Herringbone, Grass with Silk Polka Dot

 Tee

Paired with Selvedge Chambray Shirt

Paired with the Lace-over tank

 I also want one in the heather dark grape color:

I was less enthusiastic about the J.Crew Schoolboy Blazer in Blackwatch Tartan in real life:

I had such high hopes for this one and it wasn’t meant to be.  The overall fit was weird.  It was too small and short on the sleeves in my regular size and it was too big under the arms and snug at the bust.  The sleeves were odd.  Sizing up didn’t help.  I heard my Personal Stylist advise another customer that the jacket was better suited for people with petite frames.  I’m almost 5’7 and felt like I mistakenly put on my 12 year-old daughter’s jacket.  I’ll pass on this one.

I love the Natasha top in Vivid Poppy.  

It's bright and simple.  Fits true to size.  Love the color.  Here it is close up in real life:

J.Crew in Vivid Poppy
Halogen Cardigan from Nordstrom 

I was wearing a black Halogen Crewneck Cardigan from Nordstrom similar to the J.Crew Jackie.   I paired it up with my sweater. This top is so cute.  I had to get it.  I see lots of options.  Here it is in deep lagoon and black under the Nouvelle Jacket in Super 120s, which I have:

Natasha and Nouvelle Jacket

I also ended up with the Natasha in black, because I need a new black blouse. Yes, I am a multiple buyer.  If this goes on sale soon, I may cry, but I have some meetings coming up that made me decide to go ahead and get them now.  I will wait on the blue to go on sale.

I’m on the fence about the Silk Polka-dot Tee.  I love the print.  It is cut it similar to the J.Crew Casbah top which I own.  It’s a bit shorter in length, so if you reach up (see how I am raising my arms for the pic) it's short.  It’s nice for layering.  I’ll wait for this one to go on sale. I need to love it for $98, and I don’t.  I may be convinced at a cheaper price.  It has an exposed zipper in the back which I am on the fence about for a blouse.  (Update:  I just saw that the store has these on sale for $49.99.  That was quick!)

 I need another leopard scarf like I need a hole in the head, but look how seriously soft and neutral this printed scarf in wool is and it’s on sale:

I also ended up with three (yes, don't judge, I am a multiple buyer, especially on sale) lace-over tanks (in taupe, below, poppy and ivory) on final sale for $19.99 each in store.  There are great with blazers, cardigans or on their own.  They are sized bigger, so you may want to size down.  I like the coverage on top, since they don't go as low as some of the j.crew tanks, so totally work appropriate.

How was your week?