Showing posts with label pearls. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pearls. Show all posts

Sunday, October 2, 2011

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.

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?

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day!

I had a good Mother's Day weekend. 

I spent time with my family and went to dinner.  I got my brows done at Anastasia at Nordstrom (they needed it).  Then I got a manicure and pedicure with my 11 year old daughter. (She went for blue with flowers.  I was more conservative with a french manicure and OPI Miami Beet on the pedicure).  We also went to the Seattle Premium Outlet Mall today.  I picked up a pair of Cole Haan Nike Air Dark Silver Metallic Pumps at the Cole Haan Outlet.



That's Rufus, my miniature dachshund, checking them out.  :)  These will be good for work and something different than my other open toe pumps.  They are also made with Nike Air, so they are comfortable.

I  went to the Coach Outlet, which was packed with a line outside the store.  I got an adorable Coach Soho Leather Bleeker Zip Around Clutch Wallet in Pewter Metallic:
I went to the Banana Republic and J.Crew Factory Outlets and I didn't find anything I loved.  I know, hard to imagine, right?   The window display was cute, but in store was less exciting.  Hey, there are the pearls I paid full price for half that price!  Don't you hate it when that happens?

I did like the gingham scarf in store and ended up with a white t-shirt.  My husband was shocked when I walked out with a tiny bag spending under $20.


I wore my Sunburst Strip Tank with Nolita Denim Jacket with my Coach Metallic Sydney Boutique Edition Bag:


J.Crew Nolita White Jean Jacket- S
J.Crew Strip Sunburst Tank - M
Joe's Cropped Ex-Love Jeans
Coach Metallic Sydney Bag
J.Crew flip flops



Happy Mother's Day



Happy Mother's Day by Handbag Aficionado featuring leather shoes 

I am blessed to be a mother to two wonderful children. That's the best gift of all.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

In Search of the Perfect Outfit

 I led some big meetings this week that required me to be upfront and center stage.  I looked in my closet and couldn't find anything. (This is when my husband rolls his eyes.)  I decided to make a trip to J.Crew at Pacific Place, since this was a big meeting.  I ended up with some new things.

I got the Nouvelle Jacket in superfine cotton in navy.  This is true to size and much nicer in real life  than on the website. I love the silk pinstriped lining, and wore the sleeves rolled up.  It's pricey at $178, but it is a good wardrobe staple so I bit the bullet.

J.Crew Superfine Cotton Nouvelle Jacket in Navy, $178
Double Serge Skirt in Dahlia $78
 Another pic:
J.Crew Superfine Cotton Nouvelle Jacket in Navy, $178
Notched Skinny Belt, $26
Striped Tee (in stores) $19

Buffalo Check Rick Shirt, $31.99 on sale
Double Serge Skirt, $78
I also got the blue Buffalo Check Rick Shirt  and Double Serge Skirt for fun, but probably not for this meeting.  I started to digress in my shopping and needed to focus on the big meetings.  I found the Rialta Tweed Jacket, which I love, love, love.  I ended up wearing this and the Silk Blythe Blouse in Dark Navy tucked in with the belt, with pearls and dark denim trousers (I work for an internet retailer and it is a casual environment).  I will get a lot of wear out of both of these items.  (Ignore the employee badge hanging off of my pants).
Blythe Silke Blouse in Dark Navy, $98
Rialta Tweed Jacket, $250 
I didn't get the Crosshatch chambray Shirt or the Sun-drenched Sweatshirt in Electric Orange (here I am looking at casual stuff again - focus Tammy, focus!).  I like that one and the abstract blue color, but will wait for the sale.  They are a bit bulky, so you may want to size down.
Sun-drenched Sweatshirt (sized down to S)
Crosshatch Chambray Shirt,  TTS,  
 I didn't get the Maritime Dress since my bill was already at around $700 and I was on a work related wardrobe mission and digressed.  I thought I should wait. Now I am kicking myself, because it's fun.   Should I? (BTW - Ignore the socks).
Maritime Dress, $78
Belt, on sale for $9.99
I also got the Retro Shell in popcicle pink, for $29.99 in the store.  So cute for Spring - I am ridiculously excited about this shell because it's different than the other J.Crew silk shells.
How was your week?

Sunday, February 6, 2011

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:

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

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Earning my Stripes

I’ve always been more of a solid color girl.  However, when I break out a print, I am the type that I go big and bold or go home.  I love me some animal print (grrr….), a nice bright floral to brighten up my day, but usually passed on the stripes.  I used to love nautical stripes for summer and recall a cotton striped dress I bought when I was in college.  It was so cute and preppy, I spent my entire paycheck from my then part-time minimum wage job to get it (If you are in school - this is why it pays to go to college.  I needed an education to find a career to enable me to support my shopping habits.   In those years, any money I made went toward my closet :). I have embarrassing photos with the striped dress, bad hair and keds shoes that I will not share, but you get the point.

Then I got older and every fashion magazine told me that horizontal stripes can make you look heavier, so that was enough to make me pass on the stripes for years. I don’t know what my deal is lately, but I have been on a strip kick lately.  I think the nautical inspired looks are catching my eye and make me think of Spring and Summer weather.

Last night my husband and daughter picked me up from work and we went to dinner and Bellevue Square.  I stopped at Justice for Girls for my daughter and J.Crew for me (I prefer the downtown Seattle J.Crew – this one is hit or miss for me). I got sucked into 50% off the final sale in the store (I know? Right?  Online is 40%).  Of course, that place was picked apart.  I did end up with another Tissue Silk Drape Tee in Dark Cypress (I have the dusty cedar.)

There were new Spring items and plenty of stripes galore from what seemed like every square foot of the store - I felt like a drunken sailor.  I ended up with the Stripe Drawstring Dress which seems like an easy beach dress for my trip to Maui next month (as seen on a super tiny model, and as seen on a real human being in medium):



My 11 year old daughter said the scarf looked stupid so I passed, but that was a sweet scarf.   I also ended up with the Stripe Pocket Cardigan at $59.50. It is very comfy, and I can wear this with tees, tanks, camis, and my new navy Cady dress.  Lots of possibilities.

I wore it with my Navy J.Crew Petal Stream Tank this week:

I tried on several items that I will wait for it to go on sale or pass.  I hope to see more spring arrivals.
My drapey bateau tee that I got last month was my inspiration that started me on the stripe kick:
Hope your week was great!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Holiday Shopping Adventures

I decided I couldn't resist some pre-game black Friday shopping with J.Crew's 25% off purchases of $150 or more. Seattle got hit with a big snowstorm, so I've worked from home for two days while Madison's been out of school. We both had cabin fever! My son Dylan is in from college for Thanksgiving break and we all went to
Bellevue Square. After going to Zumiez with Dylan and Justice for Girls with Madison to hit their holiday sales, and I went to J.Crew.

I tried on so many things in J.Crew that the Sales Associate (who seemed new, since I seemed to know more about what they had than she did) innocently asked "Wow, are you buying a new wardrobe?" I said,"No, adding to the existing one, since I can't pass up a good sale." I was too embarrassed to admit that I went through this ritual a month ago. :)

I ended up with the Infinity Cardigan in black, Muse Tank (both pictured), Merino Boyfriend Sweatshirt in lilac (I love it - want another in another color), another Coralie Cami (in cream, I have one in Iris) and another pearl necklace that I don't need but had to have another (cream this time, I have windsor grey which I love) at J.Crew. It was funny, there was one Merino Boyfriend Sweatshirt left in medium. I saw it and picked it up and there was a lady nearby headed in that direction. She asked me if I was going to try it on, I said yes, and she waited around while I tried it on, because if I didn't want it, she wanted it. (It was fabulous, too bad for her, but I wasn't letting go, even though she cased the dressing room). The Sales Associate offered to call the other stores but this lady seemed committed to what I had picked up. I was wearing my J.Crew sequin sweatshirt walking out of the dressing room, and the lady came back and asked the sales associate to find her the sweatshirt I was wearing. The sales associate had no idea what she was talking about, but I did, and showed her at the front of the store where they were. Why can't I commission as a helpful customer? :)

I also picked up some Stila products at Sephora. I tried on jeans and tops at Nordstrom, didn't see anything I loved (shocking, I know), so I will try the downtown store. I didn't see anything at Ann Taylor or Banana Republic that caught my eye, either.

I'm looking forward to spending time with my family on Thanksgiving, some more shopping on Black Friday. Amazon has some great deals online (my cart is waiting to be clicked!) and I got a $50 Groupon for Nordstrom Rack (for $25, couldn't pass it up). I saw some Cole Haan boots at the Rack on Sunday for a sweet deal. If they are still there, then it was meant to be. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!


J.Crew - Search
$60 - jcrew.com


stila cosmetics - search: dramatic eye
$15 - stilacosmetics.com





PS.  Here it is on.  (PS- the shirt looks bunched and wrinkled the way I have my hands on my waist,  but you get the idea).  Tying it a bit more seems to work better, which i didn't do in my picture, but the J.Crew model did). 
J.Crew Infinity Cardigan
J.Crew Muse Tank
J.Crew Pearl Cobblestone Necklace

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