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? 

Summer Sales, Nails and Hotels

It was a busy week.  I had a leadership summit for work at Willow’s Lodge in beautiful Woodinville Wine Country near Seattle.  I know it sounds miserable, right?  I did actually spend a lot of time in the conference so there wasn't a lot of time for play.  The guestrooms were beautiful with fireplaces and a  beautiful bathroom with a large spa tub.    This is a lovely place to stay.

I got to do some shopping prior to the summit.  I went to J.Crew at Bellevue Square.  I finally ended up with the Whisper Linen Stripe Tank.  This is true to size with a longer length than online it seems.  I ended up with the Pointelle Beach Cardigan, which is now on final sale at $88 from $118 (and an additional 40% off in the store).  I loved this looked in the catalog:

Here in real life (I decided to wear pants for my pic instead of completely copying the model).  Check out my fabulous diva phone case (grrrrr!):

J.Crew Whisper Linen StripeTank
J.Crew Pointelle Beach Cardigan
J.Crew Leopard iPhone 4 Case

J.Crew Pointelle Beach Cardigan by Handbag Aficionado featuring a long sleeve cardigan

It's funny how I didn't love it at full price, but marked down significantly, it's suddenly appealing.  I think it seems thicker in real life than in the catalog and the sleeves are longer.   My husband said: "Isn't that sweater a little thick for summer?"  Oh yeah, good point.  It's final sale though, so I can't return it.  I do have air conditioned offices and cooler Pacific Northwest nights, so what the heck.  It's good for evenings around the fire pit.  This is sized bigger.  I am wearing a size down, and you can see the sleeves are still long and will need a little flip or push.  This was the only one left in the store.  

I  tried on the Candace Dress.  Here it is on the model, which is much shorter.  The models must be 6 feet tall.  I am reluctant to buy some the dresses since they look so short on the model, but some aren't when I try them on (I'm 5'7).

I have the other one in Paisley which like better.   It's a fun, comfortable summer dress.  They are super cute on their own or paired with a jean jacket or cardigan.  I didn't end up with the Ink Dot one at full price, although, if this goes on sale soon, I may get it.  I wore it with my Linen Island Cardigan, which is now $39 and an additional 40% in the store.

Candace Dress in Ink Dot
J.Crew Linen Island Cardigan
Born Sandals

I got a manicure and pedicure today with my daughter.  She's 11 years old, so she went for the bright blue colors with nail art (multi colored dots).  I tried out some colors from the new Summer OPI Collection:  Nice Stems.  I had the lightest color, Play with Peonies, for my manicure and the third color, Be a Dahlia, Won't You? on my pedicure. 

OPI 2011 Summer Collection: Nice Stems

Amazon.com has this cute little mini set that I ordered.  I am not such a fan of the glittery one but love the colors because the Poppy and Dahlia colors will compliment a lot of the J.Crew colors now in Poppy or Dahlia.  I'm kind of obsessed with the new Dahlia items coming out in the store.


Hope your summer is going well!

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 by Handbag Aficionado featuring leather shoes 

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

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