Spring Forward: Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Neverfull, J.Crew Cashmere Cardigan and Blythe Blouse

I appreciate handbags (hence the blog name) and have a closet full of bags in various shapes, colors, textures.   Although I didn't need a new one, but I really wanted a new one for Spring.  I went to The Shops at the Bravern with a friend.  We had a spa and shopping day, so I must have been giddy from all of the goodness.  After a trip to Louis Vuitton,  I ended up buying Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Canvas Neverfull MM.   (There is also a video showing the bag in different colors if you are interested).

The bag can be worn full and boxy like above or cinched in (real life pictures below):

J.Crew Leopard Watch
J.Crew Factory Sweatshirt
Michele Diamond Deco Watch

In addition to my new bag, I got some new noteworthy items for spring.  I bought the J.Crew  Collection Featherweight Cashmere Cardigan that I blogged about last time (the one that Michelle Obama wore on Jimmy Fallon).  The sweater is lightweight and perfect for Spring and Summer months.  It fits true to size.

I paired it with the J.Crew Ponte Peplum Top which fits true to size, AG Jeans Tomboy Jeans (I love these and they are super comfortable) and Tory Burch Amanda Pumps in navy. (The pictures below look super bright with flash). 

Another recent happy purchase the J.Crew Blythe Blouse in Polka Dot.  This blouse works well with so many different items in my closet.  I paired it with Paige Jimmy Jimmy Skinny jeans (my new favorite jeans) and a J.Crew Factory Merino Long Cardigan below, but it also works well with pencil skirts, blazers, etc.

J.Crew Factory Merino Wool Cardigan, Paige Jimmy Jimmy Skinny Jeans, Tory Burch Amanda Wedges

 

Have you ever stumbled across items in stores you already have for new ideas? Last week in J.Crew my husband I walked past a display that had two of the shirts I already own paired together (the J.Crew Chambray Shirt, reviewed here, the J.Crew Reverse-jacquard stripe popover and my Double Crystal Brulee Necklace.  He said:  "Hey, you should try those together!" and showed me the display.  I wouldn't have ever thought to team these up together:

 



How was your week?   

J.Crew 2012 Black Friday Holiday Shopping

Happy Thanksgiving!  I did some pre-Black Friday shopping yesterday.  I went to J.Crew at Pacific Place on Wednesday and took advantage of the in store 30% off for cardholders. Score!

I got the polka-dot sequin top on sale for $70 with the additional 30% off:

I love, love, love it.  Did you know it's black and not navy?  That was a surprise from the catalog and online.  This will be great for the holidays.  The sequins are placed well and the polka dots are not obnoxious.  It fits true to size, perhaps a bit short with low-waisted jeans.  This will be fun layered or on it's own with jeans, cafe capri, pencil skirts - lots of options.

Here it is in real life:

Here it is with a chambray shirt, bright dahlia capri pants and Tory Burch Wedges in an awkward pose:

J.Crew Keeper Chambray

Here's how I will style it with items I own:

Polka-dot Sequin Top by handbagaficionado featuring skinny jeans

I must have been on a polka-dot kick, because I also got the Gabby Top in Dot for $62.99 after the Black Friday 30% discount:

In real life (my 13 year old daughter took this - we were being silly and posing.  She told me to "work it" and this is my sad attempt).  I paired it with an old chartreuse Halogen cardigan from Nordstrom (this is a great quality cardigan that was quite a bargain for under $10.  I've got plenty of use out of it in the last 2-3 years):

J.Crew Gabby Top in Dot - silly pose

I also got Colorblocked Infinity Snood in store item only (#ED2014).   After the 30% Black Friday discount, I got it for $24.49 (it was $55)!  This scarf is gorgeous.  I had to have this scarf.  It will go with so many things I own.

(My boatneck tee and my J.Crew Crystal necklace under)

Beautiful shades of orange, red, pink and purple

Underneath I had one one of my Painter Boatneck Tee with Gold Snap - they are in store for $17.49.  I now have navy, modern red, grape and neon pink.  They are great for layering or on their own.  I saw black in store but not in my size.  I will be on the lookout.

Here it is with the J.Crew Excursion Quilted Vest in candied cherry.  I love this vest and wear it a lot.  I want one in pink and navy now:

Do you plan to take advantage of the Black Friday sales?

Rocker Chic and Crazy Pants

On Saturday, my husband and I went to see Motley Crue and KISS.  I was so excited. I  may wear pearls, cardigans and pencil skirts now, but I love 80's rock, and used to rock big hair and leopard prints back in the day (I still love leopard prints).

As for concert swag, I ended up with 2 concert tees.  Who knows when I will actually wear them. I got this rhinestone KISS shirt below and  a Motley Crue Vintage Red tee.

The concert was awesome:

Vince and Nikki kick starting my heart

Gene!

KISS!!!!!

It gave me an excuse to wear my abstract leopard capri pants that I reviewed here, inspired by Vince Neil.  I went all out with leopard, sequins, ruffles, lots of eye liner, as decadent as the 80's.  Although I am a super fan, I think I ran into some serious fans, including this one:

KISS Army

I know, it's only rock and roll, but I like it.  After rock and rolling all night, I went back to the real world in corporate America.  I must have still been a bit rock and roll crazy (the ringing in my ears?) because the theme this week was crazy pants:

Outfits of the day (Naomi Top and Cafe Capri pants reviewed in my last post):

J.Crew Cardigan (similar here)
J.Crew Naomi Top in Neon Pink
J.Crew Cafe Capri in Pop Art Polka Dot
Italian Shoemaker Shoes (similar found here)
DKNY Ceramic Watch
J.Crew Golden Cabochon Bracelet

J.Crew Painter Boatneck Tee
J.Crew Capri Pants in Kaleidoscope Dot
J.Crew Tillary Purse
J.Crew Valentina Pumps

How did you rock this 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?

J.Crew Naomi Top in Polka Dot

This week I stopped by J.Crew in Pacific Place.   It was one of those weeks where I have a closet full of clothes, some still with tags, but nothing to wear for the next day to meeting.  Does that ever happen to you?

I am beginning to wonder if dots are the new stripes? They are everywhere!

My personal stylist was working and talked me into to trying this top.  I do like polka dots, but probably would have overlooked it, since I was a bit underwhelmed by the polka dot overload in the new August 2012 J.Crew Style Guide.

I am happy about my new J.Crew Naomi in polka dot.  This is enough dots be fun but style professional.  The top is blousey and fits true to size.  I love pairing navy and white dots or stripes with a "pop" color, like neon yellow, pink, red or jade green I have jackets, cardigans, pencil skirts, shorts and cafe capri pants in those colors I can work with it - this is a versatile wardrobe piece.

How I styled it for for work this week:

J.Crew Naomi Top in Polka Dot
Banana Republic White Cardigan
J.Crew Cafe Capri in Warm Jade
Italian Shoemaker Shoes
(my stacked bracelets cutoff - but you get the point)

How was your week?

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?