Tory Burch Riding Boots, J.Crew Gallery Tees, Lace Peplum Top and Sparkly Things

Happy New Year!  I've been very, very behind with blogging and pictures.

Here are some of the favorite things I'm wearing now and/or recent holiday gifts.

I am obsessed with Tory Burch boots lately.  In November, I got a pair of Bristol Riding boots in coconut.  They look great with jeans, leggings, pencil skirts - you name it.  I wanted a pair of black boots as well.  I tried the Tory Burch Kiernan Riding Boot in Black (see side by side below with my Bristol).  I didn't think I should get two pair so soon, but really wanted them.


Luckily, I got the the for Christmas!   Now my Bristol boots have a new friend!

I love the gift boxes and bags from Tory Burch:

I love them both so much.  I can't decide which ones I love more.  I think it depends on the day and outfit!

Tory Burch Kiernan Riding Boot

Tory Burch Bristol Riding Boot

The Bristol Riding boots look great with the J.Crew Schoolboy Blazer Beaded Tweed.  This is my favorite blazer.  I love at the tweed and collar.

Speaking of J.Crew, I got the Lace Peplum Top and love it.  I copied this look for New Year's Eve at the Space Needle with the top, black minnies (substituted the flates with my Black Tory Burch Kiernan Riding boots):

I'm also a fan of the new gallery tees from J.Crew.

I got the Hugo Guinness for J.Crew "Blah Blah Blah" Linen Tee.  I wore mine like Nicky Hilton did below.  I paired it with j.crew black minnies and flats.

I love this tee. I paired it with a a cashmere cardigan and J.Crew cerise bouquet-dot wool scarf.

I also got the J.Crew Hello Tee.  I haven't wore it yet and need to come up with some ideas for it.

J.Crew Hello Tee

Did you take advantage of any of the after Christmas sales?  I did and got the Darby glitter loafers.  I got them 40% off at $39.99.  I love some good sparkle.  Plus, these are super comfy.  I love these shoes.  I try to find any excuse to wear them, including less practical ones like walking the dog.

J.Crew Glitter Darby Loafers 

Speaking of sparkly things, I got the J.Crew Pear Bracelet on sale for $24.99.  I love this bracelet.

J.Crew Pear Bracelet

This bracelet is so much fun.  I have it on with the OPI color Honk if You Love OPI, which is more dark purple, but darker than I normally wear.

What are some of your favorite things?

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?

Holiday Shopping: Leopard, Tortoise and Wildcat Spots

Happy Holidays!    Thanksgiving was a nice day to spend with family.  

I didn't venture out into the stores early morning on Black Friday (I don't like getting out in that mess.  I did shop online on Amazon.com).  I did some pre-holiday shopping online and in the store with J.Crew.  In the store, I got the Savannah wildcat print Airy Wool Scarf 25% off.  This scarf is gorgeous!  It’s a nice, lightweight wool material.  The print is beautiful.  I wore it to work and after to dinner had so many compliments.  This is now my favorite scarf with so many options to dress up or down.   This piece has wardrobe versatility. I love it!

Here it is in real life:

J.Crew Airy Wool Scarf in Savannah Wildcat

I also got the J.Crew Mona Tortoise Pumps online with the 30% off promo last week.  These are beautiful and chic.  I don’t know that I would agree with J.Crew’s description that they “incredibly comfortable” (seems like an overstatement in comparison to some others brands like Cole Haan or Stuart Weizman for around the same price, but they are nicely padded).  They are made beautifully but sized more narrow than the other Mona pumps.  I think I would need a half size up, which sadly isn't available on the website.  I will try for the store today.  Wish me luck.   

I got the J.Crew Newsstand tote in leopard suede on sale.  It's a very nice print, with brass finish hardware and cotton twill lining.  It's beautiful, versatile, eye catching, and a great bag for around town, shopping, work, etc. I wish it zipped on top since it would be a great laptop or travel bag.  This tote is huge in real life.  I love it though.  I have so many leopard bags now but this is fun.   

J.Crew Leopard Newstand Tote

How was your Thanksgiving?  Did you find any good deals on Black Friday?  

Memorial Day Shopping

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!  I had a great week. I went with three co-workers (and fabulous fashionistas) to J.Crew at Pacific Place in Seattle.  You get 20% when you spend $125 for shop and share.  It was fun.  Ask your local J.Crew about the discount if you are shopping with Friends and Family before to set up an appointment before you arrive in the store.  We all ended up buying a lot, because the store had 30% off clearance and we got the additional discounts!  I got the Long Perfect Shirt in Linen in Navy for $63.60 (regular $79.50).  I usually avoid linen because it’s such a pain and wrinkles but made an exception.  (Don't ask what I am doing in the last pic - I have no idea).  

Long Perfect Shirt in Linen, Navy $79.50

I also got the Forever Cardigan in White for $22.39.  I was thrilled, since I already have two that I love (one in pink and one in spearmint).  They were both on sale, and this one was $69 on the label.  I debated it since I got my other two previously for $39.99, and my co-worker told me it was a wardrobe staple and if I love it I will wear it.  I can’t argue with logical, smart women.  When I stepped up to the counter, I was prepared to only get the 20% off, so I was thrilled to get the 30% for final sale, then 20% discount!  Woo-hoo!

Here it is in real life.  My husband and I had date night at Luc in Seattle last night.  The sweater was perfect when it cooled down.  Forgive the pasty legs.  I need sunlight.

J.Crew Allure Shift Dress in Super 120's in Navy
J.Crew Forever Cardigan in White
J.Crew Necklace
Coach Clutch
Cole Haan Peep Toe Pumps

I also got the leopard printed flip flops for $5.59 and the Pretty Kitty Leopard Print Cashmere Blend Scarf.  One can never have enough leopard print, in my opinion.  If you are a fan of leopard, this is scarf is a must have.

Leopard Flip Flops

J.Crew Leopard Scarf

J.Crew Leopard iPhone Case

 I got some new items, the Grosgrain Cardigan with Sequins which I have not seen online or in the catalog.  I said I wasn’t going to buy more sequins, but this one was love at first sparkle.  This is so cute and I see so many possibilities.  It's cropped shorter and would be great over a tank dress.  The regular price is $62, but the $49.60 with the discount made $49.60.

I also got a Sheer Solid Cotton Scarf for $16.79 (in stores).   Afterwards, we had a great dinner at Mexico Cantina Y Cocina.  It was a fun evening.  In addition, I ordered some things online from J.Crew during the free shipping and 30% off final sale earlier this week.   I ordered the Daytripper pants in Cobblestone, another Stripe sunburst tank (this one in navy), and caved in and bought the Sun-drenched sweatshirt in abstract blue since it’s been sold out my local stores.

I also shopped on Sephora.com and Stila for some cute spring time sets and products:

Stila Garden Bliss (limited edition), Sephora, $25

Stila Berry Love Set, Stila Cosmetics, $40

Laura Mercier Cavier eyeliner - Midnight, Sephora $22

Stila Haute in Hamptons, $14

The sets are really cute but the Garden Bliss bag looks cheaper in real life.  I love the lip glaze color (guava).  The Laura Mercier liner is good and lasts throughout the day.

With work and all this shopping, I did find time for two date nights in two weeks.  My husband and I went to Red Fin, one of my favorite sushi restaurants in Seattle.  I was a little more casual for sushi.

J.Crew Buffalo Check Boy Shirt
Kut by the Kloth Jean Jacket at Nordstrom
J.Crew Dahlia Pencil Skirt
Cole Haan pumps 

This has been one of my favorite outfits.  I just switched the boots for pumps:

Dahlia Skirt by Handbag Aficionado featuring buckle belts

Red Fin Sushi

On Friday, I set up an appointment with Closets by Design.   I'm getting my walk-in closet customized to my chick cave (with 10% of my husband's stuff, of course)!  I'm so excited.  It will be a month from now for installation.   I'm going to purge and post some items from my closet soon.  Stay tuned.

I hope you are having a great holiday weekend!

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.