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?

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?

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:

Thursday Meeting by Handbag Aficionado 

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