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 June Collection Rollout, Punk Floral Swoop Dress, Mari Sandals and Lululemon

Summer is around the corner.  Seattle had some warm weather lately (80 degrees!) and I was excited to wear some summer things early.  Another sign of summer is the J.Crew June rollout is coming out! I received an invitation from my very Personal Stylist at J.Crew regarding an upcoming "story party from the company” from the June Colllection.  She also shared some new images with me.  Here is a sneak peak of the June Collection:

What do you think of June Collection sneak peak?

Here's another summer look I love.  This came out in the recent email ads.  I love the white paired with the panama hat:

All of this excitement about summer made me crazy from the heat and purchase something outside of my comfort zone.  It's the Swoop Dress in Punk Floral, already sold out (I got this at the Seattle Pacific Place J.Crew store).  The dress silk, shorter than I normally purchase and cutout in the back - not my usual style, but I fell in love with this dress.  It fits true to size.   I plan to wear it on vacation next month when we go to Maui.





In real life

I paired them with the new J.Crew Mari Sandals in shocking pink.  I love the neon pink.  These are so much fun if you like bright, bold colors.  I fell in love with these shoes.  They are so much fun.  They are also much easier to walk in than expected.

Here they are in real life:

I've been all about color lately.  Even for workout clothes, I've tried to add some color to my basic gear.  I bought the Lululemon Scoop Me Up Tank  in power purple.  I've been doing yoga, sculpt class and meeting with a trainer at the gym.  I am motivated to work out and fun workout gear makes it bright and energetic! 

What are you looking forward to in the summer months?

  

J.Crew Spring 2013 Purchases

I fell in love with the J.Crew Crystal Drops Necklace ($148.00, item #01661) when the

style guide with jewelry came out in April.  I usually go for brighter colors, but this is so beautiful and different.  When the 25% off the entire website promotion happened last week (30% for cardholders), I decided to get it at $118. (Oh J.Crew!  You know I can't resist a good sale.)

According to J.Crew, this necklace is described as “a '60s-inspired piece dripping with geometric glass gems and translucent faceted resin. The mix of powdery pale hues and pops of neon gives it a fresh feeling (and the interplay between the palettes makes the entire piece more vibrant).”

I love the way the necklace pops on white.  The colors are so pretty.  It also looks good with denim and chambray (makes the blue stones stand out).  I'd keep it simple to make the necklace pop, with a plain tee and denim jacket, simple neckline or chambray shirt.  

J.Crew Keeper Chambray Shirt
J.Crew Perfect Fit Scoop Neck Tee
J.Crew Pencil Shirt
Michele Diamond Deco Watch
Cole Haan Sandals

The length is 20 inches 4 inch extender chain for adjustable length.  I like this better than the bubble necklace length because you have more options to make  shorter it or drop it down depending on what you wear (so that it doesn't dip in the valley, if you know what I mean).

Here it is close up (the flash made the neon green stones look yellow, but they are more neon green):



I paired it with the J.Crew Collection featherweight cashmere cardigan item 23241 in neon lime (it was $188 now $168 on the website.  I got it in store for $49 after final sale and 30% cardholder discounts).  This is fun color and the lightweight material will be great for Spring/Summer months. 

 

Speaking of fun, I also bought the Darby Printed Loafers  in leopard white canvas ($168.00 item #42185).  I've also heard them referred to as "smoking slippers" which reminds me of something Snoop Dog or Hugh Hefner would wear!  They are super comfortable and true to size.   Here's what the J.Crew website says about them:

Our designer was inspired by a gentlemen's formal dress slipper when creating these sleek, wear-with-all ladylike slip-ons. Crafted in new must-have prints, they're the perfect way to add a little elegant edge to any ensemble.  Fit true to size; interior wedge adds a little height and comfort.  Cotton upper.  Leather lining and sole.  Made in Italy.



Darby Printed Loafers

Here's what I say:  I love, love, love my Darby loafers (and the whole look below from the J.Crew April Style Guide for that matter!).  This is an anomaly for me.  I rarely buy flats since My husband has aversion to women in flats (he sees it as sweatpants in public - like you've given up!) but these were too cute to pass up.  I want to copy the look with the model below:

 

Here they are in real life:

 

J.Crew 1035 jacket in superfine cotton
J.Crew Painter Boatneck Tee
Paige Jimmy Jimmy Skinny Jeans
J.Crew Bubble Necklace
J.Crew Golden Cabochon bracelet
Michele Diamond Deco Watch
J.Crew Printed Darby Loafers





How was your week?

J.Crew Spring, Michele Watch, Tory Burch Bags and the History of Mom Dance

Sorry for my long absence.  Holidays happened and I changed jobs.  In addition to a career opportunity, it was a great opportunity to wear new things. :)

I am very behind on blogging, so I will dip my toe back in and get back to a regular rhythm.  So here's to getting back in the groove:

It's February which means I can either shop a picked at clearance or be excited about Spring.  I choose to be excited about Spring, but it's still still cold in Seattle to break out the sandals.  So I am planning and dreaming ahead.  My very Personal Stylist emailed me some cute pics from Spring:

Love the pants.  Do I need more capri pants or polka dots?  Hmmm....

or this skirt with a simple tee shirt with the skirt from the January Style Guide?

I like it.  I like it a lot.

Here's my first day picture when my husband dropped me off (we do it when the kids start school, so he did it on my first day on the job).  I had on the vibrant fuschia J.Crew Double-Cloth Symphony coat, Halogen Cashmere Sweater, J.Crew Pearl Twisted Hammock Necklace,  J.Crew Pencil Skirt in royal paisley and Born Bitsy boots:

I loved this coat since I saw this pic in the winter 2012 style guide:

Since, I haven't updated since before the holidays, I have so new purchases to share.  Here's what Santa brought (Michele Deco Watch):

I am very happy with this watch and it compliments my other jewelry and wardrobe.  Thank you, Santa!

I made some other recent purchases.  This is my new Tory Burch Hannah Tote (paired up with J.Crew Lady Jacket in Blue Tweed, J.Crew Double Crystal Brulee Necklace,  J.Crew Lana Cami, J.Crew No.@ Double-Serge Wool Skirt and Born Bitsy Boots:

I love Tory Burch.  Last week, I got a smaller Tory Burch Robinson Mini Leather Crossbody bag in Poppy Red (which looks like orange to me - what's the deal lately?  J.Crew calls Orange "Modern Red" and Tory Burch calls it "Poppy Red."  Is there something wrong with saying orange?)  I see lots of options for this sweet little thing:

 Here is in real life (with J.Crew Factory Garment-Dyed Sweatshirt and J.Crew Leopard Print Scarf):

 

 

In other news,  I made some new makeup purchases that are worth sharing.  I am in love with the Trish McEvoy Lips and Eyes set exclusive to Nordstrom.  I never tried Trish products until last month when shopping the cosmetic counters and had a demo of the essential lip pencil and line refiner  (this stuff is great under eyes.  The sales associate put it on over my makeup and under my eyes and it was like magic and removed circles.  I said "Sold!")  I liked that and the nude lip pencil so much that I went back and got the Lips and Eyes set that comes in the cute little bag.  The lip color in the set in berry is gorgeous and I use the shadow all over and purple as liner with a liner brush.  The gloss is nice and neutral.  

Trish McEvoy Lips and Eyes

I also made a nice shoe purchase.  I got the J.Crew Everly Suede Pumps in Bluebird after seeing Michelle Obama rock the pink ones at the Convention.

(I will take pictures soon with outfits since these shoes look good with jeans, minnies, capri pants and skirts).  

Speaking of Michelle Obama, did you see her on Jimmy Fallon last week?  She did The History of Mom Dance and she rocked.

She also rocked the J.Crew Collection Featherweight Cashmere Cardigan in windowpane check and the the Collection Featherweight Cashmere Shell in Microcheck underneath (I think she also has on J.Crew minnies and I am not sure about the shoes).  After this video, the sweater started selling out.  I panicked (why I don't know but I am obsessed getting the sweater because a) it's cute for spring and a collection piece, b) it will be in the March Style Guide, c) FLOTUS rocked it and maybe I can if do these moves too.  I called and got it after a search.  Phew!  Should I get the shell underneath is that something only she can pull off?  Thoughts?

What items are you currently obsessing over?

Birthday Shopping at Tory Burch, J.Crew, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus

This week was my unbirthday, which I celebrate the event but not the actual age.   Of course, this is when I reflect.  What is the rule for fashion for women my age?  What age is too old to wear what?  After 40, I started having more fun with clothes.  Is this a mid-life crisis I am having with my closet?  Am I too old for colored capri pants, prints, etc.  Is there a rule?  Jennifer Aniston is my age and she rocks a mini dress because she can.  Should she get a high five and “you go girl” for pulling it off or should she stop and dress more mature?  As I was left pondering the meaning of age, life and fashion, I decided to throw my rule book out and have some fun going shopping.  I took the day off on my unbirthday and went to the Bravern and Bellevue Square to shop.  I also decided not to worry about it, celebrate life and ate chocolate and drank wine at Wild Ginger.   Here I  am celebrating with a delicious and naughty chocolate desert:

 

J.Crew Nolita Denim Jacket
J.Crew Blouson Dress in Polka Dot
OPI Nail Polish in Pompeii Purple

I  did a lot of shopping, and when I say a lot, I mean a lot, even for me:

Lots of goodies!

J.Crew Nolita Denim Jacket
J.Crew Blouson Dress in Polka Dot
J.Crew Watson Wedge shoes

Neiman Marcus was having a gift with purchase.  The gift bag is cute, and I like the samples.  I opted for the orange bag.  (I bet you guessed pink!  I can’t believe I didn’t pick pink.  I think I was trying to be bold and daring).  I got a bottle of Michael Kors perfume and La Mer eye cream (back to that aging thing).  I also had a makeover at Yves Saint Laurent and bought this glossy stain lip color in encre rose, perfect for summer and super long lasting (stays on for hours, seriously):

YSL Glossy Stain in Encre Rose

I went to Tory Burch and Nordstrom and went crazy on shoe shopping.  I'm more of a handbag girl (hence the name), but I've been on a shoe kick lately.

Shoes!

At Tory Burch I  got the Robinson Demi-Wedge Sandal.  I love these and the blood orange color is beautiful for summer and they are comfortable.

Tory Burch Robinson Demi-Wedge Sandal

I also got the Tory Burch Leather Amanda High Peep Toe Wedge, which are cushioned, comfortable and cute on.

Tory Burch Leather Amanda High Peep Toe Wedge

I got the Tory Burch Miller 2 Logo Thong Sandals in Royal Tan.   They are comfy and will go with a lot of things for summer.  I'm  still debating if I should keep these since I got so many others.

Tory Burch Miller 2 Thongs

At Nordstrom the Half Yearly Sale, I got a pair of Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan'Air Catalina' Sandal on sale for $99.  These are so cute and comfortable.  They have the concealed Nike Air Technology.  They are sparkly and even met my 12 year old daughter’s seal of approval.

Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan Air Catalina Sandal

I went to J.Crew and took advantage of the sales. I got the Vintage cottoncap-sleeve tee in stripe with neon pink stripes (item 80405) $34.50, in store sale of $19.99.   This is a basic tee shirt, true to size.

J.Crew Vintage cotton-cap sleeve tee

I got the Candy-stripe Jute Clutch.  This bag is so cute for summer (goes with brights) It makes me smile.  It’s on sale in stores at $49.99.  Grab one of these, since it’s a cute bag for summer that you can keep year of year.

J.Crew Candy Stripe Jute Clutch

I got the Summerlight terry pullover ($59.50 item 82341, on sale in store for $39.99) in café mint.  It super soft and comfy, fits true to size and is bright neon green which is fun for summer.  I love the neons.  Makes me think of the 80's.

J.Crew Summerlight Terry Pullover

I love the way it is styled in the June Style Guide:

I got the Villa Dress in green on sale for $49.99.  I reviewed the stripe dress.  I love this green shade.  So bright and cheerful.

J.Crew Villa Dress

I also got the Navy Golden Cabochon Bracelet in the store for the online sale price of $49.99.  It's beautiful in real life.  I've had several compliments on it already.

Here I am in my new things pulled together:

J.Crew Nolita Denim Jacket
J.Crew Villa Dress in Emerald
J.Crew Pearl Twisted Hammock Necklace
J.Crew Navy Golden Cobochon Bracelet
J.Crew Candy-Stripe Jute Clutch
DKNY Ceramic Watch
Cole Haan Catalina shoes

 In addition to all of this fun stuff, I got some beautiful earrings from my husband.  (I lost one of my diamond studs the day of my mother’s funeral in December.  Since then, I’ve been wearing costume and pearls). 

My husband said "After all of this, you won't need to shop for a couple of weeks, right?" Phew!  I am exhausted after all of this shopping, but excited about my new things.

 How was your week?