Fall 2012 J.Crew Purchases

I've been resisting fall and trying to hang onto summer.  Seattle has been beautiful in September and I don't want it to end.  Sadly, October begins and I must give up all of my summer fun and get with the fall program.  I got some nice bright pieces during a recent trip to J.Crew to help me with my transition.  I got the Colorblock Boatneck Tee, a great top that fits true to size and can look good dressed up or down.  I got it in the autumn coral color featured in the October catalog:

I wouldn't wear it with these pants the way J.Crew paired it, but you get the point:

Here's how I wore it (two bad attempts at an iphone self portraits, but you get the point):

Simple Saturday by handbagaficionado featuring a matte lipstick

I also got the Tippi Cardigan in Colorblock on sale:

 I am trying to figure out how to style it.  Here it is in the October catalog in a neutrals.

I may need this one, too!

Here are a few looks I do like for transitioning to Fall.  The Nicky top in jade.  I am kind of obsessed with this color lately.

Nicky Top with leopard shoes

Here's the same top:

and this (Cashmere cardigans + pencil skirts = perfection):

I am excited about the new J.Crew October 2012 roll out. 

Casual prep cool!  Love!

Love this, too!

Love!

When I need a coat, this is the one I want!

What do you like most about the new J.Crew roll out?

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?

J.Crew June 2012 Rollout and Nordstrom Shopping Goodness

I am really excited about Summer.  I'm ready for warm weather and new things.  I did a lot of shopping this weekend, even for me.  On Friday, I went to J.Crew to see the June rollout. I was excited to see the new colors and styles. 

I was excited about the No. 2 pencil skirt in Porcelain Paisley.  This is so beautiful in real life.  I love the print.  The fabric has a good amount of stretch and the fit is true to size. This skirt is very comfortable.  I love the way they pair it up with pink.  The only thing I disliked was the $158 price tag.  I'm crossing my fingers for a sale soon.

Here it is in real life:

J.Crew No.2 Pencil Skirt in Porcelain Paisley
My J.Crew Mona Pumps in Poppy 

I also tried on the Drawstring Tunic in Stripe.

I had high hopes for this dress because it was so cute on the model.  On me, it was like a shapeless bag.  So difference in my size or down, the fit was off, like a potato sack.  I tried messing with the drawstring to at least show the waist, but it's very limited on movement.  I'll pass.  I tried it with the navy bubble necklace which I love.  The color is beautiful, and this can look casual or elegant.  Great idea to make one in navy.  I also tried the Marci Patent Wedges which I didn't love.  They were not the least bit comfortable and sized small.  They also look cheap in real life but are priced at $198.  I'll pass.

J.Crew Bubble Necklace
J.Crew Drawstring Tunic in Stripe
J.Crew Marci Patent Wedges

Next up was the Whisper Gauze Peasant Blouse. 

I tried both colors in navy and chili.  I preferred the chili over navy since I have too many navy striped J.Crew tops.  This top is huge!  I wanted it to fit like the model and sized down 2 sizes and it was still blousy.

J.Crew Whisper Gauze Peasant Blouse
J.Crew No.@ Pencil Skirt in Porcelain Paisley
J.Crew Mona Pumps in Poppy

In addition the top,  I got the Tippi Sweater in Garment-Dyed Linen in neon pink.  I love this color for summer.

Here it is in real life (I love pink with pearls):

I also got the versatile Keeper Chambray Shirt (why did I wait this long to get one?)

I also stocked up on tees and got two vintage cotton v-neck tees (neon pink again and black).

At Nordstrom, I got the Citizens of Humanity 'Dylan' Cropped Loose Fit Jeans in the San Marco Wash.  I love everything about these jeans.  I had my eye on them from Anthropologie and didn't try them.

At Lululemon, I got the Chaturanga Tank and Wunder Under Crops along with a yoga tote.  I've been practicing hot yoga for 6 weeks now and I can see a difference.

How was your week?

Stripes, Leopard, Sunshine,Yoga and Flowers

My recent J.Crew purchase was the Villa Dress in Stripe.  It was $88 in the store.  I didn’t get it thinking it would go on sale soon and that full price was crazy for this dress, then went home,saw it online for $68 with an additional 30% off (Really J.Crew?   Do you need such inconsistency from store to online pricing?) I gave in, and took advantage of that 30% sale online.

The fabric weight is a good, thick weight similar to the Maritime Dress, which I love.  The buttons on the back are a nice touch:

This is a nice, easy summer dress which you can also add a jean jacket, cardigan or blazer.  I wore it today to the market with sandals (the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day). I paired it below with my J.Crew Nolita Denim Jacket (last year) and rooftop red Valentina Pumps (I swear I own more shoes than these, but yes, I do really love them).   

Speaking of shoes, what do you think of the new J.Crew Printed Wedge Espadrilles?  I like the print, but think the price is too much for the style.

J.Crew Printed Wedge Espadrilles, $128

 Now look what I found at Nordstrom Rack for $17 on the clearance rack?

Mee Too Princess Espadrille, $17 at Nordstrom Rack

They are super cute, open toe with a bow, comfortable, and too cheap not to indulge.  The brand is Me Too, found in Nordstrom, Endless.com, Zappos, etc.  The print and fabric are similar to J.Crew's at a bargain.

Today was a nice day.  I went to Hot Yoga this morning (I've been doing it for the last month.).  I got to wear my new yoga Practice Freely Tank top from Lululemon, which was perfect for the hot room.  I love it.  Namaste!

Lululemon Practice Freely Tank

I visited Pike Place Market in Seattle today for the Flower Festival.  The flowers were beautiful.

Pike Place Market

How was your weekend?   Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms!