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?

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 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?

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?

J.Crew 30% off Summer Sale

Even after all of my unbirthday shopping in June, I couldn't resist the 30% off sale at J.Crew.  I got the Plaid Boucle Tweed Jacket, which was $268, for $87.99 in store.  Wow!  I love the way it was styled in the June Style Guide:

Oh, J.Crew!  Love everything about this look

Here it is on me in real life...

J.Crew Plaid Bouncle Tweed Jacket
J.Crew Tiered Dot Tank
DKNY White and Gold Ceramic Watch
Citizens of Humanity Cropped Dylan Jeans
J.Crew Mona Shoes in Poppy

Love the neon pink accents! 

It's more fitted, so if you are busty or beyond a B cup, you will probably either need to size up or not zip it.  I don't plan on zipping it up, so I am fine.  The next size was too baggy under arms and the sleeves were longer.

I also love this picture featuring the white Tiered Dot Tank from the June Style Guide.  I was so excited when I saw it on sale in the store for $27.99.  This fits true to size.

Love this look...

I got the Cafe Capri in Safari Cat for the killer price of 24.99 after the in store 30% off  discount. They are thicker linen material, true to size fit maybe a bit bigger. For this look, I added something old and something new.  I haven't wore my ruffle tank for a while, but threw it on for a warm summer day and bright shoes.  Simple for a sunny day.

Madewell Secret Shapes Necklace
DKNY White Ceramic and Gold Watch
J.Crew Sequin Tiered Ruffle Tank (old)
J.Crew Cafe Capri in Safari Cat
Tory Burch Robinson Demi-Wedge Sandals

Speaking of J.Crew Cafe Capri,  I've been on a kick lately.   I was afraid to try them at first out of fear of looking ridiculous, then I caved in when I got the abstract leopard pair I reviewed in March.  I'm sure I didn't need another leopard pair, but this is a different print, linen, and at the sale price of $20.99 after the discount, why not?  Besides, I have so many J.Crew pencil skirts, so this is a nice switch.  In addition to the Cafe Capri's in Safari Cat and I got the warm jade and bright dahlia, as seen below:

I will post pictures later of different styles.

In the store, I found the Shoreline-stripe dress in Kelly Green below for $27.99 after the 30% off in store?  It's still full price online ($69.50).  Seriously, the price differences between online and in store drive me nuts.

This will be great for summer days.  You can also add a cardigan, blazer or jean jacket for evenings or cooler days.  I paired it with the white Nolita Denim Jacket (from two years ago) below:

J.Crew Shoreline-stripe dress in Kelly Green
J.Crew White Nolita Denim Jacket (older)
J.Crew Golden Cabochon Bracelet in Navy
J.Crew Farmer's Market Tote
Cole Haan Air Catalina Sandal

How was your week?  Did you give into to the 30% off sale?