The Handbag Aficionado: wardrobe

Showing posts with label wardrobe. Show all posts

Saturday, January 11, 2014

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?

Saturday, July 7, 2012

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?

Sunday, May 29, 2011

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!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

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?

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Earning my Stripes

I’ve always been more of a solid color girl. However, when I break out a print, I am the type that I go big and bold or go home. I love me some animal print (grrr….), a nice bright floral to brighten up my day, but usually passed on the stripes. I used to love nautical stripes for summer and recall a cotton striped dress I bought when I was in college. It was so cute and preppy, I spent my entire paycheck from my then part-time minimum wage job to get it (If you are in school - this is why it pays to go to college. I needed an education to find a career to enable me to support my shopping habits. In those years, any money I made went toward my closet :). I have embarrassing photos with the striped dress, bad hair and keds shoes that I will not share, but you get the point.

Then I got older and every fashion magazine told me that horizontal stripes can make you look heavier, so that was enough to make me pass on the stripes for years. I don’t know what my deal is lately, but I have been on a strip kick lately. I think the nautical inspired looks are catching my eye and make me think of Spring and Summer weather.

Last night my husband and daughter picked me up from work and we went to dinner and Bellevue Square. I stopped at Justice for Girls for my daughter and J.Crew for me (I prefer the downtown Seattle J.Crew – this one is hit or miss for me). I got sucked into 50% off the final sale in the store (I know? Right? Online is 40%). Of course, that place was picked apart. I did end up with another Tissue Silk Drape Tee in Dark Cypress (I have the dusty cedar.)

There were new Spring items and plenty of stripes galore from what seemed like every square foot of the store - I felt like a drunken sailor. I ended up with the Stripe Drawstring Dress which seems like an easy beach dress for my trip to Maui next month (as seen on a super tiny model, and as seen on a real human being in medium):

My 11 year old daughter said the scarf looked stupid so I passed, but that was a sweet scarf. I also ended up with the Stripe Pocket Cardigan at $59.50. It is very comfy, and I can wear this with tees, tanks, camis, and my new navy Cady dress. Lots of possibilities.