J.Crew March 2012 Spring Review

I went a little crazy this week on the Spring rollout of the new March 2012 items.  I am so ready for Spring, it's ridiculous.   I went to two different J.Crew stores out of my enthusiasm for bright colors and sunny days in two days because I clearly have some issues with winter and gray Seattle skies.

I didn't expect to love the Long No. 2 pencil skirt in sovereign paisley especially at $148.  Shame on J.Crew for the price, but I am drawn this skirt and I sized down to 6.   It’s meant to be.

Here are some real life pics:

Here are the Cafe Capri pants in Sovereign Paisley in the same print.  They are super comfortable.  My husband and 12-year old daughter stood outside the dressing room waiting for me.  While my Personal Stylist cheered me on for my boldness with prints, my husband and daughter let out a collective gasp and looked confused.  Then my husband cringed and said "You will wear those once, maybe twice, then they will hang in the closet." Okay.  Fair enough.  Next, please.

I indulged my inner rocker chic and bought another leopard pencil skirt. The No.2 Pencil Skirt in Abstract Leopard fits like the paisley skirt (I got a 6).  This doesn't look great on the hanger, but I see so many options in real life.

Real life pics:

J.Crew Jean Jacket
J.Crew Vintage V-neck Tee
J.Crew Abstract Leopard No.2 pencil skirt
J.Crew Palma Leather Platform Wedges

Here  are the Cafe Capri pants in Abstract Leopard,which are super comfortable, but feel a little late 80's Vince Neil or David Lee Roth.   I kind of dig them but they frighten me.   Thoughts?  Are these a midlife crisis in my pants or fun and playful?

(Update: I caved and got the pants on sale for $79).  Here is another pic - forgive the dog's toys in the background:)

Nordstrom Halogen Cardigan
J.Crew Ribboned Tank
J.Crew Abstract Leopard Cafe Capri pants
J.Crew Watson Wedges
Coach Alexandra Handbag
DNKY Ceramic Watch
Madewell Necklace

I tried on the Fabiola Dress in the same print which fit everywhere but the chest was tight and pushed the girls up to the sky!  I only posted this one since the other pic was close to a wardrobe malfunction.  Hello, kitty!  I think not.  My husband would probably dig it, but it's a bit too much for me.

Speaking of wild inner rocker chick nostalgia, did you see this tank?  I like the print, it's true to size but it's too low cut for work.  I love the Featherweight Cashmere Cardigan.

How about this Cotton Cardigan in Overbloom Floral at $88 (so cute in real life)?  Please go on sale and wait for me, cutie!

The dotted skirt  (in store) is cute for Spring.   I didn't get it, and thought I should quit while I am ahead and get this on sale (and my hubby was ready to go at this point):

I did give in and buy the dotted scarf (will match my other pencil skirt):

I love the No. 2 pencil skirt in ultra eyelet in chili (for next time or online):

The shoes I love now (seen above):

Valentina Pumps in Roof top Red, $228

Here they are in real life:

I love, love love these cuties.   These are comfy (believe it or not) and chunky wedges (love!):

Palma Leather Platform Wedges, $178

I do love the reds, purples and bright blues.  It's still colder and rainy in Seattle, but I am trying my best to channel Spring.  This is what I wore to work on Friday:

J.Crew Factory Necklace
J.Crew Contrast Stripe Tee
J.Crew no.2 Pencil Skirt
Born Bitty Boots

How was your week?

J.Crew Spring 2012 and Recent Shoe Acquisitions

Happy 2012!

I'm ready for Spring to arrive and I'm looking forward to Spring and the new J.Crew 2012 Spring roll out.  During my recent shopping adventures, I had to check out the No.2 Pencil Skirt in Gardenshade Floral:

In real life it's a less bright and more faded, similar to the No.2  Leopard Print wash (Imagine me in beautiful heels, less pasty legs and with a much more flattering pose that isn't end of day post dinner to really appreciate it).  I wish it looked like it did on the model, but the colors are still flattering.  I I would pair it like the model has above, but it would pop with lime green, periwinkle blue and works well with black, navy or cream.  It's so versatile and would be a wardrobe workhorse year round, so it deserves to be in my closet. Sold!

J.Crew No.2 Pencil Skirt in Gardenshade Floral, $128

Meet CeCe, Mona’s Little Sister!   
I have an announcement regarding an addition to my shoe family.  My beloved Wild Berry Mona Pumps (which I acquired a couple of months ago) just got a flat shoe little sister, Cece, the ballet flats.  I am not a flat shoe kind of girl.  My husband can’t stand them on women (it’s kind of like sweats in public, he considers them a sign on giving up!) so I have a bit of an aversion of flats due to his feeling.  Then I started seeing some of the cute Tory Burch ones, and decided that it’s so wrong, but it’s so right.  I vetoed him.  Other than the disapproving eye rolling and jokes, he’s going to come to terms with it.   

J.Crew Cece Ballet Flats

J.Crew Mona and Cece in Wild Berry

I was drawn to these naturally because I love pink and this has a slightly purplish hue to the pink vs. fuchsia (which I also appreciate).  I’m sure it sounds crazy to have two shoes of the same color, but I need the coffee shop or running errands casual shoes and the beautiful work shoes, the ones that people have stopped me and commented.   This wild berry color is adorable and so complimentary.  It especially works well with all of my J.Crew Bright Dahlia colors and coordinates with some of the other colors in my closet.    How could you go wrong when it feels so bright?

Leopard Print Wedges: The Splurges and the Deal
Speaking of shoes, I need to tell you about my  recent Leopard Print Calf hair Wedge score. First, there were the Christian Louboutin Peanut Leopard-Print Wedges at $965.  These are the shoes I stop and look at and hope that they go on sale at 90% off, or a more affordable brand comes up with a great knock off.

Christian Louboutin peanut 70 leopard-print wedges, $965

Then, J.Crew came up with a great leopard wedge knockoff in with the Martina calf hair wedge at $358.  Seriously, J.Crew? Pricing over $300?  As much as I wanted them and liked the print better, I decided to wait for a good sale to justify.

J.Crew Martina Calf Hair Wedge, $358

Finally, I went to Nordstrom Rack and spotted Ivanka Trump 'Linear' Wedge on sale for $37. They are a nice calf hair print, comfortable and look almost identical to the J.Crew version and very comfortable, which is important. I won't compromise comfort for cost.  

Ivanka Trump Linear Wedge, $37

In real life:

Grrrr....

I think I can calm down on shoes for a while, at least until more spring styles come out.

Have a great week and happy Valentine's Day!

Blog Break - I'll be back very soon...

I've taken a bit of an unexpected blog break (my beautiful mother passed away when I was in London for work, flew back to the states to be with my kids and husband in Seattle then we traveled to Ohio for the funeral, etc.  It's been a hectic few weeks and I am glad to be back in my home).  Then Christmas came a couple of days later, etc. and I've spent time much needed time with my family. My plan for the new year is to get back in the groove before I go back to to work end of week, respond to comments and check out what I've been missing, and post some things I got for Christmas.

Hope you had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

Holiday Shopping: Leopard, Tortoise and Wildcat Spots

Happy Holidays!    Thanksgiving was a nice day to spend with family.  

I didn't venture out into the stores early morning on Black Friday (I don't like getting out in that mess.  I did shop online on Amazon.com).  I did some pre-holiday shopping online and in the store with J.Crew.  In the store, I got the Savannah wildcat print Airy Wool Scarf 25% off.  This scarf is gorgeous!  It’s a nice, lightweight wool material.  The print is beautiful.  I wore it to work and after to dinner had so many compliments.  This is now my favorite scarf with so many options to dress up or down.   This piece has wardrobe versatility. I love it!

Here it is in real life:

J.Crew Airy Wool Scarf in Savannah Wildcat

I also got the J.Crew Mona Tortoise Pumps online with the 30% off promo last week.  These are beautiful and chic.  I don’t know that I would agree with J.Crew’s description that they “incredibly comfortable” (seems like an overstatement in comparison to some others brands like Cole Haan or Stuart Weizman for around the same price, but they are nicely padded).  They are made beautifully but sized more narrow than the other Mona pumps.  I think I would need a half size up, which sadly isn't available on the website.  I will try for the store today.  Wish me luck.   

I got the J.Crew Newsstand tote in leopard suede on sale.  It's a very nice print, with brass finish hardware and cotton twill lining.  It's beautiful, versatile, eye catching, and a great bag for around town, shopping, work, etc. I wish it zipped on top since it would be a great laptop or travel bag.  This tote is huge in real life.  I love it though.  I have so many leopard bags now but this is fun.   

J.Crew Leopard Newstand Tote

How was your Thanksgiving?  Did you find any good deals on Black Friday?  

Veteran's Day Shopping at U Village J.Crew

 On Friday, I went to University Village near University of Washington in Seattle.  I stopped by J.Crew, Madewell and Anthropologie and went to the Ram Restaurant and Brewery where my husband went to watch the game while my daughter, her friend and I shopped.  My daughter and her friend (both 12) had a blast trying on clothes in H&M and putting lipstick on in Sephora. I really like this mall and don't know why I don't go there more often.

The J.Crew at U Village is really nice and has a great selection.  I  tried on the Plaza Coat in cobalt.

It is a fitted silhouette (I've got a long sweater underneath and dress so it's not one you can layer a lot underneath without seeing bulk).  I like the classic shape and length.  It hits mid-thigh which is perfect for winter skirts and boots, like in the picture below.

I ended up with the Sequin Stripe Tee, although I tried not to like it.  I am really, really trying to boycott more sequins in my wardrobe, since thanks to J.Crew, I have enough to make a disco.  However, I love stripes, and this is a great tee with a nice fit and crewneck.

I paired it with the Navy Excursion Quilted Vest.  I've never been a vest girl (I owned one in 1990, I think) but this is a lightweight puffer and easy to layer.  I like it for some reason.

J.Crew Sequin Stripe Tee and ExcursionVest in Navy 

Excursion Vest in Navy

There are some other fun colors including Getaway Green and Candied Cherry, as seen below:

In addition to shopping, I did some pampering and got a mani/pedi with a shellac french manicure.  This looks really nice.  I got it done a couple few weeks ago and it lasts a long time.  I hope that it last for Thanksgiving.

I'm excited for the holidays soon.  In the middle of all of it, I'm traveling to London, Dublin and Luxembourg for work in December.  Either I need to finish my Christmas shopping early, do it all online, or pick up some things in Europe.  Maybe all of the above.

I am super jazzed about the Kindle Fire tablet coming out on Amazon.com this week.  I'm excited about the tablet version and the price.  In addition to the Kindle Fire, here are some other things on my holiday wishlist from J.Crew, including the bubble necklace and bag:

Wishlist by handbagaficionado featuring chronograph watches

What are some items that you want to get or give for the holiday season? 

J.Crew Royalty and Purple Rain: Majesty Peacoat, Royal Purple Paisley Print and Beilla Heels

I stopped by the Pacific Place J.Crew in Seattle to return the Natasha tops (I blogged about them a few weeks ago.  I bought two of them at full price because I loved them so much.  You know those cute little dainty buttons?  Well, they don't stay buttoned and they are wardrobe malfunctions waiting to happen.  Let's just say I had an awkward moment in a presentation, which led me to returning both of them). 

I was exited to see the new shipments in with the purple colors, especially the Majesty Coat:

J.Crew Majesty Peacoat

Yummy Colors!

How much do I love this coat?  Well let me tell you about it.  It is so beautiful.  (I didn't take a pic with it buttoned - arg!)  I was a bit surprised by the purple color in real life since it looks different than the catalog or online (Excuse the shoes and tights.  I look like an idiot.  I had on black shoes with black tights and tried on beige shoes):

Majesty Peacoat, Paisley head to toe, new shoes and unmatched tights

If you read my previous posts, you know that I dig the J.Crew Paisley.  I got the summer skirt with navy and orange and love it.  I had to get the Royal Paisley no.2 pencil skirt.  The purple, green and yellow colors are beautiful and the skirt isn't heavy, so you could wear it year round.  I tried on the crazy Royal Paisley with paisley combo with the top and no. 2 pencil skirt, like online:

In real life, it didn't work for me, although I like them separately.  That model would look good in a paper bag, but I can't bring myself to do that much pattern.  It felt too Prince, circa Purple Rain.  

J.Crew Royal Paisley Overkill

  I do like the scoopneck blouse and skirt separately, and can't wait to wear them with other items I own.

I did actually buy something that wasn't purple and neutral.  I got the Biella high-heel loafers in Warm Taupe regular $265 on sale for $59.99!  Shut the front door!  I couldn't pass these up.  These shoes have 4 inch heels.  I can walk in them and they are more comfortable then they look, but they are sitting shoes and not walking a lot shoes.  They are really pretty.  The warm taupe color makes the legs look really long.

Sitting shoes, not for long walks

I now have Prince songs playing in my head. How was your week?