October 2011 Reviews: J.Crew Hacking, Schoolboy and Nouvelle Jackets, Natasha Top and Silk Polka-dot Tee

Happy October!  The change in weather finally motivated me to look at fall outfits. I stopped by the J.Crew in Seattle.  I wanted to try some of the new blazers for fall.  I work for an internet retailer and I can jeans to work.  Although the dress is casual, I like pairing blazer with a pair of jeans.  It pulls it together for a polished look that you can dress up or down.  You can never have enough blazers.  I wanted to see the Hacking Jacket in Herringbone in real life.

In addition to the charcoal color above, the store had Grass and Vibrant Flame. They didn't have the Vibrant Flame in my size, so I wore the size down below to just show the color.  The Grass color was in my regular size.  I posted it below so you can see the beautiful orange color.

J.Crew Hacking Jacket in Herringbone  with Lace-Over Tank (in stores for $19.99)

J.Crew Hacking Jacket in Herringbone, Grass with Silk Polka Dot

 Tee

Paired with Selvedge Chambray Shirt

Paired with the Lace-over tank

 I also want one in the heather dark grape color:

I was less enthusiastic about the J.Crew Schoolboy Blazer in Blackwatch Tartan in real life:

I had such high hopes for this one and it wasn’t meant to be.  The overall fit was weird.  It was too small and short on the sleeves in my regular size and it was too big under the arms and snug at the bust.  The sleeves were odd.  Sizing up didn’t help.  I heard my Personal Stylist advise another customer that the jacket was better suited for people with petite frames.  I’m almost 5’7 and felt like I mistakenly put on my 12 year-old daughter’s jacket.  I’ll pass on this one.

I love the Natasha top in Vivid Poppy.  

It's bright and simple.  Fits true to size.  Love the color.  Here it is close up in real life:

J.Crew in Vivid Poppy
Halogen Cardigan from Nordstrom 

I was wearing a black Halogen Crewneck Cardigan from Nordstrom similar to the J.Crew Jackie.   I paired it up with my sweater. This top is so cute.  I had to get it.  I see lots of options.  Here it is in deep lagoon and black under the Nouvelle Jacket in Super 120s, which I have:

Natasha and Nouvelle Jacket

I also ended up with the Natasha in black, because I need a new black blouse. Yes, I am a multiple buyer.  If this goes on sale soon, I may cry, but I have some meetings coming up that made me decide to go ahead and get them now.  I will wait on the blue to go on sale.

I’m on the fence about the Silk Polka-dot Tee.  I love the print.  It is cut it similar to the J.Crew Casbah top which I own.  It’s a bit shorter in length, so if you reach up (see how I am raising my arms for the pic) it's short.  It’s nice for layering.  I’ll wait for this one to go on sale. I need to love it for $98, and I don’t.  I may be convinced at a cheaper price.  It has an exposed zipper in the back which I am on the fence about for a blouse.  (Update:  I just saw that the store has these on sale for $49.99.  That was quick!)

 I need another leopard scarf like I need a hole in the head, but look how seriously soft and neutral this printed scarf in wool is and it’s on sale:

I also ended up with three (yes, don't judge, I am a multiple buyer, especially on sale) lace-over tanks (in taupe, below, poppy and ivory) on final sale for $19.99 each in store.  There are great with blazers, cardigans or on their own.  They are sized bigger, so you may want to size down.  I like the coverage on top, since they don't go as low as some of the j.crew tanks, so totally work appropriate.

How was your week?

J.Crew Fall Arrivals, Louis Vuitton Alma, and Beautiful Maui

It's September.  How is that possible?  I finally gave in and did some fall shopping (since we got a late start on summer in Seattle, I am in denial).  I went to J.Crew to check out some of the new arrivals.  I ended up with the Leather-tipped bell skirt, as see below:

Based on the picture with the model, I would've passed based on length.  The model must be really tall.  I'm nearly 5'7 and here's the length on me:

I really like this skirt.  It's super comfy and a great piece for fall with tights and boots. There are lots of possibilities with items I currently have:


I also took advantage of some sale items like the tissue pintucked tee, as seen above in navy, and below in warm redwood.  I also bought the black.  I know I will regret this, since the last few tissue tees I bought at J.Crew ended up with holes in them (Boo!  J.Crew on tissue tee quality.  It's annoying.)  However, the $19.99 in store price made me give in for what is likely disposable tee shirts.

I am trying to enjoy the last days of Summer before breaking out my fall wardrobe.  School started this week for my daughter (my son goes back next week) and we got back from Maui on Sunday.  This is our fourth visit to Maui in the last couple of years (I'm seriously addicted, as blogged about here and here).
This time, we stayed in the Westin Resort and Spa  on Kaanapali Beach for the couple on nights in an ocean front room.  This was my view:

After a couple of nights on Kaanapali Beach, we spent the week at Outrigger Ainu Nala in Lahaina, with a kitchen, two bedrooms and 2 baths.   The condo had plenty of room for the four of us and the pools were very relaxing.

relaxing poolside with my J.Crew flip flops and book

Lahaina is fun and there are great places within walking distance.

We had a wonderful dinner at Lahaina Grill.  My husband is a foodie and loved it.  He also enjoyed grilling out by the pool at the Outrigger.

I also got some shopping in.  I went to The Shops at Wailea.  I went to Louis Vuitton to see the Alma handbags.  Louis is hit or miss for me, but I was interested in the Prune Electric seen in the 3rd picture down on the left, but liked the Alma  Rouge Fauviste better, as seen below.  What do you think?

Here they are side by side?  What do you think?

I also got some cute short sleeve cardigans on clearance at Banana Republic.  I liked the one in Wailea better than the one near me in Seattle.

The only downside  to a glorious time was a sunburn on my scalp the last two days.  Here I am with my husband's hat, smothered in SPF.  Regardless, I had a blast.  I am sad to see summer end.

How was your summer?  Hope it was awesome. 

J.Crew Fall 2011 Collection Preview and Summer Sales

I was excited to see all of the new leopard items on J.Crew's website.  I received an email from my personal stylist at Pacific Place J.Crew regarding the new Fall Collection.

I got the Leopard Print No. 2 Pencil Skirt. The print is really nice.  It's more subtle and isn't as bright.  This is a bit longer than the regular J.Crew pencil skirts and a little more fitted at hips but the same in the waist.  It’s cotton and unlined.  I was worried about that but happy to report that after a full day of work, then dinner and shopping, it still kept it’s shape.

J.Crew black pullover (in store item)
J.Crew Leopard Print no.2 Pencil Skirt
J.Crew Mona Pumps

I got the skirt and wore it to work on Friday, paired with a basic black tee and denim jacket.  I see a lot of possibilities in this skirt to dress up or down.

J.Crew Nolita Jacket
J.Crew crewneck tee
Pencil Skirt
Cole Haan Air Carma pumps

I also tried the Leopard Tippi Sweater.  

I was so excited about this sweater when I saw it online in the picture above and wanted to love it.  I have and adore several leopard J.Crew cardigans so I liked the idea of a sweater in leopard print.  In real life, I hated it.  The wool was so itchy that I couldn’t stand it on.  Perhaps with a button down underneath it would be okay, but the cut is more fitted.  Too much hassle.  I love all things leopard, but this print looked a bit too Cougar for me.  I’ll pass.   I tried it with the no. 2 pencil skirt in double serge wool.  I didn't love that either, sadly, because the wool was itchy.

J.Crew Leopard Tippi Sweater
J.Crew no. 2 pencil skirt in double-serge wool
J.Crew Mona Leather pumps

I tried the Leopard Perfect Shirt. 

J.Crew Leopard Perfect Shirt
Joe's Jeans
J.Crew Watson Wedges

It’s cotton without the stretch that some of the other button down shirts have, which is disappointing for the price (the stretch would've actually made it a "perfect shirt"). However, I really like the print and think it will be cute under a black sweater, cardigan or blazer.   I didn't get it, but I still thinking about it.

The new fall shoes were in.  I loved the Mona leather pumps in brick red which looks more orange in real life.  At $198, I will wait for a sale or rewards, but want to get them.

I tried on the Watson Wedges, loving them, but I passed thinking they were full price.  I hesitated because I didn’t think $198 made sense for shoes that were more summery versus fall.  Then I went home and saw that they were on final sale online!  The store has 40% off final sale, so they ended up at $83.99.  I went back the next day, dressed in my leopard pencil skirt and all the stuff I bought the day before that was new.  They looked at me like I was insane or must have had a return.  I had to have the shoes.  It was meant to be.  

J.Crew Watson Wedges in black
J.Crew Leopard no.2 pencil skirt

I also ended up with the Watercolor Floral Scarf.  I’m all about it.  This scarf is gorgeous.  It's hard to see the green in my camera phone photos, but it's beautiful.

I also scored some 40% final sale items.  I’m going on vacation next month to Maui and took advantage of some of the summer sales.  I got the Jetty Dress for $17.99 after discounts.  

The color is Indigo Tile and very pretty.

J.Crew Jetty Dress
Tory Burch sandals

I got the beautiful Silk Casbah top for $48 after discounts.

I also got a pair of skinny wedge flip flops in Bright Dahlia for $7.99.  The flip flops are cheaper, but for the price and color (which matches my boatneck painter tee, sun-drenched sweatshirt and skirt).

Today is the last day of Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale.  I ended up with the Laura Mercier Everyday Classic Colour Collection.  This kit is $75 but worth the splurge (it’s valued at $218 with the full sized items and brush).  I love the colors and the brush. The collection features four Well Eye Color Palette (Buff, Guava, Sable, Black Smoke), Full Size Cheek color in Plum Radiance, Full Sized Lip Glace in Raspberry (exclusive shade), Full Size Mascara, Mini Foundation Primer, Cheek Color Brush and a Double Ended Ponytail/smudge brush.

Laura Mercier Everyday Classic Colour Collection 

There were plenty of leopard shoe sightings there.  I saw some cute ones, but didn't buy any.

I love all the fall items, but I am not in a hurry for summer to end.  It's my favorite time of year.  How was your week?