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 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?

Birthday Shopping at Tory Burch, J.Crew, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus

This week was my unbirthday, which I celebrate the event but not the actual age.   Of course, this is when I reflect.  What is the rule for fashion for women my age?  What age is too old to wear what?  After 40, I started having more fun with clothes.  Is this a mid-life crisis I am having with my closet?  Am I too old for colored capri pants, prints, etc.  Is there a rule?  Jennifer Aniston is my age and she rocks a mini dress because she can.  Should she get a high five and “you go girl” for pulling it off or should she stop and dress more mature?  As I was left pondering the meaning of age, life and fashion, I decided to throw my rule book out and have some fun going shopping.  I took the day off on my unbirthday and went to the Bravern and Bellevue Square to shop.  I also decided not to worry about it, celebrate life and ate chocolate and drank wine at Wild Ginger.   Here I  am celebrating with a delicious and naughty chocolate desert:

 

J.Crew Nolita Denim Jacket
J.Crew Blouson Dress in Polka Dot
OPI Nail Polish in Pompeii Purple

I  did a lot of shopping, and when I say a lot, I mean a lot, even for me:

Lots of goodies!

J.Crew Nolita Denim Jacket
J.Crew Blouson Dress in Polka Dot
J.Crew Watson Wedge shoes

Neiman Marcus was having a gift with purchase.  The gift bag is cute, and I like the samples.  I opted for the orange bag.  (I bet you guessed pink!  I can’t believe I didn’t pick pink.  I think I was trying to be bold and daring).  I got a bottle of Michael Kors perfume and La Mer eye cream (back to that aging thing).  I also had a makeover at Yves Saint Laurent and bought this glossy stain lip color in encre rose, perfect for summer and super long lasting (stays on for hours, seriously):

YSL Glossy Stain in Encre Rose

I went to Tory Burch and Nordstrom and went crazy on shoe shopping.  I'm more of a handbag girl (hence the name), but I've been on a shoe kick lately.

Shoes!

At Tory Burch I  got the Robinson Demi-Wedge Sandal.  I love these and the blood orange color is beautiful for summer and they are comfortable.

Tory Burch Robinson Demi-Wedge Sandal

I also got the Tory Burch Leather Amanda High Peep Toe Wedge, which are cushioned, comfortable and cute on.

Tory Burch Leather Amanda High Peep Toe Wedge

I got the Tory Burch Miller 2 Logo Thong Sandals in Royal Tan.   They are comfy and will go with a lot of things for summer.  I'm  still debating if I should keep these since I got so many others.

Tory Burch Miller 2 Thongs

At Nordstrom the Half Yearly Sale, I got a pair of Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan'Air Catalina' Sandal on sale for $99.  These are so cute and comfortable.  They have the concealed Nike Air Technology.  They are sparkly and even met my 12 year old daughter’s seal of approval.

Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan Air Catalina Sandal

I went to J.Crew and took advantage of the sales. I got the Vintage cottoncap-sleeve tee in stripe with neon pink stripes (item 80405) $34.50, in store sale of $19.99.   This is a basic tee shirt, true to size.

J.Crew Vintage cotton-cap sleeve tee

I got the Candy-stripe Jute Clutch.  This bag is so cute for summer (goes with brights) It makes me smile.  It’s on sale in stores at $49.99.  Grab one of these, since it’s a cute bag for summer that you can keep year of year.

J.Crew Candy Stripe Jute Clutch

I got the Summerlight terry pullover ($59.50 item 82341, on sale in store for $39.99) in café mint.  It super soft and comfy, fits true to size and is bright neon green which is fun for summer.  I love the neons.  Makes me think of the 80's.

J.Crew Summerlight Terry Pullover

I love the way it is styled in the June Style Guide:

I got the Villa Dress in green on sale for $49.99.  I reviewed the stripe dress.  I love this green shade.  So bright and cheerful.

J.Crew Villa Dress

I also got the Navy Golden Cabochon Bracelet in the store for the online sale price of $49.99.  It's beautiful in real life.  I've had several compliments on it already.

Here I am in my new things pulled together:

J.Crew Nolita Denim Jacket
J.Crew Villa Dress in Emerald
J.Crew Pearl Twisted Hammock Necklace
J.Crew Navy Golden Cobochon Bracelet
J.Crew Candy-Stripe Jute Clutch
DKNY Ceramic Watch
Cole Haan Catalina shoes

 In addition to all of this fun stuff, I got some beautiful earrings from my husband.  (I lost one of my diamond studs the day of my mother’s funeral in December.  Since then, I’ve been wearing costume and pearls). 

My husband said "After all of this, you won't need to shop for a couple of weeks, right?" Phew!  I am exhausted after all of this shopping, but excited about my new things.

 How was your week?

J.Crew Keeper Chambray Shirt Review

Last week I got the J.Crew Keeper Chambray Shirt.  I'm not quite sure what took me so long.  Perhaps the $78  price, or that J.Crew, Madewell and others paired it with everything on the planet.  I saw this paired with for every season, so I finally decided to get one.  The shirt is cotton, long sleeves that can roll up, buttons on cuff and machine washable.  The color is called afternoon sky and it works with just about anything.  The fit is true to size.  In my last post, there was a comment asking how to wear it.  I thought about that question, since there are so many ways, I thought I would devote an entire blog post.  Here are the many ways to style it:  

Chambray, white tee and shorts, easy style

Paired with dark jeans, easy style

Preppy with the Tippi Sweater in Linen

This also works paired with a simple tee shirt, sundress or maxi dress.  Great for summer nights, picnics or concerts.

Paired with the T-Shirt Dress in Dizzy Anchors

I love how J.Crew pairs it with anything and it works.  Sequins?  You bet!   (I'm drooling over the jacket below).

Chambray Shirt + Sequins + Red = Pop and Sparkle

Style with The Sequin Jacket (love this!)

For extra polish, this shirt also looks good with blazers and skirts.

Paired with white pants and  Schoolboy Blazer in navy

Paired with Maritime Blazer and cut offs

You can always suit it up or pair it with a pencil skirt.

Paired with Bureau Jacket in Linen Canvas

Added with a black pencil skirt and any color of cardigan for different looks

Now here it is on me in real life.  I paired in with my No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Garden Floral (seen here) and Mona pumps in Poppy (seen here and here) for work.

J.Crew Keeper Chambray Shirt
J.Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Garden Floral
J.Crew Mona Pumps in Poppy
DKNY Watch
J.Crew Pearls

This shirt would look good paired with pink, leopard, black, navy, red, you name it.  I like adding a statement necklace or loads of pearls. Stacked bracelets would give it an extra edge, as well.

This is also a great super casual shirt to throw on for a weekend morning coffee and paper (I put it over my neon pink J.Crew tee this morning with cropped pants and flip flops):

Keep checking back as I add photos of different ways to wear this Keeper!  The name says it all.

Here are some different ways I will wear it with the items I own:

J.Crew Raj No.2 Pencil Skirt and Valentina Pump Options by handbagaficionado featuring a red nail polish

or this way:

Inspired. Now all I need is the bag... by handbagaficionado featuring long sleeve tops

How would you wear it?