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?

Fall 2012 J.Crew Purchases

I've been resisting fall and trying to hang onto summer.  Seattle has been beautiful in September and I don't want it to end.  Sadly, October begins and I must give up all of my summer fun and get with the fall program.  I got some nice bright pieces during a recent trip to J.Crew to help me with my transition.  I got the Colorblock Boatneck Tee, a great top that fits true to size and can look good dressed up or down.  I got it in the autumn coral color featured in the October catalog:

I wouldn't wear it with these pants the way J.Crew paired it, but you get the point:

Here's how I wore it (two bad attempts at an iphone self portraits, but you get the point):

Simple Saturday by handbagaficionado featuring a matte lipstick

I also got the Tippi Cardigan in Colorblock on sale:

 I am trying to figure out how to style it.  Here it is in the October catalog in a neutrals.

I may need this one, too!

Here are a few looks I do like for transitioning to Fall.  The Nicky top in jade.  I am kind of obsessed with this color lately.

Nicky Top with leopard shoes

Here's the same top:

and this (Cashmere cardigans + pencil skirts = perfection):

I am excited about the new J.Crew October 2012 roll out. 

Casual prep cool!  Love!

Love this, too!

Love!

When I need a coat, this is the one I want!

What do you like most about the new J.Crew roll out?

Maui, Steven Tyler, Louis Vuitton's Alma and J.Crew's Panama Hat

We went to Maui for a family vacation before the start of school and returned on Labor Day.  It was awesome.  We spent part of the time in Wailea, then the other part in Kaanapali Beach and Lahaina.  I mostly sat on the beach or at the pool, but I did go to the Shops at Wailea to mostly window shop.  I went to Louis Vuitton and saw this beautiful Alma bag in Green for fall (they also have purple, red, blue, black - all gorgeous).  I want this bag.

Louis Vuitton Alma - my dream bag

Speaking of Louis and travel, they have a great online guide on The Art of Packing that I would highly recommend if you travel.  Very helpful!

I wore my J.Crew Panama Hat which I love. I pretty much wore it every other day  (last time my scalp burned, so I learned my lesson).  This hat is so versatile and worth every penny.  When I wear this, I hear the Van Halen song in my head!  It must be my inner rocker chick!

J.Crew Panama Hat

Speaking of this hat and rockers, when we were staying in Wailea, we did some exploring past Makena Beach. Steven Tyler.  I wore my favorite Shoreline-stripe dress in Kelly Green. This is now on final sale, so if you thought about it, buy it now. It fits true to size.  It's an easy and versatile sundress.) I had this on when I had a celebrity sighting. We went exploring in Makena and we unknowingly ran in front of Steven Tyler's house in Wailea. He was coming outside of his driveway. My son said "Hey, that's Steven Tyler!" and it was him.  I pulled out my camera and didn't get a picture though. He said "Man, no pictures.":( I will never make it as a paparazzi! So Steven, this is from the lady with dark hair in front of your home last week. I am not a stalker. Peace and Mahalo! :)  Here's what I wore (inspired by the J.Crew picture):

Celebrity Sighting by handbagaficionado featuring a striped knit dress

Steven does have some artwork on display at the gallery in the Shops at Walea, that I did take a picture of the display.  :)

This was much more exciting from my Larry David celebrity sighting last time.  While I didn't get my celebrity photo opportunity, here are some beautiful views and fun things from the other end:

On the windy day I hung out by the pool mostly:

My daughter's idea for me to get flowers on my pedicure.  Silly.

Mai Tai's at Aloha Hour.

Before vacation, I did check out some of the new J.Crew items.  I like the Bouncle Peplum Jacket for fall.

Here it is in real life.  The pic came out a bit cloudy but you get the point:

J.Crew Peplum Jacket and Naomi Top

I had to try the French Hen after all the clucking.  I don't know.   I'm over 40 and it's feels a bit silly (and I will wear all kinds of things).  If it were cashmere or merino.  I don't know.  I can't get past the merino and cashmere paired with nylon.  It's sort of itchy and not so flattering on me. 

J.Crew French Hen Sweater

Hmmm.

What the cluck?!?

I'm going to pass on this one.

I think I need a few weeks to get enthusiastic about fall.  I'm sad summer ended. 

Hope you had a great week. 

Rocker Chic and Crazy Pants

On Saturday, my husband and I went to see Motley Crue and KISS.  I was so excited. I  may wear pearls, cardigans and pencil skirts now, but I love 80's rock, and used to rock big hair and leopard prints back in the day (I still love leopard prints).

As for concert swag, I ended up with 2 concert tees.  Who knows when I will actually wear them. I got this rhinestone KISS shirt below and  a Motley Crue Vintage Red tee.

The concert was awesome:

Vince and Nikki kick starting my heart

Gene!

KISS!!!!!

It gave me an excuse to wear my abstract leopard capri pants that I reviewed here, inspired by Vince Neil.  I went all out with leopard, sequins, ruffles, lots of eye liner, as decadent as the 80's.  Although I am a super fan, I think I ran into some serious fans, including this one:

KISS Army

I know, it's only rock and roll, but I like it.  After rock and rolling all night, I went back to the real world in corporate America.  I must have still been a bit rock and roll crazy (the ringing in my ears?) because the theme this week was crazy pants:

Outfits of the day (Naomi Top and Cafe Capri pants reviewed in my last post):

J.Crew Cardigan (similar here)
J.Crew Naomi Top in Neon Pink
J.Crew Cafe Capri in Pop Art Polka Dot
Italian Shoemaker Shoes (similar found here)
DKNY Ceramic Watch
J.Crew Golden Cabochon Bracelet

J.Crew Painter Boatneck Tee
J.Crew Capri Pants in Kaleidoscope Dot
J.Crew Tillary Purse
J.Crew Valentina Pumps

How did you rock this week?

J.Crew Stripes, Dots, Naomi, Bubble Necklace and Other Multiple Purchases

I am a multiple buyer.  It's a bad habit.  If I like something, I buy another (or two, or sometimes three) in another color,then it's overload.   I couldn't pass up the J.Crew ribbon-stripe boatneck tee after this beautiful pic in the July Style Guide although  I already had the one with the bright orange and blue (which I love).

J.Crew July Style Guide

Here is on me in real life, super casual:

J.Crew Factory Resin Droplet Necklace
J.Crew Ribbon-stripe boatneck tee
J.Crew Canteen Pants
J.Crew Golden Cabochon Bracelet
DKNY Ceramic Watch
Cole Haan Air Catalina Sandals

I got the J.Crew Factory Resin Droplet Necklace (mini bubble necklace) at 30% last week.  It's more every day wearable - and cheaper - than a bubble necklace (except of course, I got the citrus lime color.  My husband doesn't get this at all.)

Speaking of multiples, I just ordered an ebay version of the pink and the white like the one that was featured in the July Style Guide (cross your fingers, I am a little nervous, but the seller got good feedback, so I will let you know):

Here it is below it pink (ebay $18.99 - the bottom beads are a bit darker but who cares, the price is great):

I wanted the pink one after I saw this J.Crew pic, but didn't want to pay the $150.

I'll post some with the white one when it arrives.

I also bought the Naomi top on sale in hot pink (I LOVE everything about the look featured below - the hat, bracelets, perfection!).  I reviewed this in the polka dot version:

in Modern Red

Naomi Top in Neon Pink

I also got the painter boatneck tee in navy (fits true to size with gold snaps on the boatneck, which gives it some interesting detail) and Cafe Capri in Pop Art Polka dot (also fits true to size with a bit of stretch).  The pants are fun and will look great with a solid color of navy, pink, red, yellow, green.  They are also on sale this week for $99, so I gave in.  As I posted here and here, I've been on a bit of a crazy cafe capri kick (again back to multiple purchasing!)

J.Crew Painter Boatneck Tee
J.Crew Cafe Capri in Pop Art Polka Dot
DKNY Ceramic Watch
Tory Burch Robinson Demi Wedge Sandals

I must have been inspired by dots.  My daughter turned 13 yesterday, and we redid her room from Pottery Barn Kids Surf to PB Teen Dots (she loved this below in the catalog).  

How was your week?