J.Crew Spring, Michele Watch, Tory Burch Bags and the History of Mom Dance

Sorry for my long absence.  Holidays happened and I changed jobs.  In addition to a career opportunity, it was a great opportunity to wear new things. :)

I am very behind on blogging, so I will dip my toe back in and get back to a regular rhythm.  So here's to getting back in the groove:

It's February which means I can either shop a picked at clearance or be excited about Spring.  I choose to be excited about Spring, but it's still still cold in Seattle to break out the sandals.  So I am planning and dreaming ahead.  My very Personal Stylist emailed me some cute pics from Spring:

Love the pants.  Do I need more capri pants or polka dots?  Hmmm....

or this skirt with a simple tee shirt with the skirt from the January Style Guide?

I like it.  I like it a lot.

Here's my first day picture when my husband dropped me off (we do it when the kids start school, so he did it on my first day on the job).  I had on the vibrant fuschia J.Crew Double-Cloth Symphony coat, Halogen Cashmere Sweater, J.Crew Pearl Twisted Hammock Necklace,  J.Crew Pencil Skirt in royal paisley and Born Bitsy boots:

I loved this coat since I saw this pic in the winter 2012 style guide:

Since, I haven't updated since before the holidays, I have so new purchases to share.  Here's what Santa brought (Michele Deco Watch):

I am very happy with this watch and it compliments my other jewelry and wardrobe.  Thank you, Santa!

I made some other recent purchases.  This is my new Tory Burch Hannah Tote (paired up with J.Crew Lady Jacket in Blue Tweed, J.Crew Double Crystal Brulee Necklace,  J.Crew Lana Cami, J.Crew No.@ Double-Serge Wool Skirt and Born Bitsy Boots:

I love Tory Burch.  Last week, I got a smaller Tory Burch Robinson Mini Leather Crossbody bag in Poppy Red (which looks like orange to me - what's the deal lately?  J.Crew calls Orange "Modern Red" and Tory Burch calls it "Poppy Red."  Is there something wrong with saying orange?)  I see lots of options for this sweet little thing:

 Here is in real life (with J.Crew Factory Garment-Dyed Sweatshirt and J.Crew Leopard Print Scarf):

 

 

In other news,  I made some new makeup purchases that are worth sharing.  I am in love with the Trish McEvoy Lips and Eyes set exclusive to Nordstrom.  I never tried Trish products until last month when shopping the cosmetic counters and had a demo of the essential lip pencil and line refiner  (this stuff is great under eyes.  The sales associate put it on over my makeup and under my eyes and it was like magic and removed circles.  I said "Sold!")  I liked that and the nude lip pencil so much that I went back and got the Lips and Eyes set that comes in the cute little bag.  The lip color in the set in berry is gorgeous and I use the shadow all over and purple as liner with a liner brush.  The gloss is nice and neutral.  

Trish McEvoy Lips and Eyes

I also made a nice shoe purchase.  I got the J.Crew Everly Suede Pumps in Bluebird after seeing Michelle Obama rock the pink ones at the Convention.

(I will take pictures soon with outfits since these shoes look good with jeans, minnies, capri pants and skirts).  

Speaking of Michelle Obama, did you see her on Jimmy Fallon last week?  She did The History of Mom Dance and she rocked.

She also rocked the J.Crew Collection Featherweight Cashmere Cardigan in windowpane check and the the Collection Featherweight Cashmere Shell in Microcheck underneath (I think she also has on J.Crew minnies and I am not sure about the shoes).  After this video, the sweater started selling out.  I panicked (why I don't know but I am obsessed getting the sweater because a) it's cute for spring and a collection piece, b) it will be in the March Style Guide, c) FLOTUS rocked it and maybe I can if do these moves too.  I called and got it after a search.  Phew!  Should I get the shell underneath is that something only she can pull off?  Thoughts?

What items are you currently obsessing over?

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.