A Bigger Closet

J.Crew Jaspé Pullover Inspired Outfit

2012-01-31T15:48:00.001-05:00

Jaspé pullover from original outfit here (my top below, is from last year)
Pants from original outfit available here (size 28 measures from CS: waist 32.25" hip 36.75" rise 8") (shhh, mine are from Talbots here, unbelievable price, no?)

Shoes - similar here, I love this color with yellow pants! Mine are J.Crew's Lulu peep-toes. I still love these!
The bag and bracelet I want, want, want from J.Crew...waiting on a sale.

And one of my favorite tee tops so far from J.Crew for spring, is the Colorblocked stripe long-sleeve tee. Do I know how to pick them or what? This one is almost sold out in both colors on the website!

I'm wearing the medium size, but prefer the more fitted small size.

A Rose Party With J.Crew's Silk Pleat Skirt

2012-01-29T14:37:00.015-05:00

Silk pleat skirt in crimson floral
I love pockets on a skirt! :)

I'm an easy mark for a good deal on a clever piece, which is exactly why I took a chance on this skirt. This one came out as a holiday item, but I plan to wear mine for Valentine's Day and beyond. If you bought one too, then you know how pretty it is in real life. If you don't have it and like the print and style, grab one before it sells out.

Fit runs small. Sizing up also adds a bit of extra length because the skirt sits lower on the waist. I'm 5'8" for reference. I sized up to a 6 (waist measures 14.5" laid flat). I usually take a 2 or 4 in J.Crew skirts. Here's the measurements I got from customer service on some sizes:
Size 2 waist 27.5 inches, hip 38 inches
Size 4 waist 28.5 inches, hip 39 inches
Size 6 waist 29.5 inches, hip 40 inches
Size 8 waist 30.5"
Size 10 waist 31.5"
Size 12 waist 33"
Skirt alternates: an amazing markdown on Isaac Mizrahi rosy pretty here, and one by Milly here in blue tones, and here (on sale) in pinks. Also a few more of the gimlet styles from J.Crew here, here and here.
Top - similar here (measurements from J.Crew for the Jaspe are: XS chest 32.5" waist 31.5" and S chest 34.5" waist 33.5"). I love the way this top gives almost any skirt a more casual look.
Watch - available here
Belt - similar here
Boots - here
Tights - available here

Mixing up old with new. Top and bracelets from J.Crew. A similar top, the Painter zip tee in stripe is available here.

OK, so now that some of us have this skirt, how the heck do we style it? How about some of these options?

It's hard to see in the picture, but my tee has thin stripes that match the bronze-olive colors in the skirt. Perfect fit mixed tape cardigan here.

Does it work with rugby stripes? I kind of like it. Maybe throw a Downtown field jacket over it? The Dream stripe tee sweater is similar and comes with short sleeves which is great for when the weather gets warmer.

And of course I can't resist a tissue turtleneck and my Excursion quilted vest. Because I love this vest and don't need an excuse to wear it with everything. :) I think the skirt looks best with simple sweaters and shirts in shades of red, olive, white, and of course black.

Hmm, I'm not sure about a black denim jacket. Is that getting too casual for the skirt?

Do you have this skirt? Are you planning to dress it up or try wearing it in more casual outfits?

Hope you're enjoying the weekend and as always, thanks so much for visiting my blog! I have some catching-up to do replying to comments on previous posts, emails and visiting blogs. It will happen. I know it. :)

J.Crew Pleated A-line Skirt in Ashbury Floral

2012-01-25T16:22:00.003-05:00

I'm kind of drawn to J.Crew's Ashbury floral print and all the pretty colors that give it so many styling possibilities.

The silk twill is a very nice material on this skirt. It's soft and substantial, not stiff at all. The skirt is fully lined and does have side seam pockets. For me, it loses some points for having a ribbon lined waistband, and for not being offered in petite sizes, or a slightly shorter length. I would prefer it to hit just above my knees. Tailoring the hem is an option for those who may want a shorter length. The price point is higher on this skirt (it's a Collection item), but after looking around at some of the comparable designer silk floral print skirts this spring, like here, here, here, here, or here, it seems more reasonable. And I actually prefer J.Crew's version!

I pre-ordered this skirt during a 30% off sale and would say that it's worth buying if it goes on sale. I also tried it with the Jackie pullovers in the blue and green colors, which match it perfectly. The pleats around the waist lay flat so there's no bulkiness. I like that too. It's easy to belt, tuck in a top, or wear with a sweater.

Pleated A-line skirt in Ashbury floral here and here
I'm wearing size 4, sizing reference: waist = 14.5 inches (measured flat), length 24.5 inches (center front)

Elisabetta peep toe heels here, fit is true to size, toe box runs a bit snug for me.

Stitches are temporary at the hemline, creases are from shipping and easy to iron out.

Love florals? Here's another pleated floral skirt that's on sale right now. I'll post pictures of mine when I get it. I plan to wear it with white, red, and navy tops for spring.

the Silk pleat skirt in crimson floral skirt
I called customer service and got the following measurements for this item:

Size 2 waist = 27.5 inches, hip = 38 inches

Size 4 waist = 28.5 inches, hip = 39 inches

Size 6 waist = 29.5 inches, hip = 40 inches

these heels or these flats would be perfect with the red skirt above.

And a couple of other stylish essentials that caught my eye are these coats from the GAP...

Pleated Trench Coat here (regular/tall/petite sizes)
get 30% off with code GAPSPRING (ends today)

Cropped Trench Capelet here
get 30% off with code GAPSPRING (ends today)

Rachel Roy Inspires

2012-01-23T07:56:00.007-05:00

Rachel Roy is one of my favorite designers this year, and my outfit was inspired by this pre-fall 2012 look from her collection.

Skirt, boots, clutch, J.Crew. Sweater, Forever 21

Sweater - similar here is perfect for spring
Skirt - similar to the No. 2 pencil skirt in midnight tweed here
Boots - here
Clutch - similar here and here

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Looking Ahead

2012-01-20T16:26:00.005-05:00

To spring that is, and how I'll be wearing this pencil skirt with bare legs when the weather warms up. The part about bare legs is wishful thinking at the moment, but J.Crew dropped the price of the skirt online again, so now's the time to grab one before it sells out. I have this in a size 2 and the fit is generously true to size.

Skirt - available here (I'm wearing size 2, fit is a generous true to size)
Top - available here in warm jade (I'm wearing a medium)
Necklace - Lulu Frost for J.Crew
Heels - Talbots, similar black kitten heel pumps here, and love the slingback version here
Bag - Michael Kors, similar here

The print on the skirt is also available on the Perfect shirt in royal paisley and the Talitha blouse. Either are great for layering under a sweater or jacket. There's also the Blouson dress in royal paisley here.

Have great Friday everyone! :)

J.Crew Final Sale Keepers

2012-01-19T17:27:00.003-05:00

Airy Wool Scarf, also watch for the Ashbury Wool Scarf

These are the regret-free goodies that I've added to my closet from J.Crew's final sale section. Some were on my wish list, but sold out. So then I waited patiently for those to show up again. For the others, I waited for an extra discount, like their current 30% off promotion with code MUSTHAVE.

Face Nail Polish (3 pack) , also came in a single size.

Schoolboy blazer in velvet here (size 4T in this one for me). I can't believe I waited so long to own it in this color! Even though it's velvet, I see myself wearing it from September through late March. Oh, and nothing revives velvet and removes creases like a quick steam with a handheld steamer.

Isla suede platform heels here for spring. Fit is TTS for me, and heel strap doesn't slip down.

Fanfare jacket in felted wool (size 4 for me), same style as the Fanfare jacket in peacock tweed here.

Blouson dress in polka dot here (size 2 or 4 works for me depending on how much 'blouson' I want),
also comes in stripe, and the Royal Paisley dress here.

Tissue turtleneck tee - here (XS works better than small for me when I'm layering under a jacket or sweater). This is an essential piece for winter layering IMHO. Lulu Frost for J.Crew pendant.

I have 2 basic rules for shopping final sale and they've saved me from the headache of unwanted items.

1. I only buy clothes that I've had a chance to try on before they hit final sale or,
2. I call customer service for measurements and compare to similar styles that I already own.

J.Crew New Arrival: Colorblocked Stripe Long Sleeve Tee

2012-01-18T11:05:00.003-05:00

Are you ready for another super cute striped top from J.Crew? This time it's colorblocked. I think this will be very popular when more people see it in real life. I ordered the madagascar peri version to try, and fell in love with the top as soon as I saw it. It's a keeper. The colors are pretty and versatile, the neckline is flattering and not too low, and it's made from a substantial cotton knit that can be worn now and later. It's NOT sheer at all, and the fit is TTS. I tried a medium and a small, and prefer the small. I'm not sure why this was called a long sleeve tee, but the sleeves are actually bracelet length.

Top - Colorblocked stripe long sleeve tee here
Bag - similar here, here, and here
Pants - similar here and a great buy here in a flared leg with 30% off online only, until 1/19 (code NEWYOU), also here, and luxe brand here
Bracelet - Enamel and pavé-link bracelet here, matching necklace here

My bag is J.Crew's classic Thompson tote. The Enamel link bracelet is also very pretty and there's a necklace available too. My colored jeans are from Forever 21. These are their premium denim colored skinny jeans. I stay away from their cheaper colored jeans because the denim is too thin. These are just the right weight for a smoother fit and warm weather.

Another option is to wear the top with a skirt. Try a color like mine, a royal blue, classic navy, or white. Tuck it in, add a skinny red, yellow, or blue belt. Add a colorful bag or shoes. There are many styling options with this one!

Skirt - similar here, also the blue version in this skirt would be pretty.
Necklace - Lulu Frost for J.Crew
Bracelet - J.Crew (I also like it with the red or yellow colors)

Also comes in the cerise color option

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The Misikko Experience

2012-01-17T13:50:00.002-05:00

My hair is quite fine and long, and it's prone to waves and frizzing. In other words, it's not a pretty picture before styling. Which is why I skipped to the part where you see how it looks after a styling intervention. ;)

This was my first attempt at straightening my hair with the Hana titanium 1.5" flat iron, courtesy of Brian at Misikko.com. The Hana and the Chi Flat iron are two of their best sellers. My hairdresser got me hooked on the 1" Babyliss flat iron years ago, but I think it's time for change. The 1.5" Hana does a much faster job of straightening my hair because the wider plates can handle more hair with each pass. The grip was very comfortable and the iron feels light. The smooth, shiny plates let hair glide through effortlessly, and they're very easy to clean. I set the temperature dial to 375F and got great results for my hair type. The Hana iron does heat up to 450F, which should be hot enough to straighten almost any type of hair.

(click to enlarge)

I would definitely recommend the Misikko website for hairstyling products. They were great to deal with and shipping was super fast, even to Canada. And just look at the beautiful packaging! When I asked Brian if it was done just for this order, he said no, they do the same special packaging for anyone's order. If you're looking for the best flat iron, they have lots to choose from, along with hair dryers, and other styling essentials. Their best seller lists and customer reviews on the website are also very helpful. I'm already planning to go back for a 1" mini flat iron for travel! :)

This is how my flat iron box was packed when I opened it. It was well padded and everything was in it's place. The 'surprises' were fun and useful, like a bottle of their Shine Shield to protect the hair from styling heat, a variety of storage cases, and a special heat pad for the flat iron.

J.Crew Edie Purse in Sagebrush

2012-01-15T14:32:00.002-05:00

I was curious to see this color version of J.Crew's Edie bag in real life. And to be honest, I hoped it would be more blue than green. It is a green tone however, and matches almost perfectly with last year's Beverly Lace-up peep-toe heels in the tuscan olive color.

Color aside, the purse is lovely and ladylike. I tried it in my last outfit post here, although I think something like a bright yellow bag would be even better with the outfit. :)

The Edie bags also come several other colors, in a Tote and Pursette style, as well the Calf hair print.

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The opposite of a calming neutral is this season's neon trend. Here's a few bag options that I like:

Mini messenger bag from Old Navy
(use code ONSAVEMORE to get 15% to 25% off)

Fluorescent trim canvas bag from Top Shop

Michael Kors Gia Clutch w/Lock Ostrich

Do you have your eye on a neon bag for this spring?

Pattern Mixing - Stripes and Florals

2012-01-15T11:40:00.003-05:00

Pattern mixing is not something I do often, although maybe I should since it's not all that difficult to pull off. If you're a pattern mixing novice like me, then it's best to keep things simple at first. Start with a basic shirt in a classic print like stripes, polka dots, or checks. Then add a print skirt in the same hues. Finally, anchor the outfit with accessories and add a sweater or jacket, depending on the season.

Sweater - great reviews for this, or this for layering, or this in cashmere, or this in merino
Shirt - stripes here and here, in solid here, or here, or try classic chambray here
Skirt - mine is the floral version of this skirt, but almost every retailer has a cute full skirt this season, like this or this in silk, and this in cotton
Boots - here, similar here (a full, short skirt also looks great with flat boots)
Bag - here in sagebrush
Tights - here, here, here, or here

Mix and match bracelets - here, here, here, here, here and here.

Are you a pattern mixing novice or pro?

J.Crew Café Capri in Harvest Tweed

2012-01-13T01:59:00.002-05:00

These tweedy capris did not receive very much love in the green color from bloggers, but I have big love for the harvest tweed version, and plan to wear these pants thru spring with pink, lilac, lavender and ivory colored tops.

Pants available here (this fabric also comes in this skirt, and this skirt)
Sweater, similar here and here
Shoes available here (fit TTS and you only need to undo the first buckle to get them on/off ;)
Bag, available here, similar here, and a pretty alternative here
Necklace (F21) similar here and here (watch for pop-backs)

Fit is similar to the Cafe capri in wool. These are a regular length, so they're quite cropped on me.

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And if you're not absolutely positively done with sequins, then it's worth grabbing the Drapey Sequin Tank in the iced mint color. It's SO pretty layered under a cardi or jacket. The fabric is a linen/cotton blend knit, perfect for spring. I got it in a small, which has these measurements: chest 34", bottom sweep 35".

Hope everyone has a terrific Friday! :)

J.Crew New Arrivals: Jackie Sweater, Ashbury Wool Scarf, Golden Stripe Bracelet

2012-01-12T09:16:00.002-05:00

Spring outfits are a ways off if you live in a part of the country like I do, where the full wrath of winter hasn't even arrived yet. Oh well, it's fun to check out new arrivals anyway. And predictably I ended up at J.Crew to do that, since I'm kind of obsessive about their stuff.

I've seen a few of the Ashbury print items on other blog reviews, but personally I like it best in the scarf. The colors are so vibrant and beautiful. And by the way, I think this scarf is misnamed as a paisley scarf on the website. It's actually the Ashbury print. At least that's what I'm going to call it.

Scarf available here (love this!)
Coat similar here, here, here and here (hthr majestic purple)
Sweater available here (I'm wearing medium but small fine ok too for a more snug fit)
Bag similar here and here
Bracelet available here (love this too - and the rhinestones are recessed, which helps prevent snags, yay!)
Pants similar here and full length here
Shoes available here, compare to the luxe similar by Christian Louboutin here

Items like the scarf that perfectly matches my bag from fall, and my old coat, are exactly why I keep returning to J.Crew. Building a wardrobe has never been so easy. ;)

Something else that's a new offering is the Jackie sweater. This one gets a thumbs-up from me. I took a medium for a looser fit through the body, but I think a small would be fine too. I'm ready to wear this sweater now! It's a washable, thick, shape retaining cotton blend. I noticed the website description said this is a long sleeve sweater. It's not. As you can see, it's more like a three-quarter length.

To preserve the fabric and gorgeous color, here's the method I use to wash items like this:
- turn sweater inside-out
- use cold water/cold water detergent and a delicate cycle (don't mix with other fabric blends to avoid pills)
- toss in dryer for max. 5 to 7 minutes (I use an anti-static cloth in the dryer like this, not fabric softener sheets)
- reshape to remove any creases
- hang dry on a wide shoulder hanger

And don't forget, J.Crew is offering 30% off sale items with code WINTER, until tomorrow. I noticed that more items were added to the sale section today, including the bracelet I'm wearing above!

Colorblock Tee

2012-01-09T18:08:00.003-05:00

Perfect-fit colorblock tee (on sale here, I'm wearing small - this is also a good transition top between seasons)

Wool twill studio trouser (old J.Crew, similar here)

Adrianna buckle pumps (on sale here)

Lulu Frost crystal horsehoe necklace (watch for pop-backs here, also this one, or here or here)
Belt Forever 21 (similar here and here)
Paisley wool scarf (not shown because it arrived after my picture - it's beautiful IRL - I'll post photos soon)

Reasons why I like this tee so much that I got it in 3 colors? It's a boatneck that flatters a small chest and balances curvy hips by making shoulders appear wider. It's also the perfect neckline to show off a long necklace.

Is it wrong to buy multiples? I say no, if it's something you really like.

Golden stripe bracelet (love the way these look worn in multiples)

I hope the new year got off to a great start for everyone, and thank you all for the sweet wishes on my last post! My goals for 2012 are fairly simple. Sleep more, eat better, stay out of the emergency room, and stay in closer touch with family and friends. I'd also like to blog more often, and do a closet purge/sale and reorganize.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T16:05:00.000-05:00

Sequin tank in navy (similar here and here)
Sweater in navy (similar here, here, here and here)
Suede heels (similar here and here)
Pants in black - capri not shown (similar here)
Necklace in silver (similar here, here and here)

Spending New Year's eve at home is the perfect excuse to wear sequins and heels.

Chocolates, strawberries, and sipping champagne at midnight...what could be better?

Hope everyone has a terrific New Year's eve, and best wishes for 2012!

The Post-Christmas Post

2011-12-27T19:45:00.001-05:00

The one thing I haven't done since my last ordered arrived from J.Crew on Christmas eve, is more shopping. I know, can you believe it? ;) While it's disappointing for many J.Crew fan's that final sale is back, not to mention only a 20% discount on orders right now, I feel like I needed a break from shopping after my frenzied J.Crew fix during their pre-Christmas sales.

Dayplanner from Paperblanks, the Christmas gift that inspired my outfit.

Top - J.Crew thermal here, here and here, similar here, and here (on sale with extra 30% off)
Vest - J.Crew, similar here and here
Skirt - J. Crew, similar here and here
Boots - J.Crew, here or here in suede
Tights - J.Crew, similar here
Watch - Tissot Generosi-T w/diamonds here (also w/o diamonds here)
Bracelets - J.Crew
Lipstick - Lancome, Color Fever (Hot Stuff Rouge) similar here and here

I used the gold and black color theme from the dayplanner for today's outfit pictures, and then decided to wear the cozy thermal henley and slouchy pj pants with shearling slippers for the rest of the day since it turned out to be our first snow day.

If you're looking for some post Christmas shopping thrills, almost every retailer has a promotion going on right now (check out your favorite retailer's link on the right side of my blog).

One retailer I haven't looked at in some time is Tommy Hilfiger. I've always liked their clean, preppy separates. Today they're offering 30% sale prices and free shipping on orders in the US and to Canada. Also free return shipping in the US, and NO final sale! :) These goodies are from their spring and fall runway collections.

Tommy Hilfiger Runway Loafer

Tommy Hilfiger Runway Boatshoe

Tommy Hilfiger Spring Runway Tote

Tommy Hilfiger Spring Runway Clutch

Sending Christmas Wishes

2011-12-24T12:59:00.001-05:00

...to each and every one of my lovely readers. I hope you have a holiday season filled with love, health and joy!

Pretty Things

2011-12-18T20:35:00.002-05:00

Oh, the styling possibilities....Elisabetta peep-toe heels

J.Crew got me again when these showed up in my size today. I can hardly wait to see them in person. Isn't the color G O R G E O U S?

Cafe capris in harvest tweed, also available in a pencil skirt here

The pants were a hidden item today, so I grabbed a pair to try with my Adrianna buckle pumps. I hope I like them because I have oodles of tops in my closet to wear them with!

More pretty colors...remember to use SNOWMAN code for extra 30% off and free shipping!

No. 2 pencil skirt in double serge wool in neon azalea, bright blue and vibrant flame.

No. 2 pencil skirt in double serge cotton in casablanca blue and citron.

Perfect fit tees in crewneck or v-neck styles in colors like bright dahlia, maraschino cherry, wavecrest, light nectar and monterey pine are a steal right now, on sale and with the extra 30% discount. These are a closet staple to layer under sweaters now, and wear on their own later.

Cashmere boyfriend cardigan in hyacinthe or spearmint.

Cotton v-neck sweater for layering. I love this in the brilliant fuchsia, citrus lime and daiquiri ice colors.

Hope everyone had a terrific weekend!

Adrianna Buckle Pumps and Bellamy Suede Ankle Boots - Review and Pictures

2011-12-15T15:48:00.003-05:00

Adrianna leather buckle pumps
also available Adrianna satin buckle pumps

Since today is the last day of the JINGLE promotion at J.Crew, I wanted to do a quick post (mostly pictures) about the Adrianna buckle pumps and the Bellamy suede ankle boots. Both are on sale with an extra discount of up to 30% today.

Click to enlarge any of the pictures

The Adrianna buckle pumps are divine! These are a high heel, but they feel quite stable to walk on because of the straps. I adjusted each strap to fit one hole tighter, and it makes all the difference in how the shoe looks and feels on my feet. Fit is true to size and I prefer these with trouser socks or tights.

The warm mushroom color goes perfectly with all those earthy J.Crew colors from last year. I have long toes and found the cut at the side front was a bit low (another reason why they work better with socks/tights for me), but the toebox is wide and doesn't cut into my foot or toes at all, and the pointy toe doesn't pinch.

I think these pumps are a great way to update almost anything in your closet now, and for spring.

NEXT...

The Bellamy suede ankle boots are available in 2 colors and a great deal right now if you get the 30% off discount and free shipping. I ordered a second pair in the burnt sienna color after I got these. Also available as the Bellamy leather ankle boots in 3 colors, if you prefer a smooth leather instead of suede.

I love pointy toes and heels on boots and shoes, so there's not much to say about the shape. You either love them or you don't. ;) I think this is the 3rd year that J.Crew has brought back this heel shape and I keep falling for it. It's classic, chic, and elegant with casual pants or even a dress. Fit is true to size. The toe is slightly more pointed on this than previous styles (I like it even better now).

These and the Pierce spectator booties made it to the top of my wishlist when their sale price dropped again recently.

Did you get either of these styles? Do you have a boot or shoe on your wishlist from J.Crew right now?

New to Sale!

2011-12-14T23:04:00.003-05:00

It's great to see new items added to J.Crew's sale section while the current promotion is going on. These are some of the new additions that caught my eye tonight. Most are still available in a good selection of sizes - always a bonus ;)

I noticed the other day the Biella loafers were on sale, but now they're back to full price (unfortunately I missed them), so grab what you like early in case some of these jump back up to full price too.

Black tie pumps

Valentina printed patent pumps (warm grey color in sale section)

Lula patent leather ballet flats (3 colors in sale section)

Lula leopard ballet flats

MacAlister shearling wedge boots

Quincy short boots

Quincy tall boots

Darby glitter loafers

Darby glitter toe penny loafers

No. 2 pencil skirt in harvest tweed

Cafe capri in harvest tweed

Swish skirt in plaid

Boy shirt in stripe crepe de chine

Suzette blouse

Suzette blouse in nightfall floral

Silk campshirt in leopard lame

My favorite basics with even lower prices:

Vintage thermal tee

Tissue turtleneck tee

Don't forget, today the code JINGLE offers Free Shipping plus an additional 20%, 25% or 30% off sale prices too. Check the website for details.

Happy shopping!

J.Crew Secretary Blouse in Pictures

2011-12-13T20:30:00.003-05:00

Secretary blouse in ribbon print here (size 2)
Similar here in solid or print here (both now on sale!)

One more post with a couple of tops I wanted to try during a recent sale from J.Crew. These tops have been around for some time. They sold out quickly as soon as they were marked down, but still pop-back frequently with updates to the sale section. So...I thought if anyone is interested and hasn't seen these IRL, a couple of pictures might help.

Just check back on the links for either one to show up on the website.

These are both J.Crew Collection items. The material is a sheer silk on both. Sheer = pretty = delicate. The black print top features a detachable silk cami, while the ribbon print blouse doesn't. I added a knit red tank from Forever 21 to bring out the red color of the ribbon print blouse, above.

Secretary blouse here (size 2)
Similar here in solid

This top works well under a jacket or vest, although under a jacket it's too 'business-like' for me personally. I actually like wearing the tops unbuttoned, with the sash loosely tied, like in the first picture, or with a cashmere shell or cotton shell.

Hacking jacket in tipped double serge wool here (size 4T)

also wear it under a Jackie shell here, or a Cashmere shell here

Hope everyone is having a great week so far! :)

J.Crew Hacking Jackets in Tipped Double-Serge Wool and Herringbone

2011-12-13T15:55:00.005-05:00

Hacking jacket in tipped double-serge wool (size 4T for my really long arms ;)
Tissue turtleneck in strawberry (XS)
Minnie pants in bi-stretch wool (2T)
J.Crew booties from last year similar: Graham bootie in black suede here, Booker booties in leather here

What I really like about the recent sales at J.Crew is that I get a chance to try items I've had my eye on for a while, without the commitment of final sale and getting stuck with something that may not fit. However, in the case of the Hacking jacket in tipped double-serge wool, getting 'stuck' with it would not be a hardship. The first word that popped in my head when I tried this jacket on was impeccable. Really, it's a J.Crew piece that deserves high marks. I ordered this in size 4T to accomodate my long arms. I love the fitted design of this year's Hacking jackets. While they don't work for me over a heavy sweater, they are perfect over tissue turtlenecks, merino turtleneck sweaters, and my vintage thermal tee.

The back of the upper collar is felt, and the sleeve cuffs feature 3 working brass buttons. All pockets are sewn shut. The back vent lays completely flat on this one. I couldn't find any flaws in the workmanship, material, or fit.

One interesting detail I noticed is that the Crown & Shield matte brass buttons are marked with The Waterbury Button Company stamp. This company has been around since 1812, and currently makes the same buttons (with different designs) in the USA for the military, and designers like Dior, Burberry, and Brooks Brothers.

The Hacking jacket in herringbone is basically the same jacket in a different fabric. I'm also wearing a size 4T in this one, although it feels just a teeny tiny bit more snug around the waist and hip than the tipped version. I think the herringbone jacket has a more relaxed look to it, but both can easily be dressed up or down.

Do you own either Hacking jacket? Which is your favorite version?

J.Crew Excursion Quilted Vest, Flared Perfect Coat, Paisley Wool Scarf in Pictures

2011-12-10T14:27:00.002-05:00

My quest for an ivory colored vest this season began and ended with J.Crew's Excursion quilted vest.

What I like about this vest is that it's not too thick, so I can wear it indoors for more than a couple of minutes without roasting. Most of the vests I came across were either too warm or filled with lofty synthetic.

Also, the collar isn't overly tall or bulky. It's comfortable to wear, even zipped all the way up.

The front pockets are roomy and well placed. The material is a nice smooth, matte, off-white to creamy ivory color.

I personally like the gold zipper detail with the ivory color, and of course the 2-way zip is always a handy feature.

Since it's a thinner vest, it's easy to dress up or layer.

Unfortunately, this one doesn't seem like it will go on sale before it sells out, so take advantage of the discount promotions from J.Crew if you've had your eye on it. Currently it's 25% off until Dec. 11th with the minimum purchase amount.

Sizing on this is roomy. I went with an XS which still left room for me to wear it over any of my merino and cashmere sweaters.

Fully zipped up.

I took this picture with the first skirt I grabbed (not necessarily how I would style it) just to show the length of the vest with a skirt.

The next item I tried is the Paisley Wool Scarf. This also comes in the pretty floral version below. I liked both options, but chose this one to wear with the Flared perfect coat shown below.

Wool Scarf in Orange Blossom

The last item for this post is the Flared Perfect Coat. This was on sale with an additional discount when I ordered it recently. This is a fall release J.Crew Collection coat. The fabric has a plush, luxurious look and feel to it. It's a thick 50/50 wool and alpaca faux fur texture - probably one of the warmest dress coats I've tried from J.Crew without thinsulate. The color is called dusty clay (think salmon pink).

Flared Perfect Coat Size 4

The fit and flare design feels lovely to wear - all swingy goodness. I tried this buttoned up and unbuttoned, but liked it best unbuttoned with a pretty scarf. That's probably the main thing that puts me on the fence about whether to keep it or not, since I would mostly want to wear it unbuttoned. This coat isn't for everyone. I think the top part needs to be a snug fit to create the best shape, and the very full flared bottom may overwhelm a petite figure.

Items shown in my outfits:

Excursion quilted vest (size XS)

Blythe blouse in silk (size 2)

Minnie pants in bi-stretch wool (size 2)

No. 2 pencil skirt in metallic boucle (size 2)

Bronson booties, similar here

Paisley wool scarf

Wool scarf in orange blossom

Tissue turtleneck tee (size small)

Flared perfect coat (size 4)

Have a great weekend everyone! I hope you're all enjoying the holiday season shopping, decorating, parties, and visits with friends and family. At the ABC household, our tree is trimmed, stockings are hung, cards have been mailed, and we're all done with Christmas gifts, thanks to to convenience of online shopping. :)

J.Crew Wool Sweater Dress Review and More

2011-12-09T20:14:00.000-05:00

Above, J.Crew Wool sweater dress

With yet another sale underway at J.Crew, I thought it's a good time to post about a few items I ordered recently. Some are keepers, others are returns. I'll try to add them over the next few days before the current sale ends.

The Wool sweater dress in hthr dark grape caught my eye as soon as it showed up online. I decided to give it a try during a recent sale. First, if you like purple, the color is gorgeous on this one. The other option is forever classic black. The fit is TTS (I'm wearing a small). The top feels like a 14 gauge knit, and the skirt is thicker, I would say it's like a 12 gauge knit. J.Crew does merino really well, and I think this dress is an example of that. It's a classic sweater dress style that's soft against the skin and easy to wear. It's not too short or too long on average heights. The waist is in the right place to add a belt (even a narrow one), or add a necklace, or scarf to keep it interesting from wear to wear. The thick knit of the skirt is quite forgiving for lumps and bumps on the lower half, but I still prefer to wear it with either tights or a mid-waist to mid-thigh light body shaper for a super smooth look.

Here's a few more knit dresses that are currently available on the website with the 25% off promotion:

Winnie dress here
Moonlighter dress here
Stripe sweater dress here
Dream sweater dress here
Cashmere tee dress here

And these are my thumbs-up items that I reviewed recently, just in case anyone is thinking of ordering the same things:

Royal paisley pencil skirt here (size 2 for me)
Lady lace popover here (size small for me)
Blythe Blouse in silk here (size 2) with cashmere or cotton shell here (size small)
Silk Elodie blouse here (size 2T is too long to wear out but it's ok for me if I tuck it in)

Hope your weekend is off to a great start! :)

Love These!

2011-12-07T20:57:00.001-05:00

Thermal knits for layering, get them here

also available in a sweatshirt or henley style

I decided to try the vintage thermal knit in stripes tee in the neon azalea and black versions. This top gets a thumbs up from me for the lovely and soft, thick knit fabric and flattering fit. The black stripe top is a TTS fit (I'm wearing a small), but I found the pink stripe top felt like an x-small. I don't know whether that was just this particular top, or the pink color in this style.

Did you try or buy any of the vintage thermal knit tops this season from J.Crew?

Lady Lace Popover Love

2011-12-05T21:45:00.002-05:00

Sweater - get it here, or this pretty version to wear now and later
Pants - similar here (also try the port wine color with the grey or black sweater), and here in a trouser, and here in the Minnie pant
Shoes - similar here and here
Watch - get it here
Bracelet - similar here

I must be one of the last J.Crew fans to get this sweater. I know it's been popular and received a lot of love from others who own it, but for some reason I didn't succumb to its charm until recently.

I'm wearing the vintage champagne color in size small. It has a somewhat boxy fit and a tad shorter body length, but still works just fine for tucking into a skirt, or wearing over pants. This is a thumbs-up piece for me.

I like this in the grey or the black too, but since I have other items with lace in those colors, this one will get all my lace love for now.

_________________________________________________

I also added a picture of the crystal dot hand enameled bracelet (middle), currently on sale at J.Crew, to give a better idea of how its color compares to past season bracelets. It's a slightly darker shade than the other two bracelets I have. I think if I didn't have those, I would keep this one because it is quite pretty in real life.

J.Crew Blythe Blouse in Silk Outfit

2011-11-29T16:48:00.000-05:00

Shell/Vest, J.Crew - the definition of an affordable closet workhorse in cotton here, or warm cashmere here, both styles are 30% off today with free shipping. I'm wearing the cotton shell in black (size small).
Top, J.Crew - available here, comes in maraschino cherry and other great colors to mix and match with the shell. I'm wearing the poppy color (size 2) which is marked down, and still available in some sizes in the sale section.
Pants, Gap- similar here, and in wool here, also here
Necklace, Lulu Frost for J.Crew - mine is sold out but try this or this necklace instead
Shoes, Talbots - similar here and here

I'm wearing red again. And I'm also wearing the same pants and accessorizing with the same necklace that I wore in my last outfit post here. When inspiration strikes, I've decided to create several outfits and take pictures of them all at once instead of trying to remember how I wanted to wear something, or having to come up with something to wear on days when I can barely figure out how to match a pair of socks.

So anyway, the top of my outfit is different, which makes it look like a completely different outfit, right? :)

The top I'm wearing is J.Crew's Blythe blouse in silk. It's one of the 5 red items I added to my closet this season. This is a classic shirt that I personally have nothing but good things to say about. I'm wearing a size 2. The sleeves and length are spot on for my arms and height, and the fit is generous without being too loose. The stitching detail is precise and the material is not heavy or too thin, and just the right texture to slide a sweater or knit vest over.

Watch for more outfit posts with this 'holiday red' top through December. :)

Accessorizing with Red

2011-11-28T11:31:00.001-05:00

Do you wear holiday theme colored outfits through the year? Like pink, purple or yellow at Easter, and red or pink for Valentine's Day, and how about orange or black for Halloween? ;)

I do, although I try and restrain myself from looking like a greeting card, but red will be my seasonal color crush this year. I've always liked red, even though I have very little of it in my closet for some reason. With all the sales at J.Crew lately, I was able to add a few more items to wear during the holidays and beyond.

Red is a great accessorizing color and a little goes a long way. Items like the scarf, bag, and necklace are easy to mix and match with casual or dressy outfits.

Scarf, J.Crew - similar here or here
Top - similar here, also henley version here
Pants, Gap- similar here, and in wool here, also here
Necklace, Lulu Frost for J.Crew - try this instead or this or this necklace
Coat, J.Crew peacoat - similar here, also here, and sea salt color like mine here
Belt, J.Crew - similar here and here
Bag, J.Crew - similar here or full size bag here
Shoes, Talbots - similar here and here

J.Crew Cashmere and Talbots

2011-11-26T14:39:00.005-05:00

Sweater J.Crew - similar here on sale with extra 25% off now, also see the cashmere sweater links at the right side of this page, also here and here are two more options
Skirt J.Crew - on sale here, also in wool, tweed, paisley, plaid, you-name-it versions on website
Shoes Talbots - available here, use code FRIENDS at checkout for 30% off and free shipping, there's even a matching envelope clutch here or satchel here
Bracelets J.Crew

Has this ever happened to you? You put on a favorite sweater then snag it with your jewelry? That's what I managed to do to my cashmere sweater with the studded strap bracelet below. I can see the pulled bit sticking out on my arm in the picture. I'm usually so careful about the jewelry I wear with sweaters, but I missed it this time. *arrgh*

Snags aside, I wanted to try out some new shoes that I got recently from Talbots. Actually these aren't the shoes I originally ordered. Due to an 'inventory glitch' those shoes were not available to ship. So these were my second choice. I wasn't a fan of the chiffon accent until I saw how cute the shoes are in real life.

I took my regular J.Crew ballet flat shoe size and the fit is very similar. These are a pointy style, but I've been able to wear them for a few hours already today without any issues.

The colors in this shoe are perfect with black and all shades of brown and white, and who doesn't own clothes those colors, right? The pointy toe makes them a bit more dressy for wearing with skirts, and of course the flat heel makes walking more comfortable.

Happy Saturday everyone!

It's The Little Things

2011-11-25T05:13:00.001-05:00

That make me smile. Like a new scarf that perfectly matches my older coat. All wool warmth, pretty print and color. Love it!

My coat looks very close to the Perennial Peacoat that's currently on the website. This is a classic peacoat style that doesn't seem to date. I'm wearing a regular size 2, but would get a 4 if I bought another one now, just to have more room for layering.

Perennial peacoat - a classic coat, on sale now with an extra 25% off
Mosaic wool scarf - gorgeous colors, save on this too
Zip leather gloves - cognac color is on sale now

TGIF and I hope everyone had a terrific Thanksgiving day and a great shopping day/weekend ahead! I'll be adding more posts soon with goodies that I received from the recent sales that J.Crew has been tempting us with. :)

J.Crew Silk Kick Pleat Skirt Inspired Outfit

2011-11-23T05:48:00.002-05:00

Top - available here, similar here and here and in cuddly cashmere here
Belt - inspired by this one in blue
Skirt - similar here
Shoes - similar here, here and here (Stuart Weitzman on sale 50% off - great deal)
Tights - similar here and here
Clutch - similar here, here and here

When I saw the Silk kick pleat skirt at J.Crew, I immediately thought about a similar skirt I got 3 years ago. I'm wearing the '08 holiday silk taffeta A-line skirt from J.Crew. The A-line is a classic shape that flatters most figures. I would love to get my hands on the new version in the beautiful ruby color. The new skirt features pockets and a more substantial wool and silk fabric. The other difference is length. The new one is about 3 1/2 inches longer than mine so it can easily be shortened. I think a skirt like the Silk kick pleat skirt is an investment piece that will look great for any holiday event for years to come. I wear mine with turtlenecks, t-shirts and sweaters, tucked in, or worn out. Either way works, I think

The Silk kick pleat skirt is available in all sizes with 25% off and free shipping right now (use code YOURGIFT). And don't forget to check out the new additions to J.Crew's sale section I added on the top right side of this page. There are many more goodies online, these were just some of my favorites.

A number of winter coats are still marked down, that means an extra 25% off those too! :)

And, the popular Flare skirt in double serge wool is now on sale in all colors! Get it with the extra 25% off sale too.

I hope that everyone is enjoying their week and making plans for a Happy Thanksgiving. :)

Heart Me, Heart Me Not. Sweater Review and More.

2011-11-19T04:07:00.003-05:00

It was heart at first sight when the Heart Me sweater showed up on J.Crew's website. The bold graphic made me smile and it makes this sweater eye-catching. Apparently I'm easy that way. Make me smile and I'm a pushover.

Unfortunately, the sweater was disappointing in real life. As other bloggers have said, the material is sub par and the sizing runs small. I tried this in small and medium. The small is more fitted so I can easily size up. In the picture I'm wearing a medium and the fit is good - not too slouchy or too tight, but it is a bit short in the body length. Maybe it's supposed to be slightly cropped. I didn't find the knit as itchy as some, but it's definitely not as soft as previous season dream sweaters. I recommend wearing a t-shirt or at least a tank top underneath.

So back it goes. I like the styling potential enough that I may pick this up again on a super super sale, but not at full price.

_______________________________________

On to another topic that makes me smile. Shoes.

patent leather pointy toe flats, haircalf point toe flats, suede heels sold out

My shoe acquisitions this fall basically look like this. Practical, pretty, and low to the ground. Recently though, my inner shoe minx has been casting its flirtatious eyes on new heights. Like these Paulina pumps (also available in a ballet flat here).

and these lovelies...

1. Mona Oxford Pumps

2. Mona Glitter Pumps

3. Mona Printed Pumps

4. Adrianna Leather Buckle Pumps

5. Adrianna Satin Buckle Pumps

6. Adrianna Satin Buckle Pumps

7. Black Tie Pump

8. Viv Pumps

9. Silvia Snakeskin pumps

That's my pick of the high heel crop currently available at J.Crew. Aren't they hard to resist? I'm very tempted to try the hot off the fall runway style #4 or #6 Adrianna buckle pumps with the extra 30% discount.

Are any of these shoes on your wish list?

Also, don't miss the new J.Crew silk skirt for spring that I added to the top right side of this page. It just popped up on the website. I love it, what do you think of it?

My Friday Blue Crush

2011-11-18T11:22:00.003-05:00

Ski Slope Sweater - get it here

Ever since J.Crew came out with their silk indigo pieces a couple of years ago, I've been crushing on the combination of bright blue, brown, and black. Now Madewell's done a similar combination with these pieces. Aren't they pretty? I especially like the sweater and pencil skirt above. They're also offering Free Shipping on all orders now through December 19th, which is great if you place a small order.

Paisley Bloom Dress - get it here

Suede Sidewalk Skimmer - get it here
(also in yellow or black)

Paisley Bloom Tank - get it here

Blue Paisley Skirt - get it here

Happy Friday!

J.Crew Painter Turtleneck Tee in Stripe Review

2011-11-16T17:35:00.003-05:00

Painter Turtleneck Tee in Stripe, get it here
Forever 21 square pendant necklace, get it here
Pants - J.Crew, available here
Booties - J.Crew, similar here

I ordered this turtleneck thinking it might be a little different and more interesting than the tissue turtlenecks I usually buy.

The cons:

- It's short. Short in the sleeves, short in the length, short in the neck. At least for me at 5'8". This top could work well for petites though. I have a long neck so it looks strange on me folded over, and doesn't work well scrunched either because the buttons make one side stand up more.

- Buttons add bulk on one side of the neck. Also, the neck fits looser on me than it looks on the website.

The pros:

- The shiny gold buttons feel sturdy and looked nice against the black knit. They were also very easy to unbutton and do up.

- Knit material is more substantial than past season painter tee knits I own.

I'm wearing this top in size small and it feels more snug across the chest than the my tissue turtlenecks. That's probably because the material is thicker and doesn't have as much stretch to it.

Overall the Painter turtleneck in stripe is a pass for me. Love the concept with the stripe design and gold buttons, also the thicker fabric. I would probably keep this if the sleeves and hem were longer. As I said earlier, it could work well for petites though. I really like the color scheme and the gold buttons make it more special than a regular turtleneck. I did order another Tissue turtleneck at the same time, in the royal blue color. As always, I'm giving the Tissue turtleneck a thumbs up for consistent fit, fabric, and of course the pretty color. This season it also comes in a stripe version here.

It's Scarf Season, and Time to Try Some New Ways to Wear Them!

2011-11-15T13:05:00.007-05:00

the 'Boa'
(Scarf from Madewell, vest, tee, jeans are from J.Crew)

I'm not very creative when it comes to wearing scarves. Usually I just wrap them around as quickly as I can and off I go. There's nothing wrong with that, but occasionally I want to try something new and different (for me), like the Boa and the DYL Infinity styles I took pictures of. They're both on the video I added below, along with about 23 other ways to wear a scarf. A couple of other styles that I'll be wearing this season are the Waterfall and the Celebrity. Most are super easy to do, so check it out.

You can click on any scarf after the video to see a longer tutorial. To watch the video full screen, just click the full screen option on the bottom left. :)

Keep in mind that not all styles will work with every scarf. Play around with the scarves you have to see what works best with the fabrics and lengths in your collection. Also, if you're tall, the proportion on things like the Waterfall may not look the same as on the lady doing the video. I would need a bigger/longer scarf than these to get that style to look the way it's supposed to on me.

the 'DIY Infinity'

(Scarf, tee and jeans from J.Crew)

Alexander McQueen White Skull Silk Chiffon Scarf featured in video available here. Leopard/Skull Chiffon Scarf available here.

My favorite version of this scarf, the green and purple print, is available here, sienna red and navy print available here, black with white print available here.

When I first saw these scarves, I thought the skull print was a bit creepy, but after seeing it worn, the print isn't so obvious and actually looks kind of interesting.

Hope you enjoy the video and find some new ways to tie your scarves this season! :)

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Get your shopping on! The following sales are for ONLINE ONLY, today and tomorrow:

Discount code: CANTREAT

Banana Republic 25% off today and tomorrow and free shipping.
Click above or HERE to see what's in store now.

GAP also 25% for 2 days and free shipping.
Click above or HERE to start shopping.

Old Navy is also offering 25% off today and tomorrow with free shipping.
Click HERE or above to shop at ON.

J.Crew Sale Picks...Yes, It's Another Sale

2011-11-14T07:03:00.004-05:00

It's another sale at J.Crew

This time it's for 30% off sale items with code MUSTHAVE

Didn't we just have code MUSTHAVE recently? Seriously, I love a J.Crew sale, but this is crushing my willpower. One thing I hate is sifting through hundreds of items in a mad rush whenever a sale pops up, only to find most items are gone in all but one size (and not my size either). So here's a few things that caught my eye and that were newer additions to the sale section. My list is by no means complete, so feel free to visit the website here or click the ad above, if you want to see more of what's available.

Mohair cardigan

Lulu Frost Deco Bangle

Shimmer skirt

Ashley Dress in Printed Silk

Boardwalk Stripe Zipper tee

Flair Skirt in Floating Rose
(not many sizes left but this skirt gets a lot of love so worth watching for pop-backs)

Mohair magnitude cardigan

Bonnie Dress in Floral Tafetta

Hadley Sweater

Cafe Capri in Toile Jacquard

And a few more options:

Sequin Shell

Sequin Stripe Tee

Bateau Button Sweater

Always Wrap Cardigan

Cowlneck tank

Red She Said

2011-11-13T15:41:00.001-05:00

Scarf from WHBM (similar floral prints available here in a tank, here in a sweater, also here, or skirt, or a dress)
Vest (J.Crew) similar here, or here (20% off today, use code 10322)
Top (J.Crew) get it here, or v-neck here
Jeans (F21) similar here
Bangle (J.Crew) similar here

Every year the store that comes out with the prettiest holiday florals and holiday red IMHO is White House Black Market. I have a few pieces in my closet from WHBM and I never seem to get tired of wearing them. I find WHBM sizing is similar to what I get in J.Crew items (ie. size 2 in tops and skirts), and their quality is like Ann Taylor.

Use code 10322 to get 20% off your entire purchase and free shipping on orders of $100 or more. Click here or on the ad below to shop.

I find sizes and styles do get picked over fairly quickly on the website so it's a great time to order a special piece for an upcoming holiday party. These are just a few of the items that caught my eye from their holiday collection, which just came out. There are many more items to 'heart' on the website.

Satin rosette jacquard pump, get it here. Adds color to an all black holiday outfit.

Red rosette clutch, get it here.

Ruby red velvet jacket, get it here. A timeless piece for holiday outfits.

Black/ecru embroidered shell, get it here. Beautiful under a jacket or on its own.

Red silk organza halter, get it here. Gorgeous!

Silver/black jacquard tank dress, get it here. Timeless, flattering and versatile.

Satin rose slingback, get it here. The perfect shoe to dress up any holiday outfit.

Satin rose pencil skirt, get it here. Black satin and red satin pencil skirts also on website.

Faux fur quilted vest, get it here. I love how this piece looks with a black turtleneck.

Scroll rose chemise, get it here.

Saturday Skirts

2011-11-12T17:11:00.002-05:00

Sweater - similar here, here, here, or here
Skirt - see below for similar
Shoes - similar here or here and also here and here, heck they're everywhere!
Bag - available here, similar here
Watch - available here, or here, red strap available here
Ring - available here

Almost any skirt with flowy, swishy goodness that makes me feel relaxed, qualifies as a weekend skirt. Floor length or a shorter, it's all good as long as the skirt doesn't restrict me from sinking into a sofa, tucking my legs up, or carrying the fur baby around.

Fall weekends are made for warm and cozy knits. My sweater is from J.Crew - an all wool/cashmere blend favorite from holiday '08 called the chunky star cable popover in a heathered charcoal color. I still love it. :) The current Cambridge cable sweater is similar. My bag is the bronwyn pursette. I like the lived-in look of this cross-body bag. It's the perfect accessory to finish off a casual outfit.

I've been spending a lot of time browsing J.Crew's website recently, what with sales and new arrivals galore, while Madewell has been quietly turning out pretty pieces and now they're offering FREE SHIPPING through December 19th on all orders (no code required). That includes all the skirts pictured below. They're all on sale - check them out! I'm always looking for styles like these. Wear them now with tights, boots and sweaters and all through spring with flats, sandals, and bare legs.

I called for measurements and added them to each skirt below for reference. I wish more websites would add at least a waist measurement for one size to give customers a better idea about sizing on an item. Anyway, I don't guarantee these numbers, but they were what I was told over the phone. The Flutterfall, Silk gallerist and Regiment skirts are at the top of my 'like' list. :)

Left - Silk Gallerist skirt 38" long (XS waist 25 1/2"-37 1/2", S waist 27 1/2"-39 1/2" )
Middle - Regiment skirt 25 1/2" long (2 colors, size 2 waist 27 3/4", hip 33 1/4", size 4 waist 28 3/4", hip 34 1/4")
Right - Great lawn wool sweaterskirt 20" long (XS waist 25", S waist 27")

Left - Guidebook skirt 29 1/2" long (2 colors, size 2 waist 27", size 4 waist 28")
Middle - Midnight Pillar skirt 39 1/2" long (size 2 waist 27 3/4", size 4 waist 28 3/4")
Right - Honeyhill skirt 20" long (size 2 waist 27 3/4", hip 35 3/4", add 1" for size 4)

Left - Suede Patisserie skirt 20" long (sits low - size 2 waist 29 1/2", hip 38 1/4", add 1" for size 4)

Middle - Flutterfall skirt 29" long (2 colors XS waist unstretched 25", S waist unstretched 27")

Right - Dune Trail skirt 25" long

Happy Saturday, and I hope it's been a good shopping day for those super organized gals who began their holiday shopping already! :)

The Late Night Shopper

2011-11-11T16:06:00.000-05:00

Large hair calf tote

I got an email from Talbots late last night announcing a 30% off storewide sale with code THIRTY and free shipping on orders of $100 or more. So my little fingers eagerly clicked their way over to the Talbots website to check things out. I've mentioned before that I'm a fan of accessories from Talbots, and that's why I promptly ended up with a pair of low heeled pumps and the snow tiger print satchel bag that also matches this hat:

Hair calf leather hat

I think accessories really pull an outfit together and make even basic separates stand out. Here's just a few items I like for accessorizing an effortlessly chic outfit.

Turn Cuff Color Blocked gloves, also available in purple/green and crimson/pink combination

Another snow tiger print accessory, Hair calf driving mocs

also available in a patent leather

Leopard trouser socks

I love these Suede crepe sole platform penny loafers

Leopard scarf

Leather station belt

Will you be checking out this Talbots sale?

Have a great Friday afternoon everyone! :)

Lest We Forget

2011-11-11T11:20:00.000-05:00

Thank you.

The Faux Pas

2011-11-10T08:07:00.000-05:00

I committed a faux pas yesterday. I left my man holding the bag. Literally. I ended up having to foist my eye-catching hair calf leopard print handbag on him for several hours in a busy public building.

The circumstances were the circumstances and there was no way to avoid it, but Mr. ABC showed his mettle and took it in stride. He carried it off (my bag that is) with only one quip about why out of all the bags I own did I have to bring that one, and a caveat that in future I must bring a less conspicuous bag.

Am I just lucky, or is this how all men handle emasculation by handbag?

Outfit in real life minus faux pas bag. The main emphasis was on comfort.

Are you having fun with the animal prints this season?

J.Crew's 25% off sale extended one more day. Use code STAYWARM at check-out.

Silk Elodie Blouse and Other Sale Picks from J.Crew

2011-11-08T09:10:00.001-05:00

Shirt - available here, get an extra 25% off the sale price with code STAYWARM. I'm wearing an XS.
Pants - similar here, try the camel color and also get the 25% off with code above.
Belt - similar here in black or try the cobalt blue color, which looks terrific with the green top. Discount can be applied to this too.
Bag - similar here and here (use discount code above)
Coat - similar here (use discount code above)
Necklace - similar here, and love this one shown in my original set below for a more edgy look (also a great price from F21)
Shoes - similar here

I was curious to try a color mix with the bronzed twig pants, dark purple coat (which actually looks like royal in real life), and graffiti green silk Elodie blouse. This blouse gets a thumbs up from me. It's a nice thick silk with a velvety feel and more generous cut than J.Crew's perfect-fit shirts. I'm wearing a tall size which is slightly longer in the sleeves and length than regular sizes. The extra length tucks into a skirt or pants, and since I have long arms, the longer sleeve length works well for me.

My sale on top of a sale picks...

Since J.Crew is offering an additional discount and free shipping until tomorrow (code STAYWARM), it was hard for me to resist checking out the goodies in their sale section and and made a list of my favorites - because I like a sale on top of a sale the best, especially when it's not a final sale. ;)

Dresses:
Blouson dress in royal paisley - perfect now with a sweater or jacket, and again in spring with sandals and a light sweater.
Bonnie dress in floral taffeta - gorgeous floral print holiday party dress, wear it again for Valentine's day and all next spring.

Accessories:
Microspun stripe scarf this would make a great winter to spring transition accessory. Also check out other scarves that are in the sale section update this morning.

Jewelry:
Drop chain locket necklace - pretty pop of color and not overwhelming. If I didn't have my pluma pendant necklace, I would definitely get this one.

Knits and Tees:
Cowlneck tank - cheap and chic. I picked up a couple of these last season and really like the flattering fit and shape. It's a top you can layer under a sweater now and wear on its own next spring and summer. The neckline is nice for showing off a collar or big necklace too.

Pants:
Olivia trouser in sienna - love this! So chic with the leather inset. I can see this with a sheer black silk blouse for the holidays.
Minnie pant in twill - I have the bi-stretch wool version and love the fit. Either color is a good neutral in this one.

Shoes:
Bellamy suede ankle boots - my fave of course because as you all know, I wear its cousin the Metropolitan suede bootie with everything!

Skirts:
Petal skirt - Only a size 10 left, but guess what? I bought this in size 10 and it has a 30 inch waist so it sits just low enough that I can love the length. I'll do an outfit post with mine soon.
Flair skirt in floating rose - I don't have this skirt but think it looks smashing on some of the other ladies who blog who did get it. Same goes for the Flair skirt in plaid and the Liquid silk skirt.

Sweaters:
Seamore sweater - still love this one!
Turtleneck sweater - a winter staple that goes with everything.
Cropped city sweater - looks great belted.

And of course there all the regular priced items available here that qualify for 25% off today and tomorrow, so happy pre-holiday shopping everyone! :)

Black, White and Red Inspired Outfit

2011-11-06T15:49:00.000-05:00

I think a lot of ladies were inspired to copy the outfit on J.Crew's website that featured the striped turtleneck sweater and jacket that I linked to below. The pieces in the outfit are simple, but the wide stripes on the top and pop of red color really make it stand out.

Bag - there are so many great cross-body leather bags to choose from right now. Like this one, or this one, or this one from Rebecca Minkoff, this one from DKNY, and this one from Free People
Jacket - similar here
Stripe top - sweater style here and here, tee here. I'm wearing a wide stripe tee with a black scarf.
Jeans - similar here
Boots - similar here
Scarf - similar here, here, or here

I used items I already had in my close to copy most of the outfit. My bag is the Rigby saddle bag that I got recently. The red on this bag is perfect for adding some fun to a work or weekend outfit.

I love cozy sweaters, coats, warm footwear, gloves and hats in interesting textures, bold colors, or prints that make it easy to create polished, casual outfits.

Casual Outfit Basics:

More Purple Love for Fall. An Inspired Outfit With The Perfect-Fit Tee.

2011-11-04T09:18:00.001-04:00

Dark Purple is a wonderful fall to winter color, and one of my favorite hues this season. My outfit is simple, inspired by the website styling that features the perfect fit ribbon henley that I linked to below, with the No. 2 pencil skirt in double-serge wool, from J.Crew.

It's a shocker I know, I'm wearing head to toe J.Crew again. ;)

Top - I'm wearing the dark purple v-neck style, available here, or a try the crewneck here, henley here, or boatneck style on sale here. I plan to order another top in this color soon - either the crewneck or boatneck tee.
Skirt - available here (mine is from last year)
Tights - similar here
Booties - mine are like this year's Graham booties
Bag - these bags all come in a shade similar to mine: the Marceau tote, hobo or purse, or the Newsstand tote, Brompton Hobo or bucket bags or the Marlow tote
Scarf - pretty rose print from BR here, or try this one from Madewell
Coat - similar bright shades available in the Majesty Peacoat and Academy Coat

For an extra punch of color, I added the bright coat and pretty print scarf (both J.Crew items from previous seasons).

And I'm SO glad that J.Crew's Final Sale is finally over, for the most part, and for however long it lasts. Yay! It's time for some regret-free shopping. :)

J.Crew Merino Turtleneck Sweater - Dressing Up A Closet Basic

2011-11-02T09:51:00.001-04:00

I've always liked the polished simplicity of a turtleneck. It's a top that's easy to dress up or down and layer under a jacket. I'm wearing last year's merino turtleneck sweater from J.Crew in the pretty plum color, a statement necklace from this summer, and wool pants. This turtleneck is available again in beautiful vivid colors like viridian green, dark grape and vibrant flame.

What's your favorite cold weather closet basic?

Sweater - available again here, mockneck here, color blocked here, patterned here, in cotton solid here and striped cotton here
Pants - similar here, here or here
Necklace - similar here or here
Bag - LV popincourt. I love the new monogram bags from Michael Kors, they remind me of LV's monogram line, but with a much more affordable price tag.
Shoes - similar here and here
Coat - similar here

It's Time for Some Halloween Fun!

2011-10-31T06:00:00.002-04:00

Happy Halloween everyone! Since it is Halloween, I thought it would be fun to wear an outfit tonight that's just a little on the wild side. I took these pictures yesterday because I had to make sure the pants still fit after not wearing them for months. They do fit, whew! Haha.

I missed out on J.Crew's Leopard print Tippi sweater earlier in the season, so when I saw this one at Forever 21, I grabbed it thinking the pattern and colors were kind of similar. This sweater is a thicker cotton and very comfortable. My pants are BCBG Max Azria.

Leopard print sweater - get it here and similar here and also here
Cropped leather flare pants - similar here and here, or skinny cropped here and here
Pashmina scarf - get it here
Shoes - similar here, here and here

I may add this Halloween accessory to my outfit tonight...

Hope everyone enjoys a safe and happy Halloween! :)

________________________________________________________

Halloween Treats

If you're looking for something to do while you wait for the kids to show up tonight for their treats, check out some of my favorite Halloween websites below for some spooky fun.

Favorite Halloween Websites:

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream - Spooky Halloween Site

Garfield's Scary Scavenger Hunt 1

Garfield's Scavenger Hunt 2 (Donuts of Doom)
Hint - if you get stuck trying to find items for the scavenger hunts, just do a quick online search for garfield scavenger hunt cheat :)

Online Halloween Games:

Try a fun game here and here on American Greeting's card website

Or an addictive game called Spooky Switcheroo here

How about a Halloween theme cooking game called Witchmart here

Or Halloween solitaire called Tripeaks here

Stripes for Fall, From Anthropologie

2011-10-30T11:09:00.001-04:00

Cardigan - similar here, or here
Tee - available here, or try this one
Pants - available here, similar here, or these from Anthro
Ring - similar here, here, or here
Boots - similar here, here, or here
Bag - similar here, here, here, or here

Ouch! I have a stitch in my side...just kidding.

I hope it's been a great weekend for everyone so far. Are you carving pumpkins, buying treats for tomorrow, or shopping for clothes? ;) We're downtown dwellers at the moment, so not much effort (try any) goes into Halloween decorating at the ABC household. I do miss it though and hope we'll be in a place again soon where I can do those things.

Today's warm and cozy outfit features the Printed Boy tee from Anthro. I got this top at the end of summer when it was almost too early to wear fall colors, but now it's perfect.

My go-to pants this season are the Minnie pants from J.Crew. I LOVE THESE PANTS. If you can't wear the Minnie pants, try the Bennett chino in this fabulous fall color, or these Pilcro serif cords in a similar color from Anthropologie.

For the outdoors, I like this with a light grey scarf and coat. The light grey is a good neutral backdrop for these colors.

That's it for now!

Pumpkin Time - Jacket and Scarf Options

2011-10-29T08:20:00.004-04:00

The jacket I'm wearing was one of my early purchases from J.Crew. It was something of an impulse buy since orange isn't my go-to color, but I can wear this one because the herringbone does have some pink/red undertones. If you’re an avid fan of J.Crew, then you'll know what I mean when I say they can make almost any color appealing enough to buy.

This poor jacket has been languishing in my closet for ages, so I figured it was time to pull it out and come up with ways to wear it again. Since fall is bursting with tonal outfits, I went with that theme.

Jacket with floral multi scarf

Shopping List of Similar Items:

1. Jacket - here.(this is a more vivid orange/red herringbone than mine)
2. Shirt - available here or here
3. Scarf - here (solid); prints - similar here and here
4. Pants - available here (I'm wearing 2T)
5. Booties - available here
6. Bag - here
7. Scarf - (sold out), but similar here, also here and here
8. Bag - here
9. Bracelet - here

Jacket with leopard print scarf

Jacket with leopard print scarf and 2nd bag option

Jacket with zebra print scarf and belt

Scarf - similar here
Belt - similar here, here and here

Have a terrific Saturday blog friends! :)

More Ways to Wear That Paisley Skirt

2011-10-26T13:41:00.000-04:00

As promised in my last post, here's one more with the Royal paisley No. 2 pencil skirt from J.Crew. I wear tee shirts and sweaters more than blouses in fall and winter. A tissue turtleneck like I'm wearing below, is a light layering piece and an easy way to add color to your outfit. If you prefer a blouse, try something like the pretty Blythe blouse in silk, in the fiesta purple color.

The olive moss color in my set above, warms up the outfit.
Tissue turtleneck, available here, and more substantial knits here and here.
Shoes, similar here or here
Sweater, simlar here
Cuff bracelet, similar here
Bag, similar here and here

A light green or blue sweater and a purple scarf are nice with the skirt too.

Another variation with purple and mint/light blue.

For more styling options, check out my last post here.

Have a great day everyone! :)

Styling Ideas and Review - J.Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Royal Paisley

2011-10-25T20:05:00.001-04:00

The Royal paisley No. 2 pencil skirt was one of the new arrivals at J.Crew that I added to my must try it list. The colors on the previous version of this skirt, available at the end of summer, were navy and rust tones, and this one features green and purple.

Sweater - get it here, or this one here
Skirt - get it here (also available in petites)
Tights - similar here, mine are a mini fishnet from last year
Shoes - similar here and here
Bag - similar here and here, or here and check out the gorgeous peony color here
Bracelet - similar here, here, here, or here

There are so many possibilities for styling this skirt that I could post outfits until you guys beg me to stop it. Haha. I won't do that but I will do at least one more outfit post with it this week, just because I'm having so much fun styling it. Look, there's even pretty yellow trim on my coat that matches the skirt! Heehee.

This skirt is a real closet chameleon. I had a hard time finding a shade of purple, blue, or green in my closet that doesn't work with it. Here's just a sample of what goes with the colors in this skirt:

I'm wearing size 2, which is what I normally take in J.Crew skirts, with a few exceptions. No need to size up with this one. The cotton/lycra is substantial and feels velvety. I think it can be worn all year if you don't mind adding tights for winter. Choose silky tights to minimize ride-up since the skirt is fully lined with a pretty lilac cotton/lycra, not a slick poly or acetate.

If a skirt isn't your thing, this print is also available in the pretty Talitha top

and the Perfect shirt

and also an iPhone case

You can also check out more pictures of the pencil skirt on lovely rynetta PhD's blog here.

Are we loving the paisley yet? :)

A Little Rigby Goes A Long Way

2011-10-24T11:53:00.000-04:00

Somewhere on my dream wish list there's a simple and elegant red designer bag with my name on it. Maybe something like this or even this. I did say it's my dream wish list because in real life, the bag also needs to be budget friendly.

So, I'm giving the Rigby Saddle Bag a try. I ordered it this morning when it showed up on sale at J.Crew. I hope it ships, and that I like the flame color in real life. And did I say I hope it ships quickly? ;)

Create similar outfits:

Rigby saddle bag available here. The flame color came and went quickly today, so bookmark it in case it pops back again during the sale. Or try the Edie pursette in the same color, also on sale, available here.

Outfit 1
Jacket - flame color available here and here
Sweater - similar here and here
Pants - similar here or here
Shoes - similar here and here with 30% off today only
Outfit 2
Jacket - similar style here
Turtleneck - similar here and here
Pants - similar here
Shoes - similar here and here
Outfit 3
Jacket - similar here
Sweater - similar here and here
Pants - similar here
Shoes - similar here and here

I really like how one vibrant accessory instantly updates older items from my closet. Are you planning to add a red bag to your closet this year?

Poncho, Cape or Cloak?

2011-10-23T11:04:00.001-04:00

Whatever you like to call it, this swishy piece has come a long way since going ah, mainstream in the mid 1800's. No longer just an expedient tent for warding off the elements or The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, it's also a fashion accessory that makes me feel very Net-A-Porter-ish. The poncho/cape outfit formula goes something like this: choose a color scheme like always chic camel and black, add some high heel booties, a turtleneck, flared jeans, a sumptuous bag, an eye catching necklace, and you're set to go.

Poncho/cape - similar available here, or here, or here, or here.
Turtleneck - available here (this is a fall/winter staple, grab a couple since they're 25% off for the rest of today)
Jeans - similar here and here, and here
Booties - similar here
Statement necklace - similar here, or here, or here
Bag - similar here or here or here

Except for the inspiration, not one piece of my outfit is actually from Net-A-Porter. It's a hodge-podge of brands that were lurking in my closet. The poncho/cape and necklace are from Forever 21. The poncho/cape thingy is minus its fringe trim because 1. I didn't like it and 2. it was easy to remove. The tissue turtleneck is from J.Crew, my jeans are Gap favorites, booties from J.Crew, and suede bag from Madewell.

A little inspiration is all that was needed for an outfit that's easy to style and wear, and perfect for kicking back on the weekend.

Have a great day everyone!

J.Crew Schoolboy Blazer in Velvet Inspired Outfit

2011-10-22T13:21:00.002-04:00

Jacket - available here (mine is from last year in tall size)
Top - pretty stripes in all sorts of colors here, here and here
Jeans - I like this with matchstick jeans, available here or the Gap classic jeans I'm wearing
Booties - similar here or here or here or here
Bag - similar here

Outfit inspiration:

For me, fall is velvet season and the olive moss color of this jacket is exactly right for this time of year. I think it's more interesting than black or grey, and equally versatile. I copied this simple and easy outfit from J.Crew's look above. My jacket and other items in the outfit were already in my closet. My tee is from Forever 21, jeans are Gap classic, my bracelet, booties, and bag are from J.Crew.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend so far!

J.Crew Harvest Tweed No. 2 Pencil Skirt Inspired Outfit

2011-10-21T10:05:00.000-04:00

Sweater - similar here
Skirt - similar here and here
Shoes - similar here and here
Bag - similar here
Patterned tights - similar here in taupe

The tops I usually wear with this skirt are predictable shades of red, brown, taupe, ivory, and dusty pink. When I saw the outfit below from J.Crew's late October new arrivals, I just had to try it with items I already own. I chose taupe accessories (booties, tights and bag) to tie the outfit together. The result? I kind of like it.

I'm wearing the blushed tweed pencil skirt from J.Crew '09, and a cashmere sweater in light flamingo, which looks similar to the neon azalea color shown above, from J.Crew. The new harvest tweed fabric is available in the pencil and Gimlet skirt.

If you're looking for a skirt with a more affordable price tag and similar colors, try the Herringbone and Paisley skirt from Forever 21 shown below. This longer length skirt would look great with ankle boots, tall boots, or pumps.

Forever 21 Knit Skirt Deals

2011-10-19T13:03:00.001-04:00

Forever 21 calf length knit skirt (striped): available here, similar luxe here
Heels: similar here, here and here
Top: available here
Bracelet and watch: similar here and here

I love a bargain and this little striped knit skirt from Forever 21 exceeded my expectations for the low price tag. It's a sturdy and soft blend of cotton/lycra that's not sheer at all. Since it is a bodycon fit, I sized up, way up, to a large. The bigger size is still fitted but not overly tight and clingy. The website calls this color taupe/black, but it's more like camel/black in real life.

Here's the solid version of the skirt. This is the camel color, but I would say it's more like caramel in real life.

Forever 21 calf length knit skirt (solid): available here, similar here and here
Heels: similar here, here and here
Top: available here
Bracelet and watch: similar here and here

I've fallen way behind with blogging again. Actually it's not that I haven't played in my closet so much as I just haven't had a chance to take photos of outfits, write posts, or even read blogs. Apologies to those who've emailed in the past few weeks as I've fallen behind with that too. So, I have oodles to catuch up with and will be trying to do that as time and my health permit. Love you all, and thanks for hanging in there with me! :)

September Style

2011-09-12T18:40:00.000-04:00

The end of summer means 3 things for my closet:

1. unpacking fall and winter boxes
2. stashing away summer shorts, skirts, and tops
3. deciding how to update my wardrobe for the new season

I own a closet full of goodies that are similar to many of the new pieces from J.Crew (who you all know by now, I'm addicted to ;) so I just picked out a few items in trending colors to update my fall outfits.

1. Skinny leather belt in bright cobalt, also tempted by the skinny patent belt in dahlia
2. Mini pebble necklace in abyss blue
3. Mini pebble necklace in creme de menthe (I also clasp these together and wind them around my wrist for a colorful bracelet).
4. Minnie pant in bi-stretch wool, warm redwood color
5. Favorite tank in bright dahlia
6. Perfect-fit long-sleeve v-neck tee in dark grape
7. Perfect-fit colorblock tee in black/natural
8. New Cafe capri in wool, in port wine, mine is on back-order until the beginning of October so fingers crossed that it's a keeper

I dislike boxing out of season clothes, but it is fun to unpack them and rediscover past season favorites. So now that my closet is ready for fall AND my shopping urges are satisfied for the moment, I'm focusing on outfit styling for the rest of the month. Or at least wishful outfit styling since it's still too warm outside even to wear most outfits from J.Crew's August catalog.

A Dress From Shabby Apple

2011-09-02T11:56:00.001-04:00

Dress, courtesy Shabby Apple (Azure Coast or Amethyst)
Shoes, J.Crew (similar here, here and here)

I've looked at Shabby Apple's website in the past, but this is the first dress I tried from them. It's the Azure Coast dress (pretty plum color available in the Amethyst dress).

I like the longer length (can easily be hemmed shorter), retro styling, and perfectly placed pockets on the skirt. Of course any dress with perfectly placed pockets would get an automatic thumbs up from me. ;) It's made from a thick, washable cotton canvas material that's soft and just the right weight for fall, workday to weekend. I ordered a size Small based on the size chart and the fit is right on. I would say the small compares to J.Crew size 2/4 in dresses for me.

This is a true wrap style dress that secures with buttons inside the waistband, and the long ties on the outside.

Shabby Apple is a dress lover's store and website. I think their styles are reasonably priced and beautifully photographed.

Here's a few more pretty dress ideas from Shabby Apple:

Moon River
Kenya
Tuskegee
Quipu

Too Darn Hot
Maize
Lima

Have a happy Friday, and even better weekend everyone! :)

A Little Bling Dresses Up Basics

2011-08-26T06:23:00.000-04:00

J.Crew Perfect-shirt in silk, similar here (J.Crew)
Mirabel pencil skirt (J.Crew)
Gemstone Fascination pendant necklace w/Amethyst (Anjolee)
Patent leather pointy-toe pumps (Talbots)

One of my all time favorite colors is purple. So when the kind folks at Anjolee asked if I would feature their jewelry on my blog, I was naturally drawn to something that would showcase my birthstone color, which is amethyst.

If you're looking for a pretty Diamond necklace or Diamond pendant, Anjolee has a very nice selection available on their website. The pendant style I'm wearing was made with the mid-size gemstone (2.74ct), and yellow gold. This particular one is surrounded with cz stones instead of the real diamonds that would be used on Diamond pendants ordered from their website. You can also customize the size, color, gemstone quality and metal type for their gemstone and diamond jewelry.

I think the vivid color of the amethyst gemstone in the pendant goes so well with this year's fall colors, like the warm jade shirt I'm wearing, and the dark grape top below.

I tend to wear statement necklaces more than smaller pendant styles, but I really do like the way a smaller necklace with a pretty gemstone can make basics like a t-shirt or button up style look and feel more dressy and special.

If you see something you like on Anjolee's website, they are kindly extending a 3% discount on all jewelry purchases for readers of my blog - just use code ABC at checkout.

Hope everyone has a good and safe weekend! :)

Beam Me Up - J.Crew's Perfect-Fit Colorblock Tee

2011-08-23T15:11:00.001-04:00

Perfect-fit colorblock tee

Minnie Pant in Bi-stretch Wool also
(Bennett chino also available in the same color and washable)

Best intentions fall flat at times. Like blogging. For me. I really wanted to blog more often this summer, but it hasn’t turned out that way. It’s like this, want to, let me introduce you to need to. Maybe you can work together more often. Okay?

I have lots of pretty pieces and outfits I wanted to share, I just needed to actually get to the part where I take the pictures and write the posts.

And now it’s August and change is in the air. There's a definite shift in interest among fashion bloggers to the cool weather gear filling stores for fall. I've seen heavy coats, sweaters, boots, pants, scarves, snow shovels (ok maybe not those, yet) styled on Polyvore and blogs. Don't figure.

Well clearly I'm not going against the trend since I’m wearing summer outfits while trying on those cool weather arrivals too.

This is the Perfect-fit colorblock tee in the natural and black combination, from J.Crew. The website indicates it's an online only item.

The fit on this top is TTS for me and I love the neckline and the modern colorblock design, but disappointed that the natural color in real life is NOT the same natural that's shown online.

I'm wearing it with the Minnie Pant in Bi-stretch Wool in the warm redwood color. These pants are stretchy and have a super skinny fit. I went with a size 2 tall for extra length. I think I could live in these skinny minnies through fall and winter except for the fact they are a dry clean only item.

A good alternative is the washable Bennett chino, also available in the warm redwood color. I tried them in size 2 and they were very tight. So I would probably need to size up to a 4 in the Bennet chino.

Mr. ABC made me laugh when he saw today's outfit and immediately likened it to a Star Trek Next Generation uniform. In Mr. ABC speak that translates to 'I like it'. He suggested that a Commbadge would accessorize the top perfectly.

________________________________________

I also checked out Madewell's website today and came across their Musical Muse page featuring Eleanor Friedberger. Of course when they only add a teaser with a few bars of music, people like me go in search for more. So here's the full length version of the song from this lady with the pretty voice. That's more like it.

More Lace Love

2011-07-23T17:09:00.003-04:00

Lace Blouson Dress, J.Crew
Still available in some sizes with extra 40% off code LOVEIT

I recently posted about the light colored version of this dress here. I ended up getting the black one too when the next 30% off sale came around at J.Crew. Currently there's a 40% off sale happening on the website, so it's an even better deal.

I liked the light color version, but I LOVE the black dress. You can skip the slip under this one unless you stand in front of brightly lit windows. In that case, you'll need the slip again. While it's not a deal breaker for me, the black version looks and feels like the waist sits higher on me than the light color. It's the same size, so I'm not sure what's up with that.

Lace Blouson Dress, J.Crew.
Patent leather pointy-toe pumps, Talbots. Also similar here and here.
Cotton Tie Front Cardigan, J.Crew. Or this in beechwood.
Sevigne Washed Leather Capri Sandals, J.Crew.
Ray-Bay cat eye sunglasses here.
Pluma pendant necklace, J.Crew.

LOVE the pink lining on the black dress!

It's been a while since I got excited about J.Crew jewelry, but the Pluma pendant necklace is really a standout piece. The pink stones are perfect with this dress and also with so many other items in my closet. If you wear statement necklaces, I recommend keeping an eye out for this in case it pops back on the website.

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend!

Tee Time. Anthropologie Printed Boy Tee Styling.

2011-07-22T18:56:00.002-04:00

My friend Rose from 1 More Shopping Blog recently checked out some of the goodies in store at Anthropologie. While she was there I asked her to pick up the Printed Boy Tee for me.

It's a practical top that's easy to style in outfits now and right through the fall. The tee was pictured in the catalogue with this Trenchcoat Skirt which is another great transition piece.

Since it IS still summer (despite what every clothing retailer wants us to believe when they bring out the fall temptations), this is how I'm wearing the Printed Boy Tee right now.

Printed Boy Tee, Anthropologie.
Canvas Military Skirt, J.Crew. Similar here. I'm actually wearing a comfy knit pencil skirt from Forever 21 that hits just above my knees. Similar here in the 'army' color.
Sevigne Washed Leather Capri Sandals, J.Crew.
Sevigne Washed Leather Sandals, J.Crew.
Bracelet, J.Crew. Similar here.
Garrison Satchel, J.Crew. Similar here or here.
Ray-Bay cat eye sunglasses here.

And here's two more summer styling options:

Cotton Tie Front Cardigan, J.Crew. Or this in beechwood.
Broken-In Boyfriend Chino Shorts, J.Crew. Similar here.
Sevigne Washed Leather Capri Sandals, J.Crew.
Printed Boy Tee, Anthropologie.
Dressage Belt, J.Crew. Similar here or this one.
Ray-Bay cat eye sunglasses here.
Factory Tailored Linen Pencil Skirt, J.Crew. Also similar here.
Satin Invitation Clutch, J.Crew. Or try this, this, or this one.
Tortoiseshell Resin Bangle, J.Crew. Similar here.
Julienne Suede Slingback Heels, J.Crew. Try these, or these in burnt sienna suede.

A simple top like this one is an easy piece to style with basics that most of us already own. I don't really want to buy more summer only items, so I'm trying to choose pieces that work in my wardrobe now and through fall.

Are you still buying summer items or saving up for your fall wishlist?

Talbots Weekend Shopping

2011-07-16T17:27:00.003-04:00

I thought I was done with summer shopping, until Talbots lured me back for one last round of bargain hunting.

I have a weakness for jewelry, bags, and shoes. More or less in that order. And one thing I really like at Talbots is their accessories section. Summer essentials like the Twisted Rope Patent T-strap thongs above, are perfect with shorts, skirts, and dresses.

Blue Tropics Bib Necklace adds interest to a basic white t-shirt, blouse, or summer dress without being being too heavy or attention grabbing.

Leather soled heels for under $30? Seriously? Apparently yes, these Patent leather pointy-toe pumps are available in several colors, including my fave, the pretty Cameo Rose color that matches the bag below. Gigi and Ema reviewed these shoes and they look terrific on both ladies. They also look a lot like these pretty patent leather 'Daisy' pumps by Stuart Weitzman, don't you think?

Match the heels with the Snake embossed nubuck hobo in the same color. It's hard to resist this leather bag at the current sale price. The shoes and bag colors can easily work with other accessories too. The hobo bag also comes in grey and purple.

Thanks a bunch to FFM and Gigi for posting the 20% off code 023087249 on their blogs. :) Use the code at checkout to get free shipping AND save an extra 20% on your purchase.

Lace Love Part 3 - J.Crew Lace Blouson Dress

2011-07-13T08:44:00.001-04:00

Lace Blouson Dress
Cadabra cardigan (similar here, here and here, all on sale!)
Distressed belt (similar here)
Anklet Sandal (similar here)

I don't wear dresses often, but my closet would be filled with styles like this if I did. This is everything I like in a summer dress. Fitted but not tight, pretty fabric, and a flattering length. I think it's appropriate for any occasion with different accessories and shoes. It also works well with a cardigan or jacket.

I'm wearing a regular size 2. The blouson effect is more noticeable in the front, I think. The dress is lined, but a short slip is still needed under this color. If I had a complaint about this dress, that would be it.

It's currently on sale with an extra 30% off at J.Crew in regular and petite sizes. Call them if you're in doubt about sizing. This one has lots of measurements! I found it TTS, but that's just for me. I always find it helpful to compare measurements to what's already in my closet before ordering.

I grabbed the light color dress during the last 30% off sale and decided I would get the black one as well now. I think this is a classic style and fabric that will look good for many seasons and occasions.

I recently posted about a few other items that are also an extra 30% off today:

Leslie Lace Shell here - same fabric as the Lace Blouson dress
Beaumont Lace Jacket here
Elsa jacket here

Hope everyone is having a great week! :)

Elsa Jacket in Modern Red

2011-07-07T20:17:00.007-04:00

Elsa Jacket (reg. petite and tall sizes on sale now)

Boyfriend Chino (mine are the broken-in cropped style)

Finally. All colors for this jacket are marked down to the same sale price.

The modern red that I'm wearing sold out online in my size even before I got it during the last 30% off sale. So I took a chance on tall sizing*, and fortunately it was a good call.

I'm wearing a 2T and it's only an inch longer in the sleeve and body length than a regular size 2. With this being a cropped and belted jacket, the extra inch actually worked in my favor.

The red is brave and bold, but Mr. ABC assures me that I don't look like a road cone.

I'm giving it an overall thumbs-up for design, fit and finish, and of course the sale price. ShopwithM and Dina at My Superfluities blogs also reviewed this jacket in the same color.

The pretty striped version of the Elsa jacket is also on sale now.

*Update - measurements from J.Crew (in inches) for this jacket. Not shown, sleeve length size 2T is 27.5 inches from midback at neckline.

Elsa Regular Sizes	2	4
chest circumference	36	37
waist circumference	35.25	36.25
length	19.25	19.50
shoulder width	14.75	15

Elsa Tall Sizes	2	4
chest circumference	36	37
waist circumference	35.25	36.25
length	20.25	20.50
shoulder width	14.75	15

Lace Love Part 2. J.Crew Leslie Lace Shell

2011-07-06T09:55:00.006-04:00

Leslie Lace Shell (on sale at J.Crew)
Petal Skirt in Floral (on sale at J.Crew)

(Harry Potter fans, no pithy jibes please about the Pigwidgeon look-a-like perched on my shoulder. ;)

Lace and more lace. I like the color and fabric of this top so much. I actually sized down for a closer fit, but my regular size would have worked too.

There is a side zipper, but it's not annoying like on previous tops. Probably because the cotton lace fabric is more substantial.

If you went overboard on J.Crew olives like I did this year, then this vivid blue is a great color to brighten up those pieces. The top also comes in black and ivory (called old lace - check it out on Gigi's blog here) and petite and tall sizes.

I was tempted to get this top in the light color too, but ended up with the lovely Lace Blouson dress instead (which is the same fabric) during the last 30% off sale.