OOTD: August 9th

This past Tuesday, I went into school to meet with my principal about my schedule.  I wanted to look professional, yet summer-casual.  It's finally cooled down enough here that I could test drive one of my Tippi sweaters without sweating profusely.  Here's what I wore:

There was a bit of a breeze, and the soiree skirt fluttered in a very pretty, feminine way.  So far, so good with the Tippi sweater.  I only wore it for a few hours, but I'm still afraid it might pill after a few wears.



My earrings and necklace are not included in the Polyvore set below.  The earrings are from Truly Vintage, a company that takes vintage pins, beads, buttons, etc. and creates new, stylish jewelry from recycled pieces.  The necklace is a gift from a friend.  Here's the set:

Summer Meeting by alldressedupnoplace2go featuring tortoise sunglasses

J crew sweater
$70 - jcrew.com

J Crew flower skirt
$70 - jcrew.com

Carolee wedding jewelry
£28 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Marc by Marc Jacobs tortoise sunglasses
$98 - nordstrom.com

Shoedazzle

Giada

simplyme091909.blogspot.com

It's almost the weekend :) Happy Thursday!

 

A couple of little feathers

I generally don't consider myself to be a follower of what I call super trends - you know, the fads that come out of nowhere, are trendy for about five seconds, then disappear just as quickly.  However, I couldn't resist the latest super trend.  I'm not even sure what my fascination is with those odd little feathers women of all ages are sporting in their hair this summer.  I don't even want to tell you where I first saw them, but since I know all of you have guilty pleasures, I'll share one of mine:

Source

Yes, that's Lucy Hale, who plays the funky Aria on ABC Family's "Pretty Little Liars," which I just so happen to watch religiously.  I like to say that I watch it so that I have something to talk about with my students, but really, I can't resist a good teen murder mystery melodrama.   

Anyway, I loved her feathers.  I started seeing them on everyone from Selena Gomez,

 

who is a teenager, to Hilary Duff,

who is my age.  Even Steven Tyler sported them for a while.

His look a bit more extreme and a lot, um, dirtier than most of the celebrity feathers I've seen.

 

While I knew I didn't want mine to look quite like his, I decided to follow in the footsteps of Mr. Tyler and get a couple of little feathers in my hair.  I went with a lighter color to match my highlights and a darker red color to blend into my natural lowlights.  Here they are:

I like that they're relatively subtle, so I can hide them and blend them, but they're close enough to my face that I can show them off if I want.  They last six weeks, and I can take them out anytime.  I just have to go back to my salon to have my stylist put them back in.  They're attached with a little bead, which was tightened around a tiny section of my hair.  I've been wearing quite a bit of flowy, boho styles lately, so I figured these feathers would fit right in. 

The fiance thinks they're ridiculous, and he just shook his head when I told him I had decided to get them.  There's a part of me that thinks they're ridiculous, too, but I get antsy when it comes to my hair.  I figured these feathers are an easy, relatively inexpensive way to shake things up a bit.

Have you ever followed a ridiculous super trend?  What were your reasons?  I'd love to hear that I'm not the only one! :) 

J.Crew Reviews: Tippi Sweater, Blythe Blouse, Boy Shirt in Quincy Tartan, and some extras

Hi dolls!  I hope this Monday finds you well.  Today, I have the last of my reviews from my trip to the J.Crew B&M.  I tried on several tops, and had several more in my dressing room.  I'll list those after the reviews of the tops I tried on.  Here we go:

Tippi sweater in bold peri and bright dahlia

I love this sweater.  In fact, I love it so much that I bought it in the bold peri that I'm wearing above, and I also picked one up in bright dahlia (same color as the cafe capris in the second photo) without trying it on.  I'm hoping to pair the bright dahlia with the double-serge wool pencil skirt in jazzy purple.

Price: $69.50, with the cardholder's 20% (good until August 25th!), it was $55.60

Size: Small

Pros: Very comfy and soft, available in a beautiful array of colors, great sleeve length

Cons: A little clingy

I generally tend to wear a small or an extra small in J.Crew's tops.  With this sweater, I went with the small.  The material is a little bit clingy.  I love that the 3/4 sleeves hit a few inches above my wrists, and the crew-neck neckline covers enough that this sweater can be worn to school.  The length of the sweater is perfect, also.  The peri and dahlia colors are relatively true to what is shown on the website, if not a little bit brighter.  I'm thinking about grabbing this in veridian green and vibrant flame, but I'm going to wait and see how it wears.  Lately, my Crew sweaters have pilled, and I've been extremely disappointed in how they wash and wear. 

Silk Blythe blouse in extravagant green

How beautiful is the color on this blouse? 

Price: $98

Size: 4

Pros: Gorgeous, rich, vibrant color, super-soft silk

Cons: Dry clean only, looser fit

I already own the Blythe blouse in fresh apricot and the olive green color from this past spring, so I didn't feel like I absolutely needed another one.  I love how feminine and soft the Blythe looks, but for some reason, I feel like my other two fit me a teeeeeny tiny bit differently.  I might be crazy, because I'm pretty sure it's the same cut, but my other Blythe blouses seem to be cut a little more like the perfect shirt.  They both are just a tiny bit tighter on my waist.  Again, I might be crazy, but this blouse seemed to fit a bit more loosely. 

As a side note:  My personal shopper suggested pairing this with the No. 2 pencil skirt in veridian green, and getting the boy shirt below as another option to wear on top.  I contemplated going this route, but I didn't feel like the color complemented my skin tone, brown hair, and green eyes as much as the dahlia and jazzy purple would.  If this green color looks great on you, those three pieces would make two awesome outfits!

Boy shirt in Quincy tartan

Don't mind the pink pants or the look on my face...I was seriously considering my PS's outfit idea I mentioned above.

Price: $72

Size: 4

Pros: Gorgeous pattern and colors, could be very versatile, the buttons don't gap

Cons: Fit was a little tight across the bust, a bit expensive for a cotton shirt

This was my first experience with J.Crew's boy shirt.  I generally wear their perfect shirts and swear by them.  I just don't think the boy shirt cut is for me.  I'm a little too ample up top to be able to pull it off.  Then again, my mother looked at this picture and said, "Oooh, I love that shirt on you!"  She IS my mom, so she might have just been saying that ;)  The buttons actually don't gap at my bust, so the pattern might add to the, um, generous look that you see above, but I distinctly remember this feeling extremely tight across the bust and shoulders when I tried it on. 

Alright, now on to the "Name this sweater" game.

Chunky cable knit sweater of some kind

My personal shopper brought me this sweater in what looks like the jazzy purple and the golden hickory colors (at which point I could tell my fiance was over the fitting room fun, so I just held it up so that you guys could see the color).  It's a chunky cable knit that I cannot seem to find online.  It might be a wool version of the cashmere cable sweater.  This sweater was $98, it had sleeves that were slightly longer than 3/4, it was a crew neck, and it was somewhat itchy.  If anyone can name this sweater (I didn't even look at the codes on the tags, bad reviewer, sorry), feel free to enlighten us! 



Other tops my PS brought me, but I didn't try on:

Boy shirt in stripe crepe de chine in navy

This shirt was very drapey, and not my style at all, so I didn't even try it on.  At full price, it's $110.00.  I didn't feel like it was a special enough piece for me to spend that much money on it.  The silk crepe de chine was extremely soft and touchable, though.

Perfect shirt in leopard

You may be able to see this shirt hanging up in some of my IRL pictures.  My abundance of perfect shirts and blouses at the moment kept me from trying on this pretty little piece.  Also, at $78, I figure I can probably wait for this to go on sale further than the 20%.  It seems to me that the brightly colored pieces, and not the leopard print, are what are selling out quickly on the site.

I hope these last few days of reviews have helped!  Happy shopping, lovelies!

J.Crew Reviews: Cafe Capri in Wool, Origami Mini, and Paisley Pencil Skirt

Hey all!  Happy Sunday evening!  I'm back with some reviews of the bottoms I tried on while at my local J.Crew this past Friday. 

New Cafe Capri in Wool

While these pants are sold out online in bright dahlia (the color shown), my B&M had them, so it would be worth calling stores to see if they are still in stock.  They are also available in bright dahlia in tall and in petite sizes.  PS...I kind of like the bright dahlia with the bold peri sweater...anyone else with me on that relatively crazy combination?

Price: $118

Size: 4

Pros: The color is gorgeous in real life.  It's a little brighter than the photo shows.  The fabric is softer than you'd expect for a wool pant.

Cons: The pockets sit oddly, not as "wildly flattering" as the website claims

These pants are pretty, for sure.  Just not on me.  They didn't fit nearly as well as I had hoped they would.  I tend to hold weight in my hips and thighs, and these pants definitely reminded me of that.  My hip measurement is about 37", and the size 4 bunched and stretched in all the wrong places.  The pockets showed through the fabric (always a turn-off as far as pants and shorts go), and the wool was pretty clingy.  Perhaps these pants would be more forgiving in a darker color.

Origami Mini (I think)

So, in Friday's post, I had incorrectly identified this skirt as the tucked mini, but after further inspection, I think it's a plaid wool version of the origami mini seen here in damask. 

Price: Not sure; this skirt has an identity crisis.

Size: 4

Pros: Cute pattern

Cons: Runs large, might not be available online, a little too short to be work-appropriate

This skirt was cute, but it's a little too short for teaching.  My personal shopper thought it might be okay with tights, but I'm not comfortable with the length, tights or no tights.  It also ran really large.  I could have sized down to a 2 - possibly even a 0 - but that would have meant it would be even shorter. 

If anyone else has seen this skirt, or has the online link to it, or can identify it in any way, shape, or form, let me know and I'll rework this post with the correct information. 

Paisley Pencil Skirt

I apologize for the dark pictures, especially on this one.  It really doesn't do the skirt's gorgeous print and colors justice.  This is the first item in my reviews that I actually bought.

Price: $128

Size: 4

Pros: Beautiful, bright colors, classic fit

Cons: Unavailable online

I had seen Dina review this skirt here, and AppGal review it here, but I had given up hope on purchasing it for my fall wardrobe.  It sold out pretty darn quickly, and I was too busy to do any shopping.  However, when I walked into my B&M this past weekend, I saw the skirt in the corner and made a beeline straight to it.  I didn't think there would be any stock left in my size, but the store had at least 15 left!  If you really want this skirt, and you really want it *rightnow*, call B&Ms or get a personal shopper to check on it for you. 

The skirt fits quite well.  It's a little big in the waist, but I'll be tucking sweaters into it or belting it, and it fits perfectly everywhere else.  Can't wait to style this one!  I have so many plans for it :)

I also bought the No. 2 pencil skirt in double-serge wool in jazzy purple, but it had to be ordered online, so I'll review it when it arrives.  I really had planned on trying the skirt on in veridian green and vibrant flame as well, but my store only had it in black and heather carbon.  Those colors aren't any fun at all! 

Tomorrow, I'll post the last of my reviews with the tops that I tried on.  Have a wonderful night!

J.Crew Fall 2011 Reviews and IRL Photos: Maisie dress, Ticking Stripe derby dress, and Ruthie Shirtdress

Today I took a trip to my semi-local (50 minutes away) J.Crew B&M after my wonderful personal shopper enticed me by extending the online 20% off offer to in-store purchases.  She is really too good at her job, because she brought me loads of beautiful new arrivals to try on.  So many, in fact, that I'm going to split my reviews into three separate posts.  This post will review the dresses I tried on.  Let's get started, shall we?

Maisie Dress in abstract floral

Price: $178

Size: 4

Pros: Elastic waistband, gorgeous print, flowy and comfortable

Cons: I couldn't come up with any

I love love love this dress.  I've been trying to go on a bit of a spending break, but if this dress sticks around long enough to make it to the sale, it's mine.  It's extremely comfortable, and the elastic waistband allows for some extra room.  The arms are sheer, and the print is slightly lighter than the online picture shows.  The light areas are actually a pretty cream color instead of the brown in the website's photo.

Here's another shot of it with the Mona leather pumps in brick red. 

The pumps are another purchase I'm considering.  They're so ladylike and comfortable!  Don't mind the fiance's feet.  He was perusing the catalog and guffawing at the prices. 

Ticking Stripe derby dress

Price: $138

Size: 4

Pros: Sits nicely, flows well, fits a large bust and small waist quite well

Cons: The material, the darts at the bust, side zipper, spaghetti straps

This dress is pretty and is very wearable, but it just wasn't for me.  If you have a large bust and wear a bra, the spaghetti straps do not hide bra straps.  I love the pleating at the waist,  but hated the way the darts hit on the bust.  My personal shopper had it styled with the Schoolboy Blazer in wool flannel in the color heather caramel:

While I love the styling, I still wasn't going to bite on this outfit.  The blazer (here in a size 4) seemed a little heavy for the dress.  it also seemed like it was a little large.  I could have probably sized down to a 2. 

Ruthie Shirtdress in gatsby green

Price: $118

Size: 4

Pros: Pretty color, comfortable material, nice length, figure-flattering

Cons: Buttons gap on a larger bust

I seriously considered walking out of the store with this dress, and I was truly surprised.  The last time I was at the Crew at the beginning of the summer, my personal shopper tried to get me to buy the Herringbone Cargo dress, and I hated it.  At first glance, I thought this dress would be similar due to its military-esque look.  I almost didn't try it on at all.  Oh, how wrong I was.  This dress is so comfortable that I almost bought it.  The only thing that stopped me was the buttons.  Those darn buttons get me (and my chest) every time.  For reference, I wear a 34D.  If you wear a smaller bra size and are considering this dress, I highly recommend it.  The material is smooth and the shape of the dress allows for room in the hips and thighs, but it makes your waist look ittybitty.  Someone out there, please buy this dress so I can live vicariously through you :)

Alright, that's it for the dresses. 

Coming soon are reviews for:

Tippi Sweater in dark grape and bold peri

Blythe Blouse in extravagant green

Boy Shirt in quincy tartan

The much-loved and sold out online Paisley Pencil Skirt (my B&M had plenty in stock, so don't fear if you want one!)

Tucked mini

The little pink pants that could: J.Crew's Cafe Capri in Silk Shantung review and styling

When I first saw this image featured on J.Crew's website in April, I knew I wanted needed those pants. 

Then, the Crew decided to tease me for about a month.  Try as I may, I could not find those gorgeous, shimmery, PINK pants anywhere.  Finally, when they were released during a pre-summer roll-out, my heart sank when I saw that they were a collection piece priced at $250. 

For the better part spring, I forgot about them.  I saw they went on sale, but I still wasn't quite ready to shell out $150 for them.

Fast forward to the 40% + free shipping coupon code from a few weeks ago, and I went to check on my beauties.  The only size left was a size 4 - my size.  It was a sign.  I put them in my cart (along with a couple of pairs of capris and the eyelet blazer), put in the code, and the price went to $89.99.  Score. 

The pants are a little tighter in the hips than a regular J.Crew size 4, and the waist sits quite a bit higher than regular cafe capris.  Also, there are a few flaws in the fabric.  I'm not super-familiar with silk shantung, but there are a few spots that appear to be heavier thread-wise than others.  Overall, though, I'm quite happy with the pants.  I'm glad I didn't pay $250 for them, and I'll be much happier with them when I lose my last five pounds, but if you're a size 4 and you stumble upon a coupon code to knock some money off the top of the $150 that the pants are currently listed for, I'd recommend them!

Here's how I styled them just to try them on (Forgive the lack of make-up or hair styling, and forgive the yucky indoor setting - it's been pouring here all afternoon.):

I'm debating getting these hemmed, but I kind of love that they make my short little legs look longer. 

Here's the polyvore for the outfit:

Garden Party Casual by alldressedupnoplace2go featuring beaded necklaces

J crew
$30 - jcrew.com

J Crew beaded necklace
$33 - jcrew.com

Carolee bangle bracelet
£28 - houseoffraser.co.uk

J.Crew - Cafe Capri in Silk Shantung
$250 - jcrew.com

Women's Mossimo® Verity Peep-Toe Pumps - Taupe : Target
$21 - target.com

I know this review comes a little late for these pants, but hopefully it helps someone somewhere.  Have a wonderful day!

A quick check-in

Hi everyone!  I spent the past five days without a computer, so I'm sorry for my lack of commenting presence.  My fiancé and I played on an ultimate frisbee team in a giant beach tournament in Wildwood, NJ.  While it was fun, it's good to be home and back behind a computer.  The running and hot sand wreaked havoc on my feet.  Once they're healed, I'll be posting a review with some pictures of these leopard-print Sperry top-siders I ordered from Nordstrom. 

I also have a review of some J.Crew sale pants, including the pink silk shantung capris from the J.Crew Collection.

Until later, have a wonderful day, everyone! :)