Outfit of the Day: AE colored skinnies + Francesca's top

Loving my colored denim skinnies paired with a flowy top ...

Blouse: Francesca's Collections (Small)

Denim: AE Skinny Jeans (Size 2)

Bracelet: J.Crew

I'm especially loving the hi-lo hem ... making this perfect to pair with leggings, as well!

I've gone a bit crazy with the colored denim here lately, so look for a lot more to come your way on that!  :)

J.Crew Sale Stuff

I totally bit when the J.Crew.com sale items were an extra 25% (I think) off and they were offering free shipping over $150 a little over a week ago.  There were some items I had been waiting for... Frances cami and Luxe tux tissue tee... and others that were a nice find ... Sherpa puffer coat and the Ultra-knit weekend pant.

I already knew I loved this top, and I really wanted a cami in the Cinnamon Spice color (I tried this color in the Kelsey shown below, but felt too much like a lion  and didn't like the front buttons), so this was a no-brainer.  I paid full-price for the dark rose colored one I already have and felt it was well worth it, so I was super pumped to get this puppy for $69 + 25% off.   I suggest your regular shirt size ... I got a 2... the 0 MIGHT have fit, but there was no need as this shirt isn't tent-like as so many recent camis have been!

Obviously I didn't steam this bad boy - sorry!  Anyway, can't wait to pair this with my Perfect pencil skirt in Cinnamon Stick - a surprising and delightful color combo. 

Frances in the Autumn Sun color - didn't do anything for me and almost see-though .... this went back

Cinnamon Spice color in the Kelsey cami.... I felt like a lion with all the ruffles around my neck... this went back as well.  However, love this color combo!

I became a little obsessed with this top online and couldn't wait to try it.  I love shirts with the ruffles in front because they look so great with cardigans!

Shown with off-white cardi from last year which, as with all my other JC cardis, has like 5 little holes in it.... making a "great deal" not so great when you have to constantly have it mended. Annoying.

For $24 + 25% off, I think this tee is a great deal and I love it!  I got a size Small, could have done a XS, but why?  FYI, I always but my tees a size larger than most people so as to avoid the dreaded muffin tops (as much as possible!)

My other super-amazing and exciting finds I didn't take photos in.... but they're awesome just the same!

First, how can you go wrong with a Sherpa puffer coat for $75?  I'm kind of a coat snob and this one passes the test.  Real down - check.  Hood - check.  Warm lining - check.  Long enough to keep you warm - check.  I have a long Michael Kors down puffer from last year, but this coat might be used more just for the simple fact that it's easier to move around in and less constrictive.  This little jewel will definitely be making the annual trip to New York with us this year!  I ended up getting a Small (kind-of a size-up I guess) and I can't imagine an XS would fit very well over anything other than a tee shirt, so I am happy with the size.  I love love love this cobalt color so several reasons: won't show dirt easily, stands out and isn't boring, and it's the school color of where I went to school (U. of Kentucky)... so I'm very happy with it!

Last but not least, I ordered the Ultra-knit weekend pant.... and as I sit in them now, I can tell you they were a great purchase.  I love that the elastic on the bottom lets me tuck them easily into boots.  I got a size small because they weren't on backorder like the XS.  The Small is fine, but the XS probably would have been better.  However, once washed and dried, I think they'll be great!  Love these too!

Hope everyone had a great holiday!  I got a LOFT and J.Crew gift card from the hubby, so I can't wait to make more fun purchases here soon!

Minnie Pants: J. Crew

If you buy one pant this season, make it Minnie. She's chic and slim-fitting (thanks to a flattering two-way stretch fabric) with a vintage-inspired cropped leg that we love. Cotton/elasthane. Side zip. Back welt pockets. Import. Dry clean. $79.50 item 18850

One more of the "must have" items for fall, for me anyway, was the stretch twill Minnie Pant. I couldn't decide which color to get from the three standard colors offered (black, charcoal, khaki) so I went with the charcoal. I think I will be buying these in the khaki color as well - once they go on sale or promotional price, that is! No more full price stuff for me for a while!!

I had an instant love affair with these pants as soon as I saw and felt the rich, thick fabric. My love for these suckers only grew deeper once I put them on! In fact, I wore them around the house for the rest of the night after trying them on! LOVE LOVE LOVE these!

I've already worn them out a couple times (we've had a little cold snap recently) with strappy sandals and flats and they held up to my high expectations! I seriously cannot wait to wear these tucked into boots this fall and winter! So cute (and comfy!!) The only downside I can find is that they are dry clean only. With the darker color, I'm hoping to get away with at least 2 or 3 wears between dry cleaning services!

In contrast with the Pixie pant in the previous roll out, these pants are right on the money. The Pixie pant ran very snug (in my opinion) and the fabric was not nearly as nice. The Minnie doesn't have the exposed zipper (which I'm loving right now) but they fit like a glove.

Bottom Line: I am SO glad I purchased these, even at full price. I will be buying them in at least one additional color. Runs TTS (possibly a tiny bit on the roomier side) for J.Crew - I got my normal size 2 and they fit perfect, certainly not snug at all.

J. Crew Fall Items On Their Way Via UPS - Grey JC Tee Review

I caved. I said I wasn't going to order ANYTHING at FP this fall because I NEED NOTHING .... however, I'm expecting a shipment and some new Fall J.Crew items tomorrow! I jusified the purchase because I needed to order the garden pearl bracelet for a good friend of mine to wear on her wedding day.... and of course I needed to order enough to get free shipping! ha! I ordered the Anton sweater in the heather grey and heather camel in size Small, the Minnie Pant in Coal, among a few other things! There are still a few other things I have my eye on - ankle cords, scattered glass necklace, dream ruffle sleeveless sweater, etc... but I went ahead and ordered the things I couldn't live without! Can't wait! Reviews to come tomorrow (ok - Connor starts school tomorrow - so maybe Tuesday!)

One the more recent items I purchased for FP from JC (which is a rare thing for me) is this tee-shirt! I LOVE it! I believe this was an in-store only style... I actually don't remember the name if it and I can't find my receipt which would have the name of it, but anyway. I spotted it while we were in California, but the store didn't have it in my size (small). After not being able to find it online, with the help of some fellow JC lovin' bloggers, I found the name and style number and emailed my local JC to hold the tee for me until I got home!! I've already paired it with white jeans and black shorts! I think this will be a great piece to take me into fall. I probably could have taken an XS because the material isn't that clingy, but I'm happy with the Small!

Have a great Sunday!

Almost Forgot! Great Deals RIGHT NOW!

A few sales I wanted to mention in addition to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale that is going on now!

Martin and Osa - extra 30% off sale items (NOT final sale!), free shipping on all denim orders, free shipping on all orders over $100!!

RalphLauren.com - extra 25% off select sale items, free shipping on all orders over $250, $5 flat rate shipping {woot!} (This is an AWESOME site to get some back-to-school clothes for the kiddos.... or stuff for yourself!)

Also, one of my favorite associates at our local J. Crew said they will be having a "preview" of the new fall roll-out on Monday night ... which probably means they will be putting the items on the shelf that night! So, if you're itchin' to see the new stuff, or to make sure they have your size in a new items, try your store Friday night!

Pansy Jaquard Dress - J. Crew

Let the social season begin. This pretty dress is party-perfect in a beautiful blend of wool, silk and nylon jacquard with metallic threads. Its strapless silhouette features a fitted bodice, with boning and elastic in back along the top edge to hold it up—so you won't have to. Straight skirt. Straight neckline. Empire waist. Back zip. Fully lined. Falls to knee; 24" from natural waist. Part of the J.Crew Collection. Import. Dry clean. Catalog/jcrew.com only. was $225.00 select colors $129.99 item 13239

There is a story to how I wound up buying this dress. I was shopping at my local J. Crew and one of the associates I like to work with had this dress on. She was going out with her husband after work that day and decided to with dress to work that day. It caught my eye immediately! I knew I had seen it online, but I did not realize how absolutely gorgeous the fabric was until I saw it in person.

Because it was an online / catalog only item, I rushed home to give the dress a second look online. At the time, the dress was still FP, but a lot of sizes were already sold out, sizes 0 and 2 included! Darn! But there was no way I would have spent FP on the dress anyway (with no real place to wear it!) so I just kind of wrote it off.

Then, it went on sale and I was able to order a size 2 that popped back! {Woot!} But, when the dress arrived, it was way too big at the top!! Not just 'didn't-fit-perfect big', but 'I-can-pull-the-dress-down-to-my-waist big'. I was crushed, and immediately planned to head to the local tailor I use to get the dress taken in.... because, of course, at that point, the dress was completely sold out!

Magically (OK, not magic, I set my alarm for 6 AM and then stalked the sale section update for about 30 minutes on a Saturday morning!!), about 2 days later, I was able to snag the dress in a 0!! {Double Woot!} and it fit perfectly!

The fabric is a perfect light weight for summer, while remaining substantial enough to be very dressy and classy. There is not too much metallic threading, but just enough to make the dress fun! The color is amazing! I wouldn't even call it pink (they do on the JC website) because there is a lot of orange in the background color... I guess kind of like a coral color. I'm never pulling and tugging at the top to get it to stay up because of the silicone strip around the neckline that holds the dress in place perfectly! I've gotten TONS of compliments on this dress ... and it really just makes me happy to look at it ... and especially happy when I wear it! This is an example of when you should definitely purchase a piece of clothing, no matter what it costs, if you feel like a million bucks when wearing it!

I didn't even think I needed this dress when I bought it, but I've already worn it twice to social events! That makes the purchase totally worth it in my book! Unfortunately, both places I wore it were at events with my husbands firm, so we didn't take any pictures! Crap! But I popped the dress back on today to take some shots! I will add shots of us actually out and about the next time I wear this beauty!

**Outfit Suggestions: I have paired this dress with the JC long pearl/ sparkle necklace I reviewed a couple of days ago in shell and JC Paige Chunky Sandals in Metallic Blush. I've also considered wearing the Target heels we all went crazy about a couple months ago in the light pink color! Gold sandals also look fantastic with this dress!

**Bottom Line: Hot summer cocktail dress!! A must-have for weddings and social events this summer! Runs a bit large, I would size down, especially if you are not large on top.

J. Crew Editor Satchel

Description:

We love the casual-chic look of this bag. The luxurious leather ages gracefully and will soften and fade gradually over time. Removable resin chain. Resin hardware. Top interior hidden magnetic closure. Interior front-wall split patch pocket, center zip divider pocket, back-wall shiny brass zip pocket. Cotton twill lining. Part of the J.Crew Collection. Import. Comes with dust bag. 36" resin chain. 7" handle drop. 11 1/2"H x 13 3/4"W x 5 1/4"D. was $350.00 select colors $199.99 item 13631 Colors: Weathered Stone, Fresh Melon, Sandalwood

Ahh... my first J.Crew handbag.

I have been lusting over this bag for at least 2 months... well, probably since receiving that little look-book thingy with my Spring Rewards card from J. Crew (see lust-list to the right!). Anyway, it was a definite no-go at it's original price, but once it was reduced a couple of times, I had to bite the bullet.

I'm justifying this purchase for said reason: for about 2 years, I have completely neglected the "handbag" aspect of my wardrobe because, let's face it, with an infant, having a diaper bag that's just not completely hideous is all I was concerned about. Now, I'm all about the big, fashionable handbags that can also double as a baby/diaper bag when we go out with Connor for a couple of hours. The only other handbag I have that fits this bill is my Michael Kors satchel in Vanilla (which I am OBSESSED with .... LOVE IT!!) but this bag also works for that purpose.

The packaging was less-than-impressive from J.Crew (just a plastic bag) and it didn't come with a dust bag (weird) ... but I never use the bust bags that my purses come with anyway because I don't have enough of them to transition them out of commission for very long, so that's really a non-issue.

I have to admit that I was hoping for a bit darker color. I thought the sandalwood would be more of a medium brown, but in reality, it's more of a dark nude color. That is really how it is represented online, but sometimes the colors look completely different online than in real life, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. The leather is obviously of excellent quality, although a bit stiff right out of the box. The description online says the leather will soften and age over time ... I trust this will happen since that has been my experience with nice handbags in the past.

The style is pretty cool and unique, and I like the different pockets and center divider. The removable resin shoulder strap is a great option, especially when I'm going to be toting Connor around and will need to be getting in and out of the bag often. I also appreciate the hidden magnetic closure at the top ... usually I prefer a zipper, but it's nice to change it up, plus this is easier to get in to. I considered the "tote" version of this bag, too, but I prefer a more shallow bag. The deeper the bag, the harder it is to sift around for stuff that falls to the bottom, so I'm glad I went with the satchel.

*Ended Up With: Editor Satchel in Sandalwood at current sale price

**Bottom Line: A BUY at the sale price. I wouldn't have paid FP for this bag, but at it's sale price, it's worth it if you need a big bag.

wEeKLy {BLoG} SaLE

Making room for new arrivals, must get rid of...

NWT J. Crew Quilted Flip Flops - Size 7 - $10

EUC UGG Classic Cardy Boots in Gray, Size 8 - $100

NWT J. Crew V-Neck Sweater Henley in Key Lime, Size Small - $25

NWT J. Crew Pansy Jacquard Dress, Size 2 - $160

Also have:

EUC J. Crew Matchstick Cords in Acorn, 27 - $20

EUC J. Crew Cotton/Cashmere Waterfall Cardigan in Navy, Size Small - $35

All prices are without shipping. Shipping is based on where you live and is discounted for multiple purchases. Most of the time, it's under $5. PayPal only.