More J.Crew New Holiday Arrivals

Some additional new purchases since the most recent roll-out... part of the 20% off cardholder deal...

Merino Sequined Crochet Cardigan - $148

I am wearing a size small in the heirloom pink color.  The sleeves are looser on this cardigan than others recently, which is a welcomed change. 

A little much with this cami underneath, but it's what I had on at the time and the colors do mesh well!  I'm wearing my new favorite Trouper skinny pants in Titanium here.

Drapey Sequin Tank - $69

I just had to get it in another color... this is the olive moss in a size small.  I think the small fits better and gives more of a "drapey" feel than the extra small I had on in the past post, so I'm keeping both colors in the small.   I'm also wearing the Modern Slim Cords and a V-Neck cardigan in Vanilla from LOFT .

Trouper Pant - $98

Ultra-skinny and ultra-stretchy.  LOVE these pants!  They do run a bit roomy in the waist area, so I sized-down to a size 0 here.  The legs are pretty tight, but I'm hoping after the baby-weight is completely gone, they will still fit and I may even need to get the waist nipped in at the back a bit.

Dream Zip Henley Sweater - $98

I am wearing an XS here.  This evergreen color appears to be an in-store only color as I do not see it online.  I have the toothpick ankle cords on here in Dusty Cedar.  I had to go up a size for them to button, but now I'm thinking they might stretch out and be too big everywhere else - so not sure I'm keeping these.

I will totally be wearing this outfit to a holiday party.

Dream Zip Henley Sweater, size Small - J.Crew

Sequin Drapey Tank - J.Crew

 Modern Slim Fit Cords - LOFT

Multi-Buckle Belt - $45

I had to get a Medium just to make it comfy to wear high on the waist.  A small fit, but on the largest setting.  The medium is on the smallest setting. Annoying.  Anyway, I think I'll keep the medium.  I don't love it with this dress, but I was just trying to figure out sizing.

 Italian Wool Blazecoat - $278

Unbuttoned w/ buttons showing.  This is a cool look.  I love love love the layered look.  The color is nice and deep - and the feel of this fabric is like cashmere... I was, in fact, surprised to see that this is a 100% wool coat - no cashmere.  This is a really cool and different coat for someone who has way too many coats already!  I was ready for something different!

Buttoned here.  Yummy.  There are pockets, which is great.  They aren't awesomely deep pockets, but good enough.  The fabric is thick and sturdy and feels like it will be warm... but who knows.

I am wearing a size 0 here.  The 2 was enormous on - even big throughout the shoulders, so simply too big, not just roomy.   The zero fits perfectly throughout the shoulders and still leaves plenty of room through the body for sweaters, etc...  The belt gives a nice cinched look.

Back view.  The length is just long enough to cover the butt and be warm on cold days, but not too long to be cumbersome when running errands, etc...

Thanks for stopping by!

J. Crew New Arrivals

I made a few online purchases about a week ago...

Moss Tweed Mini - $118

Not loving this at all - and I soooooo wanted to!  The seams stand up which just adds bulk to the butt.  It's also really short ... I know it's called a "mini", but still.  I'm wearing a size 2 here.... the size 4 fit and looked better when I went back to the store, but still a no-go.  On the positive side, I love the exposed zipper.  I would do a size 4 for under 50 bucks on this one.

Marled Alexie Sweater - $69

I'm wearing a size XS here. Meh.  That's about all I have to say.  I actually liked the solid black in a size small better, but I'm going to wait for a good sale.  The solid colors were softer - FYI.

Drapey Sequin Tank - $69

This tank is AMAZING.  The color is great and goes with just about anything!  Love love love!  I'm wearing an XS in these pics, but since exchanged it for a small so it is a little more forgiving in the tummy area.  This tank will sell out fast for the price!  Just wonderful! Favorite piece since the gold Metallic Beach Cardi earlier this year!

As a bonus, it's adorned on the back, as well - a feature generally only found on $100+ sequined tops.  AND... it's hand wash!  What a great holiday item!

This is the white ash color - meh.  It doesn't sparkle and shine like the other colors.   This one went back.... however, I exchanged it for the olive moss color!

LOFT Finds and Deals

Sorry I've been MIA from the blogger world here lately.  Between vacay's and getting back to a semi-normal schedule - and still adjusting to having two little dudes to take care of during the day instead of just one! - there really hasn't been a lot of extra time for me to spend on the computer!  sheesh!

Anyway, I'd like to share some IRL pics of some LOFT items I've purchased in the past couple of weeks!

**Right now LOFT specials are: Buy 1 regular price sweater, get one 50% off.  Also, 50% off sale.  There are other promo prices on things such as the cords I review below!  Happy shopping!**

Knit Blazer - $128

I'm wearing a size 2 here.  ANYWAY - the fit was terrible - a huge miss!  The bust area was very large on me and in all, the jacket just didn't do anything for me. The inside lining is cute, though!

Modern Slim Fit Cord Pants - $59

(on promo for $39 right now)

I really wanted some off-white cords and the toothpick ankle ones at J.Crew haven't gone on promo yet, so even with 20% off I was waiting.  I tried these in the meantime and I really like them.  I'm wearing a size 2 here.  It's a little tight in the waist (everything is right now!) but fit well in general.  I will be getting about 3" hemmed off so they are true ankle length.  I didn't try the Petite version to test the length.

Chunky Tweed Mini - $69.00

(on sale for $49 + 50% off right now!)

I am wearing a Petite 4 here.  I wanted the length to be shorter so it wouldn't look frumpy with tights.  In the end, this went back.  Too much fabric that doesn't lay nicely.  This seems to be an issue with me and skirts lately!  I did like it with the Scalloped Zip J. Crew cardigan, though. :)

Cowl Neck Sweater Dress - $89.00

I am wearing an XS here in the brown color.  I just love this.  I love the neckline and the fact that it's fitted (not tunic-y) but without being too tight in the waist area.  The color is great!  Now I just need to get a belt small enough to wear high at the waist! (I have a million brown belts, but they're all too big to wear that high!)

Colorblock Tunic w/ Shoulder Zip - $59.00

I don't see this online at the moment.  Talk about flattering - I love the color blocking on this one!  Not sure it's long enough to pull off with just tights, but leggings or skinnies look great!  This is still in both stores by my house.  I am wearing a size small here.

Merona Collection "Emme" Dress Review

This Merona Collection dress was seen in Lucky magazine a few months ago ...

And, I still cannot find it online or in the store. 

However, there is a sleeveless version {here} now in some stores and online.  I was super excited to find it in my size, but now I'm not so sure I'm loving it... mostly because I can't quite figure out how to style it... because it's sleeveless, it needs something underneath - and it's gotta be used for fall because of the color! 

See what you think ...

With nothing - just black leggings

Size 4 + wrinkles that need to be steamed out!

Before you peek at the looks I tried to put together below, I should say that this is a fabulous dress.  Color is spot-on, and the fabric is to die for!  Runs a bit small-ish for Target - I sized up one, but I also have 5 baby-pounds to lose and am nursing.  So... maybe order yourself 2 sizes to try?!

With short sleeved eggplant colored tissue turtleneck

With long sleeved black crewneck tee

Side (sort-of) shot ... very body skimming and flattering IRL

So, the dark colors were a miss, so I tried cream with it.  I love this color combo, but after this, decided a turtleneck neckline is pretty much the only way to go for the under layer!

This is with the "softest cowlneck" in cream from Lands End Canvas {Here}

This is my favorite... but am I still not loving it?!

With a black turtleneck and belt, the closest look I could pull off to what the Target ad was showing.

Bottom Line: What do you think?  Do you have this dress?  How are you styling it?  Should I keep it?

J.Crew: Honore Dress

I made an appointment with my regular PS at J.Crew yesterday to take advantage of the 20% off $150 deal.  I was by myself - which is rare - so I took advantage by trying on a ton of things (new and old), some I normally wouldn't, knowing I wouldn't actually be able to purchase many items yet, since I still have about 10 baby-pounds to loose.

Anyway, I purchased 3 items, 2 of them are new in-store arrivals!

Here is item #1:
(I don't see it online and the reciept reads: "Honore Dress Sold Chalk Cttn, BK0001", as such, I'm calling it the "Honore Dress" for now.)

UPDATE:  It is online, but in the sale section... duh!  See it {here}.

This is a size 4 and the color is black.  Dress is cotton and lined.

It's a little short, and not exactly typical J.Crew, but I definitely got 'the feeling' when I tried it on.  The dress is all one piece, but kind of looks like a skirt worn high with a cami tucked in. 

The elastic belt at the waist is very stretchy, but the actual dress waist itself is not ... so it's not as forgiving in the waist area as I had hoped by just glancing at it on the rack. Therefore, I had to go up a size to fit the post-prego waistline.

Chest detail.  Cute ruffles (of course!) with some beading.  This dress is super-flattering to my bustline - especially right now! (kind-of loving nursing for that reason!)

Not too poofy from the side.  Very flattering, I think. (and if you don't think so, I don't really care!  I love this dress!)

Sizing wise, I *might* be able to do a 2 once I loose the baby weight and I'm not nursing, but I don't think this will end up being too big, just a little looser.  Also, I think going up a size wouldn't hurt in the length department, either!  So, I'm thinking this runs a touch on the small side, but again, I'm not really too good at judging right now!

I wore this out for our anniversary Thursday night with hot pink patent heels.  LOVE IT!  This is going to make SUCH a cute party dress for the holidays!

Bottom Line:  Fits TTS to a little small.  You must be willing to show a little leg in this one honey, but you can also pair with tights and booties as it gets cooler!  A unique piece for sure - and I'll buy anything that gives me "the feeling" when I still have 10 pounds to loose!

Other 2 items will be reviewed soon!  Thanks for stopping by!

J. Crew Rimini Cardigan

I have a love-hate relationship with this cardigan.... I love the love and style, and I hate that I love it so much because I don't think it's very flattering - especially in this picture!

I'm wearing size Small here.  The XS worked everywhere but the arms... which were tight.  Why are the arms so tight in JC sweaters these days?

I feel like this is one of those items that looks better in person than in the picture!  I considered getting this in the black color instead, but I just fell in love with this Nutmeg color when I tried it on, I can't imagine any other color - although I love the Cobblestone color, too!

Bottom Line:  Fits TTS, but small in the arms.  Length is good for me - even as a long waisted gal.  I'd try to wait for a sale on this one, though.  I'm only keeping it all full price because I used my rewards card to purchase it!  It's right on point with the current moto-style!

 

J. Crew Festival Shell Review

So, this is a little late in the game, but this item is still available online in the dreaded "Final Sale" section at JCrew.com and is currently an extra 30% off.

Festival Shell - Size 2 (picture taken about a month ago, so still a little tight!)

With the Madewell Moto Jacket - I really love this top paired with a black jacket/cardigan.  I'm not sure why this top was a spring/summer piece because it totally screams fall to me.

This top fits and feels a lot like the Bazaar Shell - which I did buy and return because I have the dress/tunic in the same print ad the beads were so heavy I just couldn't see wearing it comfortably.  The studs on this shell are still heavy, but not nearly as cumbersome as the Bazaar.

Bottom Line: It's cute and I think I'll wear it a lot this fall since it is pretty forgiving in the tummy area.  Runs TTS.