Talbots + No.2 from J.Crew : OOTD

I don't shop at Talbots often, but when I saw their latest catalog with the leopard / animal print blouse, I knew I had to try it!  I actually like the pencil skirt, too - but I'm a little pencil-skirted-out right now (thank you No.2!). Anyway - I love it paired with the pencil skirt and also skinny jeans.

Talbots Blouse - Size 2

J.Crew No.2 Pencil Skirt in Natural - Size 0

Bright pink skinny belt from Target

Fun, blousey arms and button-down front ... built-in but removable black cami underneath.

I'm also kind of loving it with these black shorts and blue belt ...

Not sure I would keep the blue belt with this look, but I wanted to see it with my red Schoolboy - and it works... so this will be a top for the fall, as well!

I didn't get a chance to take a picture, but I wore this top with my Cafe Capris in Bright Dahlia and it looked great!  Thanks for stopping by!

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!  :)

Move Over Tory .... Macy's & Great Deals!

I almost never shop at our local Macys - it's not great... plus I am soooo annoyed that every single week they have a "One Day Sale" - I mean, seriously?  Plus they have a PREVIEW day... which makes it a TWO DAY SALE!  ANYWAY - Here is the first set of what I bought and kept.  The second set is coming soon!

I swear if this doesn't look like a Tory Burch tunic ...  anyway, it's a nice, stretchy, and the colors are amazing!  This one is Charter Club (first CC piece I've ever bought) in a Small and came in at about $21 in the store during one of the last - uh - ten One Day Sales!

This BCBG dress is still on Piperlime for full-price, but I snagged it for about $30!  This is a Small - I was considering the XS, but it didn't have the same blousy look.  I think I'll be wearing this a lot this summer.  I have it pair with a stretchy belt from F21.

This navy and white bring print shirt is Charter Club and I LOVE it!  I'm wearing a Small here.  You have to wear a cami underneath as it is sheer!    It will even carry over into fall as I found it looked good with a Schoolboy Wool Blazer.  I also love it tucked into some dressy shorts!  Again - this was under $20!!

**FYI - This is now $12.99 online!!!!  Click {here}

Sorry for the butt shot here... these are the skinny jeans I got in 3 different colors from Forever21.  I cannot believe how well they fit! (yes, they have to be washed after every wearing because they stretch out - to be expected with F21!) 

You might remember back in the fall I fell in love with the skinny cords they offered in a lot of cool colors ... these must be the same cut.  It's always hard to tell with F21 as they have a million things that are almost exactly alike.  I love that this is a true red - I also got the teal and kelly green!  Loves!  $15. No joke.

Another Charter Club tunic in XS.  This one I'm the least thrilled with, but I still really love it with skinny jeans.

I think I'm kind of bummed about our recent weather because I feel like I have a ton of new cute spring clothes to wear, but we skipped straight to summer!  Not kidding, I've worn shorts most days in the last couple of weeks - and tank tops!  It's literally been too hot to wear long sleeves!  WTH?!  I'm excited to wear my new stuff, so cut the crap, Mother Nature!

Old Navy, much?

I do not shop at Old Navy often, but I ordered a couple of things online during a recent promo and thought I would share the best...

This twill jacket is pretty fabulous for the price it's being offered at.  The color and buttons weren't exactly what I was looking for, but it's probably because I really want the J.Crew yellow trench version of this jacket seen here.... 

I am wearing an XS in the ON version and a Size 2 in the JC version.  The ON version is softer and more comfy, the J.Crew version is a better color and more sturdy fabric, FYI.

Tie-Front blouse - very see-thru, but meant to be worn with a cami. XS here ... a little small in the bust, but still OK.

Sail-Boat print blouse - This is awesome and a total keeper! Wearing an XS here.

Burnt Orange dress.... comes with a self-tie belt, which I didn't like the placement of so I moved it lower.  Also has an attached full-length orange cami underneath.  This is a pretty nice dress for ON, IMO.  This is a size XS.

Old Navy has really stepped it up for Spring!  Thanks for stopping by!

Ted Baker Silk Molye "Playsuit" Romper Review

This is something fun I ran across while shopping in a local boutique.  One-pieces typically don't work for me because I am long-waisted (this goes for swimwear, too) but when I saw this beauty I HAD to try it on.  Part of me was hoping it would not fit ... the "you-so-do-not-need-this" and "it's too expensive" part of me .... the another part of me, the "this-is-so-freakin'-cute!" part of me was pretty pumped that it fit like it was made for me...

I'm liking it with black accessories (I'll picture that later down the road) and even without the belt and long necklaces.  The color felt more tealish once I got it home, but in the store it was more royal blue. These pics were just taken quickly so I could make a decision to keep or not.  PA-LEASE excuse the mess that is my life behind me!  lol

Issues:  bathroom .... yes, if you are not flexible enough to zip and button yourself, you will need a helped in the bathroom!  silk ... not kid, drink, life-friendly!

This is the picture for it on Zappos.com ...  I had a hard time finding it online very much, so I'm hoping this can be my go-outfit for looking chic for a lunch with the ladies or night out on the town and I won't see any  outfit twins!  

TED BAKER MOLYE RUCHED NECK PLAYSUIT

For reference, I'm wearing a Ted Size 2 - which is either a US size 4 or 6 depending on what website you refer to!

Have you gotten on the one-piece bandwagon?

J.Crew Critter Jewelry: Frog or Giraffe?

I typically don't fall for the out-there jewelry with the animal themes, but I'm really loving the ones offered right now... unfortunately because they are so freakin' pricey...  

Anyway, I've got to decide which one of the necklaces to keep from this collection.... or possibly a bracelet... let me know what you think!  The weight and the colors on all items are so nice ... err, this is going to be tough for me so I'm looking for some good input!

Double-Strand Resin Frog Necklace - $128

I didn't expect to like this as much as I do...

Or I could do the matching bracelet - but not both... 

Frog-clasp bracelet - $68

Double-strand resin link giraffe necklace - $138

I kind of love the contrasting black and ivory with the brown resin ... might be about to wear this with more?

Let me know what you think!  Have you purchased any 'critter' jewelry this season?  Which is your favorite and why?

J.Crew 2012 Brand New Spring Arrivals - Quick

Very quick, took some lazy pics of a couple items I bought today from the new arrivals.

Pink/White stripe sweater.  Also came in camel/white stripe.  I'm wearing an XS here.  Very much softer than I expected. The arms are a little tight and the length is a bit short to the point where I feel like it will be too short after washing.  I suck at iPhone pics, therefore you can't see the fact that it's a v-neck - but not really the flattering kind... it's higher cut.  I love the idea of this sweater and might go for it in a Small on sale, but for now it goes back.

Green sweatshirt top .... this pic doesn't do the color justice... it's gorgeous!  I really do not need another thin sweatshirt-type-casual cotton top, but I had to grab this one.  Nothing really special about the fit or feel of the fabric, but the color is great!  I'm wearing an XS here.

I have a TON of things to review, including Factory finds and more Spring arrivals, so check back soon!

J.Crew *PINK* Schoolboy Blazer

Anyone who has been reading this blog for any amount of time may have noticed that along with my affinity for J.Crew, I also tend to swing toward the 'pink' items quite hot and heavy!

This pink Schoolboy is no joke!  It went straight to the top of my wishlist when it first popped online, which came on the heels of me deciding that my caramel, decadent red and plaid wool Schoolboy purchases this year were my faves!  So, basically, a no-brainer!

I did what Gigi (check out her wonderful blog{here}) refers to as the "Forever 21 test".  The way I like to perform this test is two-fold.  First, I swing by our local {gigantic} F21 and search the store for an item look-alike.  Typically they don't show up until like 6-12 months after a designer comes out with it (same goes for Target look-alikes) so if I just discovered the item at J.Crew, usually there isn't a look-alike at F21 ... yet. 
The second part of the test, for me, comes when I actually try on/receive the item.  If it could honestly pass for something found at F21, it should go back.  

The J.Crew Schoolboy passed the F21 test on moth accounts, so moving on...

Schoolboy blazer in herringbone - $175

I am wearing a size 0 here - it does button, but it's a little tight across the shoulders, so I am going to order a size 2 to compare.

I have a size 2 in most of my blazers, but I figured I wouldn't wear this one buttoned very often... but it might restrict movement a little to much in the 0 to where I'm worried about ripping the back/shoulders .... then again, the 2 might be the same way, so again, I'll wait to compare the two before deciding which size to keep!

Can you tell I love to pair it with green?!

This looks like Spring just threw up all over me ... but I kind of love it! 

The thing that separates this blazer from others/ cheapers  I've seen in the back vent and the silky arm lining with tiny pinstripe print that allows for easier sliding on/off.  Definitely a keeper, even at .... full price.  BUT, I will keep my fingers crossed for an across-the-board promo here soon where I can get at least 20% off! 

I'll be reviewing all the other items seen in the pictures in my next post!  Thanks for stopping by!

Jason Wu For Target - In Pictures

I always have to check out the collaborations Target does with designers!  Typically I keep only a piece of two - I brought several home to try....  There were a few "cat" pieces (scarf, tee shirt, etc...) but I really do not like cats (aka: give me the creeps) therefore I was certainly not interested in a white t-shirt with a big black cat on it!

All pieces I am modeling are size Small, the skirt is a 4.

If I was working in an office I would keep this blouse - it's nice, but needs a cami underneath.

The skirt was very static-y and I do not like the way it poofs out at the waistband all around.  I was super-sucking-in here and it still sticks out!  If between sizes, I would size up 1 size from your typical J.Crew skirt size.

Closer-up of the top, you can see that it's see-thru, which is fine with a cami... or just a bra I guess, but being from the midwest I doubt I would be rocking that look!  lol

Favorite top.  Also came in a red and maybe a few other colors.  I like this a lot.  I have it tucked into a No.2 pencil skirt in black.  This is a keeper.

To show the length un-tucked....

Polka-dot bow blouse in navy with white dots.  A little too "ahoy sailor" for my taste in the navy.

I do like it a little more in the blush color - I might keep this one.  Shown here with No.2 Pencil Skirt in Wool in Neon Azalea.

From the back...

I said I wasn't going to get this, but it was cuter in person than in the ads.  The fit is good.  I'm long waisted and the belt hits in the right spot.

Not too frilly, puffy, etc... but do I feel like a hotel maid in this dress?!  I can't decide.  This is a maybe.

This is not Jason Wu, but I found this scarf on clearance - leopard with a black, red, and gold buckle print on the border.  It is a silky matieral and was only $5.

That's all for me and Target right now!  Did you purchase anything you loved from the Jason Wu Collection?

Searching For the Perfect Red Denim

We've all seen the pop-of-color denim in magazines and stores right now, and I've become a little obsessed with finding a pair of classic red ones.  I'm definitely going to still keep an eye out for a hot pink and maybe blue, but red is my current project.  I'm still trying to decide if I want a jegging, skinny, cropped, or what... so here are the findings from my journey....

Tory Burch - Slim Cropped Denim - $175

When I saw these, I HAD to HAVE them.  And once I got them, I loved them, but I didn't LOVE them. {aka:  I didn't $175-love-them}  I've found that, while I think Tory's clothing is adorable, her denim fits me a little 'big' or 'baggy' in the tummy/crotch area which I don't like.  The waistline is a nice mid-rise that is pretty flattering and the bottoms are a little baby-bell-bottom, which is cute and a little more mature, IMO.  I really like the emblem-embroidered back pockets, too.  Alas, these went back.... I just didn't feel like I would get enough wears out of these in the red color to make it worth the price.... and the loose crotch area was the final deciding factor.


Michael Kors - Colored Skinny Jeans - $79.50



I haven't gotten these yet - still waiting on them to be shipped.  I love the gold tone accents and the fact that they are skinny and could potentially be hemmed to be cropped... I'll have to look into that!  I ordered these in the bright pink, as well... I'll keep you posted once they come in.  I'm very hopeful these will work out!

American Eagle - Jeggings - $44.50



Not as cute in person as online, but a good choice if you like low-cut and are younger.  I would size up in these personally.



Express - Zelda Jean Legging - $79.90

These do not work for me - WAY too low cut!  I also feel like they are a little overpriced, but you can get deals at Express.  Love the style, but this would have worked much better for me ten years ago!



Forever 21 - Fitted Skinny Jean - $15.50

These come in a million colors and you may want to size down.  I'm typically a 27 and got a 26 in these.  For the price... I ended up keeping these in the green and red and MAY still go back and get the green ones!  Will they last as long as the others?  Maybe not, but you can't beat the price!



Are there any pop-of-color jeans you've discovered an love?  I've seen some cute ones from J.Brand, Joe's, J.Crew, 7 For All Mankind, etc...  and I've love to hear which ones you've found and LOVE!  Thanks for stopping by...