Banana Republic Ruffle Front Plaid Flannel Shirt

I used my 40% Off Wednesday coupon to get this shirt yesterday.  I've had my eye on it for a while, but could never find it in a small. It must have been returned or taken off a mannequin or something, because it all of a sudden appeared in the store yesterday!  I loved it so much I wore it out of the store!

I'm wearing a size Small. An X-Small might have fit, but would probably have been too tight in the shoulders.  The fabric is flannel - the tag says it's stretch.

The navy in the shirt looks so great with dark denim.

The ruffles are cute - but not too much.  Just enough to peek out of a sweater.

Bottom Line: Love love love this shirt.  Runs TTS for BR.  I NEVER wear things out of the store, but I just fell in love with it!  BR is having 40% off in stores today - and 35% off online for cardholders!  Get it if you can snag it!

J.Crew Fair Isle Sweater Review

J.Crew Chunky Fair Isle Funnelneck Sweater - $148

I'm wearing an XS here.

This sweater caught my eye right from the start.  The price turned my away just as quickly.  However, I ended up grabbing it when there was a sweater promo + my 30% off cardholder deal.  And still, at almost $100, I think they could have done a little better than acrylic as a main fabric component..... but whatever.  I figured that if the sweater was 100% wool (or even close) it would be overly-warm and thick, so that's how I'm justifying being ok with just a high "fake" content.

Moving on.  I really really love this sweater paired with black leggings.  I wasn't certain I was going to keep the sweater and it was just hanging out in my closet - getting to know my other sweaters - but I found myself getting excited to wear it, so I did.   I feel much better about keeping an indulgent purchase if I wear it right away.

Bottom Line:  TTS for JC sweaters.  It's a touch itchy, but I found it to be comfy with just a tank layered underneath.  The pattern is super cute and I love the snaps on the neckline.  Definitely a keeper.



Last Minute HELP! Opinions please!

So, I'm trying to find a way to use more of the clothing in my closet and I REALLY wanted to wear the drapey sequin tee .... but I don't want to wear pants, so here is what I came up with... for tonight.... so it's kind of do or die time...

Of course I'm going to wear black tights - this baby is short and it's COLD outside! 

Can this work?  What do you think?  Am I crazy?

J.Crew Cypress Plaid Skirt Review

When I first saw this skirt in the store as a new arrival a few weeks ago, I totally scoffed.   In fact, I told my PS that it looked far too "lounging by the fireplace" for my liking.  HOWEVER, as is the case with many JC items I own, after seeing it several times, the hate turned to love.  Weird.  Anyway - I ended up buying it using my 30% off cardholder promo code.

With metallic beach cardi + candy shirt.  I'm wearing a size 2 here.

With candy shirt + navy Jackie. 

It's a bit "full" - and I'm not sure how I feel about that....  I MIGHT have liked to size up to a 4 to make the waist looser, but there would be way too much puffy fabric in a 4.

I love that it has pockets!

I tried to be a little less lazy here and put on some navy tights.  Here I have on a Perfect fit scoop neck tee in navy and the multi-buckle belt.

Another side-shot.

And without the belt...

And.... another side shot - I'm just not sure this is very flattering... ?!

Bottom Line:  TTS. This is not a skirt to make you look thin, IMO.... It's puffy on the bottom and pretty fitted at the waist, which is much different from the typical pencil skirt silhouette I'm used to.  However, I think this is a cute casual skirt.  And it's pretty warm for a skirt since it's wool.  This skirt really had to grow on me, but now that I have been able to put together a couple of outfits using it, I think it's a keeper.  How are you styling your Cypress Plaid skirt?

Talbots: Ruffle Plaid Blouse *new pic*

Sorry I've been MIA for a while.  It's not that I haven't been shopping and taking pictures of things, I've just been running around like a crazy person and not really feeling much like blogging.  But, alas, Black Friday has brought me back to life!  :)

Talbots Ruffle Plaid Blouse - $69.50

Untucked.  I am wearing a size 2.  Runs TTS.

Tucked into black pants and black patent belt.

With the side-zip sweatshirt over.  More casual I guess ... not sure if this even works, but ...

With black J.Crew sweater over.

*I took this pic based on FFM's comment.  I actually forgot I had this nice, thick boyfriend cardi from AT last year.  Its long enough to wear with tights/leggings.  I do like this outfit as a more casual way to wear this shirt!  It takes like a freakin' hour to get the shirt all situated beneath the sweater, but in the end, looks cute.*

I really wanted this from the first time I saw it.  I love that is a nice, thinner, stretch fabric.  The ruffles are just enough to be cute, but not 'crazy' or in-the-way big.  I ordered it during the 30% off tops promo and waited almost a month for it to be off back order.

Anyway, now I'm just not sure if I have a need for this shirt as it's pretty conservative and I'm not sure if I can dress it down enough to get a lot of wear out of it.

What do you think?  I like it with the black pants, but can this shirt be pulled off with jeans?  Give me your thoughts!

Rachel Roy for Macys: Holiday Party Dress!

Rachel Roy Liza Sequined Dress - $148

Appears it is now sold out in all sizes at Macys.com

I am wearing a size 2 here and I think this dress runs TTS to a little big. The length is definitely short, but probably still OK for a cocktail party. I plan on wearing some opaque tights and booties, which I'll take a picture of when I have it all on!

Loving the exposed zipper.

Oddly, this sold out on Macy's website before I could even get this posted - but definitely have your store do a search for you if interested!  The purple is very of-the-moment and I love that it has sleeves so there isn't that cold-shock when you give up your winter coat at the door of a party!

Thanks for stopping by!

OOTD: Blazer + Belt

Quick post today.... outfit from going out to dinner a couple nights ago... I'm trying to utilize the many belts I have in my closet that never seem to get touched!

Blazer: Gap

Military Belt: J.Crew

Sweater: J.Crew

Jeans: Gap

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.