Merona "Easy Care Easy Wear" Wrap Top: Target Review

Merona "Easy Care Easy Wear" Wrap Top from Target: $16.99 

Comes in multiple patterns, including leopard - avail online and in stores

95% rayon / 5% spandex - machine wash gentle

In a 'Retail Therapy' quest for career gear for a Wardrobe Rehab client, I found quite possibly the perfect work top.... 

Paired with a colorful blazer or an easy black cardigan, this top offers the ultimate in versatility!  Washable, non-clingy, and a cute but appropriate neckline.  It's just long enough to tuck into a higher- waisted pencil skirt, but tailored enough to not look sloppy when left untucked!  It's nice to see these fabulous options at Target for those who can't (or don't want) to blow their entire budget on work clothes!

Boucle Peplum Top and Nicky Cami Review: J.Crew Fall/Winter 2012

 I had my eye on this tweedy-peplum beatuy for a while, so I bit with the 25% off cardholders promo...

                                

Boucle peplum jacket - $148

This is an XS ... I thought with the length being a little shorter I may want to size up, but my normal size with fine... the zipper stops short of the bottom, accentuating the peplum look.  No annoying bracelet length sleeves and just an ever-so-slight puff at the shoulders.

It's really soft - kind of like a mix between a sweat, cardigan, and jacket.  Very striking, IMO.  I don't like the light grey version as much because it's less dressy.... but it's also very cute and would be a 'sale' option if I end up wearing this navy one a lot.  If you're looking for a peplum piece to try this fall, I find this to be a very desirable and versatile piece. 

And while we're at it....

 Nicky Top in Neon Fuchsia - $78 (promo)

This is a size 2 ... I love love love that it's washable!  That's what made the decision for me on this top over other very similar (and probably cheaper) versions J.Crew is offering right now.  I love that the pink is not 'springy' but pretty seasonless!  

Look for a lot more Nicky Love in the coming weeks - I am loving her paired with the double breasted navy schoolboy!  

**FYI - J.Crew is running an extra 30% off sale thru Friday with promo code "LOVEIT"(online only as far as I know).  Promo items are also an extra 30% off, but not final sale!  Woo hoo!

Thanks for stopping by!

Kirna Zabete for Target: Mini-Review

I did swing by Target and picked up a few things .... most are going back, this is the one picture I thought might be helpful for anyone thinking about purchasing....

Tweed Dress: Size XS ... I really wanted to like this.... the faux leather trim and tweed are cute and right on trend!  however, it fits kind of like a box.  The bust was tight (at least you can unzip it!) and the length was far too short ... now with leggings, it would be ok.  This is going back.... not so flattering.

Underneath is the lace top in a size Small.  I'm keeping this.  Very cute and stretchy and I think it will be a great and trendy laying piece.  I may even go back and snag the pink color, too!

Thanks for stopping by - lots of new J.Crew reviews coming soon! :-)

J.Crew Jules Dress in Snow Cat: Review

J.Crew Jules Dress in Snow Cat 

Was: $188 Now: $119

This is a size 2.  It is just ever-so-slightly snug across the chest, but better than I expected from a non-stretch material.  As you can see, it is a little short with it belted... not too short for me, but I am 5'5" with shorter legs.... so 'bare' that in mind ... haha...

I love that there are pockets in front - not so sure I would use them, but a nice touch.  I'm also thinking of pairing this with leggings or tights when the weather cools down - if that ever happens!  :-/

Overall, I got this for about $105 back when it was on promo and extra off, so I think it's a keeper.  I didn't expect to like it, but I was pleasantly surprised!

Designer Looks for Le$$... Part 2

Ok - continuing on from the previous post {here} ... a few of my favorite stores and recent finds.... for less!

Target - These booties are leather and comfortable!  The heel is decent enough to provide a lift but low enough to shop till you drop in the city streets! (or a shopping mall ... whatever!)

Merona Kaelyn Bootie - in black and taupe - $29.99

6PM.com and Outlet - Before I order ANYTHING online in the fashion world - clothing or shoes or jewlery - I ALWAYS check out Zappo's sister (and discount) site, 6PM.com.  I have found amazing deals on pieces that were still considered 'New Arrivals' and in current fashion mags.  While the shipping isn't overnight as with Zappos, it's still very fast!
Among others, I have found GREAT deals on Paige Premium Denim jeans, which are my favorite!!  These are some of the more unique finds right now...

Paige Polka Dot Verdugo - $56.99

Paige Aruba Paisley Verdugo - $114.99

Paige Skyline Ankle Peg in Keightly-  $114.99

AND, if you are in the Louisville area (or anywhere else that's lucky enough to have a Zappos/6PM outlet near them) check out the B&M stores for GREAT deals on UGGS, Frye boots, Kate Spade and more!

Here's another little money-saving trick for us Kentuckians, you'll pay no tax on a lot of major brands if you buy online because the company doesn't have a store in our state!  UGG, Kate Spade, Tory Burch and more all fall into this category ... and if you really want to save, wait for Friends and Family sales that roll around once or twice per year!  This is also true for stores like Saks, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, etc... Nordstrom is very much a favorite of mine because of the free shipping both ways!

Honorable mentions certainly go out to ShopBop and South Moon Under .  These retailer will run an extra percent off sale merchandise every so often and you can get some great deals on designer labels such as Hunter, MARC by Marc Jacobs, Michael Stars, Splendid and more!  These are my favorites that I've actually ordered and enjoy a lot!

Splendid Petal Hem Dress - SMU

Velvet Dress - ShopBop

James Perse Cap Sleeve Boatneck Tee Dress - Shop Bop

Thanks for stopping by, all!  And for participating in my shopping obsession!  :)

J.Crew Collection: Gondola Jacket (Stripes + Polka Dots!)

This is a collection piece I had been eyeing since it was released .... however the original price of about $400 wasn't quite as appealing, especially since I have a closet dedicated to winter coats (which, by the way, I barely even made a dent in last winter because it never really got that cold in our area ...)

At the sale price + an additional 30% off at the time, the price ended up coming within the acceptable 'range' I had set for myself and my VPS (very personal shopper) was able to get her hands on it for me!

Any-hoo, here are just some random shots I took using the J.Crew Polka Dot Tunic from the spring and white matchsticks from '11.  Trying to create several outfits that I can use for cooler summer nights (yeah right).  I'll be featuring this piece a few more times as we move toward fall.  This was introduced in the Spring, but is more suitable (both color and weight wise) for Fall, IMO.

Gondola Stripe Coat Size: 2 ... sizing is pretty much right-on with my other collection jackets... shoulders fit much like the Icon Trench ... snug but the right fit.  Sleeves are a bracelet length, allowing for some arm candy to be seen.  The weight of the coat is very interesting ... not a thick wool like a winter coat, but more wearable and comfortable... this will be a staple Fall jacket as the weather cools down.

Closer picture - this is with it buttoned.  That top button is for show and not to actually be buttoned.

More to come this weekend, including my Part 2 of Looks for Le$$ ... thanks for stopping by!

Designer Looks for LE$$...

I LOVE shopping for just about anything... give me something to look for and I'll scour the internet and use every "Google" and "fashionista" trick in the book to find it!

I also love designer brands ... but only for a good deal!  I'm also a sucker for a good look-a-like ... not a copy, but something that offers the same look but at a huge discount - this applies especially to accessories and super-trendy items (not so much denim, jackets, etc... due to lower quality and fit ... but never say never!)

By now, I think we're all familiar with the web-buster supersale sites like Hautelook, ideeli, Gilt, etc...  I've learned my lesson on these sales: if it's a brand you know (a lot about) and love, it can work to maneuvere with stealth-like speed right on the hour (keep refreshing until it pops up!?  don't act like you don't do it!) and snag some great deals!  I've learned to steer away from non-returnable items (for a lot of reasons) and to only go after brands I am VERY excited about ...

Ok... back to the point ...

I'm seen a lot of pieces lately that have sparked my interest ... here are a few of my most recent exciting discoveries!

WOW Couture Dresses -  I'll admit it.  There are two things that I would run out and instantly purchase if I won the lottery.... a classic Burberry Trench Coat (I'd keep my J.Crew Collection one for actual rainy days!:) AND an Herve Leger bandage dress.  Particularly this hot number ...

WANT. IT. NOW.

Ok, so we can't all throw down $1K on a coat or dress... (this has been made VERY clear to me by my husband ... several times...)

My sights have shifted to finding particularly interesting and higher-quality (and affordable) versions of WOW Couture Bandage dresses.  NOT ALL ARE CREATED EQUAL, but I've found some really great ones that I love and are actually flattering on the body!  The one I'm wearing below was only $89 and had a full hidden zip in the back... I'm telling you, this dress ROCKS!  AND, as I was parousing the Rent The Runway (which is amazing BTW!) site, I noticed this pattern in the dress is almost dead on to real Legers!

You might find these dresses in little boutiques and also look for the online supersale sites to feature them! Also keep an eye out for great bandage styles from Express and BCBG.

BaubleBar.com - Bauble Bar is catching on like wildfire in both media and the blogosphere!   Check out these fabulous finds that look just like a lot of designer pieces at 2 to 10 times the price!  The beauty of it is: this is not super-cheap crap like you'd find at a F21 and the like (though I have some awesome pieces from F21, but you know what I mean!)

How J.Crew does this look?!  Under $30!!!!!!  Layer it and look fab!

Leather wrap bracelets are very big right now - as is rose gold!

Maybe an alternative to the J.Crew Bubble Necklace?  This will look great with a navy blazer!

**Update: How did I miss this lovely the first time around?!...

Talk about a J.Crew look-alike for more than **$100** cheaper!  LOVE!  :)

All three (original) pieces are in my cart right now!  Score!  I'll review when they come in! ;)  I'll also throw another WOW Couture dress in the mix in the next couple of weeks!


**Part two of Looks for Less coming this week ... featuring Target, 6PM.com, and local stores!

Thanks for stopping by and tell your friends!

Work It Out Wednesday

Work It Out Wednesday by wardrobe-rehab featuring stella & dot jewelry

Monki striped top
$12 - monki.com

Blumarine knee length pencil skirt
stylebop.com

Michael kors tote
michaelkors.com

Stella dot jewelry
stelladot.com

Stella dot jewelry
stelladot.com

Stella dot jewelry
stelladot.com

Stella & Dot pave earrings
stelladot.com

Tory Burch Carnell High Camel Leather Peep Toe Wedge
footnotesonline.com

Sequin jacket: J.Crew Collection

Love love love this sporty little number from J.Crew - 40% off the sale price was definitely the deciding factor! I borrowed some looks from other bloggers and came up with a put-together look and a more casual look! How are you wearing your J.Crew sequin jacket? FYI- I ended up with a size 0 .... It does barely zip but I wanted to leave it open so I would take your regular size or size down if you want to wear it open!

OOTD: Chambray Blazer

In efforts to support my new business, Wardrobe Rehab (link to our fabulous website on the right of the screen! :) I am getting into the 'Instagram' thing.  I may be the last one to catch on to this - just like I might have been the last person under 30 to buy a touchscreen phone :-/ 

Anyway, look for a lot more OOTD posts here in the coming weeks - we are trying to offer our clients (and readers) a little inspiration, just a sooooo many bloggers out there.  As a J.Crew fanatic, a sale scourer, and a fashion addict I believe I can relate to a lot of women who look online for style (and other) inspiration!

For anyone who is new to my blog, welcome!  Check out the blogs I follow for so much info on style, sales, specific fashion items, and general inspiration and fun!  Thanks for stopping by!

Chambray Schoolboy Blazer: J.Crew (0) {here} 

White Vintage Tank: J.Crew (XS) {here}

Printed Shorts: J. Crew (4)

Necklace: Francesca's Collections {here}

Snail Bangle: J.Crew

J.Crew Beach Shorts

LOVING the J.Crew beach shorts!  Sorry for the crappy pics!  On vacay!  The style# is 

77199 any they really are amazing!  The material is perfect for pool or beach because it drys quickly!  Enjoy!

These are a size 2 (normal chino short size) but probably 'could' have done a 0... so they don't run small. Shown here with the Vintage Tank

Oh yes, there are pockets! and a waistband that will not create a muffin top!

Happy 1st Day of Summer!

My Letarte Swimwear Obsession

I recently discovered a new (to me) swimwear line that I really love!  Letarte is based in Hawaii and sells high-end swim suits and cover ups!

I recently placed an order for a bikini and cover-up shorts.  It came *blindingly* fast in two days via the standard shipping option and was very nicely packaged!  Check out the super-cute little bag each swim suit comes in!

The crochet shorts are to-die-for!  Handmade and oh-so-of-the-moment, these cover-up shorts will be hitting the road to Florida with me in June and get lots of use!

Most tops are available in a D-cup size, as well as alpha sizes - bottoms (which you can order separately) are also in alpha sizes.  Unfortunately, the sizes I ordered in the swim suit weren't exactly right, but I got to check out the quality, fabric, and style - all of which are amazing!

I love that this company is owned by women - and based in Hawaii... how cool!?

Check them out on:http://letarteswimwear.com/ and also Saks.com carries several styles!  Aloha!

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!