The Fab Life

Making every day fabulous

J.Crew New Arrivals – August 2017 Rollout

Hi! I have to say, it made me a little sad that I couldn’t put “style guide” in this latest post since there was no style guide for the August rollout. For years prior to ever having a local store, I used to dog ear all of the pages of the J.Crew style guides. I suppose in a time of digital consumption, not as many people want to page through a catalog but I am at least relieved to hear that they aren’t going away completely. At any rate, I stopped by my local store to check out the August rollout which is considered “pre-fall” transition. There is a mix of summer and fall items in this rollout. There were quite a few things my store didn’t have that I still want to try, but I guess they’re getting another shipment of the rollout next week.

Even without everything I wanted to try, as usual, I found a few fall items to love even in the middle of July. I’m in no rush to get to fall but I am absolutely guilty of buying a few fall things after this shopping trip. Ok, onward to the try-ons!

First up the Silk Easy Pant in Tiger print with the Collared Tippi Sweater.

I’m admittedly not a critter/animal/fruit on my clothing type of girl. A lot of people are. Which is totally fine and I think a ton of people look great in them…they’re usually not for me. I did really like the color scheme on these pants and well, this Tippi sweater is a given. I layer my Tippi sweaters like it’s my job but it’s all about having the right size sweater with the right button down and getting everything to lay flat, etc. can be a challenge. A built in striped collar? I’m sold. There’s a small chest pocket on this sweater and the wool is lighter weight than my Tippis of years past but I will absolutely be putting this one to use this fall. I’m wearing a small in the sweater so it’s true to size and I tried an 8 in the pants which is my usual pant size – they were a little roomy so you  may be able to size down if you don’t have the hip/rear situation going on that I do. They are the same zip/button fly as the foulard ones from last fall. Minus the tigers I’d be all over these and who knows, maybe I’ll eat my words after these go on a good sale. I’m also wearing the Lucie Suede Pumps which seem to be the Colette replacement (sad face). The website description says the heel is the same height but visually these looked taller and they changed the upper to be all one piece rather than the sectioned d’orsay of the Colette. These seemed to run big as the 9.5 had a gap on me but I didn’t try a 9.

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J.Crew New Arrivals – July 2017 Mini Rollout

Hi! The summer crazy is upon us and I have been enjoying some time away from work as well as my computer. I did stop by the store this week to return some items and check out a few of the new arrivals from the small rollout earlier this week. The first pre-fall rollout for the August style guide will be in a few weeks. I saw this rollout online and I admit that online nothing was a “must have” since I am pretty well set with summer items. However, after trying some items in person (as usual) I found a few things to add to my wardrobe.

First up, a dress that I don’t see online yet but the embroidery on the dress caught my eye.

Shoes: J.Crew Lace-Up Suede Sandals

I’m not usually a fan of orange but I may make an exception for this dress. I would have trouble wearing this to work though, so it’s use is somewhat limited. It looked cute with a denim jacket though and would be good with a Jackie cardigan as well. I’m thinking about this one. It’s $178 and the style number is G7489 if you’re trying to track it down at your local store. I sized down to a 4 in this and it was a perfect fit. The detailing on this dress is so pretty and I’d usually pick heels to wear with this tea length, but I liked the neutral colored flat sandals with it as well.

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J.Crew New Arrivals – July 2017 Style Guide

Hi! Believe it or not, we are now down to the last summer rollout of 2017. Where is the time going? Since July marks the first “pre-fall” rollout (which always has a few warm weather items) this is the last “official” summer rollout! At first glance, I was a bit overwhelmed at all of the ruffles and off-the-shoulder that we’re still seeing everywhere, but in typical J.Crew fashion, once I dig around a bit, I always find items to love.

First up, the Ruffle Top in Chambray.

 

Jeans: Factory High-Rise Skinny Jean / Sandals: Lace-Up Suede Sandals

I sized down to a 4 in this top. The ruffles on this seemed a bit overwhelming to me, so I could see if you’re petite it might be a bit much. But I have since seen it on several other people online and really liked it. It’s a bit much for me and would be a weekend top since I don’t think it would go well with a blazer (although I admittedly didn’t try it). I like the darker color of the chambray though and it is a longer length. If it’s your style, with white jeans and neutral sandals this is a solid summer outfit. It’s lightweight but not flimsy.

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The Fab Life & J.Crew Summer Shopping & Styling Event

Hi there! It’s that time again…

The weather is FINALLY starting to act like summer and there is no better time than now to get everything you need for those summer parties and  vacations! Whether it be shorts, party dresses or accessories, J.Crew has you covered. The store will be offering a special discount of 25% off your purchase (any better existing discounts in store will apply). AND if you’re a student or a teacher – bring your ID and you can receive an extra 15% off. The J.Crew at the Walden Galleria Mall features Men’s, Women’s and Crewcuts so you can peruse for yourself or the kids. You can check out the Facebook event page or email fablifeforever@gmail.com to RSVP. I hope to see you there!!

May 2017 Fab Outfit Roundup & Summer Wardrobe Challenge

Hello! Somehow another month has gone by and we are past the Memorial Day holiday and “officially” at the start of summer. We had a chilly first part of the month here but spring pushed through and we were able to enjoy our fair share of sunshine as well. May also kicked off the season of birthday parties, various family milestones, and friends visiting from out of town. In addition to posting my monthly outfit favorites, I am also going to outline my summer wardrobe “challenge”. But let’s get to the favorites for May first. I’m including some work outfits as well as some weekend outfits this around.

This first outfit I wore for my nephew’s First Communion Mass and party. It ended up being pretty chilly that day so I added a white blazer and later a denim jacket at the party (didn’t want to risk spills on the blazer) to combat the cold. My toes stayed bare though in the sandals. I am a complete jumpsuit convert and this silk jumpsuit is such an easy throw on and go piece. The jumpsuit is unfortunately sold out and the sandals I found on Poshmark recently (they’re J.Crew from a few years ago) but I did link some similar pieces to get the same type of look.

Jumpsuit: J.Crew (sold out, another here, here, or here) / Sandals: J.Crew (similar style here) / Necklace: J.Crew (sold out, similar here)

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Tie-Waists and Transformations

Hi there. So, I’ve been trying to write this blog post for weeks. I probably won’t capture everything I want to say in one post but in an effort to put myself out there a little more, keep up with my writing (which I’ve been neglecting) and staying up with the blog, I’m going to attempt to memorialize some of the thoughts I’ve been having about the changes I’ve experienced during the first five months of 2017. This is my story. I am not a fitness or diet expert so anything I am sharing is my own opinion and happens to be what worked for me.  This is a bit of a brain dump for me so bear with me.  When I get going about something, it’s tough to shut me off.  After months of seriously thinking about wanting to do something more about my weight and overall health, I made the decision to commit to a healthy eating plan and regular workout regimen which has led to me being down three sizes and nearly thirty pounds in five months.

I have never in my life committed to a diet. I like food too much. I’d casually attempt to count calories here and there and would workout consistently for months without changing anything in my diet, convinced that as long as I was working out, I could eat whatever I wanted. I think there were several years where we didn’t even own a scale. Going to the doctor’s every year was a crap shoot and nine times out of ten I’d get the gentle lecture about staying active and watching my weight, only to be neglected until the next year when I’d get on the scale. I ignored it when clothes didn’t fit and used it as an excuse to build a wardrobe envied by friends and coworkers, telling myself I was showing people that you don’t have to be a size 0 to look good. And I still agree with that. I’m happy that I had enough courage to put myself out and share myself with others because I know I’ve been able to inspire others to step outside of the box when it comes to their wardrobe choices no matter what their size. I discovered an amazing community on Instagram and made some friends through our mutual love of building fun outfits and all things J.Crew.  But, beneath all of that, I wasn’t truly happy with myself and  I wanted better for myself. I wasn’t healthy and that needed to change. My wardrobe became another excuse for not losing weight. What would I do with all of my clothes? I’d buy more things and any thoughts of trying to lose weight would be ignored.

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