J.Crew French Knot Tippi & Jeweled Shoulder Sweater

Here are a few of my latest Fall 2013 purchases from J.Crew!

Merino Tippi in French knot

After missing out on the Swiss dot tippi last year and not loving it’s Factory counterpart this year, I decided to try the French knot Tippi. Of course I waited too long to order and ended up a size up from my usual Tippi size and had to wait for the backorder. This sweater appears to be sold out online but I did see the navy colorway in my B&M the other day.

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Turns out that the large actually worked ok for me and I’ll be able to layer a heavier button down underneath like a chambray shirt. The sweater is 100% merino but feels heavier than my other Tippis and a little cozier. I think it will look great layered under a blazer with a pencil skirt or with jeans. I can definitely see this becoming a fall staple. I’m wearing the Banana Repubic Sloan pants in houndstooth from this fall.

Jeweled-Shoulder Sweater

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I actually like this sweater a lot better than it photographs. I think this sweater will look best paired with a skirt for me, but I still haven’t pulled out my fall/winter skirts so jeans it is. Seeing this picture, I’m definitely whatever about it with jeans. This sweater has an odd fit in my opinion as well. I ordered the medium (which I’m wearing in the pictures and while the body of the sweater fits fine I believe the description says “relaxed.” On someone my size, relaxed can often mean “makes me look dumpy.” In this case, I don’t mind the fit of the body but the sleeves are more bracelet length in this size. I did try on a large at my B&M and the body was too relaxed for me, but the sleeves were fine. I’ll probably layer this (of course I cut the tags off of it so as I’m writing this up I’m thinking, hm, sounds like I’m not sold…go figure). I tried a silk Blythe under it and it looked nice.

 

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Here’s a slightly blurry closeup of the jewels on the sleeve. I don’t think they’re too obtrusive or add any extra bulk to the shoulders. I found the sweater to be soft, not really cozy but the added cashmere makes it a bit softer than the 100% merino sweaters. Since I do rock a pretty good arm party on a daily basis, the bracelet sleeves will work for me. I need to try it with darker jeans and maybe heels. This was a rushed try-on session so I haven’t spent as much time as I needed to trying to work it in to my wardrobe. Plus, I REALLY need to pack away all of my summer stuff and unleash the fall/winter gear. Hopefully this weekend. So, what do you think? Do you have or have you tried on either of these sweaters? Would love to hear what you think and thanks for visiting!

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Buttoned Up – Fab Style

Fall is officially here…I didn’t need a calendar to start dictating my wardrobe as it’s been cool here for a few weeks, but now there’s no stopping the sweaters and tights and boots and all of the fun fashion associated with fall. Blame my Catholic school upbringing, but I associate my J.Crew plaid cafe capris with fall, and was excited to pull them out for the first time this season. I went on another double bling binge this morning…Tilda + Crystal floral statement necklace. AND my new 3.1 Philip Lim for Target tote. I’ll be honest, I caved to all of the online and Instagram hype with this…but I’m glad I did. My store didn’t sell out immediately so when I made my Sunday Target run, I figured bags left on the shelf meant I needed to have one (oh, the justifications…) But, like I said, I’m glad I caved. The color is a nice grey/taupe neutral and the shape is not something I already own. I think it’s a nice alternative to the much more expensive Pashli tote that is not in my bag budget at the moment.

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This outfit made me feel buttoned up and put together – but still with some of my sparkly element. A smart blazer always pulls an outfit together in my opinion. And in this case, the bag really pulled this outfit together as well! I’m glad I came back for a second round of pictures after work that included the bag. And even after 9 years of plaid jumpers and skirts…I still rock the plaid now and then 🙂 So how about you – are you ready for fall? What are some of the items you’re excited about pulling out? Would love to hear what you think and thanks for visiting!

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J.Crew Factory Reviews – September 2013

I ran out to the J.Crew Factory store last week on the last day of the Gilt City 40% coupon. I always have bad luck taking pics in their dressing room but as I was perusing pics on my phone the other day, I figured I would post a few pics of my dressing room adventures.  Here’s a few highlights (and a lowlight). Enjoy!

Factory Charley Sweater in Color Block Stripe

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For some reason I talked myself out of this at the store, and now seeing it in the picture, I wish I had gotten it. It’s not quite in my usual color scheme, but I like the dark stripe across the bust not making me look quite so busty. I’m wearing the straight and narrow jeans in cherish wash, which did come home with me (I take my matchstick size). I took my usual Tippi size Medium in the sweater, and I am pleased to see the Factory version is 100% merino.

Factory Beaded Sweatshirt

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Sorry for the fuzzy pic. I love this sweatshirt. This is a size Large, and I have enough room to layer and it still looks relaxed. I honestly don’t own many sweatshirts that aren’t zip up hoodies, I guess you could say I don’t do super casual so well. Ha. But a sweatshirt with bling that isn’t crazy J.Crew retail priced? Sure. Yeah, I know, it’s probably not practical if I can’t machine wash it, but I may attempt delicate inside out in one of those meshy bags. We’ll see. I love it though and look forward to getting a lot of weekend wear out of it this fall/winter.

Factory Spotted Sequin Tee

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This (and my 40% off coupon) was the real reason I went to the store. I sized up to a L in this, there’s not much give to it but I LOVE IT. I’m so excited to wear it this holiday season and even for non-holiday events. I talked myself out of the ivory one at the store…and I’ve already ordered it so now I will have both colors.

Factory Warmspun Herringbone Jewel-Collar Sweater

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Frumpville. Not a love from me, it was cozy and not itchy, I believe this is a viscose blend. Not flattering on me at all, and I really don’t think I can pull off the Peter Pan collar. I couldn’t when I was in second grade either. I tried a medium in this, a larger size wouldn’t have saved this. Pass.

So, there you have it, just a few of my recent try-ons from Factory. I’m offf to ogle the new arrivals at retail! How about you? Any wins at J.Crew Factory lately? Would love to hear what you think and thanks for visiting!

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Starting Fresh

Hello! I feel like it’s been ages since I’ve posted last…I think I’m still in denial that we’re back from Italy. Just wanted to pop in and say hello, I’ve got to get my act together and post about my trip as well as start figuring out new outfits for fall! I have no idea what I managed to piece together last week with it being a short work week for me but I think it involved at least one black suit and a black dress. (read: creativity totally wiped out). So in an attempt to start fresh this morning, I decided I was going to build an outfit around my J.Crew Tippi sweater in Vibrant Flame and jumped right back in to some pattern mixing. Time to get in to the closet and figure out some outfits! Pics from Italy coming soon, I promise.

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 It was chilly this  morning – so I topped off the outfit with my J.Crew Schoolboy blazer in navy. My shirt also didn’t want to stay tucked today and I didn’t really have any important meetings so I went with it. The gingham and the polka dots were an unexpected win for me. So, what do you think? Too much pattern or am I ok? I’ve got to get back in the game somehow! Would love to hear what you think and thanks for visiting!

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