J.Crew Spring Jewelry – Full Spectrum Necklace, Crystal Foliage Necklace and Crescent Floral Pendant Necklace

After what I felt was buying every statement necklace in sight last year, my jewelry buying from J.Crew waned somewhat as 2014 came to a close, and most of my necklace purchases were of the pendant variety. I started to think perhaps my love affair with statement necklaces was over, but fear not, the spring rollout came and I found several new necklaces to love. I usually wait a bit for the jewelry to hit sale, but in this case a 25% promotion and a generous birthday gift card was enough to get me to bring these beauties home. And perhaps the fact that it had been months since I bought a statement necklace.

First up, the Full Spectrum Crystal Necklace in vivid ink. Calling this necklace vivid ink would lead one to believe this necklace is blue toned, and it is, but it is exactly what it’s name implies – a full spectrum of color. As seems to be the case with a lot of J.Crew’s jewelry lately, the online photos do not do this necklace justice.

C4939_BL7156I first saw this necklace in store and thought it was absolutely beautiful. I have always been a sucker for iridescent items (must be the 80’s girl in me).

full spectrum necklace2As you can see, the necklace pulls a full rainbow of colors, with blue and pink being the primary hues. The necklace looks and feels heavy when you hold it, but I did not find it heavy while wearing it. Here’s a closeup of the gems.

full spectrum necklace1It is a shorter length necklace so I found that when wearing it with a J.Crew Tippi sweater and button down underneath, it was a little too short to sit properly on my neck, so I did use an extender to make it longer when I wore it here:

IMG_20150226_131117I actually like the somewhat longer length so I think this is how I will be wearing it most often. As you can see, when I wore a blue sweater, the necklace pulled more blue hues. I anticipate getting a lot of use out of this necklace this spring/summer and beyond!

Next up…the Crystal Foliage Necklace. Again, this is one that I may not have looked twice at online had I not seen it on a few people on Instagram.

C4937_ED1811I love the color mix in this necklace and while the name implies that it would be an autumn appropriate necklace, with the colors included in the necklace, you can take it from spring right on through fall.

crystal foliage necklace2There are so many beautiful colors in this necklace – hot pink, pearly opal color stones, peach, burgundy, pale pink, light purple, the list goes on. Here is the necklace paired with the J.Crew Tippi sweater in heather lavender.

crystal foliage necklaceAnd again, here it is with hot pink. I’ve also seen this paired with coral and I think pale pink will be perfect too! I also have my eye on the navy/yellow/mint version of this necklace (the Spring Bloom Necklace).

And last up…the Crystal Floral Pendant Necklace. In my attempt to procure all things mint this spring (more about that in another post), I figured I’d try this necklace, and again, it is even more pretty in person.

crescent floral pendantI just love the pearly pink stones and the tortoise back drop is an interesting touch. I’ve shown it with a mint top but a pink or neutral color top will look just as pretty. I also like how it’s a little larger than some of the other pendant necklaces I own from J.Crew, which tend to be on the delicate side. This is a little more of a statement piece – a statement pendant if you will (the best of both worlds!)

 

mint tunic and martie pantsHere’s a full length outfit shot with the J.Crew Merino Cotton Tunic in Mint White (wearing size L) and the J.Crew Martie Pants in Navy (wearing size 12).

So there you have it, a few of my J.Crew spring jewelry favorites. How about you? Are you liking any of the recent J.Crew jewels? Would love to hear what you think and thanks for reading!

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Weekend Fab

Hi there! Just thought I would drop in with a few of my recent favorite weekend outfits – a few for an afternoon shopping and/or running errands and a look for date night! For as much as I love dressing up for work…I love a good pair of jeans for the weekend!

First up…date night look featuring my new favorite jeans, the J.Crew Vintage Straight Jeans in Abbott Wash. I wasn’t sure how I would like these – I’ve been slow to the light denim and boyfriend jean trend (more about that in another post) and now that I’ve tried this pair of jeans on, I realized the fit on my pair of destructed Vintage Straight jeans from last year is just so so. These – I’m completely in love and they fit me perfectly. I sized down from my Matchstick size on these. For me, they’re the right amount of “destructed” …I wish they made them in a darker wash too! I also like that I (so far) haven’t had to reinforce the tears on the jeans, which I’ve done with other ones. I use iron on patches behind them to help seal up the holes and make them look a little cleaner. I’m sure this defeats the “destructed” purpose but I’m just funny like that.

 PhotoGrid_1393082693659Black, silver and denim…easy date night combo!!

Shoes: J.Crew Viv Flats, Sweater: J.Crew Leather Pocket Merino Sweater Blouse: J.Crew Tilda, Necklace: Ebay, Bracelets: J.Crew Factory

I loved these jeans so much I had to wear them the next day to go shopping and run errands! Yet another graphic tee from this year…this time the J.Crew Bar Stripe Tee

20140222_113620Sweater: J.Crew Factory / Flats: J.Crew Factory Emery Flats / Tee: J.Crew / Necklace: Purple Peridot

If I’m not opting for jeans for the weekend, then I’m reaching for my J.Crew Pixie Pant. These are pretty much the only “leggings” I’ll wear in public. I use the term legging loosely since they’re definitely a thicker ponte pant. I do still like to cover some of my rear when I can though and I do prefer to wear them with boots.

PhotoGrid_1392495788061Sweatshirt: J.Crew (old) / Button Down: J.Crew Crinkle Boy Shirt in Black Check / Necklaces : J.Crew / Boots: Corso Como via Gilt Groupe

And a lot of layers for some afternoon errands…featuring a necklace other than a statement necklace! I’ve been stocking up on pendant necklaces lately – they give m,y neck a good break and J.Crew has been doing a fab job with the pendants this season. This is the J.Crew Pearl Tassel Necklace.

20140217_144103I’m all J.Crew…surprise surprise. Sweater (old) / Tee: Kiss Kiss Tee/Chambray: Beaded Chambray Shirt (Similar at Old Navy here)

So there you have it…some recent weekend looks. All neutrals…but sometimes the basics are what I gravitate towards on the weekends – always easy and it always matches!! So what do you think? Anything you’re loving or not so much? Would love to hear what you think and thanks for visiting!

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More Layers

Hi there! I checked the extended forecast today and as much as I want to think about spring…we’ve got a little ways to go around here. So, since I’ve decided to do the Closet Remix challenge for February which means no new clothes, shoes or jewelry…I’m getting the most out of my winter outfits!!  With the cold temperatures lingering I am still all about the layers (I don’t think I have much choice!) So here’s a few of my favorites from the last few weeks:

I found this cashmere J.Crew sweater on eBay a few weeks ago and had to have it – I don’t wear a ton of argyle  (not sure I totally love it on my chest but I’m embracing ME). It has a hint of pink and coordinated perfectly with my J.Crew Blythe blouse in shocking pink. Shocking pink is exactly the color of this blouse – it is BRIGHT. Just the way I like it. I paired with my Banana Republic ankle Jackson pants and the Crystal Cluster Necklace from Purple Peridot (J.Crew Factory inspired). Silver shoes were the finishing touch. I’m seriously starting to think that I am going to need a backup pair of these mirror pumps!

20140114_080742 Sweater, Blouse, Shoes: J.Crew / Pants: Banana Republic / Necklace:  Purple Peridot

20140114_080406Another layer! Finished it up with a trusty J.Crew Schoolboy Blazer

20140114_080629And my arm candy courtesy of J.Crew Factory, Kate  Spade and Tiffany’s

This was one of my favorite winter outfits – cozy and cute!

20140115_075742Sweater, Pants, Shoes : Banana Republic / , Blouse: J.Crew / Necklace: Purple Peridot

20140115_075649How great is this necklace? Another Purple Peridot stunner!

20140115_095244And my J.Crew Crystal Triangle Bracelet which was a surprise love.

Oh and here’s when I decided I could wear a sweatshirt to work if worn the right way. J. Crew has taught me that such things are acceptable. And I think under a preppy blazer and a girly blouse underneath…you can totally get away with it.

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Of course if you get up close you see it’s a sweatshirt but come on…look at those cute bows!

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20140116_081358I want to wear this outfit again!! With another month of winter (at least…) I think this might have to go in the rotation one more time.

And finally…another weekend look in which I (probably foolishly) protest a coat. Sadly the weather turned to miserable rain as I was out but lucky I had my Hunter boots to keep my feet dry.

20140201_141348Sweater, Shirt: J.Crew / Vest: Coldwater Creek / Jeans: Gap / Boots: Hunter / Necklaces: J.Crew & Purple Peridot

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So there you go, some of my recent layers! What do you think? Can I pull off a sweatshirt at work? Would love to hear what you think and thanks for visiting!

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Feeling Inspired

I have to admit, I’ve been lacking in the inspiration department lately.  Or at least I feel like I’ve been.  I’ve had a bout of writer’s block and I think it also is spilling over in to my wardrobe (perhaps a random association but it makes sense to me…). I’m not going to whine about it any more than that, but it is definitely frustrating. I’ve been waiting for that spark of inspiration – the moment when all of the items in my closet jump out at me and say “wear me! together!” or when whatever I’m writing starts writing itself –  that moment when the inspiration kicks in is incredibly fulfilling.  I know I’m just talking about clothes.  And short stories that I write just for fun…but I think this can have meaning in many other areas of life. These are just two primary examples right now and since my blog is well, primarily about clothes, there’s my example.

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I love it when an outfit comes together – when all of the items of clothing just click and it works. Today, my new J.Crew inspired necklace was the item screaming “wear me!” and after enough iterations of finding the right shape of pants (my Banana Republic crepe ankle Martins and my J.Crew Everly mirror pumps…again) and combing through my clothes, I came up with this.  Finally, some inspiration.  I felt completely on my game today, and even though work is crazy and there are other random things going on that I wouldn’t bore everyone with here, I had a pretty fierce outfit on and that pushed me through the day.  Ok, maybe a little cheesy but, I feel like the inspiration spark is finally back, so I’m trying to run with it while I have it!

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Here’s a closeup of this lovely necklace – an “inspired” version of the gorgeous J.Crew flower lattice necklace as well as the J.Crew Navy tweed jacket. I have the matching pants but have yet to wear them – I’m still working on ways to style this blazer. The blouse is the J.Crew Factory version of the Blythe blouse from last winter.

So, how about you? Do you have times when you’ve lost your inspiration? Any tips on how to get it back? Would love to hear what you think of the outfit too 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 “Inspired” – Color Mix Bracelet

There is no shortage of J.Crew “inspired” jewelry on the interwebs these days…and I’m not just referring to the plethora of bubble necklaces you can find on eBay.

One site that I’ve ordered several pieces of jewelry from lately has been Groopdealz. It is my understanding for the most part that the site showcases independent vendors so they are reselling their items at a discount via the site. The sales usually last a few days and you can receive a daily email about the sales.

A few weeks ago, I saw versions of J.Crew’s color mix bracelet and necklace advertised for $10.99 and $19.99 respectively, so I jumped on it. I had admired both items on several bloggers (you can see the bracelet reviewed by Shopping with M here and Jcrewismyfavstore here) but after several instances of having the items in my cart, I never pulled the trigger. I knew I realistically wouldn’t wear the items enough to justify the cost. But…for $37 total with shipping, I could deal with that. The bracelet took about two weeks to arrive (which when you’re used to 3-5 days for J.Crew it seems like a lifetime!) and I’m still waiting to get my necklace. I didn’t receive a shipment notification so I feel like it’s just the big wait and see as for when these items will arrive in the mail.

Here’s the J.Crew version website photo:

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Here’s the “inspired” version:

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From what I can tell, the stones are pretty spot on as far as shape and placement. Never having seen the retail versions in person, I can’t say how comparable the stones are but I’d like to hope the retail version are nicer. The matte color stones look fairly standard but the transluscent stones and the clear stones are the ones that look “cheap” to me up close. Overall, for $11, I can’t complain. The stones are clearly glued in to the settings, and based on the photos of the retail version, the retail version has prongs holding them in place. Knowing nothing about jewelry making and design, it seems like this is probably a significant cost cutting measure. So there are remnants of glue on the corners of some of the stones, which you can’t see from a distance but can see up close. The clasp is a little sticky and the bracelet was stiff when I received it, you need to work the hinges just right to get it to bend. A few stones were slightly scratched as well. But again, for $11, these are things I can overlook. I wore the bracelet today and received multiple compliments on it. Here’s a closeup of the stones, you can see some of the scratches and glue marks.

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Here it is on my wrist:

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And here’s how I styled the bracelet today:

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So, what do you think? Do you have this bracelet or an “inspired” version of it? Would love to hear what you think and thanks for visiting!

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