J.Crew New Arrivals – March 2017 Style Guide

Hi! This is take two of my try-on post for the March new arrivals. I stopped in to J.Crew earlier this week to check out the newer arrivals and attempt to shake off the funky mood I’d been in. Well. Apparently all moods can’t be cured by trying on clothes because I think I felt worse when I left than when I arrived. Nothing worked. Everything was too.short. Blah blah blah and more blah. Kind of like my mood. Even my photos looked blah. I know I can’t love everything at J.Crew all the time but usually I leave wanting several things and aside from the (smaller size!) of the Lookout Highrise jeans that I came in to buy, I left empty handed. Fast forward a few days, a few days out in the sunshine and I decided to venture back to the mall to try on a few more things.

A few hours later, after a few hours with one of my favorite sales associates, I was feeling better and adding things to my wishlist. There’s the girl I know! So…word to the wise. Shopping doesn’t always cure all. If you’re not feeling it, you’re not feeling it. But today, I was feeling it and am looking forward to warmer temperatures and spring wardrobes! I should also probably mention that my sizing is changing a bit as I’ve lost some weight since the beginning of the year so “my usual size” may not be in my vocabulary as much since I’m adjusting to what my size really is these days.

First up, the Drake’s® for J.Crew skirt in giraffe print.

Shoes: Colette Suede Pumps

I probably wouldn’t have tried without the nudging of my SA. I personally haven’t been a huge fan of the Drake’s prints (they’re just not my thing) but I have liked them on others. I’m admittedly not usually a “critter” on my clothes type of person but this skirt surprised me.

I’m wearing a size 8 so this skirt definitely runs a little big since I can usually do a 10 in these style skirts.  The pleats are flattering and it’s a pull on style with pockets (always a plus!) I liked it a lot with paired with the Always Chambray Shirt (wearing a size 8 – say what?! That’s called a proper fitting bra + eating better) and I would wear it with navy as well. This isn’t an immediate must have but it’s definitely on the list for when the weather gets a little warmer.

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The Fab Life & J.Crew Spring Shopping Event!

I’m excited to announce that THIS IS HAPPENING AGAIN:

I know we’re still buried under snow but there’s always room in the closet for spring clothes. At this time of year, I’m just about done with my winter clothes and while I know I still have another month or two to be wearing sweaters – looking (and purchasing) spring clothes gets me ready for warmer weather. We are going with a “girls’ night out” theme for this event and the store will have savory/sweet crepes, refreshments and chair massages from Phoenix Rising Therapeutic Massage. What’s better than shopping and massages and a little help putting some spring outfits together? The store will be offering a special discount of 25% off your purchase of $125 but 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!!

J.Crew New Arrivals – February 2017 Style Guide

Hi! Long time no see. I had grand intentions of posting after the holidays but I seem to have been in hibernation mode these first few weeks of January. However, it’s time to get back on track because the first early spring rollout is here at J.Crew! I also plan on getting back to monthly work wear outfit recaps. The first rollouts of the year are always kind of blah to me. I have a January birthday and when I would look at picking out clothes at different retailers, it was hard to think about buying light airy clothes while we’re still fighting freezing temperatures. Yet, if I wanted a coat or something, they were nowhere to be found. As usual, I digress. I stopped by my store earlier this week as they were putting out the new arrivals from the February style guide. I felt a bit guilty messing up all of the piles of neatly steamed clothing but as the store was empty and I had some time on my hands, I figured I should try some items to share.

First up, the Striped Boatneck Tunic with Tie and the Maddie Pant in Bi-Stretch Cotton. These pants…these pants!

The wool Maddies were not a good fit on me but I took a chance on the cotton and I can see why there are five star reviews. There’s room for my hips, they aren’t loose on the waist and they are a full length that looks good with heels or flats. Win! They’re a stretchy cotton blend so the real test would be how they wear over the course of the day of sitting at work. But, they’re wishlisted for warmer weather for sure. I’m wearing a size 12 and I still had a little room so I’d say they’re true to size to slightly generous. And belt loops – yes! As for the top – I liked this when I first saw it but I wasn’t completely sure of it in person. I am wearing a size 10 which is the smaller of my two top sizes and I was glad that it still fit over my hips. The tie is a bit fussy and I think it has to be tied exactly right. I liked this better looking at the photos in person than I did in the store. I think I want the neckline to be different but there are a lot of people who will look cute in this. It was a no go with a blazer over it.

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Holiday Ready featuring the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls, USA

Hi! The clock is ticking down to the final stretch of holiday prep. As is the case every year, the weekends fill up quickly with holiday parties and while I often think I have a lot of time to get ready (and find things to wear), somehow I’m left the week of the holiday rushing around tying up last minute items. Parties and social events aside, I think the holiday ready items in my closet could cover a month of work and parties, yet every year I am adding more sparkly, lacy, metallic items to my closet (I. Can’t. Help. It.) Two items that I have been wanting to add to my holiday rotation are a lace dress and a fur vest.

Outfit details (all c/o Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls, USA): Dress: Banana Republic Factory Lace Sheath Dress ($109.99) / Boots: French Connection Monay Booties ($89.99) / Purse: Banana Republic Factory Quilted Shoulder Bag / Vest: Michael Kors (via Saks off Fifth) $144.99 / Bracelet and Necklace: Saks Off Fifth

One of my other favorite stores at the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls, USA is the Banana Republic Factory Store. They always have an excellent selection of items and I am familiar with a lot of the retail offerings so I like seeing the same styles in different colors or options than what I’m seeing at the retail store. I can always count on finding key items and I wasn’t surprised when I found this fantastic lace sheath. I like the versatility of the dress and I would wear a black cardigan or blazer and tights to work and swap out the blazer for a more festive fur vest or cashmere wrap for evening events. Admittedly, dressing in cute holiday garb can be difficult in the Northeast and I am always trying to find ways to wear all of the fun short-sleeved and sleeveless items and not freeze to death. So, while I’m not wearing stockings in this photo, I would definitely opt for tights in this climate. However, I do find once I’m happily tucked in to my party with a cocktail, I always end up shedding my long sleeve layer, so I suppose the short-sleeved dress isn’t that far fetched.

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November Fab Workstyle Roundup

Hi! As promised, I’m trying to get back in to a regular rotation of posting some of my daily outfits. We had a mostly mild November with some colder weather blowing in this past weekend. Before we turned the clocks back, it was increasingly hard to drag myself out of bed in the morning, so planning my outfits in advance when possible really helps my getting ready time in the morning. First up, is an outfit that I put together starting with these Banana Republic Avery pants, which are my new favorite pant. These pants have a slim leg but a more generous hip area, while still fitting my waist.

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Pants: Banana Republic / Shirt: Banana Republic Factory (old, similar here) / Blazer: J.Crew / Shoes: J.Crew (old, similar here) / Watch: Michael Kors / Lipstick: Stila Liquid Lipstick

When I ordered these pants, I also ordered a camel cashmere turtleneck and I’ve had the camel/orchid combination in my head since I received my items in the mail. I’ve done a pairing similar to this in the past with my older J.Crew wool café capris in a similar color that don’t fit me anymore. I love mixing leopard and pinstripes and with the pink it all just sort of worked. Not sure how that happens some day, but if it feels good, I go with it.

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The Fab Life & J.Crew Holiday Shopping Event!

Hi! I am excited to announce that THIS IS HAPPENING:

j-crew-invite

Imagine my surprise when I was shopping in my local J.Crew store in Buffalo, NY a few weeks ago and I was approached by one of the Sales Associates who told me that she followed me on Instagram and asked if I was interested in hosting a shopping party at the store. As a once upon a time J.Crew employee in college and loyal shopper for years, I’m always excited to share my love of J.Crew and styling tips with my followers, friends and family and now you can come to the store to get the experience! For the event, the store will be offering a special discount of 20% off your purchase of $125. However, as there are often better deals going on in-store, the better of the discounts 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 kiddos! They will have some local treats and refreshments and I will be there to help you with all of your holiday shopping needs.

Please check out the Facebook event page or email me at fablifeforever@gmail.com to RSVP. I look forward to seeing you there!

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