/ Uncategorized

Up next is a hit and a miss…

I was very interested in this shirt seeing it on the hanger. It’s pretty wrinkled and was put out without steaming, which it definitely needs. There was an SA who was doing that but none in my size were ready. This fit well. The arm length is a little long in the size 8 but it always is. That’s me and not the shirt. This did feel very comfortable on. I was expecting a little scratchiness but there’s none. 
As you can see, from my black bra, this is also very sheer. I know the model wearing this is fair-skinned so it looks less sheer on her. It’s too sheer for my skin-tone and a cami defeats the purpose of it being lightweight. This states it is machine wash so that a good plus. I don’t know if it can be put in a dryer but I’m guessing it can’t. You’ll need to give it a good steaming as well. I really suggest you try this shirt on if you can to see how you will like the sheerness. 
~ Double-Stripe Pencil Skirt, Black Natural, size 6 ~
I was so excited to see this pencil skirt. I haven’t been very interested in them in quite a while. I have gotten rid of most in my closet except for those special ones, including the Delfine Pencil Skirt. That skirt is a Linen Blend while this one is a Cotton/Poly blend. It’s one of my favorite skirts and I’m glad to now see the same pattern in both black and pink. 
  

I am a size 6 in JC pencil skirts and this one just fit. A little Spanx (or weight loss) will smooth this out. This does not come in Petite sizing and the length is 25 inches on the regular skirt. If it had come in a Petite I would have definitely put this on my wishlist. There’s also a Dress in the same print and colors.

So, YAY for the skirt and a pass on the shirt for me. I would hate to have to layer the shirt under a cardigan since it is nice. It would look cute as a cover-up over a bathing suit (sale purchase of course). 
What do you think of these two items? Are you a fan of the Lightweight Camp Shirt? 

Follow me on…
 
/ Uncategorized

This morning I am sharing the new Skorts J Crew has brought to us.

~ Shadow Stripe Top, Safari, size 8 ~
This top comes in an array of colors but beware as this is partially see-through .You can probably get away with not wearing a cami underneath in the darker colors if you go with a nude bra but the white and pink/Blossom will need something under. You can see my black bra showing under the Safari color. The size 8 is my normal size for this style of shirt – short-sleeve & boxy. There is an exposed zipper in back. Overall, this is a pass. I want a full-coverage shirt for $98. 

You can kind of see it here but the stripes in front are vertical and the stripes in back are diagonal. Go to the online image for a better look. I do like the color of the Safari. That’s a plus. The Blossom/Pink looks really pretty IRL as well.

~ Metallic Linen Crossover Short, Gold Tobacco, size 8 ~
I liked the color of these shorts and, on the hanger, thought I would like the style of them. Once I tried them on I thought I looked like a gladiator. The size 8 fits fine but I didn’t notice the puffing out on the hips until I saw the pictures. 

I like the material and I like the color. The color on the online image is a lot lighter. The color you see here is the true color, almost coppery. I didn’t look at the tag but online says these are “spot clean”. Not sure what you would do if they got a stain on them.

If you are interested in the style but not this color, these also come in solid Linen. After trying these on, as much as I like the color, I am going to pass on them. I can’t seem to get into the Skorts. The only plus for them is they are a 3-inch inseam. Any longer and I don’t think they would look as cute. 
  
How do you feel about Skorts coming back? 

Follow me on…
 
/ Uncategorized

It’s a little odd seeing April New Arrivals before mid-March; almost like seeing Christmas items in July. But that is what rolled out today at J Crew. To tease us that Spring is almost here, there’s a new pretty floral print, the Aquatic Floral. One of the Store Managers said there will be a new floral print each month. So far there has been the Retro Floral, Firework Floral, Graphic Peony Floral prints so that seems about right. I stopped by my store’s “First Look Event” in the evening and was disappointed in the planning and execution of it all but I’ll talk about that in a bit.

This one was really pretty in person. The aqua with the yellow and white was very Spring-like. The size 6 fit well on me so take your normal size. This has hidden buttons up the front and is a pull-over style. It definitely pops with white bottoms. I also liked it with the black Lace Trim Short. This shirt style comes in Solid colors and Pin Dot, neither of which I saw in my store. 

~ Slouchy Boardwalk Pant, White, size 6 ~
These are a Tencel/Linen blend pant with a partial elastic waist. They feel a little like linen but I’m assuming the Tencel will help it wrinkle less. The size 6 fit well but then I tried on the size 8, below, and that fit just as well; maybe just a little bit looser. I liked the fit and feel of these but not sure about the elastic waist. In the 6, I still have to un-hook, un-button and un-zip to get them off. I can slide them over my hips in the size 8. You can see the 28-inch inseam goes all the way to the floor with some bunching at the ankle on me. 
  
~ Slouchy Boardwalk Pant, Quartz Grey, size 8 ~
I thought the color would be Mint-something but instead are Quartz Grey. They look minty. The Aquatic Floral print looks good with it too. The pockets do lay a little flatter in the size 8. 
  
Wearing with the Marlow Mules in Seashore Beige.
Now, about the “First Look” “event”…I have no idea what VPS were on hand to help me. My VPS nor the other VPS I know were there. I have no idea who the other ones are but no one was identified as one. I wasn’t offered a “snack” until I was leaving. Not sure if they were there in the beginning. The only thing to identify it was an event was a large “First Look, New Arrivals” sign at the front of the store. 
I understand there are budget constraints and such but don’t send an email inviting me to come to the store and then fall flat on it. It was a beautiful evening to get out and the weather was pretty mild. I would open the doors. Add balloons at the front entry. Snacks should be in the middle of the store with water bottles. I have no idea where they were. Finally, there was no promo like there has been in the past at these “events”. Usually there’s a “Spend $150, get 20% off” or something like that. If there was a promo like that I was not informed. Shirts were 25% off but that only included button-downs and not the Sleeveless Silk Shell or any others like it. Shorts may have been on promo but only certain ones.
The weather has been so crappy lately and yesterday evening was one of the nicer ones. There were so many people out and about but unless you walked in the store and saw the sign at the front, you would have no idea an event was going on. I was just disappointed completely which carried over to the try-ons and eventual non-purchase of anything. They need to take a few leads from Anthropologie or Madewell. Those events are just so much more entertaining. 
I liked the new stuff but not enough to pay full-price for any of them. Only one item, which I’ll review later in the week, is warranted enough for a full-price purchase for me. I am afraid it will sell out so I’ve already ordered it. If it lasts to a promo then I’ll re-order or try to get a PA with my VPS. 

So, what do you think of the new Aquatic Floral print? What about the new arrivals? Anything you have to have now?

Follow me on…
 
/ Uncategorized

Wow! It looks like a lot of the January roll-out has been added to sale, including my favorite skinny pants, the Slim Cargo Pant. I wore them the other night for a short Happy Hour and dinner with Husband he said I looked great in them! I hadn’t washed them yet and they were pretty baggy on me. I re-ordered the Grey, but in a size 4, as well as the Navy. These were not marked Final Sale on my order so they could be returned if the dressing room size 4 fit was a fluke.

I have been desperately waiting for the Cashmere Sweatpants to go on sale. I have worn my Grey pants all Winter and ordered them in Heather Acorn this time. Of course, had I paid attention, I would have noticed the Heather Mineral. How pretty are those?

I returned the Sleeveless Beaded Zip Top and have no urge to purchase it on sale. I just couldn’t get past the zippers on the side, knowing that trend is fading fast. It’s a shame because I really loved the beaded front. I also ordered the Cece Ballet Flat in Metallic Silver. I have a few different styles of Silver/Metallic flats but the Ceces are always my go-to shoe.

!function(doc,s,id){ var e, p; if(!doc.getElementById(id)) { e = doc.createElement(s); e.id = id; p = ‘//shopsensewidget.shopstyle.com/widget-script.js’; var cb = new Date().getTime(); p += ‘?cb=’ + cb; e.src = p; doc.body.appendChild(e); } if(typeof window.ss_shopsense === ‘object’){ if(doc.readyState === ‘complete’){ window.ss_shopsense.init(); } } }(document, ‘script’, ‘shopsensewidget-script’);

It also looks like most, if not all, of the Firework Floral items are now on sale.

!function(doc,s,id){ var e, p; if(!doc.getElementById(id)) { e = doc.createElement(s); e.id = id; p = ‘//shopsensewidget.shopstyle.com/widget-script.js’; var cb = new Date().getTime(); p += ‘?cb=’ + cb; e.src = p; doc.body.appendChild(e); } if(typeof window.ss_shopsense === ‘object’){ if(doc.readyState === ‘complete’){ window.ss_shopsense.init(); } } }(document, ‘script’, ‘shopsensewidget-script’);

During the previous 25% off promo, I ordered the Crepe Maxi Dress in Ruby. I love the two Silk Crepe Maxidresses I have from last year, in Black and Brilliant Blueberry, especially when I found the perfect slip for them. I also happened to catch the Reese Pant in Graphic Peony on promo yesterday for $79.50 plus the % off so I ordered the Petite 8 to see if the length might be a little shorter. I really liked them, even with the lining. I keep thinking of wearing them with metallic shoes and a white linen top or chambray top. Bonus that they were not Final Sale.

!function(doc,s,id){ var e, p; if(!doc.getElementById(id)) { e = doc.createElement(s); e.id = id; p = ‘//shopsensewidget.shopstyle.com/widget-script.js’; var cb = new Date().getTime(); p += ‘?cb=’ + cb; e.src = p; doc.body.appendChild(e); } if(typeof window.ss_shopsense === ‘object’){ if(doc.readyState === ‘complete’){ window.ss_shopsense.init(); } } }(document, ‘script’, ‘shopsensewidget-script’);

Are you going to shop this sale or wait for a further mark-downs?

Follow me on…
 
/ Reviews

I’m not #BeautyBella so you know I am not one to recommend any beauty products I myself haven’t tried and love. I’ve raved about Benefit’s Big Beautiful Eyes and that is still the most constant in my routine. Since that post, I’ve changed cleansing and make-up.My face really started to react to the Neutrogena Bar so I had to stop using it. Then it started to react to the moisturizer I was using so I had to switch as well. I’m currently using CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and Eucerin Moisturizer but the CeraVe doesn’t remove all my make-up and the Eucerin, though it has an SPF, does not hydrate my skin very well. It tends to dry out during the day so I have to re-apply.

Enter L’Occitane. I’ve been using the hand cream here and there, especially in Winter for a few years now. Though there is a store here, I had no idea what else they sold. One day last week, I ventured in, since I needed to buy a larger tube of the hand cream and was hoping to find a hand soap for the guest bathroom. I found way more than I needed and unexpectedly found some new cleansing products.

I’m all for samples and was given several different ones with my purchase. I did see the Shea Cleansing Oil and the SA raved about it, and advised me on how to use it. Rub a single pump onto a dry face, including over your closed eyes to get to the eye make-up and mascara. Let it sit for a minute and then wet your hands and rub your face again to form a small lather. Rinse and you’re done. Not only did it gently remove all my make-up it, my face felt amazing after I used it. It wasn’t dried out and I almost went without moisturizer. That’s how great it felt.

 

The SA then gave me some samples of the Divine Cream. Wow! Seriously amazing stuff. After washing my face with the Cleansing Oil I put on the Divine Cream and my face felt even more amazing…very clean and moisturized. I should have been more stingy with my samples as I had no idea how much it was. As far as I’m concerned it’s worth the price and have already bought the full-sized jar, along with getting a few more samples for travelling.

Lastly, I bought the Foot Cream. It’s just as amazing as the hand cream. I failed to keep up with my foot care and have some rough heels right now. After 4 nights of using the foot cream, my rough heels are softening up. I’ll be sandal ready in no time.

I wore full make-up every day for 4 days and the Cleansing Oil and Divine Cream (until I ran out) were the only cleanser and moisturizer I used. My skin will react within a day, even when I do take my medication for Rosacea, if it doesn’t like what I’m using so I know these are keepers. I seriously wouldn’t recommend any of these products if I didn’t feel they were worth it. Especially with my very sensitive, Rosacea-inflamed skin.

I received several various samples and so I put them in the guest room and guest bathroom for that use. Sample and travel sizes are always fun to have and they have quite a few different packs to choose from as well.

I’ll stick with the skincare for now but may venture on to body cleansing and hair care. Did you know they have that stuff too?

Have a Great Day! Stay warm!

 

Follow me on…