/ Random

Searching for the right “something” that you have in your head or that you’ve seen in a picture or on Pinterest can be a task. I find it’s best to ask yourself the following questions.

  1. Is the actual item in your budget? Are there lower cost alternatives?
  2. Will said item work with what’s already in your closet?
  3. Lastly, do you think you’ll get enough use out of it now, and for years to come, or is it just a passing trend?

I saw this Pin image a few weeks ago and loved the blazer. A little Googling told me it was more than likely Balmain ($$$$$$) and way out of my price range. That answers the first question…not in my budget.

A little more searching and I found a few “lower cost alternatives” that could work instead of the Balmain. The Boy by Band of Outsiders has some interesting buttons on it, though I’d probably change those out. Also at Yoox.com is the Met Blazer and at a great price. You can use FRIENDS for an additional 20% off right now at Yoox.com.

I think the Mango Double-Breasted Blazer is the one that’s most similar to the Balmain. I’ve never tried Mango but according to their size chart a Medium should fit me just fine. But just because this blazer is stuck in my head doesn’t mean I’ve come up with three ways to wear it.I’ll probably always wear it with jeans. It will be the tops that will be different. After a quick look at my Stylebook App, I’m not sure I have enough tops to go with this color of blazer. I don’t think it’s big enough to accommodate a sweater, unless it’s thin like the Tippi. Question 2 is probably a no, which make Question 3 a no as well. I really don’t think I will get a lot of use out of this color of blazer. Or even this style (Military) of blazer. I’ll try to recreate the look with my J Crew Wool Oxford Blazer in Iris instead.

What do you do when you see something that takes required searching for? Do you ask yourself any other questions I should consider?

/ Random

Here are a few things I like from the newest J Crew catalog.

The theme – Who’s That Girl? They used women “who inspire us every day” – a museum curator, a freelance stylist, a ballerina, an author, some photographers and a mom to be to name a few to be models in the first few pages of the catalog.

Pencil skirt – Crackled Copper Pencil skirt

The mom-to-be, Carolina Palmgren (also a fashion photgrapher) wearing Double-V Dress.I really like that J Crew used a soon-to-be mommy as one of their models – very honest and realistic. Way to go J Crew.
 

Blakely Dress in Vintage Zebra Stripe (also in Light Ginger & Black)

Here’s the Tie-Dyed Wednesday Skirt again (that I was told would not be made). Hmmm…it does look like it has an elastic waist so I think I’ll pass if it is made.

Cute ballet flats (My eye is on the bottom one – my photo editor was being fussy and I couldn’t save the rotate.)

It’s the Crystal and Pearl Pastiche necklace on a ballet flat. This is so a “J Crew Math” item.

How cute are the kiddos?
 
And the huh?, questionable, seriously J Crew? item.
Rose Vines Romper – Shouldn’t rompers have legs and not look like a swim suit?
The description – “Think poolside parties and chic beach soirees.”
It is a Nylon/Lycra Spandex blend so maybe it can be worn in the water.
 
I think these are the March/April roll-out. I know there are some new arrivals coming next week. I got a look at some of the jewelry including the “Gotta-have-it Spring Necklace“, the Crystal Rock Necklace. It’s a cool piece but the stones are really large and it is a heavy necklace. There is also a bracelet that matches that would not fit around my wrist (and heavy as well).