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I thought I’d share the current bag I’m carrying with all my goodies inside. I used to prefer bags with lots of pockets but found that my purse ended up messy a lot. I would end up cleaning out all the trash and stuff every week. Then, I went with smaller purses so I wouldn’t accumulate a lot inside but realized I need more room so I needed a new strategy.

I immediately fell in lust with this true Navy Tory Burch Robinson Dome. It’s Saffiano leather with silver accents and patent leather handles and corners. Inside it is lined in jacquard and has a zip and two open pockets.
A peek inside…
Laying it all out for you. To stay organized I have several smaller bags for my stuff.
*Liberty Floral Zip Pouch (sold out but similar here) for make-up, lotion, and safety pins
*Kleenex, Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Bel Ami (LOVE THIS COLOR!), pen, favorite Trident gum
*Lacoste pouch for those monthly “visits” – I remove this and re-stock it immediately so I’m not scrambling around the next month.
*Kate Spade Made in the Shade Sunglasses Coin Purse – see below
*Keys with J Crew Lobster keychain
*Marc by Marc Jacobs Aviators – I keep these in one of the open pockets.
*Bottle opener – You never know when you’ll need one, especially if you find a cold bottled Coke on a hot summer day.
*Kate Spade Pasadena Neda Wallet (from the outlet) – similar
*Shoe keychain with store bonus/reward cards
*Kate Spade metallic pouch for receipts (from the outlet) – Love having my receipts in one place, especially when I’ve decided to return an item. This is the only thing I clean out each month. This smaller than the Gia…love the Comic Gia on sale now.
*Prayer card from my dad’s funeral
I stalked this lovely Kate Spade coin purse online for months. I waited and waited but couldn’t bring myself to buy it. Suddenly one day, last week, it disappeared from the main listing page. I immediately checked Sale and there it was. I was so happy because I also had a 15% off coupon. Yay for patience! Both the Key Fob and the Clutch are on sale too.

If I use a clutch I just take my ID, debit card, and lipstick and tuck in in there. I don’t need anything else for a clutch because I’m usually using it for a dressy or special occasion.

How do you organize your bag?


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I ventured to Banana Republic for the first time in ever over the weekend and found a matching top for my J Crew Morse Code Capri’s from last season. I’m talking exact match!

Mad Men Collection Textured Shell – I purchased a size 6 and the fit is perfect. I tend to be a little smaller in sizes at BR than JC, not complaining. Sadly, the Mad Men Collection was not included in the 40% off the whole store but I think it’s reasonably priced at $69.50. I kind of went in to price shock…a cute top for $70, full price?! And it has the word “Collection” in it.

Compared here with the JC Morse Code Cafe Capri’s. The shell is a little darker navy but the print is exact.

Will I wear these together? Probably not but the shell will be perfect with white bottoms.
I was also able to snag this Tote in Cognac. I have been looking for a brown leather Tote and had my eye on the Madewell Transport Tote. But with the 40% off I was able to snag the Tote for about $75.

Have you tried anything from the Mad Men Collection? I saw several Navy and Green items that would go well with my NYC Color Story, including this necklace.

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During this last amazing 25/30% off run at J Crew I ordered both the Collection Shoe Sketch Skirt and the Collection Little Skunks Skirt. 
Oh be still my heart, you little skunks. ‘Twas love at first sight with this skirt. How adorable are these guys? I ordered a Petite 8 to shorten the length 2 inches and am very pleased with that decision. The silk is flowy and soft and though the color states Violet Dust, it is more pink. It’s perfect. I was afraid the pleating would widen me some but I think
with a thinner shirt (and a few lost pounds) it will be more than perfect.

Now, on the other hand, oh-hobby-of-mine-on-a-skirt, I wasn’t as pleased right out of the package with the Shoe Sketch skirt. The crepe de chine silk feels a little poly-ish. I ordered a size 8 and while the length needs to be shortened at least 2-3 inches (currently it’s 24 inches and more midi), the waist is good. The gathers at the waistband make my hips more hippy. And while Gigi says the print isn’t very strong, I agree but think it’s too busy. Maybe more spaced out like the skunks. I’m on the fence with this right now and would definitely hem it if I kept it. I pulled it up to the length I want and it looked good, but I don’t know how that and a few less pounds will affect the look at the waist. I have the scarf in this print which is now snagged to death so the skirt is not a must keep, just a currently pondering.

What do you think about these two skirts? Sketchy and skunky? Or adorable and perfect?
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I’m a little drawn to Green and Navy this Spring and have made a few purchases in those colors recently from the J Crew Factory. Most of the new arrivals were in-store and I had received the “Factory First” email as well allowing me to preview and buy. It was perfect timing because I could see what I wanted immediately.

J Crew Factory Exploded Eyelet Mini, Navy, Sz 8 – I have been thinking of a Navy skirt for this Spring/Summer and the Eyelet Mini is perfect. I was looking for something more A-line but not having any luck. For the price, plus and additional 20% off if I spend $125 I decided I could settle for this.

J Crew Factory Sailboat Tee, Sz Medium – How adorable cute is the Sailboat Graphic tee? I see it paired with my Kate Spade White Skirt and some espadrilles or sandals. A different nautical look from the Anchor we’ve been seeing everywhere.

JCF Linen-Cotton Mini Skirt, Festival Green, Sz 8 – I have several of the retail versions of the City Mini but loved the Green immediately. It’s a linen-cotton blend but that makes it feel a little thicker and hopefully it won’t wrinkle as quickly. It’s also lined in Cotton.

JCF Sequin Lemon Tee, Sz Medium – This was too cute to pass up and will look great with the City Mini’s I have along with the Clare Cardigan in Festival Green.

JCF Clare Cardigan, Fesitval Green Sz Medium; Navy, Sz Small – I’ve already worn the green cardigan. I really needed a Navy cardigan and it was either a Small or Large as they were almost sold out in-stores.

I’ve decided this will be my color story for our Family’s trip to NEW YORK CITY this Summer!!! I’m trying to be very practical in my packing list but here’s what I have so far.
My Pinterest Board is just as bad. I can’t seem to pare down anything yet. And June will be here soon enough. My biggest dilemma is walking shoes. I will not be wearing Birkenstock’s this time. I can do well in a flat, like the J Crew Cece Flats as well as Espadrilles. Also, I won’t have much time to shop either. Gasp! Husband will probably give me half a day so I’d like to know the best area that will have what I like. I don’t necessarily need to buy anything at J Crew or Anthropologie but to see those stores in NYC will be different than seeing them here, in SATX.  
I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!
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Sweater: J Crew Factory (get an extra 30% off right now)
Shirt: Anthropologie Pink Cottage Blouse
Keeping with the green theme for a casual dinner with The Boy’s soccer team. I prefer the Factory “Clare” Cardigans over the retail Jackie’s because they are 100% Cotton and not a blend. And they are so much cheaper. This was on sale in the store, an extra 40%, plus I had a 20% off my total over $125. I bought a Navy one as well. They had so many lovely bright  colors that it was hard to choose. I had to stalk the Pink Cottage blouse on ebay. Luckily I scored it for near the sale price. Lastly, these jeans are the awesome. I took a size 28/6 mostly because they are button-fly. They are just a little bit torn/ripped but a nice darker wash that help make it casual. My favorite Gap ones are seeing an end. I had another pair rip on me and my last pair is almost there. 
Have a Great Evening!