I have two lovely pencil skirts below.

I knew with the jacquard material of this skirt that I would need to size up to an 8, from my normal size 6. I think I would stick with this size instead of the Petite 8 due to the crossover style. Though the length hits below the knee on me, I think it’s needed due to the exposed part of the crossover. I wouldn’t want to take the Petite with the shorter length and expose more leg, especially when sitting down. 
~ Short-Sleeve Popover Shirt, Navy, size 6 ~
I loved this popover and was able to size down to a 6. Even in that size the shirt was still comfortable and blouse-y. I can see this being worn a lot in both the Navy and White. This comes in Petite but I think I would stick with the size 6. I usually only order the Petite size if I want a slightly smaller fit. 
  
~ Linen Cargo Pencil Skirt, Dark Ecru, size 6 ~
This was the only color in my store. As far as fit, this as good in my normal size 6. The Dark Ecru seemed a little bland to me. I know it will pair great with navy and chambray as well as black but I have a cotton pencil skirt in a similar color and have worn it only twice. I really wanted to try the Navy but it’s sold out online now. I love the color, online, of the Tidewater. I see pairing that color with the Short-Sleeve Popover Shirt in White. Still, it’s a great pencil skirt for Summer, I’d order the Petite 8 in this skirt to shorten the length to just above the knee. 
  
I’ve added the Linen Cargo Pencil Skirt in Tidewater to my wishlist and am pondering an order of the Short-Sleeve Popover Shirt in both solid colors. That shirt style also comes in Stripe
Don’t forget to use WEEKEND for 30% off. Free shipping is also being offered today only. 

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J Crew’s latest arrivals was abundant in shorts. My store director pointed out a few to me I originally hadn’t noticed online, probably due to the elastic waist.

~ Linen Drawstring Short, Iced Quartz, Small ~
I tried sizing down to a Small and they fit great in the waist and hips but were a little snug in the thigh. The Iced Quartz is very pretty IRL but since I have the Pleated Lattice Skirt in Distressed Quartz, I thought I should pass on this color. The linen is substantial and not sheer. These have a 3-inch inseam but due to the elastic waist you can give have these sit lower on your hips to give the illusion of a longer inseam. 
  
 ~ Aztec Rust, Medium ~
Even though I do recommend sizing down one, the Medium fit better in the thighs for me so it’s the size I would stick with. If you have thinner legs than me, size down. If you don’t or want the longer inseam look, take your normal shorts size. This color is more me and I don’t have any color like it in my shorts drawer. 
  
These come in 6 different colors and I bought 3 of them – Navy, Aztec Rust and Flax. These have functional back pockets. I’ve already worn the Navy color. I think I’ll be able to dress these up a little with heels or dressy sandals too. 

I missed out on the Embroidered Gauze shorts last year but did get the mini skirt. I wasn’t about to pass up these similar shorts this year. The Small fit well and felt loose, even in that size. I didn’t even bother trying on my normal size Medium; definitely size down. 
  
They also come in White with Gold Embroidery. They are lined in cotton. I’ve already worn these as well. 
 ~ 4″ Chino Short, Quarry Green, size 8 ~
I thought these are a gray color but they are “green”. I loved the color and so do most people since all but two sizes are sold out online. These are Chino Shorts so there’s no give to them like the above linen or gauze shorts. That means you should take your normal shorts size and mine is an 8. I do try to stay with a longer length but I like the 4-inch inseam. I’ve also worn these already, with the LOFT Elephant Tee
  
This is a very bright print and I actually prefer it in the Crossover Pencil Skirt. My normal size 8 was the best size. I had a similar color in shorts last year, wore them once and then sold them. I don’t really gravitate to many bright colors any longer and I think this was a little too bright for me. These are a pass for me.  
  

I originally added these to my wishlist, in the Navy color. But once I tried them on and saw them in the mirror I wasn’t so enamored with them. I don’t know if I like the Navy in a Metallic texture/color. I did see the Ivory Bronze which is a pretty gold color. I think I would get that color since they’ll be easier to dress up. I like the length and the fit in my normal size 8 is perfect. 
  
Currently, WEEKEND gets you 30% off your order, making the Linen Drawstring Short and the Embroidered Mosaic Short great deals. Of these 5, I definitely recommend the Linen Drawstring Short. Especially since there are so many colors to choose from. 
Are you shopping any shorts during the WEEKEND promo? 

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I was trying to get my J Crew posts up but I lost my camera-to-iPad connector so while I search for that I thought I’d share some faves from the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale.

Here’s a bonus Shoes-day review. I bought the Vince Camuto Driston Espadrille in Dusty Camel while in San Diego. I ended up wearing them almost the entire time as they went with everything I brought and were pretty comfortable for walking around all day. The Dusty Came is a metallic gold and what I really love about them is the sole is completely rubber and not a jute/rubber mix. With the mix, if I step in water the jute swells up and it feels uneven when you walk. I sized up half a size to a 7 1/2. My feet were probably a little swollen from walking around but they still fit comfortably now. I’d order in that size if I bought any other colors.

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Here are some IRL pics of the Driston Espadrille.

I’ve tried on the Tory Burch Lucia Wedges before (review). Now the wedges and flat are on sale!!

I love the green floral print from Kate Spade. That’s probably because it reminds me so much of the J Crew Punk Floral print, one of my absolute favorite prints from J Crew. Now a lot of the Kate Spade items are on sale.

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My favorite is the Blooms Marit Pencil Skirt but the most practical purchase would be the Spring Blooms iPhone case. But the dilemma with the Kate Spade items is they are also on sale at katespade.com and you can take 25% off sale items this weekend. I’m not too familiar with Nordstrom’s price matching. Would they honor the 25% off as well? Their prices are lower before the discount but then Kate Spade, with the discount, is lower than Nordstrom. But, most of the sizes are gone at KS, probably due to the % off.
What are you shopping at the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale? 

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I don’t know why I continue to try on cropped shirts. Like Wide-Leg Cropped Pants, they fit me weird and I don’t think I’ll ever find the right one to get into the trend. I’ve even paired both for you. Take a look below…

~ Cropped Sweater Tank, Mint, Small ~
I liked the color of this sweater tank but I had to adjust to get a decent pic of this with me wearing it. This is pretty cropped, at least on me. I think, though a Medium might have given a touch more length, it would have looked really wide and boxy on me. The model image shows this as a layering piece over a long-sleeve shirt. Layering is not an option in Summer for me, unless it’s a cover-up over a swimsuit. I do still like this sweater though. It’s a little thick, for a Spring/Summer item but if you get the White or Marled Heather it will transition well into Fall and even early Winter, depending on your climate.

Yep, the two together don’t work either.

~ Linen Vee, Gray, Medium ~
Either this color sold out online or it’s darker online. I really liked it though and would have bought it had there been a promo at the time I was shopping. It’s on promo now taking 40% off with BRSUMMER. All the basic colors are available to choose from. I wear Linen Tees all Summer long and replace mine every few years. I just ordered some from Loft. I’ll review those when they come in. 

I love this with the Linen Tie-Front Wide-Leg Pants.

And here are some other Tee picks…
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Don’t forget to use BRSUMMER for 40% off at Banana Republic. Some items are 50% off, with the same code.

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~ Linen Trapeze Dress, White, size 6 ~
I’m always on the lookout for cute, keep-me-cool dresses to wear during the Summer. This dress meets those qualifications. I grabbed the wrong size and would feel more comfortable in a size 8. My only issue with this dress is the hem. I wish it had been the same length all the way around. This also comes in Blooming Red, which looks similar to J Crew’s Modern Red.
  

~ Shibori Patio Dress, size 8 ~
I loved this dress the minute I saw it hanging in the store. I like the fit of the size 8 just fine. Some reviewers say the chest is a little tight and to size up one, which is what I unknowingly did here. This is so much prettier IRL than my pics or the online image show. This is lined and the entire dress is so comfortable.
  
My only issue is one I’m self-conscious about. I have scarring from back acne and feel very self-conscious wearing strapless or a criss-cross back or anything that doesn’t have full back coverage. But the print and Shibori Tie-Dye is so pretty and I think this would look nice with a denim jacket (though not needed in Summer where I live). I know it’s not the same as this dress but I did purchase the Dip-Dye Smocked Skirt.
~ Belted Romper, Black, size 6 ~
I think I’m trying on every romper and jumpsuit I see. Which is actually a good thing because they all fit so differently. This one is 100% Polyester and drapey. I think I look like I’m wearing a Dickies Jumpsuit in this romper. It’s a little too roomy and the belt is useless. It’s not a tie-belt but has a buckle. There weren’t enough holes to use the belt properly. I’d probably trade it out for a Leopard one instead. The size 6 was a good fit and I like the length of the inseam. It’s not completely to my knees but not super short either. 
The Heritage Utility Romper is Cotton with a little Spandex and reminds me of “safari” BR. It’s also not going to drape as much as the Belted Romper.
  
The Linen Trapeze dress is a BRPICKS and excluded from the 40% off promo, BRSUMMER, unless you have their credit card. Then BRPICKS are included in the promo. The Shibori Patio Dress and both rompers are both included in the promo. 
What do you think about the Shibori Patio Dress? Should I get it despite my hesitation?

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