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Today we are celebrating The Boy’s 16th (OMG!) birthday! For Saturday, he asked his Grandmother to cook a special meal, chicken and rice along with some fresh made tamales. She also made him Mexican Hot Chocolate with plenty to last for the week. Today he was supposed to have a few friends over to watch The Game but they all cancelled at the last minute.

To cheer him up we took him to his favorite restaurant, Chama Gaucha, a Brazilian Steakhouse. I learned my lesson a few years ago, after feeling like I was going to either burst or go into a food coma, to pace myself and only ask for a small piece. Husband and The Boy still each until they are beyond full, and this time we had dessert!

Gorgeous Boy!
This week I spent a few days in the office and was able to wear a few NWT items purchased over the last two months. 
J Crew Cashmere Tee in Persimmon
Anthropologie Charlotte Taylor Stilt Striders Skirt
Kate Spade Kiki Suede Wedge

I really liked the color pairings of this next outfit. I added my J Crew Giraffe Bangle, as it went perfectly with the sweater, and whole outfit.

 Ann Taylor Extrafine Merino Wool 3/4 Sleeve Sweater, Cameo Pink
 J Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Warm Jade
Christian Louboutin Simple 70 in Metal Bronze
I did not attempt the Jason Wu launch at Target this morning. After trying to find some of the items online around 6 a.m. I knew the store would be wiped out. I hope Target has learned it’s lesson from the Missoni fiasco and will gradually stock items throughout the collection time period. Luckily, even though there were some cute pieces from the line, there was nothing I really “had to have”. 
Did any of you make it out? Did you get what you wanted? 
Have a Great Evening!

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A lovely little J Crew box came Monday from my favorite brown Sancho. A few items that I didn’t mind paying full price for and a non-final sale sweater.

Jardin Skirt – Tropical Cove, 8 – I knew I was going to get this skirt in this color, it was just a matter of when. The Jardin Skirt is one of my favorites from 2011 and this color of blue is so lovely, I can’t seem to get enough of it, as you’ll see below.

9″ Chino Short – Bright Green, 8 – I always get at least one of the new colors of the 9″ or Bermuda shorts each year. This is the same color as the Boardwalk Cargo Short from last year. Such a pretty green and I quite like it with my dots I wore Monday.

French Dove Graphic Tee – Casablanca Blue, M – Again, my new favorite blue color. This has an embroidered red heart at the bottom of the tee.

Fisherman Sweater – Byzantine Blue, M – I have this in Beechwood from 2011 and love it. I hope this color is in my store because though the Medium fits, I would like to try the Small. I did get this with the 30% off, since it was moved to a promo price of $78 last week. You can now get it with the 40% off, since it is still on promo. It was removed from promo this morning. Hope some of you were able to get it yesterday.

Have you tried any of these items?

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Last weekend I stopped in at the Loft after seeing some lovely window displays with bright colors. They were also having 40% off everything and 50% off sale items.

Linen/Cotton Sweater in Berry, PM, $49.50 – I was drawn to this color and the lightweight-ness of the sweater. You do need a nude bra and or a cami underneath. Also came in Bright Blue, Green, and Linen/Natural.

This skirt is either the Corded Dobby Stripe A-Line Skirt or very similar. It is missing the pockets that the Dobby skirt has. I like the J Crew Stripe Sweater Skirt but I’m afraid it may stretch out and/or snag easily. This skirt is a perfect substitution for the JC skirt. This a size 6.

Marina Stripe Boatneck Top – Sz M – This runs small and I returned it for the green-striped sweater below. This is sold-out online already.

Bike Girl Boatneck Tee – Sz S – This tee is so cute and there were only three left in the store, a XS, S and L and it is already sold out online. So I had an SA grab this off a mannequin. I’ve already worn it with the green-striped cardigan below.

Trench Girl Boatneck Tee – Sz M – Another graphic tee that is just adorable. These were flying off the hangers too but there are still some online.

Painted Diagonal Striped Scarf – Green/Blue – This is very sheer and lightweight and perfect for my trip to Paris and Italy. The Vivid Orchid is still available online and there were a few of this colorway still in my store.

Colorblock Stripe Skirt – Paradiso Blue, Sz 4 – This is a gorgeous lightweight rugby-stripe skirt. Saturday, Loft had a Facebook promotion. If you “Liked” them, you received a coupon for $50 off $100 or more. That’s what I used to get this skirt and the polka dot sweater below. This skirt runs big. The size 6 sat at my low waist, almost to the hips and the length was at least an inch below the knee. The size 4 sits at my waist, comfortably and hits mid-knee. I could tuck in a shirt and still feel comfortable.

And here is an OOTD from last week, pre-haircut.
Stripe V-Neck Cardigan – Sz M – It comes in Navy/White too. 
Bike Girl Tee, J Crew Ankle Toothpick Jeans, Cece Suede Ballet Flats

And today’s OOTD. The dots on the Kelsey are a little blurred, like the cardigan, and the blues are very similar too.
Blurred Dot Print Cardigan – M – This is not online but there is a top in this print online, Blurred Dot Print Split Neck Shell.
Printed Kelsey Ruffle Cami, Toothpick Cord in Vintage Violet, Cece Suede Ballet Flats

What do you think of these new arrivals from the Loft? 
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I had a salon appointment Thursday afternoon and since I was so close, I headed up to the outlets. I was very interested in seeing the new arrivals at the J Crew Factory Store, after hearing on Saturday they would be in Wednesday. There were lots of pretty new things, bright colors, new accessories and almost everything was on promo. Add the additional 20% off if you spend over $150 (see Alexis’s post here on the JCA blog) and you’ve got some good deals.

40% off Gallery Tees
30% off Fisherman Cable Sweaters, The Skimmer Pant, Footwear, Blazers, Jackets, Jackie Cardigan, Tunics/Cover-ups, Belts, and Jewelry
20% off Shorts, Skirts, Dresses and Suiting
Crewneck S/S Tee $16.99 promo
V-Neck S/S Tees $19.99 promo (The striped ones are very cute and I was tempted to get them in all colors.)

JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES 
There were lots of cute little critter necklaces along with some new types of pearls and other necklaces. Here were just a few I was able to snap pics of.

Crab Necklace (I meant to get this, being a Cancer and all, but I completely forgot.)

Ship’s Wheel Necklace

Jeweled Bee Necklace

Ladybug Necklace

Round Bauble Necklace in Blue, also comes in a Mustard-y Tan (at the bottom of the pic)

Jeweled Bee Earrings

Belts in a lot of colors
TOPS
Striped Jackie Cardigan – #65041, M, Navy – So I was eyeing this Loft sweater last week but it fit too cropped and tight in the arms, in a Medium, so I passed on it. This cardigan fits TTS and has bracelet sleeves and I don’t have a striped cardigan. And navy and white is so classic. – .$54.50 plus 30% off

Sailor Sweater – #65022, Sm, Sailor Blue – I sized down from my normal Medium. This fit well in the Small. I suppose it is meant to be loose and slouchy. Also comes in Black Linen. $69.50 plus 30% off

Floral Tunic – #12572, Sm, TAM – I believe this is meant to be worn as a cover-up, otherwise you’ll need a cami underneath to avoid exposing the girls. I have this pulled up some to avoid exposure. $59.50 plus 30% off

Factory Cap-Sleeve Blouse in Gingham – #66618, Sm, AGI Azalea Gingham? – Mary Ann or Ellie Mae? Cute but not for me. I don’t like elastic on my sleeves. See it here in Chambray. $44.50 plus 20% off

And look what’s made another come-back? I don’t/can’t see the style # but it is $59.50.

DRESSES
Cotton Shift Dress – #36740, 6, Navy – This is a very cute dress. It comes in Navy, Modern Red, and Natural. The Size 6 fit well through the bust and good through the waist seaming.

Modern Red, Sz 8 – You can see the pleating at the bust lays a little flatter than the 6. I preferred this size to the 6 but I would say get your normal size if you are interested in this dress. I would have bought this in both the Navy and Modern Red, if there had been an 8 in the Navy. $98 plus 20%

Cap-Sleeve Dress – #69414, 6, Popsicle Pink – This was a little tight in the bust an arms for me (elastic sleeve), and short. It zips up the back with an exposed zipper. And it a very PINK dress. I couldn’t not try it on, it was so bright. I would size up to an 8 but there weren’t any to try on. $89.50 plus 20%

Striped Dress – #68389, 8, Black – This is a very cute dress. It’s a pull-over style, with no zipper and only a button at the back of the neck. The waist is elastic in the back. As you can see it is a little blouse-y on top. I would have sized to a 6 but there were none left.

Dotted Strapless Dress – #23064, 8, Navy – This is a teeny tiny polka-dot dress, with pockets. I want to say this is the Lorelei style, in the retail version. Very cute.

Same Dress in a Size 6. This fit a little more snug in the top but I was able to zip this up all the way. I’d stay with an 8, which is what I’d normally get in a strapless dress.


SKIRTS
Seersucker Mini – #23294, 8, Classic Navy – Very cute mini skirt with some adorable buttons. $59.50 plus 20%

Textured Cotton Mini – #25807, 8, Wild Blackberry – I liked the texture of this mini. I have a pencil skirt in the same texture. It has a slightly exposed back zipper and comes in Natural and Rhubarb. I could have sized to a 6 as this was a little loose in the waist and hips. $56.50 plus 20%

Twill Bell Skirt – #61251, 8, Poppy – I prefer to wear an 8 in these elastic waist skirts so I can adjust how I wear it to give me more or less length. $58 plus 20% off

Agate, 6 – If there had been an 8 in this Viridian Green-ish color I would have brought it home with me. Love!

Vineyard Pencil Skirt – #65816, 6, DPE – A remade-for-factory retail skirt from last year. See it on me here. Fits TTs and just as cute as the retail version.

SHORTS
I did not try on any shorts but here are some in-store right now.
Pink Gingham

3-inch Critter Chino Short – Navy Ivory Anchors


 Bermuda in Modern Red and Pale Coral

And finally, here’s my OOTD and new ‘do.

Tippi Sweater – Heather Dark Grape
Anthro Havana Fresca Maxi Skirt
Cece Ballet Flats 

So what do you think of the New Factory Arrivals? Anything catch your eye?

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I was a busy little shopping bee this weekend, also stopping by and trying on some new Ann Taylor items. They’ve been having almost weekly promotions for a while now, with their current offering, as of Sunday night, being 40% off everything plus free shipping on a purchase of $150 or more.

Striped Scoopneck Short-Sleeve Tee – M, Green House, also comes in Black – I saw stripes everywhere all weekend. I had purchased the Marina Striped Boatneck Tee in Lush Green from Loft but it was too small so I was happy to find this one at AT.

Cotton Twill Perfect Walking Shorts – 8, Black, also comes in White and two tones of Khaki – This size was loose in the waist and hips on me so I sized to a 6.

Size 6 – A better fit throughout the waist and hips. I think these will be perfect for our trip to Europe this summer. These hit me right above the knee but may hit a little higher on you taller ladies. It’s a great comfortable short.

Cotton Side Zip Shorts – 8, Blue Lapis – Again, these were quite loose on me in the waist and hips. This is my favorite color of the Spring.

Size 6 – A much better fit throughout the waist and hips.

Modern Cropped Denim Jeans – 8, Blue (very similar in color to the Blue Grotto at J Crew). They also come in Campfire and Dayglow Yellow. The 8, again, was loose through the hip and thigh but I could tell they were not as tight or snug as the J Crew Garment Dyed-Twill Jeans.

Size 6 – A much better fit. Also, these are meant to be cropped but are ankle length on me (5′ 2″).

Dayglow Yellow in 6 – I think it was the color that shows more than I wanted. I didn’t try the 8 in these but might prefer them over the 6.

Scoopneck Short-Sleeve Tee – M, Blue Lapis – Another cute colored tee that fits TTS and comes in a variety of colors.

Striped Knit Top – #268151, Small, Green/Black, $78 – Fits TTs and feels like a ponte knit. It is not currently online.

 
Tuxedo Stripe Jeans – 6, Marine Blue – These are a slim fit jean with a black tuxedo stripe along the sides.  These are the regular not the Petite as you can see by the length on one leg, where I’m on my toes. Cute concept but not for me.

Colorblocked Silk Short-Sleeve Top – 6, Electric Blue – Fits TTs and is 92% Silk, 8% Spandex.

Doubleweave Fashion Ankle Pants – 6, Intense Cobalt – This is a Cotton/Poly/Spandex blend that feels like a ponte’ knit. These should hit an average height person right above the ankle but, of course, on me, below the ankle. This was quite comfortable and with the spandex will stretch out some when you wear them.

Whew! So that was my Ann Taylor afternoon. See anything you like?