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One of my last few orders from the recent J Crew Sale-a-paloozas were the Jules Dress in wool and the Stripe Sweater Dress. I had been eyeing the Sweater Dress for a while and like how it is styled online with a white button-up underneath. I have much love for the Jules Dress in Wildcat and was hoping I would like one of the solid colors just as much.

First up the Jules Dress. I debated for a few days between the Heather Aluminum (Gray) and the Fresh Strawberry. I could add pops of color to the Gray or add black or navy to tone down the Strawberry so it was a tough choice. I ended up choosing the Fresh Strawberry to have a bright color to punch up the winter time.

This is a size 8, which is the same size as the one in Wildcat that I own. I’m not quite sold on this. The wool is nice and lightweight. The color is not a strong red but is still pretty bright. I think I should have gotten the gray but my size is now sold-out so if I return this one I may not have another chance at it again, in either color.

Next up is the Stripe Sweater Dress. This is a Size Medium. It is a little loose in the shoulders and upper arms for me, which is a nice change for me and means it won’t feel tight when I add a button-down underneath. As you can see, short-arm syndrome has struck again but the sleeves can be cuffed. I like the length as well on this too. And, it’s not itchy. And the color, I love the color.

Side View

Here it is belted, which I really like. I lost a teeny bit of length but now it has some shape to it.

Two front pockets you barely notice

I would say you could size down on this one. I could exchange it for a Small but because of how I plan to wear it, layered and belted, I will stick with a Medium. Also, I think the stripes are a nice width that they don’t make me look wider than I already am in the hips.

So what do you think of these two dresses? Plan on purchasing them during the new promo offer?

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On Wednesday I took the afternoon off and went to the Prime Outlets “up the road” with my friend Catalina. I hadn’t been shopping shopping at the outlet in a long time. Usually when I’m in town, it is for work and then I just pop in to the J Crew FS. I’ve never had enough time to walk around and pop in to the other stores. We had a lot of fun and brought home a few things.

First off, from J Crew, natch…Most everything in the store was an extra percentage off. One thing I did notice was that they received a lot more shoes so they had them on a wall as opposed to the other side of the jewelry stand. Otherwise, there was nothing new from my last trip there.

Cece Tortoise Ballet Flats

Tissue Turtleneck Tees

I have been looking for a brown bootie for a while. I have 3 pairs of the J Crew Bronson booties and love them. (I’ll do a “Shoes-day” post on them soon.) I found these Cole Haan Cheyenne booties at Neiman Marcus Last Call. I had originally found them at the Cole Haan outlet for $238 plus 30% off. Then we went to NMLC and I found them for $169 plus 30% off. Of course I took the others back. They don’t have Nike Air but that’s ok as Cole Haan shoes are well made. Cole Haan did have these in Black but NMLC did not.

At the Lucky Brand outlet, Catalina and I both loved this cardigan and we both bought it. The embroidery on it is just perfect. I’ve always been a fan of their items that have embroidery on it. This, as well as a few other items in the store were buy one get on 50% off.

At Talbots I tried on a few skirts that were reminiscent of the J Crew Harvest Tweed items but was unable to find a size that fit well. I felt like I was in The Three Bears: The 6 was too small. The 8P was pulling at the hips and the 8 was too loose. None were just right.

When I walked out of the dressing room, Catalina had this skirt in her hands. I found another one in the petite section. It is exactly like the J Crew Merino Pleated Skirt except it is not 100% wool but a wool blend. Considering what happened to my original skirt from J Crew, the first thing I did was pull at the waistband seaming to see if it would come apart. I guess because it is a wool blend the stitching was staying put. This, and most skirts, were 50% off so I go this for $40.

Kate Spade was another stop we made. I hadn’t been in the store since it opened a few years ago. I wanted almost one of everything. Handbags were all 30% off and some were even another 30% off. After seeing the wallets I really wanted one but couldn’t make a decision on which one so I ventured to the clothes. I found the City Lights skirt but since I had just received my City Lights scarf from the Sample Sale I passed on it.

I did find the Matinee Floral Top on sale for $89 plus 60% off. I love all the different colors in it.

I also found the Celeste Too Pumps in Fuchsia on sale for $225 plus 40% off. They also had the black satin and the black wool, both very pretty. I just couldn’t pass up this gorgeous festive color.

We had a lovely afternoon browsing and getting each other’s opinions on clothes. I always shop alone and it was kind of fun to shop with someone else for a change. We promised each other we would not wear our cardigan at the same time (but if we do, I won’t mind because it is just too cute.)
And here is what I wore. I wanted to be comfortable but not chilly since it was cool outside so I layered a tee, dress and scarf.
Dress: J Crew Sweater Dress, ebay find
Tee: J Crew Perfect Fit
Scarf: Airy Wool Scarf
Boots: Corso Como

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I was immediately drawn to the Vintage Violet color of the Vintage Matchstick Cords. These pants are such a pretty light purple color. I had an issue with the length, even at the “short” inseam of 30 inches. I finally found an alterations place that is good and inexpensive so I had these altered to go with flats. They are now perfect.

All J Crew
Stretch Perfect Shirt in Navy Check, 8
Silkspun Sweater, Frosty Lavender, M
Vintage Matchstick Cords, Vintage Violet, 29S
Cece Suede Ballet Flats, Wild Berry, 7
What do you think? A little too bright or matchy with color? 

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We had one last holiday meal on Sunday and with the lovely cold front we received I was able to bundle up and wear some new purchases. I added the Velvet Schoolboy blazer again instead of a bulky coat because we would be in the car most of the day.

All J Crew
Tissue Turtleneck Tee, Black, 2010
Minimalist Mockneck Sweater, Heather Graphite
Trouser Jeans (finally hemmed for flats)
Airy Wool Scarf in Wildcat/Savannah
Steve Madden Intyce Boots, Black

Velvet Schoolboy Blazer, Black

Now that we are finally done with the Thanksgiving holiday, we are preparing for a busy December. We have several parties and dinners, and hopefully, a quick weekend trip, all before Christmas.

Happy Cyber Monday!

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Today is Husband’s birthday, along with my friend Cata. To celebrate we all went out to dinner last night and then to a few places for drinks after. The meal was delicious and Husband tried raw oysters for the first time. Our waiter surprised us with not one but two “Happy Birthday” desserts that were A-MAZ-ING!

Of course, going out with the possibility of dancing being involved, was the perfect reason to wear the Jules Dress in Wildcat. I really really like this print. I have the Natasha Top, which you saw in this post. I purchased and returned the Scoopneck Blouse and I just purchased two of the Airy Wool Scarf in Savannah, which I’ll be wearing today (see it on Tammy). I do have to exchange one of the scarves because there is a 4-inch snag in it (guess QC missed that one) but, as Tammy said, it is very versatile.

On to the outfit…

All J Crew
Jules Dress in Wildcat
Super-Opaque Tights
Suede Bronson Booties, Black

Velvet Schoolboy Blazer, Black (2010)

Husband and I turned out to be the night owls. After our friends went home, we made our 3rd after-dinner stop at a Cuban club near our house. I’ve been wanting to go there for years and Husband was in such rare form last night that he said yes to stopping by. We enjoyed ourselves and the live band entertainment and will certainly be back.

We have one last Thanksgiving meal today with some of my in-laws extended family. We are a little tired from our late night out but this is a once-a-year visit so we can’t back out.

Have a Great Day!