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I was excited to see the Hummingbird Print make it to the Factory. I was able to visit the Factory Store during the 50% off weekend. I love the print but resisted and purchased only the Pencil Skirt in Botanical Bird Print. I took my normal size 6 in pencil skirts.

  

I saw the Skimmer Pant in Oxford in Blue Grotto from an image in an email or on the website, but I can no longer find it. I tried on the size 8 and it was too big in the front and slightly through the waist. These are the size 6 and fit pretty well. The Blue Grotto is more light Chambray in color which I love instead of the pink.

  

I was unable to decide between the Navy and the Pale Citrus of the Scalloped Shift Dress so I brought both home with me since they were 50% off. I have on a size 6 in both since that was the same size as my retail dress in Black.

  

I still, truly cannot decide between the two colors. I know Navy is classic but I love how the Yellow just pops against my skin-tone.

  

The Addie Loafer in Chambray Dot is now online. A set of new arrivals snuck in this past Wednesday. I took my normal size 7, same as the Addie Printed Loafer I reviewed a few weeks ago. Now, I need to decide if I will really wear them or if I should return them. I’ll need to plan some outfits in the next week or two, before my 30-day return window is up.

The Minaudière Clutch in Botanical Print was the other item I picked along with the skirt. This was not in my store so I didn’t get it for 50% off. I am definitely keeping this clutch. The material is a soft silky-feel cotton. The interior has a single pocket and can hold my cell, lipstick, card-holder and even my keys. I have a time with my some of my kate spade clutches as the lipstick and cell have to be next to each other and not all thrown in together.

I tried the following items on in the store but forgot to take my phone inside, which I use to take my fitting room pics.

I loved Skimmer Pant in Multi-Stripe. I took a size 6 and the fit was perfect, just like the Skimmer Pant in Oxford above. I really should have bought these to at least make some outfits with, especially at 50% off. Fingers crossed I’ll catch it on FS in the store in a few months. 

Factory skimmer pant in multistripe
I tried on a size 6 in the Optic Dot Dress and it was ok. It was a little big through the waist and just fit in the arms and shoulders. Sizing to an 8 would have been really big on me and both sizes would have required alterations to make it a little more A-Line or at least bring in the waist a bit. 
Factory optic dot dress
I saw the Keating Boy Blazer in Chambray and grabbed an 8 to try on. It fit but since I know my size is a 10 Petite I didn’t buy it. I think the Chambray felt nice but the shoulders just fit. We’ve had such a cold Winter I’m afraid we will have a really hot Summer and I won’t have any chance to wear this blazer. I would rather try the 10 Petite in the retail Schoolboy in Chambray. 
Factory Keating boy blazer in chambray
The Charley Sweater in Oversized Flower is cute but I definitely didn’t need another sweater. The ones I have are getting plenty of use this year. My normal Medium fit TTS. 
Factory Charley sweater in oversize flower

No, my store did not have the Factory Isabelle Printed Pump but it did have the Isabelle in Suede. I found a lone size 7 and tried that on to gauge how it would be. There’s a little less than 1/4-inch space at the heel. Sizing down to a 6 1/2 would fix that issue but tighten the toe-box. The insole felt comfortable and looked like leather. The sole was definitely man-made but didn’t bother me. I love the look of these Printed Pump but since I have the Etta in Hummingbird I will definitely pass on the Isabelle. I think they are a great substitute with a slightly lower heel. 
Factory Isabelle printed pumps

I am still really tempted by the Skimmer Pant in Botanical Bird Print and the Shorts in the same print.



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Looks like J Crew snuck in a little extra roll-out this week at the Factory. Here are my picks.

The Peplum Dress is in Stretch Cotton and looks gorgeous online.

The Gilded Jacquard we saw last year at the Retail store comes in shorts, a shirt, and a mini skirt.

The Jeweled Sweatshirt is back in two colors and short-sleeves.

I found the Addie Loafers in Chambray Dot at the B&M Outlet and they are just as cute in person, though I’ll probably return them.

The Anya Ballet Flat is back in the Hummingbird print. Great for those of you who prefer flats to heels.

Denim shorts in a two washes and also White.

I ordered the Coral Tweed Shorts to see how they looked IRL. I’m trying to be realistic with myself. I work from home and live in shorts all Summer long. Skirts and lightweight or sleeveless dresses are for date-night and even then, a dressy short and heels is the first outfit I plan.

The Bateau Striped tee is back in three colors: Pink, Navy and Grey. I ordered the first two.

Prices look to be low today, especially for the shorts and tees since there’s a online “sale” through tonight. I suspect they will return closer to the original prices tomorrow. I’ll have reviews tomorrow of a few Factory finds from the 50% off weekend. 

Happy Shopping!

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Two of the new arrivals I could not decide on were the Schoolboy Blazer in Tipped Linen and the Schoolboy Blazer in Linen in Tornado Grey. With the Cardholder promo I ordered both to see which one I liked the best.

Unfortunately, they arrived today and I like them BOTH! I decided, after seeing the Linen in Grey that I needed a Grey Blazer for Spring/Summer. I ordered the Navy in the Tipped Linen in my size, 10 Petite. I chose the Navy because it looked like a bright gray as opposed to Blue. The sizing is perfect and now that I know how blazers should fit me based on that size I am a little picky.

I love that the Ruffled Rhinestone Shirt looks so good as a layering piece when I review blazers.

The white contrasts very well against the crosshatch. The blazer is lined in an Acetate/Poly stripe. The sleeves do have the striped lining and not a solid color. The buttons are lightweight and not like the Lexington buttons of yore but we all know that nothing compares to the Lexi. Now I think I might want the white one too. Although I’m seeing the lining show through the sleeves in the online pics. Not sure if I like that or not.

The Schoolboy Blazer in Linen in the Tornado Grey color looks true to the online images. When I took it out of the packaging I thought “meh, maybe not”, but then I put it on. I think it’s the Ruffled Rhinestone Shirt that sold me. 

Love how the ruffle it peeking just above the collar.

This is completely solid grey with no tipping on the outside anywhere. I don’t really care for the brown buttons too much. I think another color like Navy or White would have been nice. There’s an inside pocket. The lining is 100% cotton. The body lining is grey but the sleeve lining is striped. Love that!

Side-by-side…will they be friends in my closet or will I send one away?

Something that struct me as odd was that there is felt under the collar on the Linen Blazer. I think the same lining as the sleeves would have been a nice little touch instead. The Tipped Linen Blazer doesn’t have anything under the collar but the collar is tipped.

The Linen Blazer is a little heavier in weight than the Tipped Linen Blazer. It also feels a little rougher/sturdier/thicker. Not sure which but the Tipped Linen Blazer does feel thinner to the touch.

So my dilemma is do I keep both or return one? Which one if I do? I don’t find anything wrong with the Tipped Linen Blazer. I do have the Collection Classic Schoolboy Blazer in Tipped Linen from last Spring but that’s a darker Navy than this one. And I don’t have any other Springtime blazers. And the Grey is really nice and not something I think I could find elsewhere. I’ll figure it out, of course. 
 

Have a Great Evening!

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During a visit to J Crew last week I saw some new shoes arrivals. The first is the Emma Studded-Toe Fabric Ballet Flats. I slipped on the Emma’s once before and wasn’t fond of the fit. I tried on my normal size 7 and toe box was tighter and the elastic ruching bothered me. I am disappointed the Cece Ballet Flat has been discontinued and the Emma is the new Ballet Flat. Luckily, I have the Cece’s in the colors I want. The extensive ruching is the main reason I don’t have any of the Tory Burch Reva’s.

The Cleo Fabric Loafers are nice in Navy Ivory although I like the Turquoise Orange Plaid a lot better. They look a lot more fun and I have the Addie Printed Loafer from the Factory that will substitute well for these.

What J Crew shoes have caught your eye this Spring?

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I placed my first Boden order a few weeks ago. Dina always has great reviews of Boden so I finally took the plunge. First, the Chic Denim Mini, size 8 in Indigo, fits well and is sitting on my hips. Because of this, the approximately 19 1/2 inch length is a little longer then my preferred just-above-the-knee length. There isn’t any extra room in the waist or hips so sizing to a 6 is not an option. Despite that, this is a great basic denim skirt that will look great with heels or flats. Easy to throw on for the Spring and tights and boots will transition this to Fall and Winter.

The Audrey Sweater in Navy Stitch is a size Medium. This is a wonderful sweater and fits perfectly. This is definitely something I will purchase again. The Cerulean Blue and Ivory are next on my list. One way i know that I love an item is that I wear it immediately. Within days, and because we had another temp drop, I was able to wear this sweater during my week in the office. I was comfortable and chic all day.

The Embroidered Shirt, size 8, intrigued me because of the Navy/White combo and because of the embroidery. The fit through the shoulders and chest is good but the length seems a little short, even for me. I tucked it into the Chic Denim Mini and after a little movement it started to come un-tucked. Though I love the embroidery in the front I am on the fence with this shirt.

Last is the Great White Shirt. I’ve been on the hunt for a White shirt that is not “plain Jane” and I think I’ve found it! This is the short-sleeved version and is a GREAT fit in the size 8. I steamed the ruffles and added a Jackie Cardigan over it for a long day at the office, then a Good-Bye Happy Hour and The Boy’s soccer game. I cannot wait to wear this shirt again. Absolutely Love IT!!!

I am very happy with my new Boden items and will definitely be searching their site for my next purchases. 
Have a Great Week!