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We are back from my wonderful West Coast vacation and with the exception of our Denver layover, we had a great time. Layering was key for this trip and I really loved everything I put together and wore.

Travel/Day 1 – This was my airport/airplane look. I then layered when we arrived in San Jose.
JC Matchstick Jeans, JC White Oxford, Kate Spade Bangle, KS Glasses Ring, JC Cece Ballet Flats

Once we arrived in San Jose, I added my Factory Clare Cardigan, Excursion Vest and Printed Airy Wool Scarf. It was perfect as the sun went down.

Day 2/Shopping Day – I was alone on Day 2 and spent the whole day shopping and eating on Santana Row. Loved it! I visited my first Madewell store as well as H&M and C.Wonder. AND! I experienced my first blow-out at Dry Bar. That was a lot of fun and a great way to start my shopping day!

JC Silk Blythe in Polka Dot, JC Jackie, Ankle Toothpick Jeans in Dolphin Gray, Lexington Blazer, Burberry Scarf, Cece’s, Michael Kors Cross-body Bag in Gray (found at TJ Maxx), Alex and Ani Bracelets

The scarf was good for the morning and I tucked it in my bag during the afternoon.

I found these Alex and Ani Bracelets at Nordstrom the day before I left on vacation. There were so many to choose from but narrowed it down to these three. I wore these every day except the travel days so I didn’t have to mess with them through security.

Day 3/San Francisco Drive – We took the scenic route to San Francisco so I wanted to be comfortable in the car.

All J Crew: Pixie Pants with Tuxedo Stripe, Drapey Crepe Tunic, Excursion Vest, Cece Flats, Deco Necklace (new, in-store)

Day 4 – We had brunch and then were off to explore a little of San Francisco.

JC Merino Pocket Tunic, JC Toothpick Jeans, JC Lexington Blazer, Michael Kors bag, JC Necklace

I changed for dinner into the Medallion Tie-Silk Skirt and Tippi Sweater. I debated on wearing the Janey’s but since I hadn’t broken them in like I thought I would I stuck with the Cece’s. I added the Lexington Blazer to complete this look.

Day 5/Travel – Headed back home and though I really wanted to wear those Toothpick Jeans again I opted for something a little more clean.

Madewell Shirt, Factory Clare Cardigan, Cropped Matchstick Jeans, Cece Flats

I tweaked my packing right before we left and overall loved everything I brought with me. They all mixed and matched so well. My favorite item HAD to be the Toothpick Jeans in Dolphin Gray. Who knew they would be extremely versatile? I will have to get another pair. I wore them 3 times on vacation and am wearing them again today. I didn’t wear a few items either including the Janey Flats. The Cece Ballet Flats in Black were THE.PERFECT.SHOE for everything I had, even the dressier skirt and Tippi Sweater. 
The weather was gorgeous and how Gigi described it, cool in the mornings and warming up in the afternoons. Layering was so key to everything and the Lexington Blazer was perfect for this trip. If I was warm it was not too heavy to carry on my arm, or put in my 10 cent bag. 
Have a Great Day! As soon as I find some time I’ll post some reviews of Madewell, C.Wonder and Anthropologie. 
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I made some returns to J Crew and I found a few items to try on from the new arrivals.

The Pleated Stretch Flannel Dress caught my eye online and I’m happy I was able to try it on, in a Size 6. I could Spanx it in a 6 but I would prefer a little wiggle room and would size to an 8. The material was flannel with a little stretch. I like the fit-and-flare shape and am a big fan of A-line skirts. I would also probably buy the Heather Indigo instead of this Heather Flannel color.

My VPS suggested I try on the Stretch Herringbone Skinny Cargo Pant, Size 8. I liked the Herringbone part of the pant but this was a little too skinny for my hips and thighs. The 8 was the right fit.

I was not a fan of the Lace-Trim Swiss-Dot Top in the Style Guide but liked it once I tried it on. I have on a size 6 and this seems to run big. I would normally be satisfied with the 8. The body is lined while the sleeves are not. This would be a good work top but also work well with denim, I’m thinking my new Toothpick Jeans in Dolphin Grey.

The Toothpick Cords in Neon Amethyst are gorgeous IRL. I fell in love with this color and it was on sale too! Sadly for me, I already have a similar color, not as bright, from a few years ago so I passed on these. I took my normal size 30 for the Toothpick Jeans/Cords.

I own the Matchstick Cords in Sea Salt and love the color, size 29. I debated on whether or not to get a second pair in this same color but decided against it. I paired it with the Jaspe Tunic in Heather Silver, which looks more Ivory/Cream IRL, and the Houndstooth Baseball Cap. Now, I know the Jaspe knits are comfortable but I originally thought this was the Vintage Sweatshirt and about choked when I saw the price tag…$118! The size Small was a good fit in the Tunic but major pass on this Tunic.

What do you think about some of these? Interested in any? 
Have a Great Day!
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I stopped in to Anthropologie to peruse the sale section one day and found some non-sale items to try on. The sale section was small, like everything had been purchased or shipped elsewhere.

The Starlit Stripes Dress by Leifsdottir caught my eye immediately. I knew I would need a size 8 but there was only a size 6 to try on. I could not get it zipped past my rib cage so an 8 is the correct size for me, in Leifsdottir. The sparkly top with the beautiful teal and black striped metallic midi skirt is so pretty. I love the color combination and will try to recreate it with something else. Unfortunately, the length is all wrong for me. The model online has 6 stripes on the skirt so I’m betting it was altered to get it to just-below-the-knee length for her. I so wish I could wear this dress. I’d have to alter it and remove 4-5 stripes and that would probably throw off the shape of the dress, maybe making the bottom even fuller than it is. This will be a wonderful party dress for taller ladies, like my friend Catalina. Sadly, I have to pass on this dress.

     

The store styling has a glittery belt and the Swirled Fur Cowl in Cream. Just gorgeous!

Another item that caught my was the Lattice Blossom Top by Weston Wear. I tried on the Black in a Small and the Ivory in a Medium. This was so pretty in both colors but I liked the fit of the Small and the Black color the best. This will be wonderful dressed down with denim or cords or dressed up with a silk or sequined party skirt.

I have lots of time to kill today so I’ll be in lots of fitting rooms for some show-and-tell next week!
Happy Halloween! 
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The, now sold out, Merino Pocket Tunic is one of my favorites from the Fall arrivals at J Crew. I was able to grab it in both the Garnet and Navy, both perfect for Fall and Winter. The Midrise Toothpick’s are one of my new favorites as well. I have the Jeans in Carbon and the Cords in Sea Salt, which is a beautiful Winter White color.

I loved this outfit, both items and color combination, I wore a version of it twice in a week. I first wore some Corso Como boots in a light brown leather. The I switched it up and wore my Frye Carson Leather Wedge Booties.

I do need to get the jeans and cords hemmed as they are several inches too long but would love to grab the cords in the Dark Forest. 
I can’t wait to wear this Tunic again. And I’ll definitely pair the Garnet Tunic with these cords.
Have a Restful Sunday!
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I found this sweater by Michael Kors before the J Crew October roll-out introduced their versions of the zip sweater – Colorblock and Solid. This color is called Dark Malachite and is a beautiful Forest Green. I ordered a Medium and though it’s a little long in the arms it fits me well everywhere else. I think a Small for me would be too snug.

The zippers on this sweater are just at the bottom. The hem is somewhat high-low but I quite like it. The only thing that bothers me is that you feel the zippers against your skin so I’ll be adding a cami underneath.


Double-Zip Sweater in Colorblock, Small, Elm Indigo – The Small fit well and I wouldn’t size to a Medium but, oh, is the Lambswool itchy. Had it been Merino, Cashmere ($$$) or even Cotton, I would have probably bought this and returned the Michael Kors.

Other differences, besides the material, between the two are that the MK is a Cable-Knit Sweater and Cotton/Poly not Lambswool. It’s priced about $30 more as well. It’s not long enough for me to wear with my Pixie Pants but the color is gorgeous against the Midrise Toothpick Cords in Sea Salt (wearing in the pics, size 30). The tag says to hand-wash in cold water so I know this will be fine on the Delicate cycle in the machine. You’ll have to dry-clean the J Crew version. Since I know I’ll wear this quite a bit during the Winter (inside the house I layer or wear thick sweaters to stay cozy) the hand wash/machine wash is better suited for me.
What do you think of this Michael Kors Zip Sweater? Like the J Crew one better? 
Have a Great Day!