/ Que Bella

I am on my vacation! Husband and I are on our way to visit my brother in Singapore. We have our layover in Tokyo so we have extended our stay. After a couple of days in Tokyo we’ll then be off to Singapore. After that, we will be heading to Ko Lanta, Thailand for 5 days on the beach! I’m so excited! I did want to share the outfits I plan to wear over the trip. I was originally going for a color story but after seeing the potential weather in Tokyo, compared to Singapore and Thailand, I had to just pick what I would feel comfortable, warm and weather-proof wearing.

This first outfit is my travel outfit. I wore this to Tokyo. I’ll wear it to Singapore and I’ll wear it home. I always want to be comfortable on a plane but also cozy, especially on long flights.

~ Cocoon Over1sized Cardigan, Victoria’s Secret (one, two) ~
~ V-Neck Tee, Madewell ~
~ Jersey Maxi Skirt, J Crew (Factory) ~
~ Heathered Scarf, J Crew ~
~ Melanie Slip-ons, Frye (Mule, T-Strap) ~

The next two outfits I feel the most “me” in. The Cora Shirtdress is one of my favorites and I was lucky enough to get it in two prints. They are paired with leggings and some fantastic boots I found on The Real Real. Anyone shopped at The Real Real? I started out selling before I made a few purchases. They accept and sell quality brand clothing for you. No J Crew here. Think Tory, Kate, Manolo, Louis, Chanel. You send in your items to them. They look over them and accept what will sell. They have a list of brands they take and will return any items to you that weren’t accepted. They decide the pricing and you get 60% of that price.

I’ve since bought a couple of items and these boots were a steal at $95. The boots are Tods and the most supple leather. I was really worried that they looked a bit masculine but they are “Husband approved”! They are really comfortable and look great IRL with the leggings and shirt-dresses. 

~ Cora Shirtdress, Tory Burch (one, two, three) ~
~ Leggings, J Crew Factory (Hue)~
~ Refined Silk Cashmere Scarf, J Crew ~
~ Ankle Boots, Tods (one, two, three) ~

These next two outfits include the J Crew Ponte Wide-Leg Pants. I love these pants. I originally bought the size 6 in-store in the Navy but then ordered the Petite 8 which were an even better fit and were cropped on me. I then ordered the black in the regular size 6. I will wear the first outfit during the day. The second, with the black pants will be for night/dinner. 

~ Denim Jacket, J Crew (one, two) ~
~ Short-Sleeve Popover in Oxford Blue, J Crew (Factory) ~
~ Ponte Wide-Leg Pants, J Crew ~
~ Heathered Scarf, J Crew ~
~ Zerogrand Perforated Oxford, Cole Haan ~


~ Cashmere V-Neck Cardigan, J Crew ~
~ Drapey Popover in Clover, J Crew (one, two) ~
~ Silk Blouse in Santa Fe Print, Tory Burch (one, two) ~
~ Ponte Wide-Leg Pants, J Crew ~
~ Refined Silk Cashmere Scarf, J Crew ~
~ Ankle Boots, Tods (one, two, three) ~


I’m also taking the Via Spiga Trench. I planned all my outfits on my iPad with the Stylebook App. I love that app, especially for pattern mixing.

I hope to at least post some images from my travels this week. You can always follow me on Instagram, @audreybellatx, where I’ll be posting all my pics!

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This year I tried my best to post a lot more outfits aka Que Bella’s. Here are some of my favorites.

January – I loved pairing the City Mini in Dublin Tartan with the Navy Tippi. It made is less of a Christmas skirt.

February – Best thing I ever did was have these Cafe’ Capri Pants hemmed.

March – March was as blur as Dad had just passed away. I think this was my first real outfit of the month.

April – This was my anniversary outfit. I’ve since sold the dress in favor of the skirt and the heels are Louboutin.

May – Another outfit that didn’t make it to the blog but was one of my very favorites of the year.
Tipped Linen Schoolboy Blazer, Embroidered Eyelet Tank, Matchstick Ankle Jeans, Seville Wedges, Elephant Necklace

June – This Deco Pendant had such wonderful colors in it. Some of my favorite jewelry pieces this year weren’t issued online.

June New York Trip – The Tipped Linen Schoolboy and the Embroidered Eyelet Tank make their appearance again, this time with a Seersucker Pencil Skirt and Cece Ballet Flats. I had a Short-Sleeve Cardigan under the blazer which was perfect for the afternoon.

August – My first Madewell purchase which prompted me to get another in October while in California. This skirt is so very neon and the shape is beautiful.

September – Simple Navy and Ivory is what made this a favorite for September.

October – Everything about this outfit is comfortable but I felt so chic in it.


October Vegas Trip – A snapshot of these two made it to Instagram.
1) Lucky Brand Leather Tee, Fluted Skirt, Kate Spade Clutch, Janey Flats
2) Sequin Scoopneck Tee, Cafe’ Capri in Tile Jacquard, Janey Flats
    
October California Trip  – An all gray day on Halloween

November – The Schoolboy Blazer in Black is a fast favorite in my closet along with the in-store only Dorado Necklace.

December One and Two – There were two outfits that I loved!

I promised I put on decent clothes in July but I think I lived mostly in shorts, tee and swimsuits.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this year in review. I cannot wait to style for next year!

Happy New Year!

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Questioning the Swoop Dress in Tropical Guava, I ordered the Turquoise Reef to see the color IRL and choose between the two.

One picture…that’s all I got. This was in the same order the Collection pieces so I was in a hurry to try those items on since I knew how the Swoop Dress fit. I think the color is beautiful and pairs well with my skin-tone. Now, that I’ve seen and tried the Silk Shantung Dress in Navy, I will have to decide which color to keep or to return..

While looking in the Men’s sale section for some more jeans for The Boy (he prefers the Slim-Straight Jean) I came across the Montague Tote Bag.
I have been looking for a Brown Leather Tote for a few months. I’m
being really picky about the size, color, leather type, interior pocket
storage, etc. I want something similar to the Madewell Transport Tote but a little more structured. Online, this Tote looked to have the right color, a pebbled leather, and seems
to be the size I am looking for so I took a chance and ordered it since
it was also on promo plus the additional 30% off.

Sadly, it’s not as structured as I hoped. I know this is not a woman’s bag and there are some features I do like about it. The color is what I’m looking for. I love the leather which is pebbled. The interior has two pockets and it zips on top to close. But it’s not sturdy. I guess I was hoping it would not be so slouchy and that the bottom would stay flat but it doesn’t. The drop is long enough that it does fit over my shoulder but because it has a strap to enclose both handles they don’t stay put for very long. The search continues.

The Frost Foulard Short-Sleeve Shirt looked interesting and cute so I decided to give it a try.
It wasn’t in my store so I had to order it. I tell ya, my Brown Sancho
is getting a work-out walking down my long driveway this week.

This is a size 8 and is quite boxy. I’m not sure where the “tailored slim and trim” part is. It feels great on, very comfortable. I was not expecting this to be blue though the color is Frost BLUE (duh AudreyBella). The online image looked more green with tan. It has white piping all around it including on the pocket and sleeves. The shirt is very cute but I’m not a pajama-style person so this will be going back.

Lastly, the Cece Suede Ballet Flat in Vivid Aqua is currently on sale. With minty colors on the brain when ordering the Frost Foulard Shirt I added these in my cart as well. This pic is a true to the real color. I’ve not met a Cece I didn’t like.

Decisions. Decisions. Such is the life of a Fashionista, right ladies?

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Another great Collection item I was able to purchase was the Collection Schoolboy Blazer in Tipped Linen before the promo ended. Now, I have my lovely 95 Cent Blazer scored from Nordstrom Rack that I have worn quite a bit since purchasing. But a Linen Blazer was next on my list to buy.

This blazer does not disappoint and I only wish I was as eloquent and knowledgeable as xoxo to be able to describe this better. The linen is very lightweight and has biased-striped ribbon tipping. The tipping looks almost like seersucker. There area a few differences between this blazer and the non-Collection Tipped Linen Schoolboy. The buttons are flat on this blazer as opposed to crested buttons. The pockets are tipped and the tipping does not go all the way around the edge of the blazer.

This fits very well, though the sleeves are a little long on me. A size down would have been too tight in the shoulders and this does not come in Petites. I’ll probably just fold the cuffs anyway like I do my Schoolboy Herringbone Blazer from last year. 

The blazer is also partially lined in a striped Viscose/Poly material.

This blazer is definitely a keeper and I am so happy I took the plunge at the last minute with the promo. I’m sure my Brown Sancho is getting really tired of delivering to me this week. This is one piece going to NYC with me this Summer. 

What do you think of the Collection Schoolboy Blazer? Do you think it’s “Collection-worthy”? I know J Crew seems to be adding the “Collection” word to most everything lately.

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I really was happy with the last J Crew roll-out. There were so many pieces I really wanted. The 25%/30% off helped take the sting out of the higher prices so that I could at least try them IRL.

Today, I have the Collection Silk Shantung Dress, Sz 8, in Navy. This is a beautiful dress that also comes in Pale Citrus and Ivory. Because the description stated “Straight Silhouette” I didn’t want to chance this dress in a size 6. I think I chose the right size (Jules dress size) in the 8. The sleeves are just loose enough. The hips have about an inch on either side. The chest and waist could be taken in just ever so slightly but overall, I really love it. I mean really REALLY love it. Maybe more than the Punk Floral Dress.

 

The dress has a shirt-tail hem, with the back slightly longer than the front.

With the Flower Lattice Necklace

The material is a Silk/Cotton blend. It’s thick enough that it feels like there is a lining sown in but there actually isn’t. I almost put a hole in the dress (oops) trying to pull it apart to check. Take your normal dress size unless you are a little hippy. Then take the larger of your two sizes.

I found some shoes that would be amazing with this dress.

Jimmy Choo Volt –  The color is swoon-worthy. And the heel is a contrasting pale lilac.

Manolo Blahnik Carolyne Butterfly –  Whimsical but still a Manolo.

Manolo Blahnik Colter Snakeskin & Patent Pumps – The navy patent toe and the purple leather strap are amazing. This would definitely step up the Ivory dress.
Kate Spade Licorice Heel in Hologram – Though I prefer the fit of the Karolina over the Licorice, I think this one would be great paried with the Light Citrus dress.
What do you think of the Silk Shantung Dress? Going to wait for a sale?
Have a Great Evening!