Review – Page 26 – Life is Short…Buy the Shoes

audreybella / November 19, 2015 / Reviews

J Crew: Boy Shirt in Crinkle Gingham, Thomas Mason Flannel Shirt in Stewart Plaid

I’ll start my reviews with two shirts I ordered a few weeks ago during one of the many promos.

~ Boy Shirt in Crinkle Gingham, Jade, size 8 ~

I loved the Jade color online and had envisioned wearing it with my Viridian Green Wool Pencil Skirt from a few years ago. It’s one of the few pencil skirts that have stayed in my closet. Anyway, the shirt fit well in my normal size 8. The shoulders and arms weren’t tight and it’s just a normal button-down shirt fit.

I loved the color when I saw it in the package. It’s a nice vibrant green. This didn’t seem as “crinkled” as one I have from a few years ago. I’m sure it will get that way if you wash it. I decided that even though I could wear it with my pencil skirt and two green sweaters I have, I probably wouldn’t gravitate towards it like I do a few other button-downs I have. I ended up returning it and haven’t looked back. But, I still love the color!

~ Thomas Mason Flannel Shirt in Stewart Plaid, size 8 ~

I have been wanting to try Thomas Mason for J. Crew for years but didn’t have a need for dress shirts. But I was looking to maybe replace my Tartan Plaid from a few years ago. The size 8 fit ok. You can tell it’s pulls a bit across the chest. Also, in the online photos of other Thomas Mason shirts there is seaming in the back to give the shirt more shape and not look so boxy. This shirt didn’t have that.

I think I would still take the size 8 and adjust the buttons as needed. Though the name of this shirt says “flannel” it wasn’t very flannel-thick as I would expect. I did like the feel of the material. It was comfortable. The sleeves were a little long but would work layered under a sweater and cuffed. The pattern is smaller than the Perfect Shirt in Stewart Plaid.

I ended up returning the Thomas Mason shirt as well since I have the Tartan Plaid and it’s working for me ok right now.

I’m curious if any JCA’s have tried any Thomas Mason shirts in the past. Are they really worth the money? Do most of them have the seaming in the back?

audreybella / November 17, 2015 / Reviews

Shoes-day: Collins Tortoise Loafer

Today for Shoes-day, I have the Collins Tortoise Loafer.

During the “buy more/save more” promo I felt these looked nice enough to order and try on at home. They are a beautiful darker patent tortoise color than some other styles I’ve seen. They fit me true-to-size in my normal size 7.

I didn’t feel they fit tight anywhere, especially at the widest part of my foot. The toe is really pointy, maybe even more exaggerated than some might like.

I had been trying to think of a good reason to keep the Collins Tortoise Loafers because I really really liked them. I walked around for a few minutes once more on carpet and found they started stretching or widening on the sides. And this is only when I stood. When I walked they were more pronounced and felt a bit uncomfortable. That was a deal-breaker for me and I ended up returning them.

I really like the Colette Tortoise Pumps, but I don’t think I’d wear them very often. I’ve added them to my wishlist in case I can get them on sale.

What do you think of the Collins Tortoise Loafer? Have you tried any of the other Collins Loafers?

audreybella / November 12, 2015 / Que Bella

Que Bella: Lisbon

We are starting to have weather that requires a slight bit of layering. Cool enough for a cardigan in the mornings and evenings and warm enough in the day to go without one. I found this Tory Burch Silk Tie-Neck Blouse on sale at Nordstrom and used some Notes to purchase it. I hadn’t really wanted this blouse originally. I wanted the dress instead but it sold out once it went to sale. I tried it on and found that I really liked it.

It fit well in my normal size 8. I originally wanted the Tile-Print Cotton Sheath Dress but it sold out once it hit sale. The blouse is 100% silk, meeting my current “daily wear” requirement. I like the cap-sleeves on it and the Lisbon print was on several items in the Fall Collection, including this amazing Long Jacquard Vest. I briefly thought about how I could wear it at least twice a week to bring down the CPW on the high price. Not happening. The blouse is a much better fit for my current style.

~ Silk Tie Neck Blouse, Tory Burch (in Red Print) ~
~ Simone Shrunken Cardigan, Tory Burch (TB Long Cardi, Boden) ~
~ Vintage Crop Jean in Rinse, J Crew (Madewell) ~
~ Suede Sawyer Boot, J Crew Factory (Jack Rogers, Sole Society) ~

I had some quick lunch errands to run but I was comfortable the whole day, and was able to take off the cardigan after the weather warmed up in the afternoon. I love Fall in Texas. The sky was really that blue (in the images) that day. And because of the rain we’ve been receiving, the grass is getting green again. The Fig Tree has no idea what’s going on and is producing figs again. You should see a succulent I have. It shot up after our first heavy rain. And, I’ve finally figured out that Mexican Heather needs a lot more water than I was giving it. It has a lot of new growth right now. I’ve even taken an extra Agave Plant root (from the plant in recent Que Bella pics) and replanted it with small success. I might finally be getting my dad’s green thumb!

Have a Great Day!

audreybella / November 10, 2015 / Reviews

Shoes-day: Leopard Bow Gladiator Flats

Out of all the J Crew shoes new arrivals, aka #ShinyPonies, the Leopard Bow Gladiator Flats were the ones I wanted to try on the most. I knew my store would not get them so I was happy to see the tiered promo that didn’t exclude anything. But I don’t think these will get a whole lot of love once ladies start trying them.

The silk/wool upper in the leopard print is lovely at first sight. When I slipped my foot in the shoe I thought they ran just a little loose in my normal size 7 but once I was zipped in they were fine. There is still a little gaping so I think a 6 1/2 might have worked for me as well.

But, oh this top bow strap gave me grief. Anyone with “normal” legs will have an issue with these straps. This Leopard Gladiator Flat zips up the back so they are not adjustable. The bows are cute and seemed to be pretty sturdy. They were just cutting right into my skin.

You’ll need thin legs to wear these as well as the Velvet Bow. No amount of stretching would fix the straps issue.

They are so pretty otherwise. I know the lone reviewer of the Velvet Bow said the glitter stuck to the velvet. I have plenty of leopard print shoes so I’m not too heartbroken that they didn’t work out for me.

What do you think of the Leopard Bow Gladiator Flats?

audreybella / November 8, 2015 / Reviews

Banana Republic: Party Wear

The last reviews I have are some party outfit ideas. Banana Republic already has a lot to choose from that are cool and fun.

~ Silk Wrap Dress, Stream Blue, size 6 ~

This is a robe. Plain and simple. I need a roll of double-sided duct tape for the neckline on this dress. Kidding aside, Wow…what a dress! The silk feels so nice against the skin and the color is amazing. It’s more green IRL and not blue in any way. This dress is sold out online but was in my store as of last week in limited sizes. It’s meant to be cool and sexy but I would have preferred a size 8 as the waist was a little tight, even with the wrap belt. It felt the skirt, along with the top would open inappropriately with every step I took. But I loved it! It’s also offered in Black Sequin.

~ Strappy Sequin Dress, size 8 ~

Though this dress looks like it fits me, the second layer on top was pulling across the chest. I need a size 10 in this dress. The skirt is also very snug. The top is swingy and the skirt should be just a little loose.

The back part of the top exposes the second layer. It would make a fun New Year’s Eve Party dress.

I ran my hand against the lay of the sequins to flip them and they slightly changed the color of the dress. It was kind of cool looking.

~ Metallic Tweed Fringe Tank, Medium ~
~ Metallic Inverted Pleat Skirt, size 8 ~

I chose to try these separates on instead of the Vee Peplum Tank & Metallic Jacquard Pencil Skirt. I shy away from gold so I knew I needed to try something out of my comfort zone. Needless to say I wasn’t a fan of the color or the top. The size fit me just fine but it felt constricting anyway and looked too boxy.

The skirt is nice and has an inverted pleat. The size 8 just fit so I would probably size up to a 10. The length is just above the knee. The material on both is a metallic tweed. It looks like someone painted my top and skirt gold and seems more raffia than tweed. I wasn’t enamored by both and I have plenty of better party-wear.

~ Bow Tie Graphic Tee, Small ~
~ Fringe Knit Mini, Medium ~

The Bow Tie tee was really cute IRL but a bit sheer. I do see dressing it up with this Sequin Blazer or these Gauchos.

The skirt was really fun and cute. It’s the same fringe as the Fringe Tank Tunic. The waistband is completely elastic and it ran TTS. You can’t tell in these images but this does hit me above the knee. This would be great for my friend’s party coming up. I know she already has something similar.

Overall, I’m really pleased with this roll-out. And I like that they rolled out some Holiday items for parties already. I hope the December roll-out is more Holiday!

Happy Shopping!