Review – Page 46 – Life is Short…Buy the Shoes

audreybella / May 25, 2015 / Uncategorized

J Crew: Linen Drawstring Short, Embroidered Mosaic Pull-On Short, 4-inch Chino Short, Plumeria Jacquard Short, Metallic Foil Bermuda Short

J Crew’s latest arrivals was abundant in shorts. My store director pointed out a few to me I originally hadn’t noticed online, probably due to the elastic waist.

~ Linen Drawstring Short, Iced Quartz, Small ~

I tried sizing down to a Small and they fit great in the waist and hips but were a little snug in the thigh. The Iced Quartz is very pretty IRL but since I have the Pleated Lattice Skirt in Distressed Quartz, I thought I should pass on this color. The linen is substantial and not sheer. These have a 3-inch inseam but due to the elastic waist you can give have these sit lower on your hips to give the illusion of a longer inseam.

~ Aztec Rust, Medium ~

Even though I do recommend sizing down one, the Medium fit better in the thighs for me so it’s the size I would stick with. If you have thinner legs than me, size down. If you don’t or want the longer inseam look, take your normal shorts size. This color is more me and I don’t have any color like it in my shorts drawer.

These come in 6 different colors and I bought 3 of them – Navy, Aztec Rust and Flax. These have functional back pockets. I’ve already worn the Navy color. I think I’ll be able to dress these up a little with heels or dressy sandals too.

~ Embroidered Mosaic Pull-On Short, Navy, Small ~

I missed out on the Embroidered Gauze shorts last year but did get the mini skirt. I wasn’t about to pass up these similar shorts this year. The Small fit well and felt loose, even in that size. I didn’t even bother trying on my normal size Medium; definitely size down.

They also come in White with Gold Embroidery. They are lined in cotton. I’ve already worn these as well.

~ 4″ Chino Short, Quarry Green, size 8 ~

I thought these are a gray color but they are “green”. I loved the color and so do most people since all but two sizes are sold out online. These are Chino Shorts so there’s no give to them like the above linen or gauze shorts. That means you should take your normal shorts size and mine is an 8. I do try to stay with a longer length but I like the 4-inch inseam. I’ve also worn these already, with the LOFT Elephant Tee.

~ Plumeria Jacquard Short, size 8 ~

This is a very bright print and I actually prefer it in the Crossover Pencil Skirt. My normal size 8 was the best size. I had a similar color in shorts last year, wore them once and then sold them. I don’t really gravitate to many bright colors any longer and I think this was a little too bright for me. These are a pass for me.

~ Metallic Foil Tailored Bermuda Short, Navy, size 8 ~

I originally added these to my wishlist, in the Navy color. But once I tried them on and saw them in the mirror I wasn’t so enamored with them. I don’t know if I like the Navy in a Metallic texture/color. I did see the Ivory Bronze which is a pretty gold color. I think I would get that color since they’ll be easier to dress up. I like the length and the fit in my normal size 8 is perfect.

Currently, WEEKEND gets you 30% off your order, making the Linen Drawstring Short and the Embroidered Mosaic Short great deals. Of these 5, I definitely recommend the Linen Drawstring Short. Especially since there are so many colors to choose from.

Are you shopping any shorts during the WEEKEND promo?

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audreybella / May 23, 2015 / Uncategorized

Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale

I was trying to get my J Crew posts up but I lost my camera-to-iPad connector so while I search for that I thought I’d share some faves from the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale.

Here’s a bonus Shoes-day review. I bought the Vince Camuto Driston Espadrille in Dusty Camel while in San Diego. I ended up wearing them almost the entire time as they went with everything I brought and were pretty comfortable for walking around all day. The Dusty Came is a metallic gold and what I really love about them is the sole is completely rubber and not a jute/rubber mix. With the mix, if I step in water the jute swells up and it feels uneven when you walk. I sized up half a size to a 7 1/2. My feet were probably a little swollen from walking around but they still fit comfortably now. I’d order in that size if I bought any other colors.

Here are some IRL pics of the Driston Espadrille.

I’ve tried on the Tory Burch Lucia Wedges before (review). Now the wedges and flat are on sale!!

I love the green floral print from Kate Spade. That’s probably because it reminds me so much of the J Crew Punk Floral print, one of my absolute favorite prints from J Crew. Now a lot of the Kate Spade items are on sale.

My favorite is the Blooms Marit Pencil Skirt but the most practical purchase would be the Spring Blooms iPhone case. But the dilemma with the Kate Spade items is they are also on sale at katespade.com and you can take 25% off sale items this weekend. I’m not too familiar with Nordstrom’s price matching. Would they honor the 25% off as well? Their prices are lower before the discount but then Kate Spade, with the discount, is lower than Nordstrom. But, most of the sizes are gone at KS, probably due to the % off.

What are you shopping at the Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale?

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audreybella / May 22, 2015 / Uncategorized

Banana Republic: Cropped Sweater Tank, Linen Vee

I don’t know why I continue to try on cropped shirts. Like Wide-Leg Cropped Pants, they fit me weird and I don’t think I’ll ever find the right one to get into the trend. I’ve even paired both for you. Take a look below…

~ Cropped Sweater Tank, Mint, Small ~

I liked the color of this sweater tank but I had to adjust to get a decent pic of this with me wearing it. This is pretty cropped, at least on me. I think, though a Medium might have given a touch more length, it would have looked really wide and boxy on me. The model image shows this as a layering piece over a long-sleeve shirt. Layering is not an option in Summer for me, unless it’s a cover-up over a swimsuit. I do still like this sweater though. It’s a little thick, for a Spring/Summer item but if you get the White or Marled Heather it will transition well into Fall and even early Winter, depending on your climate.

Yep, the two together don’t work either.

~ Linen Vee, Gray, Medium ~

Either this color sold out online or it’s darker online. I really liked it though and would have bought it had there been a promo at the time I was shopping. It’s on promo now taking 40% off with BRSUMMER. All the basic colors are available to choose from. I wear Linen Tees all Summer long and replace mine every few years. I just ordered some from Loft. I’ll review those when they come in.

I love this with the Linen Tie-Front Wide-Leg Pants.

And here are some other Tee picks…

Don’t forget to use BRSUMMER for 40% off at Banana Republic. Some items are 50% off, with the same code.

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audreybella / May 22, 2015 / Uncategorized

Banana Republic: Linen Trapeze Dress, Shibori Patio Dress, Belted Romper

~ Linen Trapeze Dress, White, size 6 ~

I’m always on the lookout for cute, keep-me-cool dresses to wear during the Summer. This dress meets those qualifications. I grabbed the wrong size and would feel more comfortable in a size 8. My only issue with this dress is the hem. I wish it had been the same length all the way around. This also comes in Blooming Red, which looks similar to J Crew’s Modern Red.

~ Shibori Patio Dress, size 8 ~

I loved this dress the minute I saw it hanging in the store. I like the fit of the size 8 just fine. Some reviewers say the chest is a little tight and to size up one, which is what I unknowingly did here. This is so much prettier IRL than my pics or the online image show. This is lined and the entire dress is so comfortable.

My only issue is one I’m self-conscious about. I have scarring from back acne and feel very self-conscious wearing strapless or a criss-cross back or anything that doesn’t have full back coverage. But the print and Shibori Tie-Dye is so pretty and I think this would look nice with a denim jacket (though not needed in Summer where I live). I know it’s not the same as this dress but I did purchase the Dip-Dye Smocked Skirt.

~ Belted Romper, Black, size 6 ~

I think I’m trying on every romper and jumpsuit I see. Which is actually a good thing because they all fit so differently. This one is 100% Polyester and drapey. I think I look like I’m wearing a Dickies Jumpsuit in this romper. It’s a little too roomy and the belt is useless. It’s not a tie-belt but has a buckle. There weren’t enough holes to use the belt properly. I’d probably trade it out for a Leopard one instead. The size 6 was a good fit and I like the length of the inseam. It’s not completely to my knees but not super short either.

The Heritage Utility Romper is Cotton with a little Spandex and reminds me of “safari” BR. It’s also not going to drape as much as the Belted Romper.

The Linen Trapeze dress is a BRPICKS and excluded from the 40% off promo, BRSUMMER, unless you have their credit card. Then BRPICKS are included in the promo. The Shibori Patio Dress and both rompers are both included in the promo.

What do you think about the Shibori Patio Dress? Should I get it despite my hesitation?

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audreybella / May 21, 2015 / Uncategorized

Banana Republic: Chambray Utility Pant, Denim Soft Pant, Linen Tie-Front Wide-Leg

I had quite a bit of time to myself while in San Diego so spent some of it taking the time to try on some clothes without being rushed. Banana Republic was my first stop and they had just received their latest collection of new arrivals.

~ Chambray Utility Pant, Small ~

These pants looked and felt so drab on me. The size Small fit ok but there’s bunching in the front though it was tight across the butt. The Medium would have been really saggy and bunchy. These are 100% cotton with no stretch. The model image doesn’t seem to really be pulling off these pants either. Maybe a zipper and button instead of the elastic waist could have helped this pant have a little more structure.

~ Denim Soft Pant, size 6 ~

These reminded me of J Crew’s Cuffed Lightweight Chambray Pant (on the right), down to the elastic at the hem. I would definitely need to size up to an 8 in these as the size 6 was fairly tight. The BR pant was 100% Tencel while the JC pant is a Tencel/Linen blend. I like the look of the material better on the JC pant. The BR pant has a little too much shine for me. I passed on the JC pant as well as the BR pant.

~ Linen Tie-Front Wide-Leg, size 6 ~

I liked these quite a bit though they are really sheer and not lined. You can see these are a little snug. I think the size 8 might make these a little more slouchy. And they definitely need to be hemmed. These were too sheer for my liking. I don’t event think Spanx could save them. They also come in Chambray, which I saw in-store but didn’t grab to try on. I would order the Chambray if there was still a size 8 available.

Remember, I also tried on similar pants (on the right) at the Loft {review} some on at Loft, that are very similar, $10 cheaper and they are having 40% off online-only.