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As I’ve mentioned during the week, Madewell opened a store in San Antonio, at the Shops at La Cantera. I arrived before the party to try on clothes. I walked the store twice and then started pulling items I wanted to wear. Once in the dressing room, I tried to make outfits with a few items. I was also able to try on some items from my picks.

I grabbed a Small in the Textured Crop Sweatshirt because it looked like it ran big on the hanger. Throughout the body it does. It’s very boxy. The shoulder is dropped and the arms are a little tight for me. Sizing to a Medium would only make the body even larger.
 The Premier Skirt in Colorblock fit well in the Medium and was very comfortable on. The waistband is all elastic so it’s a nice easy pull-on style, as well as currently on sale. I like the colorblocking of black and gray, which are two colors I seem to be gravitating towards this Fall.
~ Collarless Popover in Wheaton Plaid, Small ~
~ Turnout Skirt, size 8 ~
I liked the pattern and colors of the Collarless Popover in Wheaton Plaid, but even the Small ran pretty big on me. It looks pretty sloppy untucked, but my choice of bottoms wasn’t the most flattering with this shirt. It might look better with some skinnies. 
I tend to stay away from Midi Skirts but loved the Turnout Skirt. I did feel it was a little too big/poofy through the hips. Unfortunately, the size 6 would close at my waist so the 8 was the best size for me, right now. The length description online states 21 1/4 inches but I felt it was at least 23 inches. It certainly looks better on me with heels than flats. The mesh insets are an interesting detail to set this apart from being a plain poofy skirt. Though I wish this skirt had worked out for me, overall it is a pass. It wasn’t marked with a sale price in-store but online it does show to be $79.99. 
~ Chevron Crop Sweater, Antique Cream, Small ~
~ Boulevard Skirt, Antique Cream, size 8 ~
I grabbed the wrong size in the Chevron Crop Sweater. The Small is way too tight in the arms, though the waist is a nice slim fit. I would probably get this in the Heather Bark in a Medium. This a cropped sweater but on me it covered the top of the skirt well. I’m sure it would look more cropped in a low-rise or slouchy boyfriend jean. Really cute but a pass for me.

The Boulevard Skirt with it’s little ruffle hem is really nice, though the size 8 just fit. I might go back and try on the size 10 to see if that was a little more comfortable. This is a mini skirt and also comes in dark gray, which is the color I’d probably get. This skirt is not something I’m looking to add to my closet but would look cute with tights and boots.

The Turnout Skirt was my favorite of these outfits. I may need to go back and try it on with a different top. 
Have a Great Day!

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I have a Shoes-day Guest post today! A new online friend, Dianna, has agreed to give a quick review on the Gap Chelsea Bootie in Black Leather.

I am pleasantly surprised by my new purchase.  At 40% off the retail price with a coupon code, these booties are reasonably priced with a superb quality.  


The leather is soft.  The stitches are precise.  And they are really a comfortable pair of shoes if you need to be on your feet for a long time.  


The knit side made it easy to put on the take off the shoes.   It comes in brown and gray too.  Well done GAP!


Thanks Dianna! I have seen the Chelsea Booties in person and the black look really nice.

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While in Vegas we walked through the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. It’s become a must-stop for me each time I go. A wallet caught MamaBella’s eye so we went inside. I was immediately drawn to the jewelry section in the middle of the store. Yes, instead of looking at the bags I went straight to jewelry. Which is odd because I remember Coach being brightly colored bags, or lovely vachetta leather, with heavy hardware or the Legacy Striped Lining. Let’s not forget the “Signature” Double-C on some of the styles.

I had a beautiful Teal bag called the Francine {Polyvore}. It was a domed patent satchel bag with a cross-body strap and heavy hardware. I bought it for myself as a birthday gift and I loved it! But, that girl was heavy. All the brass hardware and even the cross-body was wearing me down. I just loved looking at it but when I would want to wear it my shoulder ached. Eventually, I sold it.

My preferences for bags have changed. I don’t want what everyone else has or is noticeable right-away; like a Louis or quilted Chanel or even a double-C Signature Coach bag. So I was surprised to see a new version of Coach after looking at the jewelry. Have you taken a look at Coach lately? She’s “all groweds up”…and edgy. She must be dating a rocker or bad boy right now. Feathers and grommets and cool leather necklace straps pepper the collection. Let’s take a look at my picks from the Fall Collection.

The Cameo Pendant Necklace was the first piece I saw. It wasn’t very heavy and the leather strap was soft. I loved it. I’ve added it to my Bella Wants Pinterest Board and will ask for it for Christmas, if it lasts that long. The Feather Pendant Necklace was equally stunning with the same leather strap. The Rhyder 33 Satchel In Soft Grain Leather is so gorgeous in person. The leather is supple and the hardware and studs don’t add weight to the bag. It’s on the top of my Christmas wishlist but will probably also me my anniversary gift too.

The Multi Feather Earrings are cute in person. I rarely wear earrings any more but these are some I would consider. I didn’t see the Grommet Round Hem Skirt in the store but while perusing the website. I would wear this skirt every chance I got. There is a also a beautiful silk Ruffle Shirt I have added to my wishlist as well.

I did see the Mini Studs Coach Taxi Tote 24 In Leather in person and if you are a fan of studding I definitely recommend this bag. Beautiful! I couldn’t decide between the Feather Cuff or the Studded Cuff. Both were just so cool and edgy. I would use the Rivets Large Folio In Leather as an oversized clutch. It’s not padded so it won’t protect your tablet or iPad. The Dakotah Fringe Flap Crossbody In Whiplash Leather was a bag the SA brought to show me as she was describing the new collection. I love the fringe!

And the reason for all this cool edgy upgrade? Coach brought in a new Creative Director, Stuart Vevers, who has Calvin, Louis, and Loewe all under his designer belt. And don’t fret if you think you’ll miss the old Coach. There are still some styles of the past in the Collection like the Bleecker Mini Duffle and the Edie Shoulder Bag in Signature Jacquard.

Yes, Coach, you have my attention. I cannot wait to see what you do for Spring!

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Sorry for the delay. A little Vegas got in the way.

Since I’m always in denim I look in the sale section to try new styles. These Toothpick Jeans were on promo (as of Thursday) and I ordered them with the 40% off since they were not final sale. I was hoping I would get a great pair of Japanese Selvedge Denim that would break in well and be in my closet for years.

~ Toothpick Japanese Selvedge Jeans in Hulton Wash, size 30 ~

As soon as I pulled them over my calves I knew I would be returning them. I was afraid they wouldn’t fit or that I would rip them trying to take them off. Though there is some stretch in the denim, there isn’t as much as my Toothpicks in Miller Wash or my Factory Ankle Skinny Jeans. 
They were pretty tight across the thighs and calves and felt stiff when I had them on. I was walking around like Frankenstein’s Monster since I could barely bend anywhere. I would need at least a size 31 to feel a little more comfortable but then the waist would be baggy. 
 
I also didn’t care too much for the wash on the front and back. It was a little too light for my taste. It seems like the reviews also complained of tightness in the thighs but some were able to get them to stretch and fit wonderfully during the day. 

These were returned. There’s no way I the jeans would stretch enough in my thighs to be comfortable. But I did like the feel of the jean, they were a little weightier denim, though I could have done away with the whiskering in front. I have several different pairs of Toothpick jeans that fit me well so a one-off isn’t going to break my heart. Another pair will come along.

Have a Great Day!

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Two bottoms from the Factory that I ended up bringing home with me.

I’ve noticed my Toothpick size at the Factory if there is any kind of stretch in the material is a size 29. A thicker, no-stretch denim will be a size 30. I loved these jeans. It’s nice to see a Navy Coated Denim and the zipper detail makes it a little more edgy. The length is a little long so I’m not sure it really is 28 inches as the description states. The right leg has the material tucked under, where I would have it hemmed. The left has the bottom of the jean bunched down at the ankle. 

I swore off the City Minis and only have one Tartan Plaid left. But when I saw this gray and red plaid I knew I had to make an exception. I have the shirt in this print and love it. And though I could have bought size 8 for a little more length, this will be fun when it gets cooler. I actually even like it with the Classic Button-Down Shirt in Suckered Gingham and Fair Isle Sweater. 

Some tops coming up later today

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