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It looks like everyone took advantage of the 50% off Majesty Peacoat last week as it is now sold out. I have never needed more than one “Winter” Coat and the Italian Blazecoat has buttons that are hard to manage with cold fingers so I grabbed the Peacoat in Navy in a size 8.

The sleeves are about an inch-and-a-half too long so I will try to get to my tailor and have that fixed. I love the Cranberry lining. The size 8 fit well if just a touch snug under the arms. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to layer a sweater underneath but I’ve worn this a couple of times already (thanks Groundhog) with sweaters and haven’t been uncomfortable.

This coat is very warm. I had to go out of town for a party and it was really cold when I left so I kept my coat on. Not even 15 minutes into my drive I had to pull over and take it off. Normally I keep my Blazecoat on the entire time I’m out, even in my truck with the heater on.

I’m am certainly glad I joined the Majesty band-wagon. The Navy is the perfect color to go with almost everything casual I have.

I won’t even ask if you bought this but instead, what color did you buy? 

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The Split Neck Dress in Windowpane has been tempting me for a few weeks now. My store never received it or the solid version as I might have ordered it sooner.

I ordered the size 8, my normal dress size, and it’s a great fit. I thought the split neck might show a lot of cleavage but not-so-much actually. It’s a wool/silk blend, lined in Poly and has bra keeps. Zipper is up the back and you can step in to the dress, which I always love, instead of throwing it over your head. The print seem to do a great job of concealing that little tummy pooch.

   

And lovely pockets! They don’t bulk out so they don’t add weight to the hips.

A big winner for me! Now to stalk for pop-backs in the solid Navy or Dark Pink.

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I was not about to let the Collection Blakely Printed Pump slip out of my grasp like the Etta in Hummingbird did last year. I debated between the Printed Pump and the Shimmer Linen Pump but the Printed won out.

I chose my normal size 7 but will need to go down a half size. I am very consistent with a size 7 95% of the time. This time shoe is in that 5%. You can see the large gap at the heel. I added an insole and it didn’t help. I took two steps and the shoe fell right off my foot.

I suppose these are to be the new Etta pump. I don’t really see a difference between the two other than the fit.
Block, slightly tapered/cone heel. Same heel height as the Etta, 3 3/4 inches. 

The Printed Pump is the only one with gold on the inside of the heel. I like that little detail. 

Also, you’ll notice the print is not matched on the shoes. For $300, a little extra effort should have been taken to at least match them up a little. The right shoe (your left) is more white and blue while the left shoe is a rainbow of colors. There really should be a disclaimer if it’s known the shoe prints will not match up. Someone QCs these right? 

Overall, I do like the Blakely. They’ll be great for Spring. If I re-order these in a 6 1/2 I’d call in and ask that the shoe print match as best as possible. It doesn’t have to be exact.

What do you think of the Blakely Pump? 


Oh, and I eventually found the Etta in Hummingbird.

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Next from J Crew Spring 2014 we have some shirts and sweaters.

Tees
Fluted Skirt

My store didn’t have the French-Print Popover available when I stopped by so I ordered it. Super adorable and whimsical. I took my normal size 8 for shirts.

The Swiss-Dot Tuxedo Shirt is a bit sheer, more than the tees I reviewed, but I like the style and concept of it. I think it will be great for layering and I have been looking for a white shirt in a style that was not a plain button-down. This fits TTS as I took my normal size 8. 

A cute little styling option with the Factory Midrise Skinny Jean in Distressed Indigo and the Martina Calf-Hair Wedges.

The Cutout Floral Sweatshirt in Navy immediately caught my eye in-store; not-so-much online in the Heather Silver. I held this up and it looked like it ran big so I brought home a Small to try on. I was wrong as it ran really tight in the arms and layering was an even tighter fit. This sweatshirt definitely needs a layer underneath, even if it’s a cami. 

Here’s the Medium and it’s a much better fit in the arms. I would have like to have kept the fit of the Small throughout the body. That’s the Tory Burch Merrit Print Blouse underneath. Review coming soon!

The Collection Cashmere Button Waffle Sweater has been on my wishlist for quite some time. I finally decided to pull the trigger on it, in a size Medium. I probably could have sized to a Small for this sweater as it is a Relaxed fit but I like the slouchiness of it and should work with my Scalloped Leather Skater Skirt from Anthro.

The Merino Silk-Panel Sweater in Antique Floral is very nice and the silk panel is soft, especially against the skin. I grabbed a Medium and found it to run a little big. 
And the Small, as you can see is a much much better fit, especially through the body. For me, this is not TTS but runs a size big and I would say size down but others have already said it’s TTS. I’ll wait for Gigi’s review of this to be sure. 
And it works well with the Fluted Skirt in Pack Green and the Martina Calf-Hair Wedges. 
I think that wraps up most of the clothing items that caught my eye in this release. I saw the Sunburst Skirt in Stripe in-store but it’s 100% Poly so I’m passing on that for now; maybe on sale with a promo. I need more denim like I need more shoes and the “Ever Stretch” makes me think the sizing has been messed with. The Factory has been my go-to lately for denim, especially when it’s a blatant copy of the retail denim. Reviews to come on a couple of those as well.

So what has caught your eye in this release? Saving your pennies for March or Summer? 

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I am in super LOVE with the Fluted Skirt in Double Crepe. I have almost every color and even tried the Leather Skirt (obscenely short) and the Copper Bloom (material felt cheap and thin). The Embellished Skirt is cute but basically it’s just the Ivory skirt with pink jewels on it.

Love isn’t even the word that can describe how I feel about this skirt. Obsessed is more like it: Black, Ivory, Poppy, Navy, Pack Green. I’ve worn and styled the Ivory and Black more times than I’ve posted on my Que Bellas.

Still taking a size 8. The Pack Green should have come out for Winter as it’s a little dark. The Navy should have been saved for Spring. But with a lighter top this should work out alright for the Spring. 
I can’t wait to style the Navy skirt. I have several new and old tops that will pair nicely with this color. 

I would love to get the Pale Citrus color but I have the  Postage Stamp Mini in Embroidered Neon Floral from last Summer that is too close in color to justify. And, it would be great to see the Nightgarden Floral Print on this style.