Que Bella – "J Cray"

Saturday I did the craziest thing ever in my love for J Crew. I drove 90 miles one way for a skirt! When I told The Boy what I was going to do he looked at me and laughed! And then asked why. Well, my dear Boy, because I needed it. I compared it to when he needed the latest Call of Duty video game or the latest map pack and he understood.

So what skirt would cause me to lose my mind for a moment and drive 90 miles to get it?

It went on sale in stores this week from $118 to $69.99. I was already contemplating a full-price purchase on this skirt but when it hit sale, my store and the other in San Antonio sold out in the size 4 in this color. My PS was going to order it for me but I asked her to look and see if there were any in Austin first. There was one at Barton Creek Square and a few at the Domain. She called BCS and had it put on hold and I drove Saturday evening to pick it up. An hour and a half drive for a 10 minute stop (I picked up some Lammes Candies Longhorns too) and then we turned around and came home. 
Now, why, you ask, would I drive to pick this up instead of having it shipped and possibly getting the additional 30% off? Because I’ve re-planned my packing list for the umpteenth time and included this skirt as a possibility. So I had to have it as quickly as possible and I knew it wouldn’t get here by Wednesday.
And I was a walking J Crew ad for my adventure on Saturday. After seeing the Gimlet Skirt in Coaster Stripe on the CNBC show about Mickey & J Crew I was itching to wear it again. I paired it with one of my favorite Linen sweaters, the Linen Dot Popover, and my Iris Sandals in Tortoise
How Crew “Cray Cray” have you ever been? Confess!
Have a Great Day!

19 Comments

  1. May 27, 2012 / 2:45 pm

    I'm going an hour out of my way when I visit my in-laws this summer to visit a factory store.

    • May 27, 2012 / 11:03 pm

      An hour does't feel so long until you are coming home. If you go before the 23rd of June don't forget to print the coupon! I hope you get some good deals too.

  2. May 27, 2012 / 3:08 pm

    Ha ha! Great story;) I feel J Cray just about everytime I shop. I know more than the sales associates;) I go too much;) I buy and return and rebuy freqently;) But I'm happy in J Cray head space and we have lots of company.

    Cute maxi, BTW. I'm contemplating that sequin anchor tank. I just bought the sequin stripe tank though and wonder how many sequin tanks do I need? I don't wear the one I have much.

    • May 27, 2012 / 11:09 pm

      Oh I don't like that at all, when you know more than the SA. I'm lucky mine are pretty knowledgeable but I hate "training" the new ones, KWIM. I bought the Sequin Stripe Tank and returned it. The Anchor Tank doesn't have as many sequins and is not as fitted. I hope that helps.

  3. May 27, 2012 / 3:42 pm

    I can TOTALLY relate. I would do the same if I want something bad and RIGHT AWAY too. The skirt is gorgeous and I love love love the color. Great score!!

  4. May 27, 2012 / 4:57 pm

    i can relate too!
    i am in germany and pay craaaaazy prices to get my crew fix and i feel its christmas everytime my package comes.

  5. May 27, 2012 / 6:07 pm

    Yea–J.Crew drives us all to do crazy things!!!! That skirt is delicious and will be great for your trip!!! so glad you got it! Your Son sounds like my Son–he knows you're silly with your shopping but accepts that about you and is probably one of the many things that he loves about YOU! smile

  6. May 27, 2012 / 9:07 pm

    Audrey – what size did you go with in the end? I have decided to try a regular 6 as I have long legs, even though I am short…

    • May 27, 2012 / 11:01 pm

      WMM – I went with a size 4. That is two sizes down from the Jardin Midi Skirt I have. It fits great in the waist and the length won't require alterations or drag the ground like the 6 will. I hope the 6 works out for you.

  7. May 28, 2012 / 6:52 am

    Skirt twins! You look slim & trim in the jardin maxiskirt. Nice! I'm j-cray. We are in the middle of moving and I swung by to pick up a sale scarf before going to load the car again. Hey…it's by Starbucks.

    • May 28, 2012 / 6:57 am

      Added to the vocab list, btw 😉

    • May 29, 2012 / 10:33 am

      Thanks Gigi! I love the skirt and am very happy with the size 4. I can't wait to see how you wear it on Gigi's Gear. And everyone needs a "Starbucks" break…and a new scarf.

  8. May 28, 2012 / 7:58 am

    Audrey – Have a GREAT time on your trip! I'm so excited for you 🙂 If you are staying in downtown Madrid, there is GREAT shopping along the streets near Puerta del Sol (the main center of Madrid). It's a plaza area with a fountain in the middle (lots of people!) and the streets go out of the center like sun rays. You're bound to find a nice pair of espadrilles there. It's supposed to be gorgeous this weekend, so you'll have great weather to site see. Hope all goes well with your flights! Can't wait to see pictures!!

    • May 29, 2012 / 10:40 am

      Em – We are staying right by Neptune's Fountain at LaPepa Chic B&B. It has shoes as part of the headboards in the rooms. Thanks for the shopping tip. I'll ask the B&B manager where that plaza is. I looked on Google Earth but since I'm not familiar with Madrid I have no idea what I'm looking at.

    • May 29, 2012 / 11:21 am

      You are right near the Prado Art Museum and Parque Retiro (large, beautiful park like Central Park)! Awesome area to be in 🙂

      Sol is only 4 blocks north of your hotel (away from Parque Retiro). I'm sure the B&B owner will have maps and suggestions as well. Íf you have time, I would definitely stroll through Parque Retiro. It is very nice and has a man-made lake in the middle. They have great boats to paddle in the middle of the lake (super cheap too – 4 euros/boat for 45 mins), and you get to enjoy the scenery around you.

      Aww yay! you're going to have a GREAT time!!

  9. May 29, 2012 / 4:55 pm

    Hi-enjoy ur blog and style. Question pertaining to the other post where you are wearing your mona suede pumps in wild berry with the porcelain paisley skirt. It looks great on you, you've convinced me to acquire one too :). Do you know how sizing is? I normally take a 6 in their sandals but generally am a 5.5 -6 in other brands. Also, what price point did you buy them at? They are still $99.99 in stores but did you get them with an additional 30% off the $99.99? I think it'll be a long time for an additional 30% off in stores and will probably be final sale which I shouldn't do since i've never tried these on before. Any advice appreciated! Thanks again!

    • May 30, 2012 / 1:35 pm

      cuckoo – I am consistently a 7 in J Crew shoes. I tried the Mona's on in 6 1/2 and though the length was perfect the width was a little tight and not something I could live with for more than an hour of wear. The 7s fit better although there is a gap at the heel now, which I've fixed with an insole. I'd say the width is a little more narrow for the smaller size and you might be better off with the bigger size. I was able to purchase these when they were marked down to $79.99 in-store plus the 30% off. You might want to call around to different stores or use a personal shopper to do it for you when there is another 30% promo to compare store prices.

      Hope that helps!

  10. June 30, 2012 / 4:11 am

    Audreybella,

    I often find we are very similar in J Crew sizing. What size did you try in the Sequin Anchor Tank? Does it have any stretch/give to it. I love how you paired it with the Jardin Maxiskirt in the fitting room.

    Thank you!

    • July 2, 2012 / 6:44 pm

      Stacy – I found it to run a little loose so I took the Small. Although, now, having gained a few pounds from vacation it's a little snug. It does have some give too.