/ Bella Picks

It’s a struggle at times to keep up with J Crew Factory’s price games every few days. I try to hold out until there’s 50% off everything but was looking at quite a few items for my trip so I placed a few orders. I did get a good price on the Flutter-Sleeve Tunic in White with the Gilt promo and that’s a keeper. The Tissue Tunic in Deep Navy also caught my eye but I like the shorter sleeves on the one I purchased.

I have the Basketweave Shorts in Scattered Dot in the Ivory but really like the Navy Dot this time. I found it fit TTS in my normal size 8. Since I have the Navy Dot Pencil Skirt I passed on the same in the shorts. The Oxford Shorts have been eluding me for a year, usually selling out quickly in my size. This time I ordered them in the Dark Indigo.

Both the Anchor Caryn Cardigan and Pineapple Caryn Cardigan look really cute. I’m still waiting for JCF to bring back the short-sleeve lightweight cardigans. I have the retail version of the Neon Floral Flounce Skirt. The Factory version is poly/cotton and not embroidered. I’d have to see it in person to really make a decision on it.

The current promo is 40% off clearance with code MUSTSHOP. I had re-ordered some of these items over the weekend when they were 50% off and was also able to use a promo code that came in my other package. Use HEYSPRING to take 20% off $100 and SPRINGCARD for 25% off $100 with your J Crew Card. These two codes are good until April 15 so keep them in your back pocket if you need a promo code.

/ Bella Picks

I had time last Thursday to finally get to J Crew to try on some of the new arrivals. I hadn’t been in the store in almost a month (which is really unheard of for me).  Below are more of my picks with a mix of what I tried on but I must tell you I absolutely LOVED LOVED the Wide-Leg Ponte Pant. I left a review at J Crew about it. I went with a size 6 (my normal pant size is an 8). It’s amazingly flattering and I felt extremely comfortable in them. They are not cropped on me but a full length. I ordered the 8 Petite (on promo) to see how cropped it is though I really like the length it’s at in the 6. I bought mine in-store on Thursday and received 25% off. The regular size is excluded from the current SHOPMORE 25% off promo but the Petite size is not excluded. Only Navy is available in Petites, just FYI.

I also tried on the Tippi in Gingham and bought it at the time, without any promo, but I think I will be returning it. I should have trusted my instinct to not get it. When I pulled it on over my head the material stretched and I saw how sheer it could be. The color is nice but I don’t think I’ll get to wear it very much since we seem to be headed straight into Summer with very little Spring. I ended up sizing down one to a Small as the Medium was very roomy.

I already have the Panama Hat in natural but really like the Fino Beige Ivory color. I also tried on, and purchased,  the Side-Zip Denim Short in my normal size 8. I do wish it was an inch or two longer so I’ll play around with it a little before making a final decision on whether to keep them or not.

I’ll have reviews all week on everything I tried on so come back and visit!

/ Bella Picks

Just when I think I can quit J Crew, or cut back at least, they roll-out some things I really want. Quite a bit made it to my wishlist from Tuesday’s roll-out. The freaking gingham and so many items to choose. Just so cute, but is it too cute for me? I’ll have to try some on in-store to find out. Since I’m still adding to my wishlist at J Crew, let’s first take a look at what I’ve purchased.

Notice a theme? I’m purchasing for my trip. We’re off to Tokyo, Singapore and then Thailand! I’m really excited since I was pretty bummed that I couldn’t go on “they boys trip” two years ago. And, though we have a pool, I’ve been patiently waiting for my next beach trip.

The Silk Cap-Sleeve Top in Midnight Bloom was too pretty to pass up. I’m hoping the color isn’t too sheer for my skin-tone. One thing I really did need were some good basic shorts. I have always loved the Summerweight Lightweight Bermuda Shorts and mine were fading after 6 years of constant wear (2009 versions) so I bought navy, white, and khaki. I also wanted a nice gray pair of shorts and ordered the 4-inch Chino Short in Storm Grey.

I also need a good cover-up that’s also lightweight. I think the Lightweight Linen Tunic in Hydrangea White will do nicely. Having ordered and return these cover-up tunics in the past, I ordered a Small. I think I could use an XS but we will see when it arrives next week. After ordering the Heathered Wool-Cashmere Blend Scarf I worried it might be too warm for the beach. It will be fine for Tokyo since it’s Spring-like weather and not humid. I may look to add this scarf from the Factory store.

The Plaid Espadrille is just darling. I love love the print originally wanting to get the Sloan Flat, then trying to figure out how to wear the Elsie or these sandals regularly. Unfortunately, the Knotted Slide is not my style of shoe.

And I finally bought those darn Betty Sunglasses. I just could not stop thinking about them. I hope I like them as much as I’ve been thinking I will.

Do you also notice a color story? I’m trying to stick with shades of blue with a little grey and white thrown in so they’ll all mix and match well.

Happy Shopping!

/ Bella Picks

Swimsuit shopping is right up there with jeans shopping. It’s not fun and can be pretty painful. But, I am in need of a new swimsuit for a vacation we are planning, as well as just needing another on hand since I am in the pool all Summer. My struggle is that once you start searching, it’s really hard to narrow down options from the various prints, one-piece, two-piece, mono-kini, cut-outs, straps, strings, retro, plunge, maillot…just so many options.

I really love the styles and prints from Mara Hoffman. With the Shopbop sale, BIGEVENT16, the prices don’t seem too bad to try a few. My favorite is the Braided Swimsuit with the Slit-Front One Piece a close second.

Lest you think I am looking for the most expensive swimsuit, these next 6 swimsuits are under $100. I love the solid and print contrast of the Shabby Apple swimsuit. I own a different J Crew Scoopback swimsuit in an ocean print but this aqua-striped version looks perfect for a pool.

My absolute favorite is the Mosaic One-Piece swimsuit from Tory Burch. It has a matching Rashguard as well as a Cover-Up. And I love the retro-style of the Seafolly Maillot.

As you can see, I’m all over the place on what swimsuits like. There are just so many choices. I also need a new bikini as well since both of my J Crew one’s have seen better days. I’m going to have to bite the bullet and start trying some on this weekend.

/ Bella Picks

After seeing the J Crew Chateau Trench online and completely swooning over it and it’s gingham lining, I realized I needed a good, sturdy trench coat with a hood. I debated ordering the Chateau Trench but felt that if it wasn’t going to make it to my store, I didn’t want to spend at least $300 ordering two different sizes and not being happy with either. My decision was sealed in searching for something else when I wanted more than what the Chateau Trench was offering.

Here’s my criteria.

  1. Hood – This is the main thing I want on my trench coat. I don’t care if it’s removable but I must have a hood.
  2. Color – Navy is my first choice in color and not the classic beige everyone else has.
  3. Style/Shape – The Chateau Trench is a shift and just a long rectangle. I want something with shape or with a belt to give it shape.
  4. Material – I don’t want anything that’s poncho-like or too thin material, which I know will be Poly. I need to have some substance.

Here’s what I found online. Of course, there’s Eddie Bauer, London Fog and The North Face but I was surprised by how stylish they were. My first pick is the Eddie Bauer Girl on the Go Trench. It meets all of my criteria. Instead of buttons or a belt it has princess seams for a flattering fit. The other Eddie Bauer trench is the Pack & Go Trench. Yes, it’s $100 for a trench that you can stuff into one of the pockets but the waist has a drawcord, it looks long enough to cover the booty. Both Eddie Bauer trenches are machine washable too.

The Via Spiga Single-Breasted Trench has a belt and pleating on the bottom. It comes in four colors on Amazon, including Navy. It’s not sold out, despite what my widget above shows. The Old Navy Trench is only available in size Large and above but the olive color is what intrigued me about it.

How bold is this Joe Browns Floral Mac? The hood and the waist both have a drawstring. And though the Boden Mac is an a-line shape I really like it in the Navy Floral Print.

The Via Spiga and Eddie Bauer trenches are on their way to me so I’ll do a follow-up post and review them for you.