/ Reviews

Through Monday you can take 20% off your purchase of $100+ or 30% off $200+ at Madewell with code NOJOKE. I was in the store recently looking for the Alma Peasant Blouse or the Embroidered Peasant Dress. I found both and tried on the blouse.

~ Alma Peasant Blouse, White, Small~

This looked like it ran big on the hanger so I grabbed a Small. I like the drape in the sleeves and the fit through the body, below the chest but the chest is a mess. The pleats don’t allow the blouse to drape and flow over the chest but hug tightly instead. The Medium would have fit in the chest and been way too big every where else. The dress has the same pleating below the embroidery so it would have fit the same way. I really liked the look of the Dark Plum color online too.

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~ Central Shirt in Stripe, Small ~

The Central Shirt in Stripe looked really cool and stylish on the display in-store, which prompted me to try it on. Yeah, not so cool and stylish on me. I would tend to wear this un-tucked and this requires at least one of those cool partial tucks cool people can do. You can see the Small is pretty oversized but the XS probably wouldn’t do anything but make it look slightly less cool on me. I did like it thought and could make an effort to style it so it looked effortless. That’s what the goal would be anyway.

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~ Beachweight Cape Scarf ~

I recall Gigi trying on a cape scarf and making it look really cool but for me, it has that word ‘cape’ in it and those armholes make me uncomfortable. I did think it would make a great traveling scarf, especially for the plane, since it covers the arms. You would need a sweater or cardigan. This one is pretty lightweight as well.

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~ Maldives Cover-Up Pants, Black, Small ~
I briefly entertained the idea of taking some linen pants with me on my trip for the evenings/night but Thailand and Singapore will be pretty hot and humid. I am way more comfortable in shorts and dresses during the Summer heat. These pants are very lightweight and the Small was a great fit. Though “cover-up” is in the name, I didn’t find these to be very see-through so I think they would work a regular pants and not just cover-ups. I would have needed them hemmed but otherwise, for a different climate, these are perfect. They also come in a print and they are both on sale.

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~ Slim Boyjean in Hatfield Wash, size 29 ~

I wasn’t specifically looking for jeans but I did need something to try on with the tops so I grabbed two different styles. I’ve tried on the Slim Boyjean before and liked them then too. The 29 was a good fit but after trying on the next pair, passed on these.

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~ Cruiser Straight Crop Jeans, Preston Wash, size 30 ~

These are supposed to be cropped but they are perfect as regular length jeans for me. I really loved they were just a little more baggy than the Slim Boyjean. They are 100% cotton. NO stretch in them so the size 30 were the best fit. They are the best alternative I’ve found off-the-rack, no alterations needed, in a long time. The Preston Wash is more of a darker wash than the online image depicts. I think if I had seen the online image I would have passed as they look too light for me. I prefer a medium and dark wash. I’ve worn these several times already and just love them. I can roll the cuff a few times to make them cropped or just wear them normal. I would get another pair and have them hemmed to be cropped but my Wide-Leg Jeans are still holding up after all the wash-and-wear I’ve done.

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A few other things that caught my eye on the website. I did buy the Whisper Cotton Tee in Halden Stripe as well as solid White and Heather Indigo. They run big so I sized to a Small and they are super soft and comfortable. Don’t forget to use code NOJOKE for 20% off $100 or 30% off $200, both in-store and online.

/ Reviews

I finally ordered the Betty Sunglasses in Grey since I could never get them on promo and my store never brought them in. The come in a flexible leather and suede rectangular case. That won’t fit into my small cross-body so I’ll need to find another case for it.

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It comes with a cleaning cloth for you lenses. I don’t know if all are polka-dotted like the one with the Grey Betty but I would expect they are all in a fun print.

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These are oversized enough for me on my face. I chose the Grey color in the Betty Sunglasses because they were not the normal black or tortoise I see on everyone. I use sunglasses almost every single day, including those “bright” cloudy days. I have cheaper ones with lighter lenses for those days. It’s just so much easier on my eyes when they are protected.

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I also bought these sunglasses from H&M to take on my trip. I’ll probably take the Betty Sunglasses as well but leave them behind when we head to the beach. I would hate to lose them or scratch them up.

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I ordered the Lightweight Wool-Blend Scarf in Navy. I am glad J Crew changed the name of this. It was the Heathered Wool-Cashmere Blend Scarf but there’s only 10% Cashmere in this. It’s really lightweight and cozy. I’ve already been wearing it quite a bit and it will be a big accessory on my trip.

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During the SHOPMORE promo from almost two weeks ago, I ordered the Wide-Leg Ponte Pant in 8 Petite. They are perfect. The cropped length is exactly where I like it and the fit is just like the regular size 6. I don’t recall if the Black color came in Petite so I ordered the regular size 6. These are so comfortable and a nice break from jeans for me. This is exactly how I wore them yesterday, with my Loft Softened Tunic, Lightweight Scarf and Chambray Toms.

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Have a Great Day!

/ Reviews

Don’t you just love Spring? Birds are out. Weather is warming up. Flowers are blooming. And allergies are abundant. I was hit again with allergy issues when something blew in Monday evening. One minute I am perfectly fine. The next, I can’t stop sneezing. It’s windy today so all that does it swirl around all the pollen goodies to make everything worse. Yay Spring! But I’ll take it over cold and dreary any day.

~ Elsie Leopard Pumps, size 6 1/2 ~

I really love the Elsie and originally bought the size 7 in the Jeweled Feather Print. They fit me just fine. At least I thought they did until I tried on the Leopard in a 6 1/2. That half size down is a much better fit. This Leopard print is in Satin and the pair I tried on had the print almost matching on each shoe. The heel, though at almost 4 inches, is pretty comfortable to walk in. Unfortunately, the Jeweled Feather Print were final sale so I’ll need to make them work. I did get them at $150 and they are truly gorgeous.

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~ Elsie Fabric Knotted D’Orsay Pumps, 6 1/2 ~

Because I tried the 6 1/2 in the Leopard, I ordered the same size in the D’Orsay Pumps. I really loved this print and the knotted bow was a nice detail. I thought these would go well with dark jeans and my new LBD. But in the d’orsay, I need to size back up to my normal 7. They were really tight across the top. I knew no amount of stretching or walking in them to stretch them out would make them fit. It makes sense as there’s no toe cleavage on these, like there is on the Leopard Pump. I had to return them.

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~ Sloan Plaid D’Orsay Flats w/Bow, size 6 1/2 ~

I loved these Sloan flats. It’s actually the print as I want the Elsie Pump in the same print desperately. Surprisingly, the 6 1/2 fit really well. I think because my foot is not being forced to the front of the shoe by gravity. This wasn’t tight across the top at all. I’d stick with the 6 1/2.

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~ Plaid Espadrille, size 7 ~

I was really hoping these espadrilles would work in place of the Sloan Flats. And, I wanted to take them on my trip with me. But the size 7 were really tight across the top of the foot. I know the cotton wouldn’t stretch enough to make the Plaid Espadrille more comfortable. They don’t come in half sizes and the size 8 would be too long so I had to return them. The sole is not all rubber so if you step in water, the jute will swell for a bit until it dries out.

 

  

~ J Crew Factory Gingham Espadrille, 6 1/2 ~

I bought these with the Gilt City coupon and couldn’t be happier with them. They are just like the retail Seville Espadrilles and I ordered a 6 1/2. Perfect fit! I wear my Seville’s all Summer long. They are so comfortable to walk in and great for date night with a pair of bermuda shorts or fun skirt. The bottom on these is all rubber. This is probably the only thing I’ll get in the Gingham.
  

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/ Reviews

So I found some old fitting rooms pics, from around January, that I’ll throw in at the end of this post.

~ Perfect Shirt in Scattered Daisy, Navy, size 6 ~
~ Side-Zip Denim Short, size 8 ~

The Scattered Daisy shirt is really cute and immediately caught my eye during its roll-out. I hesitated to purchase it only because I have been wearing only the Foil Dot Shirt and my Ann Taylor Embroidered Dot Shirt frequently. My store had three shirts left so I grabbed the 6 knowing it would be snug in the chest, shoulders and arms. I need my normal size 8 in this shirt. The daisies are white with pink in the center. I rarely look at the online image details, preferring to see the detail in person so I completely missed it while browsing online. The print also comes in the Patio Pant and the Campbell Blazer, though in a brown color.

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~ Side-Zip Denim Short, size 8 ~

This is a nice, dark, thicker denim short, as compared to, say, the denim on a Toothpick Jean. The zipper is on the side, allowing for a flat front. The inseam is 3 1/2 inches but the rise is higher, at 11 inches. It’s a really good, dressy short and I’ll certainly get a lot of use out of these in the Summer, especially over Chino or printed shorts. I am in a size 29 and it fit just fine. The size 30 were bunchy in front. A solid pick from J Crew that I am considering them in White as well.

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~ Trench Cape, Barley, XS/S ~

I know capes are not my friend but I couldn’t resist trying the Trench Cape. I feel really awkward with my arms sticking out of those armholes. The Tippi in Gingham looks good with it. This is really oversized and I am in the XS/S. The interior buttons were a bit difficult to fasten too. Leaving them un-buttoned made for a little bulkiness underneath and not smooth.

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Hand in pocket…Doesn’t look too bad. But, I did struggle trying to slip my arm back inside the trench to get my hand in the pocket. The back is wide. Though I’m taking the pic with one arm it’s still right next to my side on top so it isn’t adding to the width of the Trench Cape. Give me a hood and a shapely silhouette!

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~ Sunday Slim Chino, White, size 8 ~

I have these in Sunset Haze or at least a similar color, that I purchased over the Summer. I chose a size 6 since it was the only one in that color. The size 8, in the White, runs a big large in the waist and bunchy in the front. I know the size 6 is just a little snug in the thighs for me but the pants do stretch a little with wear. I’d still get the size 6 in these, opting for the stretching out as opposed to baggy. Of course, now I see that there is a Petite option online so the 8P would probably work well. The Belvedere Red was really striking in-store. The red is pretty saturated in person but I wonder how much of that will fade with wash-and-wear.

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~ 5″ Chino Short, Storm Grey, size 8 ~

I don’t have a “true grey” short and wanted to try both this color and the length. The color isn’t as dark IRL as it is online. I like them and the size 8 fit fine but I do have a 4″ Chino Short in Quarry Green which looks grey but isn’t. Anyway, these are a good pair of shorts, if you are in need of any, and come in a few different colors.

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~ Lightweight Bermuda Chino Short, Navy, size 8 ~

I really needed to replace a pair I’ve had since at least 2009. They still fit, aren’t frayed or holey but are really faded. Size 8 was a good fit and I’m keeping these. I ordered the British Khaki too but it’s on back-order until Mid-April.

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~ Sunday Slim Chino Short, Honey Brown, size 8 ~

Comfy, casual, slouchy. That’s the Sunday Slim Chino Short. The fit is just like the Chino Pant but this time I do prefer the size 8. I bought these in the Navy as well though I’ll probably return them since I have the Bermuda’s above.

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~ Boy Shirt in Navy Weekend Plaid, size 8 ~
~ Colorblock Striped Skirt, size 6 ~

I recall being interested in this shirt when it arrived online. It’s currently on sale plus 30% off with SPRINGSALE. I recall it being a lightweight flannel type. The blue is just as saturated as it is in the pics. Size 8, good fit.

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I really liked this skirt. It’s not quite a pencil shape but more a-line as you can see it flares some from the hips. The size 6 was ok but I’d go with an 8 or 8 Petite instead. The length was not as long as I expected it to be and the Elsie in Leopard help. The mix of navy and bright blue are pretty and unexpected. I’m not shopping for skirts but this one gives some nice interest to it.

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~ Ruffled Button-Up Shirt in End-on-End Cotton, size 8 ~

The tiny ruffles are at the cuff, collar and button placket. A simple little touch that makes a basic button down a little more interesting. Not enough for me to buy it but still interesting, none-the-less. Fits TTS

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I’m curious if any of you bought the Scattered Daisy shirt or have tried on the Trench Cape? Anyone?

/ Reviews

This afternoon we have all the Gingham I could find in the store to try on.

~ Campbell Blazer in Gingham, Cobalt Blue Ivory, size 8 ~
~ Linen V-Neck Tee, Bright Butternut, Small ~
~ Lightweight Short in Gingham Linen, Cobalt Blue Ivory, size 8 ~

This was a really cute blazer. The Cobalt Blue is nice and bright and exactly matches the shorts. I felt silly wearing them together though. I do have a pair of white Linen shorts that would look fantastic with the blazer. The size 8 fit fine so this is TTS, but since it’s offered in a Petite I would size to my normal 10 Petite. It fits much better in the chest, waist and sleeve length. Single button is not great but will work. I usually leave my blazer buttons undone. I reviewed the Linen Tee yesterday. This blazer also comes in Pink Ivory.

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The blazer is lined in poly resembling a seersucker stripe.

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~ Lightweight Short in Gingham Linen, Cobalt Blue Ivory, size 8 ~

J. Crew baffles me sometimes with their product names. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a linen item not be “lightweight”. Maybe that’s their way of saying it’s not a blend? Moving on, the shorts are just as cute as the blazer and more my style. Though I wish these were offered in a true navy gingham, I do like the cobalt blue color. It’s just as bright and saturated as the blazer. The inseam is 5-inches, a pretty good length for me. If I can recall correctly, these shorts are not lined but not thin enough to be see-through.

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~ Tippi in Gingham, Caravan Blue, Small ~

This sweater is made of  a very lightweight and somewhat sheer Merino Wool. The Small fit really well and would be the size I’d get. I am normally a Medium in Tippis but the Medium was very slouchy on me so I would say this Tippi runs big. The Caravan Blue is pretty in person but I like the Vivid Canary that’s offered instead. I can definitely see that color with the Ponte Wide-Leg Pants.

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~ Lightweight Linen Tunic in Gingham, Small ~

I had already ordered this in the Hydrangea color. This runs large and the Small was fine and works for a decent coverup. The Gingham in Navy and White and has a tie at the neck. The sleeves are long but I’d definitely roll mine up.

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~ Lightweight Linen Tunic, Hydrangea White, Small ~

This the one I ordered and is the same style and fit just a different color. For the price, I decided I could find something cheaper (Factory) or take one of my Linen button-downs as a cover-up.

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I had purchased the Tippi but have since returned it. It was one of those things where I decided if I didn’t wear it in the first week of purchase I would return it and wait for it to go on sale. I won’t be heart-broken if I don’t get it. I have a feeling there will be other retailers copying the Gingham look soon.