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This weekend, through Sunday, “BREXCITED” gets you 30% off Full-Price styles, online and in-store, with some exclusions (BR Picks, Cashmere and Leather). Banana Republic is pretty good about their promos and the BR Picks are usually rotated with a month of new arrivals. I’ve noticed that items will go online first and then shipped to the store within a few weeks, usually by the time some items are removed from the BR Pick list.

~ Racerback Cowl Tank, Secret Plum, Small ~
I like a good cowlneck and am always looking to find a nice one that drapes enough and not too low. I had to fiddle with this for a bit to get it lay the way I wanted. The jersey material feels nice against the body but overall this tank runs a little big. I think the Medium would drape lower at the neck, which, if I was going to use this as a going-out top only would be fine. Otherwise, I will layer this under cardigans and blazers. The Secret Plum is nicely saturated and a beautiful color. This little top also comes in Cocoon (an Ivory shade) and Black.

~ A La Mode Pullover, Medium ~
Everywhere you look this season are sweatshirts of all materials, graphics and patterns. Banana Republic now has some graphic ones in a ponte-blend material. This is the Medium and ran really small on me. I want my sweatshirts to be comfortable but not hugely oversized. The A La Mode Sweatshirt goes in the opposite direction of my preferences. The arms are tight, the chest is pulling and it’s “hand-wash”. I would need to size to at least a Large to have this fit comfortably and maybe larger to layer underneath it. 
This also comes in Haute and The Little Black Sweatshirt which are all the same rayon-blend. 

~ Soft-Wash Bold Plaid Flannel Shirt, Preppy Navy, Medium ~
This shirt has been on my wishlist since it came out but 1) was a BR Pick and excluded from promos and 2) didn’t arrive to my store until last week. I love the Navy with little hints of green throughout and it looked good paired with the Coated Green Sateen Skinny Ankle Pant. The Medium is the best fit for me, comparing to the size 8 of the J Crew Perfect Shirts. Overall, having seen it IRL finally, I decided it wasn’t needed in my closet right now. It stays on my wishlist for now, though.

This also comes in Strawberry Red, which is similar to a Madewell shirt I have.
~  Faux-Leather Trim Cable-Knit Pullover, Navy, Small ~
This sweater is another item on my wishlist. The Small was snug for me in the upper body so I would get a Medium. Even then, I’m not sure I could layer anything more than a thin tee underneath.I do like the fitted look through the body though so I hope the Medium isn’t too much wider.  I’ll definitely be going back to make sure though. 

I liked the cable-knit and the color but this sweater does need a shirt underneath as the zipper comes above the waistband.

What are you shopping for at Banana Republic?

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I was able to stop by Banana Republic over the weekend and try on some new arrivals, including some items on my current Pinterest Board.

~ Shine Faille Full Skirt, size 6 ~

This shiny skirt is great for the upcoming Holiday season. This size fit well and I would stick with it since I’d use it as a party skirt. The pleating might be too much or full for some but with the length on the shorter side it’s fine for me. 

~ Ponte Midi Skirt, size 8 ~

I want a midi skirt so badly but I feel it just overwhelms my 5’2″ height. Banana Republic has some great ones right now, including the Blue Metallic Jacquard Midi Skirt. The longest I can have a skirt and not feel frumpy is 22 inches. Funny that I used to wear skirts and dresses this length in high school, call “tea-length” at that time. The ponte feels nice and comfortable and the size 8 is a good fit. 
  
~ Ivory Box Pleat Skirt, size 6 ~
This was on sale at $39.99 and fits really well in the size 6. I like how the pleating does not start at the waist and that the drop waist isn’t too low. The material was a ponte’ knit and felt nice and great for Fall. I would have bought this if I didn’t already have an “Old School ‘Crew” skirt, the Flannel Parlour Skirt, in Ivory. 
~ Coated Green Sateen Skinny Ankle Pant, size 29 ~
I reviewed the Coated Mahogany Skinny Ankle Pant in this {post} and this is the same pant but in green. I liked the green a lot better and the 29 was a good fit. I have a black and a blue pair of coated denim so I’ll stick with those for now. 
I know I’ve said this before and even my friend Dianna and I have emailed each other about it but BR is just doing so well with their Collections right now. I am loving a lot of it! Go Marissa!!

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~ Quinn Ankle Boot, Dark Cedar, size 7 ~

A few weeks ago I was at the Factory to return these same boots in the Rustic Grey. That day, they started the 50% off everything in stores. I saw the Dark Cedar boots and fell in love with the color. 

I have on a thin sock and they are comfortable, still fitting true-to-size. I like the color of the suede even more than the Rustic Grey. I also like that the heel is darker.

I keep forgetting my “frequent shopper” card but could have gotten an additional 30% off. I now have that tucked in my wallet so I don’t forget to use that savings! 
See my review of the Rustic Grey {here}. 
Have a Great Day!

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This image below inspired my next outfit. I loved the simplicity of it. 
The Cashmere Tee in short-sleeves was perfect for the cool evening. I have these in many colors, in both short and long-sleeves. I have the basic colors – black, navy, grey, white – and then a few saturated colors in dark green, red, and bright pink. I wear my basic colors a lot in the Winter, usually layering them over button-downs or under a blazer. Add a necklace, though I didn’t here, and I’m ready to go for the day or night. 

I swapped out the printed jeans for my white jeans. I have never worn white jeans or skirts in the Fall or Winter. I’ve worn Ivory or Winter White but not a true White. I would like to try to incorporate these into my Fall wardrobe, if not the Winter too, but I’ll only wear these when the weather is nice. 
~ Collection Cashmere Tee, Heather Grey, J Crew  ~
~ Cropped Skinny Jeans, Tory Burch ~
~ Newbury Nubuck Bootie, Rag & Bone ~

We went to a restaurant we frequent weekly and sit at the bar so I didn’t want to over-accessorize. I could have used a belt at a minimum though. The bartender made a pumpkin spice shot that didn’t look like it was going to be tasty when he was making it but turned out to be really really good. I was pleasantly surprised. 

Can you believe it’s November? My calendar is filling up quickly so I hope to have several Que Bella’s for you this month.

What are you thoughts on wearing true white bottoms during the Fall and Winter? Do you stick to the “No white after Labor Day” fashion rule?

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Happy Halloween! I hope your morning has been filled with more treats than tricks. I’m not in the office today but I know they are planning for a Door Decorating Contest, and trick-or-treaters later today. Not to mention all the cookies, cakes, cupcakes and other goodies that have been filling my Facebook and Instagram streams from co-workers. Though I miss this fun part of being in an office, I am a little glad I’m not tempted by all the yumminess that is there.

We are finally getting into Fall weather, on this last day of October. With temps lowering I was excited to wear the Factory Pleated Mini Skirt in Plaid. Surprisingly, if you haven’t taken a closer look at the skirt, it has tiny stripes of blue mixed in.

Using my Stylebook App, I created two additional looks for this skirt. Each time I make a purchase I create multiple looks with my Stylebook App. This helps me decide whether or not I can really use it in my closet and also prepares me when I think I have “nothing-to-wear”. Sometimes they look great IRL and other times, the outfit is a big fail. I think this will look really cute IRL with the blue bows bringing out the blue in the plaid pattern of the skirt. Depending on the day, I may need to add tights or switch to tall boots instead of the booties.


Of course, a little check-on-check pattern-mixing will work too. I’ve added the Hugo Guinness sweater for a layering option. 

{update} This won’t look too bad styled with last years shirt in the same pattern. The Factory version might be a little closer in color to the gray in the skirt. 

I’m halfway through the day and still have a lot to do, including going to Vote! The days got away from me and I didn’t plan out a costume until yesterday. I’ll at least be sure to share on Instagram. I can’t wait to see all the little Princess Elsa’s and ghouls and goblins tonight. 
Have a Great Day!

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