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Looks like J Crew snuck in a little extra roll-out this week at the Factory. Here are my picks.

The Peplum Dress is in Stretch Cotton and looks gorgeous online.

The Gilded Jacquard we saw last year at the Retail store comes in shorts, a shirt, and a mini skirt.

The Jeweled Sweatshirt is back in two colors and short-sleeves.

I found the Addie Loafers in Chambray Dot at the B&M Outlet and they are just as cute in person, though I’ll probably return them.

The Anya Ballet Flat is back in the Hummingbird print. Great for those of you who prefer flats to heels.

Denim shorts in a two washes and also White.

I ordered the Coral Tweed Shorts to see how they looked IRL. I’m trying to be realistic with myself. I work from home and live in shorts all Summer long. Skirts and lightweight or sleeveless dresses are for date-night and even then, a dressy short and heels is the first outfit I plan.

The Bateau Striped tee is back in three colors: Pink, Navy and Grey. I ordered the first two.

Prices look to be low today, especially for the shorts and tees since there’s a online “sale” through tonight. I suspect they will return closer to the original prices tomorrow. I’ll have reviews tomorrow of a few Factory finds from the 50% off weekend. 

Happy Shopping!

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Two of the new arrivals I could not decide on were the Schoolboy Blazer in Tipped Linen and the Schoolboy Blazer in Linen in Tornado Grey. With the Cardholder promo I ordered both to see which one I liked the best.

Unfortunately, they arrived today and I like them BOTH! I decided, after seeing the Linen in Grey that I needed a Grey Blazer for Spring/Summer. I ordered the Navy in the Tipped Linen in my size, 10 Petite. I chose the Navy because it looked like a bright gray as opposed to Blue. The sizing is perfect and now that I know how blazers should fit me based on that size I am a little picky.

I love that the Ruffled Rhinestone Shirt looks so good as a layering piece when I review blazers.

The white contrasts very well against the crosshatch. The blazer is lined in an Acetate/Poly stripe. The sleeves do have the striped lining and not a solid color. The buttons are lightweight and not like the Lexington buttons of yore but we all know that nothing compares to the Lexi. Now I think I might want the white one too. Although I’m seeing the lining show through the sleeves in the online pics. Not sure if I like that or not.

The Schoolboy Blazer in Linen in the Tornado Grey color looks true to the online images. When I took it out of the packaging I thought “meh, maybe not”, but then I put it on. I think it’s the Ruffled Rhinestone Shirt that sold me. 

Love how the ruffle it peeking just above the collar.

This is completely solid grey with no tipping on the outside anywhere. I don’t really care for the brown buttons too much. I think another color like Navy or White would have been nice. There’s an inside pocket. The lining is 100% cotton. The body lining is grey but the sleeve lining is striped. Love that!

Side-by-side…will they be friends in my closet or will I send one away?

Something that struct me as odd was that there is felt under the collar on the Linen Blazer. I think the same lining as the sleeves would have been a nice little touch instead. The Tipped Linen Blazer doesn’t have anything under the collar but the collar is tipped.

The Linen Blazer is a little heavier in weight than the Tipped Linen Blazer. It also feels a little rougher/sturdier/thicker. Not sure which but the Tipped Linen Blazer does feel thinner to the touch.

So my dilemma is do I keep both or return one? Which one if I do? I don’t find anything wrong with the Tipped Linen Blazer. I do have the Collection Classic Schoolboy Blazer in Tipped Linen from last Spring but that’s a darker Navy than this one. And I don’t have any other Springtime blazers. And the Grey is really nice and not something I think I could find elsewhere. I’ll figure it out, of course. 
 

Have a Great Evening!

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During a visit to J Crew last week I saw some new shoes arrivals. The first is the Emma Studded-Toe Fabric Ballet Flats. I slipped on the Emma’s once before and wasn’t fond of the fit. I tried on my normal size 7 and toe box was tighter and the elastic ruching bothered me. I am disappointed the Cece Ballet Flat has been discontinued and the Emma is the new Ballet Flat. Luckily, I have the Cece’s in the colors I want. The extensive ruching is the main reason I don’t have any of the Tory Burch Reva’s.

The Cleo Fabric Loafers are nice in Navy Ivory although I like the Turquoise Orange Plaid a lot better. They look a lot more fun and I have the Addie Printed Loafer from the Factory that will substitute well for these.

What J Crew shoes have caught your eye this Spring?

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I placed my first Boden order a few weeks ago. Dina always has great reviews of Boden so I finally took the plunge. First, the Chic Denim Mini, size 8 in Indigo, fits well and is sitting on my hips. Because of this, the approximately 19 1/2 inch length is a little longer then my preferred just-above-the-knee length. There isn’t any extra room in the waist or hips so sizing to a 6 is not an option. Despite that, this is a great basic denim skirt that will look great with heels or flats. Easy to throw on for the Spring and tights and boots will transition this to Fall and Winter.

The Audrey Sweater in Navy Stitch is a size Medium. This is a wonderful sweater and fits perfectly. This is definitely something I will purchase again. The Cerulean Blue and Ivory are next on my list. One way i know that I love an item is that I wear it immediately. Within days, and because we had another temp drop, I was able to wear this sweater during my week in the office. I was comfortable and chic all day.

The Embroidered Shirt, size 8, intrigued me because of the Navy/White combo and because of the embroidery. The fit through the shoulders and chest is good but the length seems a little short, even for me. I tucked it into the Chic Denim Mini and after a little movement it started to come un-tucked. Though I love the embroidery in the front I am on the fence with this shirt.

Last is the Great White Shirt. I’ve been on the hunt for a White shirt that is not “plain Jane” and I think I’ve found it! This is the short-sleeved version and is a GREAT fit in the size 8. I steamed the ruffles and added a Jackie Cardigan over it for a long day at the office, then a Good-Bye Happy Hour and The Boy’s soccer game. I cannot wait to wear this shirt again. Absolutely Love IT!!!

I am very happy with my new Boden items and will definitely be searching their site for my next purchases. 
Have a Great Week!

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Another stop on my alone day was Anthropologie. I am more of a Spring/Summer Anthro shopper so it was nice to see some new items for those seasons in the store.

The Lacepane Blouse, by Leifsdottir, in Coral is a very Neon Coral. I liked the color but I know some of the online reviews were a little upset as it was not true to the online color. I chose a size 8, my normal in Leifsdottir and it fit well to a little big through the waist. This is a pull-over style that does not have any buttons or a zipper. I had a little bit of an issue taking it off as there was no give. A side-zip would have been a big help. I think this will linger until sale, maybe even 2nd cuts because of that issue.

The Serein Blouse by Leifsdottir states “online only” but my store had this. I grabbed a size 8 in this and it fits in the shoulders and arms so sizing to a 6 would not work in this blouse. It would run tight in that area. The chest and waist is flowy but the material is very see-through. I like flowy but want it a little more tailored than this.

Just a big ol’ mess in the back and still see-through too.

I grabbed a Small in the Savant Swing Dress and though it fit, again, in the upper-body and arms it was still too wide and big through the body. You can see it’s pretty short as well. It was very comfortable on and probably a dress I would wear all day and then to bed! I’ve added the Black Motif to my wishlist, hoping I’ll catch it on sale.

There’s an elbow patch which makes my upper arm look huge and then super skinny past my elbow. Weird.

This is the Grey colorway, in the same size Small. It look so much bigger than the Striped Black version above.

The Insieme Vegan Leather Dress looked interesting enough on the hanger to take to the fitting room. I think I grabbed a Small but it could have been a Medium. I’ll double-check and update I loved the flow of the dress and whatever size this was is the best fit. Despite not having a need for this dress I added it to my Wishlist.

I took an 8 in the Marin Dress and though that was the right size the denim zippered pockets make this a hot mess for me. I think they should have been the same stripes going the opposite direction and no zippers. The material is sturdy, but it does have an exposed zipper down the back. The side insets gave the illusion of a waist but the whole dress is just meh for me.

 go away already

I am usually a size 6 in Maeve clothing so that’s what I’m wearing in the Canna Shift. Though it looks like it fits well the chest is snug. I need to try an 8 to fix that issue and then see if the armholes don’t dip lower. I love this scarf print and the blue floral is just as pretty. The red is a very cute mod-style dress with the pattern  line just at the hips giving an illusion of a drop waist.

The Cleo Silk Tunic was the main reason I went into the store. I grabbed a Small based on the online reviews stating the shoulders had a lot of room to give. That was the right call. I love the print and this feel so comfortable on. Perfect length, it skims the hips and the shoulders and arms are fit great. I bought this dress and wore it within a few days, which almost never happens. I would love to find more like this. It was easy to throw on and will be nice during the warmer Spring temps with sandals.

I am usually a Spring/Summer Anthro shopper and there are some beautiful dresses I’m really liking. What has caught your eye at Anthro lately?