My PS messaged me to let me know my store had received the Collection Jeweled Collar Sweater aka Jeweled Peter Pan Collar Sweater in the store and was gorgeous. That part I knew but I was unsure about the sizing. After reading posts from My4Boys, AJC and ShopWithM I prepared myself to be let down. (I couldn’t find FFM’s post.)

And I initially was. I tried on my normal size Medium in sweaters this was boxy and ill-fitting all around. The underarm part of the sleeves looked almost Dolman-like. Even my PS agreed with me and suggested I size to a Small and since I was already let down I knew a different size couldn’t make it look much worse. 

See…Dolman
Oh, but a lovely jeweled collar. 
And it wasn’t worse. It was better. I was plesantly surprised and in lust again with this beautiful sweater. The sleeves are a tiny bit tight but through the body the fit was much better. Yes, it’s a little itchy being Alpaca/Wool but not as much as the currently in-store only Peter Pan collar sweater. 
Size Small
This super itchy wool Peter Pan Collar Sweater is offered in Burgandy and Navy. It’s very cute but seems very girly…like little girl girly. Take a look.
I don’t know if you can see the detail of the shoulders that well but they are slightly puffy and the sweater is very thin. So, puffy shoulders with a cutesy Peter Pan collar and club-girl see through all in one. Yep, so not for me. I’m not even sure what you could wear under this sweater other than a long-sleeved tee. Not a collared sweater and I’m not sure a turtleneck would look good. 

Unfortunately I did not get a picture of the tag but according to FshnOnMyMind the style # is 15559 and it’s $89.50. I’m wearing the Navy sweater with the Pleated Crepe Skirt in Vibrant Fuchsia. (I didn’t think Fuchsia could get any more Vibrant or bright but that’s the Crew for ya.) I have on a size 6 and it fit well. I was really interested in the Cabernet colorway but remembered I have the Burgandy Double Serge Cotton Pencil Skirt so I don’t need that color. The material is a bit heavier in weight and is Poly according to the website…booo! And lined in Poly…double boo! That skirt is a pass, especially since they want $128 for a Poly skirt. I’m not sure why but the Pleated Skirt in Polka Dot Crepe says is Silk Crepe de Chine. I didn’t get a pic of the tag so I’m hoping the website is wrong. It seems longer on the model too but it’s 19 inches long. It does look good all the way around, IMO.

Wearing the Neon Azalea Sydneys!
Side View
Back View

I was in a rush when I tried these on and just went in to try on the Jeweled Collar Sweater. I have an official PS appointment Friday evening. The Boy and I will also be school shopping. I’m hoping he’ll put a few more JC items in his wardrobe other than tees. I saw the most beautiful blazer in the men’s section but I don’t think he’s ready for that. We’ll see.

Though I don’t say it enough…Thanks for reading!


I might have gone a little overboard in the Bright / Neon color category with the last J Crew 30% off sale.

Exhibit A
Telegram Hobo in Byzantine Blue
Exhibit B
Sydney Patent Sandals in Casablanca Blue and Neon Azalea
Not enough evidence?  Ok…how about altogether?
Cashmere Tee in Neon Peach
Cashmere Tee in Neon Fuchsia

You should see them all IRL. No flashlight needed when the power goes out. I’ll just grab one of these items to light my way.

I can work with all of these, actually, except for the Neon Azalea Sydney Sandals, unlike Pink Peonies. She’s rocking the Neon Azalea. I walked my closet twice and tried to make them work with at least two things, other than jeans. I couldn’t do it. Those will be returned since that color was not Final Sale. 
What do you think of my new brights? 

~Word to your mother!

 

OK, I get a little skeeved out by snakeskin prints. So when I saw this print in the No. 2 Pencil Skirt I knew it would not be making it into my closet. But, there’s no harm trying it on for blog’s sake, right?

No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Snake Print, Sz 6 – This is a wool/silk blend and fit TTS. The length seems a little long, more than normal. If I were to buy this it would be in a Petite 8 to shorten it up a little.
Blythe Blouse, Neon Kiwi, Sz 6 – Wow, is this bright. Even more so when paired with the Collection Cashmere Cardigan, in Neon Kiwi, Sz M.
This skirt is a pass for me. I’ll wait for another skirt in a print I prefer.
What do you think of this print and skirt?

If you live near a Factory Store, stop by soon. Mine is an hour away but is also in the same city as my company’s office so I stop by at least once a month. The Factory Store has started a new incentive to get more people to the B&M and shopping. They’ve introduced a “frequent shopper” program/card called The Factory Five. Each time you make a purchase at the B&M Factory Store you’ll receive a stamp. On your 5th purchase you’ll receive 15% off. The card expires 12 months after your first purchase.

This is only valid at J Crew Factory and crewcuts Factory Stores and not for any online purchases. The card also says the 15% off promo can’t be combined with other promos or discounts but I’m not sure how much of that will hold true. Each time I go to the Factory Store EVERYTHING has a promo. It is valid on sale items at the Factory.
AND…I also received this percent-off card stating new arrivals would be in next week. This discount is by amount spent so a $100 purchase gives you 10% off, $150=20% off and $200=25% off and is valid from 8/6 through 8/26, just in time for back-to-school shopping. 
Live the Factory Five card, this is not valid for any online or phone purchases from the Factory Store. You must visit a B&M to get the discount.

Just saying that maybe a Sunday drive is in order to pick up these two goodies.

What do you think of these two offers?

I love being able to stop by the Factory Store right after new arrivals come in. There is plenty of stock in the store and everything is organized so well. Tuesday was no exception. And the bonus was I had great customer service from an SA, which rarely occurs in my Factory store. Everything had a percent or dollar off and I grabbed several things to try on.

Here’s the list of everything I could find that was on sale in the store. This was as of Tuesday, July 31.
Skirts 30% off
Schoolboy Blazers $10 off
Perfect Shirts 25% off
Long-Sleeve Novelty Ringspun Tees 30% off
Denim 30% off
Long-Sleeved Perfect Fit Tees 20% off
Colored Toothpick Jean 20% off
Ballet Flats 20% off
Scarves 30% off
Handbags 20% off
Hair Accessories 40% off
Jewelry 20% off
Gallery Tees 20% off
Cardigans: Solids 20% off, Patterned 30% off
Mini Skirts 30% off
Belts 30% off
Dresses 30% off
Thandie Sweater 50% off
Women’s Shoes 20% off
Summer Thandie Sweaters 50% off
Perfect Shirt in Printed Cotton, Dark Pewter, Sz M – Fit TTS, cute print
Pencil Skirt in Corduroy, Autumn Bluegrass, Sz 6 – This is a pretty color for fall but since I have the Viridian Green from last year I passed on this skirt. 
Lace Up Boot (MacAlister Bootie), Nut, #52868, Sz 7, $168 – Fits TTS. Cute but not my style.
Bicycle Tee, Bright Spearmint, #42836, Sz M, $34.50 – Again, a sucker for mint but I held strong and passed on this tee.
Classic Corduroy Mini, Autumn Blaze, Sz 8 – This was more of a Neon Papaya color and I was naturally attracted to it. Me/Bright Colors=Moth/Flame
Perfect Shirt in Printed Cotton, Golden Hickory, Sz M – Fits TTS, lightweight
Toothpick Cord, Bright Mineral, Sz 30 – A pretty mint colored cord…I love me some mint green.
Printed Pencil Skirt in Stretch Cotton, Rouge, Sz 6 – I love this print have already have it in the dress and Flair skirt. 
Quincy Tartan Shirt, #23225, EGR, Sz M, $59.50 – I have the retail version of this shirt and it’s one of my favorites.
Toothpick Jean in Garment Dye, Brilliant Cobalt, Sz 30 – This was a beautiful cobalt blue and fit well. I pass on colored jeans, especially skinny ones; too trendy for me.
Draped Novelty Top, Navy, Sz M – This was very big and boxy. I have the retail version. If I recall this one does not have an exposed zipper but it’s Poly (booo).
Colorblock Novelty Top, CBL, #91581, Sz M, $64.50 – Again, big, boxy, Poly.
Lace Tank, Black, #77475, Sz 6, $64.50 – I never tried the retail version of this tank but the Factory version in Ivory was almost sold out in the store. 
Schoolboy Blazer, Maraschino Cherry, #92480, Sz 8, $168 – This fit TTS in a beautiful cherry color. This has a seersucker print lining.
Classic Chambray Dress, Blissful Blue, Sz M – Way too big on me. The denim felt nice; not too stiff.
I had trouble deciding between these last two dresses. I really wanted both as they fit well. The Workday Dress in Pinstripe (Director Dress in Pinstripe Wool), Navy, Sz 6, was a surprise pick for me. I did not notice this dress online but, on a whim, decided to try it on in the store. It fit just like the retail version I tried on last Fall/Winter and makes me look long and lean. It’s a WOW dress.  
Paulina Suede Pumps (Mona Suede Pumps), Dark Cedar, #95994, Sz 7, $118 – These fit TTS and this is such a pretty shade for Fall. I left these in the store and regret it as they were selling quickly.
It’s fully lined and 99% Wool/1% Poly.

The Pleated Shift Dress was the other dress causing me grief. I missed out on the Sally Dress last Winter and after trying on the Jules Dress in Retro Jade I wanted that dress/a dress in this color. The 100% Polyester was not deterring me from really liking/loving this dress. I have on a size 6 and it fit TTS. 

In the end, I took home the Pleated Dress and am happy I did. The Workday Dress is currently online at a lower price than the actual Factory B&M and the SHOPNOW 30% works with this item. How do I know? Because I did order it this evening. So I will have both dresses! I’ll have to look in my closet and see what needs to go, since I want to keep both of these dresses. 

What do you think of these Factory offerings?