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I had a salon appointment Thursday afternoon and since I was so close, I headed up to the outlets. I was very interested in seeing the new arrivals at the J Crew Factory Store, after hearing on Saturday they would be in Wednesday. There were lots of pretty new things, bright colors, new accessories and almost everything was on promo. Add the additional 20% off if you spend over $150 (see Alexis’s post here on the JCA blog) and you’ve got some good deals.

40% off Gallery Tees
30% off Fisherman Cable Sweaters, The Skimmer Pant, Footwear, Blazers, Jackets, Jackie Cardigan, Tunics/Cover-ups, Belts, and Jewelry
20% off Shorts, Skirts, Dresses and Suiting
Crewneck S/S Tee $16.99 promo
V-Neck S/S Tees $19.99 promo (The striped ones are very cute and I was tempted to get them in all colors.)

JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES 
There were lots of cute little critter necklaces along with some new types of pearls and other necklaces. Here were just a few I was able to snap pics of.

Crab Necklace (I meant to get this, being a Cancer and all, but I completely forgot.)

Ship’s Wheel Necklace

Jeweled Bee Necklace

Ladybug Necklace

Round Bauble Necklace in Blue, also comes in a Mustard-y Tan (at the bottom of the pic)

Jeweled Bee Earrings

Belts in a lot of colors
TOPS
Striped Jackie Cardigan – #65041, M, Navy – So I was eyeing this Loft sweater last week but it fit too cropped and tight in the arms, in a Medium, so I passed on it. This cardigan fits TTS and has bracelet sleeves and I don’t have a striped cardigan. And navy and white is so classic. – .$54.50 plus 30% off

Sailor Sweater – #65022, Sm, Sailor Blue – I sized down from my normal Medium. This fit well in the Small. I suppose it is meant to be loose and slouchy. Also comes in Black Linen. $69.50 plus 30% off

Floral Tunic – #12572, Sm, TAM – I believe this is meant to be worn as a cover-up, otherwise you’ll need a cami underneath to avoid exposing the girls. I have this pulled up some to avoid exposure. $59.50 plus 30% off

Factory Cap-Sleeve Blouse in Gingham – #66618, Sm, AGI Azalea Gingham? – Mary Ann or Ellie Mae? Cute but not for me. I don’t like elastic on my sleeves. See it here in Chambray. $44.50 plus 20% off

And look what’s made another come-back? I don’t/can’t see the style # but it is $59.50.

DRESSES
Cotton Shift Dress – #36740, 6, Navy – This is a very cute dress. It comes in Navy, Modern Red, and Natural. The Size 6 fit well through the bust and good through the waist seaming.

Modern Red, Sz 8 – You can see the pleating at the bust lays a little flatter than the 6. I preferred this size to the 6 but I would say get your normal size if you are interested in this dress. I would have bought this in both the Navy and Modern Red, if there had been an 8 in the Navy. $98 plus 20%

Cap-Sleeve Dress – #69414, 6, Popsicle Pink – This was a little tight in the bust an arms for me (elastic sleeve), and short. It zips up the back with an exposed zipper. And it a very PINK dress. I couldn’t not try it on, it was so bright. I would size up to an 8 but there weren’t any to try on. $89.50 plus 20%

Striped Dress – #68389, 8, Black – This is a very cute dress. It’s a pull-over style, with no zipper and only a button at the back of the neck. The waist is elastic in the back. As you can see it is a little blouse-y on top. I would have sized to a 6 but there were none left.

Dotted Strapless Dress – #23064, 8, Navy – This is a teeny tiny polka-dot dress, with pockets. I want to say this is the Lorelei style, in the retail version. Very cute.

Same Dress in a Size 6. This fit a little more snug in the top but I was able to zip this up all the way. I’d stay with an 8, which is what I’d normally get in a strapless dress.


SKIRTS
Seersucker Mini – #23294, 8, Classic Navy – Very cute mini skirt with some adorable buttons. $59.50 plus 20%

Textured Cotton Mini – #25807, 8, Wild Blackberry – I liked the texture of this mini. I have a pencil skirt in the same texture. It has a slightly exposed back zipper and comes in Natural and Rhubarb. I could have sized to a 6 as this was a little loose in the waist and hips. $56.50 plus 20%

Twill Bell Skirt – #61251, 8, Poppy – I prefer to wear an 8 in these elastic waist skirts so I can adjust how I wear it to give me more or less length. $58 plus 20% off

Agate, 6 – If there had been an 8 in this Viridian Green-ish color I would have brought it home with me. Love!

Vineyard Pencil Skirt – #65816, 6, DPE – A remade-for-factory retail skirt from last year. See it on me here. Fits TTs and just as cute as the retail version.

SHORTS
I did not try on any shorts but here are some in-store right now.
Pink Gingham

3-inch Critter Chino Short – Navy Ivory Anchors


 Bermuda in Modern Red and Pale Coral

And finally, here’s my OOTD and new ‘do.

Tippi Sweater – Heather Dark Grape
Anthro Havana Fresca Maxi Skirt
Cece Ballet Flats 

So what do you think of the New Factory Arrivals? Anything catch your eye?

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I was a busy little shopping bee this weekend, also stopping by and trying on some new Ann Taylor items. They’ve been having almost weekly promotions for a while now, with their current offering, as of Sunday night, being 40% off everything plus free shipping on a purchase of $150 or more.

Striped Scoopneck Short-Sleeve Tee – M, Green House, also comes in Black – I saw stripes everywhere all weekend. I had purchased the Marina Striped Boatneck Tee in Lush Green from Loft but it was too small so I was happy to find this one at AT.

Cotton Twill Perfect Walking Shorts – 8, Black, also comes in White and two tones of Khaki – This size was loose in the waist and hips on me so I sized to a 6.

Size 6 – A better fit throughout the waist and hips. I think these will be perfect for our trip to Europe this summer. These hit me right above the knee but may hit a little higher on you taller ladies. It’s a great comfortable short.

Cotton Side Zip Shorts – 8, Blue Lapis – Again, these were quite loose on me in the waist and hips. This is my favorite color of the Spring.

Size 6 – A much better fit throughout the waist and hips.

Modern Cropped Denim Jeans – 8, Blue (very similar in color to the Blue Grotto at J Crew). They also come in Campfire and Dayglow Yellow. The 8, again, was loose through the hip and thigh but I could tell they were not as tight or snug as the J Crew Garment Dyed-Twill Jeans.

Size 6 – A much better fit. Also, these are meant to be cropped but are ankle length on me (5′ 2″).

Dayglow Yellow in 6 – I think it was the color that shows more than I wanted. I didn’t try the 8 in these but might prefer them over the 6.

Scoopneck Short-Sleeve Tee – M, Blue Lapis – Another cute colored tee that fits TTS and comes in a variety of colors.

Striped Knit Top – #268151, Small, Green/Black, $78 – Fits TTs and feels like a ponte knit. It is not currently online.

 
Tuxedo Stripe Jeans – 6, Marine Blue – These are a slim fit jean with a black tuxedo stripe along the sides.  These are the regular not the Petite as you can see by the length on one leg, where I’m on my toes. Cute concept but not for me.

Colorblocked Silk Short-Sleeve Top – 6, Electric Blue – Fits TTs and is 92% Silk, 8% Spandex.

Doubleweave Fashion Ankle Pants – 6, Intense Cobalt – This is a Cotton/Poly/Spandex blend that feels like a ponte’ knit. These should hit an average height person right above the ankle but, of course, on me, below the ankle. This was quite comfortable and with the spandex will stretch out some when you wear them.

Whew! So that was my Ann Taylor afternoon. See anything you like? 

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I was able to stop by the J Crew Factory Store on Saturday and try on a few things. The store was a little bare but only because they are expecting a lot of Spring arrivals this Wednesday. Not sure when the update to the website will be for those items, or if it’s already happened. All sale items, ending in $0.97 cents was an additional 30% off, final sale.

Factory Perfect Shirt in Printed Cotton – #23871, Gallery Green, M – Fits TTS, like a 6/8. The green was really pretty which is what caught my eye. $59.50 w/extra 30% Perfect Shirts off in-store. Online price $34.50.

Factory Couplet Dress – #46975, EVE Evergreen?, 8 – The top was a little too blouse-y but the bottom fit well, not too tight. $59.97 plus 30% off Final Sale. Online price $69.99

Tinsel Lace Dress – Retail item found at the Factory Store – #58522, Black, 8 – This fit TTS for me as I am an 8 in the strapless dresses. Unlike the Tinsel Tweed Pencil Skirt, I did not feel the metallic threading poking through the lining. There are still several online available. $39.97 plus 30% off, final sale…yep…$28 bucks! This is $49.99 online.

Factory Siren Dress – #61911, Black, M – This size was a loose fit on me. I like the casual jersey feel of the dress. $29.97 plus 30% off final sale. Online price $49.99

Charcoal, S – This fit a little better, especially in the top.

Charcoal, XS – I could do this size but the look and fit of the small suited me better. They also had the Pale Wisteria in-store but not in the XS when I asked for additional sizes.

Factory Maritime Dress – #53854, Sail Blue, M – There wasn’t a Small for me to try on but that would be a better fit. The material is a little more soft than the retail version which is a tiny bit thicker. $74.50 plus 30% off Dresses

Factory Cotton V-Neck Sweater – #32714, Vivid Aqua, S – I could use a Medium in this so I would say TTS.  Lots of colors available online and in-store. $42 plus 25% off. Online price $34.50.
Factory Printed Cotton Sateen Mini – 27112, Red Topaz,6 – Cute print but an 8 would have been better for length. The 6 fit well through the hips. $29.97 plus 30% off final sale. All FP skirts were 25% off. Online price $34.50.

No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Double-Serge Cotton – #37415, Byzantine Blue, 6 – I loved this color as soon as I saw it. It is only online in the Black and Neon Rose, both of which I saw in-store. This fits TTS and as you can see, the length on me is right at the knee but the waist is sitting just at my natural waist. This one came home with me, as you saw from my earlier post.  $75 plus 25% off Skirts. Online price $65.00.

Factory Printed Pencil Skirt – #37532, Wisteria Multi, 4 – Oddly enough, the 4 fit me well, maybe a teeny bit snug through the hips but not bad at all. I like the print and it looked nice paired with the Cotton V-Neck Sweater in Vivid Aqua. There are three other colors offered online but I didn’t see them in-store. $79.50 plus 25% off Skirts. Online price $49.50.

Factory Skimmer Pant – #37033, Modern Red, 6 – This was the item I was most anticipating to try on. Unfortunately, there was no size 8 to try on in this color. The 6 was quite snug in the waist and hips. $59.50 I think there was a % off but I can’t remember what it was. Online price $49.50.

Dark Beechwood, 8 – This was a much better fit. The length on both the 6 and 8 hit me right below the ankle so it was not cropped at all. I would have this hemmed so that it would be a true skimmer pant.

Factory Dotted Shorts (online as the Factory Flora Paisley Lily Short) – #37569, FrostyMint, 8 – These were so cute. I wish they had been a 3-inch inseam. $49.50 plus 20% off (online price is $44.50)

So what do you think of these Factory offerings? 

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I have had a really busy weekend and it’s not quite over yet. Husband left for India for 16 days on Friday and left everything to the last minute, including checking his departure time which was 2 1/2 hours before he was supposed to leave. Luckily he had just zipped up his last bag so he was packed. He made his flight, due to some super-speedy/no-traffic-on-the-way driving by me and is now safely in his hotel in India.

And, since “checking what time you are supposed to be somewhere” seems to run in the family, The Boy missed his bus Saturday morning by getting the words “be there” and “leaving at” completely confused. As we were driving up to the school we passed by the bus at the traffic light. He called his teammates who were on the bus and they confirmed that, yes, they had left. So, since I had nothing else to do but run a 15 year-old all over Central Texas I drove him to the game, an hour away.

And it gets better.

We got to the fields and his team wasn’t there. When we left we were about 5 minutes ahead or behind the bus. I even stopped for breakfast so if they were behind us they would have caught up to us. Turns out the bus broke down about 20 minutes from the school. If I had gone the same way as the bus I would have 1) met up with them and 2) handed over The Boy. So, we killed about 45 minutes waiting for his team. Luckily, we were in our old hometown of New Braunfels, from 5 years ago, so we stopped at our favorite German bakery, Naegelin’s Bakery, for some donuts, I grabbed a Starbucks, we drove by our old home and we drove by Schlitterbahn aka “The Hottest, Coolest Time in Texas” and was the top water park as deemed by the Travel Channel.

Whew! So, once The Boy was handed off, I decided that since it was only a 15 minute drive I would go to the outlet mall. I hit up J Crew, of course, so be on the lookout for a review later today. They said new Spring arrivals would be in on Wednesday. And, once I left, since I apparently wasn’t done shopping, I came back home and went to the mall and Ann Taylor. So look for that review soon too. They have some colored jeans that are similar to J Crew’s Toothpick jeans in the new bright colors but they fit much much better, IMO.

Of course, after all that driving and shopping I needed a night out. I met up with some friends for dinner at Perry’s Steakhouse, which just opened. I had a wonderful time and some fantastic food. I knew I wanted to wear my Giraffe Cuff so I planned my outfit around the peachy colors in it. I originally had on this skirt, which I found yesterday at the J Crew Factory.

Sweater: Ann Taylor Extrafine Merino Wool 3/4 Sleeve Sweater, Cameo Pink, Small
Skirt: J Crew Factory Double-Serge Cotton Pencil Skirt, Byzantine Blue, 6 (Black and Neon Rose are online)
Shoes: Valentino Patent Bow Pumps

But when I walked outside it was just a little too cold to go bare-legged so I changed into these plaid cashmere pants I found on ebay late last year. They were a sample and fit like a dream. I had them hemmed to wear with heels. I added my Ecole Blazer in Brown Velvet for a little extra warmth on top.

You can kind of see that the peachy-pink tones of the bracelet go well with the sweater. It is such a statement piece. Our waiter even noticed it and commented on it.

I also stopped by Ann Taylor Loft on Friday and they had some very cute things for Spring, so I’ll be posting those items too. The only place I didn’t stop at and do try-ons was at Anthropologie. But maybe I’ll do that today or next weekend.

Have a Great day and look for my review posts soon.

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I think I’ve been doing pretty well with my “one in, two out” closet purge. I’m not quite even but I have sold 32 “loved but not worn” items from my closet to others who will “love AND wear” them. Not bad for 13 days. Today, I went by J Crew to make two returns – the Jackie Pullover in Canvas and the Stripe Sweater Dress. I was just going to return both items but I did walk around the store to see if there was anything that peaked my interest to try on but I didn’t find anything…except for this.

Enameled Giraffe Cuff

Isn’t she just the cutest thing? It was the last one in the store and I was told this is an in-store only item so it may not show up online. It’s $98 and the Style # may be 74693 from what I can tell on the tag attached to it.  The Frog Necklace was sold out and so was the Bubble Necklace in yellow, which I never saw. It has a hinge where it opens, which you can see in the second picture.

What do you think of the Giraffe Cuff?