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Many years ago I disliked Cashmere very much because it was too itchy. My opinion has since changed and I love wearing it alone or layered. I must have had a bad batch or something because cashmere is no longer itchy to me but so soft and cozy. I could wear it all day, every day. And I pretty much have been doing just that.

Right now I am a J Crew snob and only have J Crew Cashmere BUT I do want to try other brands (Talbots, LE, etc.) if I can find just the right color. I have purchased at least one “fun” color and one “staple” color a year. I have a range of Tees (short and long-sleeve), Cardigans, V-Neck Sweaters, and Shawl Collar Sweaters. I have only bought my Cashmere on sale or with a % off or both (as it seems to be with JC these days). The rest I have found on ebay, quite the treasure trove out there, but I know you KWIM.

As far as my “fun” colors, I have Bright Dahia, Deep Poppy, a true Red from Old Navy, Jalapeño, Viridian Green or something similar to that, Dark Orange, Pink and Turquoise. For my “staple” colors, I have Snow (white), Black, Navy, Heather Caramel (camel), Cobblestone (gray) and Green. I like the fun colors because they do liven up a pair of jeans or pants. 

So, I found some time to take 3 outfit pics this week. I am lucky I have found made the time to get dressed every day. But each day I’ve had little errands to run so I’m not doing it at the last minute on Christmas Eve.

Monday…I felt patriotic but very warm and cozy. My legs were a little cold and could have used tights and boots instead of flats. I LOVE the Flair Skirt. It was a sizing issue for me that made me originally not like it but when I found my perfect size I was happy with the fit and “flair” of it all.

Sweater: J Crew Cashmere L/S Tee, Dark Poppy
Skirt: J Crew Flair Skirt, Navy, 8P
Shoes: Prada Calf Hair Flats (I’ve had these beauties for 6 years!)

Wednesday…I really like the color of these cords. I never saw them online so I believe they were an in-store only color. I had these hemmed for flats even though I bought the 29 Short. I think she removed at least two inches. As for this tee, I thought I had lost it. It had been missing for almost a year and then one day when I was going through my “handwash” only laundry I found it. Yay!

Cardigan: J Crew Cashmere Cody, Cobblestone
Tee: J Crew Reindeer Tee (2009)
Pants: J Crew Stretch Vintage Bootcut Cords, Bristol Blue (in-store color)
TOMS Shoes Black Glitter
Today…I wanted to somewhat re-create this look. I know the image is a little small and blurry but you can go here to see it. 
I liked the Tuxedo pant with the scarf and the glittery shoes. I completely missed out on this scarf but was able to find it at ASOS for much less than the JC Cashmere Scarf. Thank you Andrea, over at Life’s Divine blog, for pointing me to it! (Also see the Forever 21 scarf!) I wanted to layer the Cashmere Tee but realized I do not have a black button-down shirt other than the Tartan Perfect Shirt, which I wore Thursday (sorry no pic) so I couldn’t wear it again. (You can see it in my Polyvore strip on the right.) I settled on a J Crew Haberdashery in White from a few years ago along with Wool Tuxedo pants. I added the Asos scarf and I was off to J Crew. 
Shirt: J Crew Haberdashery, White
Sweater: J Crew Cashmere Tee, Snow
Pants: J Crew Wool Tuxedo Pants (ebay)
Shoes: Steve Madden Madee, Glitter

Scarf: Asos
I think I finally found a present for Husband the he will not expect. Not only is he hard to buy for but he spoils his gifts every year, including the Kindle he was going to get this year. He also found a stocking-stuffer and tried to use it before I caught him. The Boy is easy – cash and gift cards to Barnes & Nobles. But I am working with Santa on a special gift this year. Something he’s not expecting at all. As for what I want, thank goodness for the Amazon Universal Wishlist Button or I wouldn’t have anything under the tree. Not that I really want anything but it’s helpful for the in-laws so they can pick something they know I will like.
Well, I’m off to try and wrap some presents this evening. Tomorrow I will be shopping for the nephews and niece and grabbing stocking-stuffers.
Have a Great evening!

Merry Christmas!

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Husband and I are off to an office Christmas party this evening. The dress code stated “Christmas Casual”. This is about as “casual” as I’m going to get and still feel fan-cee.

Sparkley top, bright pants, fab shoes = Christmas Casual
Let’s add bangs…
OK…let’s not.

And talk about those shoes…my favorites from last year, the J Crew Flannery Platform Peep-Toe. I love everything about this shoe. The different textures: flannel, suede, patent. The heel height with a platform making it very manageable to walk-in. The mary-jane strap and the peep-toe that has the maroon patent peeking out.

The top is J Crew Factory I purchased last month and the pants are the Lolli’s from last year. I’ll throw on my Boutonniere Blazer from last year and be ready to go. I must confess it was really hard to keep this outfit my version of casual. And from also being too typical “Christmas-y”. You know, lots of red and or green.

How would you do Christmas Casual?

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One of my last few orders from the recent J Crew Sale-a-paloozas were the Jules Dress in wool and the Stripe Sweater Dress. I had been eyeing the Sweater Dress for a while and like how it is styled online with a white button-up underneath. I have much love for the Jules Dress in Wildcat and was hoping I would like one of the solid colors just as much.

First up the Jules Dress. I debated for a few days between the Heather Aluminum (Gray) and the Fresh Strawberry. I could add pops of color to the Gray or add black or navy to tone down the Strawberry so it was a tough choice. I ended up choosing the Fresh Strawberry to have a bright color to punch up the winter time.

This is a size 8, which is the same size as the one in Wildcat that I own. I’m not quite sold on this. The wool is nice and lightweight. The color is not a strong red but is still pretty bright. I think I should have gotten the gray but my size is now sold-out so if I return this one I may not have another chance at it again, in either color.

Next up is the Stripe Sweater Dress. This is a Size Medium. It is a little loose in the shoulders and upper arms for me, which is a nice change for me and means it won’t feel tight when I add a button-down underneath. As you can see, short-arm syndrome has struck again but the sleeves can be cuffed. I like the length as well on this too. And, it’s not itchy. And the color, I love the color.

Side View

Here it is belted, which I really like. I lost a teeny bit of length but now it has some shape to it.

Two front pockets you barely notice

I would say you could size down on this one. I could exchange it for a Small but because of how I plan to wear it, layered and belted, I will stick with a Medium. Also, I think the stripes are a nice width that they don’t make me look wider than I already am in the hips.

So what do you think of these two dresses? Plan on purchasing them during the new promo offer?

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On Wednesday I took the afternoon off and went to the Prime Outlets “up the road” with my friend Catalina. I hadn’t been shopping shopping at the outlet in a long time. Usually when I’m in town, it is for work and then I just pop in to the J Crew FS. I’ve never had enough time to walk around and pop in to the other stores. We had a lot of fun and brought home a few things.

First off, from J Crew, natch…Most everything in the store was an extra percentage off. One thing I did notice was that they received a lot more shoes so they had them on a wall as opposed to the other side of the jewelry stand. Otherwise, there was nothing new from my last trip there.

Cece Tortoise Ballet Flats

Tissue Turtleneck Tees

I have been looking for a brown bootie for a while. I have 3 pairs of the J Crew Bronson booties and love them. (I’ll do a “Shoes-day” post on them soon.) I found these Cole Haan Cheyenne booties at Neiman Marcus Last Call. I had originally found them at the Cole Haan outlet for $238 plus 30% off. Then we went to NMLC and I found them for $169 plus 30% off. Of course I took the others back. They don’t have Nike Air but that’s ok as Cole Haan shoes are well made. Cole Haan did have these in Black but NMLC did not.

At the Lucky Brand outlet, Catalina and I both loved this cardigan and we both bought it. The embroidery on it is just perfect. I’ve always been a fan of their items that have embroidery on it. This, as well as a few other items in the store were buy one get on 50% off.

At Talbots I tried on a few skirts that were reminiscent of the J Crew Harvest Tweed items but was unable to find a size that fit well. I felt like I was in The Three Bears: The 6 was too small. The 8P was pulling at the hips and the 8 was too loose. None were just right.

When I walked out of the dressing room, Catalina had this skirt in her hands. I found another one in the petite section. It is exactly like the J Crew Merino Pleated Skirt except it is not 100% wool but a wool blend. Considering what happened to my original skirt from J Crew, the first thing I did was pull at the waistband seaming to see if it would come apart. I guess because it is a wool blend the stitching was staying put. This, and most skirts, were 50% off so I go this for $40.

Kate Spade was another stop we made. I hadn’t been in the store since it opened a few years ago. I wanted almost one of everything. Handbags were all 30% off and some were even another 30% off. After seeing the wallets I really wanted one but couldn’t make a decision on which one so I ventured to the clothes. I found the City Lights skirt but since I had just received my City Lights scarf from the Sample Sale I passed on it.

I did find the Matinee Floral Top on sale for $89 plus 60% off. I love all the different colors in it.

I also found the Celeste Too Pumps in Fuchsia on sale for $225 plus 40% off. They also had the black satin and the black wool, both very pretty. I just couldn’t pass up this gorgeous festive color.

We had a lovely afternoon browsing and getting each other’s opinions on clothes. I always shop alone and it was kind of fun to shop with someone else for a change. We promised each other we would not wear our cardigan at the same time (but if we do, I won’t mind because it is just too cute.)
And here is what I wore. I wanted to be comfortable but not chilly since it was cool outside so I layered a tee, dress and scarf.
Dress: J Crew Sweater Dress, ebay find
Tee: J Crew Perfect Fit
Scarf: Airy Wool Scarf
Boots: Corso Como

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I was immediately drawn to the Vintage Violet color of the Vintage Matchstick Cords. These pants are such a pretty light purple color. I had an issue with the length, even at the “short” inseam of 30 inches. I finally found an alterations place that is good and inexpensive so I had these altered to go with flats. They are now perfect.

All J Crew
Stretch Perfect Shirt in Navy Check, 8
Silkspun Sweater, Frosty Lavender, M
Vintage Matchstick Cords, Vintage Violet, 29S
Cece Suede Ballet Flats, Wild Berry, 7
What do you think? A little too bright or matchy with color?