/ Reviews

J Crew has new arrivals in store starting today. I was supposed to have received an invitation to the store event but it never came in the mail. I don’t think all the items are in store. At least not mine. I can’t wait to see what is online. They went with a Navy blue theme and it’s so pretty.

Here are pics of what I tried on. I bought several items too. (Forgive me, I don’t know the J Crew names for these items.)

Sleeveless brown & tan ruffle collar shirt w/Navy Mica Mini
The fit was a little tight right at the underarms for me with a size 6. The 8 was o.k. but seemed too big. I liked it but not enough (you’ll understand once you see the other stuff.)


Zoom of the collar


Cream T & Blue Stone Flower
I’m a sucker for an J Crew beaded T. I have so many I really need an intervention. I didn’t realize the pattern were flowers until I looked on the inside of the shirt. This shirt should only be worn with good posture (shoulders back ladies) as the stones adjust the shirt if you are standing straight up.


Zoom of beaded flower.

Here it is in Grey w/Pink Stones.

 

Zoom of stones.

One of my favorites – Royal Blue & Black Calligraphy Mini
This didn’t appeal to me on the hanger but the SA recommended it so I tried it on. Loved it!

Podna Beaded T
Meh…THE/BRASS/BAND are all beaded.


Zoom
I’m going to call this Navy Ikat Print Short (3 in).
I love the pattern and they had this in a mini too which I loved more than the shorts but I went with the shorts (for now). I got a size bigger so they wouldn’t be so short on me.


Zoom of pattern

Navy Ikat Mini
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS (As I type I wish I had gotten it. So what if I purchased 3 skirts instead of 2.)


Denim Perfect Shirt
This is the most comfortable shirt I’ve ever tried on. The SA recommended it too. They had this exact pairing on a mannequin with a brown belt (no belt loops). Looked great so I had to try it on with the shorts too. It looks a little weird on me because I was in a hurry when I tucked it in.

Zoom of Demin Perfect Shirt

Navy Mica Mini
This is so much prettier than the picture shows. I got a size bigger so it wouldn’t be so mini on me.

I got all of these except the Podna T, Navy Ikat Mini (which I’m kicking myself for…I really think I’m going back and exchanging the short for the mini…I just have to remember what size I tried on) and the Brown/Tan Ruffle Collar shirt. I also got a few essential V-Neck T’s since they were on sale and the Ombre’ capri sandals in Hydrangea (grey).
They also had the Ombre’ pencil skirt but in Navy. The Daffodil was on sale. There were other new items but nothing really standing out. I’d love to see or know what was in other J Crew B&Ms in bigger markets/cities. They did not have the polka dot dress from InStyle magazine.

/ Bella Picks

I posted my first item for sale on ebay last night. A pair of Christian Louboutin Ballerina Flats. I love them but have never worn them since they don’t fit. I know I shouldn’t have bought them but I had been coveting them for so long and when I found them at the outlet I had to have them. Size was something I could work out. But, alas, that was not the case.


Of course, I did this after I spent too much money shopping today. I was only going to J Crew to try on a dress and order the other color it came in. But, J Crew is in the mall and I had a coupon for Victoria’s Secret (free panty) and Banana Republic (25% off $100 or more) and wanted to stop by Sak’s to see if they had the Nanette Lepore dress.
J Crew: I tried on the Embossed Cotton Dip-Dye Lorelei dress in Papaya and the Ombre’ Lorelei dress in Mineral Grey. I ordered the Dip-Dye Lorelei dress in Navy.

They were both very pretty and summery. I don’t know if J Crew does this for all their strapless dresses but there was a band in the back, like on a bra, that you hooked for more support. I’m always worried with strapless dresses that I will not have enough support to keep it held up and it will fall at the most in-opportune time. But this was supportive and I did remember to wear a strapless bra with it too. I don’t have any fears that this will fall off me.
V/S: Naturally, some more undergarment staples-bras and panties. I did buy two of their Bio-Fit bras – a regular one and the 7-way one but I haven’t tried them on yet.
Banana Republic: I bought a silver multi-chain necklace and a halter giraffe print top.


Sak’s: This is the other upscale department store we have in the area. It was here way before the Neiman Marcus showed up and has a much better shoe salon (IMO). They also had a 30% off sale. I breezed through the women’s and shoe side before heading to J Crew knowing I’d have to go back through on my way out. I’m glad I did. I found some pretty, royal blue Kate Spade heels on sale. I can’t wait to wear them tomorrow with my yellow Tabitha tunic I bought at Anthropologie. I found some nice Cole Haan’s for my mom – a late mother’s day present. I saw all the beautiful Louboutin’s they had along with Jimmy Choo’s! I did look for my Nanette Lepore dress I wanted but couldn’t find it there.

 

This is the Nanette Lepore dress I’m lusting over. It’s called the Helios Tunic Dress

 I ended up ordering it online from Neiman Marcus. I didn’t want it to “get away” because I know I won’t be able to find it again. I hope it’s just a gorgeous in real life and that it fits!
NOW I have to be done with shopping, right? I do have to work in the office tomorrow so I might stop by the outlet mall and check out Barney’s and NM Last Call.
We shall see!

/ Random

I tried making Mexican Martinis for the first time yesterday. I have to say they were pretty tasty.

Mexican Martini

2 oz Lime Juice (1 lime)
1 oz Orange Juice (1/2 orange)
1-2 oz Sprite
2 oz Tequila
1 oz Cointreau
Splash of olive juice
Jalapeno stuffed Olive for garnish

Add ice, shake and serve in Martini glass

 

Tips
Don’t use sweet and sour.

Don’t use cheap tequila. (I’m talking the one with the worm in it. DON’T.) I prefer Patron.
If it’s too strong (hahaha) add a little Sprite to the glass.
I squeeze the lime juice right into the shaker but I use a juicer to juice the orange.

If this is for a group of people don’t use frozen juice. Use Minute Maid o.j. and the lime juice from the bottle.