/ Reviews

On to some reviews of the latest J Crew roll-out. I’m starting with my unexpected and favorite item, the Ponte Wide-Leg Pant.

~ Linen V-Neck Tee, Bright Butternut, Small ~
~ Ponte Wide-Leg Pant, Navy, size 6 ~
~ Dulci Suede Kitten Heels, Black, size 6 1/2 ~

I sized down to a Small in the tee and it’s still somewhat slouchy on me. The Bright Butternut color was very saturated and bright. A nice color to wear for Spring under a Navy or White blazer. They were just to try on with the pant but The Dulci Suede Kitten Heels fit a half size small. My normal shoe size is a 7 but I did feel more comfortable in the 6 1/2.

JC_Ponte_LinenTee

~ Ponte Wide-Leg Pant, Navy, size 6 ~

This pant was just so amazing. I felt great in them. They felt great on. I’m in a size 6, one size down from my normal 8 pant size. The Navy is nice and dark. The side-zip only has a little poking out, as you can see. I lightened up the first photo so you can see how they really fit on me. I honestly don’t even think Spanx are needed with these pants. The ponte is thick enough to hold you in all on their own. They are supposed to be a bit cropped but, for me, the length is perfect, with or without a heel.

JC_PonteHeels

Normal pic, un-lightened…you can see these will also be good with flats. If you do tuck in your shirt be sure it’s as flat and as smooth as can be. There will be some lines showing. I personally think leaving the shirt untucked or a very loose tuck will be good for these pants.

JC_PonteWideLeg

~ Perfect Shirt in Embroidered Dot, size 8 ~
~ Teddie Pant, Navy, size 6 ~

The Teddie Pants were just ok for me. Of course, I tried them on after the Ponte Wide-Leg pants but I wasn’t all that impressed with them when they first rolled out. I also don’t have a need for pants like this. They’ll just sit in my closet. You’ll see they are not cropped on me (5’2″) and the size 6 fit fine. I could probably size to an 8 Petite for a little more comfort in the waist and thighs but overall the 6 was ok.

JC_EmbroidredShirt_Teddie

JC_Teddie

The Embroidered Dot shirt was nice and interesting. Not enough to buy it because I have an Ann Taylor one but this one was nice. The size 8 fit me TTS. The white dots have tiny holes in the center while the blue dots have white embroidery in the center. The shirt does seem a little thin and if you look at it in closer detail on the product image you can see the blue embroidered dot on the back of the shirt. This is one shirt I would consider wearing with the Ponte Wide-Leg Pant un-tucked or maybe a half-tuck. Is that still a thing?

JC_EmbroideredShirt

~ Chambray Scalloped Top with Grommets, size 6 ~
~ Billie Demi-Boot Crop Jean, Bergen Wash, size 30 ~

JC_Grommet_Billie

I skimmed right by this when I saw it online during the initial roll-out but my store had it. I accidentally grabbed a size 6 and it just fits. The 8 would be more comfortable across the chest. I know it says “grommets” in the name but wasn’t really expecting them. I figured the holes at the bottom were embroidered. So, if you wear this traveling, you may get an extra pat-down going through security.

JC_GrommetShell

I had no expectation that my store would receive the Billie Demi-Boot Crop Jean. But they were available in two colors. Unsure of how they fit, I grabbed a size 30 because I knew it would be at least roomy if they were too big or fit just right if they ran small. The size 30 fit fine in the length (not cropped), and in the thighs and waist. The front was a little saggy and would probably worsen with wear. I really liked the high-rise on this, hitting just above my belly-button.

JC_Billie_30

~ Billie Demi-Boot Crop Jean, Surrey Wash, size 29 ~

There was not a size 29 in the Bergen Wash so the SA brought me that size in the Surrey Wash. The bagginess in front was a non-issue but I think with the lighter wash, I didn’t care for the high-rise look as much. The length was just slightly shorter than the 30. I can only assume the 30 Petite would be the best fit for me but since there are so many jean options I’m not going to settle. These are a pass for me, even on sale.

JC_BillieBootCrop_29

Out of all of these, the Ponte Wide-Leg Pant are my absolute favorite! I’ll share soon several ways to style them.

Tomorrow is Gingham Day!

/ Bella Picks

I had time last Thursday to finally get to J Crew to try on some of the new arrivals. I hadn’t been in the store in almost a month (which is really unheard of for me).  Below are more of my picks with a mix of what I tried on but I must tell you I absolutely LOVED LOVED the Wide-Leg Ponte Pant. I left a review at J Crew about it. I went with a size 6 (my normal pant size is an 8). It’s amazingly flattering and I felt extremely comfortable in them. They are not cropped on me but a full length. I ordered the 8 Petite (on promo) to see how cropped it is though I really like the length it’s at in the 6. I bought mine in-store on Thursday and received 25% off. The regular size is excluded from the current SHOPMORE 25% off promo but the Petite size is not excluded. Only Navy is available in Petites, just FYI.

I also tried on the Tippi in Gingham and bought it at the time, without any promo, but I think I will be returning it. I should have trusted my instinct to not get it. When I pulled it on over my head the material stretched and I saw how sheer it could be. The color is nice but I don’t think I’ll get to wear it very much since we seem to be headed straight into Summer with very little Spring. I ended up sizing down one to a Small as the Medium was very roomy.

I already have the Panama Hat in natural but really like the Fino Beige Ivory color. I also tried on, and purchased,  the Side-Zip Denim Short in my normal size 8. I do wish it was an inch or two longer so I’ll play around with it a little before making a final decision on whether to keep them or not.

I’ll have reviews all week on everything I tried on so come back and visit!

/ Bella Picks

Just when I think I can quit J Crew, or cut back at least, they roll-out some things I really want. Quite a bit made it to my wishlist from Tuesday’s roll-out. The freaking gingham and so many items to choose. Just so cute, but is it too cute for me? I’ll have to try some on in-store to find out. Since I’m still adding to my wishlist at J Crew, let’s first take a look at what I’ve purchased.

Notice a theme? I’m purchasing for my trip. We’re off to Tokyo, Singapore and then Thailand! I’m really excited since I was pretty bummed that I couldn’t go on “they boys trip” two years ago. And, though we have a pool, I’ve been patiently waiting for my next beach trip.

The Silk Cap-Sleeve Top in Midnight Bloom was too pretty to pass up. I’m hoping the color isn’t too sheer for my skin-tone. One thing I really did need were some good basic shorts. I have always loved the Summerweight Lightweight Bermuda Shorts and mine were fading after 6 years of constant wear (2009 versions) so I bought navy, white, and khaki. I also wanted a nice gray pair of shorts and ordered the 4-inch Chino Short in Storm Grey.

I also need a good cover-up that’s also lightweight. I think the Lightweight Linen Tunic in Hydrangea White will do nicely. Having ordered and return these cover-up tunics in the past, I ordered a Small. I think I could use an XS but we will see when it arrives next week. After ordering the Heathered Wool-Cashmere Blend Scarf I worried it might be too warm for the beach. It will be fine for Tokyo since it’s Spring-like weather and not humid. I may look to add this scarf from the Factory store.

The Plaid Espadrille is just darling. I love love the print originally wanting to get the Sloan Flat, then trying to figure out how to wear the Elsie or these sandals regularly. Unfortunately, the Knotted Slide is not my style of shoe.

And I finally bought those darn Betty Sunglasses. I just could not stop thinking about them. I hope I like them as much as I’ve been thinking I will.

Do you also notice a color story? I’m trying to stick with shades of blue with a little grey and white thrown in so they’ll all mix and match well.

Happy Shopping!

/ Reviews

We’ve booked our trip and I’m really excited about it. Most of it will be in sunny places so I started looking for a few sandals to try and take with me. I have my Birkenstocks that I’ll be taking with me but I also wanted another versatile pair or two that can go with shorts, a swimsuit or a casual dress. Enter some cute, casual sandals from TOMS.

~ Isabella Sandals, size 7 ~

The Isabella fits TTS in length but if you have a larger instep area like mine then the band cutting across will be tight. I wiggled my foot into both sandals but I don’t feel that part will stretch enough to be comfortable. I’d rather keep looking for something better.

IMG_1389

IMG_1390

The quality of the leather is really good though the sandal is completely flat with no heel or arch support. The footbed is cushioned and also leather. They also come in black. Sadly, I had to return these.

IMG_1391

~ Solana Flip-Flops, size 7 ~

I love the colorful straps on the Solana. They will go with a lot. They fit TTs and have a cushioned foot-bed and arch support. They are just so cute and they’ll definitely be going on my trip with me.

IMG_1394

IMG_1395

These sandals also come in Cork and Braided Trim.

IMG_1396

It’s so hard when planning a vacation to not buy a whole new wardrobe. I’ll be sharing thoughts on what I’ve purchased already and what I still need.

Happy Shopping!

/ Reviews

I haven’t even shared my picks from the last J Crew roll-out and another, with lots and lots of Gingham, has arrived today. The only item I ordered from the last roll-out was the Midnight Floral Necklace. It looked so pretty online I knew I had to see it in person. I waited for a promo code before ordering.

JC_MidnightFloralNecklace

The stones are stunning in Navy Blue and the additional clusters of flowers and cascading stones add to the statement style of this necklace. It will go with everything adding a little more oomph to your outfit.

JC_MidnightFloralNecklace_1

But, I have to agree with the 3-star review it received. The quality is lacking. I couldn’t put my finger on it until I wore a Factory necklace I have. The “noise” of this necklace sounds cheap and plastic, a little like Factory jewelry. The brass sounds hollow, or maybe not even brass at all. It is a little lighter than I expected, probably due to the lesser quality materials used.

JC_MidnightFloralNecklace_2

It’s so disappointing and I’m on the fence about keeping it. I would love to but knowing the materials sound like they were skimped on, even if only to my ears, will bother me when I wear it. It’s certainly a piece you could find at Bauble Bar for less than $100. I’d probably rather buy an ebay or Etsy knock-off knowing I am getting what I paid for. This is not worth the $150 or the 25% off I used.

There are also matching earrings. These are currently 25% off with promo code SHOPNOW. I don’t wear earrings and if they sound like the necklace I know I’ll get annoyed hearing the cheapness so close to my ears.

Has anyone tried this necklace? Please tell me what you think of it.