/ Random

Searching for the right “something” that you have in your head or that you’ve seen in a picture or on Pinterest can be a task. I find it’s best to ask yourself the following questions.

  1. Is the actual item in your budget? Are there lower cost alternatives?
  2. Will said item work with what’s already in your closet?
  3. Lastly, do you think you’ll get enough use out of it now, and for years to come, or is it just a passing trend?

I saw this Pin image a few weeks ago and loved the blazer. A little Googling told me it was more than likely Balmain ($$$$$$) and way out of my price range. That answers the first question…not in my budget.

A little more searching and I found a few “lower cost alternatives” that could work instead of the Balmain. The Boy by Band of Outsiders has some interesting buttons on it, though I’d probably change those out. Also at Yoox.com is the Met Blazer and at a great price. You can use FRIENDS for an additional 20% off right now at Yoox.com.

I think the Mango Double-Breasted Blazer is the one that’s most similar to the Balmain. I’ve never tried Mango but according to their size chart a Medium should fit me just fine. But just because this blazer is stuck in my head doesn’t mean I’ve come up with three ways to wear it.I’ll probably always wear it with jeans. It will be the tops that will be different. After a quick look at my Stylebook App, I’m not sure I have enough tops to go with this color of blazer. I don’t think it’s big enough to accommodate a sweater, unless it’s thin like the Tippi. Question 2 is probably a no, which make Question 3 a no as well. I really don’t think I will get a lot of use out of this color of blazer. Or even this style (Military) of blazer. I’ll try to recreate the look with my J Crew Wool Oxford Blazer in Iris instead.

What do you do when you see something that takes required searching for? Do you ask yourself any other questions I should consider?

/ Que Bella

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen this outfit already but I wanted to share the details with all of you. I have been wearing shorts all Summer long and am ready for long pants. I’ve been testing the waters with wearing jeans topped with a sleeveless top and that seems to be keeping me cool.

I really love the Carrie Cami in Watercolor Floral. I think the colors in it complement my skin tone well and they really pop when worn with white. The sandals are from J Crew and I love the color. They are some of my favorites though I don’t wear them enough.
 
This Navy short-sleeve pocket cardigan is from J Crew of yore; maybe 2008? I really love it and wish they would bring this back. The Factory had them about three years ago and I only grabbed one, in White. I thought they’d keep offering them but they haven’t been back since. I keep my hopes up during each new release, especially in Spring.
~ Carrie Cami in Watercolor Floral, J Crew ~
~ Cropped Skinny Jean, Tory Burch ~
~ Short-Sleeve Cotton Cardigan, old J Crew (Loft, Yoox) ~
~ Olympia Sandals, J Crew (Schutz, Fringe, Nine West) ~
I was pretty comfortable in this outfit for the evening. The sweater was so lightweight I barely noticed I had it on.
Hope everyone is having a Great Day!

/ Reviews

Tory Burch has come out with a Limited Edition Collection to celebrate the opening of her Paris boutique called The Paris Collection. To launch it, Dianna Agron directed a short Film called L’Américaine (it’s on the front page of the collection). It’s just adorable and the clothes are so beautiful. You must check out the whole collection. Feathers, silk, embellishment; it’s all so gorgeous.

~ Printed Cotton T-Shirt Dress, Medium ~

On to the current Fall Collection though. This dress caught my eye when I was walking through Nordstrom during the Anniversary sale. I didn’t have a chance to try it on at that time so I was excited when I saw it at the Tory Burch boutique.It’s in the Lisbon print which she has out for the Fall Collection. I like this print and the colors that are used with it. The Medium on the dress fit just exactly. I wouldn’t size to a Large though as I want it to be fitted. It’s 100% Cotton but doesn’t feel like a normal tee. It feels thicker. I’m thinking I can transition this dress well into November, in my climate, by adding a chunky cardigan and boots.

 

The length hits me just above the knee. The print is all-over, including the back.

~ Pleated Silk Shirtdress, Ballet Blue Crystal, size 8 ~
This dress reminds me so much of my beloved Cora Shirtdresses from last year. The hemline is a little different; a little bouncier, which is a nice touch. I saw this print online when the new arrivals came out and new I needed to see it in person. I found this in two prints in-store so I tried them both on, in different sizes. This one is the size 8, which I tried on first. I liked the fit though I though it was a little on the long side in length, for me at least. The shoulders and arms were loose but you can tell the fit is a little on the big side.
The blue is really pretty and it almost looks like some purple is mixed in.
~ Pleated Silk Shirtdress, Red Agate Confetti, size 6 ~
Of course, I didn’t realize the size 8 was too big until I tried on this print in the size 6. This is a much much better fit all over. The shoulders and arms are still fitting well and the hemline has come up a little. And I like this print even more. The pleating is around the neckline and down the button placket, almost like a tuxedo-style.
 

Flouncy bouncy hem…

There’s one more print that’s not on the Tory Burch website.
I’m excited about these dresses but I think I will be waiting to see if any of these make it to sale before buying. I already have two Cora dresses that I love and Pleated Silk Shirtdress seems a little more “dressy” to me. I think it’s the print. I’ll probably get the Printed Cotton T-Shirt Dress first. It won’t break my heart if I don’t get the other dress.
I hope everyone has a nice long holiday weekend!

/ Reviews

Oh boy, I’ve had this post in the hopper for a while. I ordered both of these in early August but other posts took precedence over these. I don’t think I’ll ever catch up on my Que Bella post so I’ll have to start fresh soon.

~ Pilcro Stet Cropped Flare Jeans, size 29 ~

Where’s Blue Booby? Not only did I buy these, I have pictures for you! And you are right BB, these are not flattering on, below the knee, in flats or heels.

I’m 5’2″ and these are not cropped on me at all. I know this though as with all my Pilcro Stets that are “cropped” they are all the right length for a shorty like me. But I don’t see the flare. I see more of a boot-cut on these. And thank goodness the front weren’t as faded as the online image. I love the Pilcro Stet jeans which is why I decided to order them. I should have just stuck with the normal ones. My normal size 29 fit well, at least until the hem.

 
~ Bailey 44 Maren Midi Dress, Medium Petite ~
Moving on…I did keep this lovely dress. I do think I should have gotten the regular Medium and not Petite. There is an interior skirt than hikes up when I walk. But I feel like a Grecian Goddess when I do walk. I love the drape on this dress and that it’s in Navy is a plus as it’s one of Husband’s favorite colors.
I’d buy this in every color if it was offered. Nordstrom has it in Burgundy but is sold out in my size. The midi part is the back skirt, which I like. It hits just in the middle of my calf. The is a pull-over dress with no zippers or buttons.

I’ve worn this dress several times already, with both these Tory Burch Thora Sandals and my Seville Espadrilles. I’ll throw on my Denim Jacket once it gets cooler.

I forget that Bailey 44 is not an Anthropologie exclusive brand and that it is offered elsewhere.
What do you think of the Bailey 44 Maren Midi Dress?

/ Que Bella

I tried the Sunday Slim Chinos on last week and loved the feel of them. They feel like I’ve already washed them a thousand times. The fit is a little weird. There was only a size 6 as the biggest size in the Baked Terracotta. I tried them on and they fit. They are just a tiny bit snug but from current experience and the reviews online, they do stretch some. The size 8 would have stretched out way too much. I usually wear a size 8 in pants so I recommend you size down one. They come in Petite and Tall as well as Metallic Trim and Painted. Really???

I wanted to share with you how I recently styled the Sunday Slim Chinos for both day and night. The Perfect Shirt in Linen is one of my favorites and I had to replace the white one I had from a few years ago that got a hole in the shoulder. I use it now for a swim cover-up when we have guests over. I added my Tory Burch Tortoise Thora Sandals that I bought several years ago. I wore my Thora Sandals constantly every Summer, until I found my current Birks. I rolled these three times but may get them hemmed to regular length so the cuff doesn’t look so bulky.

 
 I swapped my Thora’s for the Factory Isabelle Raffia Pumps and added the Tortoise Flower Necklace to meet Husband for dinner that evening. Super easy swap and I still look nicely put together.
 
And I wanted to share with you my new sunglasses from Loft – the Ombre Retro Sunglasses. I wear my sunglasses daily and needed a new pair. I found these for $16 at the Loft a few weeks ago and love them. They are just the right amount of dark and both the frames and lenses go from dark to clear.
Sadly, the Sunday Slim Chinos are not included in the current J Crew promo of 30% off your purchase over $125. I do plan on getting at least one more pair but am just deciding on a color.

Have you tried the Sunday Slim Chino?