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I was able to try on some of the New Arrivals from J Crew on Friday. The three most anticipated items were the shorts in Safari Cat and the Porcelain Paisley skirt & dress. You can see part 1 here.

I think the Polka Dot Babydoll knit, Sz M, is an in-store only item as I can’t seem to find it online. It fit fine across the bust and maybe even a touch snug. The straps seem a little useless to me. They might have been adjustable but I can’t remember. The 9″ Short in Antique Paisley, Sz 8, are cute not a need/want item. The 3″ Short are in yellow.

I have been waiting for the Linen Short in Safari Cat since I saw the first lookbook images and then I forgot about it. This year has gone by so fast I thought they were from last year and I missed them. I am glad my memory was jogged because these are so cute. I have on the size 6 in the first image, which were an ok fit but I wanted a little more wiggle room. The second image is the size 8 which fit much better and are my normal JC size short. I have it paired with the Lace Placket Tee in Cerise, Sz S. I’d size up to my normal Medium for the tee. The lace is a nice detail but a little pricey for $52.
I am not a fan of the No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Neon Tweed. It shows every lump and bump in my normal size 6 and I don’t like the feel of it at all that I didn’t even try on the size 8. I don’t think even Spanx could save this tweed skirt. It is a train-wreck. The tweed material feels cheap and I think it’s because J Crew thinned it out as much as they could to be lightweight. When I see the word tweed I think of Fall and Winter, not Summer, and this skirt proves tweed should not be used for Summer.
I adore the Porcelain Paisley print and can’t decide between the No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Porcelain Paisley or the dress. The skirt was a little loose on me. The length is ok but I think I could get away with a 6 Petite for a better fit and preferred length.
The Shirred Mini in Tidepool Tweed is short! Like showin’-all-your-bizness short! I like most of the minis from J Crew and you’ve seen me in quite a few of them. This is a size 8 and is super loose in the waist on me. It is sitting above my hips and way too short. The Size 6 must be booty-licious short. Also, it doesn’t have pockets. The coloring and shape is very reminiscent of the Surf Tweed Charter Skirt from 2 years ago with a little more Casablanca/Cobalt blue in it. 
Dresses are up next.
I am off to see the Warhol Exhibit at the McNay Art Museum. I had no idea it was in town until I went to a wedding reception last night at the museum. Just my luck that today is the last day of the exhibit so I’m sure there will be lots of people going at the last minute, like me.
Have a Great Day!
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During my visit last week for my new hat, I saw the cutest skirt in the sweetest mint color. But I didn’t have time to try it on so I emailed my PS to hold it for me. I dropped by today and she held it along with a few other items.

First up is the skirt (Style #88345, BSP, $89.50), which is not online yet, paired with the Scoopneck Blouse in Anchors Aweigh. I have on a Size 8 in both. How cute is this skirt? It sits a little high on the waist and has an A-line not straight style like most mini skirts. The color is gorgeous and looks great with the navy blouse. The only downside to this skirt? No pockets anywhere. I can live with that as it might have detracted from the shape of the skirt and made it bulky on the hips. It comes in at least two other colors that I think are Navy and Peach or Pink. I can’t remember as my sights were set on the mint. As for the blouse, I loved it when I originally saw it online and still do now. But $135? I’ll take my chances it makes it to sale.

The Naomi Top in Polka Dot reminds me just a little of the Kelsey Ruffle Top with a few less ruffles around the neck. My PS had it with the No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Garden Floral. I’m wearing a Size 8 in the top. It is a little loose and I could feasibly size to a 6. I am wearing a Size 6 in the skirt, which is my normal size in JC pencil skirts and it felt just a bit loose. Since I wasn’t going to buy it I didn’t try the size 4 but I think that would be a better fit.
This is another dress that is not online but has the Big Shot Dot print. AJC originally reviewed it here. I have on a Size 4 which still seems a little big on me. Though it’s 100% Silk I don’t think it’s worth $168.
And as I was checking out, a shipment of jewelry came in, and with it this adorable little elephant necklace. Style #95272, $68
It didn’t come home with me today but I don’t know how long I’ll be able to resist it. I also saw the Bubble Necklace in Navy and it is gorgeous and a color I would pay full price for.
What do you think of these new items? Did anyone else find the fit of the Garden Floral Skirt big?
Have a Great Day!
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Little by little I’m piecing together another, and hopefully FINAL, wardrobe for my trip. This past weekend I was in search of a floppy straw hat. I have a plethora of baseball caps but I knew they wouldn’t do for this trip. Of course, J Crew was my go-to place but I saw plenty of straw hats online at various stores and price points including Forever 21, Kohl’s and Charlotte Russe.

I thought my decision would be easy when I saw the Crocheted Straw Hat at J Crew last week and it has been at the top of my mind when searching online for hats. It helped that J Crew (in-stores) had 25% off all hats last weekend.
Then I saw the Marietta Sunhat in the May Anthropologie Catalog. Now I had to make some decisions. 
Although I think the print on the Marietta Sunhat is darling it does look a little more delicate than the Crocheted Straw Hat. Also, my store did not have it so I was unable to see it IRL. The 25% off hats promo was still going on at J Crew and the price was lower than I originally remembered ($68 vs $45). 
I love the coloring on it and was preferring to a darker hat as opposed to the lighter straw. The brim is nice and wide and will cover all of my face and neck and some of my shoulders. 
What do you think of the Crocheted Straw Hat? Do you have a straw hat you use during the summer? 
/ Reviews

**Yay! I was able to recover my photos from my back-up drive and my son’s MacBook.

Lots of reviews but not very many “gotta have right now” items. The Spring Collection has had some cute things but nothing really really special like the Casbah print from last year.

I was trying some of the new Picasa features which took a lot longer than I expected. Some cool features like borders, adding corners, and different types of processing. Anyway, let’s get to the reviews.

Blythe Blouse in Silk, Royal Violet, Sz 8 – I really like the Blythe Blouse and the Sz 8 fits perfect in the shoulders and arms but too big in the chest and body. The Sz 6 is just the opposite so I have to pass on this great shirt because of it.
Long No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Sovereign Paisley, Sz 6 – Oh how I wish this skirt came in at least the regular length. The petite length is 23 inches so I may have to try it. I really am liking this print, especially in the skirt. (And now it’s on sale for $99!)

Tippi Sweater in Orchard Print, Sz M – Whoops…seemed like this is sold out online but I took my normal sweater size. It’s a cute print and my PS paired it with the Postage Stamp Mini in Big Apple Print, Sz 8. If you’ll notice the length is not so mini on me because J Crew states they “tweaked the mini so you’ll never feel over-exposed.” Hmmm…I think me likey. I did purchase it but am deciding if I really want to keep it. I am wearing the Seville Wedge Espadrilles in a Size 7 and they are half a size too big. The Size 6 (no half sizes) was way too tight. I was really disappointed because I really wanted the Seville in Stripe.

Stripe Sequin Tank, Sz Small – I bought this right after it originally rolled out in lat February/early March but returned it. I’m waiting for a sale and hope it makes it. I really do like it. I can wear the Small but may size to a Medium, depending on what makes sale.

Stripe Twisted Stitch Henley, Sz Small – My store manager predicted this would go on sale pretty quick as it’s very box, although comfortable. She was right. Not even two weeks after I tried this on it went to sale. Size down one if you are interested. My PS paired it with the No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Royal Violet, Sz 8 (although I take a 6 in pencil skirts). This is a very pretty purple but not needed in my closet right now. This color is on sale, online, for $59.99.

Here, the henley sweater is paired with the 5 inch Chino Shorts in Lemon Zest. I would size to an 8 for a more comfortable fit.

Now, I was really intrigued by the Tessallate Necklace when it appeared online a few weeks ago. I was happy to see my PS had it in my dressing room but up close I was disappointed. I was hoping it was gold painted enamel not resin (plastic). This was a pass after seeing it IRL. I can certainly find something similar for a lot less than EIGHTY-FIVE DOLLARS!!!

This is some sort of tweed-ish pencil skirt that was in-store but I can’t find online. Style #76956, $118

Colorblock Stripe Slash Henley, Sz Small – This shirt was flying out the door and I tried on one of the last two left. The Small fit well but the v-neck was cut really low. The Electric Orange of the 5 inch Chino Shorts are a nice vibrant color.

This is the Cafe’ Trouser in Linen in at least one size way too big for me. There was no size 6 or 8 to try on in the Festival Green or Navy that was in-store. I like this color and have it in the Perfect Linen Shirt. I think a Petite 8 might be my size for this pant but I don’t need it as I have an Navy linen pant from a few years ago.

The Maritime Colorblock Dress is not online (did I miss it and it’s sold out?). I have on a Sz Small which was a good fit. The cotton is pretty thick/substantial. I’ve missed my opportunity to wear it here as the weather is holding in the 80s daily now. I have it paired with the Mini Prints Scarf in Orchard. I can do the apple print in this piece and took it home with me. The first shipment my store received sold out in a day. I was happy my PS put this one away for me when they received their next shipment.

I had never tried the Amie Maxi Dress, Sz S, Bright Flame, before. I know the JCAs have been loving it and I know why. It’s amazing and comfortable and the drawstring helps define your waist. The Navy is online as are the solid colors.

The Cafe’ Capri in Foulard, Sz 8, fit me really odd as do all of the cotton Cafe’ Capris. I think I need a Petite 8 for a better fit. It’s reminiscent of the Mahali Dot Print from a few years ago.

Gondola Stripe Top, Sz 8 & 6 – This is a very comfortable silk shirt. The silk is soft and IMO it runs a little big. As you can see, the size 6 is loose through the body on me but that would be the size I would get.

IMO, the Seaport Maxi Dress does nothing for me. I mean, it’s comfortable but pretty long on me. It feels like a long nightgown to me. I’m not sure if sizing to a Small would change my mind.

This is a gorgeous in-store only floral lightweight wool scarf. It came home with me. Style #88503, $59.50

A yellow paisley scarf that was also in-store only. Style #88503, $59.50

I don’t know how to feel about the print on the Big Apple Tunic Dress. I mean I like the print but I think, for me, it needs to be on a smaller scale, like the mini skirt. I know the website says it has a back zip but I don’t remember one. See, for being such a big print, it’s not memorable, like the Jaipur from a few years ago.

I sometimes wish I worked in an office setting and not from home, only if to buy and wear beautiful work-wear dresses like this. The size 6 of Director Dress was a perfect fit for me. And of course, the Bright Dahlia is one of my favorite J Crew colors. Alas, I have the Andre’ Dress in this color I’ve never worn. Maybe I’ll get it on sale with a discount? Here’s to wishful thinking.

So, I know these are a few weeks old but I wanted to post them anyway since I know some of you are my size and/or shape. I’m sure there are now April arrivals in my store. I may end up not even seeing them as I have been swamped.

I did manage to set up my iPad as a mini netbook, with a keyboard and everything, since my laptop is being ridiculous. Oh, and if any of you Blogger iPad users are looking for a Blogging App try Blog Docs. It’s $1.99 but it really is cool. You can write up your posts, add pics, change your formats, add a signature, etc. I did my last post completely in it and have two more drafts written that I hope to post this week.

Have a Great Day!

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I did my weekly stop by J Crew Sunday, mainly because I couldn’t get the Striped Maxi Skirt out of my head. They had a full stock of them in all sizes. As I was looking around I also found the Maxi Skirt in a solid purple (TGR, #76784, $69.50). I am wearing a size Small here and it fits the same as the Striped skirt. My PS said it also comes in solid Gray.

There was also a new dress my PS wanted me to try. It comes in this dark mustard color, HCH-Heather Chartreuse?, #72122, $138, and a navy. The Size 6 was really snug on the top. The bottom portion hit about two inches below the knee. I’m also wearing the Drea Pumps in Leopard in a size 6 1/2. They are on sale for $139.99. I tried a size 7 in the Neon Peach and they run about a 1/2 size too big for me. Most of my shoes in JC are 7 so this does not fit TTS for me. That’s good to know when the rest of the colors go on sale. The size 8 in the dress fit better in the top but was a bit longer. It does have pockets.

Size 6

Size 8

A favorite of mine from last summer is back. I have this in Navy, Modern Red, and Olive Green from last year and wore them at least once a week. The Linen Perfect Shirt, this time in Festival Green (#42841, $79.50). I’m wearing a size 6 here which is the same size I took last year.  I saw Navy, Modern Red, and White in store for this year. This is a great color and I know I’ll get much wear out of it this year. I hope it will come in some sort of Bright Blue.

What do you think of the new Linen Shirt and Maxi Skirt colors?