/ Bella Picks

Through tonight you can use code LAYERUP to take 40% off Final Sale items at J Crew. It looks like they are trying to clear some things out to make room for new arrivals this week. If they really wanted to clear things out they should have left out the “final sale” part of the promo.

My best friend is having a “0” birthday next month and though I have enough going out outfits I think the Washed Lamé Pull-on Pant would be perfect for an night of dinner and dancing. I also liked the Faux-Leather Pocket Shift Dress when I tried it on. I don’t need another sweatshirt but the Graphic Floral Sweatshirt nets $29.99 with the promo.

I am still in love with the Carrie Cami in Watercolor Floral. I took a size 8 in that. The purple in the the Yarn Dyed Vertical Stripe Scarf in pretty saturated. The Two-Tone Pleated Combo Dress is on promo right now and nets $100.80. I will wait for a true sale price and promo on this dress and then order the 8 Petite.
I wear my Wide-Leg Crop Jeans constantly. They are have taken another cut and are now almost sold out in all sizes. They are TTS for me and I took them in a size 29. I wish I had caught them in my size during this price cut. The second pair I ordered were in the wrong packaging so I ended up getting a pair of Crewcuts jeans sent to me and not my Lowry Wash jeans.
I also like the Silk Slip Dress. Though I rarely wear slips, it is still nice to have one on hand. In the past it’s been rare to find one that was 100% silk so for around $36 I think this is a great deal. The Patio Pant in Dusty Dune is the only color on sale but it’s a good neutral to have in your closet. At $41.99 I would order the size 8 and have them hemmed.
Are you shopping this Final Sale or saving your pennies for the new arrivals this week?

/ Reviews

I mentioned during my review of the Patio Pant in Bi-Stretch Wool that I had ordered the Tux Stripe version. They finally arrived and I absolutely love them! They will be a great alternative to skirts or dresses for the Holiday events when the weather is colder.

 ~ Patio Pant with Leather Tux Stripe in Bi-Stretch Wool, Black, 8 Petite ~

I ordered the 8 Petite because I wanted them to be cropped like they are in the model image online. They hit just above the ankle in the Petite. The slacks fit great in the Petite through the waist, hips and thighs. I’ll keep the pockets closed for as long as I can as I like the sleek look and I rarely use my front pockets.
 
I came up with two different ways to wear these Patio Pants. First is with flats and what I would wear to the office.
~ Merino Cardigan, J Crew (J Crew, Loft) ~
~ Polka Dot Blythe Blouse, J Crew (J Crew, Bluefly) ~
~ Candy Studded Flats, Christian Louboutin (old) (Dillard’s, Kenneth Cole)
 
And here’s the second outfit with a solid Cashmere sweater and fun heels. Just add a favorite necklace and you’re ready for a nice dinner or casual Holiday party.
~ Cashmere Tee, J Crew (Nordstrom Rack, Macy’s) ~
~ Etta Printed Heels, J Crew (J Crew, Guess) ~
 
Have you tried the Patio Pant or seen the Patio Pant with Leather Tux Stripe in person? Our weather is starting to cool off at night so I’m hoping I can wear these on our next date night.

/ Reviews

To finish out the week I have one last set from J Crew, the very popular Patio Pants.

~ Patio Pant, Cabernet, size 8 ~
I reviewed the Patio Pant in the Navy in a size 6 and was able to find a size 8 during my last visit in the Cabernet to compare. The length it longer but still a little off when wearing them with heels. I would like for them to be about a half inch longer to look a little better with the heel. They are a cropped pant so I expected this. The fit is not as snug/form-fitted as the size 6 but there is a little bunching in the front.
 
With “flats” the length is perfect though I did have a defective pair of pants on. The right leg is slightly shorter than the left so I don’t know which length is correct. You can tell by the break in the pant on the left side.
 
This color looked really good with my Collection Heart Dot blouse.
~ Petite Patio Pant in Bi-Stretch Wool, Blue Stone, size 8P ~
I ordered the Blue Stone in 8 Petite to compare length and fit, which I expected to be similar to the regular size 6. The length is just where I would like it, hitting just above the ankle bone. The fit is snug, just like the size 6.
 
The Footless Capri Spanx will smooth things out a little more and hide those VPLs. It seems colors are limited between the Regular and the Petite sizes in Bi-Stretch Wool. The Blue Stone is beautiful IRL. It looks a little Chambray in color which I’m hoping will make it versatile enough to dress down.
Here is a closer look at the color.
I’m so very happy with the 8 Petite size. If I wanted a true trouser I would probably buy the 6 Tall. After receiving these I ordered them in the Leather Tux Stripe in an 8 Petite as well. I’ll share some IRLs when they come in.
What do you think of the Patio Pant in Bi-Stretch Wool?

/ Reviews

I’m not in need of any dressy dresses but was able to try on two in-store last week.

I knew the length was not going to work on me and on the hanger it didn’t appeal to me but I was pleasantly surprised by this dress. The size 6 fit really well on me. Depending on the shape of a dress I can wear either a 6 or 8 so this is the smaller of my two sizes. The top portion is Viscose and has seaming/darts at the chest that are a little too pronounced. The neckline has a little button to give you the option to wear that part open or closed.

 

The length was as I expected and too long, hitting me mid-calf. Though not exposed, the back zip is showing just a little, especially on the skirt portion. The dress didn’t feel tight on me but since the zip is showing some, then it is pulling a bit. An 8 Petite could fix that and the length issues. Sizing to an 8 would be loose all over. Though not my style, this is a very pretty, work appropriate dress.

 
The dress seemed a bit modest on the hanger for me, even with the dot pattern and sheer sleeves and upper chest. But then I put it on and absolutely loved it. The fit is fantastic in the size 6. It is not a shift dress or boxy and there’s no defined waist or waistline. There’s a bit of shape just below the chest. The length hits me just above the knee. The arms just fit though I wouldn’t go up to an 8 or size to an 8 Petite. The size 6 fits really well. The Silk Chiffon is airy and floaty in the skirt section of the dress.
 

The back zip is hidden (YAY!) and looks just as pretty as the front. The only negative I have with the Speckled Chiffon Dress is you will need to wear a strapless bra with it due to the sheer top. But otherwise, this is a beautiful dress. After looking at these pics for a while the shape reminded me of the Tory Burch Alice Dress I purchased earlier this year.

It also comes in a Textured Dot version that is a Poly/Viscose blend. But they are the same dress otherwise.
Have you tried on either of these dresses? I absolutely recommend the Speckled Chiffon Dress.

/ Reviews

J Crew has a new promo code to take 30% off Final Sale and 25% off select Fall Favorites. Use SHOPFALL for the discounts.

~ Graphic Floral Sweatshirt, Medium ~
When I first saw this sweatshirt online I thought it looked like iron-on felt flowers. Needless to say, not a fan. But, My VPS put it in my dressing room and when I saw it IRL I changed my mind. I really like the black flowers against the gray background. I saw the Sequin version as well and it looks like with the copper against navy background. I took my normal size Medium and it fit well, especially with the layer of the Boy Shirt in Mini Gingham underneath. Sadly, it’s not available for the 25% promo.

The flowers still look like iron-on felt but I liked the placement of them and they seem to be stuck on pretty well. It does have a dropped-shoulder seam which I’m impartial to on this sweatshirt.

~ Boy Shirt in Mini Gingham, Eggplant, size 8 ~
I LOVED this color! The Eggplant is a nice dark purple and I plan to wear this quite a bit in Fall and Winter. The size 8 is my normal fit in button-down shirts. I think an 8 Petite would be a little too snug in the shoulders for me though would fix the extra material in the arms. I liked the mini gingham so much that I ordered it in Bright Avocado as well. This is showing in the current promo of SHOPFALL.
Full-length shots for you. I actually like the outfit on the left with the sweatshirt and layered gingham underneath. I have the perfect J Crew shoes to go with the outfit so I’ll have to pull out another gray sweatshirt I have to replicate the look.
 
Have a Great Afternoon!