/ Reviews

It feels a little too early to be shopping for Corduroy but these two pieces are really nice and I’ve added both to my wishlist.

~ Campbell Blazer in Corduroy, Masala Chai, size 8 ~
~ Margot Top in Silk Foulard, size 8 ~
~ Mini Skirt in Corduroy, Masala Chai, size 8 ~

Other corduroy blazers we’ve seen in the past have the elbow patch. This does not, which I prefer. The outfit itself reminds of the 70s, probably due to the brown color and the corduroy. I take a 10 Petite in Blazers whenever I can and can gauge from a size 8 how it will fit in my true size. I don’t own any of the Campbell Blazers but I can say that I am considering this color in the corduroy. It’s not a color I have and I think it will go with quite a few things in my closet.

JC_CordSkirt_Blazer

The lining is striped with rep piping and pocket flap.

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~ Margot Top in Silk Foulard, size 8 ~

This top was my absolute favorite when I saw it in the roll-out last week. I knew I would be buying this, with or without a promo. I tried the size 6 on originally and it was tight and restricted movement around the armholes so I sized to an 8, which felt a lot better. I love the ruffle detail at the armholes and the front. I’ve already worn this top and took a steamer to the ruffles, fluffing them up just a bit.

JC_MargotSilkFoulard

~ Mini Skirt in Corduroy, Masala Chai, size 8 ~

I really haven’t bought too many skirts this last year as I’ve been wearing shorts all Summer and stuck to jeans and leggings last Winter and Spring. This is a cute mini skirt and the back as an exposed zip but a cute little tab snap button with gold hardware. The shape is slightly A-line and the size 8 on me makes this TTS. I’d probably grab this in the Masala Chai and Navy colors. It would be a great little skirt in black and ivory too. I hope J.Crew adds more colors.

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And here are three outfits I’ve styled with this top, taking it from Summer to late Fall. Everything shown are items I already have in my closet. I’ve linked to similar items. Click on the icon near each item for more details.




What do you think of the new Margot Top? I am looking at the solid in Navy and Fuchsia Blossom as well.

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/ Que Bella

I hope everyone had a nice Easter. We had a busy weekend running all over San Antonio and then spent Easter with my mom to celebrate my dad’s annual Easter BBQ. It’s something he always did and all the family came. Though he passed away a month before Easter a few years ago, he made my mom promise to have it that year and every year after. And she has. More than any other holiday, I think we miss him the most at Easter.

If you can’t tell from my other posts, I’m really excited about the Wide-Leg Ponte Pant. I rarely wear pants, opting for jeans, shorts or skirts. But I would wear these pants every day, instead of jeans. I have two sizes in the Navy and ordered the Black as well. Below are some options on how to style the Wide-Leg Ponte Pant in Navy but you can surely sub in the Black instead.

~ Tippi in Gingham, Vivid Canary (Cardigan, TopShop) ~
~ Wide-Leg Ponte Pant, Navy ~
~ Cleo Fabric Loafers, J Crew (pricey, on sale, espadrille) ~

I thought the yellow would be really nice to pop from the Navy pant and then the shoe just makes it a lot more fun. I don’t have the Tippi in Gingham but I do have a older lace shirt in yellow from Talbots that will sub in for this color Tippi. I love my Cleo Fabric Loafers I purchased a few years ago. I always get compliments when I wear them, especially since they are pretty noticeable.

 

~ Cropped Linen Top, Zara (similar, eyelet) ~
~ Wide-Leg Ponte Pant, Navy ~
~ Plaid Espadrille, J Crew (Flamingos, Coffee, Toms) ~

This is a little more casual with the airy linen top and espadrilles. I really wish the Plaid Espadrilles would have worked for me. I found a few other fun espadrille options though. Soludos has so many different styles to choose from and TOMS is in the espadrille game too. I like theirs because they have the elastic in the middle allowing the top to stretch a bit.

 

~ Silk Cap-Sleeve Top in Midnight Bloom, J Crew ~
~ Wide-Leg Ponte Pant, Navy ~
~ Sylvia Patent Wedges, Navy, J Crew Factory (Nine West) ~

This next option is good for the office or date night. I have the Sylvia Patent in Navy but you can chose any heel option you want. I also have several silk tops in my closet, with the Silk Indigo Floral Blouse being one of my favorites to wear.

 

~ Denim Jacket, J Crew ~
~ Striped Racerback Cami, J Crew Factory ~
~ Wide-Leg Ponte Pant, Navy ~
~ ZeroGrand Perforated Oxfords, Cole Haan (Comme de Garcons, Converse) ~

This is a sporty look adding some cool sneakers. If these pants looks good with Toms and espadrilles they’ll look good with sneakers. I have the Striped Racerback Cami on it’s way to me. I am hoping it will be a cool option for my trip.

I would be nice if J Crew would bring these in a khaki or chocolate color. I don’t think white or anything light would be good as the ponte might then start to become a bit see-through. Especially if they keep the same weight of the pant and not make it thicker.

How else would you style the Wide-Leg Ponte Pant?

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Last Wednesday was our 15th Wedding Anniversary. Unfortunately, Husband had to leave for San Francisco early in the morning so we were unable to celebrate until he returned on Friday. We had dinner on the Riverwalk and went to see John Mulaney later that night. As soon as I tried on the Drapey Crepe Oxford Jumpsuit, I knew that I wanted to wear it for our night out.

It was pretty warm and humid that evening so the sleeveless worked well. I laughed so much in the theater that it kept me warm enough. The jumpsuit was long so I did a quick hem with double-sided Hollywood tape. I love the length and dropped it off at the tailor to get it properly hemmed. 

I chose the Shilling Bib Necklace, which I bought on a whim after seeing it styled in the store. The bracelets are the Sparrow Cuff and a C.Wonder initial cuff. The clutch is actually a wallet/cross-body from Tory Burch that I purchased during the SPRING event. The cross-body strap came in very handy when we were walking around downtown.

The shoes are Talbot’s from a few years ago. They were the worst to wear! The front of the criss-cross strap dug into the top of my toes causing blisters. Husband said the restaurant and theater were near each other when they were actually several blocks from each other. I’ll have to find another pair that are similar, since I really like them.

Despite the shoe issues, I really loved this outfit and the anniversary celebration was wonderful.

I came up with a few outfits, planned all via my Stylebook app. This first one is super casual with Gladiator Flats and a denim jacket. This is actually a great outfit for my trip next week to San Diego. Husband has a work trip and I’m tagging along. What should I do with my time during the day?

~ Tassel Giza Necklace, Madewell ~ 

I knew I wanted to pair Leopard with this Jumpsuit as well and I already have the Lillian Wedge Sandal in Calf-Hair from J Crew. I love the turquoise-colored stone necklace to bring some unexpected color on top of the black. The Cross-body ties all the colors together.

~ Kerrington Wallet Cross-body, Diamond Combo, Tory Burch ~
~ Lillian Wedge Sandal, J Crew (Seychelles, Loeffler Randall, J Crew)

Of course Espadrilles like the Sevilles from J Crew will work well too. I wore the Metallic Espadrilles in the fitting room and it worked. I think the Bright Citrus from last year will look great with the Jumpsuit too.

Any thoughts on how you would style the Drapey Crepe Oxford Jumpsuit? I’d love to hear them.

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Banana Republic currently has a 40% off, online only, promo through tomorrow 11/20. Use code BRSMILE40 for the discount. Exclusions apply, including BR Picks, BR Monogram, Cashmere, Leather, and blazers, to name a few.

This is the same style, but in a pattern, as the Gray Flannel Fit-and-Flare Skirt I reviewed in late October. This plaid option showed up online just after my review and I knew I wanted it. I decided to order the 8 Tall to have a little more length in the skirt. At the time, this skirt was a BR Pick, and excluded from online promos, and it was on back-order. The skirt finally shipped last week but not before I also found it in one of the stores here in town.

The store did not have a size 8 for me to try so I grabbed the last size 10 on the rack. The size is perfect. The Gray Flannel Skirt was a little snug at the “fit” area, though not uncomfortable. But the 10 leaves me room to tuck in shirts and still not look like it’s too small or tight on me. I’m not necessarily saying to size up. I still think this skirt runs TTS but right now, the size 10 in this style is good for me.

It looks good with the Noir Sweatshirt I bought on sale last week but I think just ok with the Fringe Tank. I think a little pop of red on top will look great and bring this into the Holiday season.

  
Here are two other styling options I’ll try with this skirt. Both J Crew, the Masquerade Tee is from 2009 and the Harper Boots are from 2012, . They are so sleek and thankfully came in Extended Calf sizing. This tee is one of my all-time favorites.  

My booties are the Christian Louboutin Melisa that I splurged on last year. I have worn them quite a bit and will be wearing them frequently again soon. I’m normally a 37 in the CL Simple Pumps but sized to a 38 since these ran a little narrow. The necklace is the Radial Necklace from J Crew about a year ago. This may be my Christmas Eve or Day outfit. 

Being able to style this 3 different ways immediately is a good sign I’ll be keeping this skirt. As soon as I receive the 8 Tall I’ll be returning it. Especially since I paid full-price for it. Since it’s no longer a BR Pick you can get this skirt with the 40% off, BRSMILE40, promo.

Have a Great Evening!

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Happy Halloween! I hope your morning has been filled with more treats than tricks. I’m not in the office today but I know they are planning for a Door Decorating Contest, and trick-or-treaters later today. Not to mention all the cookies, cakes, cupcakes and other goodies that have been filling my Facebook and Instagram streams from co-workers. Though I miss this fun part of being in an office, I am a little glad I’m not tempted by all the yumminess that is there.

We are finally getting into Fall weather, on this last day of October. With temps lowering I was excited to wear the Factory Pleated Mini Skirt in Plaid. Surprisingly, if you haven’t taken a closer look at the skirt, it has tiny stripes of blue mixed in.

Using my Stylebook App, I created two additional looks for this skirt. Each time I make a purchase I create multiple looks with my Stylebook App. This helps me decide whether or not I can really use it in my closet and also prepares me when I think I have “nothing-to-wear”. Sometimes they look great IRL and other times, the outfit is a big fail. I think this will look really cute IRL with the blue bows bringing out the blue in the plaid pattern of the skirt. Depending on the day, I may need to add tights or switch to tall boots instead of the booties.


Of course, a little check-on-check pattern-mixing will work too. I’ve added the Hugo Guinness sweater for a layering option. 

{update} This won’t look too bad styled with last years shirt in the same pattern. The Factory version might be a little closer in color to the gray in the skirt. 

I’m halfway through the day and still have a lot to do, including going to Vote! The days got away from me and I didn’t plan out a costume until yesterday. I’ll at least be sure to share on Instagram. I can’t wait to see all the little Princess Elsa’s and ghouls and goblins tonight. 
Have a Great Day!

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