It might only be 15 days until Christmas but they will pass by quickly. I try to do a lot of errands and shopping during the week to avoid the weekend craziness. A skirt or jeans, a tee and a cardigan are my three key pieces to an outfit. These three core pieces help make me ready to go if I need to run to the store during lunch or after work.
~ Reindeer Tee, J Crew (one, two, three) ~
~ Merino V-Neck Cardigan, Distressed Quartz, J Crew (one, two, three) ~
~ Plaid Fit-and-Flare Skirt, Banana Republic (pencil, midi, mini) ~
~ Cece Ballet Flat, Black, J Crew (Lanvin, Toms, Vince Camuto) ~
I love this little skirt and decided to go a little festive with the J Crew Reindeer Tee from Holiday 2009. Instead of a red or green cardigan I chose this soft pink (distressed quartz) cardi instead. It looks a little more normal than “crazy Christmas lady” in green or red. 
I’ve done most of my Christmas shopping this year online, mostly from Amazon. Yay for Amazon Prime! That doesn’t mean I still won’t head to the mall but at least I don’t have the anxiety of trying to find that last minute gift for someone. How close are you to being done? 
Have a Great Day! 

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Many years ago I disliked Cashmere very much because it was too itchy. My opinion has since changed and I love wearing it alone or layered. I must have had a bad batch or something because cashmere is no longer itchy to me but so soft and cozy. I could wear it all day, every day. And I pretty much have been doing just that.

Right now I am a J Crew snob and only have J Crew Cashmere BUT I do want to try other brands (Talbots, LE, etc.) if I can find just the right color. I have purchased at least one “fun” color and one “staple” color a year. I have a range of Tees (short and long-sleeve), Cardigans, V-Neck Sweaters, and Shawl Collar Sweaters. I have only bought my Cashmere on sale or with a % off or both (as it seems to be with JC these days). The rest I have found on ebay, quite the treasure trove out there, but I know you KWIM.

As far as my “fun” colors, I have Bright Dahia, Deep Poppy, a true Red from Old Navy, Jalapeño, Viridian Green or something similar to that, Dark Orange, Pink and Turquoise. For my “staple” colors, I have Snow (white), Black, Navy, Heather Caramel (camel), Cobblestone (gray) and Green. I like the fun colors because they do liven up a pair of jeans or pants. 

So, I found some time to take 3 outfit pics this week. I am lucky I have found made the time to get dressed every day. But each day I’ve had little errands to run so I’m not doing it at the last minute on Christmas Eve.

Monday…I felt patriotic but very warm and cozy. My legs were a little cold and could have used tights and boots instead of flats. I LOVE the Flair Skirt. It was a sizing issue for me that made me originally not like it but when I found my perfect size I was happy with the fit and “flair” of it all.

Sweater: J Crew Cashmere L/S Tee, Dark Poppy
Skirt: J Crew Flair Skirt, Navy, 8P
Shoes: Prada Calf Hair Flats (I’ve had these beauties for 6 years!)

Wednesday…I really like the color of these cords. I never saw them online so I believe they were an in-store only color. I had these hemmed for flats even though I bought the 29 Short. I think she removed at least two inches. As for this tee, I thought I had lost it. It had been missing for almost a year and then one day when I was going through my “handwash” only laundry I found it. Yay!

Cardigan: J Crew Cashmere Cody, Cobblestone
Tee: J Crew Reindeer Tee (2009)
Pants: J Crew Stretch Vintage Bootcut Cords, Bristol Blue (in-store color)
TOMS Shoes Black Glitter
Today…I wanted to somewhat re-create this look. I know the image is a little small and blurry but you can go here to see it. 
I liked the Tuxedo pant with the scarf and the glittery shoes. I completely missed out on this scarf but was able to find it at ASOS for much less than the JC Cashmere Scarf. Thank you Andrea, over at Life’s Divine blog, for pointing me to it! (Also see the Forever 21 scarf!) I wanted to layer the Cashmere Tee but realized I do not have a black button-down shirt other than the Tartan Perfect Shirt, which I wore Thursday (sorry no pic) so I couldn’t wear it again. (You can see it in my Polyvore strip on the right.) I settled on a J Crew Haberdashery in White from a few years ago along with Wool Tuxedo pants. I added the Asos scarf and I was off to J Crew. 
Shirt: J Crew Haberdashery, White
Sweater: J Crew Cashmere Tee, Snow
Pants: J Crew Wool Tuxedo Pants (ebay)
Shoes: Steve Madden Madee, Glitter

Scarf: Asos
I think I finally found a present for Husband the he will not expect. Not only is he hard to buy for but he spoils his gifts every year, including the Kindle he was going to get this year. He also found a stocking-stuffer and tried to use it before I caught him. The Boy is easy – cash and gift cards to Barnes & Nobles. But I am working with Santa on a special gift this year. Something he’s not expecting at all. As for what I want, thank goodness for the Amazon Universal Wishlist Button or I wouldn’t have anything under the tree. Not that I really want anything but it’s helpful for the in-laws so they can pick something they know I will like.
Well, I’m off to try and wrap some presents this evening. Tomorrow I will be shopping for the nephews and niece and grabbing stocking-stuffers.
Have a Great evening!

Merry Christmas!

Yucky drizzly foggy weather today here in South Central Texas. These are the days I’m happy I work from home. But I decided I wasn’t going to stay in PJs or sweats all day. I’m going to make an extra effort to get dressed at least 3 days of the work week. Since we also have the boy’s basketball game this evening that gives me a little more motivation to do this.

IRL

This is more just pictures than a review. I am usually a Medium in tops but in J Crew tees I’m having to size to a Small due to the fit and length.

The Reindeer Tee (looks like most of you bought this. I like the “porcelain” color on me than the “Glazed Hazelnut”.
The receipt call this one the Vintage Slub Elk Tee. Not sure if there are other colors.
$45.00

I was able to stop by the J Crew Outlet (J’Crewlet) yesterday and peruse their selections. Lots of coats and cords (matchstick and boot cut). Also some sweaters and “lounge wear” and tees.

(Please forgive me. I didn’t get pics of the tags. I’m still trying to get used to my new phone and the camera on it. I couldn’t shut the shutter volume off so I didn’t want to take too many pictures and draw attention to myself.)
A pencil skirt I didn’t try on.
A version of the Minnie pant/Pixie Pant. It has a zipper in the back. I did buy this.
Tees – The 3rd one on the top is similar to the Snow-Gem Tee currently a new arrival, although the outlet tee is not beaded. Out of these I purchased the last one, of the Scottie dog, for $34.50 (with a discount, I think maybe 20% off all tees). They also had a reindeer tee similar to the one I bought last year (blue sequins on blue cotton). I’ll take a pic of mine and post later. Most of the tees were $24.50-$34.50 and there was a discount on them.

Matchstick Cords in a Heather Rosebud. This color was selling out fast. I sized up, I wanted this color so bad. It makes me want to go be a snow-bunny. All cords were on sale for $24.50.
And I also purchased the enamel elephant necklace. Too cute to pass up and all jewelry was 40% off. They also had some color variations of the Victoria ruffle shirt. I’ve seen a lot of them on ebay (black w/white dots, red watercolor, abstract rose print).

**Update: Here is my Reindeer Tee I purchased last year at the B&M. The one at the outlet was a smaller reindeer version but still on the front center of the shirt.