/ Reviews

So I found some old fitting rooms pics, from around January, that I’ll throw in at the end of this post.

~ Perfect Shirt in Scattered Daisy, Navy, size 6 ~
~ Side-Zip Denim Short, size 8 ~

The Scattered Daisy shirt is really cute and immediately caught my eye during its roll-out. I hesitated to purchase it only because I have been wearing only the Foil Dot Shirt and my Ann Taylor Embroidered Dot Shirt frequently. My store had three shirts left so I grabbed the 6 knowing it would be snug in the chest, shoulders and arms. I need my normal size 8 in this shirt. The daisies are white with pink in the center. I rarely look at the online image details, preferring to see the detail in person so I completely missed it while browsing online. The print also comes in the Patio Pant and the Campbell Blazer, though in a brown color.

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~ Side-Zip Denim Short, size 8 ~

This is a nice, dark, thicker denim short, as compared to, say, the denim on a Toothpick Jean. The zipper is on the side, allowing for a flat front. The inseam is 3 1/2 inches but the rise is higher, at 11 inches. It’s a really good, dressy short and I’ll certainly get a lot of use out of these in the Summer, especially over Chino or printed shorts. I am in a size 29 and it fit just fine. The size 30 were bunchy in front. A solid pick from J Crew that I am considering them in White as well.

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~ Trench Cape, Barley, XS/S ~

I know capes are not my friend but I couldn’t resist trying the Trench Cape. I feel really awkward with my arms sticking out of those armholes. The Tippi in Gingham looks good with it. This is really oversized and I am in the XS/S. The interior buttons were a bit difficult to fasten too. Leaving them un-buttoned made for a little bulkiness underneath and not smooth.

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Hand in pocket…Doesn’t look too bad. But, I did struggle trying to slip my arm back inside the trench to get my hand in the pocket. The back is wide. Though I’m taking the pic with one arm it’s still right next to my side on top so it isn’t adding to the width of the Trench Cape. Give me a hood and a shapely silhouette!

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~ Sunday Slim Chino, White, size 8 ~

I have these in Sunset Haze or at least a similar color, that I purchased over the Summer. I chose a size 6 since it was the only one in that color. The size 8, in the White, runs a big large in the waist and bunchy in the front. I know the size 6 is just a little snug in the thighs for me but the pants do stretch a little with wear. I’d still get the size 6 in these, opting for the stretching out as opposed to baggy. Of course, now I see that there is a Petite option online so the 8P would probably work well. The Belvedere Red was really striking in-store. The red is pretty saturated in person but I wonder how much of that will fade with wash-and-wear.

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~ 5″ Chino Short, Storm Grey, size 8 ~

I don’t have a “true grey” short and wanted to try both this color and the length. The color isn’t as dark IRL as it is online. I like them and the size 8 fit fine but I do have a 4″ Chino Short in Quarry Green which looks grey but isn’t. Anyway, these are a good pair of shorts, if you are in need of any, and come in a few different colors.

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~ Lightweight Bermuda Chino Short, Navy, size 8 ~

I really needed to replace a pair I’ve had since at least 2009. They still fit, aren’t frayed or holey but are really faded. Size 8 was a good fit and I’m keeping these. I ordered the British Khaki too but it’s on back-order until Mid-April.

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~ Sunday Slim Chino Short, Honey Brown, size 8 ~

Comfy, casual, slouchy. That’s the Sunday Slim Chino Short. The fit is just like the Chino Pant but this time I do prefer the size 8. I bought these in the Navy as well though I’ll probably return them since I have the Bermuda’s above.

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~ Boy Shirt in Navy Weekend Plaid, size 8 ~
~ Colorblock Striped Skirt, size 6 ~

I recall being interested in this shirt when it arrived online. It’s currently on sale plus 30% off with SPRINGSALE. I recall it being a lightweight flannel type. The blue is just as saturated as it is in the pics. Size 8, good fit.

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I really liked this skirt. It’s not quite a pencil shape but more a-line as you can see it flares some from the hips. The size 6 was ok but I’d go with an 8 or 8 Petite instead. The length was not as long as I expected it to be and the Elsie in Leopard help. The mix of navy and bright blue are pretty and unexpected. I’m not shopping for skirts but this one gives some nice interest to it.

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~ Ruffled Button-Up Shirt in End-on-End Cotton, size 8 ~

The tiny ruffles are at the cuff, collar and button placket. A simple little touch that makes a basic button down a little more interesting. Not enough for me to buy it but still interesting, none-the-less. Fits TTS

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I’m curious if any of you bought the Scattered Daisy shirt or have tried on the Trench Cape? Anyone?

/ Reviews

This afternoon we have all the Gingham I could find in the store to try on.

~ Campbell Blazer in Gingham, Cobalt Blue Ivory, size 8 ~
~ Linen V-Neck Tee, Bright Butternut, Small ~
~ Lightweight Short in Gingham Linen, Cobalt Blue Ivory, size 8 ~

This was a really cute blazer. The Cobalt Blue is nice and bright and exactly matches the shorts. I felt silly wearing them together though. I do have a pair of white Linen shorts that would look fantastic with the blazer. The size 8 fit fine so this is TTS, but since it’s offered in a Petite I would size to my normal 10 Petite. It fits much better in the chest, waist and sleeve length. Single button is not great but will work. I usually leave my blazer buttons undone. I reviewed the Linen Tee yesterday. This blazer also comes in Pink Ivory.

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The blazer is lined in poly resembling a seersucker stripe.

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~ Lightweight Short in Gingham Linen, Cobalt Blue Ivory, size 8 ~

J. Crew baffles me sometimes with their product names. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a linen item not be “lightweight”. Maybe that’s their way of saying it’s not a blend? Moving on, the shorts are just as cute as the blazer and more my style. Though I wish these were offered in a true navy gingham, I do like the cobalt blue color. It’s just as bright and saturated as the blazer. The inseam is 5-inches, a pretty good length for me. If I can recall correctly, these shorts are not lined but not thin enough to be see-through.

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~ Tippi in Gingham, Caravan Blue, Small ~

This sweater is made of  a very lightweight and somewhat sheer Merino Wool. The Small fit really well and would be the size I’d get. I am normally a Medium in Tippis but the Medium was very slouchy on me so I would say this Tippi runs big. The Caravan Blue is pretty in person but I like the Vivid Canary that’s offered instead. I can definitely see that color with the Ponte Wide-Leg Pants.

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~ Lightweight Linen Tunic in Gingham, Small ~

I had already ordered this in the Hydrangea color. This runs large and the Small was fine and works for a decent coverup. The Gingham in Navy and White and has a tie at the neck. The sleeves are long but I’d definitely roll mine up.

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~ Lightweight Linen Tunic, Hydrangea White, Small ~

This the one I ordered and is the same style and fit just a different color. For the price, I decided I could find something cheaper (Factory) or take one of my Linen button-downs as a cover-up.

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I had purchased the Tippi but have since returned it. It was one of those things where I decided if I didn’t wear it in the first week of purchase I would return it and wait for it to go on sale. I won’t be heart-broken if I don’t get it. I have a feeling there will be other retailers copying the Gingham look soon.

/ Reviews

On to some reviews of the latest J Crew roll-out. I’m starting with my unexpected and favorite item, the Ponte Wide-Leg Pant.

~ Linen V-Neck Tee, Bright Butternut, Small ~
~ Ponte Wide-Leg Pant, Navy, size 6 ~
~ Dulci Suede Kitten Heels, Black, size 6 1/2 ~

I sized down to a Small in the tee and it’s still somewhat slouchy on me. The Bright Butternut color was very saturated and bright. A nice color to wear for Spring under a Navy or White blazer. They were just to try on with the pant but The Dulci Suede Kitten Heels fit a half size small. My normal shoe size is a 7 but I did feel more comfortable in the 6 1/2.

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~ Ponte Wide-Leg Pant, Navy, size 6 ~

This pant was just so amazing. I felt great in them. They felt great on. I’m in a size 6, one size down from my normal 8 pant size. The Navy is nice and dark. The side-zip only has a little poking out, as you can see. I lightened up the first photo so you can see how they really fit on me. I honestly don’t even think Spanx are needed with these pants. The ponte is thick enough to hold you in all on their own. They are supposed to be a bit cropped but, for me, the length is perfect, with or without a heel.

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Normal pic, un-lightened…you can see these will also be good with flats. If you do tuck in your shirt be sure it’s as flat and as smooth as can be. There will be some lines showing. I personally think leaving the shirt untucked or a very loose tuck will be good for these pants.

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~ Perfect Shirt in Embroidered Dot, size 8 ~
~ Teddie Pant, Navy, size 6 ~

The Teddie Pants were just ok for me. Of course, I tried them on after the Ponte Wide-Leg pants but I wasn’t all that impressed with them when they first rolled out. I also don’t have a need for pants like this. They’ll just sit in my closet. You’ll see they are not cropped on me (5’2″) and the size 6 fit fine. I could probably size to an 8 Petite for a little more comfort in the waist and thighs but overall the 6 was ok.

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The Embroidered Dot shirt was nice and interesting. Not enough to buy it because I have an Ann Taylor one but this one was nice. The size 8 fit me TTS. The white dots have tiny holes in the center while the blue dots have white embroidery in the center. The shirt does seem a little thin and if you look at it in closer detail on the product image you can see the blue embroidered dot on the back of the shirt. This is one shirt I would consider wearing with the Ponte Wide-Leg Pant un-tucked or maybe a half-tuck. Is that still a thing?

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~ Chambray Scalloped Top with Grommets, size 6 ~
~ Billie Demi-Boot Crop Jean, Bergen Wash, size 30 ~

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I skimmed right by this when I saw it online during the initial roll-out but my store had it. I accidentally grabbed a size 6 and it just fits. The 8 would be more comfortable across the chest. I know it says “grommets” in the name but wasn’t really expecting them. I figured the holes at the bottom were embroidered. So, if you wear this traveling, you may get an extra pat-down going through security.

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I had no expectation that my store would receive the Billie Demi-Boot Crop Jean. But they were available in two colors. Unsure of how they fit, I grabbed a size 30 because I knew it would be at least roomy if they were too big or fit just right if they ran small. The size 30 fit fine in the length (not cropped), and in the thighs and waist. The front was a little saggy and would probably worsen with wear. I really liked the high-rise on this, hitting just above my belly-button.

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~ Billie Demi-Boot Crop Jean, Surrey Wash, size 29 ~

There was not a size 29 in the Bergen Wash so the SA brought me that size in the Surrey Wash. The bagginess in front was a non-issue but I think with the lighter wash, I didn’t care for the high-rise look as much. The length was just slightly shorter than the 30. I can only assume the 30 Petite would be the best fit for me but since there are so many jean options I’m not going to settle. These are a pass for me, even on sale.

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Out of all of these, the Ponte Wide-Leg Pant are my absolute favorite! I’ll share soon several ways to style them.

Tomorrow is Gingham Day!

/ Reviews

We’ve booked our trip and I’m really excited about it. Most of it will be in sunny places so I started looking for a few sandals to try and take with me. I have my Birkenstocks that I’ll be taking with me but I also wanted another versatile pair or two that can go with shorts, a swimsuit or a casual dress. Enter some cute, casual sandals from TOMS.

~ Isabella Sandals, size 7 ~

The Isabella fits TTS in length but if you have a larger instep area like mine then the band cutting across will be tight. I wiggled my foot into both sandals but I don’t feel that part will stretch enough to be comfortable. I’d rather keep looking for something better.

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The quality of the leather is really good though the sandal is completely flat with no heel or arch support. The footbed is cushioned and also leather. They also come in black. Sadly, I had to return these.

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~ Solana Flip-Flops, size 7 ~

I love the colorful straps on the Solana. They will go with a lot. They fit TTs and have a cushioned foot-bed and arch support. They are just so cute and they’ll definitely be going on my trip with me.

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These sandals also come in Cork and Braided Trim.

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It’s so hard when planning a vacation to not buy a whole new wardrobe. I’ll be sharing thoughts on what I’ve purchased already and what I still need.

Happy Shopping!

/ Reviews

I haven’t even shared my picks from the last J Crew roll-out and another, with lots and lots of Gingham, has arrived today. The only item I ordered from the last roll-out was the Midnight Floral Necklace. It looked so pretty online I knew I had to see it in person. I waited for a promo code before ordering.

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The stones are stunning in Navy Blue and the additional clusters of flowers and cascading stones add to the statement style of this necklace. It will go with everything adding a little more oomph to your outfit.

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But, I have to agree with the 3-star review it received. The quality is lacking. I couldn’t put my finger on it until I wore a Factory necklace I have. The “noise” of this necklace sounds cheap and plastic, a little like Factory jewelry. The brass sounds hollow, or maybe not even brass at all. It is a little lighter than I expected, probably due to the lesser quality materials used.

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It’s so disappointing and I’m on the fence about keeping it. I would love to but knowing the materials sound like they were skimped on, even if only to my ears, will bother me when I wear it. It’s certainly a piece you could find at Bauble Bar for less than $100. I’d probably rather buy an ebay or Etsy knock-off knowing I am getting what I paid for. This is not worth the $150 or the 25% off I used.

There are also matching earrings. These are currently 25% off with promo code SHOPNOW. I don’t wear earrings and if they sound like the necklace I know I’ll get annoyed hearing the cheapness so close to my ears.

Has anyone tried this necklace? Please tell me what you think of it.