/ Reviews

~ Fine-Striped V-Neck Cardigan Sweater, Ivory/Navy, Medium ~

When I originally saw this cardigan and felt it, I thought it was cotton but it’s actually Merino Wool. The wool is very fine making the cardigan thin and not feeling like the Tippi. I know we are in Winter but the lightweight feel of this will be a great transition into Spring. The other color in this is Ivory/Ash which is light gray. I prefer the Ivory/Navy.

The length hit at the hips on me and though the sleeves are a little long I felt comfortable in my normal Medium.

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~ Striped Boatneck Tunic, Small, Navy/Ivory ~

My store only had a few left of this tunic in both the Navy and the Slate/Black. And I know why. It’s amazingly comfortable and the stripes are a good width apart. It’s cotton and has a sweater texture but isn’t super thick or thin. The lone reviewer only states it the perfect mix between a tee and sweater and I agree. I felt more comfortable in the Medium (reviewing later) but looking back at these pics the Small doesn’t look too bad on me. At $55, it’s a great deal and something I will probably wear at least twice a week. I’m rotating between 5 sweaters right now and don’t feel like wearing anything else in my closet. This will be good to break up the routine.

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~ Lookout Highrise in Sanford Wash, size 29 ~

I like the Lookout jeans in general though prefer the crop version, if it’s available. I ended up tucking these under about 1 1/2 inches so they didn’t bunch at the bottom. The 29 fit me just fine and I like this darker wash with a limited amount of fading. I am looking for new jeans that are not skinny but not overly wide-leg. I still love my Wide-Leg Crop pairs I have an am hoping to find something similar to those but at a floor length.

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~ Fine-Striped V-Neck Cardigan Sweater ~
~ Striped Boatneck Tunic ~
~ Lookout Highrise in Sanford Wash ~
~ Gemma Flats in Stripe (Leopard, Glitter) ~

Right now the Gemma Flats in Stripe are in-store only. My store received a few pair and they are lovely. I used to have the Factory Addie Loafer in stripe but never wore them. I did size down to a 6 1/2 and they fit much better than my size 7 Glitter. The 7s fit but are a little loose. The 6 1/2 still has the length but don’t feel as wide. They are absolutely adorable IRL though. As much as I like the Gemma in Stripe I really don’t think I’ll wear them enough.

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~ Fine-Striped V-Neck Cardigan Sweater ~
~ Striped Boatneck Tunic ~
~ Lookout Highrise in Sanford Wash ~
~ Gemma Flats in Stripe (Leopard, Glitter) ~

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With a return I made I bought the cardigan and ordered the tunic in a Medium.

What do you think of these striped items? Are the Gemma’s so cute?

/ Reviews

Ann Taylor has 50% off most items, with some exclusions, using code MERRY50. Another of my favorites, and the one that caused me to go into Ann Taylor, is the Bow Print Boatneck Sweater.

~ Boiled Wool Skirt, Bright Cherry, 8 Petite ~
~ Bow Print Boatneck Sweater, Medium ~

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~ Bow Print Boatneck Sweater, Medium ~

This sweater feels like it’s woven tight. It’s an acrylic/Merino blend so that’s probably why. I would still stay with the Medium. The neckline is boatneck and the sleeves are 3/4-length. The length hits at the hip for me though the lone reviewer stated it was a little cropped on her. It’s currently part of the 50% off, making it $40.

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I reviewed the Bow Print Blouse and the print can also be fount in a scarf.

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~ Boiled Wool Skirt, Bright Cherry, 8 Petite ~

J Crew does a version of this skirt every year as a mini. This year, they have the Flutter Mini Skirt, which I didn’t see in my store though I wasn’t really looking for it. The Factory has a mini skirt in wool as well. The Ann Taylor version hits me just above the knee in the 8 Petite. The normal size 8 would probably be just at the middle of the knee. The shape is also more A-line instead of straight, like the past J Crew skirts and current Factory skirt. I couldn’t capture the color but this cherry red caught my eye immediately. Since the 8 Petite fit so well I can only assume the size 6 will fit the same.

 

 

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And here are some other Sweater and Skirt options I like.

Today is the last day to order via Standard Shipping and still receive by Christmas. I surprised myself Saturday and wrapped all the gifts. I finished up shopping at Target, which was super-crazy busy, and grabbed some additional gift cards and stocking-stuffers at Walgreen’s and am D.O.N.E.  I have a few more packages arriving, in the NICK of time – slaps Gigi’s knee. 😉

/ Reviews

Ann Taylor sizing is so inconsistent for me. Some seasons I can wear Small/6 and other times it’s Medium/8/8 Petite. The skirts are so off for me that I always have to try them on. Luckily, I can always find what I’m looking for since Ann Taylor brings almost all their items to a store, with the exception of maybe Cashmere and shoes. That is the case with the skirt below. Let’s take a look.

~ Jeweled Wool Tee, Medium ~
~ Bow Print Tie-Neck Blouse, Medium ~
~ Eyelet Full Skirt, size 6 ~

While I was trying on these items, at the last minute I decided to add the Jeweled Wool Tee to the outfit to see how it would look layered. Unfortunately, I’m not sure I like the look with the tie-neck blouse but the two pieces separately I do like.

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~ Jeweled Wool Tee, Medium ~

The Medium fit quite well in this felted wool tee. The tee is a loose fit and I could probably size to a Small but I like slouchy and loose for Winter. The jewels are only on the front and not the back or sleeves. There is a drop-shoulder but I don’t mind that too much as you can barely see the seam. I think this is constructed very well and fantastic for the Holidays. It will carry over well into Spring as a date-night option. This light gray is the only color available. It might have been lovely in a Navy. The reviews online are mixed. I didn’t find there to be any shedding with this like one reviewer posted.

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~ Bow Print Tie-Neck Blouse, Medium ~

I had this bow tied lower and forgot to snap that pic. Right ow it looks more like a tight choker than a loose bow. The Medium fits ok to a bit loose and long. I would think the Medium Petite will fit better. The sleeves will shorten though I’m worried the shoulders might tighten a little too much. It’s Poly but had this been done in silk I would have strongly considered buying it.

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~ Eyelet Full Skirt, size 6 ~

Now, this lovely skirt. I am always trying on pleated skirts like this and usually have to size to an 8 in them. I know I’ve sized to an 8 in various brands and at Ann Taylor as well. There was none to be had in the store so I grabbed the size 6, reasoning that I could at least zip some of it so you had an idea of how it looked on. Well, low-and-behold, it zipped up all the way…with the blouse tucked in too. It does look a little “hippy” in the first pic but it’s really not. It drapes well and the pleats stay down. I could wear the 6 or the 8 Petite and it would fit the same except for the length, which has the lining hitting at the knee and the eyelet overlay just below it. This is not a midi-skirt but would be for me. I like that the overlay is midi-ish on me while the lining that is solid still hits at the knee.

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These are three pieces that could easily make it into my closet. Use code MERRY50 to take 50% off the Jeweled Wool Tee and Bow Blouse. The Eyelet Full Skirt is excluded from this promo. I think because it’s more of a Resort or Spring item.

/ Reviews

I returned the Walkway Sweater Dress but made a walk around the store before completing the transaction. I found the Orson Loafer and really liked them.

~ Orson Loafer in Leopard, size 6 1/2 ~

They are a different print and colors from the Darby Loafers that I have from J Crew. The shoe itself looks a bit more masculine and the tongue comes up a bit higher on the foot. I will say they are a stiffer and may need a little breaking in.

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I tried on both the 6 1/2 and 7 in the Orson Loafer and found the size 7 to be a bit loose and long in the toe box. I chose the 6 1/2, which is a 1/2 size smaller than my normal size. I only tried them on but they felt comfortable in that brief amount of time. I’ll report back once I wear them for a longer period of time.

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The calf hair is very fine and the pattern looks printed on satin instead of tiny hairs. It’s only until you touch it that you realize it’s calf hair.

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I’m excited to wear these soon. The Darby Loafers I have are a tan and brown pattern, very different from these camel and black.

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Shop other flats at Madewell…

I also like these boots too.

Have you tried the Orson Loafer? Currently, you can take 25%off with code YOUGOTTHIS on these and all my picks above.

/ Que Bella

I took advantage of the Black Friday/Weekend promo at Emerson Fry of 45% off and bought another Yoshi Sweater, this time in Natural. I stayed with the same size as my Midnight Red sweater, an XS. I get so many compliments when I wear either one. I think because it looks so oversized and cozy.

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I’ve already worn the Natural color several times, just keeping it very casual.

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~ Yoshi Sweater, Emerson Fry ~
~ Vintage Cropped Jean in Dark Rinse, J Crew (J.Brand, Mother) ~
~ Reversible Plaid Scarf (similar) ~
~ Sawyer Boot, J Crew Factory (Vince Camuto, Jack Rogers) ~
~ Classic Wool Fedora, J Crew Factory (Halogen, Nordstrom Rack)~

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This was super casual after a lunch of Mexican Food. I changed into the Fair Isle Leggings and lounged the rest of the day watching football. 

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~ Yoshi Sweater, Emerson Fry ~
~ Fair Isle Leggings, J Crew (Gap, Target, Nordstrom)~
~ Melanie Slip-On Sneaker, Frye ~

I debated for a while between the Natural, which was full-price plus 45% off, or the Charcoal, which was (and still is) $128. In the end, the Natural won out and I’m so happy with it. Oddly, it didn’t come with any tags on it, including the “do not remove if you want to return tag”. But that all worked out since I kept the sweater.

Have a Great Day!