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!

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!

Do you ever pair the same print together and wear them at the same time? I have done that for the past two days.
Exhibit A

Cardigan: J Crew Factory Vintage Zebra Stripe Cardigan
Skirt: J Crew Factory Vintage Zebra Stripe Mini
Tank: J Crew Perfect Fit Flower Tank in Gray
TOMS Glitter Shoes

Exhibit B

Cardigan: J Crew Factory Evening Primrose Cardigan
Skirt: J Crew Factory Evening Primrose Belle Skirt
Tank: J Crew Perfect Fit Flower Tank in Burnished Olive
GAP City Flat in Purple

But I’m not alone in this. J Crew has matched the same print together as well. The first time I saw this image I thought “What an interesting dress?” But it’s actually the No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Royal Paisley and the Talia Top in Royal Paisley (either that or a sweater in the print that hasn’t reached online yet.)

Have you ever dressed in the same print, as separates, top and bottom? 

Here’s the J Crew Casbah Dress. This is my new favorite print and I love the green jewel tones.

Size 8

It is a side zip and has and extra zip for the bust paneling. I’ll try to get a shot of it later.  I tried a belt right under the bust but it didn’t look great, IMO. There is pleating right under the center of the bust which gives it that “float away from the body” look as well as the “I may be pregnant” look. It will be good when hiding “food babies” too.

J Crew Jackie in Beechwood

I also bought the scarf in this print. Even though it’s wool it is very lightweight and sheer/thin. Texas seems to have skipped Spring and jumped right into Summer (92 today!) so I may not have a chance to wear this outside until next Fall.

This is what I wore today. It’s our wedding anniversary and Husband and I spent the day together by having breakfast, getting our free coffee, and getting massages, facials and pedicures. Here’s the new Anthropologie Apothecary Skirt. There are so many colors in this print but they all go well together. Also, this buttons down the front, just like the J Crew Dorrie Skirt. While at Anthropologie last night I spotted and met Molly, from AnthroMollogies! It was so cool to meet another blogger in person for the first time. And she is so nice and stylish in person!

J Crew Max & Molly Tee
Apothecary Skirt – 6
J Crew Capri Sandals

Wednesday’s outfit

J Crew Indigo Silk Shirt
J Crew Summerweight Bermudas
Tory Burch Flip-Flops

And this was Thursday’s outfit.

J Crew Milla Tank – 8
J Crew Lunette Mini – 8
Tom’s Metallic Wedges

I’m off to get ready for dinner. I will be wearing the Casbah Dress this evening.

Have a great Easter weekend!

I just wanted to show you my outfit from Monday when I had to go into the office.

All J Crew
Jackie in Pearl (2010)
Factory 4-strand Pearls
Christian Louboutin Simple 70 Pumps in Navy

A true navy shoe…I’m in love.
I removed the belt from the cami since I was wearing a cardigan over it. I should have belted over both of them but I didn’t have a skinny navy belt and I didn’t want to do a skinny brown leather so I left it alone.

Also, here’s an IRL shot of my new Gold TOMS wedges.

You’ll see them soon in an Que Bella post.

Have a great day!