OOTD And More JCrew (Hawaiian sunset shorts, Another Carrie and Collage Earrings)

I loved, loved, loved the outfit that I wore this past Saturday so I have to share. It was definitely getting warmer but it wasn't yet as warm as to go short sleeves or with only a shirt on. It was a (rare) cotton sweater weather day so I wore one of my favorite sweaters, the fisherman shrunken cable from two summers ago. I think the color was called aged driftwood and it's a beige with grey undertones. It goes perfectly with my Loft "greige" jeans and I added an old ombre scarf in exactly the same tones (plus, I just switched bags for spring and took out my TB City hobo which is grey as well):




The stripe canvas and satin Seville wedges are from last year but because I bought them for cheap late in the summer I didn't get a lot of use out of them (when it starts to be 90 degrees, closed shoes aren't the best for your feet). Their season is really now to June and after walking in them for two days in a row, I was surprised at how comfortable they are (I wore them without socks and they didn't give me blisters nor did they hurt my feet in the least). So since I have been looking at the chambray version since it came out but didn't know if I really needed another pair at full price, I decided that I'd better get them with the 25% off and start to wear them now instead of waiting for them to go on sale and not wear them for the season. Last year I was sized out in the solid Sevilles but this year they introduced half sizes so I sized down half a size and they fit perfectly (for some strange reason the striped canvas and satin ones that I am wearing in these pics were more TTS than the canvas). Yesterday afternoon I sneaked out literally a few minutes before the store closing and luckily they had my size in stock as I didn't want to buy more stuff online to get the free shipping.

So this morning I tried them on with a couple of other new purchases that I meant to show you (I told you I am going broke with this promo). Some of you might have already heard that the Hawaiian sunset print (that comes in the linen tank) also comes in linen shorts that for the time being are only available in store (and not in all the stores, only Fifth Avenue has them so far). I love the print and the tank was my favorite item in the entire Spring Lookbook but for some reason I was holding off because I owned a similar tank (I think it was H&M from many years ago) that I ended up giving away, so it had a little bit of deja vu for me. But when I saw the shorts in store I immediately grabbed them, trying to divert my eyes from the price tag. I was bracing for $79.50 and hoping for $59.50 but they are right in the middle at $69.50. With the promo they came down to $52 which isn't too bad.
My regular short size (2) fits perfectly. They feel a little bit longer on than my other 3" shorts but it is probably because of the linen fabric. They have a zip in the front like chinos (which I prefer to the side zip) and they are lined in cotton (yes, you read right). These are the fitting room pics:




And here are styled with the Seville wedges in chambray and my short-sleeve selvedge denim shirt (which is the same color than the Sevilles BTW):




If you remember I had ordered the Carrie cami in ivory a while ago, during a similar promo but ended up returning it because of its impraticality. But I really, really love that cami and I happened to try a few other colors in store. It turns out that while I usually shy away from red, especially in the summer, this particular shade of red looks great on my skin and it seemed easier to wear (in terms of the bra issue) than the white one. Plus, I have a specific rescue mission for it, that I will show you another time.
I am also glad that I tried a 0 in store because I really need a 2 in this one to accommodate my boobies. So this is the 2:



I don't know if you can't tell but I am wearing it with a new strapless bra by Natori and because the red is not sheer and the silk is quite substantial it doesn't show. I reordered the white too, to see if this bra solves the problem of what to wear under it, I will keep you posted, I might keep both if it works.

Last I bought the Color collage earrings to wear with the cami in lieu of a necklace. The color of the earrings is more pink but because the red of the cami doesn't have orange undertones I think they work well together. I don't have any "dangling" earrings and I thought that these were fun for the summer:



I am really pleased with these purchases, I love everything and I can't wait to wear them, but now I really need to stay put for a while, even if they extended the promo.

What do you think of these items? Anything that you are considering as well? Please share! If you are interested in calling a store for the shorts before the promo ends, the style number is #59008.

Collection New Arrivals: Cafe Capri and Postage Mini in Embroidered Neon Floral, Silk-Wool Skirt in Punk Floral, Collection Cafe Capri in Organza

This SPRINGBEST promo really got me to go the stores and spend way more money on new arrivals than I had envisioned when looking at them on the website. What can I say? Summer is my favorite season.
Anyway, I stopped at the Collection store the other day and tried a few things for the blog (as they didn't have what I was looking for). As you know I have the silk top in punk floral already so I am not interested in anything else in the same print but they had the skirt and since it has been popular I tried it on (it appears to be sold out on the website).
It is a fun skirt in a substantial weigh (the color is a bit darker in the silk-wool fabric than in the silk top and dress) but a bit too voluminous for my taste. I think they should have done it in a midi or knee length to balance the volume out. Instead it is above the knee, which makes it a bit little-girly and poufy. I am 5'2" but if you are taller it will look more like a mini on you.
This is the 0 and it was the right size, it was already sitting a bit below my waist so I wouldn't size up (it would add even more volume):





One of the SAs was trying on the Collection café capri in organza (weren't they called "pagoda" two days ago?) so I decided to try them too. I waited forever for these because they were still in boxes and after all that time they told me that they hadn't received the size 0 (what?). So I tried a 2 and because they were giant a tried a 00. The 00 was definitely too small in the waist (I could barely button them) and too tight on my derriere, while the legs were OK. I would really need a size 0 in these but I don't think they are flattering pants plus the detail at the hem is a bit lost on me as I am not tall enough to showcase it. They are lined, BTW, so not sheer:




This is the side view (and yes, they gave me a case of big booty):


The same SA was wearing the Café capri in neon floral and since I am a sucker for café capris and they looked fun, I gave them a try (that was before seeing the price, I thought that these were below $200, not $300).
The 0 fit perfectly (they are lined as well):




In reality I was interested in the mini but they didn't have it. I wanted to order it with the promo but it is waistlisted until mid-May on the website and I never know what size to order in minis, if a 0 or a 2.
Later that day I also stopped at the other Collection store (the one closer to my place) and asked them if they were going to receive it. They told me that they didn't know but certainly not before the end of the promo. Well, yesterday the VPS there called me because they had received a return of the mini in a size 0 and she had put it on hold for me!
I was almost sure it would be too tight/short but if fit perfectly. I have lost a bit of weight compared to last winter so I am probably a real 0 again, while I was fluctuating between a 0 and a 2. Anyway, the neon yellow really works on my coloring (the color IRL is closer to the pics of the pants) and it is a great skirt for the summer (and a good alternative to a white mini, if you have one already). I trust the SAs at this store to tell me the truth and they were all "you have to get this one", which I did:





I have more pics to share from the regular Collection. What do you think of these Collection pieces? Interested in any of these?
Have a great Sunday!

OOTD And Two New Arrivals

So as many of you, yesterday morning I woke up to a new slate of new arrivals at JCrew. May is usually my favorite month in terms of JCrew catalogs so even if I haven't been that much into the Crew as of late (I branched out as you have probably noticed) I had a look and I found a few things that picked my interest. In particular I fell in love with the punk floral (what a name) print and the swoop top seemed the best item of the collection in terms of price/use, especially with the current promo. I decided to go to my store to check it out in person as I was a bit wary of the possible puff-sleeves (I decided that puff-sleeves are a no go for me). On one side I really hoped that it would work because I wanted something in that print and the dress and skirt, while lovely, are a bit too occasion-y for my lifestyle and I can't pull off the pants. The top while special enough to justify a full price purchase, seemed something that I could easily incorporate in my everyday wardrobe (wear it with a pair of white jeans for the day).
On the other side though I was feeling a bit guilty because I have a similar top, the hothouse floral, that I bought almost full price with the intention of wearing it in the spring and never wore. Granted, we didn't have a spring to speak of but in retrospect it wasn't a smart purchase, especially at fp, because now of course I see things more spring-y and that I love as much if not more, like the punk top.
So I decided to put together a springy outfit (yesterday it was the only day in the week where the temperature was high enough to be deemed "springy") with the hothouse top, for two reasons: first, I wanted to finally get a bit of use out of it and second I was hoping that once in the store I would be struck with the inanity of buying another green silk top similar to the one I was wearing and I would immediately talk myself out of it. This the outfit:



On a side note this factory necklace was really a good purchase:


Halas, my strategy didn't work. First of all it isn't the same green and the cheerfulness of the punk floral print makes the hothouse floral (which is very vivid per se) look almost subdued. Second, I just loved how it fit and that peekaboo detail in the back. Third... well, it is short-sleeved. This is the 0 (my regular size), and it fits perfectly:



Someone on the JCA expressed concern about the bra showing through the cutout in the back. It wasn't the case when I tried it on and I had a regular bra on. Luckily I took a pic to show you:



It is a bit sexy (not for church, school or work) but that's actually the detail that made me really love it. It is a pull-on style with the two ends of that bit of collar in the back fastening with press buttons (a bit of a pain). Some of you may also find it a bit sheer (it is unlined and has the weight of silk georgette) but it wasn't a concern in my case. I also want to point out that the two pieces of fabric crossing in the back are only sewn together with a few stitches at the tip of the V and then at the hem, so it is very fluid (and hopefully those stitches will not come apart at first wear).
This was a real winner for me and I cannot wait to wear it.

The other item that I tried on, more because it generated interest on the JCA than because I was interested in purchasing it for myself, is the Ratti electric kiwi tank. I am not sure that I really like this print but I liked it more on the top than on the shorts (my store didn't have the tunic dress). The tank itself seems a bit overpriced for what it is (it is just a very plain cotton tank without any tailoring), so you are paying for the print. I agree it is a fun print (even if I don't see kiwis at all), a bit too busy maybe? The color didn't seem orange to me but more coral-pink. Now as for the size, the 0 was pulling a bit on my chest and jsut fit around the armholes but I have to say that I have been hitting the gym three times a week and as a result my shoulders and ribcage opened up (which is probably the price that one has to pay to have toned arms). Also, my bra was very padded, I should probably try it again with a bra with less padding and try a 2 to compare:



I have to say, it is growing a bit on me so I might get it before the promo ends and think about it!
I have more pics to share but I am off to a screening of the Tribeca Film Festival and I am running late. In the meanwhile, let me know what you think of these two new arrivals and if you caved yesterday! Talk to you soon.

Best Fitting Jeans Ever and New (Mini) Bag

My local Loft has been closed for renovations since after Xmas and just reopened. I popped in the other day after a hairdresser appointment, since it was on my way home, and they had just started their Family and Friends (40% off everything). Some of my favorite summer clothes are from the Loft so even if I didn't travel to another store during the renovation I have always fun browsing. In particular I love their super-skinny denim (as you might remember I have a pair of cords and a pair of dark wash leggings from the winter) so I wanted to see if they had some light wash for the summer. I found an awesome neutral "greige" that goes with everything (it is called boardwalk grey but it is more of a mix between a light grey and ecru) and they came home with me.
Now, I recently tried a lot of premium denim from brands like Current Elliott, JBrand and the likes and in all honesty I didn't find anything that fits me better than the Loft superskinny. I seem to be a 25 in Loft super skinny jeans, which is a size down from the 26 that I wear across pretty much all the other other brands.
I broke them out yesterday already (I had two birthday parties back-to-back). I tried them with my new Rebecca Taylor tweed moto vest (bought during the Bloomingdales F&F after stalking it forever. Post to come) and the Seville wedges from last year:





The weather was a bit too cool for short sleeves though, so I switched to an old Theory open cardigan:


I also wanted to show you my new bag for spring. I have been looking for a new bag from quite some time and while I am attracted to totes and satchels I realized that I am really a crossbody/messanger person and after wearing a tote/hobo for a few weeks in the end I always come back to my old black Tod's that is now too worn in and also too black for the season. I didn't want to spend a fortune because I get tired of bags pretty easily and also because in my feature there is possibly an Hermes Evelyne II. So after much deliberating I ordered the Marc Jacobs too hot to handle drawstring bag in the birch color. I had already seen this bag at Bloomingdales and thought it was totally adorable but they only had a neon yellow color and a black, that I don't need. Shopbop seems to be the only website that carries it in the birch color, which is an off-white, so when they had their F&F last week I pulled the trigger. This is a small bag but is surprisingly roomy inside. It can comfortably hold my wallet, phone, keys and even a small bottle of Purrell and a small snack for my daughter. Hpwever, I recommend it only if your wallet is a compact one though, you don't want it to stick out.
The strap is adjustable but it came in the perfect length for me. What I like about it is that the Marc Jacobs metal tag is actually white and not gold as in other MJ bags (I can't deal with that big gold placket). Here it is on me:





I apologize, for some reason I cannon copy-paste links, I will try to update later.

Are you partaking in the Loft F&F? Do you like my new bag? By the way, my husband hates it ;-).

Monday OOTD: Approved By Nina

A quick post today to brighten up this Saturday morning, that actually started very bright already. After the manhunt in Boston yesterday it feels like the whole USA, if not the whole world, has just breathed out a big breath of relief.

I mentioned in my last post an encounter with Nina Garcia (and no, she is not behind the Nina shoes, at least not that I know) so since I picked your curiosity I will just go ahead and tell you even if I have maybe created too much expectations and you are going to be disappointed.
It was last Monday and I was going to pickup my daughter. Like every day I was walking by "my" café on Madison (the one where I had breakfast with WWM and her husband when they came to NY and where I usually spot celebrities). Nina Garcia was sitting at one of the tables in the window, facing towards the street and was animatedly talking with someone (who was sitting with his/her back to me, so I couldn't see his/her face). Anyway, this would be hardly worth mentioning (even if I am a big Nina fan and just seeing her puts a big smile on my face) except that she actually looked at me and she smiled at my outfit with an approving nod, or at least I think she did (why would she smile at me otherwise, I don't know her and she surely doesn't know me. It isn't even that I see her so often that we became acquaintances, a thing that actually happened with Michelle Smith of Milly, who started to say Hi! to me at the playground). The outfit wasn't so special that you would think someone like Nina Garcia would stop doing what she was doing to run out and compliment me but it was very springy. Maybe she loves stripes too? This is the outfit (it was actually better because I had my BR white scarf loosely tied around my neck and it is true that it looked great):





The shirt isn't the boy shirt in stripe currently on the website but the factory version of the silk boy shirt from last year (I picked it up for $30 during the holidays). This shirt is great and actually of a better silk than the retail one and a bit longer. It has the same weight of the heartthrob one, which is heavier than the regular silk blouses and has a very nice drape. LOVE it! The blazer is the Theory double-breasted one that I bought in the Fall, it looked very chic with the scarf.
That's all about it (she actually smiled at me again on my way back so she must have really loved this outfit or at least I like to think so. Unless she remembered that a few years ago my daughter and her son played briefly together at the Central Park water basin, where I tried to ignore that the other mom was actually Nina Garcia).

Have a great Saturday!

Tennis Rehab

Last Monday I had a funny encounter with Nina Garcia that I couldn't wait to tell you about but then I got home and my mother in law called me (from Paris) with the alarming news of the Boston attacks. All of a sudden fashion and my outfit of the day seemed like a very unimportant thing to worry and talk about compared to the brutality of what had happened and I just didn't feel like blogging for a few days. Not to be preachy but I think the effect of this kind of event is to remind us that while we focus on our mundanities, things of an entire different nature are happening very close to us and we should take a moment to put things into perspective. What's a popback in the light of the Boston bombs?

I am back today not only because, as they say, "life goes on" but also because I have been planning this post and outfit for a long time, so I didn't want to miss the chance to blog about it now that the moment has finally come to wear it (maybe, if the weather cooperates).
You might remember that a while ago I bought the JCrew :tennis" dress on super-duper sale with the intention of wearing it at my daughter's school Spring Benefit. You might also remember that the plan was to take the dress to the tailor and have the skirt taken in as it was a bit too poufy and big for my taste. This is how it looked:



Well, the school benefit is tonight and for some kind of miracle I didn't forget to take the dress to the tailor early enough to have it ready for the event, so I wanted to update you on the outcome and show you the outfit that I am going to wear (if it doesn't start to pour). This is something that my friend DaniBP would call "frock rehab" (hence the title of this post, which is a wink at Dani's blog. Dani, if you are reading I hope you don't mind!) with the difference that I paid for the alteration what she paid to have her dresses entirely relined in silk (more, actually). Oh well, at least I had paid very little for the dress.

So this is the dress after rehab. The poufiness of the skirt is gone and even if I would have wanted it a little bit more fitted at the waist (which is actually almost an imperial waist), I decided that it was too risky with this kind of fabric because it could create unflattering wrinkles. It is good enough!




While I was taking these pics I realized that I didn't have fancy navy shoes to wear with the dress, in fact I don't have navy evening shoes. As you can see I was wearing my navy Nine West, which are a knockoff of the Valentinas, but the heel is a little bit low and the un-shiny leather dresses down the dress a bit. So I decided to look for something dressier.
I went on Zappos (that Godsend of us last minute persons) and after much deliberation I ordered a pair of inexpensive Nina that had a bit of sparkle. They arrived and I was a bit disappointed: not only they are at least half a size too big in my regular size (I can't keep them on my feet) but they looked a bit "mumsy" on. Basically, not my style at all and while I could make them work for this specific occasion I don't want to keep a pair of shoes that I don't like per se (they are also a lighter navy blue than the trim of the dress):




They are kind of fun though and if the heel had been a bit higher and the style a bit sexier I would have kept them:



Even if I wanted it is too late to order another pair (even if Zappos has the fastest shipping on the planet, they can't make miracles) but there is a small boutique around here that sells Vince Camuto and I remembered seeing some kind of navy pumps. I was actually thinking of their patent sandals (a knockoff of the YSL Tribute) but they didn't come in navy. They had a pair of decently priced high heel patent pumps though and I thought I would bring them home and try them with the dress. The style is very similar to the NW/Valentinas but the heel is much higher (not a good thing in general but this is an exception). Granted, they don't make an enormous difference compared to the NW and they don't seem very comfortable but they are more party-appropriate, so I will decide at the last minute if it is worth to wear them:







If the shoes are a bit of a headache, the jacket is a no brainer, I am going to go with my navy "goes with everything" structured silk jacket by the Italian brand Violante, purchased at Searle a few years ago (a staple in my closet and probably one of the best fashion investment that I ever made):





As far as jewelry goes, I ordered the navy studded necklace from the factory website but I am not sure it will arrive in time. If not, I will go with a white pearl strand.

That's it. What do you think of this frock rehab? Do you think it was worth it? Which shoes do you think I should wear?
Please share!