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.