Boy Shoes

Boys are lucky.  They don't have to wear make-up, panty hose, bras, or high heels.  They get to wear cute loafers and oxfords.  With cute socks.  I LOVE wearing boy shoes and have several pairs.  When I wear boy shoes I make it a point to wear something feminine too.  Like the silk ruffle sleeve blouse and statement necklace I wore today. 

Do you like boy shoes?  Also, I like black and brown together.  Do you?

Ann Taylor Top
Gap Boy Fit Trousers
J. Crew Necklace
J. Crew Belt
Kate Spade Socks
Shoes via Off Broadway Shoes

Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

I headed to the Outlet Mall today to check out new arrivals at J. Crew and then to Old Navy.  I had hoped to do some reviews for ya'all, but none of my pics turned out.  Every. One. Was. Blurry.  Grrrrr.  How do you ladies do it?!?!

Check out Gigi's Old Navy reviews HERE.  She tried on the same stuff I did and her reviews AND PHOTOS are awesome! 

I did see a Polka Dot Chambray Shirt at Old Navy that I don't see online.  Wish I had a pic for you.  The fabric weight and the size of the polka dots were VERY reminiscent of the J. Crew Polka Dot Chambray.  It had 2 pockets on the front.  Actually the same cut, style, etc. of the shirt I'm wearing today in the photos below.  It was $24.94 and Old Navy has a 25% off coupon you can print online.  A very good deal.  I didn't buy because how many polka dot chambray shirts does one really need?  I prefer my Gap Polka Dot Chambray as I love the larger polka dots.  That being said, for $19 I might go back and get it tomorrow.

Old Navy recently added some chambray polka dot shorts online.  I had hoped to check them out in-store, but no such luck.  They were just putting out all the new arrivals today.  Cute, huh?

Old Navy Polka Dot Chambray Shorts $22.94

My foray to the J. Crew Outlet was a huge disappointment.  I didn't really see anything that caught my eye.  The couple of things online that I wanted to check out IRL (see below)  they didn't have.

J. Crew Factory 2 Pocket Silk Blouse (Factory Version of the Blythe) in Alabaster $66.50

J. Crew Factory Perfect Shirt in Navy Polka Dot $35.70

I did end up purchasing the Factory Draped Novelty top.  It is Poly, but I don't mind.  It is very similar to the J. Crew Polka Dot silk top with the exposed zipper that I missed and have been stalking ever since.  This is a nice substitute IMO.  It is $45.15 online, but was higher in-store.  They did price match, but I had to be told at least 100 times that they don't usually and really shouldn't.  I didn't hold a gun to their head - honest.  BTW I took an XS so it seems to run a little big.

Factory Draped Novelty Top $64.50 - $51.60 in-store - $45.15 online

Following is the outfit I wore today for my shopping excursion.  My go-to outfit for shopping is pants or shorts and a button down shirt and comfortable slip on and off shoes and no necklace.  It makes it easy in and easy out in the dressing room.

Old Navy Plaid Shirt
J. Crew Chino Shorts
J. Crew Belt
Lands' End Canvas Sandals

ASOS Online : The Look For Less

I recently ordered a cardigan and shirt online that I thought were really cute and at awesome prices.  As I was browsing the ASOS site today, I saw some similar tops at some not-so-awesome prices.

Check it out.  Would you be happy with the substitutes or splurge for the pricey tops?

Equipment Silk Daddy Shirt in Fruit Print via ASOS
$477.22

Garnet Hill Merino Signature Cardigan in Vintage Lemons $49.99

Paul & Joe Sister Elephant Print Shirt via ASOS
$240

Gap Fitted Boyfriend Popover Shirt in Elephant Print
$49.95

Black & Blue

Black and navy is one of my favorite color combos.  I am hesitant to wear the colors together unless they are in the same article of clothing because I'm afraid people will think I did it on accident.  I think the pop of leoard print in the belt keeps the outfit from being too boring.

Happy Friday!  I hope you have a wonderful week-end!

J. Crew Top
Gap Pants
Express Belt
Guess Pumps

Caribbean Tweed

I just received these Cafe Capris in my most recent online order.   $23 whole dollars with the 40% off!  I love, love, love the colors.  Orange and purple - who knew?  Apparently, J. Crew knew :).

J. Crew Jackie Cardigan
Ann Taylor Cami
J. Crew Patent Leather Belt in Expresso
J. Crew Caribbean Tweed Cafe Capris in Mango
Banana Republic Brown Patent Leather Flats
(These shoes have been in the Goodwill pile a dozen times.  So glad I didn't get rid of them as they match my new J. Crew belt perfectly!)

Porcelain & Denim

I finally got my Porcelain Paisley Pencil Skirt.  It pretty much took a village.  I didn't care for this skirt at first - until everyone else had it and loved it - and then I needed it too!  My PS finally found one for me through WWFI, but when it came UPS had somehow cut a hole through the envelope, through the plastic, and completely through the back and front of the skirt!  No kidding!!  Several more WWFI searches came back with the "unfortunately" email.  I put a message out on JCA (what would we do without Alexis and her blog!?!) and a lovely JCA sent me an email saying she had returned the skirt the day before and gave me the store's phone number.  I called them, but they had already sent the skirt back to the warehouse.  I contacted my PS who contacted the warehouse and was able to get the skirt sent to me.  WHEW!!  It finally arrived in perfect condition and I do love it.  I think I love it most because I only paid 41 bucks for it :)!!

I have lots of outfits planned for this skirt, but today I paired it with the Denim Top from Ann Taylor that I first mentioned HERE.  I didn't buy this shirt right away as it was $78 and I was waiting for one of Ann Taylor's 40% off everything days.  They seem to have the 40% off day pretty regularly, but I waited and waited and waited and still no 40% off day.  I received a $20 rewards certificate and decided I would wait no longer.  When I got to the store to purchase the top it was marked down to $39.99!!!  I used my rewards certificate and got it for $19.99.  YIPPEE!!  I loved it for $78 and love it even more for $19.99 :).

When patience results in deals like these, I just can't stand to pay full price.  What about you?  When you love something, do you scoop it up right away or play the waiting game and hope to be a winner?

Ann Taylor Denim Top
J. Crew Porcelain Paisley Pencil Skirt
Necklace via TJ Maxx
Pumps via TJ Maxx

I like the exposed zipper with the leather trim & pull!

Obsessed with Safari Cat

Don't tell anyone, but I bought almost every piece of clothing in the Safari Cat pattern.  I honestly have never done that with any J. Crew pattern before.  I bought the Cafe Capris, the Tessa, the Cardigan, and the Skirt.  I must be the only one who loved the pattern, because I was able to get every item for 30-40% off.  The only piece I didn't get was the shorts, but boy did I try.  I must have tried those suckers on 10 times!  They were just too high waisted and too short (only 3 inches) even for less than $20. 

I know most will think I'm crazy, but I think this pattern will take me well into Fall here in South Florida.  I liked it with the green I wore today, but also plan on pairing with navy, pink, and orange.

Another suprise in my recent 40% FS order were the Caribbean Tweed Cafe Capris in Mango.  I grabbed them last minute because they were only $23 with the discounts.  Love. These. Pants.  The fabric is gorgeous!!  If you get a chance, I highly recommend. 

What do you think of the Safari Cat fabric?  Did you get anything 40% FS that you love?

J. Crew Safari Cat Pencil Skirt
(BTW I got the skirt in a Petite because I didn't like the length on the Regular & it worked out great!)
Ann Taylor Cami
J. Crew Cardigan
Guess Pumps

J Crew Necklace Giveaway by 1 More Shopping Blog

The wonderful Rose at 1 More Shopping Blog is giving away one of these gorgeous J. Crew Ram's Head Necklaces.  Check out her blog HERE to enter.  Good luck!!

J. Crew Fall Roll-out : The Look For Less

I received my new J. Crew Style Guide today and as I was looking through it I kept thinking "hey, that looks familiar".

Shall we compare:



J. Crew Rugby Stripe Boatneck $65




Old Navy Stripe Sweater $8




J. Crew Polka Dot Cashmere $268




Old Navy Polka Dot Boatneck $24.94

J. Crew Boyshirt in Snowcat $88



 


Old Navy Cardigan
$24.94





J. Crew Etta Captoe Leather Pump $248





Franco Sarto Leather Pump via TJ Maxx $34.99



Thoughts?  My favorite things in the Style Guide were the black and cream photo print Collection items.  I'm pretty sure I won't be buying them even on FS with 40% off :)!





MIA

Sorry I've been MIA most of the week.  I haven't been feeling well and mostly working from home.  I'm sure you didn't want to see my OOTDs - Softee shorts and old Jimmy Buffet concert tees :).

I was excited to see J. Crew's new roll-out, although not as excited as most since there will be no wool skirts for me living in South Florida.  It's hard to wear wool when it is about 80 degrees 360 days a year.  So sad - not really :)!  I was able to grab the #2 pencil skirts in Sunflower and Burgundy while they were on super sale so those will work great in my fall and winter wardrobe.

I have been wanting a pair of navy patent leather pumps.  I waited too long on the J. Crew Martinas to go down in price and now it seems they are gone.  I have ordered a few options below so we'll see how those work out when they arrive.

I have continued my closet cleaning to get rid of all the size 4 and 6 skirts that no longer fit me and will be posting them on my sale blog HERE.  I have some hard to find skirts - the Kandinsky abstract rose and mint dazzling dots (NWT) - that I will be selling.

Finally, my daughter has started her own blog Artful Mind of a Fashionista.  I may be biased, but she is very artistic, creative, and stylish.  You should check it out.

Just so I have some pictures on my post, following are the navy patent pumps I have ordered to try:

Nine West Homage $79

Guess Verna via DSW $44.95

Michael Antonio via DSW $39.95

Sovereign Paisley & a Tippi

I recently caught the Tippi in citrus lime on pop-back and on sale!  It is a PERFECT match to the lime color in the Sovereign Paisley pattern.  I also think it will look great with my bright dahlia cafe capris.

I grabbed a couple of final items for 40% off today - I got the #2 pencil skirt in Succulent Green and the Caribbean Cafe Capris in Mango.  I also grabbed the Cotton Crepe Cardigan in Anchors Aweigh, but it is not on final sale.

I am so ready for the fall roll-out so I can start wishlisting some new stuff!!

J. Crew Tippi Sweater in Citrus Lime
J. Crew Cafe Capris in Sovereign Paisley
J. Crew Necklace
J. Crew Belt
Steve Madden Shoes