recent purchases: old navy

here


I had some Super Cash to use this weekend at Old Navy, so my guy and I headed over to the North Avenue Old Navy to purchase some springy attire. James spent the bulk of our Super Cash, but I walked away with a handful of spring pieces. Looking at the collage of my purchases clearly shows that I am on red/white/blue/stripes kick. I also purchased the blue version of the red dress in the middle (these dresses were purchased online) and the teal version of the navy/white striped top (I couldn't find that color online). 

Blue and white peasant top: ~$8. Super lightweight with a relaxed  fit. I'm planning on wearing it to death when it's too hot to wear anything thicker. (This shirt is $26.94 online, but I looked at my receipt and it rung up for $10 before the Super Cash on my receipt, so it might be worth it to check it out in store.)

Striped blue fit-and-flare dress: ~$12. The most flattering dress shape for me, so when I saw it, I knew it was coming home with me.

Red sleeveless dress: ~$15 (with online coupon). The picture doesn't quite show it, but it's tipped in a slightly more coral/pink color. I love easy dresses like this for the summer. 

Striped red, white, and grey baseball tee: ~$3.50 (on clearance for $4.99 in store + Super Cash; currently $11 online). I LOVE these shirts. They're soft and fit me like a glove. They're great as pajama tops or as casual shirts to go with jeans. They are a little sheer, so I always wear mine with a cami.

Striped navy and white 3/4 sleeve tee: ~$6. I'm always a sucker for stripes, so this shirt was a no-brainer. I also liked the sleeve length and that it was lightweight.


  Any spring shopping for you? ;).

sweater love (tippi)

polyvore set here

It seems like everyone has that one thing they go specifically to J.Crew for. For my blessedly tall friends, it's for their extended lengths on jeans; for my boyfriend, it's for their retro sneakers through their In Good Company branding. For me, it's for their sweaters. The sweater to end all sweaters for me is the Tippi.

It shouldn't be a holy grail item, right? It's a basic crewneck, a style that every retailer at every price point carries. But isn't it true that sometimes the most basic perfect items are the hardest to find? Sometimes the cut is right but the quality's lacking. Other times, the quality's there but there's one detail that's off - you don't like where the shoulder placement is, the way the sides flare, or the type of buttons (or lack thereof). I am very short (4'11") and very busty (38DD), so for me, finding tops that fit right is all sorts of impossible. If the chest area fits me fine, my waistline is swimming. Everything else could be perfect except for the sleeves that are completely covering up my hands because of my very short arms. And so on and so on. I passed by the Tippi numerous times over my visits into J.Crew. I don't usually do crewnecks as they tend to make me look more busty than I already am, but a month ago, I picked up a few to try on on my way to the dressing room since I was tired of v-necks, as flattering as they may be.

It was love at first fitting. I love the soft but durable merino, the classic crewneck that's not too high, the ribbed hems, the 3/4 sleeves. Bonus: it comes in every color under the sun, in cashmere and in merino. I now own 8 of them: 1 polka dot, 1 cashmere, 6 solids. They are relatively pricey ($79.50 regular price), but I was able to scoop them up when they were marked down and an extra 25% off of all sweaters and I used my student discount on top of that. I bought seven of the eight sweaters for no more than $28 apiece.

I've regretted countless other purchases, but I haven't regretted these one bit. They have become staples in my wardrobe, as they can be dressed up or down, worn on their own or as a layering piece. I'm eyeing the dark poppy and garland (pine green) ones above.

Have you tried the Tippi sweater? Do you also share in Tippi love?

P.S. I recently discovered the oversized merino pocket sweater, also from J.Crew, as I mentioned in this post. A slouchy but still polished uber-comfy v-neck sweater in merino wool with pockets? Yes, please.  It's the exact opposite in terms of fit from the Tippi, but equally as versatile.

recent buys - october

polyvore set here


J. Crew oversized merino sweater in heather blue - $75.22 (after 25% off sweaters + 15% off student discount)

Essie "Don't Sweater It" nail polish - $5

NARS Autumn Leaves lipstick - $24

NARS Rajasthan duo eyeshadow - $34

JustFab Magnate handbag - $19.96 (first purchase promo for new members + free shipping)

J. Crew pave link bracelet - $93.37 (after 25% off coupon)

H&M oxblood leather gloves - $24.95

ShoeDazzle Liv gold flats - $29.96 (after 20% off first purchase for new members promo + free shipping)

Old Navy Rockstar Jeans - $19 ($19 Rockstar Jeans promotion)

Total - $326.06

all prices before tax



This is a lot more than I usually spend in a month but I think I gave in to the temptation of shopping for my birthday early. I initially bought the J. Crew oversized merino sweater above in grey and then promptly went back for the heather blue version (it also comes in a tomato red). It has pockets, is oversized, and super comfy in oh-so-soft merino wool...what's not to love? I think I'm going to live in this sweater between now and March.

sweater weather

From top to bottom: J. Crew Tippi sweater in burgundy and purple, J. Crew classic merino long cardigan in forest green, Tippi sweater in blue, kelly green, gray, and black, Gap Studio sweater in white, ASOS "Bonjour" sweater in cream/black, J. Crew Factory "heart me" sweater in acorn/black



 I could not be any happier that the weather is finally getting cooler. Case in point, my sweater collection has grown exponentially these past two weeks, and particularly this weekend. The boyfriend and I strolled down Michigan Avenue and enjoyed a great fall weekend of good eats, good wine, and good shopping.

Enjoy the cooler weather!

 

weekend snapshots

plaid + neon

 lazy Sunday: mani + manicure (I'm on an essie and butter LONDON kick)

 September = fall

 loving all shades of green this season

this kate spade note card I received in my package was so pretty, I had to stick it on my vanity mirror!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

girl crush (caroline issa)

 via J. Crew

I've mentioned Caroline Issa's style countless times on this blog before, but her recent ad campaign for J.Crew requires that I mention it again. Her unique features and knack for making memorably unique yet classic outfits make her my ultimate girl crush.

J.Crew 2013 S/S

J. Crew's new collection has me wanting badly. Some of my favorite looks:

All images via style.com

Images #1, 3, 6, 8, and 10 are at the very top of my list. I love the great colors yet very clean, classic lines that somehow feel new all over again.

recent purchases (Labor Day weekend)

polyvore set here

one: J. Crew Sydney sandal  // two: Gap striped cardigan

three: J. Crew cabochon fan necklace in peach

four: BR Jenna pump // five: J. Crew painter boatneck striped tee  // six: J. Crew cafe capri 

seven: Gap academy blazer // eight: Cole Haan Victoria tote 

nine: Zara cowboy ballerinas // ten: BR Jocelyn wedge 

eleven: J. Crew factory shorts // twelve: J. Crew factory heart sweater

thirteen: J. Crew biennial satchel // fourteen: Shoemint sandal  // fifteen: BR panama hat 

sixteen: Garance Dore for Kate Spade iPhone case

I went a little crazy this Labor Day weekend. On the downside, my wallet is a lot lighter. On the upside, my closet is ready for fall, and then some. All items listed above were purchased for a minimum of 30% off the regular price, except for the Zara flats. Oftentimes, discounts were combined whenever possible. I'll probably return some items (a pair or two of shoes, one of the bags, maybe the hat) after I really assess what I need, but all the above was less than $750. I'd like to get that number down to $500.00. (I'm not counting the necklace and the Shoemint shoes since they were gifts from the boyfriend.)

I don't usually spend this much money, but fall is always when I add the most to my closet, and aside from the $120 spent in August, I really haven't gotten shopping since back in March, and I don't anticipate that I'll want or need to go shopping again until the holidays. 

What are recent additions in your closet?

currently eyeing

Madewell sheepmeadow sweater

I know the sheep are a little kitschy, but that's exactly why I love this sweater. We all had that dorky sweater as little kids. Why not be intentionally dorky now?

when the leaves start changing...

1. Gap black leather jacket (couldn't find this exact one, but similar) 2. Fitzwell brown leather riding boots 

3. butter London in Royal Navy 4. Gap light chambray shirt 5. Dolce&Gabbana the one

6. Michael Kors gold watch 7. Donna Karan Woman

Autumn is my favorite season. I love everything about it, but especially the smell of crisp, cool air, the explosion of color as the leaves change, apple picking and pumpkin pie, my birthday, our anniversary...and of course, great fashion. 

I'm really trying to buy investment pieces for the upcoming season: a leather jacket, well-made riding boots, a timeless over-sized watch, oh-so-versatile chambray. In addition, I'm looking forward to switching to a deeper, more sensual perfume for the cooler weather. I love Dolce&Gabbana the one, (and the rose version, too ), but I smelled Donna Karan's new perfume, Woman, and I was intrigued (and the bottle is like a mini sculpture). As for my nails, I love the darker moody colors - stormy greys, rich hunter greens, and vampy purples. Now I'm looking to add a saturated navy blue to my polish collection. It's classic yet edgy, and a surprisingly versatile and softer take on black. 

What's on your fall wish list?