Madewell Review: Lots of sale and 2 new dresses

My beloved Madewell. I wish their online prices would come even slightly close to matching their in-store prices. Wouldn't that be nice? They were having an extra 40% off sale so I couldn't help but take a peek.

Back-Zip Sweatshirt (XS)

I've tried this on before and while it looks a little tight here it looked find pre-preg (original review here) I love this little sweatshirt. Nice material, a couple of cute details, check, done. Purchased for about $25.

 Ampersand Pullover (XS)

I liked this but didn't love it. Sometimes I feel a bit too old for the sweaters and sweatshirts with lots of droll sayings on them. This is a nice thick cotton knit but it didn't totally excite me. When I look at the pictures, I like it. I don't know what went wrong. I think the color could be challenging to pull off.

 Bien Fait Sweatshirt (XS)

I was so excited to see this in the sale section. The XS was TIGHT. I was looking for something more slouchy and cute but this was way too fitted.

 Bien Fait Sweatshirt (S)

The small looked better but I still didn't feel super excited. Maybe a medium? I just felt goofy with the letters across my chest instead of cool and Parision. Also not a big fan of all black on top for me. Washes me out.

 Sleeveless Tee Dress (XS)

This I love. It's not exactly a thrill ride but it is so soft and stretchy and easy and I could see putting it on every day. Teeny tiny ladies may be sized out because this is the XS and I felt like there was plenty of room even with my expanding chest and belly.

 Blanca Dress in Stripe (XS)

Don't know what to say about this one. It sort of confused me. Am I a sailor on the Good Ship Lollypop? It's sort of cute but didn't drape entirely correctly on my body. Thoughts?

Unknown Eyelet Shirt

The eyelet is beautiful.  Not loving the mandarin collar. Do love a crisp white shirt in the summer. I'll be passing on shirts right now since it will be a long time until I can wear my normal ones again.

Close up of the material. So pretty!

Sale items were at a pretty deep discount so I might have to take a swoop through again so see if I missed anything ;)
What are your sale picks at Madewell right now?

J. Crew Review: Some cove floral and sale

I've decided that the longer I can avoid maternity clothes they happier I will be. Of course, at 17 weeks this is becoming more and more difficult. I finally sorted through some of my old stuff and I was just horrified. The quality is so gross, the colors off and the fit even worse. Poo. Gap makes a few skinny pairs of pants that are workable so I did buy them but besides that I am not finding much. Thus my quest for items that can work now, later and after continues!! Here are a few workable items that I found (and a few definitely not!)

Linen Base ball Tee in Lovebirds (XS)

I don't know what it is about baseball tees, but I love them. I just find them endlessly flattering. In my normal size XS this shirt is a bit blousey. But, for right now it is perfect, especially since I will have to layer a cami under it anyway. For 415 it is a preggers no brainer.

 Linen Baseball Tee in Love birds (XXS)

This is probably the size I would actually need if I was not brewing a baby. So depending on how you want your shirt to fit, you may want to size down.

Metallic Trim Linen Scoopneck Tee (XS) in Heather Dusk

This was surprisingly adorable. The material drapes really nicely over the body, the scoop isn't too low and the beading detail is subtle but cute. I like this one a lot as a way to dress up a tee.

Sleeveless Drapey Top in Cove Floral (XS)

There is a lot of love out there for this little top. I liked it too for sure. It's easy, has a nice long (but not too long length) and a decent neckline. I did find the silk to be a bit stiff - so much so that I checked the label to make sure it wasn't polyester. I find the print interesting but I don't think it does much for me by my face. I'm more intrigued by the pants oddly enough.

Cove Floral Surf Dress (size 2)

Yes, the size 2 is quite *ahem* snug but I think it would be fine normally. It's made out of a funky, lightweight neoprene material which really threw me off. I get that it's a "surf dress" but I can't imagine wearing neoprene at my age. The silhouette is pretty flattering (although enough with the high necklines) but the neon zipper and material are too youthful.

 Scallop Crepe Dress (size 2) in Navy

This dress is so divine. Unfortunately there is no way to tell how it would fit without baby so I am not going to be buying it, but, oh my is it lovely. My breasts were completely popping out of the top but besides that.... gorge! The scallop neckline is a simple but elegant detail, nice deep vee, banded waist and cute "wrap" skirt portion. Just a simple, elegant lovely dress. Sigh.

 Silk Dress in Antique Floral (size 0)

I do not like this dress at all with the neck buttoned up. but....

...it piqued my interest with the neckline open. This is a size down from my normal dress size (although I do often fit in size 0 with these type of loose shift dresses) and I thought it was cute. I ended up buying it because it was inexpensive and a great right now pregnant dress that should be fine to wear after too. I paired it with some navy tights and booties and a long tan cardigan and some fun jewelry and I thought it was quite cute.

 Silk Dress in Antique Floral (size 2)

My normal size 2 was huge even on pregnant me so this was a pass.

 Linen Drapey Drawstring Pant in Flax (size 2?)

I'm always a bit wary of linen pants and drawstrings for that matter. The bum view is not so fabulous. They are comfortable but I can see them looking like garbage after about 30 minutes of wear. I was a little uncomfortable with the front portion which looked vaguely pleated although I guess it is really just the gathering.

I have some more coming and some Madewell reviews. As long as they keep on making shift dresses and flowy tops, I may be in business!

J. Crew Review: Puff-Sleeve Blazers and a Crystal Leaves Necklace

All of these confusing sales at J Crew have been pulling me in a bit. It's almost a surprise when I type in the promotion code what percentage I will get off. Is it 50% ? Is it 40% now? Wait, it's 25% off of full-price, right? Anyway, with many items available without the dreaded final sale I thought it might be a good time to try a few things.

Crystal Leaves Necklace 

 I've been looking for a "bling" necklace to spice up some pretty plain dresses I have and I liked the look of this one. It's really nice - has some weight to it and the typical J Crew clasp.

 Close-up of the jewels. I don't wear tons of jewelry so I can't tell if I'm going to feel self-conscious about the crazy sparkly nature of this piece or if I'm going to love it.

 I really like the necklace when it is worn on it's shortest chain. I think it looks beautiful against the skin.

Merino Tipped Side-Panel V-Neck Sweater (XXS) in Cloud White

Ok. I NEVER risk final sale anymore. Like never. But it must have been some crazy hormone cocktail rattling around my brain that made me bite on this one. As soon as I did it, I just prayed I would not regret it. And luckily, for $17 I figured it would be a lounging around the house on Saturday sweater. Well, much to my pleasant surprise... I actually like this sweater! I'm glad I sized down - it has just the right amount of drape "boyfriendy-ness" without looking sloppy or adding on pounds. If I lift my arms above my head, it is a little short and does ride up, but luckily I don't do that a lot. The merino is super lightweight and soft. Huge thumbs up!

 Puff-Sleeve Blazer in Pinstripe (size 4)

 I love a good blazer and I like this new shape. The puffiness I could sort of due without but the shape of the blazer is very nice. The schoolboy shape has never worked for me - I think it looks really awkward and shapeless, but this I like. The pinstripes may be a little formal but the overall looks is nice.  The puffs seems to be slightly less pronounced on this iteration of the blazer. I went a size up and I think this was the right choice (although it's hard to say since pregnancy is causing everything to be about a size up).

 Puff-Sleeve Blazer in Stretch Cotton (size 2) in Navy

I prefer the feel of the stretch cotton for some reason. It's thick with lots of stretch and very form fitting. The 2 buttons and gives a nice shape and would probably be fine but I'm glad I tried a four as well. If you are smaller-boned/chested I think you'd be find in your normal size.

 Puff Sleeve Blazer in Stretch Cotton (size 4) in Black

 Here's the 4. I don't see much of a difference in the pictures but it definitely felt a bit more forgiving. As I mentioned the material is stretchy but in a way that makes the blazer fit quite snugly. I prefer the navy color but that's because I am a total navy whore. Half my closet is navy. I can't help myself.

What do you think of these pieces?