J. Crew Review - Liberty Perfect Shirt in Tresco Floral

This one immediately caught my eye in the pre-order invite. I love Liberty Art Fabrics but have not seen one at J Crew in some time that I HAD to have. Especially for $150. I actually have a Liberty print shirt from the GAP that I got years ago for about $15 and I wear it constantly. Thus, $150 is hard to swallow :)

Liberty Perfect Shirt in Tresco Floral (size 2) in Yellow Multi

Sometimes I feel more comfortable in a size 4 in perfect shirts but this one fit perfectly. It actually skimmed the body beautifully and I love the length. Just right. 

I think really bold shirts like this always need something to break up the craziness so I put my Cashmere Tippi over it. Love this look.

The colors are bright. Like crazy 70's polyester bright but they are so beautiful. The print makes me want to jump right into the fabric and sniff all the flowers. It is truly a mood lifter! 

Will I pay $150 for this shirt? No. I think the Lodden Paisley will be more popular and sell out while this should definitely make it to sale. But perhaps I'm wrong. I hope not - I love this shirt!

J. Crew Review - Velvet Matchstick Jeans

The return of velvet is a little uncomfortable for me. The 80's were very velvety and I wasn't even sure I liked the material then. Yes it's soft and delicious but tight velvet could be a real no-no. These didn't show up as final sale so I thought I'd give them a try.

Matchstick Velvet Jean (size 26) in Red Currant

You know how colors are always a guessing game on the ol' website? Well, these turned out better than I thought. Red Currant is a lovely deep red - not quite burgundy or maroon, but really pretty.

The fit was good/ a little tight on my rear as is usually the case but these definitely have some give in them. The velvet is very soft to the touch. 

The calves are tight! Many reviewers have said this and they are not lying! When I first put them on I thought - these must be toothpicks! But after a minute or two or wearing them they softened up a bit.

Overall I think they are nice but am not sure a) what I would pair with them besides black and b) whether these are really what I'm looking for.

What do you think?

Anthropologie Reviews - Pants!

Oops. I've taken a hiatus from blogging because I am on the home stretch of the musical I am working on (playing for). We're doing Singin' in the Rain which brings back memories of watching the movie over and over again as a child. The amazing scene when Donald O'Connor runs up a wall, Good Mornin' with the couch tipping over, and of course Singin' in the Rain itself. Ah.
Anyway - lots of fun but no time!
I have a few Anthro reviews and then a plea for help on sizing. So please help if you have a moment!

Velvet-Trimmed Jodphurs (size 27)

These photos do not make these pants look super exciting but they are very cute. Very soft and comfortable. I waiver between a 26 and 27 in pants and I felt like the 27's were perfect. I'm at the lower end of my weight range right now so perhaps these run a bit small? Maybe I'm just tired of everything fitting SOOOO tightly?

Detail of Velvet jodphur part on inner leg

Detail of ankle buttons

Lovely casual pants. Unfortunately I'm looking for work pants right now so i don't know if I can justify $70 on these!

Sky-Shimmer Crops (size 4)

These are very snug and the material is a little itchy/thin for me. I will say that I think they are fairly flattering but I like even my crops to be a little longer. Plus the zipper in the back was difficult to maneuver. They are just a little out of my comfort zone but I do understand why people like them. Again, not to work appropriate for me.

Close up of gold sparkle in material - LOVETH.

Trina Turk Velvet Trousers 

Just to compare, I wanted to post these pics of a gorgeous pair of velvet trousers by Trina Turk that I picked up at Nordstrom Rack for a song. Notice the higher rise and the lack of booty lines. Ah. So classy and elegant. 

SIZING HELP

 Silk Gatehouse Dress (size 4)

This dress has appeared on my blog before. I tried on the size 2 and the size 4 before so when I went to order it on mega sale I felt comfortable with my decision to go the size up for a bit of a blousier look. But now that I see it I can help but think it looks a little grandma. The top doesn't bother me so much but the skirt looks a little too poufy. For comparison the size 2:

Here is the size 4 from the last time I tried it on:

Doesn't it look smaller?

I don't know. When I look at the pics I don't really see much difference.

Any thoughts?

Any ideas of where to buy work pants?

J. McLaughlin Review - Dresses!

J. McLaughlin is one of those stores I always walk by and think, hmmm, cute but not for me. It's the sort of store that my husband and I visit to buy his mother a Christmas present (she is a very sharp dresses but in her 70's!). We have a tiny little J. McLaughlin that opened in our town center about a year ago and every time I walk by the window I am intrigued. Cute patterns. Very Kate Spade / Tory Burch. A lot of their clothes are made out of a stretchy nylon spandex blend which is VERY comfortable.

They are having a major clearance right now and I couldn't resist. I did not review the belts I tried on but some of them are gorgeous and so inexpensive!

Sage Dress (size S)

This shape with the side ruching.... awesome! I found this dress so flattering and sex and yet not overly so. The material is very stretchy and I would want to wear some spanx underneath for smoothness but I didn't feel like every lump and dump was showing. This print is gorgeous and is what first attracted me to the dress but it is quite large (hard for short ladies like myself to pull off).

Panama Wrap Dress (size XS) 

Also adorable and super comfortable. This is an XS and I might prefer a small. The shorter length is really balanced out by the demure neckline. This dress definitely showed less bumps then the sage but isn't quite as sexy. Still super cute and again, comfortable.

Gilchrist Dress (size XS) 

I'm pretty sure this was the XS because it was a tiny bit tight across the bust (which is always the problem area in terms of fit for me). Such a cute comfortable shirtdress. I don't love the pattern but the style is classic. Never will go out of style. Great tab sleeves, spread collar, self belt.

Sage Dress (S) 

Same as first dress but with a more subtle pattern. I love this dress! I think it's so classy, can be worn forever and easily accessorized. Because it is so plain, I would probably put on a huge chunky necklace, bright cobalt heels and a fun wrap or sweater. Delish.

Anyone else ever shop at J. McLaughlin? Have a favorite dress style?

Madewell - New Arrivals!

Did I mention Madewell is my new favorite store? I've definitely been looking for a new favorite. I love  Anthropologie and J. Crew, but it is nice to get excited about something new.

I think there is a lot to love in their new arrivals and of course a plethora of silk (my new fave material).

Here are some of my picks:

Birdshow dress

Eek! I love birds and there are lots of them in Madewell's spring arrivals! I have a feeling this is brighter pink than I am comfortable with but how cute! The birds are lovely and the style looks easy to wear.

Silk day dress in birdslife

More birds! Put a bird on it, yes! My one complaint is the elastic waistband. I'm sort of over it, Madewell, could you do something better? Nonetheless: birds, silk, easy dress - a trifecta of fashion!

Silk boyshirt in birdslife

Oooo! Will it ever stop? I am such a fan of Madewell's boyshirts. In fact, I prefer them over the Blythe blouse from J Crew. Better fit and not the weird shoulder pleating, etc. This is cute. Great with just about anything because of the neutral colors.

Tailored blazer in stripe

Had to take a break from the birds... of course to my other favorite thing stripes. This looks really cute and I have been a big fan of Madewell's blazers so far. 

Cheetah pendant with quartz

I can't tell if this necklace is oh so right or oh so 80's wrong but I sort of love it. Rowr!

Stripe circle scarf

LOVE it! Scarf - check, rainbow stripes - check, delicious springy colors - check. 

There are lots of things to like this spring. what are you picks?