Jeremy's Finds--JCrew Shoes

After hearing many legends of JCrew shoes at TJMaxx over the last week, I had a hunch that I might find some stock at Jeremy's. How do I describe Jeremy's? Its like a designer overstock store, and the one near me in the Bay Area has just a CRAZY amount of JCrew merch. When I first went in there I almost hyperventilated with how much stuff was there. Since then, I have taught myself to look for only things I really wanted but missed. Sometimes the stuff is a floor model, so you have to look carefully.

With this in mind, I headed to the shoe section--sure enough, BOONDOGGLE. They had Lulus, Juliets, Alessia, a few Penelopes, botos, ah ah AH! Calm, Liz. Any way, I tried on about 5 pairs, and here is the verdict:

• Blush Pointy Pumps--too much toe cleavage and pinchy
• Cloud Lulus Peeptoes--too much like my silver metallic pumps
• Burnt Sienna Lulu Peeptoes--wasn't hooked
• Bronze Driving Mocs--one of the feet felt tight, wasn't sure
• Gunmetal Lulu Flats--The bow was almost a brown satin--loved these
• Juliet Pump in Blanched Almond--shown above, liked! I feel like this is a new kind of shoe for me so an adventure

The catch--these shoes were $59 plus a 20% off special today, not $20 like at TJMaxx. But I felt like I would have bought these for $50 online if I had found such a deal.

If anyone is really desperate for a JCrew show that I can look for for you, and you are interested at the $50 range, please let me know, I am MORE than happy to be a personal shopper for readers!

A few more pics, and to show the prices and how Jeremy's shoes look.

Give Gap a Chance

Today at lunch I popped by the Gap--I always like to check out to see if there are any great basics I can pick up...I usually can find one or two items I really like.

First, Hip Slung pants in Navy Linen/Cotton
These are are a nice low rise khaki/trouser in a hefty linen cotton. To me, they would be equally great with flip flops and a tank as they would with flats and a cardigan for work. I love the feel of the fabric--has give but not too thin. Great flare at the hem. These are $54.50 and you can find them here. I sized right at my regular size, a 10...and FYI they come in lengths, Ankle (Short ??), Regular, and Long.




I noticed this top as having a sort of JCrew inspired look. It had a ruffle scoopneck and was cut a bit long in the body, which I like. Made of cotton/silk blend, they had a slate grey shown here as well as a bright pink. I liked the shape of this, but felt it was pretty summery being so lightweight, so might wait for a promotion. This top is $48. It is shown here, and looks like there is a navy version online. I picked up a Medium in this top, so as a sz 8 it was pretty true to size.



They also had a great slate grey stretch cotton pencil skirt that was just $44...I didn't get a photo but I have my eye on this one as well. Looks like this is online too, here.

Overall nothing that knocked my socks off, but always looking for good basics that don't break the bank!

Pretty Things: Flower Pin

Thanks to Chloe who posted a ruffle inspired grid of cute items on Etsy and beyond...from clicking through, I found this adorable pin on the zelaya etsy site. I think this flower would be great on a basic tee or even pinned to a dark denim jacket, its $15.

Etsy generally overwhelms me, but when someone points the way, I love exploring!

Zelaya site here.

Flower pin here.

Orla Kiely Housewares for Target!

Dream! I just found out (and maybe I am the last to know) that Orla Kiely worked with Target to create a line of housewares. Let the cuteness begin! Love the cups with the pear design.

Orla has a special place in my heart as my mom gave my sister and I Orla wallets years ago that I am still carrying. Its a checkbook sized zip up wallet and for some reason its just pure genius. It works as a clutch if you need to zip your cell phone in, is coated in laminated canvas so its nearly indesctructible, and has a bright and cheery lining so I can always find what I need inside. Plus, its kind of like a mom-sister-sister Best Friends necklace...whenever I see mine I know two other great wallets are living it up in New England.

Orla--thanks again for the wallet, and can't wait to buy a pear plate!

Answering a few of your questions...

I looked through some recent comments and wanted to answer a few of your questions here as I sometimes find they get lost in the Comments of old posts...

RE: The Maisey Faille Jacket
Anon asked about the fit in the shoulders as well as the colors. I thought the fit felt fine across the back and shoulders--I always err on the side of fitted on jackets, because I often wear them open and don't like to have them feeling baggy. Regarding the colors, the store I visited only had the Champagne but I am keeping an eye out for others! I will let you know if I see them. Leaderboys also asked about the material--I believe this material will hold its shape and resist wrinkles pretty well as it is almost a corded sateen instead of cotton. I would hope it would hang out any box wrinkles and do really well after that.

RE: The item number of the Ruffle Skirt in the Spring booklet is 11625 Laura!

RE: Friday Night Lights--YES that guy is that hot!

RE: Bra Size--I am a 34DD size after finally figuring out the right size to wear!

RE: Hair Choices--THANK YOU all for your encouragement and ideas--I think the chop is on the horizon!

RE: LOST Synopsis/Info--The craziest repository of all things LOST is on lostpedia.com and darkufo.blogspot.com. I love reading Doc Jensen's articles on LOST at ewonline.com. He posts a great article the morning before the show airs, and then the morning after for a debrief!

RE: My Shoe Dreams--I ordered those Frye boots (sigh!) and they were gorgeous leather. For me though, they were a bit too snug, too short, and too much of a rounded toe--they just weren't perfect. BUT thanks to all of your for recommending Revolve's great customer service--they were helpful!

RE: Polyvore Paper Dolls--a few of you asked to see more outfits--I am working on the logistics of this and will post more soon! Also, someone said they adored my shoes in that one--they are actually a slate gray patent round toe pump from ReportShoes. I saw these in a magazine and then later found them on the Nordstrom sale rack--meant to be! They are fabulous! The only trouble is--they are the tallest shoes I own and I need work on walking in them. One coworker called me out saying I looked "teetery", um thanks? LOVE the shoes though.

I am having so much fun sharing information and I thank all of your for your advice and questions. Please let me know if you have any other questions!

Favorite Jeans?

As I continue to shop my closet, I have been looking especially at my Jeans collection and narrowing down my favorites and work to make sure I get the most mileage out of each pair. I thought I might try to create a "Top 5 List" of my favorites--and I would LOVE to hear what your favorites are!

Today I will cover my top 2...

Paige Premium Denim Robertsons
These jeans just fit me perfectly...its like that perfect match. They are supposedly midrise wide-legs, but I would describe them more as flares as they do nip in at the knee. I have these in a dark uniform wash, and the denim is that perfect weight where it give but doesn't stretch. I would wear these every day if I could, but with a flare at the bottom, they are better with boots or heels than flats. Seriously contemplating getting another pair that are flipflop length. This wash is called Belmont Shores.

For me, I am a 31 in these jeans now. I have thought of going for a pair of 30s in the Robertson, but I am not sure I am ready to make that move as the 31s seem to keep them shape so well (no stretching). I recently ordered a pair of Hidden Hills (higher waist, 2 button waistband) from ebay--I don't love these as much but also got them in 31 and they are a slimmer leg. Also including a pic of me in the 31 Robertson Belmont Shores.


Martin + Osa Straight Osa Jean in Marine Wash

I bought these on a whim, when they were 24.95 plus 30% or something ridiculous like that. For me, "Skinny" jeans are way too suctioned to my knees, which is not something I am going for. I thought maybe Straight jeans would be my Skinnies--and it worked! Straight jeans seem to keep a long slim (mer) line and I have these in a shorter length for wearing under boots and with flats. I oftem reach for these, way more than I ever thought I would.

For these, I originally bought the 31 and then realized they were a bit loose (much to my surprise). I ordered the 30 as well and these are the ones I wear more often. They seem to need to be really close fitting for the desired effect. That said, I would wear the 31 for "kicking around jeans day". Also, in the "Maisey" pics below, you can see these jeans in action.



Next time in Jeans Review--Seven's High Rise Bootcut and James.

I would love to hear about your favorite Jeans or experiences with big brands.

Review: Faille Maisey Jacket

In the interest of giving everything a try, I decided to try on the Faille Maisey jacket when I was in a store this weekend.

I feared the jacket would be too short and too hourglassy shaped--feared a Little House on the Prairie effect. BUt once off the hanger, I was surprised how much I liked this piece.

Once again I sized down to a 6 in this jacket, as I wanted it to be fitted with just a tee or a tank. The fit was really nice, a fitted shape either buttoned or not, and I think it would be a great spring jacket. The material, a faille or slightly ridged sheeny fabric, had nice heft and shape.

Length: this jacket hit me at the top of the hip. I would love it to be an inch or 2 longer, but it wasn't too "cropped"

Sleeves: Came to the top of my wrist, a real long sleeve, which I appreciated.

Buttons: Liked the tortoisey buttons on this Champagne color, and the jacket looked nice both buttoned or unbuttoned.

Fit: I sized down to get this fit, a size 6 when I wear an 8 on top most of the time. I liked the pleated flouncing below the waistline--created a nice visual shape.

Price: $148--I will wait for this one and I am intrigued by the Charcoal color. Will wait for a sale!