New JCrew Line Spotted in New Emeryville Store

Hello all, I visited the new Emeryville store this evening to check it out. I found the new store clean, bright, spacious, and well-staffed. The SAs were eager to help, knowledgeable about the merch, good experience. I tried on many items, which I will post about soon.

In the meantime, I wanted to mention the most notable thing I saw in the store tonight. As I walked around, I noticed a few shirts that I hadn't seen or or heard about, sort of Anthropologie looking. Then I noticed the label, marked "JCrew Vintage Closet":



Here's the shirt that I brought into the dressing room, had sort of a prairie/frilly/feminine thing going on. This was a gray blue but there was also a white on white version...


Here is the size 6 on me (I prob could have worn the 8), I popped the collar cause otherwise I felt a little Laura Ingalls Wilder...


Closeup...


Here's the only other Vintage Closet top I saw, a cute white eyeletty tank:


I asked an SA about it and she said its a new line that they are getting cause they are a new store. Not sure how far this line will expand or if there will be many more items, but I found it REALLY interesting to see a new "personality" coming out of JCrew. I think these ventures can really help the brand reach different people. I like the idea! While I didn't love the shirt I tried on, I think the white tank could be really cute, I might try that next time I am in store.

Really liked visiting Emeryville! What do you think about "Vintage Closet"? Have you seen any of these items? Sound off!

In the Works: 2 JCrews in 2 Days

Hello all, just checking in quickly to let you know I have big plans for the next couple days: I will visit 2 JCrew stores in 2 Days. Hubs is on a business trip, so my evenings are free for silly activities. First up I a planning on checking out the new Emeryville store that opened this week, then tomorrow (I think) I will be visiting the Walnut Creek store as the manager let me know all their new stuff will be on the floor that day.

I'll be armed with my $25 gift card (off of $150) and 15% off coupon. I am not allowed to buy anything unless its an exchange for a lower price on something! Must remind myself, haha.

I am planning on taking some pics and notes of what I see and will be posting them later on. Have any of you seen new arrivals in stores? Has anyone visited Emeryville yet?

Please stop back and let me know what you think!

American Idol Running Diary

Stream of consciousness thoughts from Tuesday Night American Idol...

Randy Travis' teeth are so fake, and his gaze is just a little too intense.

Go Michael Sarver, country is in your wheelhouse. Crazy Harmonica player. Hubs says: "whether or not the judges say its good, he's clearly in his element."

Allison sounds good--I like her. Little scratchy...Hubs says: "I think she's owning this one."

Kris--I'm always scared when they are sitting on the stool. Questionable. Hubs says: "I mean, that was good...I wanna fall ASLEEP, but good"

Lil--wasn't sure about her style and that song, I really like Lil but I wasn't sure about the connection with the song.

Adam--you scare me. Too much staring into camera and screaming. I was really wondering what the judges could POSSIBLY say. Simon, voice of reason. Randy--shameless plugging. SHAMELESS. Hubs says: "I gotta give him credit, that was messed up though"

Scott--similar to last week, I hope he makes it one more week because his performances really do intrigue me. Seems to have tried to tame the curl in his hair....

Alexis--I like her. Hubs says, when she said she was gonna dirty it up..."I mean, if I had my phone, and I was typing in her number, and I heard her say the word 'dirty', I would stop dialing"

Danny--looks like the Michelin man in that jacket. Hubs says: "What the hell is up with that jacket, he looks like a house in that thing, I can't even concentrate on his performance."

Anoop Dawg--LOVE YOU ANOOP. Hubs says: "solid."

Megan--Hair and makeup looked AMAZING tonight, even with the flu--dress not sure about. Hubs says: "Her boobs are really on display...probably will get some flu sympathy points...her performance was just so-so for me."

There you have it folks, right from our couch to you. Stay tuned tomorrow for the LOST recap--its back!

Did you watch Idol last night? What did you think? Please weigh in!

A New Favorite: Michelle Merino Cardigan

This winter, there were two great Merino cardigans that JCrew released, Portland and Michelle, that had similar shapes but different feels. I have realized that people seem to fall into fandom of either the Portland or the Michelle, depending in personal preferences.

For me, I find myself being a Michelle fan. The merino is thinner than the Portland, but I like the way the cardigan falls...it comes down to mid hip (not as long as the Library cardi, but lower than the hip), and for me the thinker trim makes it lie much better on me. I like that when buttoned its almost like a longer VNeck, but unbuttoned or belted it has a nice line to it.

Right now some of these are $29.99 or $39.99, and over the past month I have picked up both a Blushy Champagne and the Citron yellow...really great layering color that hopefully will carry me through the cool summer here.

Blush Champagne:


Citron yellow:


For me size-wise--I buy a small in these and they fit slimly but I wouldn't want them baggy. I am a 6-8 in JCrew tops these days...for me I don't want any pulling at the buttons but I also want the sweater fitted in the shoulder and upper arm.

I think both will go well with navy, jeans, and white pants as the weather warms up. I also think they look really sleek with a skirt.

Do you have Michelle (or Portland) cardigan? What colors? What do you wear them with?

Preppy Spotting at TJMaxx

Just a quick update....

My mom reported that she was at a TJMaxx in Connecticut this weekend and they had Lilly Pulitzer clothing out on the rack, she found a halter and tunic top for cheap. The salesperson there said there was lots more Lilly in the back, as well as some Vineyard Vines that was going to be put out this week.

I love Lilly's bright colors, but find that I don't see Her clothing very often here on the West Coast..I adore VV belts, polos, and sashes--again, not very much of that here in SF!

I think it would be great to see some VV at low prices, or a cute Lilly dress! Have you spotted any of these brand at TJMaxx or a discount store? What is up with these great finds? Do you wear Lilly or Vineyard Vines?

My Favorite Things: Apartment

Since I have not been shopping this month, I have been trying to notice the little things that I love that are already in my closet and apartment.

Today I wanted to show you a little glimpse of one of my favorite ideas that worked out: a little card "headboard" that we have above our bed. Since we moved to California, we've never had a proper headboard, there always seemed to be other furniture that needed to be purchased first, so we have spent the first 5.5 years of marriage without one. About a year ago I decided to change up the bedding for something more vibrant and I picked a bedspread by West Elm in a rusty orange and matching shams from an Anthropolgie sale that worked out swimmingly. Its really bold but I love the happy mood it gives the room.

When we moved into our latest apartment, it had higher ceilings throughout, which I love--but the room seemed to stretch out above the bed as our art was focused on the opposite wall. I had the idea to string a piece of yarn across the width of the two nightstands and hang cute and meaningful cards along it to pull the eye up without something really heavy there and something that was cheap and easy to change out.

Here's a look at the finished product with the bright bedding, I change the cards out from time to time as the seasons change and new ones come in:



And a closeup of the shams and bedspread:


My husband was skeptical of this idea but I think it has grown on him...especially since the whole "headboard" project was free! We have thoughts of either building or buying a headboard soon, but I would love to use this idea in another place in our home.

What are some of your favorite parts of your apartment? Any favorite little projects that have turned out great? I encourage you to post a favorite apartment pic in your blog and let us know about it here!

Product Review: High Heel Flare Jeans

OK, so I am STILL working on picture-taking of outfits. How can I achieve this? This time I got some great help from my partner-in-crime, Ms. Mer. Thats right, the truth is out--Ms. Mer and I are coworkers and hare an office, so the blogging and JCrew obsession really runs all day long.

Today I wanted to post a review of the High Heeled Flare Jean. I recently took a chance on these in the Sale section, and I ordered a size 30 in the Clean Indigo Wash which were on sale for $39.99, item 97106.

I had heard a lot about these jeans--that they were amazing for some and Mom jean to others. One thing I knew about myself is that I tend to like jeans with a higher rise, I hate feeling like when I sit down the jeans slide down too far, and the higher rise fit tends to fit curves a bit better. I clicked "Submit Order" and hoped for the best.

When the jeans arrived, I loved how they were a very deep dark wash, with little fading or whiskering. The stitching was also almost a red-purple, adding to the nice dressy dark look of the jean.

I am sure some of you ladies know that feeling when you are trying jeans on and your leg gets halfway in and you think "oh my god these might fit perfectly", which is so rare that its kind of the highlight of your month of paper-pushing and commuting. These jeans HAD THAT FEELING. They fit like a glove right out of the box, they were like made for me! Angels singing!

I have had this feeling recently with Martin + Osa jeans too, which I also wear in a 30. Most other designer jeans (Seven, Citizen Flare, Paige) though, I am definitely still a 31. Just this note on the sizing as I had worried about what size to order. The jeans are definitely long and for heels-wearing as advertised. And they are definitely higher in the waist--not uncomfortably but the fit is slim at the top, shades of That 70s Show there.

I have worn the jeans twice and they do stretch out a bit over the day. I prob will let these be in the dryer for a bit but air dry the rest of the way, cause I don't want them to shrink, just tighten back up. The denim is a thin stiff denim so it really holds you in without feeling "tight" or constricting. My sister and I agreed that they really make you feel skinny.

Overall, huge thumbs up on these--I think one more thing to mention is that they are different from other standard straight or bootcut jeans in my closet, so a good addition. I am hoping to get the white version for the spring and summer with I think will look great with navy and gold sandals.

Here are some pictures of the jeans:

Front and back...


Flare with heels...(prob about 2.5")


Side view of hem flare...


Do you have these jeans? Have you tried them? Thoughts? Should I go for the white or another wash? Look forward to hearing your opinions....