New JCrew Try-Ons

I give up, I've just been a terrible blogger! So sorry, reader friends--part of the trouble with moving is that I no longer have my own laptop (OH how I miss it so) and we are waiting until October to have all our apartment/home stuff delivered, so my desktop is over a month away. Sharing Hub's laptop is tricky...for some reason he doesn't understand my wanting to read blogs all evening on it when he wants to read important Current Event articles...hmmm.

BUT! We are at last in the Boston area in our temporary apartment that we will be in for the next month. It felt so good to take the suitcases out of the trunk of the car! Even though I having been living out of an assortment of totes like a bag lady, I haven't given up my shopping...at least window shopping!

I wanted to show you a few things I have tried on recently at JCrew...

Merino Flowery Ruffle Sweater...I believe this was $88. I tried a Medium.

Actual long sleeves! Also came in black, dusty blossom...I love the 100% merino but not a home run for me, so I passed.

Dream Ruffle Cardigan...Tried in Medium.
Sleeves a bit shorter, and the cardigan was a bit too short on me as well...this one not a keeper for me.

Closeup of the pleated ruffle...

Hit closer to the waist..have to wear a longer shirt underneath...

Next, a blazer which I believe is the Wool Twill Nouvell Jacket. A really nice sort of flannel tweedy jacket at $198. I tried a 6 over just a Tshirt and it was nice...but again, too pricey--I know I could find something similar at Gap or something. Nice long and lean fit...

Closeup of the fabric...very soft!

New tuxedo tunic...this was a Shadow Blue Grey. I tried in a Medium with a belt. The SA suggested leggings (not sure I am ready to go there yet). It was cool ,also came in white and a light french blue.

Meh--more coal mining color. I have that! :)

Closeup...


Next, the Wool Pleated Silk Chimera Jacket, retails for $248. I tried it in a 6 in both the Charcoal and the Dusty Blossom.

I thought this fit true to size, and I really liked that the fit was a bit better this year. There is nice seaming to make the jacket have room in the bust but be more fitted at the waist. I tried the charcoal with the gray captain tee, and the dusty blossom with the rooster tee. The jacket is really nice, but I wouldn't be able to spend $248...hoping for a sweet sale in about December ha!

Dusty Blossom...hits right between the waist and hip...not too short!

Gorgeous pleating...

Note the seaming...

OK next up...my neverending pursuit of wearing men's shirts in a chic way. I really want a smart red check one, but they didn't have any size Smalls in my store...I tried on the light blue gingham. I really like this! Have to keep experimenting and look for a sale! So cute!

Here I tried it with the new Chanel-type pique jacket with the gold buttons...

Kinda fun, huh? :)

Here's a look at the jacket on the hanger...

Here's a look at what I was wearing for my shopping day...


I promise to have more soon! What do you think of the new arrivals? Do you have any questions for me? Have you tried any of this on?

Martin + Osa Deals

Hi all, I'll just keep apologizing for the lags between posts as Hubs and I have been all over the eastern seaboard and haven't yet settled into our new "home" yet. We are having a great time but sadly it has taken me away from blogging a bit!

I love seeing the fall clothes showing up in all my favorite stores as August winds down. I had been excited to see what Martin + Osa would offer this year, as often I like their clothes as a bit more sporty and classic part of my wardrobe. M+O also always seems to have a promotion running, either a coupon or a giveaway or special pricing which makes it easy to try out their clothes or a new style. For example, now through September 1 you can get 20% off your entire order with the code 15816612 online. Also, word is they are doing a big giveaway for Labor Day weekend both online and in stores--with a purchase of full price denim, men will get a leather/webbed belt and women will get a beautiful silk scarf, around a $70 dollar one! Thats what I am talking about!

They have redone their denim and now have even more washes and more defined styles. I loved their Straight Fit from the past year, and my latest favorites are the Boot Fit in New Vintage Wash (great slight wear on a dark wash, without being too ragged or tattered):

I also really want to try their Slim Fit. Until now I haven't been able to wear "skinny jeans" but M+O might be my best shot. Their jeans fit me well in the waist and hips, and have the right amount of stretch without being clingy. The new Flare fit is also great. I wear a 30 or 31 in their jeans. Last year I was a solid 30 but the Slim fit I would definitely want a 31. Let me know if you want more info.

I visited the store this past week and also really liked two of their new sweaters. First, the Ribbed Cardigan Coat, seen here online and retail of $130. Here I am trying on a Medium in the Stone Heather color. Cozy, nice long and lean fit, great with jeans for fall.

(Apologies for these photos...M+O has cool dressing rooms but the lighting makes me look like I am on a spaceship)


Next my favorite current sweater...the Mixed Guage Cowlneck Sweater for $79.50 in all wool. Really liked the fit, feel, and weight of this nice Merino sweater.

Good length in a size Medium...

The neckline has its own shape so the buttons can create different looks...


I love that the M+O clothes have their own style without being fussy. Everything wears easily and I have found that over the past year their sweaters are some of the first I choose to wear. Reminds me of wardrobe staples like a white button down or a trench coat--not about a brand or frills, but about ease and a great fit. I think I will be adding the button turtleneck to that collection...and maybe testing the Slim Fit jeans too!

Hope you enjoy the coupon and giveaway info. Anyone have any M+O questions? Have you been to the store recently? Any new favorites?

Favorite Thing: 8.2 miles!!

Hello dear readers, today my favorite thing is an accomplishment! I ran 8.2 miles today, my longest yet, in my trek to the Nike Women's Half Marathon in October. Woot!

I can't believe August is almost over and so with it the true weeks of summer. Although fall is one of my favorite seasons, I want to make sure I really appreciate summer. Now that I am back on the east coast, I see the summer I know and love...billowing thunderhead clouds, lush green, hear the cicadas and frogs and crickets, lemonade stands, smell cut grass.

For me, I hope I remember this summer of 2009 as a big one--big move east and hopefully successful training for this half marathon in October.

What has been your favorite part of summer?

JCrew Tee-a-Palooza

A few more glimpses of JCrew from the past week...

Many of you have been commenting on the graphic tees, I think JCrew is finally testing out new trends in graphic tees that I really like. Here is a look at a few. They were still putting them out so I didn't see all the sizes...

Rooster Tee
I really liked this one! The medium fit well with a open crewneck/scooped neckline, which is my favorite they have done. This tee was a bit more sheer than others, but I liked the look of the natural ink on the ivory.

Next, the Slub Cotton Embroidered Flowers Tee. This one is now online for $42.50, so this pic isn't really a "scoop" but I wanted to show this one just the same. They didn't have my size in this. Its pretty, but I tend to not go for such romantic and feminine graphics in Tees.

Tissue Posy VNeck Tee
This has sort of a simplistic, Dr. Suess or Orla Kiely look to it. But I love their foray into the VNeck embellished tees. $39.50.

And now...
Tissue Beaded Medallion Tee, $45.
I really loved the vneck, the blush pink and the medallions. Of course, this has the typical problem of the weight of the beads, but I feel like if you have good posture and the right size, this can be pulled off.

Some real life pics...

Closeup of how the vneck and beads lie...

Beading is nice medallions and scattered...really pretty coloring.


I held back on these, but I really love the last one. I think it could look great with the Cinnamon Stick Pencil Skirt (!!) or jeans. Really going to keep my eye on this one.

Have any of you seen these tees? What do you think? Have you purchased ant of these? How will you wear them?

Thanks for reading!

Favorite Boutique: The Paris Market Savannah, GA

Are you starting to wonder where the heck I am? So sorry everyone...as I said these few weeks will be really crazy. I am finally on the New England (yay!) but I was here for 24 hours before I packed up again last Thursday and headed to South Carolina for a wedding. In all this craziness, I have been keeping my eye out for fun things to post about.

Thursday afternoon I spent in Savannah, GA waiting for Hubs flight to get in, wandering around and exploring. What a beautiful little city! Here's a glimpse at one of the parks in town...Beautiful trees dripping with Spanish Moss and sun through rain...

While walking through downtown on Broughton Street, I happened upon a store that really enchanted me, it was called The Paris Market, and their website is theparismarket.com.

The shop was everything Paris...a small cafe counter with espresso, apothecary, jewelry, antique signs. While I could only look quickly, I took a lot of pictures because I loved the way the shop seemed to be full and styled well.

Cafe with mirror back....macaroons, latte, etc...

Treats and Cookbooks...

Wrapping papers, letter coasters and antiques in a case...

Antique type from a printing press, buy by the letter or spell a word...

Lotion, potions, perfume in the apothecary area...

Light up PARIS letters, big dresser with mirror display...

Books with colored string strung above the table...

Curios, shells, driftwood

Look across the shop to the front window...

Jewelry laid out on a quilt...

Another view of the shop as a whole, chandeliers...

Another look at the cafe...

DOWN we go to the underground showroom...

Dimly lit and more rustic down here...

Garden items

French bike on the wall...

More stuff :)

Old buffet and bowls...





So pretty! I loved it.

I hope you all don't mind my posts about boutiques I stumble upon. I love to see what people buy and collect to put in their shop, especially when things are so styled and curated...beautiful!

What do you think? Please tell me what you have been up to recently! Next up, another clothing post!

JCrew New Most Wanteds

Hi all,

Again--apologies for my long absences. Things have just been absolutely crazy in planning and packing and coordinating for the move east. Every day its been a mix of last-moment fun and getting things together for the move. I really hope I will be able to pick up the posting in the next few days--I have some things lined up to write about so I so appreciate your patience!

A note on Vegas...we had a great time! I wanted to wear my drapey dress but it turned out to be just too HOT (temperature) and dressy for the night out with the girls. The Mirage really exceeded my expectations, it was nicely done and the pool was great. It felt nice to sitin the sun, have some drinks, and just let loose. Thanks for all your well wishes! I ended up wearing a black ruffle halter from Rugby Ralph Lauren and a simple gray skirt from Gap with Jessica Simpson Snakeskin heels.

Of course, in the crazy week leading up to departure, I found a few moments to visit JCrew for the latest arrivals and wanted to get some info out to you all! Two of the items I was really looking forward to were the Maya cardigan and the new Double Sege Pencil Skirt. I LOVED the skirts from last year and I was looking to build my collection for the cooler Boston weather. Read on and thanks for your patience!

Maya Cardigan, $88.
I was looking forward to this cardigan as I loved the gathering at the waist and styling. However, I tried on the Medium and I thought the proportions were a bit off for me...The cardigan was too short in comparison to how the ruching hit me. I didn't hate it, and I thought it could be great on smaller girls, but I held off...

Closeup, this is the Dark Amber yellow color...

Next, the Anton cardigan, $98 in the Heather Dusk color.
I love the look of this and its cozy, but its not a full price must buy for me. Again, I wish the proportions are slightly different on this, but I will keep it in mind for sale item (maybe).

Single button closure is nice.

Thick rib trim on this sweater.

And now....drumroll...the new Double Serge Pencil Skirt of 2009.

I loved this piece last year and now the new version is just the same and great. New this year--side zipper for a nice fit. Better seaming tailoring. Colors are a rich Deep Plum, Black, Peal Gray, Cinnamon Stick (brick) and I heard a Dusty Blossom online later.

A note on sizing--just like last year, the colors fit slightly differently. I feel like this runs TTS to slightly large. In the gray, I tried on the 10 and people said it was too big...the 8 sits higher and will require Spanx but thats ok. The Cinnamon Stick 8 was too small right off the bat and the 10 fit better. Try these on if you can....

Pearl Gray with a button down, $118. Interview! Work! Real professional attire!

Cinnamon Stick...a striated fall orange and brown gorgeous color...

In bright light close up....

Gray and seaming closeup....

Back view of the cinnamon.


Left the sweaters, love the skirts. Have any of you tried these on? Thoughts? Questions?

Thanks for your patience and I look forward to getting back on track!