IRL (!!) OOTD: 12-01-10 featuring Marled Wool Shawl-Collar Cardi

Oh how I love this cardigan, J. Crew's Marled Wool Shawl-Collar cardi from the October '10 rollout.  It's toasty, not itchy, flattering and very well made.  The fit is TTS to a smidge large.  I am a size 6 or 8 (most often 8) in J. Crew jackets and I took a Small in this cardi.  On this blustery, brilliantly blue-skied day, I can't think of a more perfect yummy piece to pull out for an afternoon of Santa errands!

Hold onto your hats, kids, because I have finally found a spot where I can take IRL pictures of myself (a weird skill, can I just say?) and so, with great fanfare, here ya go -- not fantastic quality because the lighting in my "spot" isn't great.  I'll keep working on that!

OOTD 12-01-10

Details:

J. Crew Ankle Stretch Toothpick Jean in Twilight Wash, size 29 (from early 2010, but lots of similar options are available -- IMHO, a dark but warm blue wash like this one looks best with this cardi)

J. Crew Marled Wool Shawl-Collar Cardigan in Camel, size Small (sold out in both colors, but look for popbacks)

J. Crew Smooth Leather Belt in Weathered Wood, size Medium (sold out in this caramel-y color, but this is an AWESOME belt, glaydies, and the basic black is on sale for $19.99)

J. Crew Ringspun Candy "Licorice" Tee, size Medium (I could have taken the Small too; this piece is one many of y'all will remember from Holiday 2008.  I bought it on eBay about a year ago for a song from a seller who clearly had no idea what he/she HAD!  And if you're an XS, here ya go -- one's currently listed on eBay:  Current eBay listing for XS Licorice Tee)

UGGs Classic Tall in Chestnut, size 7 (I'm an 8 in most shoes and I think UGGs Classics reliably run one size small).  I do not know for the life of me why I waited years to buy a pair of UGGs, but believe me, once I did I went running back for another pair real soon.  What an INSANE idea these shoes are -- it's like wearing bedroom slippers to the mall.  Warm slippers, at that.  I. am. sayin'.  For comfort like this, I'll happily accept the fact that UGGs + my skinny legs = an unmistakable resemblance to Daisy Duck.

And rounding out this outfit, I just tossed on some big gold hoop earrings (you can't see 'em behind all that hair) and one of my handy necklaces from Forever 21.  Being the mom of a college student and a college graduate (oh yikes -- translation: there is just no flippin' way around the fact that I am on the downhill side of middle age), I always feel a bit conspicuous in F21 amongst all the teenyboppers and young moms.  But it's worth braving all that youthfulness to get their ridiculously useful and cheap jewelry.  This necklace is typical -- it has faux crystal fireballs and faux resin beads in caramel, pale grey and peach, all on a super long gold-toned chain-link single strand that can be doubled, or worn piled up as a bracelet.  I believe I paid about $6.00 for this baby last year at the mall.  What a find for the 2009-2010 J. Crew color scheme, huh?

My Polyvore for today:

Marled Wool Shawl-Collar Cardi & UGGs by JCAUNCMom featuring j crew tops