Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Christmas Day Open House


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Sunday, November 18, 2012

Lady Heartbreaker

Lady Heartbreaker


J.Crew printed shirt / J.Crew military jacket / J.Crew knit top / J.Crew j crew / AK Anne Klein penny loafer shoes / J.Crew leather handbag / Catherine Weitzman

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Preppy - Lady Jacket in Berry Pink


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Timeless - Lady Jacket in Berry Pink

Timeless - Lady Jacket in Berry Pink


J.Crew tie shirt / J.Crew j crew / J.Crew long pencil skirt / L.K.Bennett patent leather pumps, $175 / L.K.Bennett cross body shoulder bag, $550 / Ippolita clear jewelry

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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Spots, Squares & Sparkles


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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

What's (Really) Old is New Again

What's (Really) Old is New Again



Madewell / J.Crew super skinny jeans / Konstantino jewelry / Ray-Ban ray ban / Belt / Fossil Maddox Crossbody / Madewell MADEWELL Silk Boyshirt In Checker / Sebago Plaza Sebago

Bit the bullet and ordered this sweater jacket from Madewell late last night, after much internal waffling but even more reminiscing. I am -- shall we say -- a tomboy of a certain age, and I actually HAD a letter jacket when I was in high school, courtesy of my hunky varsity soccer player boyfriend. (I had his silver ID bracelet too -- a treasure that will mean something only if you're my age. :-)) The jacket was enormous on me -- he was nearly a foot taller and easily 75 or 80 lbs heavier -- but hey, that was the way it was supposed to look.

Madewell Online Chat Customer Service Girl says that this sweater jacket runs slightly on the small side of TTS (although the measurements don't bear that statement out -- 38 chest for a small), and that the "look" is intended to be as it appears on their website's model:


Well, to my sentimental eye the model's looks skimpy. I sized up for a nostalgic (and TRUE, if you ask me) fit.

I have a very similar shirt to what's shown here and plan to try this combo, but the sweater jacket SCREAMS for a classic white shirt.

I love, and have owned, many pairs of loafers like these. I prefer the fit and instant comfort on the Sebago Plaza (shown here), but of course there are your Bass Weejuns die-hards out there. Nothin' but love for ya, girls, it's just that Bass Weejuns hurt my feet.

And yes, I do own and use and love a men's belt almost exactly like this one!

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Sunday, November 4, 2012

Talbots: Red Rose Audrey Sweater + "Riding Red" Flannel Ankle Pants


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Sunday, October 28, 2012

An Excursion to Costco


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Georgia vs. Florida: Woof!


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Simplicity

Simplicity


J.Crew tailored shirt / J.Crew skinny capri pants / J.Crew j crew / Kate Spade red crystal necklace / Giles & Brother , $85

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Laura Petrie, Meet J. Crew Houndstooth


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Saturday, October 27, 2012

Coach & Horses

Coach & Horses



J.Crew polka dot shirt / J.Crew knit sweater / Long pencil skirt / J.Crew opaque stocking / Salvatore Ferragamo leather flat shoes / Coach genuine leather handbag / Tory Burch chain jewelry / Tory Burch jewelry / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics matte lipstick

 
After having a string of very disappointing quality issues with J. Crew, I took a self-imposed break from shopping there for a while -- naturally at the exact moment to miss  the best of the best sales.  But after inventorying my closet recently, I found a legit need for a few versatile autumn-y skirts that I could dress down with boots or flats & tights and could also dress up more "office-y" with pumps and a blazer.  And I must admit, there really is no place like J. Crew for reliably-fitting, good-looking skirts.  So I took advantage of the current promotions at J. Crew and J. Crew Factory, and one item I'm really looking forward to is this pretty Factory Frayed Tweed Pencil Skirt.  I'll report in when it comes next week.

But what I REALLY wanted to show y'all today is these boots, as pictured in this Polyvore set.   Yeah yeah yeah, I know there are nice riding boots everywhere this fall, but hands down, these are the most luscious ones I've seen.  Butter-soft leather, cushioned footbed, sleek, simple, just drop-dead gorgeous and in a color that, gee, I don't have.  (And I do own me some boots.)  

Of course, they're also ridiculously expensive.  Like, good-sized mortgage payment expensive. 

So here's my plan for acquisition.  I think it might work, whatcha think?
 

A Letter to Mr. S. Claus, in c/o Mr. TarHeelMom a/k/a HeelMoney

Dear Santa,

You sure are lookin' good these days, 
have I mentioned that lately? 
 
Keepin' the list super simple this year, handsome. 
See photo of ladies' boots, enclosed. 
 
Hoping to find one pair, size 7.5, under the tree.  
 
If I do, you are gonna have a verrrrry Merry Christmas night. We're talking M-E-R-R-Y here, buddy.  
With serious lingerie and possibly the boots. 
Just sayin'.
 
Love,
Been A Good Girl All Year a/k/a Mrs. Claus




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Sunday, October 7, 2012

Look #!: Anthro Embroidered Lace Pencil Skirt


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Thursday, August 23, 2012

Planning Ahead for a Lovely Talbot's Sale Find!


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Cats & French Hens, Part Deux


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Where Cats & Hens Co-exist Peacefully


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Friday, August 17, 2012

Alert!!! XS J. Crew Campo De Fiori Dress on eBay!


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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

OOTD 8-15-12: Safari Cat Capris, Trouser-Style

OOTD 8-15-12: Safari Cat Capris, Trouser-Style



J.Crew cuffed pants / J crew / J.Crew blue flat / Silver clutch / J.Crew resin necklace / J.Crew set of bangle / R.J. Graziano tear drop earrings / J Crew belt / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics lip makeup / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics lip makeup

Forever thanks to my PS at the local B&M for the best idea for wearing J. Crew's Safari Cat linen café capris.

These pants are heavy linen, which makes them bulky (and hot on a warm day. whew), and they're cuffed.   Perfect, in other words, for wearing NOT as a capri but instead as a cuffed narrow-legged trouser.  To wear them this way, my PS suggested that I order them in the Tall, which has a 30" inseam.  What a fantastic suggestion!  The front of the cuff breaks gently right on the top of my foot.  


For reference, I'm 5'4", so this nifty idea won't do much for you tall cool drink o' water gals, sorry. :-)  If you're shorter, follow the link above and you'll find these still widely available at a great sale price in the Tall version. 

For tomorrow's women's group board meeting (translation: business-y casual) and a busy day of errands afterwards, this is going to be my OOTD. IRL, these trusty old flats look soooooo good with this spring's Keeper Chambray Shirt!

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Cutie Pie Tie: Borrowing from the Boys

Cutie Pie Tie: Borrowing from the Boys



J.Crew tailored shirt / J.Crew high waisted skinny jeans / Cole Haan arch support shoes / Ebel white watch, $5,485 / David Yurman gold earrings / Antique gold jewelry / Nautical jewelry / Boys' neon sailboat chambray tie


I spotted this Crewcuts tie for next to $0 on FS -- nice chambray linen with neon sailboats. Adorable!

Wearing today with a white shirt (mine's a summerweight J. Crew Perfect Shirt) and the new Midrise Toothpick Jeans in Carbon (LOVE them, fit is TTS to slightly small for your J. Crew toothpick size).

Also wearing (socklessly preppy of course) my Cole Haan Air Penny suede driver loafers in 'India Ink', quite possibly the most comfortable shoe I have ever put on my foot.  This is a color from 2011, but if you see it somewhere on clearance grab it.  The color isn't navy; it's more like a cross between navy and cobalt and it's fantastic!

My young-adult son tells me that going sockless with loafers or driving mocs is a hot new craze for Fall 2012 for guys his age, and that this is called the "mankles" fad.  Too funny!

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Sunday, August 12, 2012

Age-Appropriate Dressing for the London Olympics Closing Ceremonies! (Daisy Duck version)

London Olympics Closing Ceremonies! (Daisy Duck version)

London Olympics Closing Ceremonies! (Daisy Duck version) by tarheelmom featuring wedge shoes 

J.Crew knit top / Old Navy graphic tee / AG Adriano Goldschmied skinny jeans / J.Crew wedge shoes / Converse shoes / Converse shoes / Leaf ring 

Wearing for tonight's night's broadcast of the London Olympics closing ceremonies -- a casual dinner with friends on an unseasonably cool evening will give me the opportunity to unveil my Tippi and my AG Polka-Dot Stevies.  I posted this set on Polyvore last night, but edited it this morning to add the ballet flats as a backup shoe -- just in case the Chuck Taylors and skinny jeans (on my skinny calves) combine to make me look like Daisy Duck.  Laying out the clothes this morning, I saw this as a distinct possibility.  Yikes.

Props to Slastena (wearing them gorgeously here) for nudging me to buy the Stevies -- they are ridiculously comfortable and flattering.  On her advice I ordered these in the size I take in J. Crew's toothpicks (usually 28) and also one size smaller, since she said they do stretch a lot as you wear them.  I wore each pair around the house for several hours (tags still on, me freshly showered).  Slastena was exactly right in her advice.  But I ended up keeping the 28s after a lot of debate with myself in front of a full-length mirror for one reason:  my age.  

This might surprise y'all, because many of you have seen me comment around the JCA Community about my "take" on dressing age-appropriately, and you know that my general philosophy is that, regardless of the fact that you're past 40 -- or even, as in my case, past 50 -- you can and should wear most anything you like if you're fit, healthy, pay attention to what flatters your body type and size yourself correctly.

For me, the key words that apply to these AG Stevies are "most anything you like" and "size yourself correctly."  I do believe that wearing skinny jeans at their absolute tightest and skinniest is a prerogative of younger women (like Slastena, who's 20 years younger than me).  Skinny jeans or pants are fine for us vintage gals, I think, so long as (here's the CAUTION FLAG!) they suit our body type and so long as we wear them gently, with a bit of strategic fabric 'ease' here and there.  We're not talking saggy and baggy, we're just talking a little graceful air space, know what I mean?

The 28s in the Stevies allow that graceful air space for me, but are still slim and look nice.  IRL pix coming soon.

What's your take on this issue, ladies?  Do you agree with my "skinny jeans rules" or not?  I'd love to hear from you!





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Saturday, August 11, 2012

The Feather Paisley Skirt Meets My Closet, Part 3

The Feather Paisley Skirt Meets My Closet, Part 3



J Crew top / J.Crew feather skirt / J.Crew flat shoes, $155 / J.Crew ankle strap shoes / Coach crossbody handbag / J.Crew vintage earrings / J.Crew resin jewelry

All items are mine except for the Coach bag. Which, Santa Claus or the Labor Day Fairy willing, will soon be. :-)  The back side of the bag is the color of the tassel, a very rich dark orange that will work well with many items in my fall/winter wardrobe.  So cute!

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The Feather Paisley Skirt Meets My Closet, Part 2


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The Feather Paisley Skirt Meets My Closet

The Feather Paisley Skirt Meets My Closet



J.Crew leopard print cardigan / J.Crew graphic t shirt / J.Crew long skirt / J.Crew patent heels / Kate Spade clutch handbag / Coach jewelry / J.Crew genuine leather belt / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics makeup brush / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics lip gloss / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics cream eye shadow, $28

All season long I eyed the Feather Paisley skirt and then poof, it was gone in my size. This happens to me a lot and you think I'd learn. And to add insult to injury, lemme just admit it here, y'all: I overpaid for the this skirt on eBay in order to get a Petite size. To be clear, I could have gotten my "Regular" J. Crew skirt size on eBay at the same time for about half as much, but then I'd have had to schlep it to the tailor and pay (and wait) to get it hemmed. Pathetically, I preferred to pay a premium so I could get it fast and wear it immediately. I rationalized this by (I'm sure) overestimating the hemming charges. :-)

So here I am with a premium-priced skirt, but happily I think it's going to justify its existence easily. I posted a Polyvore set with this skirt recently; here's take #2, all using items from my closet.

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Monday, August 6, 2012

Hot Summer Sale -- J. Crew from My Closet!

Hot Summer Sale -- J. Crew from My Closet!



Crewsing Thru My Closet: Images for Polyvore / Summer Sale! | World of Gifts Christian & Country T-Shirt Store & More


Monster closet cleanout underway, leading to FABULOUS DEALS FOR YOU AT PRE-eBAY PRICES on J. Crew stuff in pristine condition.   All in sizes Small, 4 or 6.

For lots of pictures and detailed descriptions, please visit all four August 6 posts over on my sale blog at:
http://crewsingthrumycloset.blogspot.com

Questions? E-mail me at:
jcauncmom@gmail.com

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Sunday, August 5, 2012

Wardrobing 101: Great accessories...

Wardrobing 101: Great accessories...



J.Crew striped shirt / J.Crew paisley skirt / L.K.Bennett patent leather shoes, $170 / David Yurman gold jewelry / Konstantino long strand necklace / David Yurman sterling silver necklace / David Yurman gold bangle / Belt, $93 / Dahlia matte lipstick / NARS Cosmetics sheer lipstick, $27 / Hexden Bag, $535


Back in the day when I was a rag trader myself (in the expensive ready-to-wear price point), I told my clients this was my #1 rule of wardrobing:  Invest in a couple of super-great basic jackets and skirts (this one doesn't quite hit that mark, but it's very cute and on trend) -- and spend most of your wardrobe money on great accessories.  If you wear really well-made shoes, carry a good bag, and wear simple fine-quality jewelry, you can add a $10 Hanes Beefy Tee (ironed, mind you) and what people will see -- and remember -- is that you were elegantly and expensively dressed.  Great accessories elevate everything!

So here we have a new skirt, the adorable Feather Paisley No. 2 Pencil Skirt (now sold out but popping back), my ancient and favorite and nearly worn-out Vintage Bateau Top (it has even developed the patented J. Crew Tee Shirt Hole, fortunately below waistband-level if I tuck it in), and a perfect example of my #1 rule.


Jewelry is mine; David Yurman is real, Konstantino is a killer knockoff that, when combined with the Yurman, sure looks real.  I have similar and pretty decent navy patent accessories, but boy, am I jonesing for these spectacular LK Bennett classics!

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Classic White Cheers a Rainy Saturday

Classic White Cheers a Rainy Saturday



J.Crew fitted shirt / J.Crew straight leg jeans / J.Crew patent shoes / Coach crossbody handbag / Madewell twist jewelry / Madewell scarve

Dreary day yesterday!  There's nothing like a classic white shirt, I think, to lift your mood.  Shirt left untucked, scarf hung long and lean, sort of artfully tangled around necklace.  Super comfy, super cheerful. :-)

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Friday, August 3, 2012

Inspired (Again) By Slastena!


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Saturday, July 28, 2012

1-2-3-4 J. Crew Summer Dress Sale

1-2-3-4 J. Crew Summer Dress Sale


Tahari by Arthur S. Levine khaki dress / J.Crew boatneck dress

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Friday, July 27, 2012

Crewlet Rosebush Tee

Crewlet Rosebush Tee



J.Crew graphic t shirt / J.Crew pencil skirt / Clutch handbag / Madewell belt


I miss J. Crew's graphic tees, so I'm psyched by this new one at the Crewlet online in one of my favorite JC colors. :-)  Whatcha think of this combo, y'all?

All is from my closet except that I don't yet own the Isabella pumps, but by wild coincidence I'm currently stalking a pair on eBay.  Can anybody tell me if these ran TTS?

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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

1-2-3-4 J. Crew Summer Dress Sale

1-2-3-4 J. Crew Summer Dress Sale



Tahari by Arthur S. Levine tee shirt dress / J.Crew stripe dress


Dresses for sale, ladies, as I slowly work my way thru my monster closet cleanout!

Please e-mail questions or interest to: jcauncmom@gmail.com.

All dresses priced at $20 with free shipping.

1. CLASSIC -- NWT J. Crew Shirtdress, Size 4, Item 80094, Color KHA. An eBay purchase that’s too small for me. Seller represented this as brand-new from her closet. Tag and button still attached, but no price on the tag – looks like it was mail-ordered. Retail, not Factory. I’m not sure of the season and can’t find this one online, but it is absolutely identical to the Tahari shirtdress shown here – same color, same embellishments. 100% Cotton. Fits small, no stretch. 

2. Super EUC J. Crew Stowaway Dress (Sp 2011), Size S, Item 42589. Original retail $68. From my own closet, worn twice, gently laundered. Cotton with a hint of stretch – and the cotton is soft as an old-fashioned baby diaper. Fit is roomy and forgiving.

3. EUC J. Crew Boathouse Shirtdress (Sp 2011), Size 6, Item 39308. Original retail $98. From my own closet and has been worn a few times and gently laundered. It’s light, breathes well and is very comfy, but is a little big on me and I was recently thrilled to find it in a smaller size on eBay. 100% Cotton.  Fit is slightly roomy, especially through the waist and hips.

4. Super EUC J. Crew Silk Cargo Dress (Summer 2010), Size 6, Item 26669. Original retail $138. Color is "wet peat".  I wore this twice and it's too big for me, but I've held onto it thinking I might get it altered but that's never happened -- I'm too lazy or cheap or both. :-)  The style is classic, exactly like the cotton khaki-colored one that I'm selling (item #1), but this version is in a lightweight silk that's very fluid.  Fit is very roomy.

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Saturday, July 21, 2012

Shirts: In my closet. Sweaters: Not... yet. Uh oh!


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Thursday, July 19, 2012

A Little Pop of Pink

A Little Pop of Pink



J.Crew j crew sweater / J.Crew long skirt / J.Crew j crew sandals / Coach quilted handbag / Dean Davidson long silver earrings / Knot jewelry


I love fuchsia, but sadly, fuchsia does not love my coloring (fair, Irish, freckly & auburn). Solution: Keep it away from my face and enjoy it in little accessory doses. Thank you to the beautiful Slastena for the inspiration to go searching for these Audra patent sandals on sale -- they are precious and super comfy.  If they'd fit my feet I'd also have bought the same color in the fab Marci patent wedges.

The Coach bag was (can we talk?) a hormonal splurge in this color, but one of those things that I'll own forever and love every time I use it.

As for the rest of the outfit, a happy accident.   The Tippi Sweater in Heart-print Crepe is one of my favorite spring purchases this year (I sized down to an XS as it ran big).  I'd sent it to the dry cleaners, and The Hubs hung up the dry cleaning on a hook in our closet right at eye level with the No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Deck Stripe. A summery match made in heaven!

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Monday, July 9, 2012

Raj Podge

Raj Podge



J.Crew tuxedo shirt / J.Crew pencil skirt / J.Crew ballerina shoes / Kate Spade handbag / Lois Hill handcrafted jewelry / Necklace / Persol sunglasses / Banana Republic wide belt

OOTD plan for a "business casual" meeting Tuesday morning 7/10. Sleeves will be rolled up twice and I'll wear the neckline casually open on the Frances tux shirt (which is long-sleeved -- thanks to the Polvorer who clipped it this way :-)).
 
Love love love love love these Persol sunnies.

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Birthday Dinner: Denim & Sparkle

Birthday Dinner: Denim & Sparkle



J.Crew striped t shirt / J.Crew long pencil skirt / Tory Burch flat / Tory Burch handbag / Coach jewelry / J.Crew retro jewelry / J Crew belt / Ross-Simons - Swarovski Crystal Channel-Set Clear Crystal Hinged...


OOTE for a fantastic birthday dinner for me last night with my boys and my younger son's lovely girlfriend at Nan Thai.  The food is delicious and truly artful, the dining room is exquisite, and the table staff add great beauty -- all delicate, lovely Asian women wearing elegant slender traditional Thai dresses.  Really a feast for every one of the senses.


Having both sons here for my birthday has been a very special treat.  For many years, July has found them away at their beloved Eagle's Nest Camp or, while they were in college, somewhere interning, summer schooling in Chapel Hill or studying abroad.  But son #2 (Blues Boy) is back living at home job-hunting after college (we love having him here but hope for his sake that it's temporary), and son #1 (Journey Boysurprised me by coming home for the weekend from Asheville, NC, where he now lives and works.  He's heading back to NC later today.  I woke up very early this morning, remembered that it was my birthday and that they were both right here in the house, and wow, what a rush of happiness!  I got up and tiptoed into their rooms to peek at them sleeping and plant a smooch on their heads -- a mom habit that'll never go away, I'm sure.  Both of them still sleep like spinning windmills in a wild tangle of legs, arms and covers.  I pity my future daughters-in-law. :-) 

All items are as shown in this set, except that my belt is a similar J. Crew patent skinny from two years ago in another animal print, and my earrings are similar yellow gold diamond half-hoops.
 
And missing:  I also wore a great little leather lariat necklace that I bought last winter at a craft show.  It's an inexpensive but well-made piece and I've had a lot of fun with it.  I'll try to remember to take an IRL pic the next time I wear it.   There's a 1"-diameter crystal fireball charm knotted onto each end of the tan-colored lariat, and because it's a short length of leather it lays neatly in the center of the Mini-Orbit Necklace.  They're really adorable together.


Have a wonderful day, everyone, and try to stay cool!


P.S.  Apologies again for this weird formatting -- I don't know what is causing it but I'll try to get to the bottom of the problem!  GRR!

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