Friday, January 8, 2010

Back on the Chain Gang...

I posted a few days ago on my continuing Banana love...I continue to live in my BR cashmere wrap. Threw it on this afternoon while working at my laptop again. But there's a point I missed about BR - they have some really, really fab jewelry. And not only do they have really, really fab jewelry, but their really, really fab jewelry gets marked down on quite a regular basis unlike other (ahem, "hey you") retailers we frequent. (Was it AppGal who came up with the "rhymes with 'hey you'"? Still love that, hehehehe.)

When I returned the striped sweater to BR, I picked up this necklace for $28.99 (plus 2 other things on sale that I'll eventually fess up to). Mixed metal chains...2 matte silvers, 2 matte golds. So not only is it a very cool necklace but it totally works with my J Crew constellation locket that I got in the antique gold - ok, that was an even better bargain at $9.99, but I am *loving* this combo! I love the locket, but wanted something to amp it up a bit. And this necklace is perfect - and it will be great on its own as well. I like the slightly tougher-chic vibe about it.

I wore it today with {yawn} sweater and jeans tucked into boots.

Ok, details...J Crew merino turtleneck in black (size M). Did I even question if I really needed this when I got it? Talk about a gaping wardrobe hole...been wearing it tons, and always feel great in it. And I even had gotten it on sale...bonus.

And then the Chicos Ultra Slim Leg jeans tucked into my black boots. Isn't that what we're all wearing around here? When I was at the mall on Tuesday, all I saw were slim jeans tucked into boots. I guess weather does that. We did have 2 inches of snow last night, enough to give us a 2-hour school delay. So I got to sleep in a wee bit.

And of course, topped off with the yellow Winnie, black bucket hat, and black leather gloves when I went out for a meeting at school and to grocery shop as you'll see in the Polyvore below. (True confessions - I did put on a down parka for bus stop pick up, but our bus stop is actually a bit away from the house and do you know how cold it is? Way too cold for a wimp like me.)

Of course, the down side of sale bin diving for jewelry is that, Polyvore, being the evil mistress that she is, only shows items that are currently for sale on the store website, and once things get marked down they often disappear form the website, so you usually have to find dupes for PV...unless you want to go ahead and clip the entire jewelry section, but I've been trying to clean out my PV closet, not clog it up. Need to get to the real closet sometime... So here is today's Polyvore, with necklace dupes...but still works pretty well, I think.


1/8/10
1/8/10 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

And say hello to my little (winter) friend...

Yep, the humidifier. Longer-time readers may remember my post from last March on Getting Steamy...er, um, Misty in the Bedroom. But for those of you who are new, let me just share this:

1 - very good if you have a cold (please make sure you clean it religiously, however)
2 - totally helps you breathe easier
3 - white noise helps you sleep better

.....and the absolute best, but clearly most shallow reason to use it....

4 - your skin will look AMAZING. Seriously. I am always amazed at the glow I get after using it for a day or two. Maybe it's just that I'm sleeping better. Maybe it's that I am getting enough sleep. Maybe it's just the increased humidity in the air. Maybe it's some crazy combo of both...I don't really care...I just love that it works!

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

That necklace it so fabulous!

dinagideon said...

I am so glad you found time to post, I kept you on the phone for so long!

I do love that necklace and from first glance it does appear that the J. Crew locket belongs with the BR one. Very cool.

Humidifier...that is what we need. It is so dry here. Ugh. :P

AnneG said...

I have to laugh, Heidi. Not only did I head into Banana earlier this week in search of cashmere wrap but I found myself "sale-bin-diving" for jewelry also! You are right, some fab pieces at BR. I found a super cute designer knockoff of a not too recent celeb fave necklace -- some designer -- can't remember the name -- but saw Claire Danes wearing it in a couple of fashion mags. $19.99 and I am in love. Lots of other cute things, too. I had to restrain myself! No cashmere wraps left except one black but don't need another black scarf, so came home and ordered the oatmeal color wrap online. Hope to receive this weekend. Can't wait. Thanks for the tip on that!

post-fab princess said...

Gorgeous necklace! I agree with you, Banana jewelery is the shiz. I soooo need to get a humidifier. Since ours quite working last year I've been putting pans of water by the vents. I'm being a cheapskate. But I think your good skin comment may make me change my ways...

(:

HeidiG said...

Rosa in DC - thank you!

dinagideon - can you believe it - I actually posted twice today?? Off to bed shortly, though. And yes, get thee a humidifier, lady...

AnneG - that is hilarious!! So glad you were able to order the oatmeal one - did you see the gorgeous cashmere wrap from Talbots that RatsOnParade posted on Polyvore? Must check that out too!!

PFP - pans of water? I would be knocking those over everywhere. But Lucy would definitely be in heaven with a new water bowl at every vent. That's a definite no-go for me. :)

HeidiG said...

AnneG - oops, my bad, it was itztru on PV who posted the Talbots wrap.

Unknown said...

Hey you...*lol* I'll have to try to remember that one. It's funny. Yay App Gal.

Werk the boots. You look great. I agree about the BR jewelry. Definitely worth a dive.

Summerilla said...

Love the new necklace. And "hey you" is hilarious I must have missed that when it was posted about, but it is so true!

Humidifiers are AWESOME! I seriously need to get a new one, I've seemed to misplace mine in all this moving.

Anonymous said...

A humidifier is essential is my place during the winter months. I am getting to like BR again more and more, I have to get to a store to check out the new Spring arrivals that came in this week.

Cari said...

hmmmmm maybe i need to start using mine when i don't have a cold! jealous of yours with noise tho! have you ever seen the elephant one? so cute!

OneFashionistaDiva said...

i have the merino in navy stripes, and a silver-ish grey and you're right, they are really cozy. the black looks good on you. you have to do a post with your coat on...i am dying to see yours on you! (want to make sure mine fits me right) and yes...everybody's doin the slim jeans and boots, but it's such a cute yet relaxed look...who can resist?:)

HeidiG said...

gigiofca & Summerilla - The "hey you" still totally cracks me up - very creative. I wasn't smart enough to come up with it but I am smart enough to use it. :)

casual-crew - I do go in waves with BR - sometimes love, other times less so. (jewelry is alwayas true love, though.) I think if I worked in an office all week, I would probably shop there more.

Cari - yes, so cute - they have a pig and a frog one too. Keep wanting to get them for the kids' rooms even though we don't need any more!!

OneFashionistaDiva - yeah, I haven't done a Winnie pic in a while. But that's usually b/c I do my outfit pics first thing in teh morning with my coats still hanging in the closet downstairs. I'll try to pick my most boring oufit this week and work the Winnie into the pic!

HeidiG said...

OneFashionistaDiva - forgot to add - I've seen your pics - your Winnie is perfect on you.

fabumom in nc said...

I always have the humidifier (cool mist) going nightly in our room and our son's room - winter, spring, summer & fall. I add the Vicks solution during sickness and I'm am convinced that it helps with the condition of my skin. Can't live without it.....

I need to check out BR; I haven't been there in a while. Btw, I love your hair - did you get it cut shorter? Looks fabu!!

Anonymous said...

Heidi: There are alot of casual pieces in their Spring collection. I would post the links but I do not know how.

-Merino zip-pocket cardigan #719588

-Striped boyfriend cardigan #719627
& Boyfriend Cardigan #719609 - The pics on the website does not do it justice. It is super comfy, and looks great with skinny jeans.

-Merino marled striped cardigan#719584- I am 5'4 so the wide stripes do not flatter me.

-Silk-blend double-trim sweater #719617- Works both ways dressy or casual. Not see-through either.

I ended up purchasing 2 sweaters, and could have bought more if I had the money.

HeidiG said...

fabumom in nc - thank you, I did have about 2" chopped off last time. I love getting my hair cut - I'd probably go shorter just for the thrill of the chunks of hair getting cut off, but I just don't look right with hair above my shoulders - face too thin and shoulders too wide. Thanks for the recommendation on the Vicks solution - I've always wondered about that.

casual-crew - you are right, BR does have great casual pieces, esp in spring - I think it's a mental thing that I think of them first as jewelry & work clothes. I love the boyfriend cardi in bright meadow. I do remember seeing the silk-blend double trim sweater - very pretty neckline - just didn't have time to try it on. So which 2 sweaters did you get?

Anonymous said...

Heidi I ended up buying the Silk Trim V-neck sweater in the turqouise, I sized down to a small because it was baggy in the waist, and the Striped Boyfriend Cardigan in the blue/grey, this color is store only, I love this sweater, the cotton model blend is so soft and comfy. I sized down in that one too, so it is not baggy on me.

HeidiG said...

casual-crew - you got some great sweaters!! I love that turquoise color - so pretty. I didn't love the online pics of the striped bf cardi - but I think that's just how it photographed - really fine stripes are hard to capture and they just usually look kinda "off" online, they *always* look so much better IRL (so that, of course, fouls up the polyvore sets). And I love blue/gray stripes. Enjoy!

La Belette Rouge said...

I too thought it was the J Crew locket. I love the locket paired with other chains. I am going to try that.

Ann said...

Hi Heidi--A little off topic, but on the subject of Banana love...Have you tried on BR's Martin Skinny Pant? Some similarities to J Crew Minnies, but zips in the front. Very nice, I thought.

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HeidiG said...

La Belette Rouge - it's not easy to mix the JC locket with most of my other jewelry because of the antiqued finish, but that does make it a perfect match for the BR chains.

Ann - I did try the BR Martin Skinny pants. Biggest difference, IMO, is that the fabric is thinner than the Minnies - so the BR pants are better for warm weather, but don't quite have the tensile strength to smooth some of the lines for those of us who need it. But they are a great alternative - it's nice to see so many versions of the Minnie coming out because they are so versatile!

littlemisscan'tbewrong - thank you! I will hop over and check it out!!

kaufeegurl said...

This topic is so timely - I lost the banana love a couple of years ago and am just now getting reaquainted. Great necklace! They DO have some fab jewelry and it's even better on sale! It's their shoes that I have been loving lately, I've found them so much more comfortable than 'hey you' LOL and the sales have been tremendous.

HeidiG said...

McShoppy - I love their shoes, too - but my closest BR stopped carrying them - BOO on them!! I have a pair of navy patent with grosgrain trim ballet flats from BR, prob 2 years ago, that are one of my favorites to wear.