Boyfriend Tees and Cafe Capris

Whew, do I have some catching up today. If you recall, I mentioned in my last post...a week and a half ago...that I tend to get a bit obsessive about projects to the detriment of, well, everything else.

So what have I been doing since last Wednesday?
-Furniture moving after finishing the first insane round of furniture painting (Thurs)

-Hosted a brunch for about 20 friends (Fri)

-Went to the DC JCA brunch (Sat)

-Had my parents visit to see kiddies play soccer games (Sat-Sun)

-An insane amount of gardening (Sun, Mon, Tues)

-More furniture painting after my dad came back up to bring the other bed for E's room (Tues)

-Met dinagideon (plus bro & kiddies) for some JC time (Wed)

Fortunately, work is kinda on hold right now while we await some info on the direction of the project, so I had the time. But like I said, to the detriment of all else...including my health. By late Wednesday, I realized that I had worked myself into a big old nasty sinus/head cold thing - it was more that I couldn't think straight at first, and then the symptoms arrived. (dina - I am sorry, if I realized I was sick, I wouldn't have met up with you - hope hope hope I didn't pass on the germs.)

I would like to, once again, extol the virtues of Mucinex-D for sinus issues - genius product. Once I finally went to the store on Friday and got some (motivated by the fact that we were actually down to only 2 rolls of TP in the house and we have 3 bathrooms - like I said, not thinking straight when I have a head cold)...oh, so much better. In fact, I was feeling so great that I got up at about 2:30 am and started catching up on my blog reading. But I did sleep in this morning, thanks to my wonderful hubby.

But basically, I spent Thursday and Friday parked on the couch, trying to rest and not let the house totally collapse around me. Now I am back to blogging and do I have some catching up to do... First of all, outfits for the week. J Crew boyfriend tissue tees and cafe capris. Hey, they work. Perfect for this transitional weather we are having right now. I like to think that the different colors and accessories vary the outfit, but this week, I was either too busy or too sick to care. And um, yeah, I only showered and got dressed yesterday since I had to go to the store. And I finally figured out how to use Picasa on my desktop to do the collage thing - which is nice, because seriously, these outfits really don't merit their own individual posts. But I am way amused at the fact that clearly I have a favorite pose.

Wednesday, I finally pulled out my BR statement necklace. This is the FA08 version of the SP09 one that Patina and dinagideon have. It only has 4 chunks on it - leaf, chrysanthemum, peacock, and elephant. I don't wear this often because the elephant always flips around, but I actually took a pair of pliers and switched the direction of the elephant so it's not as likely to do it now. (pats self on back) But I really think adding an extra jump ring between the elephant and the big link will really help. Need to do something as I got a ton of compliments on the necklace when I wore it Wed - which was nice, since I think that one was the most boring of the outfits.

Patina - this is for you - closer up of the BR necklace. (sorry, didn't get a separate shot, had to crop a full length photo)

Polyvore for the week:

This Week - Boyfriend Tissue Tees & Cafe Capris by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

Some J Crew reviews to come shortly, including the most perfect-for-me gorgeous sweater that seems to be B&M only right now. (Come on JC, I need a pic for Polyvore!)

Short Sleeve Cardis This Week

Catching up... let's start with 2 outfits this week - both with short sleeve cardis. Here's today's outfit - the new linen short sleeve cardi that I got at the Tysons JCA event and my new (totally on sale) cafe capris in golden hickory. I am very glad I kept these capris, they are such a fun, offbeat color for a neutral. This cardi is going to be such a fantastic transition piece; right now it's perfect for going over all the tissue bf tees that I have...and today it was a white one. Plus the confetti necklace for more white/cream tonal...whatever. Eh, I felt like wearing it. And I have on my JC fleur de lis flip flops from 2007, I think, which happen to match the pants perfectly.

Yes, me, wearing flip flops and my feet miss being strapped in, especially when I walk Lucy. I am recovering from some major blistering on the back of my left heel that I got Tuesday and then exacerbated yesterday...so flip flops for a few days. Of course, most of my JC flip flops are a couple of years old, so not to be found in PV. No worries, I'll just have barefoot PV sets for a few days.

Polyvore for today:

Wearing Today-9/3/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

Here's the other short sleeve cardigan, from Tuesday. I wore my nave blue one with a white shirt underneath. I liked how it worked. A little something different. I paired this cardi with a long sleeve white tee last spring, but hadn't done it with a shirt.

Add in simple matchstick jeans and Danielle flats, plus fireball necklace.

I *started* the day with my Clarks pink peep toes - they started the blister, which yesterday's pre-flip-flop shoes exacerbated. The things we do to ourselves, ugh. Maybe I just need to start buying expensive shoes.

New nail polish on toes - Give Me Moor. Need to post this one - fun color! perfect for fall.

Polyvore from Tuesday:

Wearing Today-9/1/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

I only have 2 short sleeve cardis, so that's it for this post. And I promise to get nail color pics up soon.

ups delivery (in small letters since it wasn't big)

Ok, it was a small JC delivery - 2 sale items, plus a FP dress that I never got to trying on at the Tysons event, so I was above teh $150 for free shipping. Seriously, J Crew, why do you make us play these games? At Chicos, once you have spent above $500 at the store/online (Passport member), you get FS - period. At LL Bean, you get FS and free monogramming with the LL Bean Visa (thanks, Mom, for letting me use your card to order from there).

So...I have realized that I need a good standard white shirt. My other one, from ATL a few years ago is a bit too....stylized. I need a very basic, simple (you know, plain) one. And they were on sale - Slim stretch shirt (#87699, orig $59.50, sale $49.50 - currently $39.99 - so I guess I need to go argue that one. Will a B&M give me the credit, or do I need to call CS?) And the Cafe Capris are still on sale (#10492, orig $79.50, curr $19.99), so I picked up a pair in golden hickory. My 3rd item is the Dressy Jersey Ruffle-Neck Dress (#17881, $88). It gave me free shipping, so I figured I would try it on at home and just return the next time I hit the mall if it didn't work.

Here is the Polyvore of my order...since clearly I have WAY too much time on my hands:

Arriving Monday.... by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

Results?

Shirt is a yes. Love this. Perfect, simple, keeper. (size M) Think I may have buttoned up 1 too many though, looking at the pic - but seriously - this was open the box, throw on the clothes real quick, take pic and then change back. There was zero styling done other than making sure I wasn't pant-less or anything.

Cafe capris? Well, what do you think? They were a deal at $20 (size 8, btw, like my others). I am wondering about the color - since they are fairly similar to the British khaki ones I have. But I think it would be a great not-quite-khaki to pair with navy, white, cream, gray, black. Any thoughts on golden hickory? What do you pair it with?

On to the dress...I don't know what to think. I mean, I know I don't like it. I feel very thick in this dress. Like tree trunk thick. Is it that the dress is too big? Or is it just a bad design on me? Would love some feedback as I am actually headed to the mall tomorrow, I think. Thank you for your help!

J Crew Frances cami and more gray nails

The J Crew Silk Frances Cami (#17428, $88)...this year's Victoria. Honestly, I do not own a Victoria (gasp... I know...). I tried it on once and it just wasn't great on me, but I may have had my sizing off. Anyway...tried on the Frances last Sunday in the dark slate and love love loved it...and brought it home. And I realized that I really don't have anything like this in my closet - since I almost never have to be in full professional dress, and in dressy occasions like to go with an actual dress or a sweater, I just don't have much in the way of dressier blouses. Ok, I'm sure a large part of it is that hate to iron.

Many other bloggers have reviewed the top and most seem to be fans. I love the dark slate - this color works really well with my complexion in summer or winter. But it comes in other fab colors, too - ivory, deep rose, light sage, autumn sun, misty lavender. The other reason I love the dark slate is that it is not sheer at all - not sure if I could say that about the other colors.

I sized down to a 6 because there is plenty of room - and with it being sleeveless, I don't need the extra room for my shoulders. There is just enough room at the hem to be able to wear it untucked without grabbing. I love the ruffles - so soft, so pretty.
I wore this on Thursday with my khaki cafe capris. And then added black sandals, Dina hoops, and garden pearl bracelet. I put up my hair to show off the hoops and the collar on the Frances - I think it works better on me with hair up. And this is the last picture of my bad old-lady forehead. I couldn't wait until my next hair cut/color, so I went ahead and re-trimmed my bangs on Thursday afternoon to bring them up to regular bang length. So much better!!

Exciting day on Thursday - Open House at school so the kiddies got to see their classroom, meet their teacher, see all their friends...total craziness there! Later in the evening, I had book club at a friend's house, so I just added a black cashmere Jackie for warmth (you know, A/C effect). I anticipate wearing this exact outfit - Frances, Jackie, cafe capris with my black patent heels when the weather cools off a bit.

And in more dark gray news...on our Tysons outing on Wednesday, I picked up a bottle of Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees - also from the Coleccion de Espana. What a gorgeous deep blue-gray. And out come the fall nails, because I've got it on tips and toes. Yes, my fingernails are officially ready for fall! I anticipate wearing this a lot this fall, and can't wait to pair a Skis pedi with Essie Chinchilly on fingers - should be a good mix.

Isn't fall nail polish fun? It's my favorite season - for clothes and makeup. And I still have a couple more fall nail polishes to share.

Polyvore for today:

Wearing Today-8/27/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

Confetti + BF + Danielle = Fun!

So you all know what a huge fan I am of the J Crew tissue boyfriend tee. (Did you see plum raisin for fall? Squee, love!) And I love my new Confetti necklace. So imagine my glee when I was looking though some old JC pics and, duh, realized that the previous online pic of the v-neck tissue boyfriend tee shows it paired with the champagne quartz confetti necklace. Fun fun fun! And interestingly enough, I seem to toss on the confetti necklace every time I put on a bf tee lately. They are such a perfect pair - the necklace gives you big bang in terms of statement, but it's still lighthearted & casual from the beads kinda going their own way. And the bf tee is really perfect backdrop for any necklace. And I realized that I wore the Danielle sandals with both outfits, but I think they work nicely with the necklace.

Last Monday, I went with the navy tee. I love this color. Well, I love navy in general, but I really love it in this tee. And I loved it with loose linen trousers (Chicos, Summer 08). And um, yes, these pants are too big for me since I lost the weight, as I bought them in September last year. Maybe I need to take in a few darts at the waist like the linen seaside pants? Or just pony up and actually get a pair of pants that fit? That's honestly the issue - the 2 pairs of pants that fit me best right now (outside of jeans) are both J Crew purchases this season - the Harbour Oxford Capris and the black cafe capris. I think I need to invest in some new pants for next spring/summer.

Polyvore from last Monday:


Wearing Today-7/20/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

And speaking of the black cafe capris...this past Monday...um yeah, that was yesterday. Anyway, I popped into the office to meet with a co-worker for a few hours. (Some things are so much easier to do in person!) Easy outfit - bf tissue tee, this time in shell, the black cafe capris, confetti necklace to dress up the tee, Danielles because they are so cute, and Dina hoops. This was my 2nd outing of the cafe capris (still haven't posted 1st one, sorry) and I love love love them. I feel so skinny in them. I feel like Audrey Hepburn. I love them with a simple little tee and I can't wait to wear them with sweaters in the fall.

Polyvore from this Monday (yesterday):

Wearing Today-7/27/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

Update from Yesterday and J Crew Sale Purchases

My parents were in town Wed night through Thurs night/Fri morning, so we, of course, hit the mall on Thursday for the day. (not so much shopping at the river - but that means we shop when they visit, yay!)

Of course, I had to stop in at J Crew to take a little peek around and do a couple of returns. The ripstop utility pants were just awful on me, so they went back. They looked so fab on dinagideon earlier this week. I am wondering if they were just too big, but ah well...back they went. Instead, I snagged a pair of cafe capris. They are just a basic black but I am ridiculously excited by them because I tried these on in way early spring and the 10 just looked awful on me. But yesterday, I tried an 8 and they were perfect. Yay!! And my current black cropped pants are really on their way to the dustbin, so it was a good buy. But I have to say I was rather disappointed in my B&M as there really wasn't much sale merchandise or new merchandise either. Here's my PV set of my JC 20% off purchases.


Final Choices from Latest 20% Off by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

So you can see that I did re-purchase the confetti necklace in champagne quartz. For $45, it's worth it. I love that they a solid color and not iridescent, like pearls - just a fun change. I love the longer length of this necklace too - it will work with so many tops. And it won't snag my sweaters like the beautiful but evil twisted crystal necklace. And I love that it's the necklace shown with the tissue bf vneck tee, since I am such a fan of that tee. And I did branch out...to the tissue bf *crewneck* tee. BTW, love the neckline on this as it has a bit of a scoop, so it's not strangling you. I may see what other colors I can turn up.

And I did get the pearl garden bracelet in clementine, which I have been coveting ever since A Bigger Closet posted it - love this color! I had it in my cart last week before checking out, but took it out since I figured 1 pair pants, 1 necklace & 1 tee was enough. But it was actually in the store, so it was a sign.

And this is what I wore for the shopping outing. New confetti necklace - yay! And tissue bf vneck tee. And my linen-cotton seaside pants. But I have to say, the pants are making me sad. I think they are too big for me now (ok, I have lost about 10 lbs since I got them). And the linen does stretch out a bit. And you know I practically refuse to wear belts. But they are so loose, flowy, comfy. I think I need to take a couple darts in the waist so they actually stay up and don't fall & give me saggy-bottom. And I really should be wearing it with more fitted tops, actually. Ok, lecture to self on pants over - anyone got anything else?

Polyvore from Thursday:


Wearing Today-7/16/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

And here's the Polyvore from Thursday night when we went to the Nationals game with my parents. We had a fantastic time and had great seats! Fun evening out. (Kiddies had a fun evening with their beloved babysitter.) Mom left from the game to head back to the river, Dad spent the night (don't ask, long story involving schedule/calendar mixups). And oops, not enough time for IRL pics. I will get one sometime when I wear the harbour Oxford capris - but I will say they were perfect for the ball game.


Baseball Game-7/16/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

My other fun purchases from Thursday were makeup, so I'll save those for another post as this is long enough. Good night!