Monday, August 24, 2009

DC JCA Tysons Shopping Event

What a fun day on Sunday! The fabulous 3-Penny Princess and AnneG arranged a J Crew shopping event for the DC-area JCAs at Tysons Galleria for the 2nd wave of the fall rollout. We had the store to ourselves from 10 am to 12 noon, with lots of helpful SAs and some yummy munchies & drinks, and oh yeah, the 20% discount. (Yay!) We had fabulous, gorgeous, and kind JCAs from north of Baltimore to Richmond joining us for the event. Such lovely ladies - as nice as they are in the blogosphere, they are actually even nicer in person. So many new faces - but I was unfortunately way too focused on snagging clothes to try on to do much chatting since I hadn't been at a B&M since July. And we had the fantastic Pilar helping us with outfits, accessories, sizes and all that.

And then those of us still standing at 12:15 wandered over to the Daily Grill for brunch.


(Yes, I actually remembered my camera this time)

What to wear? I was really wanting to go with a dress, but decided to go practical instead (but pretty, I hope). Bf tissue tee + cami, since I live in them and need to make sure sweaters, etc., work over them. Jackie cardigan to make sure tees work under it. And a pair of cafe capris since you need a decent pair of pants to test out tops in case any of the ones you brought back to the dressing room don't work.

Acessories were minimal in number but max in visual effect - a chunky necklace and ring that come off easily to toss in my purse while trying on clothes. Oh yeah, I was doing some serious shopping. And the spring daisy cocteau tote since it's lightweight, holds everything, and, um, matches the cardi perfectly. And peep toe Joley flats. I'm telling myself that it's not boring, but tonal with textural variation. Don't shatter my illusion, please.

Polyvore from today:

Wearing Today - 8/23/09
Wearing Today - 8/23/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

What did I get? Polyvore below. In spite of the fact that I was sharing a dressing room with the colorful dinagideon and Summerilla (so they could yell at me when I was trying on too-big sizes), I actually went all neutral - everything ended up being cream and gray.

Tysons JC Purchases-8/23/09
Tysons JC Purchases-8/23/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

Unfortunately, I only came home with 1 bottom piece even though I feel like that's what I really need. Of course, tops are just so much more exciting. A few quick notes, as I will be posting IRL pics later this week as I wear things. And that's another thing - I tried on some great pieces for later in the fall but well, you can only buy so much at one time, and I have found that if I buy pieces too early, I just don't end up wearing them. Check out Ema's post on her Rules for Fall Shopping - very true, all of them.

So to the notes - The ocelot cardigan is so fab IRL - great weight - not too heavy and not too thin. I know other JCAs love some of the thin cardis, but I like mine to have a teeny bit of thickness, otherwise I'll just wear a shirt. The Sherpa hoodie is so delightfully cozy - but I did size up on this one. The floral embellished tee is so pretty on - better than on the table display, I think. The linen vneck sweater is a great piece for now and into early fall. Loved the Frances cami in the dark slate. And the Minnie pants are perfect.

What did I love but decided not to get? Polyvore of the to-purchase list:

Today's Non-Purchase Wish List
Today's Non-Purchase Wish List by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

The Nottingham boots are to die for - the leather is so soft, you could cuddle with them - and I thank Pilar for bringing them to me, since I doubt I would have picked them up on my own. And they were way comfy, too. The Winnie jacket is just fab - and size down on this one, the size 8 gave me plenty of room in the shoulders, even with a sweater (see Ema's Fall Shopping Rules for the note on buying fall/winter jackets). I would have gotten the cadet funnelneck if they had it in the gray, but they only had cream in store. The pencil skirt is fab, but it would be a few months before I would wear it. Loved the necklace and the ring, but felt like I was getting enough - and if they aren't around later, they weren't meant to be.

All in all, a lovely day. Thanks to the wonderful 3-PP & AnneG for organizing and to my wonderful hubby for not minding that I ditched the family most of the day for some fun girl time!

23 comments:

Ann said...

Looks like your outing was so much fun--and some great finds! I haven't been in a store since late June--we just got home after being gone all summer--and I am super-excited. I want that Dream funnelneck in gray and the ocelot cardi too...did either one run big or small?

Unknown said...

What fun!!! You all look so fabulous.

dinagideon said...

Oh, Heidig., you are good...you somehow comment back to everyone quickly AND you keep up-to-date.

(So envious...)

You looked so pretty yesterday, and I had a really good time with you and Summerilla in the changing area.

We just have to have a non-shopping JCA event so we can truly catch up with everyone.

So you know, we can't open the photo...didn't know if that was your intention...

Ann, the Ocelot cardi is tts, I wear a medium in their cardis and I bought a medium in this one.

Cloggsy said...

I am so mad at myself that I didn't check the fitting rooms when we were about to head to Ann Taylor (a must for my friend Jacqueline!) - we really wanted to hit up lunch with you guys! Next time...maybe in Richmond?!

Fab purchases. I ended up getting the sally ballet flats in shore pink and the 120's peplum jacket in butterscotch. Went over my budget by about $100, but ah, what you gonna do?!!

Anonymous said...

Love everything you got! Sounds like such a fun event!

AnneG said...

Great seeing you, Heidi and all yesterday. I could kick myself for not getting that pretty yellow Jackie when it was on sale. You look GREAT in that color, Heidi. Everyone looked great and smiley and that's what it was all about. Thanks for posting the fun photo!

Kat said...

You look so cute in that outfit! I'm sad that I missed you all AGAIN. I had to go home to PA for the weekend (my sister is moving to China for a year so it was one last time to see her before she leaves). Looks like you all had fun and got some great stuff!

HeidiG said...

Ann - I agree with Dina - I took at M in both, so I would say TTS. (same as Jackie & Michelle)

Sytlstance - thanks! They are a fab group of ladies!

Dina - thank you! Yesterday was fun - esp when 3-PP ducked in to share the room with the 3 of us! And I just upload all the photos the same way from my hard drive - don't know how to make it so you can or can't open - any tips? And I totally agree on a non-shopping JCA event so that we can all chat.

Cloggsy - so bummed we didn't catch up with you all again- I was counting on seeing you at brunch to catch up! Those flats are gorgeous and that butterscotch jacket was very pretty.

Stephanie - thanks - it was fun!

AnneG - so fun to catch up with you and everyone else - loved your crocodile print cardi!

Kat - 3-PP is already planning a November pre-holiday/major fall Pentagon City event, so I'm sure we'll all hear more in the weeks to come. Sorry we missed you, but glad you got to see your sister - I can't imagine how I would feel if mine were going to be away that long!!

Patina said...

looks like you had a great time and everyone looked so beautiful. Don't keep me in suspense...how did the campo look??? I ended up grabbing the gallery hopo in gold in a pop back, so i think i can wait for the campo to go on a sale.

Ann said...

Thank you, Heidi and Dina, for the sweater sizing thoughts.

You all look terrific! Heidi, I will keep your "dress to shop" tips in mind when I make it to the store this week!

Megan said...

That looks so fun!! I hit up Chicago's JCrew this weekend and got some good stuff/want some amazing things...I'll have to post about it. :)

Good purchases! I want the ruffle blouse so bad!

HeidiG said...

Patina - Campo was sadly absent!! So I still haven't seen IRL. Will get a pic if I ever do see it. Maybe that's just as well, though...

Ann- glad to help!

Chasing Davies - can't wait to see your posts - and I'm thinking I should do a what didn't work and why post - unfortunately, I don't have pics to go with!

GingerSnap said...

Ooooh how fun! I wish we could get a JCA shopping event in FL - I wonder how many JCAs we have in my state! It looks like you all had so much fun :)

Tanya said...

Did you see the Nottingham boots in cognac? I'm dying to see them irl.

HeidiG said...

GingerSnap - it is a lot of fun - you should put a note out on your blog and ask Alexis to on the JCA blog, and just see what you can turn up.

Tanya - Funny you mention the cognac because I realized this morning that I messed up my Polyvore - it actually was the cognac that I tried on and they are beyond gorgeous - color is way better in person than online.

AppGal said...

I just love seeing pictures and hearing about these events. And like Gingersnap, I wish there were more JCAs in my area! Actually, I just wish I lived closer to y'all or vice versa so I could hang out too! :)

Your choices are awesome. I agree that the flower tee looks much better on than it does on display. I'm in love with that tee, and I'm sure it looks beautiful on you.

Summerilla said...

Great review of the day! I had a fabulous time and was bummed I had to miss lunch. Really enjoyed trying on all the new clothes with you and Dina. I really hope I am able to start a group in NYC... but I doubt it will be as fun with out the DC ladies, you and Dina especially. I'll be waiting for the girls weekend trip to NYC!

Anonymous said...

Oh everyone looks so lovely. I am so mad I missed it. I really wanted to come and hang out with such great ladies and do some serious shopping. But I did order the Wool ruffle-front coat online. It is backordered until November, but that's OK. It will arrive just in time for my Birthday. I am totally not missing the next event.

Kathy said...

It sounds like you had a fantastic time! Thanks for posting the picture, it helps those of us who miss out on events like these! You rally picked some great neutrals and I am looking forward to your IRL photos.

HeidiG said...

AppGal - I saw your pics of the flower tee too, just haven't commented yet. Such a fun piece (loved you in the matchstick cords, btw). If you ever venture up to DC, let us know...

Summerilla - I was so bummed you missed lunch, too - had I known you would miss it, I would have been peppering you with way more NY/life/etc questions in the fitting room, as opposed to the which size/color/etc convo's we were having. :) Wed AM then...

Rosa - That wool ruffle coat is gorgeous! Can't wait to see it IRL! (wear to the next DC JCA event?)

Kathy - thank you! Hoping to start posting Wed - tomorrow is day trip to the leach with friends (lake+beach) since it's our last week before school starts - so no new clothes until the next day. :)

Alexis {J.Crew Aficionada} said...

What a lovely outing- everyone looked great! And I loved your outfit!!! Thanks for sharing. :)

post-fab princess said...

Ooh I'm so jellis of all you fab DC-area JCAs and your get-togethers!! Heidi, you look gorgeous and I love your purchases. I too am smitten by the Manor necklace...tell me more!

HeidiG said...

Alexis - thank you! We have you to thank for getting us all together in the first place!

PFP - oh, it is so lovely - definitely a covetable. I am now regretting not getting it that Sunday. The soft graphite color (smoky quartz-looking) is just to die for - and not the least bit heavy, either. so so so pretty.