J Crew Cashmere Tie-Front Cardigan and well, a Crappy Cut

Quick outfit and review...J Crew Cashmere Tie-Front Cardigan (#18248, orig $198, curr $129.99, purchased with % off for just under $100, I believe).  Still available in black, heather nickel, heather natural, and heather gray.

I got this a month ago on one of the %-off sales, in an M, and in navy (duh).  I admit that I hadn't thought much about it, until dinagideon talked it up so much.  (Check her out rocking it most recently here. I believe she has it in the heather natural and black, and goodness knows what other colors.) And I don't really have any v-style cashmere cardis, so I got it on a whim just to see and figured I may end up returning it.  (Dina and I have very different figures even though we are close to the same height so things just fit us very differently - I'm a brick and she's a pear.)

But, lo and behold, I absolutely loved it, as she swore I would.  To me the biggest downside is that with the tie, you can't really go with a tie belt type coat.  So when I wore it today with my trench coat, I just left the coat open.  Hey, I was wearing cashmere...it kept me warm.

No pilling so far, and I've worn it about 3 times in the past month since I got it.  For cashmere in the spring with some of these super hot days we've had, I think that's pretty good (esp considering that it sat on a shelf for 2 weeks while I decided whether or not to keep it).  It's a great cashmere piece to have for fall or spring because the nature of the tie front is more open, so it's not as potentially hot as a full cashmere pullover would be. 

And because it's so open in the front, it is quite nice for showcasing a fab necklace, as I did today with my Anthropologie yellow beaded necklace from 2 summers ago.  I forget the name, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it on Polyvore when I started the PV habit last spring, 9 months after it came out.  It's also great for showing off some pretty detail on a cute tank or tee underneath. And I bet it will be great with my classic stripe tissue tee.

There have been differing opinions online about the sweater.  The always-fab Post-Fab Princess got in the light ginger, maybe?, and got a major bathrobe vibe.  Well, shoot, once you get that, there's no going back and you're gonna feel shlumpy every time you wear it.  I totally understand her viewpoint...but I actually felt the opposite of shlumpy.  You all know I love my big oversized sweaters, and I like that this did define my waist with the tie.  Plus, I think doing the tie in a bow makes it less bathrobesque...plus when it's just knotted, I feel like the ties are too long. 

To finish off the outfit, yellow Born Lovely flats (love me some yellow, navy, and white).  Matchy matchy with the shoes?  Meh, whatever, worked for me today.  And then a plain white perfect fit crewneck tee and some white jeans.  Springy for me.

Now...about the hair.  I know...it's rather wackadoodle.  Try to be kind.  I thought of cropping my head out, but didn't want to do that for the next 2 months.  Well see what happened was... 

Ok, the last person who cut my hair, I loved.  And I had been going to her for several years.  But when I showed up with E for our appointment this past December, she had completely blanked and wasn't home. No problem, I understand, she had a lot going on.  Happens to all of us.  A friend gave both of us a trim and I figured I'd call the next time.  Then when I tried calling twice this month to make an appointment, the first time she was closed through Easter, and then last week, she was closed for the next 10 days.  And I just couldn't wait any longer....  (serves me right)

So I got a referral from a friend and went to a new guy.  (Looking back, I realize that the 2 people I know who go to him have either mega-thick hair with a wave, or really curly hair.)  Note, when someone new cutting your hair says about 5 or 6 times, "wow, your hair really is straight" after convincing you to do layers to get more volume at the top and then starts texturizing it, that's a bad sign.  Plus he didn't really listen to my direction on my bangs - which I was REALLY happy with and I've been trimming for the past 4 months - they were perfect - keep them long and graduate from the middle outward so it's not a line straight across.  Well, they are just barely long enough and much straighter across than they should be.  Ok, that's not so bad - I need to be much more insistent on the bangs next time - and within a week, they'll be totally fine. 

But the texturizing!!!  Noooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!  It looked really cute after he spent 30 minutes blowdrying it and making all the ends bend the exact right way.  I actually was ok with the cut for the most part the day of (which was Friday). 

Then Saturday morning when I went to style it, I spent my usual 3 minutes with the round brush to bend under the bangs so they don't stick out and give the top few pieces a bit of lift and shape.  And oh it was tragic.  I know this hair style.  Mega shag.  And shaggy.  I had this hair style when I was 8.  That was back in 1979, and it was stylish then.  Not so much now, esp on a 38-year old woman.  Up into a ponytail it went.  (I will say that it looked really good in the ponytail with the layers.)  Did I mention I was doing this before an 8:00 am soccer game?  Yep, that's how the day started. 

Today, I tried out the hot rollers.  Darned if I'm going to spend 20 minutes with a frickin round brush and blowdryer - I don't have that much time in the morning.  At least with the hot rollers, you put them in and can do other things.  I think I left them in too long.  Crazy curl today.  Although E loved it and asked me to hot-roll her hair, too (which looked gorgeous on her).  I think my hair worked fine today IRL, when it could moved. But I really don't think it photographed well at all.

I am so utterly disappointed in this hair cut.  Clearly this guy is not good with uber-straight hair like mine.  It wasn't the layers so much as the texturizing.  You don't do that on superfine hair.  It's never a good idea.  And he was doing it before I could even stop it.  Plus, he did cut the layers shorter than he said he would. 

What do you do when you hate your hair cut?  You can cry...but that just gives you red, puffy eyes and makes you look worse - and you don't need that when you are starting out with bad hair anyway.  So, you suck it up and deal...try to find a way to make it work...and wait for it to grow.  That is, after all, the great thing about hair...it does grow back.  So you may see lots of ponytails or other experiments.

Question - with such a bad cut, do I even try it out again with a stronger mandate?  Or just cut my losses and go somewhere else?  And go ahead, tell me your awful hair cut stories...I know most of you have them, so that I can at least feel in good company. 

Oh yeah, by the way...Polyvore from today:

4/18/10 by HeidiGblog featuring Born shoes

J Crew Cashmere Cabin Popover - Yes, it is May 26 and I am wearing cashmere

The J Crew Cashmere Cabin Popover (#12525, orig $178, curr $129.99). I first noticed this in one of 3-Penny Princess' Polyvore sets and loved it. Headed over to the Crew site, and sure enough there were Ms & Ls. 3-PP was gracious enough to answer my million sizing questions - and I went ahead and ordered the M, with the 20% off. It fits perfectly! Thanks, 3-PP, you are awesome!!

So imagine my delight, or at least adeptness at the lemons-to-lemonade transformation, when we got 60 degrees and torrential rain the day after Memorial Day. Hmmmm, cashmere today, I think. I have mentioned my love for cashmere, haven't I? Oh wait, it's been so warm lately and I've just been waxing poetic about the boyfriend tissue tees. So cashmere...soft, so soft, really really soft. Mmmmmmm. Ok, I'm done. But still very tactile, clearly.

It really was the perfect sweater today with the weather. Cozy, but not too heavy. And not too sheer, either (I know we've all had our issues with that.) I love the shawl collar and the kangaroo pocket on the front. Very nice details. The cut is slim but not the least bit constricting (in other words, bulge-revealing). The sleeves are 3/4 length, but since the sweater length is longer, they don't give you the dreaded horizontal line right across mid-hip that some 3/4 sleeves do. I anticipate wearing this 3 seasons out of 4.

I paired the sweater with a plain white tank, my outlet matchstick jeans, the Target Samala peep toes, and Anthro initial necklace. (And, to be honest, my garden clogs when I walked to the bus stop to get the kids this afternoon. The rain let up but it was so wet & soggy!)


It was a fun day today. M's class had an Author's Tea this afternoon where they showed us a compilation of a lot of their writing over the year. They had an illustrated story bound, a poetry journal, a bound report on a national landmark, and several other pieces. Very nice. And they all are just so cute. I think when I was in 2nd grade, we were still writing in crayon.


Tomorrow is M's 9th birthday. I hope it will be a good day but E passed out on the sofa right after school and I put her to bed around 6:30 with Motrin and a fever of about 100.5-101. I didn't take the temp, but pulled the mom trick of kissing the forehead. I am accurate within .5 degrees. (M used to spike fevers all the time when he was younger, so I got good at it.)

Polyvore for today:

Wearing Today-5/26/09 by HeidiGblog featuring Old Navy

Here's hoping for better weather tomorrow to pull out the new swingy shirred pique shift. (thanks, Dina!) But oh, the cashmere was so yummy today.

The J Crew Jaspe Boyfriend Sweatshirt

Now when I see "J Crew Boyfriend", do I think of a dream date? Ummmm, no, not exactly. Yes, if you have read me at all, you know I immediately flash to my other love, the tissue boyfriend vneck tee. I am starting a cult, please join me. And yes, I did get it in breeze yesterday (go ahead and laugh, AppGirl), but I swear that's the last one (this season)...since the Mickey crewpon expires tomorrow.

But enough about the tee, I want to talk about the Jaspe Boyfriend Sweatshirt (#15229, $49.50). Ok, $50 is a bit much for a sweatshirt, but with the crewpon - less than $40. I may not have even looked at it, but someone mentioned it on their blog... and it's totally escaping me now because I always like to include the shout out, but if you remind me, I will update. Anyway, boyfriend cut? It could be love... or a total disaster, based on the photo. So I tried it on last Friday, and did love it. It's styled like a sweatshirt, but with a much leaner cut, and longer - which for me is always good. I got a Large so that it would be roomier and I would have enough room in the shoulders. The sleeves are totally long enough. (Thank you, Tall Jenna!)

It's not as thick as a sweatshirt and it's quite soft - so it makes a really good substitute for a sweatshirt. Or just a great long sleeve top to wear over a tank & jeans when you wake up and it's pouring and you really don't want to get out of bed but have to because the cleaning ladies are coming and the kids have to get ready for school and you have to take the puppy outside... But enough about me. It will be a great piece for the spring/summer/fall. And a long sleeve tee underneath, especially a fun color, like yesterday's yellow (speaking of which, this outfit is probably a let down after the yellow tee/navy skirt/bubble necklace combo, but it suited my purpose today).

I did up the glam factor with jewelry - Dina hoops, Anthro limon necklace, and H&M ring. I loved the yellow necklace with the gray sweatshirt, but I honestly don't think it photographed that well. Hmmmm.... The light in my room is really not the best for the pics, but I have yet to make the time to figure something else out. But now is not that time. So it was rainy, cool, spring day today - but good for my garden, for my newly planted tomatoes/peppers/herbs, for my new burning bushes, and everything else. And I got to wear a new sweatshirt, so I won't complain. (this time)

Polyvore for today:

Wearing Today - 04/29/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew tops

Wardrobe Challenge Days #6 and #7, plus Wrap Up

Ok, so 1 day behind posting on the wardrobe challenge. It was way too nice outside, and I do have to sleep, you know. But I do at least have pics.

Day #6, Saturday - Fun day. My dad came up to visit the new grandpup. (Mom's coming up later this week - too much stuff going on this weekend.) We had lots of fun. Kids loved seeing him too, of course. Got lots of doggie goodies - unfortunately because my parents had to put their dog to sleep a month and a half ago. Sad for them, but nice to think the puppy supplies have a good use, and we saved some bucks. (I spent enough at the pet store this week!!!)

Outfit for Puppy Training - BR striped cotton turtleneck sweater (Spring 08, I think) - I love love love this sweater. It's such a nice light weight but it can layer for warmth, and even without under layers, it still doesn't show any lumps or bulges because of the stripe pattern. Love that!! Totally perfect sweater for springtime. I stalked this sweater until it went on sale, or I had a coupon and then I nabbed it. Totally worth it! To complete the outfit, Chicos jeans, and a cute pair of flats from Payless (totally comfy, too) from August 07. See, aren't these shoes cute??

And then Saturday night... Dinner party at my friend, Sherry's house. (BTW Sherry is the creative soul who came up with the name for my blog - thanks again, Sherry!!!) Anyway, she is a fabulous hostess, a fabulous cook, and just, well, all-around fabulous. Such a fantastic time. 7 adults, 6 kids, yummy food, fine conversation - it was all good. I was trying to decide what to wear... and inspiration in the form of FabulousFloridaMommy struck. I remember how much I loved her Polyvore & IRL pics of the white shirt layered under the Jackie shell. So crisp, classic, and chic. And PoseyFord did it too. So fab. So I grabbed my white AT Loft shirt from last year and a black Lord & Taylor cashmere shell, and threw them on. Perfect, just what I was looking for - especially when I added a favorite necklace (Limon-something from Anthropologie last summer - limonade? limoncello? can't remember) And finished it with my H&M ring, Mossimo Desta flats and my self-made Gap cropped pants. I tried on these black pants in store last spring, and of course, way too short to wear, but they fit perfectly. Light bulb went off, bingo, dropped them off at the cleaners on the way home, asked them to shorten 3 inches, and I had the perfect long cropped pants. The bonus is that I had forgotten about these, found them in the closet clean out, and they fit me better last night than they had when I did the try-on. Woo hoo! And hot rollered the hair - that, or massive amounts of noxious chemicals is the only way my hair ever sees curl (I remember when a friend asked me: You don't flat iron or blow out your hair? hahahahahahaha - that was good. Can you say straight as a stick?) Ok, so it may not be the most exciting outfit in the world, but I felt fabulous! Thanks, FFM & PoseyFord!!

Day #7, Sunday - I can't claim that I went really original today at all. First of all church - I totally recycled last night's outfit (minus the excess eye makeup and hot rollers). Worked great the second time, too. Then for puppy-don, well, not so original either. The sweater here might look a little familiar. Yep, it's Saturday's sweater in a heathered medium blue. Loved the striped one so much, I snagged this one later in the season on major sale. Need to underlayer sometimes, but love the color. Amazing with white jeans, too. On feet - Crocs Primas (they were last spring's ballet flats), because on today's agenda is a little gardening - not overalls worthy, though. I really wish I had taken pics of my projects because I did a major trim of the hollies in front of our front porch. They were so wild and unruly, and I probably took off half. It was awesome! I filled 2 1/2 of the brown yard recycle bags from 1 side, and the other side....um....well, I put some of it in the bag. And the rest is in a nice, big, huge pile for me to bag tomorrow. I can handle that. I felt so productive though. Also moved the bird bath to the side yard, outside the fence, as Lucy seems to think it's a raised water bowl. Not so good.

So how did I do with this week's Wardrobe Challenge? Pretty good, I would say. I think I proved that I didn't need to sink into total slopitude to work with a new puppy. And I felt better since I was spruced up, too. Friday's effort wasn't so great due to the unfortunate match up of late PT with sick daughter pick up at school. But let's face it, the ickiness that day was more due to the lack of shower than anything. (Yay for hygiene!) I give myself a solid B+ for the week. Still, it will be a while before I pull out the white jeans or the Lili ruffle chiffon cardi. But one of these days...