Join the Fun... with Purse Pals

Blog Update - after my personal success of Peace for the Holidays, I am attempting to incorporate that more into my life. Unfortunately, blogging ends up shuffled to the side sometimes. My top priorities continue to be Health (including adequate sleep) and My Family. Work comes in second since it does help pay the bills and...to be honest...I just can't do a crappy job on something because I really hate to let people down. Oh, the guilt. And work has involved some busy hours lately. But I only have so many hours I have on this project and I won't keep up this pace forever... It will slow in time, and I will blog as I can because I do love it and I do miss it. But no more excuses from me...just wanted to let you know that's the new norm here and now I will stop my whining because I am boring myself.

Couple of news-y items to discuss today. It seems like everyone else is catching up with us, fellow JCA & PV fans.

First, Robin Givhan, our Pulitzer Prize-winning (seriously) fashion editor at the Washington Post, penned the Fashion Moments part of the Post's Best and Worst of 2009. 2009 Best Fashion Moment #4?

J. Crew and its creative director, Jenna Lyons, show the world modestly priced fashion that's good enough for an audience with Queen Elizabeth II.

Works for me! Don't think I would go with the Vintage Slim jeans in worn-in wash for that occasion, however. (BTW, yes, that article was from December 20. At least I'm within 30 days.) (Jenna Lyons photo credit - New York Observer)

Although, if you are hiking in Arizona, jeans are probably a good idea. Did you see this? Denim may thwart rattlesnake venom? But again...maybe the worn-in wash isn't the best for that outing either. Go for something without holes. But when you mom/DH/SO starts hassling you about those expensive designer jeans, you can tell them it's just for your health (see note at top of post on health being a priority).

Next, how many of you get Rachel Zoe's daily email newsletter- The Zoe Report? (Love her show!!) Her style and mine don't exactly mesh 100% (duh), but she's always lots of fun to read and it's interesting to get a different perspective. And if I don't have time to read, I can always hit delete. You can sign up for the newsletter on her website.

But here's the fun part - did you know that RZ (or one of her staff) looks at Polyvore? Ok, she might not be a Poly-whore like some of us, but quite a few of her newsletters on different trends refer readers to Polyvore. For example, a 12/30/09 post on "Warrior Princess" - i.e. embellished headbands - the email included this Polyvore link and tag: "See how embellished headbands completed the always fab looks on Polyvore.com."

Granted it was just a search on headbands, but hey...someone in Camp Zoe is watching. But um, yeah, I'm pretty sure she's NEVER hit on one of my PVs...ya think? (Rachel Zoe photo credit - petite.about.com - this was the preppiest pic I could find. If you want the prep, you go with Brad.)

And finally...you know, you can always find J Crew in unexpected places...like on the shoulder of your daughter's friend's dad when you drop her off for a soccer birthday party. Yep, my new Purse Pal, Mr. snaphappy was sporting his wife's Selby satchel. (She ordered her own after coveting mine and fantasizing about stealing it. *That* sure would have been awkward at the bus stop.) So...it just goes to show you...you never know where you'll find J Crew.

I did have to show Mr. snaphappy how to hold the purse correctly - most men are just not born with the knowledge ingrained, apparently.

(photo credit to the talented and always fun snaphappy who has promised to try to join us at our next DC JCA outing)

My Pretty Beaded Cardi, and How I Came Back to J Crew

Once upon a time, there was a girl who went to college at William & Mary and discovered the fabulous little J Crew outlet up the road. Never mind that you would see 20 other people on campus in the same rugby. That's just what we did. And it was fun. Sweaters (roll-neck!!), shirts, cute little dresses, plaid shorts. It was all good. Then the girl grew up, graduated, and moved to Maryland, and started expanding into other mid-90's phenomena such as Valerie Stevens at Hechts (cheap cashmere? yes please. satin trim tee? yep.) and she really forgot all about J Crew even though there was one at Montgomery Mall about 10 minutes away from her house.

As you have no doubt guessed...that was me. To me, J Crew was college casual and "back in the day". I didn't really need any more rugbies or roll-necks. Then in Spring 2006, I was browsing around the mall, picking out the Mothers Day present for my hubby to give me, and I wandered in. I was specifically looking for a cotton cardigan, and figured that could be the right place. Well, I fell back in love. With all of it. And scored the lovely navy cotton cardi that I'm wearing today. It has the prettiest detailing up and down the length of the placket - navy bugle beads and French knots - can you see the pic at left? So pretty. Not too sparkly at all. (I'm better about wearing it for the every day than I used to be.)

I will admit I was slow getting back into J Crew after such a long absence. But I am happy to be home. It's my top choice for tops. (Don't get me started on my pants issues.) I do have issues with the website (don't we all), and some of the pieces; however, overall I am such a fan. I love their clothes and I love the styling too. I love that Jenna Lyons is 6'2", so I feel like they "get" my height. (I'm only 5'10" but it's close enough, especially if you've ever stood in front of a mirror and tried to rationalize that a shirt may actually grow an extra inch.)

What's your J Crew story? Long time fan? New recruit? I would love to hear!