J Crew Matchsticks - Lived In? You Better Believe It!

 J Crew Matchstick Jeans in lived in wash (#28163, $108).  $108?  Really?  These were a ton of these in the sale pile at my B&M.  For $29.99.  Add on the Mickey card's 20% off and I got them for $24.  Thank you B&M.  It seems like there is always a pile of jeans in the sale section at my B&M.  I don't usually go for them because it seems like you need to try on at least a dozen to find the right pair.  But they are always so well priced in the sale section, maybe I should make the effort more often.  Not that I actually need any more, I think this pair pretty much rounds out my jeans wardrobe for a while. 

But price issues aside...let's talk about the "lived in wash." I love the online commentary on these jeans "hand sanded for that had-it-forever softness."  So true.  So so so true. They are so soft.  So not only did they fit, but they were so comfy. 

I took a 29...which is likely meaningless, because I always have issues with not buying my jeans small enough and having them loosen up too much later (I hear my sister's voice in my head right now).  I just hate it when I put them on and they still are uncomfortable.  Although I think I've been getting better after the weight loss this fall, trying on smaller sizes first.  Of course, right now I'm wearing a pair of Crewlet matchsticks in size 31...so they're more like a boyfriend fit. But lately I've been skewing to usually a 6 in pants and taking a 28/6 in LOFT jeans, so I guess this is the equivalent of an 8?  And it would make sense to go with a larger size in a slim fit to avoid muffin top. 

In any case, $24 jeans that fit and were really cute...of course I got them.  Love the wash - great for spring and summer since it is softer.  I wore them yesterday, April 1, and was glad I did get them.  April Fools' Day...oh yes, Mother Nature had a fun time with us.  Chilly, chilly, chilly.  And way breezy.  But I'll just be happy it wasn't rainy. 

So I paired the jeans with the tissue turtle in...shoot...dark charcoal, I believe.  I love how it picked up the gray in the tweed Dauphine jacket.  Oh, the poor Dauphine jacket, which I've hardly worn, bad me, since getting it late in spring last year on mega-sale.  Really need to rectify that because it's such a great jacket!  And then a pair of croc mocs to round out the outfit. 

I felt comfy, casual, and chic all day.  Gret for running around doing errands.  Didn't even change into sweats later in the evening after dinner.  *That's* how comfy the jeans are. 

Bottom line...if you've got the time, definitely dig through that pile of denim in your B&M!

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.

Change of Seasons in 2 Days

Crazy weather again... Yesterday was full-on summertime. Hot, humid, muggy. I had to take M to the dentist for a filling - just like last time, the boy has a chip in one of his molars. 6 months ago, it was a cracked tooth that needed filling. I think he has been eating rocks, or at least that's what Dr. Bob suggested. He doesn't crunch ice, he doesn't gnaw on sticks. Lucy's the one who chews on rocks and gnaws on sticks. Of course, his filling was 40 minutes, after which we swung through McD's for lunch (since the appointment was over lunch/recess) which consisted of a caramel milkshake and french fries because, clearly, I am the best mom ever!

So...felt really good about the outfit - a BR tunic from last summer. I am thrilled this fits again because it was fantastic last summer, but then it accidentally went into the dryer - oops. But 15 pounds lighter and it's fine. Yay! It's such a great easy, breezy piece to wear in the summer, esp with just a cami underneath (i.e. no bra). The - what do you call them? they're shorter than capris, longer than bermudas - clam diggers? Anyway, they're from Old Navy, 3 years ago, and haven't fit me in over a year, so double yay! I have to say these...clamdiggers are one of the best made bottoms that I own. The quality in the fabric, the pocket lining, etc is really fantastic. Most impressive.
Polyvore for Wednesday, which really only resembles my outfit in the accessories, but whatever...

Wearing Today-6/3/09 by HeidiGblog featuring Nike

Weather switched out when an insane cold front rolled through last night with major storms, so this morning, we are back to spring/fall weather. Out comes the library shawl cardi - with a white BF tissue tee & my outlet matchsticks. Joley flats, twisted crystal necklace doubled up and a gold nugget necklace gave some sparkle at the neck. (And yeah, after the convo on Gigi's blog about the pigeon-toed JC models, had to try it out myself, hehehe. I think it works. No wonder E looks so long & lean.)

It was a fun and surprising day. I went in to the office to have lunch with hubby. Fab place in Mclean, J Gilberts - so yummy. I love the steak salad because it's actually a little steak, next to a wedge salad, with some polenta croutons on the other side. And they have these Maytag Bleu cheese potato chips (home made chips) which are just insane - no chips today as I didn't want to go home to a food coma.

After lunch, I swung by the Tysons J Crew to check out the Esplanade skirt. Summerilla tried this on Saturday night and I just loved it I have a black one arriving via UPS tomorrow. The B&M had it in the dark slate, but it just did not look great on me. I am hopeful that the black one will work better - you know how that goes, sometimes knits that aren't great in colors actually look good in black. We'll see.

I did pick up the Dressy Jersey Strapless Dress again in navy, which I had previously returned, since it was now marked down to $49.99. And I have worn the charcoal one at least 4 times already this season, so it's a good one. I washed it - just regular wash and then the dryer, and it came out just fine. Yay!! Love machine-washable, and dry-able is bonus.

My surprise was that while I was at Tysons, this lovely chic lady came up to me and introduced herself since she recognized me from my blog. So Kathy (or Cathy?) W, I just want you to know that you completely and totally made my day! I loved your outfit - the golden yellow blouse, layered necklaces, and white trousers. You looked fantastic! Hope you had successful shopping and the dressy jersey strapless dress worked for you, too. It will be perfect for your upcoming NC beach vaca - that dress just screams beach vacation to me, and all other associated summer fun. Definitely drop us a line when we are planning the next DC JCA event, we would love for you to join us! (that goes for any other DC JCAs lurking around, too... :) )

Polyvore for today:

Wearing Today-6/4/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

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.

Cherry Tunic Goodness and... Too Bright or Just Right?

First up, today's outfit. Tunic is from Chico's last spring. I love the pink and red together - much like the J Crew constellation dress. And, bonus, last spring, I had to leave the bottom button undone. This year, buttoned all the way down, thank you very much. It's a great spring/summer piece. And I paired it with my new outlet matchsticks. (Still need to compare to the real thing - Jemma Ruby raised an excellent question when she commented on my previous post, so I am curious to check it out.)

Going with my semi-boho flair (or as boho as I ever get), I topped it off with the Dina hoops, fireball necklace, and BR crystally necklace that I always pair with the fireball or the twisted crystal. (really need to get a better, or shorter name for that necklace)

When M (my almost-9-year-old) came into the kitchen after I was dressed, he said "You look really nice. Are you going to a dance?" Needless to say, it made my day and almost made my cry. So sweet, that boy.

Polyvore for today (usng the JC cherry blossom blouse as a substitute for the Chicos tunic):

Wearing Today-5/20/09 by HeidiGblog featuring Old Navy


Too Bright or Just Right?

I need an opinion here, ladies (& gentlemen). I got the J Crew canvas boardwalk city tote as part of my sale+20% off order from last week, in the neon yellow. Aptly named, let me tell you. It is the exact color of a tennis ball. So here's the question...is it too bright and just totally obnoxious? Or is it just right for brightening up my mostly neutral wardrobe? (Keep in mind, $39.99, less 20%, so not full price.) I would love your opinions, asap, since I'm headed to the mall tomorrow to do returns at the Crew and pick up the Trina Turk Clinique bonus at Nordstrom. Thanks for your input!!

Ms Green Jeans and Some Fun at the Outlets

Let's start with Ms. Green Jeans on Friday...you know, me as Mr. Green Jeans' long lost daughter. How cute are these pants? Old Navy Womens Perfect Khakis (#595183, $29.50). Well, I thought they were perfect for me. I got them in Jalapeno, but to me it looks like muted Starbucks green. Considering how many white, gray, navy tops I have, I thought these would be a perfect bottom to liven up some of them. And it would be great for cheering on the Green Lightning from the sidelines (E's soccer team). And, great for running around with Lucy since they are pretty decent weight fabric.

They do have a low waist, but not too much - and work just fine with the bf tissue tee. I sparkled it up a bit with some layered necklaces, including my fireball, and some gold flats. I am really envisioning these pants with some of my navy tops or the Jaspe sweatshirt as well. And definitely some of the cream sweaters in the fall. Of course, I have to roll them up since the 32" inseam is just not long enough, but I may order a pair in another color in tall if ON has another good shipping deal.

Polyvore set from Friday:

Wearing Today - 5/15/09 by HeidiGblog featuring Old Navy Clothing

And then skip right to today's outfit, with the graphic tee and matchsticks that I got at the J Crew outlet this weekend. Well first, I'll be honest, I didn't take my camera this weekend, so I don't have pics. But, I would like to note that (1) - Saturday AM - you've already seen pics of the dress, (2) I'm sure I'll wear the molten metallic with white jeans again soon and promise to post pics then, and (3) you've seen the Library ad nauseum on me and seriously, I just paired with a white tee & jeans, how much more basic can you get? It was divinely comfy for travel, though!

Quick Recap of weekend: Left Saturday early, got to Lansdowne and did early checkin, headed to spa for a few lazy hours, chilled out in the room for a while, got dolled up for dinner, ate out, back at the bar for a nightcap (mine was chamomile tea, how sad is that?), and then crashed. On to Sunday, which started about 2:30 am when we had to call security to break up the party in the room next door - oh no, we're "those" people I hated when I was younger. Fuddy duddy me. More sleep, then up, breakfast, outlets, lunch and home.

Ok, so the outlets...

First I hit Gap to get sweatshirts for the kids. There I found a pair of shorts that are a dead ringer for the J Crew poplin cargo short (#15018, $49.50). The Gap outlet pair was $29.99, less 20%, so $24. I got them in a British khaki (and nabbed the JC pic for Polyvore when I got home). They are so lightweight, they will be perfect for summer.

Next I went to J Crew. They had a lot of polos (on sale), a lot of Jackies. They had some very cute necklaces, including quite a few colors of the stone bead ribbon necklace look alike. Many of the dresses were 50% off. Skirts were marked down too. I tried on a lot of things, but only ended up with 2 things for myself, both of which I am wearing at left. On top, the yellow (color=CLI, any idea? cool limoncello?) graphic tee with gray fleur de lis and script "C'est la vie". I love the tee - can't wait to wear it with the navy Nicky skirt, my white gauze-y skirt, white jeans, light khakis...ok, I think I just covered most of my summer bottoms wardrobe. And I can't wait to pair it with my gray cardis. Tee was $29.50, less 40% graphic tees, so under $18. I also got, are you ready for it, those of you who are sick and tired of seeing me in the same jeans?, a pair of the matchsticks, ankle length. They were on sale for $39.99 and I figured this was a good way to see if I really would love them and wear them. So far, so good. I think my sister is impressed that I finally got a pair of skinny-ish jeans!

And as I was standing near the checkout, my eyes strayed over to the mens section and there I saw it... a dark olive-brown tee with the word "BEER" in white. Immediately thought of hubby and went over to check it out. He looks so good in that color! I picked it up and saw the entire graphic which included "Southport" at the bottom - and that's where his parents live now, so I was sold! Hubby now has his first piece of J Crew wear. I don't think he's quite as excited about it as I am.

And that was basically it for the outlet shopping. I got 3 things that I can really use that will incorporate quite nicely into my wardrobe. And put back many more things that I just didn't need.

Polyvore set for today with outlet finds:

Wearing Today by HeidiGblog featuring Geox Shoes