J Crew Caprese Tunic

Yes, totally late to the party on this one, sure.  J Crew Caprese Tunic (#26796, orig $35, curr $14.99).  Would have been nice if I'd been blogging on this one over the summer, eh?

There is some background to this purchase...or at least what I was looking for here.  I used to have, several years ago, a fantastic pale pink linen long-sleeve pop over tunic top from H&M.  It wasn't super long, just enough to cover the bum, and long enough so that shape of it was a flattering vertical rectangle instead of the super-unflattering-on-me horizontal rectangle.  I loved this top, lived in it during the spring and summer.  I loved the popver idea, that it didn't have the button placket running up the front.  Alas, after a few seasons, it was showing wear because hey, it was from H&M, and you don't go purchasing a piece you expect to last for 10 years there.  But I've been searching for a replacement for it ever since.  When J Crew had their chambray popovers, I was one of the first in line to grab one and try it on.  Sadly, it was just too boxy - too wide and not long enough. 

And then I started seeing pics of the Caprese Tunic.  First thing I noticed was the length - so I thought, hey, I wonder if I could make that work.  The second thing I noticed was the self-belt, so I thought, hey, I can chuck that really fast (since my plan was to wear it as a loose but straight tunic, not something belted and puffy).  Of course, this was over the summer, it's not so easy to get to the B&M to try on, and so it took me a few weeks before I got there to try it. 

The first thing I did was grab a S, since it looked a bit wide and I had no intention of wearing it belted.  And then I realized that the S was huge on me....so next I opted for an XS.  Yes, folks, an XS....  Ok sure, it's sleeveless and I don't have to worry about the shoulders, but still...5'10" and size 8 in pants here...the XS was exactly perfect for how I wanted to wear it.  (No wonder there are only M's & L's left online.)  Bottom line - this sucker runs HUGE. 

So thanks, Jenna & company, I'm sure this isn't how you thought of it, but it worked out exactly how I wanted it to.

Now that I have semi-replaced my lovely pink linen popover...the next question is how to wear it.  Well, since it was summer when I got it "with white jeans" was the easy obvious answer.  See first pic above - with my Kut from the Kloth white slim jeans from Nordstroms - one of my best buys over the summer - indispensable. 

That is one of those outfits (chambray top + white jeans) that works with pretty much any set of accessories you want to throw at it - metallic, bright, pastel, neutral, you name it.  That day (I think the kiddies & I met Dina & her kiddies to lunch & shop  a bit), I chose heeled sandals and a chunky bracelet.

Next outfit (middle pic), I went with black Minnies (Tall, size 8), and a gray cami.  For chillier weather, I could have easily added a cardi.  I'm pretty sure it was hot that day, so in the chambray top and black ankle pants, I felt cool and seasonally appropriate.  I was headed into school for a meeting and wanted to look nice, but be comfy (then again, that's my usual dressing mantra, right?)

And then let's get to today's outfit, shall we?  It's pretty yucky outside.  We've got the remanants of TS Nicole blowing through.  We've already gotten 3 inches of rain or so, with more to come. 

But am I complaining?  No, and here's why:

1 - it's not too chilly, so the rain doesn't feel to cold (don't you hate those days that are 38 degrees and rainy?  ugh!!!)

2 - With all the rain coming down, the stinkbugs aren't flying.   Are you getting hit with those, too????  They were divebombing us at soccer games this past weekend.

3 - I don't have to commute 99% of the time, so I'll just shut up now.
4 - I have cute pink rain boots for the grocery store runs.

Back to today's outfit.  I guess the rain gave me the blues, though, because um yeah, that's pretty much all I'm wearing.  Darker slim Chico's jeans, a navy cami, and a navy Jackie on top.  I think I actually might like this a bit better if the jeans were a touch darker, but still I liked how it worked...even though I have since abandoned the flats for a pair of cozy socks. 

And I think it shows the flexibility of this top - perfect for some of these fall days where it starts out chilly and then gets warm.  I doubt I'll still have it out in December, but I think it will be in regular rotation for the next couple of months, and then tucked away until spring.
Now my question is - if you have the Caprese, how are you wearing it?  I'd love to hear....
Polyvore from today:

9/30/10 by HeidiGblog featuring yellow gold earrings

Winnie Twinnies...and how is it that Dina & I always end up at J Crew?

First up...what color are Winnie Twinnies?  In my world...yellow.  Big, bold, bright yellow.  And why is that important?  Because tomorrow I am wearing yellow...and you may want to as well.  Tomorrow is Wear Yellow for Chelsea day (see Debye's very moving post on her blog Modestly Styled, Modestly Me) to honor the memory of Cheslea King who lived in Debye's community. Obviously our hearts, thoughts, and prayers are with all dealing with the tragedy...but I really love the message in wearing yelllow - keeping the symbol of the light she brought to everyone.  Hug your loved ones close tonight.

(And on a totally shallow note...does anyone have a Polyvore sub for the in store J Crew vneck painter tee in bright citron?)

Now on to Winnie Twinnies...I met dinagideon and drewablank last Thursday at Tysons for a quick Starbucks lunch and some J Crew time to check out the new arrivals.  I'm trying to think if I actually got anything...oh wait, yes, one thing.  More on that below.  But it's always so fun to see them, esp before drewablank heads off on her fabilis trip back home to the Phillipines. 

The fun part was that dina & I were actually wearing our matching Winnie coats (since, you know, I kinda live in mine...) and of course, we had to get a picture...

Outfitwise, I once again wore my new men's half-zip cotton sweater (size M).  I am loving this sweater!!  And then the classic-stripe tissue tee (size M), Chicos Ultra Slim Leg jeans (size, 0.5, which always make me feel great), and the new J Crew crystal fireworks earrings (one of my 20% off purchases a few weeks ago).  The earrings are adorable - but they aren't small.  The only issue I have with them is that I can't do my usual "hold the phone between my ear & shoulder while I talk and do other things" trick.  Not that I really should be doing that anyway...it's bad for my chiro issues.  The fab AnneG was smart enough to suggest BlueTooth to me on PV...not quite realizing that I have seriously tiny ear canals - it's very weird - M has them too - but the vast majority of ear things don't actually fit in my ear.  

And it was such a yucky day from all the snow melt and dirt and mud, that I just threw on the pink rain boots.  I do love them with the yellow & navy.  And with cozy socks, they keep my feet quite warm.

Polyvore from last Thursday:

2/25/10 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

Since hitting J Crew once a week with Dina isn't quite enough, we met up at the Montgomery Mall J Crew on Sunday morning for the crewcuts fashion show...with our mini-JCAs in tow.  The SA? Manager? at the B&M who was running the show pronounce my E as a dead ringer for Jenna Lyons...so her new name is now mini-Jenna.  (We did pick up a way cute dress for E - the tiptoe dress in heather aluminum- and headband.  Marvel at my restraint, please...)

What did I wear?  Remember I mentioned that I only got one thing when I met up with drewablank & Dina?  It was the CFDA Fashion for Haiti tee.  I had tried it on and hemmed & hawed earlier in the week.  Then I decided that I really did like it, and at least I could say it was going to a good cause...100% of profits to Haiti relief.  You can get the tee here on J Crew's website, or in store.  And as you probably know, lots of retailers are offering the tee.

Size-wise, I got the W1, which would equate to "Small" on the website - these are unisex sizes, folks. If that's too large for you, you can get the crewcuts version here (like dina did, in size 14, I believe; it's currently backordered, but only until 3/16 - not too shabby).  I love the graphic on the tee, not that you can really even see it here...And all I can say is that they must have pinned the daylights out of the model's tee in the online pic.

So for the fashion show, I wore the new Haiti tee with black Minnies (8), black cashmere cardigan (L), and a lime scarf from I don't even know how long ago.  Plus the black Born Lovely flats and some sparkly jewelry.  Very comfy and then very warm when E & I headed to the ice rink to meet Hubby & M for the kids' ice skating lessons.

Polyvore from Sunday:

New Haiti Tee by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

But I think Dina and I need a new hobby.  When she stopped by her regular B&M yesterday with Rex, he asked "Where's Miss Heidi?"  And I share that with you in hopes that you'll enjoy it a bit and it will add a little lightness to your day since Hubby just wouldn't appreciate it so much if I shared it with him.  Knitting anyone????

Borrowing from the Boys - at J Crew

A little springtime for you all...as we sit here with snow all around. I do love tulips.

You know what I don't love? Boots. I am sick and darn tired of boots. Normally, I really like boots - I would even say I love my black flat boots because I feel rockingly awesome in them. But that sentiment loses a bit of its luster when I am forced to wear them day after day by all this snow.

And this is not a diatribe against the snow. And to update my earlier diatribe against politicians in DC (not the natives but those from elsewhere) - Chris Dodd, we love you. If you hadn't heard, he lifted the since-9/11 ban on sledding at the Capitol. Attention Durbin and everybody else: *that's* how you endear yourselves to the metro area.

Maybe I'm just cranky because we've been indoors so long and I get irritated at the jerkie neighbors who don't shovel their sidewalks, even after a week, and I can barely walk Lucy around the block. I'm just sick and tired of being forced into boots. Maybe it's the stubborn streak.

So, I have officially abandoned boots for the time being. Sure, I'll put on my FUggs to go to and from the bus stop(I'm not *that* stubborn...or stupid), but otherwise, it's back to flats for me.

All of which is a really, really long introduction to yesterday's outfit. (Today? hehehe, still in sweats - going to the office later, haven't dressed for that yet.) The previous day, which would have been Hallelujah, The Kids Are Back at School Tuesday, I popped down to JC to do a couple of returns. As I strolled back from the semi-anemic sale section, I saw a gorgeous sweater...laying on the table in the men's section. Why not try it? It couldn't be any worse that some of the boxy sweaters I tried on from the women's section lately. So I meandered off to the dressing room, swapped out my current sweater for this one, and fell in love.

Let's backtrack...I love all of the fab JCAs who are rocking the crewcuts wear, like Dina. Problem is that crewcuts just doesn't cut it (hehe) with my shoulders - and torso length. But, when you are JC and the women's sweaters in store aren't thrilling you, where do you turn? Yep...the only other section is Men's.

Ta da! J Crew Men's Cotton Half-Zip Sweater (#21666, $69.50) I was anticipating that I would love the feel of the sweater, but would have to give a sternly judgmental eye to the fit and potential boxiness. But to my amazement, it was rather form fitting. On the body, it's much leaner & longer than the online picture would indicate. This would be great with leggings because it covers the butt.

And that thick cotton knit - where did you go? I haven't seen you in the women's sweaters in quite a while. They call it a "chunkier full milano stitch." Can we order that in women's, please??? It's warm enough for winter and will be great for spring, too.

I love the zip neck. Zipped up for warmth. Unzipped to show off a cute tee or fab necklace. This is a perfect piece with jeans, obviously. But I will also wear it with cafe capris and white jeans come spring time.

I got the navy, but it's also available in irish moss and heather stone. Bottom line - how often do you buy something and simply have to wear it the next day. I'm sold!!

Rest of outfit - Chico's Ultra Slim Leg jeans, white crewneck perfect fit tee, clementine pearl garden bracelet, and moc croc loafers. And I was happy all day.

Polyvore from yesterday:

02/17/10 by HeidiGblog featuring Naturalizer shoes

Outfit Catchup

We are watching the Opening Ceremonies on TV and I'm getting ready to catch up on some outfit posting. First of all, Canada - you make such a gracious host...or hostess...I'm not sure of usage here. Go Canada!!

I love the Parade of Nations - it's always so inspiring. And it's continuous so we actually get to watch it, instead of having to constantly cut away for a billion human interest stories. (They just cut away for the oh-so-important commercials.) You know, when there are so many of "interest" stories, somehow they lose a bit of my interest. Plus sports-fan hubby gets really irritated at all the fluff. Speaking of fluff...another Lucy snow pic for you:



Some thoughts on the Parade of Nations:

• Azerbaijan has the best pants, without question. Google it. I'm sure pics will be up by the time I post this. UPDATE - click here for picture.
• Go Bermuda - Bermuda shorts for the Winter Olympics. Love it!! I realize it's the national costume, but it's still pretty cool.
• Ireland has awesome yellow-chartreuse pants. And if I were the only country separating Israel & Iran, I'd probably wear an alert color as well.
• I want the Slovenia women's green coats - GORGEOUS!
• And I want one of the US turtlenecks, too. They have to be selling those somewhere. Why miss the opportunity to make a buck?
• I'm totally digging the quilted parka/dresses that the female flag bearers are wearing. Where can I get one? I look really good in off-white. And it's that cold here.

Outfit #1 - January 25 - Nude & Black. Inspired by an article in Glamour about the color nude for spring. I loved it paired with black...and realized I could do it with last springs cotton-cashmere bouquet cardi and a black tee. Plus my Chicos slim leg jeans. I really liked this outfit. And I'll wear it lots this spring - esp with white jeans. Truthfully, it wasn't quite warm enough for the day, but I loved the colors anyway. That's why we have coats. And it was quite fab with my black Selby bag and its vachetta handles.

Other accessories - loved it with my two-tone spectator Me Too ballet flats. And I paired the duchess stone bracelet with the braided rope rose gold bracelet. Great bracelet combo - my fave JC SA raved over it when I stopped by while I was out. So naturally, I was pleased that she appreciated it.

Polyvore from January 25:


1/25/10 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

Outfit #2 - January 26 - I finally got the Knox sweater jacket right (this is size M). It's the neckline that's so tricky. A crewneck is too cluttered or crowded with the high vee of the Knox, but a vneck tee is perfect underneath! I decided to play off the military feel of the Knox, so I paired with black Minnies and my black boots. I kept the rest of the accessories simple - just Tiffany heart bracelet and silver hoops.

I admit I felt kinda tough in this outfit. Oh, what a great pair of boots can do for self-confidence! Stylestance has a fun post back in the fall about the effect our shoes have on how we walk - and it's so true. I skip when I'm wearing ballet flats. But when I have on my flat riding boots, I have authority and I stand tall. Which, unfortunately just reminds me of Cartman...respect my authori-tay. But I always feel great in these boots - except for when it's slushy/snowy because I have no traction but always thing I should - ok, so maybe a bit too much confidence.

Polyvore from January 26:



1/26/10 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

One final note - HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my mom today! And Abraham Lincoln, of course.

Out of the Shadow with Black and Blue

Ok, I get it...much like wearing white after Labor Day, the navy and black combo is no longer the fashion taboo it once was. Done right, it's actually very, very chic. But it's not a combo that I find easy to pull off, unless the black & navy are combined in a single garment. But I think jeans make it work pretty well. And so does the J Crew color "shadow". You know I am a huge fan of navy blue. And I love J Crew's dark grays. Shadow falls kinda right in the middle. It's a navy, but a grayed navy...it actually reminds me exactly of the OPI shade from this fall, Suzi Skis in the Pyrennees - dead-on match. Someone asked the every-stylish & wise A Bigger Closet about it on a recent post which reminded me that I hadn't posted this outfit yet. (like so many others...)

A couple weeks ago, I met dinagideon for lunch and a little Crew time. New DC JCA Rachel joined us - and it was lots of fun. Her kiddies are adorable and she was so great. We look forward to seeing her at DC JCA outings to come. And I enjoyed being the only one without kids.

Um yes, I did just say that...hey, I shopped with my 2 darling angels for quite a number of years until I unloaded, I mean sent, them to school. don't shoot me. My kid-shopping triumph will always be the time I went bathing suit shopping with both of them and actually came home with a suit - and it was quite fab if I do recall. Ask my mother about the time she took M shopping and warmed up the bottle under the hand dryer at LL Bean. Which, incidentally, is a great place to feed a baby because they have those really comfy rocking and Adirondack chairs. And I look forward to E being able to shop with me on a regular basis soon - she's almost there...

Actually, when I do these outings during the school day, I end up being like the grandma since I get to do fill-in kid-less adult tasks. Or I'm the really cool aunt. I think I like the aunt title better.

So back to the whole black & blue thing. I wanted to (a) wear the Winnie since dinagideon was, of course, the kind soul who found it for me at the clearance center and (b) show off the new BR chain necklace since she is such a fan of BR jewelry herself. For a chic background, I went with my Chicos ultra slim leg jeans and the JC shadow perfect fit long sleeve tee (size L, which I always take in the perfect fit since I don't like them toooo tight, picked up for $10 at post-Xmas sale) for the blue and a black cami and boots for the black. So...black and blue altogether. I think the shadow really knits it together. And it was great for showing off the necklaces (BR mixed chain with JC antique finish constellation locket) as well as the Winnie jacket.

Really, with that jacket...do you need anything complicated underneath? Or at least that's been my excuse all winter. And then this pic shows off the supercool fun new scarf-trying trick (hacking knot) that I picked up from Cate's blog - Confessions of a Shopoholic Medical Student...she had picked it up from Sweet Tea in Seattle who tried it with a wrap as well as an Hermes scarf (which I had somehow missed even though it was just the day before, but she is one of my fave blogs to read). Bottom line...vlog instructions for scarf tying here - and I love how she showed it with the skinnier scarf, too.

So yes, I wore my Woobie/Blankie that day, too. This BR cashmere wrap is addictive!! And speaking of cuddly things...it's been a while since I posted a Lucy pic (she's 13 months old today), so here you go...this is the "are you seriously bothering me with that camera?" look.



And this is the "oh, am I not supposed to play with this?" look. And *that's* why I get my FUggs at Target. (FUgg - Fake Ugg. Get your mind out of the gutter. Ok, your first reaction may have been accurate, but they are the best bus stop shoes ever.)

Banana Bracelet

Ba-Ba-Banana, Ba-Ba-Banana.... yes, I'm back to singing my favorite Elmo Banana song. This was yet another piece uncovered earlier this month while jewelry bin diving, as I discussed in this post. It's a double strand gold chain bracelet (all gold-toned, the silver-ish look in the pic is from the flash), and the clasp is actually just a loop of the bracelet that hooks over the flower at the end. So pretty. This will be a great layering piece, but also works well on its own. And it's pretty neutral in that it will mix with many pieces. And...it was $15.99. Oh how I love you, Banana jewelry!

So that will be the thread that ties together this outfit post since I wore it for the first time on Thursday and then again today. And of course, it's so on sale, it is nowhere to be found online, so I used yet another sub for PV.

Thursday...pulled out the dream taffeta sash cardigan, size L - i'd probably get an M today, don't shoot me, dina. (or at least that's what PV calls it - this was just before I joined the cult and became a JCA, so I wasn't so up on the names). I really need to wear this sweater more often, it's just so darn cute with the ruffled neck and the ribbon. And it is warm too. Like the canvas atelier jacket last spring, it has that mod swingy shape I love. So perfect with jeans and a tshirt. That would be Chicos slim leg jeans (size 0.5)and a JC open crewneck painter tee (size L)

And then of course, the cute new BR bracelet - and my grandmother's pearl/crystal necklace that I swiped from the junk jewelry passed to E and the JC twisted crystal necklace. And then the Me Too cap toe ballet flats. I'm not sure they really worked IRL with the cardi but they work in the picture, so let's just pretend that they were that good in person.

Polyvore from Thursday:

1/21/10 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

Items in this set:
Women sweaters Dream taffeta-sash cardigan, $60
Women's knits & tees - textured knits - Open crewneck painter tee -..., $30
Chico's - Platinum Denim Slim Leg Jean, $69
Me Too Swann Cap Toe Ballet Flat
Women's bags - leather bags - Selby satchel - J.Crew, $275

And then today...started with the gray Minnies, put on a white short sleeve perfect tee, changed cami underneath and got lipstick on tshirt, switched to long sleeve gray striped Flora tee, decided that original choice of light gray Jackie-esque cardi from BR wouldn't work with all the gray so switched to black cashmere Jackie. (did you get that?) Gray Minnies...gray striped tee...black cashmere cardi. Ok, we're caught up.

And then, gold hoops, new BR bracelet, and black flats. Oh my black flats are in really, really sorry shape. I need a new pair. They are so sorry-looking, even when I polish them. But shopping for the basics can be the hardest to do. But that's for another post...

I felt very Parisian chic in this outfit. As I commented in my PV set, I felt almost gamine...and when you're 5'10", you don't usually feel gamine, that's for sure. By the way, this looked AWESOME with my yellow Winnie when I ran out to do a couple of errands with M earlier today. And if it had been chillier, I could have just thrown on my black boots. Easy.

But speaking of my Polyvore set...here it is:

1/23/10 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

Items in this set:
Women's Cashmere Sweaters & Cardigans - J.Crew, $160
Classic-stripe tissue tee - J.Crew, $33
Women - tanks - Perfect-fit tank - J.Crew, $18
Women - wool - Wool tweed Oona coat - J.Crew, $90
Mossimo® Desta Ballet Flats - Black : Target, $20

By the way, the divine Gigi and others are noting that BR has 40% off sale items in store. A great time for jewelry bin diving, no?

Back on the Chain Gang...

I posted a few days ago on my continuing Banana love...I continue to live in my BR cashmere wrap. Threw it on this afternoon while working at my laptop again. But there's a point I missed about BR - they have some really, really fab jewelry. And not only do they have really, really fab jewelry, but their really, really fab jewelry gets marked down on quite a regular basis unlike other (ahem, "hey you") retailers we frequent. (Was it AppGal who came up with the "rhymes with 'hey you'"? Still love that, hehehehe.)

When I returned the striped sweater to BR, I picked up this necklace for $28.99 (plus 2 other things on sale that I'll eventually fess up to). Mixed metal chains...2 matte silvers, 2 matte golds. So not only is it a very cool necklace but it totally works with my J Crew constellation locket that I got in the antique gold - ok, that was an even better bargain at $9.99, but I am *loving* this combo! I love the locket, but wanted something to amp it up a bit. And this necklace is perfect - and it will be great on its own as well. I like the slightly tougher-chic vibe about it.

I wore it today with {yawn} sweater and jeans tucked into boots.

Ok, details...J Crew merino turtleneck in black (size M). Did I even question if I really needed this when I got it? Talk about a gaping wardrobe hole...been wearing it tons, and always feel great in it. And I even had gotten it on sale...bonus.

And then the Chicos Ultra Slim Leg jeans tucked into my black boots. Isn't that what we're all wearing around here? When I was at the mall on Tuesday, all I saw were slim jeans tucked into boots. I guess weather does that. We did have 2 inches of snow last night, enough to give us a 2-hour school delay. So I got to sleep in a wee bit.

And of course, topped off with the yellow Winnie, black bucket hat, and black leather gloves when I went out for a meeting at school and to grocery shop as you'll see in the Polyvore below. (True confessions - I did put on a down parka for bus stop pick up, but our bus stop is actually a bit away from the house and do you know how cold it is? Way too cold for a wimp like me.)

Of course, the down side of sale bin diving for jewelry is that, Polyvore, being the evil mistress that she is, only shows items that are currently for sale on the store website, and once things get marked down they often disappear form the website, so you usually have to find dupes for PV...unless you want to go ahead and clip the entire jewelry section, but I've been trying to clean out my PV closet, not clog it up. Need to get to the real closet sometime... So here is today's Polyvore, with necklace dupes...but still works pretty well, I think.



1/8/10 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

And say hello to my little (winter) friend...

Yep, the humidifier. Longer-time readers may remember my post from last March on Getting Steamy...er, um, Misty in the Bedroom. But for those of you who are new, let me just share this:

1 - very good if you have a cold (please make sure you clean it religiously, however)
2 - totally helps you breathe easier
3 - white noise helps you sleep better

.....and the absolute best, but clearly most shallow reason to use it....

4 - your skin will look AMAZING. Seriously. I am always amazed at the glow I get after using it for a day or two. Maybe it's just that I'm sleeping better. Maybe it's that I am getting enough sleep. Maybe it's just the increased humidity in the air. Maybe it's some crazy combo of both...I don't really care...I just love that it works!

On the Banana Train...Banana Boat...Banana Fan...

Happy New Year to all! I admit I enjoyed a nice long break from...eh, pretty much everything. Very little blog reading or Polyvoring, no blog writing, lots of away time from the electronic devices over the holidays...it was a good thing.

So...remember that fab Banana Republic tee I got WAY back in mid-November (the cute white tee with the screen printed necklaces)? Of course you do. Yeah right, whatever, you have better things to do, I know. Well, apparently it made its way into Lucky magazine for January. Yes, I just went through my January magazines - I was saving them for the out of town trip to see in the in-laws. I love to have lots of reading material on trips. And maybe I'm a bit behind since they've been out a while...but seriously? My BR trompe l'oeil beaded tee from EARLY November? In a January magazine?

Ok, it's a bit fun to go "oh, so you like it, too, huh?" But wow, pity the fool who falls in love with the magazine pic only to go looking for said item in store in vain. Not that everyone needs my shirt, or that I want everyone to have the same shirt as me, but haven't you had that happen where you fall in love with something in a magazine only to be utterly unable to locate it? Not that I can argue with the cuteness of the tee (for me at least). I guess if you were reading the magazine when it came out about mid-December, you might have a shot of still finding it in the store, but I don't know...

And continuing on the Banana train...I have utterly fallen in love with a 12/26 purchase. Yes, I went to J Crew the day after Xmas when all sale stuff was 30% off (final sale, too, but that's so much better when you can try on). All I got at J Crew was a tshirt...long sleeve perfect fit tee in shadow for about $10 that I've already worn twice and thus it was a great buy, but still...not so enthused with the other offerings. Then we went to Banana Republic because I needed to return a sweater.

And I got this...the Cashmere Wrap. On 12/26, all in store sale items were an additional 50% off, so I got this beauty for $30. But I swear, it's still a great deal at the current sale prices. I ordered the Cocoon (ivory) for a friend when it was additional 20% off online. Because I love love love love love love love mine. I got it in a light heathered gray. It says "oatmeal heather" on the website, but I think that must be another color since mine is definitely not a tan. It is so soft, so cuddly, so luxe, so yummy... I think the wrap is very versatile and it's very generous in size (for a scarf, I guess). Let's see, I got it on 12/26, it's 9 days later, and I've probably worn it 5 times, including the day I got it. And most of those involved all-day wear, not just outside with a coat. (Although light gray cashmere + yellow Winnie = love)

Today I had my monthly chiro visit. As an update - my neck and shoulders and back and arm are SO much better than they were in August. I credit the therapy, but I also credit (1) learning the right stretches for my neck muscles, including the one to try to restore spine curvature, and (2) relocating my laptop from its usual spot at the kitchen table to the living room desk, with its keyboard tray, so that I am more ergonomically correct. And whether you see a chiropractor or an orthopaedist, I don't care, but if you are having neck/spine issues, please go see someone and get it checked out and fixed - this stuff only gets worse, especially with age.

Ok, off soapbox. So chiro...comfy clothes, warm clothes...J Crew gray/white striped tissue tee and gray BR Michelle-clone cardi, with Chicos slim leg jeans tucked into black boots. I think my outfits for the next few weeks are going to be "___ sweater with ___ jeans/pants tucked into ___ boots." We have an "Arctic air mass" that has descended and seems to be hanging around for a while. This is why I don't live any further north. I do love my sweaters, but I'm just NOT used to this.

So as an outfit, it was ok, but the scarf really made it. Maybe it if was warmer, I would have gone with major jewelry or fun shoes or something, but it's just plain cold. Scarf, please. And truthfully, when it's brutally cold like this, or even when it's just a bit chilly, I love the feel of a large wrap/scarf bunched up around my neck - it just works better for me that a thinner scarf.

I wore it today wrapped around the neck as more of a scarf (as in 1st picture), but when I was wearing it with the JC shadow perfect tee and jeans, I ended up using it as more of a wrap (as in 2nd picture). And it works both ways. And it was so so so nice for the road trip to and from in-laws this past week. Really, let's be honest, it's a socially acceptable blanket.

(Note: Northern US & Canadian bloggers, yes, I know, I'm a big old wimp. But that's what happens to us here in the Mid-Atlantic)

I picked up 2 other pieces at BR on 12/26. A fab black skirt, yet to be photo'ed, and this sweater here, which I'm still on the fence about. What I love about it: Price (ended up at $18). I love the feel of the large turtleneck, or is it a cowl neck? I like that it's cotton - sometimes, even at these temps, even I can be a bit too warm some places in cashmere and wool. I like the shape of it, because it's fitted. And I love the color gray in the stripes - it's almost a warm charcoal.

What I'm not sure about: Do I need another sweater? (or do I just need to go through what I have and clean out - wore my JC Cambridge cable tneck from last winter and realized that it's too wide or too short or both, and my JC Wellesley cable tneck from several years ago is really starting to show its age a bit). Do the stripes work? Does it actually look ok with jeans, or am I just limiting myself to black pants? Would be pretty fab with the Minnies, though, no? But even thought it's a great deal at $18, am I only going to wear it a couple of times this year and be bored with it next year? In which case, it's not a great buy. Cost per wear, more conscious purchasing...but more on that topic tomorrow. Isn't this post long enough already??

Fyi - just tossed on with today's jeans/boots - made no attempt at styling...but who are we kidding...I'd probably wear it this way anyway.

Gray Cardis...with an unfortunate splash of red

I have been on such a gray kick lately. Wearing gray, looking at and sometimes purchasing gray clothes. I think it's a reflection of the weather - but not the gray of the cold. It's actually a reaction to the need for constant coats - specifically the yummy yellow Winnie coat and my much beloved workhorse, the gray hooded wool coat. I love how the yellow wakes up a simple classic outfit - and I do love gray with yellow. But other days, I love the tonal combo of pairing a gray coat with other gray pieces. I do think charcoal gray looks good on most people, and a lot of my gray does tend to the darker shades. And quite honestly, J Crew's dark charcoal is one of my all-time favorite colors - something about that particular shade works really well with the yellow tones in my skin. I realized that I had a lot of gray going on this week as I was looking back at pics, so I thought I would share the last couple of days before I get back to party prep. We're hosting our annual Christmas party tonight, so lots to do.

Starting with yesterday...Friday's outfit - This is the J Crew Knox Sweater Jacket that I posted on 2 days ago. So here I'm actually wearing it intentionally (size M). I picked up the JC striped tissue tee in the gray/white combo this week since my BR gray/white striped tee got a hole in the wash. (See? It's not just JC...) The tissue tee is in an M, like my navy one - and I believe I will enjoy it just as much as the navy one. I did get it on sale ($19.99 in store), though, so that made me happy.

Oh wow, was it windy on Friday. Wardrobe selection consisted of my opening the closet and saying "Which pair of boots do I want to wear and what do I want to wear with them?" I went with my new Chicos Ultra Slim jeans that I posted on earlier this week and my black boots. I added my Silpada pearls to finish off the neckline of the Knox.

I am still experimenting with what works best here - but I did like it with the scoopneck tee instead of a crewneck - less crowded looking to me. And next, I want to try a scarf or two. And of course, the Winnie jacket makes any outfit more fun. Plus requisite hat & scarf. Did I mention I picked up the JC Bucket Hat in store for $9.99? See...patience pays off occasionally...

Friday's Polyvore:

12/11/09-Brrrrrrr by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

Thursday was a fun post-birthday day. A friend was hosting a Holiday Brunch, so I wanted to be festive - but I also wanted to stay warm. So I pulled out a Chicos cardigan from a couple of years ago - I love the faux fur trim. It makes it so cozy and just looks fab. I loved this cardi so much, I got one for my mom that Christmas. Both of which were purchased with coupon, of course. I got mine at 50% off...and it has been so worth it. You all know that I'm always cold, so this is the perfect piece to wear out in the winter with a black tank, jeans, fun shoes (or boring black flats), and some chunky but sparkly jewelry.

I did once have a funny incident at a friend's house where her dog was very weirded out by the sweater - usually Cody was my best buddy, but he slunk around the perimeter of the room for quite a while until he figured out it was me. Lucy had no problem, but she did see me put it on, so maybe that made a difference.

Given the outside temps and the wind, I chose a JC tissue turtle in dark charcoal (M again) instead of the usual tank, and then paired it with my black Minnies tucked into black boots. Between the fur collar and the boots, I did feel a bit bad-a$$, like I could pretty much take on the world. And oh, how warm I was. I am going to experiment with this cardi over some of my (many) black dresses for Christmas eve - I hope one of them will work so I can be festive and warm. If I find one that works, I'm sure I'll post it here.

Thursday's Polyvore:


12/10/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

Ok, now here's the promised splash of red. When I was at JC on Wednesday picking up the above-mentioned gray striped tee, I did fall into the Crewlade. Oh I know better. I know I don't usually love Essie polishes. But sure enough, I grabbed a bottle of Russian Roulette sitting by the counter, thinking that there was enough orange in it to maybe work. And here are the results:

Hmmmm....maybe I've been doing too many light and dark colors for the past few...years, but this was just way too bright for me. Or just not at all the right color or what I wanted. I had applied Thurs night...and took off Fri afternoon and applied another color. If E wants me to keep this one for her, I might. Otherwise, I'll offer it up to the DC JCAs at our next outing to see if anyone wants it.

A "Skinny" Alternative

Ok, this post is not for you 00's out there and you girlies fit enough to majorly rock skinny jeans. Well, maybe some of you. But this is primarily directed at the "Skinny jeans? Me? Never!" population. As you know I have 1 pair of Crewlet matchsticks that I really like, but I have always had difficulty with the whole skinny jeans thing. (Important note - JC's Minnies are totally exempt from that because they are awesome and I love them and they are so much better than skinny jeans, at least to me, but I can't wear them *every* day. Speaking of which, I actually *gasp* machine-washed my Minnies today - will post on outcome soon.)

So...jeans...I have been a fan of Chicos jeans for a while. Not that I am hung up on numbers, but you have to admit that there is something cool about getting a size 0.5 or 1 in jeans when you are used to an 8 or 10, right? They have a new cut called the Slim Leg. So it's not quite "skinny." But definitely a long, lean line. The official name of this jean is Platinum Denim Slim Leg Jean ($69). I usually order my Chicos jeans online to get the Tall inseam of 35"(which, by the way, with Passport membership, meaning I've spent over $500 at the store lifetime, always gives me free shipping and 5% off purchases - take that, J Crew). I couldn't get these in Tall in my size in either of the 2 blue washes that I wanted so I finally went into the store and picked up a pair of 32" regulars to wear cuffed or tucked. (And I need jeans since mine from last fall/winter need to be hot-water-washed to shrink them each time I wear them because they really are too big.)

These make a great alternative to a skinny jean if you just aren't comfortable with the skinnies. Close fit, but not sausage-inducing, if you know what I mean. And they tuck into boots very easily as you can see from the pic below. Lots of different perspectives of the jeans below, including the oh-so-NOT-flattering dead-on pose, but I suppose it's helpful. Should have included a cuffed-with-heels pic, but eh, take what you can get.

The last pic is how I wore the jeans today, with the JC wool cardi from last fall - anyone remember the name of this one? Loved it last year. Love it this year. Can't wait to wear it again. The tee is an Open Crewneck Painter Tee (#17390, orig #29.50, curr $19.99 online, love the neckline) that I just got on sale + 20% off - yay. I think I may have to pick up a few more of these because the fit is great.

I liked the outfit with the boots (which would have been fab given all the rain we are having), but opted for the loafers since I spent most of the day running around the house and to the grocery store getting ready for hubby's family to visit this weekend. And loafers just work better than boots for that. Same logic for the jewelry - cuff link earrings and twisted rope rose gold bracelet. Some shine, but no dangly necklace to get in the way.

Polyvore for today:


10/16/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

So if you've been afraid to take on the skinnies...give these a try.

***Update - I forgot to include the Chicos discount (by the way - ALWAYS look up coupon codes for them online - they always have them) - Using code 6710, everything is 20% off through today (10/17). There's also a $10 off $50 code, 6654 through 10/25.

PS - (meant to do this last post) Huge thank you to snaphappy who showed me how to modify the html so that links open in a new window - you are awesome! XOXOXO