J Crew Sherpa Hoodie

The camera is still in the trunk of hubby's car from soccer games this weekend. What is it, Wednesday? So no outfit pics this week so far. (And hubby is getting irritated enough at my constant borrow, take pics, download, toss camera back in bag routine that he suggested I ask for a pocket-size camera for Xmas since that's what I'm getting. Silly hubby... Of course the camera is, technically, "his"...) But I realized in my haste to post new arrivals on Friday that I completely blanked on my originally intended post about the sherpa hoodie. Without further ado...

J Crew Sherpa Hoodie (#17590, $69.50). Is this a lot to pay for a hoodie? Um, yeah. But for me, totally worth it, as I had nothing like it in my wardrobe. I got this back at the August Tysons outing, so I did have the 25% off. But I have worn it a ton since then. Admittedly many times as a top layer with yoga pants and a tee, but it makes them look nicer, I swear. It's also a great top layer for any other combo as well.

I got the hoodie in ivory (I love warm white). Even before you put it on, it just *looks* cozy. I did size up to an L because I wanted it to be a bit roomy. The sleeves are plenty long on the hoodie, and the overall length is at low hip (longer than previous versions, per the website) - so it covers a bit more than a traditional hoodie. Summerilla loved hers so much that she got a 2nd one at the Tysons outing.

Did I mention the sherpa part? That's the best feature! Per the website - "extremely cozy poly sherpa lining." Oh yeah, baby, it's SO cozy.

Last Friday, I wore the hoodie with a coal tissue bf tee (crewneck this time, woo!), black Minnies, my cap toe ballet flats, a pile of necklaces, and my new Gilded Daisy Ring (#19497, orig $50, curr $29.99 and totally worth it, IMO). Closeup ring pic below. As you can see, the glass stones are actually clear - they looked a little gray in the online pic. The sweet Tysons JC SA loved the necklaces with the hoodie. Well as you can see (top right), I totally cribbed that idea from the online pic...

Is there a downside to this hoodie? Yes. The fleece is so cozy and thick that this sucker just does NOT fold flat. My plan when traveling will be to wear it so that I don't have to pack it. Otherwise, it's pretty much dead-on perfect in my book.

Back to the price question...I can't tell you if it's worth it for you to spend that on a hoodie. Like I said, it was a definite yes for me. But I would most definitely wait for a sale to possibly get another. Even if you aren't crazy about the price, I would highly recommend nabbing it on sale later. Is it better than cashmere? Hmmmm, will have to think on that. If not, it's definitel close.

Polyvore from Friday:

10/2/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

Another outfit idea - it's fantastic with the dressy jersey strapless dress (never got pics, though):

9/14/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

J Crew New Arrivals - Tops to Treasure

So I headed down to J Crack today at Tysons Galleria to do a return and sniff out a little something for a future giveaway...that you'll all have to wait to hear about, but I'm pretty excited. And I lucked into seeing a few new things. And THEN the lovely and adorable SA who was helping me offered to go grab a couple of new tees they had *just* gotten in. So pardon the quality of the photos - from my BlackBerry, which I clearly am not great at using - but I wanted to get these up asap.

First up - some new ruffly goodness. Viscose Layers Cupcake Top (#20061, $49.50) Well shoot, if you had told me "cupcake" was in the name, I would have grabbed it without even trying it on. For starters, let's just get this out of the way - CLEARLY this garments needs some steaming, or some ironing, or at least some Downy Wrinkle Reducer. But try to get past that for now... I think this is a cousin to the rolling ruffles tank, but for me, it's way better. I like the way the ruffles hit the shoulder, giving a bit more coverage there. The neckline is fab - nice and open, but not too low at all.

The top actually nips in at the empire waist (covered by the bust ruffle), so that gives the garment some more shape. So it's not at all boxy. I find the ruffles to be balanced, even though they're not symmetrical and they don't all go all the way around - but it just works.

I took an M. I am so sorry, but I don't have the full list of colors and they were towards the back of the store - from what I remember - this color (HNI - heather night?? no idea), a darker gray, maybe black, maybe cream, not sure about "real" colors. (they were toward the back and I was trying on in the front and then I got distracted by the cool new tees....)

My biggest concern with this is how it will lay under cardis. I would easily wear this with any pair of jeans, my Minnies (which I have on in the pic), and just about any pair of pants, really. I would like the flexibility to layer it under cardis, if it will lay correctly, so I need to play with that. But it would definitely work under something thicker or under an actual jacket.

The SAs styled it with a blush cashmere cardigan and then we added my pearls to a new necklace. Remember that cute daisy necklace in stores this summer - the daisies were white/cream enamel with black centers? This is the same, except it the daisies have a raised black stone center and the petals are like blush colored crystals (not sure of item number, but price is $65). I liked the blush/gray combo, but quite frankly it's just not for me...and I finally figured out what my "thing" is with pink - I just don't wear warm pinks. I love orange - true orange, and orange-reds. But peach, tea rose, blush...all those warm and/or fleshy pinks...they may look fine or even good on me, but I just don't love them...and so I just don't wear them. Cool pinks on the other hand, love those. Light petunia is a fave (even though I missed out on the Jackie in that color). Now that I have resolved that in my brain, I'm good. Thanks.

And, by the way, it's machine washable and tumble dry low - music to my ears!

Back to top...New tees. Literally while I was trying these 2 tees on, people purchased 4 of each as the SAs were bringing them out. So here are the pics, and if you love them, go get them. I'm still trying to decide...what to keep out of what's hanging in the closet....

On the left, above - Slub Printed Sequin Snowflake tee (#20501, $42.50). I'm sorry, how do you get snowflake out of this? But I swear, that's what is printed on the receipt, which, by the way, is where I pulled all of these names. There are more sequins than what appears in the pic - clear, iridescent sequins interspersed with the design, as well as stitching across portions of the design. The tee itself is IVO - ivory, I presume - and the print color is a dusty rose-tan color. I took an M (in pic), but the S wasn't really that much smaller. The L was much longer and only bigger about the waist - didn't feel much more generous around the shoulders or hips. This is probably the one I will take back, but want to give it full trial with current options in my wardrobe. Plus, even though it's really the same fit as the tee below, I feel like you see the pulling at my shoulders. One other point - the fabric at the crewneck has a raw edge where it's sewn to the crewneck itself. (there's got to be a work or phrase that I'm missing to make sense here, but you know what I mean, right?)

On the right, above - Slub Allover Beaded T (#20487, $52). Color is SHA (shadow). The design is mostly bugle beads with some round beads stitched across the garment. I'm hoping you can use your imagination to imagine how stunning this looks in person. It screams night out with the girls with fab jeans & heels. I love that there is enough of the design that you would see it even with a jacket or cardi on. I also love the neckline on this - it's a wide scoop. Not too low, but not as severe as a crewneck, so I think that adds to the specialness of the tee. I'm just trying to decide if I another dark gray "special" top from J Crew...but maybe the fact that I am so drawn to them tells me yes.

Two other tops to share. This one is just not that exciting...but check out that color!! It's the merino wool turtleneck (#18607, $68), but in the beautiful not-(yet)-online LBE (light begonia?) Remember the note above on cool pinks? Yeah, totally loving this. Didn't get it though...yet. BTW, trying on an M here. A bit sheer. Would not wear with jeans or dark bottoms without a cami underneath.

And here's my new navy stripe top. Tissue Stripe Flora Crew (#20019, $32.50) Now *this* is a navy striped tee - not that awful version I was trying to talk myself into last June. Simple, classic, basic, but fab. Pics of it here on jmpb, who I would like to thank for first telling me about it. Just make sure you try it on! I tried one on last time at another B&M in the gray and white and the side seam twisted all the way around to the middle of my thigh - not a good look at all. Other than that 1 bad apple, I think it's a great tee. Similar (and similarly flattering) neckline as the slub allover beaded tee above. I can't wait to wear this with my navy Atelier jacket and a pile of necklaces.

Now that we are done with tops, let's move to a quick but important note on bottoms:

MINNIE NEWS UPDATE - Minnies are now available in store in NAVY! (I tried them on...but didn't get, since I just got my black pair bringing my Minnie total to 2.) Check them out.

I know the pics aren't the greatest and for some reason, you can't always click to enlarge on my posts. If you are interested in seeing the full pic of any of these items, just leave me a comment and I'm happy to share.

Cream for Cold Weather

I'm talking about the *color* cream, not the milk-based product - which, I think, pretty much works year-round. Cold weather always inspires me to wear these warm shades of white. They just feel cozier. Autumn definitely feels like it has arrived!

Yesterday - yep, pulled out the cashmere for the first time this season. J Crew long sleeve cashmere tee. This is my dressy version of "I feel like hanging out in a sweatshirt." So comfy, not tight (but not too baggy). It just feels good. Layered with a cami or tank of course. Is it me, or do you just assume that you will need an underlayer when wearing light colors on top? Anyway, paired with new Chico's off-the-cuff boyfriend jeans, new cap toe ballet flats, and the classic confetti necklace.

It was a good day because I am now dropped down to chiro only once a week - and hopefully soon can phase out altogether. I will say that it has truly been a lifesaver. My neck and shoulders are better than they have been in several years.

Oh, and that's my new haircut with 2 inches lopped off the bottom. Love love love it. Do you like getting your hair trimmed? Not to go to Britney extremes, but I love the feeling of getting a good chunk hacked off at the ends. And of course, the beauty of hair is that it grows...so if you don't like it, just wait a bit for it to grow out.

Polyvore for yesterday:

9/30/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

Today, again, a nice good chill in the air, so I pulled out a new BR tee that I got yesterday (on sale for $19 in store). Love the gray and white stripes. Look at the way cute gathered cuff (below) - it's brilliant because you get plenty of length in the sleeves but it's not so long that it will drop in your soup. Fab! I definitely anticipate layering it with many sweaters this fall and winter.

And I've layered it with my BR cream sweater jacket from a couple of years ago. I love this sweater - the 60's-ish styling always makes me feel chic. The jacket is hard to photograph well, though. I love it in person, but the pics never turn out that great. And to finish out the outfit, since the tee is nice and long, I wore my gray Minnies and then added black ballet flats. Fun, comfy, and I felt great in it.

Polyvore for today (not the greatest since I had to sub both tops):

10/1/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

J Crew Embroidered Flowers Tee, Minnie Pants, and Linen Cardi

New Outfit day! I love new outfit day...when you wearing all new things and not just 1 piece. All 3 of these pieces were part of my apparently cream-gray-themed purchases at Tysons at the Sunday JCA event. Lots of wordiness here, but that's what happens when I wear 3 new things at once. Bear with me...

First up, the Slub Cotton Embroidered Flowers Tee (#18527, $42.50). First of all, with the design, I love that there is enough "space" at the top of the tee to wear necklaces with this tee. You could also easily wear a great scarf. I love that the design is not perfectly symmetrical - I think that makes it more interesting. A lot of other JCAs have reviewed this tee. I would like to thank RatsOnParade, because I think I first saw it on her blog, and as soon as I did, I thought "Mine!"

I got the tee in champagne, which is what is available on the website. AppGal got it in both champagne and buff pink at her B&M. I only remember seeing it in the champagne color at Tysons - although, like I said, when we had our shopping event, I had not been at the Crew since July, so I was a bit overwhelmed in trying to take in EVERYTHING. I will say again that this tee does not look like that great just laying on the table. It just looks kinda ok. But pick it up and try it on, because it looks so much better on, I promise.

I have included my front and back pics so you can see that you really do need to wear a cami underneath this as it is quite sheer, unless you are pairing with a jacket/cardi that you swear you will not take off. With a jacket/cardi, I think the flowers give you enough coverage in front.

Fit-wise, I took an M, so I would size down-ish in this. Usually in sheer tees, I size up a bit so I don't get the bulgies, but this one was just fine without doing that. I wore with the linen short sleeve cardi in natural yesterday and it was a perfect match. I will be wearing this with my black cashmere Jackie, my black BR swing jacket, my charcoal BR Michelle-look-alike on top, and jeans, Minnie pants, black cafe capris, stone linen pants, black skirt on bottom. Lots of options.

Next up...the Stretch Twill Minnie pants (#18850, $79.50). Given the feedback in blogland (some major fans and some non-fans alike), I was a bit apprehensive about the bulgie, sausage-effect in these pants but I loved them. I think the key (much like the pixie pants, and this is so counterintuitive to how I usually try on sizes, but I swear it's the key) is to get them so they are truly fitted. If you get them too small, you get the extra fabric in the crotch and it is just awful. Fortunately, I had Dina in the fitting room, so I didn't even bring in a size 10/L (except for the sherpa hoodie, but that's another post). I took an 8 and the fit is fab. The fabric has a nice weight to it to help with smoothing.

I got the pants in coal, since I have been wanting gray pants. Can't wait to wear with my tangelo cambridge cable turtleneck, putty library cardi, star cable popover, cream cashmere cabin popover, plus all the other assorted random cardis/jackets. I believe I will be living in them this fall and winter. When it is not as cold, I will wear them with flats and when it gets colder, I will actually put on socks and tuck them into boots.

The pants are also available in black and british khaki (both of which I have in cafe capris, so that helped the decision to go with the coal). But I will probably be looking to add another pair later this fall. Summerilla and I were discussing whether or not you could wear them for work and decided that it was definitely possible, depending on your environment, with a jacket and sweater/shirt. So they are potentially office-worthy. (Isn't she adorable in them?)

Last item - the Classic Linen Cardigan (#15131, orig $69.50, curr $39.99). Dina has this piece and loves it. I had seen before and never got around to trying it on, so glad I did now. I got it in a medium. I love that it has short sleeves, so it's a great layering piece for summer. I can picture wearing this with many summer ensembles for little warmth, since I almost always freeze inside if there is A/C. Can't wait to wear with just a white tee & matchstick jeans when it gets a bit cooler with some fab shoes & jewelry. Great piece at a great price (plus that 20% off, of course).

And here's my actual outfit for the day. Flowers tee, linen cardi, and minnie pants. Had no idea the cardi & tee were the exact same color until I happened to hang them on the fitting room rack right next to each other. Love the pieces separately, but I really loved them all together. I actually felt kinda hip in this ensemble - a bit more downtown that I usually skew. I think it's the pants. Anyway, just added my usual Kenneth Cole black flat sandals, stud earrings, and the cha-cha bracelet I made several years ago. And the Cocteau tote, which I really need to snap for Polyvore one of these days.

If you have seen Summerilla's latest blog post, you know what I did yesterday (other than physical therapy/chiropractor in the evening). Kiddies & I met Summerilla, Dina, and Dina's adorable kiddies at Tysons to Starbucks and play. Yes, I am using Starbucks as a verb. Don't you? So it was our last chance to hang out before Summerilla departs for NYC, given everyone's crazy schedules this week. And then we headed to Pure Beauty to play with (and buy, of course) nail polish. Dina had to go and 3-Penny Princess joined us for lunch at Nordstrom Cafe where M went through 2 bowls of tomato soup and E loved coloring with Summerilla. What a fun day we had! M & E were really good. They loved Dina's kids (who doesn't?) and they are totally bummed that Summer is moving away. Summerilla - we will miss you!!

Polyvore for Today:

Wearing Today-8/26/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew