Of tweed and jewels

In case I haven't already mentioned to you before, I'm pretty much addicted to blazers. More often than not I'm wearing one at the office and they can be such classic pieces that can take an ordinary outfit to something that's a bit more... grown up.

So when I spied this in J Crew the other day (and it happened to be in my size..) I tried it on.  And of course, it fit. So I decided to be good and place it on hold to think about it... and realized with the 50% off sale promotion I'd be dumb to pass it up.

Introducing the newest blazer to closet - the J Crew Collection Jeweled Collar blazer.

 

 

Blazer - J Crew, Button down - Old Navy, Jeans - 7 For all mankind

I took my normal J Crew size - a size 8 in this. The blazer is made of wool and definitely thick and warm. It even has a hidden inside pocket. I don't think that I would've paid 325.00 for this ... but for what I'm paid I'm happy I did. The buttons also have anchors on them... love anchors!

And so sorry for the awkward last photo but I wanted to try and show a close up of the collars. It also came with jewel reinforcements in case any of them happen to have the misfortune of falling off.

So I'm fairly sure I'm done buying blazers for awhile.. unless I find one in plaid. Or houndstooth. And that's it I swear (pinky swear, too!).

Do you have an item in your closet that you can't seem to stop from buying in different colors/patters/fabrics?

Birthday wishlist

So the end of August is approaching us and that means one thing (besides labor day..) my birthday! As I inch one more year closer to 30 I figured I'd compile a little list of things that I wouldn't mind unwrapping on August 30.

Banana republic stripe point skirt. I love stripes. And I adore skirts. I saw this in store when it was just released and I made a beeline for it. I've also seen it in a white/blue stripe and I tend to lean more toward that, but there's nothing wrong with green!

J Crew shrunked blazer in embroided plaid. It's no secret that I kinda have a blazer problem. And well, plaid - what negative things can I say about plaid? Actually, to be honest, I'd go gaga for this entire outfit. But lets just say for the sake of someone's wallet that I'd really dig the jacket.

Jon Josef cat loafers. If you haven't already taken note, I'm kinda a crazy cat lady. Even though we only have one, she's my BFF. And when a friend sent me these, well, my little crazy cat lady heart almost exploded over the sheer cuteness of these. Total want. And if you want the luxury version, go here

Lands end striped blazer. See, I mentioned I had a think for blazers. And this has stripes. And it's 25% off using code Devotion & pin 5580 on their website right now. I think it's a great alternative to the J Crew striped maritime blazer that I missed out on in this colorway.

Well... a short list for this year but that's about it. :) I'm trying to still stash some cash for something special on our honeymoon in... 5.5 weeks.

What's on your wish list for this summer (or birthday)?

Ode to the J Crew Biennial Satchel

I'm not gonna lie - I'm a former handbag addict. Perhaps I shouldn't say former as much as I should say recovering. I had been eying the J Crew Biennial satchel in store and in the catalogues ever since I first saw it sometime last year. And a few weeks ago when it got marked down online, and had an additional 30% off, well I bit.

Here I am trying the bag on in store. It was love at first sight.

Today's outfit in a dressing room: Blazer and crops: Gap. Bag and blouse: J Crew. Scarf: Jason Wu For Target.

I'm a leather gal - and the leather on this bag is AMAZING. It's probably the softest bag I own now - even softer than bags that I own that are much more expensive. It's a true red (even though the photo above doesn't show it) and I can fit it over my shoulder. The only thing that worries me a bit is color transfer from dark jeans or scratching, but I guess all leather is prone to that. The bag has three zipped compartments and the above pic is holding my wallet, makeup case, headphones, sunglasses, kindle, and a few other miscellaneous items tossed in. I could fit my ipad in there too, but I don't like taking it to and from work so it remains at home. But really - this bag would be perfect to travel with too!

Better pics of today's outfit:

Anyway. Life has been hectic. Work is good and it's hard to believe that in about two weeks we'll be going to Colorado for the first wedding of the season.

Also, for what feels like the first time ever, I bought a pair of white jeans. Thank you target, for cute affordable items that I can test the waters with.

Outstanding summer wishlist items:

Spiked shoes, mint colored sweater, another pop of color blazer, the Asos Penguin blouse I found online the other day..

In wedding news... invitations are here and going out this week. I have a dress fitting on Saturday and my sister and mom are helping me with some stuff :) Trying to keep it a secret... shh!

Hope everyone is having a good week so far... so looking forward to this weekend and an extra day to sleep in!

Favorite things

Things lately have been so busy - in fact I can't even believe that we are almost at the 90 day mark to the wedding countdown. Where does the time go?! Even though we are knee-deep in May here's some things I've been loving lately..

All shades of blue:

Blouse and skirt: JCrew, Cardigan: Banana Republic, Shoes: Anthropologie

Legging jeans and blazer: Gap, Lace shell: Banana Republic, Scarf: H&M (thanks mom!)

Ladybugs in my in the back garden near my windows..




This leopard print blouse from Zara:
 

The JCrew biennal satchel I picked up on uber sale...

Seattle for 24 hours with my future MIL to meet the President...

And that's about it! It's Friday, the sun is out, it's also payday, and I can't complain!

What are some of your favorite things as of late?

 

Blazer Dilemma

Okay - perhaps its not really a dilemma, but really I'm on the hunt for a fun colored blazer to add to my wardrobe of drab blue, black, and grey ones. I need some spicing up in the blazer department - and I have a visa giftcard that I'm going to put toward the purchase.

Below are some of the ones I'm considering... I'd love to hear your thoughts on them and welcome any other suggestions you might have!

Photo via nordstrom.com

I saw this online and tried it on in store the other night... perhaps it was the lights there or maybe I'm just not confident enough but I'm half wanting to buy this right away and half wanting to turn and run. It is a bit more reddish orange in person. It also comes in a cobalt blue which was not in my size and I liked as well, and white was gorgeous too (but I'm paranoid to spill something on it...). Gibson blazer, 88.00 via nordstrom.com

Image via nordstrom.com

Another option from Nordstrom - but this one is in a pure red. I like red. I'm not quite sold on the sleeves. But.. the price is fantastic - and it also comes in yellow, green, and white. Ambition twill blazer, 59.00 via nordstrom.com.

From Forever 21

This is a more cost friendly option from forever 21. I would definitely have to go in store to try this one on because their sizing can fluctuate on me. I also really like the pink option they have.. but I'm not so sure this is something I could wear to the office. Single button blazer, 24.90 at forever21.com

Image from Loehmann's.com

I saw this on Loehmann's.com and if it was in my size I would possibly order this. It also comes in several other colors as well. I know, I know... its blue. But.. Cobalt is different than navy, right? Necessary Objects Boyfriend Blazer, 39.99, loehmanns.com.

Adorableness from landsendcanvas.com

I know, I know. Grey. And tweed. BUT IT HAS ELBOW PATCHES! Do you know how excited I get over elbow patches? You might now. Anyway. This is on sale. I kinda sorta love it. Just had to throw this one in there... just because. Women's wool hunting jacket, 64.99, canvas.landsend.com.

So that's my round up... any input is more than welcome!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Falling in love...

With JCrew's autumn catalogue. Holy cow, I think I want every single item from these pages. I mean really, there hasn't been a clothing catalogue that I've filpped through in a really long time and said "I need to start putting money aside for this season".

Probably the highlight for me is the schoolboy blazer in navy. I'm in love. Fallen hard - head over heels that I may end up paying full price for this item. I also do like the red version in wool - but there's something about a navy blazer that is timeless and can be worn throughout every season.

Another item that I'm crushing on is the stripe-breaker sweater. Stripes! In navy and cream! I adore this. I would definitely put a blue collared shirt on under this. Or maybe even paired under the above blazer? Oh the possibilities....

Shoes. Lets talk about shoes. I'm a flat-wearing girl - I'm not big on heels. I walk to and from work and all over the city (and kinda clumsy in heels) so I tend to stick to flats. My heart sang when I saw these in the shop the other day and I had to literally pry my hands off them and walk out. The oxford ballet flat is the last piece that would pull any awesome fall outfit together. Must.Have.Soon.

So maybe with some birthday money that may come my way in the next month I'll splurge on one of these items. I'm not quite sure what I want the most... I think its a toss up between the shoes and the blazer.

Happy hump day!