J Crew & J Crew Factory shoe reviews

I'm in the middle of my busiest time of year at work - open enrollment, and with over 20+ programs it's my task to visit them all and hold information sessions. It's a blast to be able to get out and meet everyone but at the same time I'm exhausted.

However, I have two new pairs of shoes to keep that pep in my step up while I'm trekking across 3 counties.

When I first saw the J Crew Factory Addie loafers in the anchor motif I knew they had to be mine. I love the fact that they combine stripes, an anchor, and neutral colors that can go with any outfit. I took my normal 7.5 in these and I got them for super sale during the last big factory promo sale. I'd watch the site this weekend since it's Memorial Day for a big sale.

The second pair that I nabbed recently thanks to seeing several others wearing them and getting them on deep discount are the Cleo stripe loafers in canvas. I got these for 59.99 - they are marked 99.99 in store and then an additional 40% - and let's really appreciate that price since these are made in Italy! (And I admit now that I have a loafer problem... oi!). I love these. I think they will be perfect with shorts, jeans, and cutoffs for the summer months. I did go down to a size 7 as my SA advised that because they are lined in leather on the inside they will stretch. Call your stores - I know the SF Center store still had sizes in stock in the back as of Saturday! These also came with a lovely shoe storage bag and a Made in Italy care card.

Have you picked up any fun shoes lately - and most importantly, will you be stalking the sales for this upcoming Memorial Day weekend?

Currently Craving

It's Sunday night, there's a chill in the air, and before I go to bed with a book here's what I'm currently lusting after.

These Zara loafers are pretty. And burgundy. And even though I need another pair of shoes like a hole in my head, I still might have to try them.

Its a bunny. On a top. An adorable bunny whose nose looks like a heart. Need I say more? Anthro, you make my animal lover heart go pitter patter.

I love this Madewell necklace. The only problem? Deciding which color to get. I think it would look great layered with a chunky sweater or plaid top.

And speaking of plaid, this Orvis plaid shirt has polka dots hiding on the inside. Totally smitten over this for our adventures to the Carolinas for Thanksgiving.

Is there anything that has caught your eye lately? Share below!

Nordstrom sale shoe picks

Whoa California - bi-polar weather much? Not that I'm complaining, but summer is giving us one more run for our money with temps in the 80's today. Sadly being stuck in the office is no fun and the ones really complaining are the chinchillas who hate the heat.

This past weekend while DH was away I had lunch with a friend downtown and then we checked out the Nordstrom half yearly sale. I wasn't expecting to get anything but I ended up coming home with the two pairs of shoes below...

Steve Madden Chaufur flats via Nordstrom. Once again, loafers. I know, I'm totally on this menswear flat shoe kick and I'm loving it. Plus Ms. Rosie wanted in on the action - I think she got excited over the crinkling of the tissue paper and thought she was going to get a treat but here she is photobombing some of my shots. These flats are actually really comfy - I'm not wearing them today because its too hot but I can't wait to wear them after the heatwave is gone. And the price wasn't bad, either!

 Steve Madden studlyy flats in black, also via Nordstrom. I still love spikes. I think I had actually blogged about these earlier in the year but passed on them due to price. But when I saw them for sale on Saturday, well I couldn't help it. But note - size up! These run small. I'm normally a 7.5 but had to take these in an 8. The backs are also a bit stiff but I'm hoping with a heel liner and walking around the apartment that I'll be able to break them in. Plus there's sparkle. What's not to love?

There was a cashmere sweater that peaked my interest at the sale, so perhaps I will add it to my holiday wish list. And since I had a 75 gift card I paid less than a whole pair of shoes out of pocket for both pairs. Gotta love it!

And tomorrow is November 6, election day - so get out and vote!

Did you pick up anything from the Nordstroms sale?

Everyday outfit

It seems as if autumn has totally bypassed us here in the bay area and instead winter has blown in. All this week we've had chilly (okay, at least by my California standards) temperatures, wind, and rain. Snow has already started falling in Tahoe and there's definitely a nip in the air that I don't mind - I love any reason for cozy sweaters and long socks with boots.

I had ordered the J Crew boyshirt in snow cat after seeing it in store, trying it on, and watching it go on sale more. So I finally caved and ordered it and I think its a great addition to my button down collection. I could see it paired under any number of colored or various fabric blazers, too.

Shirt: J Crew, Jeans: Gap.

I promise (okay, maybe not) but this hopefully doesn't look like a spotted cow print. I took a size 6 in this (hey, who doesn't like smaller numbers?) and since it was still chilly when I left this morning I paired it with my newly acquired blue poncho. Not so great photo below.

And of course, with my newest favorite pair of shoes. The J Crew tassel loafers.

Tassel loafers.

And after looking at todays outfit I'm realizing that I have a major J Crew problem. Okay, maybe its an addition (in which I may or may not have ordered a jacket today..oops..). The girls who work the registers at SF Center told me I should apply for a job to get their discount. Not gonna lie, it's pretty tempting. I might do it - who doesn't love spending money on top of a discount?

In other news DH and I celebrated 10 years of being together today. Where has the time gone? We had dinner at one of our old favorite date restaurants - Chilis - and now are just enjoying being at home with the fur kids.

Speaking of fur kids, meet our newest addition - Cat Food. And he has his own tank set up, mason jar was clearly for transport.

Happy almost weekend everyone!

European purchases

We've been back not yet a week and I think I'm already ready to go back to Europe. But that's a given.

So... about that shopping. Yup, I didn't come back empty handed. But y'all... I was in Ferragamo, I had to run back to get my passport for the duty free shopping... and when I did the currency conversion... I couldn't bring myself to buy the shoes. They are stunning - and I'll see if I can save up for them... but I just couldn't bring myself to spend that much on one item (and I didn't have enough set aside for them, even with the tax break). So I left Europe sans Ferragamos... but here's what I did buy:

In Munich I picked up a scarf with a print of the Edelweiss (which just so happened to be my late Nonno's favorite flower). It also seemed to be the official flower of Oktoberfest - once I started paying attention they were everywhere.

Florence was where I did the majority of the remainder of my shopping... have I mentioned to you that I love Zara? And when I was doing price comparisons in the hotel room between US/Euro prices with the cash back, well, it was cheaper.

Zara elbowpatch wool blazer. Wool. Plaid. Elbow patches. Need I say more?

Zara cardigan. Perhaps because I was still cold from Germany but I had to grab this.

Zara oxblood velvet loafers. Reeeeeeeed.

Zara jeweled necklace. I couldn't help this one - the sparkles drew me to it.

I also picked up a few smaller accessory items...

The journal came from this awesome handmade paper store and it is in a traditional Florentinian print. The hardest part on this one was picking out the color scheme! In Monterosso I nabbed the little heart necklace, something small and dainty to remind me of my honeymoon. I grabbed the MyWallit kitty keychain at the main store in Lucca - I had no idea they were an Italian brand! And the purple wrap bracelet was also from Monterosso.

And last but not least, a poncho. Navy blue is surprisingly hard to photograph. We were waiting for our plane in Bergamo and I spied this. I kept thinking about while sitting at the gate and ran back to get it....but they were closed. So I hung around for a bit (like a creeper) and once I saw they were back I tried it on and bought it. Can't wait to wear it soon as the weather here has been turning and it feels like fall.

Well, that's about it. We definitely splurged a bit more on meals with wine and cheese courses. I did manage to afford all of this with the money that I'd set aside so I'm proud of myself for not having to dip into other funds for this.

Hope you've enjoyed and are having a good Sunday!