jcrew

Lock Down Your Fabric – Blahnik, Rousseau, Jcrew and Anthropologie

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I haven’t written on this blog in ages but I had to make this post because I was so appalled and amused by this fabric situation.

Designers! This is why you lock down exclusivity for your materials!

To start with – these are all current season and currently available for purchase shoes.

First up are the Manolo Blahnik BB’s in this great embroidered floral fabric. $765 at Saks.

But I also found these JCrew Ankle-wrap slingback heels in the same fabric. $228

And then I found two shoes from Jerome Rousseau – Abelline Sandals for $595 and Booties in a black version of the floral for $895.

I also found the black version in an offering from Anthropologie – the Ouigal Pearl Block heels $228

Obviously, it’s a popular fabric, but seeing it all over really dilutes the special-ness of it. It makes you remember the fact that these are produced versus crafted.  And that’s not usually what I want in a shoe.

Pop! Fizz! Clink!

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On Valentine’s Day we had a swanky cocktail party.

 We decided that no where in town would they do something as fancy as we would like so we decided a dress-up, black-tie optional party it would need to be.

I mean, who just wants to sort of get dressed, up go eat a prix-fixe meal with a ton of other people (probably not having a great time) and then come back home.

So we cleaned up the house and planned a bunch of food and a great bar and invited a bunch of friends – couples and not!

The husband looked dashing in his tux. 

And I wore a Sonia Rykiel sequined dress with sheer collar and cuffs paired with the Manolo Blahnik Fiocam black patent mary janes.

I’m glad our friend got a few action shots during the party.  We were having so much fun we didn’t get any during the event.  I think this needs to be an annual thing… or at least more often than we’ve had them, which is like several years apart!

Neon, neon

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I haven’t worn this JCrew skirt nearly enough. I love the bright, almost neon, pink of the sequins. How they swish and move and reflect the light.

I paired it with a simple black top and then bookended it with Sophia Webster Daria slingbacks with the black cap and the neon orange and pink patterned straps and heels.

And this clutch just arrived from Kate Spade. The Kiss Me, You Fool clutch is a part of the “On Purpose” collection and I just love it.  I wish I’d had it to wear with the skirt and heels.

I almost never wear my midsize bags any more. It’s all about the clutch and Kate Spade does do the best whimsical clutches around.

You’ll be seeing this a lot come Spring.

Holiday Sparkle 2014

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Last night was my work holiday party.

And, always looking for an excuse to dress up, I had purchased this gold sequin dress from Lulu’s a little while back.  The husband looked dashing in his JCrew and Banana Republic ensemble in grey and burgundy.

When I finally got the Sophia Webster Mila’s a new they would be the perfect edgy combination to pair with the sparkly dress.

They’re graphic and just so cool.  Now that they’ve had their “debut” I plan on wearing them with tons of other skirts, cuffed jeans and cropped pants.

For a clutch, I’d had my eye on a Charlotte Olympia Pandora for a while but haven’t found the perfect one.  In the interim, I got this great customized version from Estoite on Etsy.

I love the details of his combo too. They’re a bit hard to see here but the burgundy shirt has white and blue dots which are picked up in the blue bow tie with white equations.  The cool tones of the blue work with the grey heathered jacket fabric and contrast with the dark burgundy.   Snazzy!

We had a fun time at the party seeing everyone’s outfits and then the two of us went to our favorite taco restaurant for a delicious meal!

Pants and Pumps

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For someone who claims to prefer skirts, I’m wearing a lot of pants lately.  My new uniform is fun pants and awesome shoes.

Red Old Navy pants and spiked Louboutin Pigalles…

Black diamond Old Navy pants and mint Kate Spade Karolina Bow pumps..

Jcrew olive military-inspired tuxedo-stripe pants plus old Jimmy Choo Thunder slingbacks…

Old Navy red print pants plus Manolo Blahnik red sequin heels…

Plaid pants and red Valentino Rockstud kitten heels…

I think I can make it through winter like this.

Ensemble du Jour – Labor Day Dressing

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Yesterday we had a lovely day off and spent it trying a new restaurant and leisurley browsing at the nice mall in Charlotte, South Park Mall.

I decided to wear a dress I had not had an opportunity to wear yet – my JCrew sequin stripe dress.  I love the heavier knit and the marine shades of the multi-sized sequins scattered in an ombre pattern.

I paired this with my cobalt Celine Luggage tote – always a handy size to carry.

For shoe, I’d thought about wearing my marine sequin Louboutins but decided to be more neutral and tie in with the color of the creme fabric.  I ended up wearing my lacy Enzo Angiolini Eamaxino peep-toes.

Found a few cute tops for Fall, which I’m eagerly anticipating!

Hurry up cool weather!

Silky Tie

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There are not many sizes left of these JCrew Etta cap toe pumps but I’m just so in love with the gorgeous fabric that I had to post them.

I love the sumptuous colors that are just so perfect for fall.  Rich browns, golds and teals.

I’m going to keep checking back because I hope they will offer more sizes again.

Le sigh!

Ensemble du Jour – 7-9-13

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My outfit yesterday was a mix of soft pink and snake print with added glitter and shimmer.  So subtle, huh?

I love this pale pink cardigan and it goes so well with the pencil skirt – both from JCrew.

The glasses are my pink Miu Miu sunglasses.  I love these so much I have them in red glitter too. 

The shoes are Jimmy Choo’s Sissy sandals from about, oh, 7 years or so ago.  They’re such a pretty shimmery taupe.

This outfit is pretty much my work “uniform” – simple top, pencil skirt in a fun pattern with a boost from shoes and accessories.  You can never have too many print pencil skirts, right?

Tabitha Simmons x JCrew – Review

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My Tabitha Simmons for JCrew mary janes finally arrived!

The fabrics are even more adorable in person and I love the graphic pop of the navy edging and sweet little button.

The construction feels pretty solid, although I’d like to compare them to one of the original silk pairs from Tabitha’s line.

They started this collection at size 6 so they are a bit big on me but it probably helps because, as always with mid-shoe strap mary janes, the strap presses a bit on the top of my foot due to my high arch.  But overall they’ve been comfortable to wear and walk in.

I love the two floral prints.  They will be perfect to pair up to a solid dress or one with a bolder pattern.  I’m wearing them today with a navy cardigan and pencil skirt so the piping really pops.

The mary janes are my favorite style from the collection and it’s so fun that they pulled in their other collaboration – Liberty – for the fabrics.   A sweet summer heel that makes me want to wear rose water perfume.

Ensemble du Jour – June 20, 2013

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Oh my house…

It’s determined to not let me get any good outfit shots.   That’s what you get with an old house that isn’t well lit.   But you can sort of make out that I’m wearing a white JCrew button-down, white brown belt and khaki pencil skirt.

Right?  Right?

Paired with a pair from way back – Ralph Lauren wingtip cap-toe slingbacks.

I do love these.  I’ve always thought they were so classy.

It hasn’t been too horribly warm here yet, so I’m enjoying actually being comfortable outside.

We’ll see how long that lasts!