Tag Archives: J.Crew

Accessorizing

23 Replies

I often get very lazy with accessories.  Partly because I forget to add the final flourish, partly because I sometimes feel overdressed with too many, and partly because I’m not sure how to wear them.

I’ve decided that I am going to attempt to incorporate more variety with my accessories over the coming months – that may help me figure out which are for me and which aren’t.  When I glance at the list below I’m definitely a creature of habit and some habits are good to break!

1. I’ve always been a lover of scarves and have learned much about how to wear them and what to wear them with from my fellow bloggers.  I have a whole drawer full at home.  I roll them up and place them by color in the drawer, so I can see what I need with a quick glance.  I think I have scarves pretty much nailed.

2. I’ve started to incorporate more hats this year.  A couple of fedoras in the summer and now my fabulous new wool and leopard print J.Crew caps are making an appearance.  I’d love to try a wool fedora, or even a big boho floppy hat but I’m not sure that is really me.  I’m learning, slowly about confident hat wearing.

3. With short hair I was always overwhelmed by large earrings – as much as I love them!  Now my hair is growing I am finding it much easier to wear hoops (my all time favorite) again, but I do feel far more comfortable with my little diamond studs.  Let’s face it if you have diamonds you might as well wear them!  Also having had my earring holes stitched and re-pierced a couple of years ago – after stretching them so much I could see through them – I am loathe to wear heavy pendant earrings ever again!

4. I really struggle with necklaces.  I always admire other women who wear great statement necklaces every day.  For some reason a necklace is the last piece of jewelry I ever consider.  Partly because I like the look of my bare neck, partly because I don’t like to draw attention away from the earrings, and partly because, in all honesty, I find necklaces heavy and cumbersome.  I have a couple of Tiffany chains that my Husband bought me that sadly never get worn – I resolve to wear these beauties more, though a statement necklace on a daily basis maybe a step too far for me!

5. I love arm candy.  Regardless of my issues with necklaces I can wear bracelets up to my elbows and not be bothered by them.  Bangles, chains, cuffs – you name it I love it.  I have worn my little Tiffany open heart chain every day for almost five years now.  It is part of me.  Watches fall into this category too.  I believe you can never have too many watches and there are some beauties out there to choose from.  I have several from cheap and cheerful sports watches, to a very special one that gets worn most often that my Husband bought me for my 40th.  The bigger the better for me when it comes to watches – I can’t do little feminine things – I want a big face with a chunky strap.  Arm candy – I love it.

6.  As for rings I used to wear a gold one on every finger – uuurgh – it was the early 90s and I should say I was also wearing a black catsuit so my taste was questionable to say the least.  Now I  prefer a far more subtle approach when it comes to rings.  I’ve even put my engagement ring away for now and have been wearing only my Love ring on my left ring finger and my Trinity ring on my right ring finger.  Gold is back in favor with me.

7.  Finally belts.  I am rubbish with belts – I have a whole hanger full of wide belts, jean belts, and skinny belts, yet I tend to wear the same 2 Gap men’s belts all the time.  One brown and one black  – they are the softest leather and the perfect width for jeans with simple silver buckles.  Sometimes I’ll grab the Gucci jean belt, that again my Husband bought me, but the belt on my ultimate wish list is from Hermés.

So there we have it – I’m a girl of simple, very expensive tastes:)

What accessories can you not live without, or do you wish you wore more of?

Finally a couple of outfits from last week.  I wore the plum Avenue57 dress for our kindergarten parents’ party on Tuesday evening with a Zara scarf (new but not online) – I adore these dresses – so easy to wear!

Avenue57 plum dress

 

And then it was all about comfort with the Diesel Jogg Jeans, Zara t-shirt from the sale, Marks & Spencer Limited jacket and Isabel Marant Bobby sneakers.

Diesel Jogg jeans and M&S limited jacket

 

 

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

Possibly my most ridiculous purchase ever.

13 Replies

Or maybe not.  This is definitely an investment piece.  I swear I looked for a cheaper version everywhere – but none were calf hair, none had the right peak, and none had the perfect leopard print – so in the end it had to be this one.  A crazy purchase (even with the 25% code I used) but one that makes me very, very happy.  The J.Crew leopard print baseball cap.

Black and leopard

 

It also makes my head look more of a regular size compared to the hatless photo:)

The jacket is one I ordered the other day after perusing the M&S website.  It is the Limited Edition quilted sleeve cardigan – definitely order up in size for this one – the shoulders are snug.  This is a UK 14 and gives me room to layer over a sweater in the winter.  The dress is my favorite ASOS t-shirt dress and the sneakers are of course my Golden Goose (similar here) which also make me smile every time I wear them.

After a weekend of pressure washing we’re almost ready to host our kindergarten party tomorrow – though I can barely move today.  Hopefully I can still raise a glass to my lips:)  How did you spend your gorgeous Fall weekend?

 

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

Are you ready for some football?

6 Replies

It’s been a major fail with my new diet since Mike arrived.  Having said that, my new found love of cooking has had me pottering around in the kitchen since he arrived.  On Saturday night I cooked one of my favorite dishes that I have come to love since living here in the South – shrimp ‘n’ grits.  It’s so easy to cook too and you can add cheese to the grits, and chilli to the sauce as desired.  Trust me, it’s delicious!

IMG_4591

Sunday morning began early – we were off to watch the Atlanta Falcons play at the Georgia Dome!!  SO exciting.  Watching a football game also means tailgating prior to the action.  As we are amateur tailgaters, instead of grilling, we decided to take an eclectic mix of food including bacon and sausage butties, olives, hummus and grapes – and beer of course!  Obviously my gluten-free living has gone out of the window this week.

Tailgating

Tailgating 2

I didn’t get a full length shot of my outfit – but needless to say I was wearing a Falcon’s t-shirt with my new Diesel Jogg Jeans and my Golden Goose Francy sneakers (similar here).

IMG_4599

The noise was overwhelming in the dome and it was a brilliant game with a Falcons win – though not the easy way!  Poor Hugh couldn’t handle the pace in the 4th quarter!

Falcons

Yesterday we took Mike shopping.  Quite often he likes to get a bargain on this side of the Atlantic and it was nice to have a mooch around the shops on a quiet Tuesday.  We hit Target too for some early Halloween bits and pieces before they all sell out!

TargetTrousers – Harem trousers Zara (old) // Top – draped top Zara (old) // Jacket – Zara (old) // Scarf – School Gate Style blog shop // Boots – Isabel Marant Dickers // Bag – YSL Roady

I felt a bit of a plonker having my photo taken in Target – my Husband isn’t the quickest snapper and he is more intent on making me giggle rather than composing a great shot:)  I wanted to get a shot of my new scarf though.  It is from Avril’s SchoolGateStyle.com shop and the great news for us here is that Avril ships to the US for just $5 regardless of how much you order!  Her prices are brilliant and the quality is fantastic.  I love the colors in this Lightening Storm scarf – bright pink, orange, blue and white on a black base.

Of course it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t fall for something while out shopping.  Recently I bought the new J.Crew wool baseball cap:

baseball

Yesterday I fell for their new leopard print cap – gorgeous, sumptuous calf skin – a great hat that will be worn time and time again.  25% off with free shipping today in the US (code SHOPFALL) helps with the almost $300 price tag if you’re smitten too!  I didn’t buy it yesterday – still compiling a list of justifications and googling frantically for a cheaper version!

JCrew leopard print baseball cap

Finally an outfit from Monday.  The jackets are making a come back with the big cool down we are experiencing here this week.

River Island jacket

Jacket – River Island (available at ASOS) // Top – TopShop camisole // Trousers – Next navy harems // Shoes – Tory Burch Eddie navy flat

Now all I have to do today while I take Poppy swimming is to decide what to wear for our 15th wedding anniversary tomorrow night!!  We’re off for some fine dining while our babysitter is here – thanks Mike:)

 

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

After the boys of summer have gone.

18 Replies

Labor weekend is traditionally the ‘end’ of summer – though we get at least another month of summer-like weather.  Having said that we have woken up this morning to torrential rain – the garden is a mud pit – so much for our pool plans today.  Hey ho, we’ve still had a fun packed weekend to say farewell to summer with a bang.

On Friday I caught up with a friend for lunch who I haven’t seen for probably eight years or so.  We used to work together, then she moved to D.C. to study law.  It was great fun to see where the years have taken us and we talked and talked as you can imagine!  I can’t wait to make it a regular lunch date.

Blue Zara harem trousers

 

Trousers – Zara harems (old) // Shoes – Zara // T-shirt – Gap (old) // Scarf – J.Crew (old) // Bag – Boden clutch

Saturday started early.  Every year on Labor weekend the weirdest people flock to Atlanta.  I have a strange affinity for these weird folk.  They are the Dragoncon delegates.  Downtown Atlanta becomes populated by Klingons, wookiees and stormtroopers for the weekend.  Fantastic fun.

Hugh wasn’t that impressed by the early start:

Dragoncon 1

Darth Vader must have heard about the Death Star – he looked a little dejected.

Dragoncon 2

 

I didn’t get a full outfit image that day – I assure you I didn’t dress up – though I’m tempted for next year:)  I wore the same as here though – the grey Asos t-shirt dress – with my Golden Goose sneakers (similar here).

DSC_0634

 

On Saturday evening we went out for a wonderful dinner with friends.  It was a long, lovely, indulgent evening with lots of great conversation.  To commemorate Labor weekend I wore all white.

DSC_0525

 

Abattoir

 

Boots – Canvas Rag & Bone Newbury boots // Shorts – Zara skort // T-shirt – AllSaints vest (old) // Jacket – Zara (old)

These days Poppy and Hugh can’t resist getting involved in the photo taking – budding bloggers I tell you – though Hugh ain’t that impressed by his sister trying to steal the limelight:)

P&H

 

Last night we headed to the Braves game.  It’s such a fun thing to do with the children now they can sit through nine innings.  The music, the games, the food all take precedent over the actual baseball game – a good thing really as we lost.  Poppy is now an expert at gaining enough attention to get us on the big screen with the FanCam – twice last night!  I really need to make more of an effort for Braves games with the amount of exposure she is getting us!  We were even lucky enough to have a free post game concert with Big & Rich.  Baseball really is the best value when it comes to family entertainment – fours hours of relaxation and fun for $10 each!

Braves

 

Top – Boden Breton // Shorts – J.Crew (old) // Sneakers – Converse (old)

So today we may have to change plans – the rain is still falling.  I fancy a good movie day curled up with my gorgeous family – sounds good to me.

 

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

The VMAs with more crass than class.

25 Replies

Did you watch the VMAs last night?  Lordy I am getting old.

First Lady Gaga – SO over her – in fact so over her I have nothing to say.

Okay so now Miley.  Twitter lit up with her performance.  All I can say is it was pathetic, disturbing and humiliating.  Who the hell told her in rehearsal that ‘sure Miley – it’s great – just grab your crotch and stick your tongue out one more time‘?  Someone needs to give her a good slap, and all those around her for encouraging that kind of tripe.  When Robin Thicke joined her for Blurred Lines I was SO disappointed – he gave all the critics of the song all the ammunition they needed.  Why grind your groin against Hannah Montana’s rear Robin?  I was crying into my Earl Grey with disappointment.

Then Kanye.  WTF?  Great t.v. NOT.  You couldn’t see him, nor could you hear the song for all the censorship bleeping over it.

Thank the Lord for Justin.  A stellar performance from an artist that takes his craft seriously.  Great singing, great dancing – what I call proper entertainment.

I don’t think there was one presenter I understood – lots of weird grunts and hand gestures – oh and inappropriate Amber Alert references, not something I think should be made light of.  And then there was Katy’s grill, and Taylor and Selena trying to look hot and make Harry jealous.  Just uuurgh – it’s giving me the creeps recounting it.

By then it was gone 10pm and I headed to bed.  I recorded the show thinking Poppy would love to watch it – but I fear most of it will be fast forwarded to avoid corrupting her innocence.  In hindsight I don’t think it has to do with my age – it’s more to do with the ‘entertainment’ industry’s poor judgement and inability to ‘entertain’.  Whatever happened to good old singing and dancing – Justin needs to teach them all a lesson or two.  What do you think?

As I step down from my soap box here’s what I’ve been wearing over the past couple of days…

ASOS t-shirt dress

Dress – Asos t-shirt dress // Sandals – Steve Madden (really old!) // Necklace – Target (old)

Neon

 

Jeans – Gap ankle skimmers (sale buys) // T-shirt – H&M (old) // Scarf – Boden (last season now just $14!) // Sandals – Zara (old) // Necklace – H&M (recent but not online)

 

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

The beginning of my Fall/Winter wish list.

11 Replies

My September Vogue arrived yesterday.  It is a beast.  I was going to sit and read it while Poppy does her hour long hip hop class today, but I thought I might put my back out carrying it in my bag. Anyway it got me thinking about cooler weather and snuggling up in some cosy knits and coats.  I cannot wait!

I’ve already started a wish list, and I am really trying to be good until it does get cooler, so I can make better, more informed choices based on what is in stores at the end of next month.

For now here are my key picks:

The Stuart Weitzman 50/50 is twenty years old and to celebrate they have introduced new colors.  I adore this grey suede pair.

5050

I have the Sam Edelman Alvin in leopard and plain black pony hair and this year I want to add this gorgeous saddle print to my collection.

Alvin saddle

I don’t own a trench and I need one.  I think they are perfect for the milder winters we have here – and my favorite so far for color and length is this Zara short trench.

Zara trench

I am in need of a new, more fashionable puffer coat.  My Patagonia one is great – but a little too practical and outdoorsy – if that makes sense.  I adore the color of this Zara short puffer.

Puffer

As for knitwear Zara is coming up trumps again.  I love their pastel pinks and greys this year – the 80s girl in me again!  This cardigan is gorgeous.

Cardigan

I also love this knitted duffle for the Fall.

duffle

My favorite Boden piece is in the Winter preview.  I love the cream and grey together in this St. Ives jumper.  (PRV3 will give you 20% off and free shipping in the US, and PRQ2 will do the same in the UK).

St Ives

Finally, for now at least, I NEED this wool baseball cap from J.Crew.

baseball

So what’s caught your eye already this A/W 2013?

As for today I needed to be comfortable – remember the hour I have to sit in the waiting room at dance class!

Zara and TopShop

Jersey Jacket – Zara (old) // Trousers – Zara (in the sale not online but may still be in stores) // Cami – TopShop in the sale at Nordstrom // Shoes – Sam Edelman Alvin

 

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

Do you buy clothes for your Husband?

11 Replies

Replace ‘Husband’ with the appropriate word for your situation – still I want to know do you shop and buy clothes for yours?

Within three months it is my birthday, our wedding anniversary and Mr PS’s birthday.  Of course my birthday is always something I look forward to, but I am beginning to dread the other two events.  Don’t get me wrong I love a good celebration – but my Husband has become such a great gift/card giver over the years that I am under immense pressure to step up my game.

You see Mr. PS is quite difficult to buy for.  He has very few clothes in comparison to me – well that’s the case for most men isn’t it?  So I always think it would be a great idea to track down some fabulous items for him to diversify his wardrobe a little – there are so many gorgeous men’s items to choose from.  But it’s not quite as simple as that.

Mr. PS has VERY SPECIFIC styling requirements.  He is in my eyes one of the new metrosexuals.  He doesn’t even glance at high street brands.  He wears Hermés aftershave, Diesel boxers,  Nudie jeans, and Gucci loafers, though he did buy a couple of JCrew t-shirts this year much to my relief.  For the recent wedding he attended he surprised me by wearing a Zara suit, though he spent more on the Hermés tie he bought to wear with it.  He knows more about brands, especially classic and upscale brands than I do, and his mantra is always ‘quality over quantity’.  Even when he was a student he loved unique, original shirts that he bought from Cheltenham, from the guy who went on to create Superdry.  He used to only wear red high top converse – red of course because the Byzantine Emperors wore red shoes – like you do.  He loves a good investment piece – which is obviously beneficial for me come birthday and Christmas, but it makes it a nightmare for me when I start thinking about gifts for him.

I still cringe over the plaid TopMan shirt I once bought him, or the brown birkenstocks that I packed lovingly for Christmas for him one year.  After those two disasters I basically gave up buying clothes for him.  But if you don’t get clothes what else do you buy a man whose passions are reading, watching football and travel?  Okay so yes I could buy him a flight to Hong Kong, but I’m talking about stuff that still leaves me enough for the rest of my A/W wish list:)  He does wear jewelry – and I will buy him a bigger diamond stud one year (my one and only success was a Tiffany stud I bought for him) – but I keep telling him that he is no NFL player so it can’t be too big.  He loves his David Yurman beaded bracelets that I have bought for him – but I can’t just keep buying them in every color, can I?

So this year I asked him for some direction to help me with brands.  Have you ever had a list like this from your man?  I swear I have not made this up – I can forward the email he sent for proof.

Knitwear – YSL/Marni

Blazers (cotton) – Lanvin/Boglioli/Rag&Bone

Blazers (wool) – Gucci/Lanvin

Boots – Gucci

Loafers – Gucci

Brogues etc. – John Lobb

Slippers – John Lobb/Bally

Shirts – Budd & Co/Turnbull&Asser/Charvet/Sid Mashburn

Pants – Kolor/Marni/Lanvin

Sweatshirt/t-shirts – Nudie/James Perse

Ties (really?) – Drakes/Hermes/Charvet

Socks – Paul Smith (stripes)/Corgi

Polos – Sid Mashburn/Billy Reid/Sunspel/James Perse

Sneakers – Lanvin/YSl

Urban walking boots – Diemme (Roccio Vet)

Scarves – Etro/Lanvin/Hermes

Belt – Prada

Collar stays/collar bones – TM Lewin (mother-of-pearl)

Card case – Commes des Garcons (Flurio)

Tote – Marni

Mac/coat – Macintosh/Barbour/Aspesi

And obviously anything by Balmain.

dx

———————————————

So at least I have some help now!  But ‘collar stays/collar bones’ – WTF – he never wears shirts!  And ‘tote’?  Don’t even ask – I know what you are thinking.  Would your man ever give you a list like this?  I just need to sell a kidney now and open an account with MrPorter.com.

As for what I’m wearing – it’s been a wet, dreary weekend in Atlanta so it called for casual, comfortable clothes – with sleeves too!  In August?  Crazy!

Casual

 

Shoes – Adidas Gazelles // Jeans – Primark (old) // T-shirt – Gap (old) // Shirt – J.Crew (old) // Scarf – H&M (old)

 

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

My 42nd birthday!

24 Replies

I had the most amazing day yesterday – packed full of everything I love – from a good, leisurely work out, to great burgers and margaritas, to a wonderful dinner out, all in the company of my wonderful family.

My Husband is becoming quite a pro at  choosing great birthday cards.  As one of my friends said it really is a gift to have the patience to search through sappy cards for the perfect card for the recipient!  If you haven’t seen the Honey Badger viral video this won’t mean anything to you!

birthday card

 

After an indulgent glass of prosecco we headed off for a leisurely lunch at our favorite burger joint. It was hot as hades here yesterday so I decided to wear my TopShop cami for the first time.  I really do love the cut and fabric of these tops and I’ll be buying more – they drape perfectly with no clinging.  I was switched on to them by lovely Eve at AllWornOut and Jane at MyMidlifeFashion.  Fortunately TopShop is now easily available here from Nordstrom!  The creases fell out as soon as it was exposed to the Atlanta humidity!

Top – TopShop Cami // Skirt – J.Crew Factory (old) // Sandals – Zara

Aug 10th

 

Later that evening my Husband took me to The Optimist for the first time.  What an amazing restaurant.  It was busy so the service was a little tardy but we were in no hurry and I relished my oysters!  It’s a huge, open restaurant and I loved the noise created by the acoustics.  In a strange way it reminded me of Harrods food hall or even Quaglinos, though I haven’t been there since the early 90s!

oysters

 

Dinner

 

I felt fabulous in my Zara flowing jumpsuit (sold out but similar here).  I actually bought this and returned it once thinking I’d never wear it – but it was such a perfect fit I re-bought it and I am so glad I did!  I went full ’70s for this baby of August ’71 with big hair and white heels (now on sale here!).

Jumpsuit Aug 10th

 

So that’s the birthday done and dusted for another year – here’s to a great one – and happy birthday to all my fellow Leos!

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

We’re going to the zoo, zoo…

5 Replies

Blimey it ain’t half hot mum!  In the mid 90s today and of all days we decide to head to the zoo.  With just about every other family in Atlanta it seemed!  It was fabulous though – we know the zoo like the back of our hands now so we took a leisurely stroll around our favorite spots including the tigers, wart hogs and pandas.  We were very excited to hear a panda has just had twins – the first to be born in the US in over 30 years!  I even let Hugh and Poppy ride on the carousel which I normally avoid due to queues:)  They’ve promised me a relaxing evening tonight in return…we’ll see…

Atlanta Zoo TopShop trousers

Trousers – TopShop // Top – J.Crew (really old) // Sandals – Zara (just $15 in the sale!!)

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

Detox week.

5 Replies

Okay maybe detox weekend.  A week really was pushing it wasn’t it?  Especially as I have the children at home with me till next Wednesday when school resumes.

So, I haven’t touched alcohol for 3 days now and I juiced on Saturday and Sunday.  Today I worked out like a mad woman, and I have eaten buckets of heirloom tomatoes with sweet Georgia peaches, basil and olive oil and balsamic.  Tomatoes and peaches?  Weird you say?  Delicious I say – try it with some crumbled feta on top too – DIVINE!

After the vacation weight gain thanks to copious carbs – bread and beer are to blame – I’m desperate to lose the extra pounds again.  I arrived home to a fabulous pile of boxes from the Zara sale and their new collection, and some of them feel a little snugger than I’d like right now!  Only to be expected no?  I’m hoping I won’t have to wear anything with a little give in it on the 10th – because it will be MY BIRTHDAY!  Yes I actually celebrate my birthday month – I LOVE birthdays and I’m really quite looking forward to turning 42 – especially as my Husband is VERY good at birthday nights out.

As you can see from the photo today my hair is HUGE and has grown so much over the holiday – I’m not complaining but please don’t judge – I’ll be getting it ‘styled’ this week!  The t-shirt is from the Zara sale – I think I could have got away with a smaller size but it was the last size in the stock clearance section at just $15 so I’m not returning.  It actually feels lovely and cool and floaty but looks a bit boxy on the photos – it hides the vacation muffin top well for now:)

July 29th

T-Shirt – Zara combination top (no longer online) // Shorts – JCrew Factory bermudas // Sandals – Zara

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta