Back After a Busy Break With an Outfit Backlog

Hi everyone! I know it's been awhile.  I have had some personal and family stuff going on this last month...a big birthday for my son,  holidays, an ill parent, a new niece -- it's been crazy. But I'm still here and I still have a lot to say.

Believe it or not, it's still not fall here in Missouri.  It was close to 80 degrees today.  Growing up, I do remember occasionally wearing shorts on Halloween.  And also winter coats.  Crazy midwestern weather is always a challenge for dressing.

I'll share with you some last outfits of summer.

The point of this outfit is that real people have to repeat their clothes.  I don't always have something new to wear.  I've worn this black and white sleeveless Merona dress for you before.  I have a Tahari flowy cardigan over it. However, what made this outfit were some snappy red accessories.

Red lips. A great accessory.  This is Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Raspberry.

Red crystal bracelet. It's brighter in real life.

Not red, but Nine West gladiator sandals.

Red beaded statement necklace, from JC Penney.  It's a brighter red in real life.

Piece de resistance: Hayden Harnett Lorca in Ruby. Bought during one of their super duper sales.

Next:

I love purple, especially against neutrals.  NY and Co. tank and cargo pants.  Gap cardi. Payless wedges.  Rebecca Minkoff Mantinee satchel (purchased from someone on a blog).  Do you wear rolled cargos? I never thought I would and now they are one of my most favorite trends.

Next:

Random work outfit. Loft cardi, pants and scarf with the RM bag.  My preciousssss.  In winter I tend to wear black pants to work several times a week. I'm trying to break out of that this year.

I wore this outfit to one of my sister's baby showers.  The aforementioned NY and Co. gray cargo pants, a Talbots Jacket, J Crew silk cami and Coach outlet bag.  I have on a chain necklace from Forever 21. I think I wore the purple peep toes with it.  The shower was at a chic dessert restaurant in St. Louis and so much fun.

Another nod to my preppy heritage.  Talbots yacht skirt and kelly green flats, Lauren polo shirt, J Crew Tartine sweater and vintage Gucci courtesy of my mom.

Tucker for Target blouse, black linen pencil skirt, Old Navy belt (it had a bow on it that I cut off) and Coach outlet bag.

Well, I guess we're all caught up! Thanks for stopping by.  How are you transitioning to fall?

J Crew fitting Room Pictures

J Crew. Many people are obsessed with it.  I have worn Crew since the lat 1980s.  In those days it was rugby shirts and roll neck sweaters.  Colors like "port" and "bottle."  Uber prep.  Since those days I have had Crew items in my wardrobe continuously.  I'm not one of those people who dressed head to toe in Crew because it was always a tad too expensive and only a few items fit (mainly cardis).  However, I can see the attraction of the "old" (ie. pre 2008-09) Crew.  It was one stop shopping for a lot of women. She could buy her work clothes, casual clothes, bathing suits and special occasion dress in one place.
People have written a lot about the change in Crew, the more fashiony styles, the decreasing quality, the inconsistency in sizes, the higher prices, the final sales.  I don't much care for any of that, but I don't spend enough money with them for them to care.  As long as their stock is going up, they will continue in their current direction.

I don't get to a J Crew store very often.  The nearest stores are two hours away, either east or west.  I have a "Crewlet" (J Crew Outlet) about an hour and a half away.  When I have the opportunity I try on as many things as possible.   This comes in handy later for buying things on final sale or on ebay (which is in essence the same thing only usually cheaper). I very rarely buy anything full price at J Crew.  I don't mind the outlet versions of regular Crew items; I have found them to be decently made.  The majority of my J Crew pieces are via ebay or the swap on the J Crew Aficionada blog.  That blog will tell you about all things J Crew and it's amazing.

Really none of the items here look that great in the photos.  There were a few items I really liked and that I will plan to stalk.  Overall though, everything seemed to be a repeat of the past two seasons

Rimini cardigan - size M.  I loved this sweater.  It looked much more flattering in real life and I recommend it for an hourglass figure.  It's merino.  The sleeves narrow at the cuffs. I love the biker type zipper.  Colors in store are black, nutmeg and cobblestone.  There are additional colors online.

Donegal Tweed Schoolboy Blazer in aluminum.  This is a gray tweed.  Online there is moss, a green tweed. I loved it. The back has the vent stitched down, which is why it doesn't lay right.  This is an 8.  Usually I'm a 10 in jackets, but I find I have to size down in crew jackets.  Also I usually take a petite in jackets because I'm short waisted, but this one fit in the shoulders and hit at the right place in the waist. It's snug over the chest, but I never button jackets more than one button.  I love this jacket, and I need something gray to fill a hole in my wardrobe, but alas I will have to wait.

Calista Cami, size 10 in dark rosewood.  There were several other colors in store and more online. Meh. I have a Frances top (it's from the outlet) that I like.  I like that you can flip the collar down on the Frances. On this one you can't. I'd be very uncomfortable will all of that silk around my neck, not to mention it's just not flattering.  It's too expensive to just be a layering piece, and I'm trying not to buy any more ruffles.

I didn't see this one online. It is merino and had no buttons; there are two small pockets in front.  The color is a dusty lavender.  I have enough cardis; this is nothing special.

I hope these photos were helpful!  Have you tried on anything at the Crew lately?

OOTD

Talbots sweater, Ann Taylor Loft cardi, NY and Co. cargos, worn with kelley green patent ballet flats from Talbots.

I stalked the Lily Pulitzer-esque cardi at Talbots all season.  I was finally able to purchase during the recent sale.  I had to size down to a small and it's still roomy.

I bought the cargos for around $6.  I wasn't sure about the cargo thing.  However, these are tapered (not skin tight like the famous J. Brand Houlihans) and the pocket is placed such that they are actually slenderizing.  They are now my most favorite pants. I have a pair in gray, too.

I'm in the fitting room at Gap, but somehow none of the other pics came out.  I'll do a post about what I tried on.

Outfit of the day

Talbots sweater, Eddie Bauer Tank, Gap Pants, Mia Paoli Sandals via Marshalls, The Sak bag.

I really like Eddie Bauer for tanks and tshirts. They fit slim enough on me without being skin tight. They somehow fit my narrower shoulders without pulling across the chest. They are excellent quality and they last for years. If you have a big chest I recommend them.

When I bought the sandals I didn't know they were a knockoff of the Jack Rogers Navajo. They are leather and very comfy. I do see this style copied a lot. Liz Claiborne had a version this year.

I love crisp navy and white. It's a nod to my preppy high school look, when I actually owned "The Preppy Handbook."

Flats would have looked better but it was another scorcher today.

Thanks for stopping by!