J.Crew fall fitting room reviews!

I decided to pop into J.Crew to try on some of the new fall items.  Who knew I'd fall in love with such a bizarre critter on a sweater?  Let's explore my reviews:

French Hen sweater in tan/acorn blue, $95 here
 Size small.
No. 2 pencil skirt in double serge wool, color berry pink.  Size 4. $130 here

The Little Red Hen is one of my boys' favorite Golden Books.  The litte blue hen/tan sweater is one of my favorite fall items!  My favorite SA told me these kitschy little sweaters are flying off the shelves.  I am very surprised how much I loved this.  I loved the camel tan color of the sweater, the weight of the wool, and the colors of the cute little critter.  It felt good on, but I don't get itchy from wool.  It is definitely on my wishlist, although I doubt it will make it to sale! 

Either J.Crew sizing is getting smaller or my butt is getting bigger, because this size 4 skirt, while fine looking in this picture, was booty-licious IRL.  I would most definitely size up to a 6.  I'm always between a 4 and 6 in J.Crew skirts, so I'll reserve panic for now.  This is my favorite fall color of the double-serge pencil skirts.  It's exactly what the description says, berry pink, and it is lovely!

Scoopneck silk top in zebra, $128 here
Size 4
Around $130, not online yet

This top was a nice material and a nice print.  The size 4 was TTS.  I am good on my animal prints, but if your wardobe is lacking in the animal print category, this may be a good addition.

Director Dress in Super 120s bistretch wool
Charcoal pinstripe
On sale online for 149.99 here
Size 4

I dress very colorfully 90% of the time, but I can certainly appreciate a classic, dark fitted dress that is timeless.  Some ladies dislike the low v-neck of this dress and I can definitely see their point.  It didn't look too scandalous on me though, and the size 4 fit like a glove.  I will definitely consider this at extra 30% off time!

Allie dress in festival blue
$178 here
Size 6

I'm not sure why this dress appears so much longer in the picture online than it does on me IRL, because I doubt the model is shorter than I am.  Online it looks about the length of the cotton-silk faille Lucille dress, which, while a bit on the short side, is fine on me for work.  This dress, on the other hand, is scandalously short for work.  I don't really love the length for evening either.  WOW this is short.  If you are over 5'5" this will be too short for you.  Also, the bodice runs really small.  While I have room in my size 6 Lucille dresses, this size 6 just fit.  So definitely go with your bigger J.Crew size.  This is a definite pass for me.  J.Crew, what's up with the mini length on this?

Jules dress in wool
$198 here
Color: Retro Jade, size 2

Holy indecent exposure!  That's what I am saying in this picture.  Ahhh, I crack myself up.  Seriously though, this is not a dress, it's a long top!  Definitely made to be worn with leggings, which I am not a fan of...so a definite pass for me.  It runs super big...this is a size 2.  I am a size 2 maybe 5% of the time.  But it looked really wide across the hips and waist, so I went for the 2, and sure enough, it fit.  But if I were to sit down in this dress, I'd definitely have a wardrobe malfunction.  The color and material are gorgeous though, so if you are really petite this dress may work for you!

Tweed pencil skirt
Not online yet, $158
Size 6

Tweed skirts can go wrong.  They can add bulk and width where you don't want it.  But this skirt didn't seem to do that.  I love the colors for fall, and the heavy material.   This 6 felt perfect, so I think again it may run slightly small.  One thing I'd be concerned about is the material pulling, as that's always a challenge with tweed.  But it's a nice fall/winter skirt for work!

Toothpick cord in brilliant coral
$98 here
Size 28

Hmmmm....I can't decide if I love these cords or if the shape seems mom-jeanish to me with its tapered leg.  What do you think?  The fit was TTS, as I am usuallly a 28 in jeans and cords.  Take note of the length:  These are regular length, but they were good on me.  I hate when they're so long they bunch around the ankles.  So if the regular length is good on my 34 inch inseams, they may be long for shorter girls.  I'd consider them at sale time, if I get past my mom-jeans fear.

I hope my reviews have been helpful to you! 

Ribboned rocket cardi + silk bow cami

Ribboned Rocket cardigan by Field of Flowers:  Anthropologie, winter 2012
Silk bow cami in brilliant purple:  still a few left!  J.Crew, here
No. 2 pencil skirt in succulent green:  J.Crew, other colors here
Nude mary janes:  Sam Edelman
Bracelet:  Banana Republic

I bought this cardigan on second markdown back in the spring and just took the tags off of it today!  I've had this outfit in mind for a while but waited for a day that wasn't in the 90's to wear it.  I loved the colors and how it turned out!  Totally office appropriate but still really fun.  Here's a close-up of the blouse and cardi:

Gorgeous together.  I can't believe I never realized that this silk bow cami came in green too!  I never saw that color in the store.  If it ever pops back online I willl definitely grab it, I have loved these camis all summer!

Hope everyone's having a great week!  School starts for us a week from tomorrow...I am so not ready!

Schoolboy blazer + flowers

Schoolboy blazer in heather coral:  J.Crew, fall 2009
Floral pencil skirt:  Banana Republic, summer 2012
Cream silk ruffle shell:  J.Crew, winter 2010
Pumps:  Seychelles

I'm so glad these schoolboy blazers from J.Crew continue to be in style season after season.  I realized today how much I have missed wearing blazers due to the extreme heat we've had all summer.  They make me feel instantly pulled together and presentable for work, and I also love them with jeans. 

The last time I wore this skirt I also paired it with coral.  It just seems like the best choice and I love coral.  But next time I am going to challenge myself to think outside of the box, perhaps with yellow and green.

So I'm learning that there are mean girls in the blog-o-sphere.  Now I have yet to received a mean comment on my blog, and while I am so thankful for that, I'm sure it's only a matter of time.  Allowing anonymous comments opens yourself up to nastiness, and I've seen many mean comments on other blogs.  It disappoints me how judgemental and mean spirited women can be towards other women's blogs. If anyone wants my two cents, I think if you're brave enough to open yourself to the cold, hard world through blogging, the least we as readers can do is be kind.  Or at the very least, as my mother taught me, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it anything at all.  Pretty simple right? 

I've been so fortunate to have the kindest, most supportive comments on my blog.  It really makes my day everytime I read one of your comments, and if I don't always respond, I want you to know I am grateful you have chosen to read my blog.  For those of you who have taken the time to post a kind word, thank you.  It means more to me than you could ever know! 

On a lighter note, look which little critter I rescued from the J.Crew sale bin!

Enameled giraffe bangle, here

Isn't he cute?  There was only one of him in there, marked to $49.99.  (The price is higher online, arrrrgh!) I had a $25 gift card to use though, so I only paid $25 of my own money...well worth it to me.  I've wanted a critter bracelet for a long time, and I think this caramel brown and white color scheme will work well into fall.  Plus, the giraffes are my favorite animals at the zoo....something about their height appeals to a tall girl like me.  Thanks for visiting! 

Gondola + Seahorse + white denim

Gondola striped top:  J.Crew
White jeans:  Banana Republic, summer 2011
Double-strand seahorse necklace, J.Crew here
Navajo mid-wedge sandals in platinum:  Jack Rogers

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!  I had a lot of chores and errands to do but finally had the chance to get cleaned up for dinner with the family.  I can't believe summer and white jeans season is almost over and I have not gotten to wear my white jeans at all due to the heat!   It's finally a cooler weekend so I was happy to be able to pull them out.  The gondola top pairs so perfectly with white denim. 

What do you like to wear with your white denim?  Do you wear yours into the fall?  I know the "no white after Labor Day" rule is kind of outdated but I still seem to abide by it, I just feel weird wearing white jeans or dresses in the fall. 

Thanks for visiting!

Natasha + Royal Paisley + Bubble Necklace

Natasha blouse in gallery green:  J.Crew, winter 2012
No. 2 pencil skirt in royal paisley:  J.Crew, fall 2011
Bubble necklace in kelly green:  J.Crew, here
Bubble earrings in kelly green:  J.Crew, here
Mary jane heels:  Sam Edelman

This could quite possibly be my favorite of all my J.Crew pencil skirts.  That may surprise you, as the print and the colors are not as striking as some of the others.  However, this particular pencil skirt has the magical capabilities of completely camoflaging any and all tummy pooch, despite the fact that I am wearing a 4 rather than my usual 6.  Even from the dreaded side angle, I look flat as a board from the waist down.  And that, my friends, deserves the award of World's Best Pencil Skirt.

I know this necklace probably shows up better against contasting colors, but for some reason I am addicted to pairing it with green tops.  And if you are debating on the bubble earrings, alone or to go with your bubble necklace, Just Do It.  I am SO happy I did!

Hope everyone has a great weekend planned!  We have plenty of R & R planned, with several happy hours to attend...on our front wrap-around porch.  Cheers!

Ganzania blouse + No. 2 in neon pink

Ganzania Blouse by Portrait of a Girl:  Anthropologie, here
No. 2 pencil skirt in neon pink:  J.Crew, here
Light blue patent leather peeptoes:  Enzo Angiolini
Bracelet:  Banana Republic

Hmmm, this blouse is much more flattering IRL than it shows in the picture.  Maybe it's the angle I am standing?  I don't know, but I do love this blouse because it's so unique and interesting.  If you're considering it and are between sizes at Anthro, go for your larger size...the shoulders in this blouse are narrow and the armholes small.  This is a size 6.

You may remember I had an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction the last time I wore this pink pencil skirt.  I'm happy to report the tailor at J.Crew sewed it back together as good, or even better, than new.  I'll never forget that loud rip as I went to sit in my car though! 

I ran into Target today to buy my boys new socks and boxers for the school year and of course I end up spending $50 on Lord knows what.  How does Target do that to everyone?  It's like a magical spell comes over me when I walk through the doors and suddenly what's in my wallet is play money that can only be spent at Target. Does anyone else experience this phenomenon?  

Ultra eyelet in chili + raj paisley

Ultra eyelet shell in chili:  J.Crew, summer 2012
No. 2 pencil skirt in raj paisley:  J.Crew, summer 2012
Nude oscar pumps:  Jessica Simpson
Flower belt:  Nordstrom

This outfit is of the random, thrown-together-last minute variety.  I quite like how it turned out though, for being so unplanned.  I last wore this top casually back in early June, here, and for some reason have been neglecting it since then.  When I decided I would roast the outfit I had originally chosen for today, I decided to give the ultra eyelet shell a go with the raj paisley skirt.  I know this top was not up everyone's alley, some people did not like the neckline...but eyelet holds a special place in my preppy heart so I loved it. 

I really like the deep side part, slicked back low ponytail with a headband for lazy hair days.  It also works for unwashed hair days.  Which happens a lot in my busy world.  But let's just keep that part between us, shall we?