Current Obsessions: J. Crew

As much as I've been trying to expand my fashion horizons lately- prints!  leather!  animal prints!  it's no secret that I'll always adore J. Crew.  There are certain stores you walk into for inspiration, and aspiration.  And then there are the stores that serve as a kind of childhood best friend. 

The Financial Times recently ran a fantastic profile on Mickey Drexler, and his strategy of always giving shoppers a little bit of comfort, the classics they're used to - the Jackie cardigan, the Cafe Capri, the Plaza coat- and then adding fashion-forward accents- the statement necklace, the leopard clutch, the colorblocked sweater- to keep things fresh.

I think this is why the store itself holds so much appeal for me; it's very much an echo of what I try to do with my wardrobe.  While I'm always on the search for the perfect tailored blazers, skinny trousers, and LBDs, more and more I'm finding that it's the special pieces, the loves-at-first-sight items, slightly outside of my comfort zone that are worth taking a risk (or shelling out!) for.

A couple of recent favorite purchases on the risk side: the sold-out Cafe Capri in Yacht Blue, pulled by my favorite personal shopper, the Merino V-Neck in Vibrant Flame, and on the classic side: the Plaza coat in Black, with Thinsulate! (my mom would be so proud), the Hacking Jacket (yes in black), and the Classic Jenna Bracelet (so perfect for layering!).

J. Crew's current lookbook is for me a perfect mix of trendy and classic, gorgeous colors that defy seasonal dressing, investment pieces and indulgences.  And for the next few days, use the code STAYWARM for 25% off of all orders of $150 or more.

Current Obsession: Little White Dress

Loving this dress at gracie b.

Seasonally apropos?  Perhaps not.  Beyond elegant enough that I will click purchase today, try it on the moment the package arrives, and wear it around the house while doing mundane chores and watching snowflakes fall outside my window?  I think so. 

Current Obsession: Tweed Jackets & Silk Blouses at Zara!

Strolled through Zara at lunchtime today and was even more tempted than usual!  Several Isabel Marant lookalike tweed blazers under $100, as well as silk tops in every color imaginable, most between $50-$60.  Aka, 1/4 the cost of my beloved Equipment versions.

Knitted Fantasy Blazer, $99.90, here at Zara

Blazer with Zips, $89.90, here at Zara

Top Semipico, $49.90, here at Zara

Shirt with Bow-Tie Necklace, $59.90, here at Zara

Most of these look/feel much better in person than in these photos.  Love love love.

Reading Today: The Future of Flash Sales

Great points in The Cut's take on the recent NYTimes article, showing that online comparison shopping, or dare-we-say-it, hitting the sales in person, often yields better pricing than flash sales.  They're not the first to note that as the economy (or at least the luxury retail sector) recovers, brands are a lot less likely to offload the massive stockpiles of merchandise seen in the early months of the recession. 
Obsessive google-shopper that I am, I can totally relate to the maxing-out-my-internet browser-tabs, constantly hitting refresh, nonstop searching hinted at in the NYTimes.

"Ah yes, that newfangled technology. But the story does raise a more interesting question about what will happen to all these sites as more and more consumers realize that, in their current incarnation, they're not the best places to buy clothes these days. Can they diversify and evolve enough to sustain themselves?" 

The Cut's Amy Odell brings up a very interesting question.  It's definitely been the year of million dollar billion dollar valuations for sample sale sites- and now we're seeing consolidations & acquisitions.  Judging by the wealth of novelty in the market- wine sample sales!  children's sample sales!  exclusive designer collections!  curated clothes, housewares!  TV & movie tie-ins!  - the powers that be in the industry saw this downtrend coming. 

Current Obsession: Street Style

Anh from 9to5Chic rocking one of my favorite combos for fall - cozy sweaters & shorts!  Can't resist holding on to that last little bit of summer...

Blair from Atlantic-Pacific, who not only pulls off a remarkable amount of leather in one outfit, but makes it look impossibly chic.

For a bit of a dare, I can't wait to try out this look - the backwards cardi tucked into a skirt from VenzEdits - at a friend's dinner tomorrow night.

And finally, python pants!  Tala from MyFashDiary may have found hers at Stella, but Zara has a pretty tempting lookalike for under $100.  Love how this elevates a casual slouchy sweater.  Thoughts?

More Sales! Sephora & Milly

Click here to enter your email and get access to Sephora's 20% off Friends & Family Sale, now thought 11/2, online only.

And, enter "FALLSALE" during checkout at Milly and receive 20% off sale and full-price purchases through 10/24.

In My Shopping Cart: Sale Edition

I treated myself to a major pre-birthday online shopping fest this week, courtesy of some great sales at Saks & ShopBop.  Family & Friends sales are such a great time to stock up on staples like leather ballet flats, acquire those tricky, never-marked-down items like oversized sunglasses, and refresh favorites - the AG Stilt has been my denim of choice for 2 years!  time for a new pair! - plus start building a wardrobe of go-to cocktail dresses that will work for fall & winter.

Gucci Young Project Cat Eye Sunglasses, $176 @ Saks

                           Tory Burch Reva Flats $156 @ Saks

DVF Kipling Top, $212 @ Saks

                                                               AG Stilt Jeans, $134 @ ShopBop

Halston Heritage Wrap Dress, $236 @ ShopBop

Sale!

20% off one item,

25% off two items,

30% off three or more items

in Neiman Marcus sportswear, contemporary, and dresses

applies to full price and sale merchandise

my bank account simply cannot handle any more of this madness.

Deal of The Day: $75 Off J Brand Jodhpur

 As a fierce J Brand Houlihan devotee, I was obsessssed when I first spotted the J Brand Jodhpur in rhis season's lineup. 

And through 10/28, these babies are $75 OFF at WillowSt.com with the code "JODHPUR75" 

Why are you still reading this?  Go buy yours now!!

http://www.willowst.com/J-Brand-Jodhpur-Twill-Skinny-Ankle-p/9788vk120.htm

Splurge or Steal? Leather Pants Edition

My fashion philosophy is that big ticket items should be handbags, shoes, coats, jewelry, or other timeless, not trendy pieces.   Things I can see myself wearing for multiple seasons.  Multiple occasions.  Dressing up and dressing down.  Things I can see myself wearing at 40.   You get the point.

So what, my friends, does one do about leather pants?  First of all, is there anything worse than faux leather?  I used to think not.  But over the past year or so, I've been seeing some really well done faux - not the shiny, sticky, swishing when you walk pleather stuff - some of it not even necessarily classified as faux leather, like J Brand's waxed denim.

I recently tried on the Zara pants below, and was really impressed by the quality of the cut and design, a great edgy piece to mix with my more classic staples.  On the other hand, my collection of various skinny black pants are in constant rotation in my wardrobe, especially as the weather gets cooler.  Are leather (or faux leather) pants worthy of a splurge?  Or should I stick with the steal?

Acne Best Leather Skinny Pants

The Outnet

$1,530.00

Waxed Effect Trousers

Zara

$79.90

Outfit Envy

I could not be more in love with MK's The Row Blazer-as-dress. 

Bonus points for the coordinated clutch. 

Anyone who can re-create this look for less wins my lifelong admiration.

What a Productive Start to a Work Day

ShopBop Friends & Family 20% off!

Valid for today & tomorrow only.
Use Code “INTHEFAMILY20”


Saks Friends and Family
Online Only Today & Tomorrow 
20% off with code: FRIEND9  
In-Store 10/20-10/23

Fall Fashion List Update

Spotted on TeenVogue's lovely Eva Chen - the Joie Leather skirt from our Fall Fashion Wish List!  I've been playing it safe and pairing mine with lots of ivory and brown - definitely going to take a cue from Eva and try color next time! 

Still shopping?  The skirt is now on sale in Camel (pictured above) @ Intermix for $229, and in Cognac for $318!

Current Obsession: Mara Hoffman Shawl Coat

Speaking of outerwear, is this not perfection?

Mara Hoffman Shawl Coat at Shopbop.

Current Obsession: Dareen Hakim Collection

When it comes to day bags, I am the ultimate loyalist.  Always oversized, always pebbled leather, always black, always gold hardware.  I don't buy a new day bag often, and when I do, it's usually a dead ringer for its predecessor. 

Clutches and evening bags, however, are where I get more creative.  Preferential treatment goes to anything animal textured - croc, alligator, bonus points for ostrich- and I tend to experiment more with color and detailing. 

On a trip to Beirut last year, I discovered the Dareen Hakim Collection.  For me, the Middle East's balance of modern glamour and tradition is an inspiration, and I was totally enamored with the way each bag in her line struck this balance perfectly.   Rich colors, vibrant gold details, unique inscriptions in Arabic calligraphy.

After much deliberation, I chose Dareen's Le Monaco to reward myself for a recent win at work, and it immediately became a focal point of my wardrobe; an accessory I build outfits around.  The gold chain strap lets the bag hang at the most perfectly elegant length, and the superslim width forces me to pare down the contents of my bag into the bare essentials.  The leather is a glamorous nude; the gold embossed inscription, reading "smile and the world smiles at you" in Arabic is such a fresh touch.

Devoted fan that I am, I've already queued up the next addition to my collection: Le Icon in Dune, pictured here.  This stunning clutch is available in a number of colors, materials, and arrives engraved with one of four phrases.  A sunny yellow bag that literally says "happiness?"   Want it, need it, have to have it.

New Jeans

In college, I was famous thoughout my dorm for having an unrivaled collection of denim that turned into something of a library for my friends... and their friends.  The only time I actually counted, I had 34 pairs crammed into my tiny closet.   Kardashian-worthy, no, but impressive enough to garner some celebrity among the undergraduates.

In my archives I still have my first pair of Sevens, the New York bootcut, obvi, as well as my first foray into the world of premium denim, Earls (aka my first pair of jeans not from Gap Kids)   Hailing from 45 minutes outside of NYC, yes, on the New Jersey side, I was also on the cutting edge of the jeggings revolution, enduring some harsh stares and Lindsey Lohan-themed jokes until the rest of the collegiate world jumped on the bandwagon. 

Now that my calendar is woefully absent of occasions where denim is an appropriate choice, and my rotation has shrunk to about 12 favorite pairs, I must admit that I often bypass the racks of jeans when shopping.  That's where West Coast comes in.  During a whirlwind trip to the East this past weekend, my bestie gave me an early birthday gift, laboriously wrapped in a TJMAXX bag, of the most perfectly fitting jeans - leggings- that I've ever owned.  Rock and Republic's Five Pocket Leggings in Black.  That she scored for $30.  At TJMAXX. 

There's a reason we are friends.

Current Obsession: BaubleBar

Boho Drop Earrings

Patience is not something I am blessed with, especially when it comes to shopping.  So BaubleBar, a jewelry site where everything is made-to-order, and items typically come with a 2-4 week processing time before shipment, didn't exactly seem like a good fit for me.  (note: the earrings I ordered had a 2-4 week processing time, our friends @BaubleBar tell us most items actually ship within 24 hours!)

I am thrilled to report that the anticipation was worth it.  My first pick, neatly packaged with a sweet note from the site's owner, arrived a few days ago and I have  basically been wearing these gorgeous, dyed-jade drop earrings ever since.  With white button downs and navy pencil skirts to work, a flowy sundress to a friend's rooftop party (it's 80 degrees in mid-October, what else can you do?), and my favorite pairing to date, with a bright blue silk top and skinnies for drinks. 

I almost forgot to mention something key - these are $28!  I've already ordered a second pair for a friend's birthday gift, not to mention the white version of this pair for myself.   Apparently I'm not so bad with this patience thing after all!

Sign up for BaubleBar via this link!

Strategic Planning

Although the arrival of temps in the 50's, pumpkin lattes, and lost college kids definitely signals the time for fall shopping, I'm leaving my options open to some strategic planning for next spring and summer's wardrobes.  While I don't have any exotic resort vacations planned, hint hint, West Coast, I've been picking through the sales sections of my favorite stores for serious bargains on some of the things I've had my eye on all season.

Recent scores include:

Halston Heritage Green Dress

While I wouldn't exactly call it flattering, this dress makes my legs look a mile long, and more importantly, is just one of those dresses that makes you smile.  The color is way outside of my usual palette, but with strappy gold heels, lots of bangles, and a summer tan, even I have to admit I'm won over.

Ali Ro Peplum Dress

Now this is an interesting one.  From the Neiman Marcus website at $48, I figured the extra tailoring would be worth my while, and ordered the only size they had left- a size up from what I normally wear.  After trying it on and realizing how simple the alterations really would be on a cut like this, I think I've found a new strategy for my constant battle against too-short dresses; I'll simply size up and have the width tailored.  In writing this, I realize this is not a novel idea, but it has taken me 25 years to figure out so....

Tibi One-Shoulder Dress

While I hadn't officially decided that green was going to be my personal style statement for S/S '12, there is obviously a trend going on in my thinking here.  I had tried this dress on at the beginning of the season, fallen in love, and when I saw it on TheOutnet for 60% off, it took me about 60 seconds to complete checkout.

Luckily for me, this heat wave currently moving up the East Coast will give me the chance to wear some of my new finds before relegating them to my storage closet until spring.  It's always been my #1 shopping rule to walk away from an item, and if I'm still thinking about it a week later, I know it's worth a purchase.   Since these have been on my radar since... May?  I figured they all qualified.

What are your thoughts on shopping off-season?

Fall Fashion Wish List

1. Joie's Leather Skirt. You know the designer is pushing the limit when Intermix has to step in and create a longer version of their mini. Though I'm not one to shy away from a short skirt, I literally hesitated to leave my dressing room for the three-way-mirror to confirm that, in fact, this skirt was way too short. That's when my trustworthy Saks salesman confessed in a whisper that Intermix had stocked a slightly longer- yet still short- version of this amazing skirt.

2. Equipment's Silk Python Blouse. For those who know me, this is confirmation that yes, my first two fall must-haves are, in fact, leather and animal-print. These pieces push the borders of my comfort zone, but still meet all of my criteria: I'm head-over-heels, stalk-the-salesgirl-on-her-cell-phone, obsessed with them; I'm comfortable and confident wearing them; and lastly, I see them working well with lots of things already in my closet. The Equipment blouse will be equally perfect with white jeans and gold jewelry next summer and tucked into a pencil skirt for work. The leather skirt will update my myriad cream-colored sweaters and pair well with a silk top for a dinner date.

3. Autumn Cashmere Poncho- Identity crisis over, this is a piece that the five-year-old me definitely would have selected from the racks at Gap Kids, and I still love it! This is a pricier pick, but there are lots of wallet-conscious versions out there. I swear I haven't already snapped up H&M's $19.99 look-alike in two colors... Seriously though, I think a neutral-colored wrap or poncho is the easiest way to look chic and pulled together regardless of your mood, the weather, and what you wear it with.

4. DVF Metallic Tweed Pants- Lest you think this post is being sponsored by Intermix, (I only wish!) here's a piece from my all-time-fave designer. I love how easily these would transition from day to night, and I always enjoy the challenge of turning something that my mom could wear to a charity luncheon into something young and fresh. Though I'm not ususally a fan of metallics, I like the idea of a classic cut and high-quality fabric snazzed up a bit.

5. Jimmy Choo Lace Booties- Though I have a pretty well-stocked shoe collection, with all of the essentials covered, I've been looking for a pair of outfit-defining, statement-making shoes. With my go-to black jeggings (Joe's) and black silk & cashmere wrap (DKNY), these will take a tried-and-true ensemble to a whole new level. Definitely need to clear a front-and-center spot in my closet for them!

What's on your shopping list this fall?