I need more Cow Bell...I mean Cowl Neck

Yesterday I was able to wear my new Cowl Neck Sweater Dress to work. Since the temperatures keep going up here at least I have work to wear my fall clothing too!

Here is how I wore it to work originally with a white button up underneath:

I am one of those people who always gets hot and luckily so is my manager. Unfortunately for me last night she wasn't there to keep the store nice and cold so I ended up taking off a layer and I snapped a quick pic after we closed up!

Tomorrow Chase officially turns SEVEN. Where does time go????  I am back on a tight spending budget (which is where I always should be) but I think I may have to  pick up the bici tee soon I was hoping for an in store promo....if you see one let me know!

I heart Vintage Cord

I am obsessed with J Crew's Vintage Cord Pencil Skirts right now, they are so comfy and easy to wear.  This is the dark aubergine color that I found on clearance at the J Crewlet last week (as well as the San Remo cardigan).

San Remo cardigan-J Crew Factory

Vintage Cord Pencil Skirt-J Crew Factory

Cami-LOFT

Mary Janes-Candies

This was a quick throw on to pick up the kids from school. I would have preferred it with the two dogs tee but the rooster tee was closer and I was in a rush!

rooster tee-J Crew Factory

Retro Stripe Mohair cardigan-J Crew Factory

Vintage Cord Pencil Skirt in Honey Glaze-J Crew via Ebay

Oh, and I did pick up the Cowl Neck Sweater Dress in a Medium because I knew I would be layering it with leggings at all times and I didn't want anything showing through. I will be wearing it tomorrow so I will take some shots!

I am still working on training my "new photographer" but it isn't all work...we have been having some fun with the camera too ;)

Did you see that they added more Final Sale items over at J Crew? I didn't. I saw an email but have restrained from checking it out since I can't do any more shopping for a while.

p.s. are they ever going to get rid of Final Sale? I hate the idea of not being able to return anything once it goes on sale.

Styling the LOFT Cowl Neck Dress in Nut

I really love the Cowl Neck Sweater Dress on- it is very flattering, especially for a sweater dress. Because of the higher waist it accentuates the smaller upper waist and  doesn't grab around your tummy which is much appreciated by me! I don't think the fit is very clearly reflected on the website on the rail thin models with too big of sizes. There is a ribbed waistline right under where your bra lies and it doesn't look so droopy. It does not need a belt since it does have the ribbing but it is always fun to add one for a more put together look.

I was excited when Sydney at PetiteGorgeous asked for some styling ideas for the nut color. I find most of my clients prefer this color over the grey but think that the brown may be too hard to style. On the LOFT website they have it styled with chocolate tights and shoes, I wanted to show a few ways to combine it with black and denim. I had this dress on hold but now I am going to buy it tonight. I remember it being TTS if not a little big. I was able to wear my TS (Medium) and a Small comfortably but I believe I went with the Medium for length. I'll let you know for sure tomorrow ;)

Cowl Neck Dress by modestlyme featuring an oversized sweater

Cowl Neck Dress by modestlyme featuring a pouch handbag

Cowl Neck Dress by modestlyme featuring j crew jewelry

Cowl Neck Dress by modestlyme featuring hobo handbags

You can see the collection on Polyvore here

Honey Glazed

Yesterday we celebrated Chase's birthday early at the Water Park. It was a great time and everybody made it through without any tears or near drowning moments (this is always a big plus for me)!

I am starting to feel a little better but not enough to put much effort into today's church outfit. I love comfy pieces that speak for themselves so I don't have to deal with accessorizing. Those of you who have been reading my blog long enough know that about me ;) I have been wanting the J Crew vintage cord pencil skirt in honeyglaze for ages and I finally found one on eBay and no one bid against me----yay!!

Victoria RuffledTissue Cami-J Crew

V-Neck Cardigan-LOFT

Vintage Cord Pencil Skirt- J Crew (from eBay)

Nude Pumps-Bandolino

Hope you all have had a great weekend! Did you do any shopping during the J Crew Factory Premier? Jenni-I know you did

Trip to J Crew Factory Store

I thought it might be a waste of time to go to the J'Crewlet the same day as the website premiered but they had been sweet enough to put the last blush tweed pencil skirt on hold for me in an 8 so I decided to pack up the gang and head down. Turns out, this was a good thing as some of the pricing was different.

p.s. I am battling a yucky cold so excuse the sick face.

Mohair Souffle Cardigan Size M (runs a little large, I ended up sizing down) orig. $59.50, sale online $49.50, sale in store $41.65 with 30% off promo
Blushed Tweed Pencil Skirt: Size 8 (runs large, 6 fit better) orig. 99.50,  online sale $89.50. Was marked originally $89.50 in store
End on End Camp Shirt: Size medium TTS, orig $59.50, online and in store $49.50

This was the first J Crew pencil skirt that I didn't like. It was very thin and stretchy. It bulged where my shirt was tucked in even though the camp shirt is thin. It also flared back out at the bottom (although you can't tell in the picture). I left it behind even though the coloring was so pretty. I sized down to a 6 and the fit was better but still had all the same problems.

I like the mohair sweaters, especially this spicy olive color. It does itch a little (it is mohair after all) and I liked it better when I sized down. The campshirt was cute on and fit TTS

Christen stripe ruffled tuxedo shirt, Size Medium (runs large, size down for sure). Orig. $59.50, sale online $49.50, sale in store special $19.99

Tie-Front cardigan Size small. Runs large, I sized down and it was still loose. Original $59.50, sale online $49.50

Stripe Racerback Tank Dress, Size M (my TS) runs TTS if not a little big. Orig $39.50, Sale online $27.50, sale in store $19.99 plus extra 30% on clearance items=$13.98

excuse the pairing, I forgot to try it on and threw it on over my clothes at the end. I grabbed it for a swim coverup but I may find a few ways to wear it normally as well.

Wool Herringbone Professor Blazer-Size 6, TTS to a teeny bit big. Orig. $178, sale online $124.50, sale in store (40% off promo) $106.80

Loved the fit but it was itchy. For the weather out here, I didn't see myself wearing a lot of longsleeves with it so I traded it for another jacket in the end.

Retro Stripe Mohair Cardigan- I sized down to a small on this one and loved it. Orig. $69.50, Online sale $59.50, in store sale $48.65 with 30% off promo

 A little itchy but great for the winter!

I grabbed a few more things that I didn't have in the dressing room.

I picked up a San Remo Cardigan in heather dusk. Orig. 69.50, sale online 52.50, in store $48.65. It is so similar I will have to hold it up to my original to see what the difference is.



Velvet Eden Blazer. I sized down to a 4 in this one. Orig. $118, sale online $82.50, in store promo $59.99.

I had tried this on in the retail store and passed. The factory version is much softer, thinner and has less structure. For me this made the fit sooooo much better. I did size down, the 6 looked good but I preferred the 4.

Lastly, it isn't online but they still had the vintage cord pencil skirts in. I grabbed the plum and it was marked down to $39.97 plus a 30% off clearance promo so it totalled $27.98 whoo hoo!!!

Crewlet online??

I had heard some rumblings that the Crewlet was going online and sure enough here is what I woke up to:

I am still trying to figure out how I feel about this. I like that it is open just on weekends but I wonder if it will start to effect the prices (not that they are much lower) since now they have website and photography costs.

GOOD news is, I am headed there tomorrow to pick up a few things I had called to have them hold. Seems a little silly now since I can just buy it online and save myself the trip but that means some dressing room pics for you guys. A few suprises this morning on the factory site were the San Remo and the Lombardi cardigans. I just wore my San Remo cardigan last night and decided I wanted one in gray and sure enough...there it was.

Speaking of which, here is a terrible OOTD picture. The angle plus the flash with a white undershirt gave me a buddah belly effect.....no thank you but I love the sequin bib tank so I wanted to share...hopefully it won't scare any of ya away!

Same Pose, Different OOTD's

I am going to have to find a different place to put my hands during picture taking after seeing these photos all together! Last night was Jonas' open house at the highschool...6 classrooms, 10 minutes per room, 5 minutes between. It felt like we were cattle. I actually laughed outloud once at the hoards of us parents running around campus. But, it was great to meet all of Jonas' teachers and this is what I wore:

Pilar paisley Cami-J Crew

Stretch Vintage Cord Pencil Skirt-J Crew Factory Store

Navy Jackie Cardigan-J Crew

Bandolino Pumps

And here is a shot taken by my six year old the other day in attempt to get an OOTD picture. Not a big success but it was sweet of him to try!

stained glass cardigan-J Crew

Coralie Cami in faded black-J Crew

boyfriend jeans-LOFT

And here is an OOTD picture that I never posted way back when. In fact, I didn't end up even wearing the outfit that day but I thought I'd post it anyways?

Jackie Cardigan in Spicy Olive-J Crew

Ink Floral Shift Dress-LOFT (on sale)

double wrap studded belt-LOFT

lean boyfriend jeans-LOFT

Vera Sandals-Banana Republic

I have avoided the online 20% off promo at J Crew (so far). In store it was going on last week and I picked up a Jackie in Marigold along with this pilar paisley cami from the first picture. I have made two great scores on eBay that I will share soon so I have no budget left for the sweater sale and there is nothing I have to have (although there are still plenty of really wants). have you bought anything at J Crew during the promo?

LOFT Spotted Cheetah Pencil Skirt for Kiki

Off to Work by modestlyme featuring a pencil skirt

Spotted One by modestlyme featuring j crew jewelry

Spotted Two by modestlyme featuring j crew tops

Spotted some more by modestlyme featuring a pencil skirt

Simply Spotted by modestlyme featuring cardigan tops

Spotted at last by modestlyme featuring a merino wool cardigan

LOFT Style Studio AND a Banana Republic Fall Sale is coming!!

I hope all your weekends are going/went well! Did anyone make it in to the LOFT Style Studio event Saturday? Boy my footsies were mad at me. At the last minute I grabbed a pair of black lace peeptoes that I have worn just a few times in the 6 years I have had them. I know better then that and my feet sorely paid the price!! They did not pass the "five hours on your feet on hardwood floors" test (not many shoes do). Oh and on a side note, one of the gals was wearing the Peter Over the Knee Riding Boots which disappeared from online this morning. They were adorable but I still have to see in person if I can pull off the over the knee trend.

The event was a lot of fun but it was missing cookies and chocolate covered sunflowers this time (hello, LOFT where were the treats? Happy kids equal easier shopping for moms) and now today marks the first day that you can use your style reward cards....gotta love LOFT cash! It's hard to tell in this picture but the pants I am wearing are the olive everyday cropped pants that are sold out online but are in most stores in the sale section. I love these pants, they are so comfortable.

lace tee-LOFT

everyday cropped pants-LOFT

double woven bow cardigan-LOFT

nuetral stone illusion necklace-LOFT

lace shoes-Liz Claiborne Flex

This postcard came in yesterday's mail. It looks like Banana Republic is about to have their Fall 40% off sale. For cardholders, it starts on Sept. 17th and 18th and for everyone else it is on the 19th. It will be in stores and online on the rgular priced merchandise!

LOFT Style Studio Event Tomorrow

Are you ready for it? 30% off, free styling AND it should be the last day to earn style savings cards ($25 for every $50 spent on regular priced merchandise....promo items count towards this)

Here are a few of my FAVORITE picks:

Metallic Jaquard Tie-Front Cami: I went with a medium on this one (TS) instead of sizing down. The smaller size was a little tight from pit to pit and the fabric flows well enough not to drown you!

Ruffles and Rosettes Tee: I haven't tried this on but I have seen on my clients and my boss and it is so cute on. It has a very mellow bubble hem....nothing that adds volume like some others have. Seems to fit TTS

Embellished Ribbon Tee: So much cuter IRL, runs TTS

Lace Stripe Tee: This tee is adorable on and really flattering even with the horizontal stripes! I will be wearing mine tomorrow to the event. Runs TTS

V Neck Top with Front Draping: a great layering piece and comes in a lot of great colors. Runs a little large.

Sequin Bib Tee: Runs TTS if not a tad big. The colors are great with the gold sequins!

Watercolor Graphic Tee: FINALLY, a great graphic tee....been a while LOFT. This runs TTS and I love it with the vintage yellow v neck cardigan

CARDIGANS, we haven't seemed to have really gotten any new ones in so you can check out this post for my personal recommendations

Sleeveless Tie-Waist Dress- such a great layering piece. Great with leggings, a cardigan and a pair of boots. Seems to run TTS

I would honestly list quite a few more but there are a few of my favorites that aren't up on the website. Like some great cropped cargo pants and a double wrap distressed leather belt that I LOVE. Also, there are some newer items that we haven't recieed in our store yet that are showing online. If they are in today I will try to do a late night post on those ;o)

J Crew Final Sale

I will try to update this tomorrow with some IRL photos but here are my recent J Crew Final Sale purchases. The prices are before the 30% off Promo (use code MUSTHAVE) that goes through tomorrow:

Lace Panel Camisole $168 $39.99

I loved this collection piece when I first saw it styled in the catalog but $168 for a cami that looks like lingerie....umm that was not going to happen. Once it made it to a final cut of $39.99 plus the extra percentage promo I knew I could take the chance. I love this cami, it is very luxurious and well worth the sale price. I wasn't sure about the color but it is really nice IRL and the lace really pops and adds a lot of texture. My only complaint is the straps are sewn just across the seam and the extra dangles inside. Not really a big deal but it may have been if I had paid full price for it. The fit was TTS for J Crew Cami's.

Pilar Paisley Cami $89.50 $29.99

I picked this up in my regular cami size (6) and it fits great except the button at the "v" really pulls. It fits perfect everywhere else and I don't have much of a chest. If you do, you will probably want to size up. Notice the models is unbuttoned one lower then normal. I debated over this cami because I have issues with ruffles around the collar on me but the fact you can tuck the ruffles in sold me.

Stretch Double-Serge Pencil Skirt-Abyss Blue $98 $69.99

I LOVE this color. It is even prettier IRL and it seems a little darker. Like the other double serge pencil skirts, it is really flattering and fits TTS.

Coralie Cami $88 $39.99

I already have this cami in the butternut but I must say that I love the faded black even more. It is a really soft color.... closer to charcoal then black. This works for me since I very rarely wear black. The Coralie fits TTS

Eyelet Bow Blouse $78 $19.99

First impression when I tried it on....yuck. So I tried everything else on and then put it back on.... meh. So I tied the bow better and then quickly warmed up to it. So much in fact that I decided to wear it the rest of the day. It is very light and airy and it is something that was missing from my wardrobe. A casual blouse with short sleeves. I found it runs TTS if not a little big.

Soiree Satin  Blazer $148 $39.99

This was a pop back that I just couldn't resist. The color and material is so gorgeous. An added suprise is the papaya piping in the lining and the satin papaya cuffs. I bought this in a 6 but it seems to run pretty small. It is really tight in the shoulders but not anywhere else. Not sure if I am going to love this one yet....verdict is still out.

I have a few more Final Sale items on the way that I have seen IRL and loved...the sequin-strip tank in vintage fatigue, the sparkle waves henley in blush stone, and the Petal Stream Tank in English Saddle.

Hello, hello

Hope everyone had a wonderful (and well-deserved) three day weekend. I am not quite ready to admit that we are back in the work week even though it is almost over. I have some J Crew items arriving today so I will do a quick review on those later. I have to figure out a new strategy for my daily photos. With my regular "photographer" being gone from 5:40 am to 5:15pm it gets tricky. Maybe it is time to figure out how to use the self timer.

Her is an outfit I wore the other night to work. It was a little better IRL IMO (enough acronyms for you?).

 

Palmera Tank-J Crew

Cardigan-LOFT

lean boyfriend jeans-LOFT

Juliette Pumps-J Crew

No, that is not the double woven cardigan again....you are imagining things (wink). I love the new metallic jaquard tie front cami it is so cute and easy to wear. This Saturday, LOFT is having one of it's Style It events which are always a blast! It usually involves snacks and treats and a good deal........what more can a girl ask for espesially if shopping with kids?

Metallic Jaquard Tie-Front Cami-LOFT

Woven Bow Cardigan-LOFT

Modern Slim Jeans-LOFT

Shoes-Bandolino

p.s. I will also try to get my new LOFT picks together for you before the styling event.........

Neapolitan and Pumpkin?

See, I did wear the double-layer woven bow cardigan two days in a row. I hadn't intended to but at the last minute I switched it out from a purple one and it gave a totally different feel for the neapolitan pencil skirt so I went with it.  Sorry I was a little messy by the time I was able to get to an OOTD picture but that is how it goes now-a-days :o)

Cardigan-LOFT

Victoria Ruffle Tissue Cami-J Crew

Neapolitan Pencil Skirt-J Crew

Belt-Banana Republic

Shoes-Mootsies Tootsies

And here is a little snippet of what goes on in my house in the mornings:

Me: Hey Christopher. How are you?

Christopher: I'm three.

Cooper: I three too

Christopher: No, I'm three!

Cooper: No, I three!

Christopher: No, Cooper. I'm three.

(screaming, pushing, and grabbing ensue)

Here is to the Labor Day weekend!

Same Outfits and PROMOS, oh my!

LOFT has really stepped up there cardigans and colors lately. This is my new favorite, the Double-Layer Woven Bow Cardigan in Amber, although I prefer to call it pumpkin spice. The color is very similar to the J Crew's Sepia but it is a little lighter and softer. I am wearing it today again (shhh...don't tell) with the Neapolitan Pencil Skirt and it matches perfectly. I have been a little "over" embellished cardi's lately but this one has the right balance.

Cardigan-LOFT

Crinkle Shell-J Crew

Boyfriend Jeans-LOFT

shoes-Rocket Dog

I have been doing too much shopping lately but have you seen the great PROMOS? LOFT is doing an extra 40% off promo for sale items and J Crew is offering free shipping on purchases over $100. With all the extra sale cuts and new items I broker down and placed an order. $100 is so much better for me then the $150 shipping promos! Now I can't get the Tweed Jacket I had on hold but I scored four nice items (not just tanks and tees) from J Crew for a little over $100 before tax and I didn't have to pay shipping so I will get over it!

And here is a really blurry picture of the outfit I wore to work the other night. As you can see I broke down and got the spotted multi tier shell . I love the print and fit but I just wish the fabric was better. I can't see this lasting for years of regular wear. I wish I had captured it better because I ended up selling a few of the same combination to clients because they liked it so much.  I also had on cognac heels to match the belt but after closing I switched to ballet flats for comfort.

Long V Neck Cardigan in Vintage Yellow-LOFT

spotted multi tier shell -LOFT

Boyfriend Jeans-LOFT

Wide Braided Belt-LOFT

Necklace-J Crew