Coral Red Obsession: Boden Macrame Top

There are some colors that we simply cannot resist. For me, it is coral red.  Now, blue is my favorite color, I love certain shades of (blue based) green and I own plenty of neutrals.  But coral red is the color that can make me forgive other imperfections or justify a splurge, especially when it comes to a top or a dress.  How about you, do you have a weakness for certain shades?

I ordered this Macrame linen top from Boden quite a while ago.  However, my initial order never arrived, so I have to call customer service to get a replacement. I finally received my order and I love this top.

 

I don't buy much from Boden these days but what originally attracted me to them was exactly this style items, fun, easy to wear, casual and feminine without being too sweet.  When I saw this top I immediately wanted to wear it with denim,  I thought it would make a perfect outfit when you want to look casual but still pretty. 

Sorry about the hair, I was on my way to the hair salon, lol

The color did not disappoint me, the print is lovely and the neckline flattering.  It is linen, so it is quite breezy, despite longer sleeve length and it feels very comfortable.

It is just long enough to fall to the hip on me.  I love this length, enough to give me some coverage but short enough not too look like a tunic.

Overall, I think it is a great top.  I would recommend it if you like this style and it is now now sale and still available in many sizes.

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Do you have a color that would make you buy something for the sake of it?

Have you bought anything from Boden's sale?

Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!

Mai Tai

Sorry for not posting or commenting too often on other blogs but I have been very busy my focus has not been on fashion.  I have been attending all the school year end activities and looking for a new job.  I have tried to follow up on what everybody has been up to but there is only a limited number of hours in the day...  

I was again underwhelmed with J.Crew newest offerings, most of the newest rollout is something I already have.  I think I am really off the crewlade because I ceased to see the difference between them and the other retailers.  It used to be that I would complain but for a long time I was convinced that their offerings are unique and somehow better.  Well, not any more.  Part of the reason for it is being away from the shopping frenzy,  part is the disappointment in quality but I think big part is also their recent styling, that somehow manages to be predictable and random at the some time.

Mai Tai coctail (source)

 
Mai Tai print did not get a lot of love or attention in the blogosphere but I was curious about it.  I often tend to fall for floral prints if they have a lot of blue in it. I decided to order a silk tee and a pencil skirt. There is also a dress but it reads juvenile to me with the pleats, high neckline and high waist.  My 10yo judged the shape as too young (for her!) and the print as too old (but I could wear it since I am old).  I also knew the capris would be too much for me. But I thought both the tee and the skirt could be doable, although I wished the skirt would be a-line knee length.  Don't know why because a-line almost never works for me but somehow I think it would be better.

 

Collection Mai Tai floral skirt

The skirt is currently showing as sold out but I would think it will pop back soon. 

I ordered size 4 which is my regular pencil skirt size.  The skirt fits me well but I have lost some weight recently so I would think that it runs slightly smaller in the waist and slightly bigger in the hips.  When I measured it comparing to my other size 4 pencils it seems to be about inch difference in both measurements.  The skirt is 67% silk and 33% cotton (with poly lining) so there is no give. It will also tend to wrinkle a little bit but it is not noticable because of the print.  The fabric feels a little stiff, i think it is the silk content.  
 

I like the piping on the sides, it adds some interest. the back is very slightly longer than the front and instead of the back vent this skirt has small slits on the sides.  The lining ends at the beginning of the slit.

The print is pretty but not as bright and saturated as I hoped.  it somehow looks 'older' irl than in the pictures.

I don't think I love the skirt enough to keep it. What do you think?

Silk Tee in Mai Tai floral

When I placed my order I actually had more hopes for the t-shirt. It is cheaper and I thought it will be easier to wear. I thought it is one of the items that you can easily dress up and down and will provide nice splash of color when worn with solids. 

This tee is cut like other 'silk pocket tees' J.Crew released in the last two years. It is boxy and short with a high neckline.  I know many of you don't like the shape, I personally don't mind it, although it is not the most flattering one. I guess the idea is that it is dressy fabric combined with casual shape.  I still think it would be better if it was slightly longer, slightly nipped in the waist and have a slightly lower neckline. Well, of course that would be probably more expensive to produce.  But here is an idea.  How about losing the pocket to save some pennies? I totally don't see the point of the pocket, it is not functional (what would you put there?) and it is hardly visible.   

 

I ordered the tee in my regular size 6 and I think it fits TTS, a bit loose and short, as intended.  If you are small chested I think you can size down. 

Again, I like it but I am not sure if I want to keep it. I think I may just wait for the price drop on this one.  

 

Since I ordered both pieces, I wanted to try the 'hook-up' look. The colors are the same so the pieces match but it is definitely a bold statement. At the same time it needs some toughening up to avoid and 'old lady' vibe. I tried it with black accessories and I think it looks ok, but I am not sure if I would venture out like this (and where??). 

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That's all folks!

What do you think of Mai Tai pieces?

Should I keep any of them?

Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!

Blue and Green

I am definitely on the monochromatic kick in the last couple of weeks. I have always liked the ease and simplicity of it. Single color just pulls everything together while tonal variations and bits of pattern or texture keep it from being boring. In the beginning of the the last week I wore the peach/orange outfit and the black with cobblestone outfit which were both tonal. I plan on wearing the blush outfit no5 from my Valentine's Day post and I have few other monochromatic combinations in mind for the next week.

Brora sweater, bag Banana Republic, glasses Ray Ban, rest J.Crew



I always say that I am more of a blue than a green person but there are certain shades of green that I really like. I think it has to be a blue toned green, yellow toned greens make me look sick and suck all the light out of my complexion.

The skirt has some silver threads in the tweed and I liked how the necklace picked it up but I could not capture it well in the pictures because of the blazing sunshine. The skirt is J.Crew from couple of season's ago and the turtleneck is from Brora.

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jeans by Anthro, Coach purse, L&T cashmere vest, rest J.Crew

Again, this was a very sunny day and everything was coming out very washed out, he colors are much more vibrant irl.

I don't think I have worn a sweater vest over a button front shirt since my twenties but for some reason it felt right this time. I think it is because of the tonal aspect. The shell elongates the line of trousers and creates a leaner look, while the pattern of the shirts breaks up the monotony of blue.

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That's all folks!

Blue or green for you?

Are you drawn to monochromatic outfits like me?

Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!

Nordic Blue

What is your favorite winter coat? Do you own many, or do you wear just one or two all winter long? 

I am somewhere in between and although I don;t have a collection I do like to alternate between 3 or 4 coats. Last year the winter was very mild and I wore my Majesty peacoat (seen HERE) the most. On colder days I would swap it for Boulevard trench coat  (seen HERE). When the temperture dropped even further I would wear my Wintress puffer, which I think never happenned last year. All these coats are in basic colors, navy, beige and charcoal. I wear quite a lot of black in general but I don't like black coats, or maybe I just did not find one that does not attract lint like crazy and does not seem so funeral appropriate.   

The Elements coat that I bought last year was not something I really needed but I thought it would be fun to have something more colorful and more casual. This coat fulfilled that need perfectly and I have worn it a lot. It looks great with pants but not so bad with a pencil skirt either. I really like the Nordic Blue color and even the hood does not look too bad and stays on your head when you put it up.

This coat is  similar to this year's stadium cloth duffle coat (currently on sale). I like last year's version better because it has buttons and loops in addition to the zipper. To me, it makes a big difference because I hate fussing with zippers and find the buttons easier. I suppose it should be the opposite but that's the way I roll.

I have mentioned before that blue with yellow always manages to cheer me up. Underneath I was wering a gray perfect fit v-neck and  therefore could sport another favorite of mine, ochre with yellow.

This coat is made of stadium cloth fabric, which is the warmest from J.Crew coat fabric and the only one I buy. Due to the dense weave it is surprisingly warm and soft without being bulky and heavy.  Most of the time the double cloth fabric feels very artificial to me, even if wool content is similar and the cashmere blends seem too thin and fuzzy so I stick to stadium cloth. Although I have to say that I liked the double cloth fabric on the slim trench, especially in pink.

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That's all folks!

Did you buy the coat this year or are you waiting for a deeper markdowns after the Holidays?

What is your favorite J.Crew coat or do you stick to different brands?

Please share, It would be no fum without you!!!