Happy Fourth (plus review of Boden's T-Bar Demi Wedges)!!!

Just a very quick post today to wish everybody who is celebrating Happy Fourth of July!!!

I've always liked the Independence Day, such a fun holiday. We have parade and fireworks in the evening here and will have some BBQ on the deck in the afternoon, all fun and games and usual Fourth of July fare, I never get tired of it.

Of course I had to wear red, white and blue! And pewter.

My sandals are from Boden. I ordered them after I did not like J.Crew Allies (see my review here).  These are perfect.  I sized down one size after reading reviews and it was a good call. They are all leather, including the lining, like all Boden shoes.  Pewter is somewhere between gold and silver (but closer to silver) which makes them very versatile. I like the wedge and they are very comfortable. Price was reasonable too, about $73 with the discount.
 

I am off now to put something on the grill, have fun everybody!!!

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Are you celebrating today?

Scarlet Theory

They say everybody can wear red, it is just a matter of finding the right shade, do you agree? I, for one, find red beautiful but difficult to wear as solid, close to my face. I never used to wear it because I had acne as a teenager and young adult and red tends to emphasize any pimples and blotches you may have.

I also don't look good in deep blue tone reds, they make me look pale and washed out. Orange tones are also a no-no. I like pink soft reds the best but I find that the medium bright red also works.

This cashmere v-neck is from Brora and the color was call scarlet. It is a pure medium red and I love it. 

Another difficulty with red is styling it. Of course it goes perfectly with black and white and leopard but it is so predictable. I like it best with gray and khaki/tan. You can also try pairing it with pink or red print, but you have to be bold to wear it. Red prints, on the other hand, are easy to wear and  they look great with denim. With solid red, I usually only do one piece. Here, I am also wearing the red Tillary purse, but I actually swapped it for black messenger bag for the office. Mostly, because it is just too small, but also to tone it down even more.

I liked the pairing of red with black and tan and I did not feel too conspicuous in it.  The blazer makes it business-like and I think the tights and flats offset the shorter length of the skirt.

My blazer is at least 8 years old and it is from Theory. They currently have Gabe B blazer that looks very similar. I love the cut of those blazers and they are totally worth the money. They run small, I usually wear a 6 in J.Crew blazers but I need 8 in Theory.

The Nico Black Blossom skirt was originally even shorter, I sized up and have let down the hem about inch and a half. I could wear it lower on hips to make it right above the knee length. In the picture it sits pretty high up but I like the look. The herringbone tights (also J.Crew) are one of my absolute favorites. I also bought them in black/brown, they elevate any skirt outfit. The ballet flats are from Tahari and the purse is from J.Crew.

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That's all folks!

Do you wear red? What do you like to pair it with?

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

Catalog inspired and other OTTD

I recently ordered superfine cotton suiting in beechwood because it was such a great deal on sale, but in the end, I decided I will only keep the skirt. I love the way they styled it in the June catalog with the white Jackie pullover and I tried to replicate it here with white boatneck t-shirt. Super simple but very much my style.   

Skirt Size 6

Shoes from Ellen Tracy (old)

I ordered the skirt in 6, which is one size up from my regular size, because I wanted it to sit a little lower on my waist. I like the way it fits and it is also more comfortable in the summer heat, being a little looser. It also gains some length because it sits lower. I cannot always do it, because sometimes the skirts are already too big in the hips, but most J.Crew pencil skirts are cut rather narrow, making sizing up possible.

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Cotton slub skirt from 2011

My second OOTD was also inspired by an old catalog picture featuring white Frances (sp?) wool skirt with dark charcoal sweater. I love the white skirt/dark top combination and this is my summer version of that outfit. This slub cotton pencil skirt is one of my favorites in the summer.

Skirt size 4

Everything is from J.Crew here, including red patent skinny belt and red roof Valentinas. That was the only day when I did not carry my Tillary purse, because I thought that would be too much red. I wore black purse instead.

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Talbots dress

I bought this dress last summer from Talbots on one of their super sales, I think it came down to about $30.
I don't usually find much at Talbots, but some of my purchases from there are my favorite pieces. That includes my yellow stingray slingbacks, my black sequin shift dress, my leather pencil skirt, my black boatneck LBD and now this dress.

It is a super easy knit dress for summer. It drapes well, the waist is in the right place, the length is good and the colors are flattering.  I have double wrapped the belt, but you can also wear it in a bow. It looks good in the back or you can swap it for other belt. I like how the stripes are horizontal in the skirt portion but diagonal in the bodice. I bought size M, because S was not available but I like the loose fit.

My sweater is the J.Crew cashmere double breasted pointelle cardigan in muslin (size Medium). I love this sweater and wear it a lot, I also have it in honey glaze.

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This is what I wore the day I was working from home: J.Crew vintage v-neck tee and Janesville linen white pants. I use J.Crew gold flip flops as slippers from spring to fall.

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This is my casual Friday outfit, including Banana Republic seersucker Martin fit pants and Boden bow espadrilles. The applique tee in shadow is from J.Crew. 

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That's all folks!

What are your weekend plans? Mine include volunteering in a soup kitchen on Saturday and celebrating 'Name Day' for hubs.

Plus the European Soccer Cup is starting today with Poland playing Greece in the opening game! 

Did I tell you I am a big soccer fan? Do you ever watch soccer?

And do tell me which is your favorite OOTD!

Pop of Red

How cute are they?

Yes, I did it! I tried on the Apple Shorts. You have seen them in the window display picture HERE (forth down, styled with the sequin top). From the comments on JCA, it seems like many people were interested in them, so I thought I would brave baring my legs for you.

Shorts in size 6

They have the usual fit for J.Crew shorts, sort of.  I mean, my weight have not been fluctuating much in the last 10 years, but more than 3 years ago I was usually a 6,  two years ago I was always a 4, last year it was mixed 4/6, so maybe this year we are back to 6.  I noticed that with many items, I seemed to go up a size. Is that cutting down on vanity sizes (pun intended)? Or did I just gain weight? But my old clothes still fit me, so I tend to think it is the former. Have you noticed that? Or maybe I started to prefer a looser fit?

Now, I do wear shorts for casual wear in the summer but I think this print would be a little 'too cute' for me.

$54. 100% cotton.

But still, I am tempted. On sale, of course.

'Are you going on vacation?' the SA asked me when I picked up the shorts.
'No' I answered 'I am just ahead of the season'.
'You are smart' she tried to fool me. 'They will sell out by the time you need them.'
 'Or a sucker' I replied  'because they will most likely be on sale by then'.
She ignored me after that.

I didn't want to say 'I am just trying them for my blog'. She might get intimidated.

Just kidding. She would just think I am nuts. And maybe I am (that's the scary part).

Sydney patent sandals in Poppy

I just grabbed these Sydney patent sandals to have something to try the shorts with. They fitted me in size 8, which is smaller of my J.Crew sizes, but they were a little narrow. Quite comfortable. Stable heel. Pretty color, although more orange than it looks on the website. I don't think they are worth $228. Wait, I just ready the copy. Man made footbed and sole? Not even $128, if you ask me. How about $82?

Next, we have another iteration of Talitha blouse, in the same print as the pencil skirt seen HERE. This seems to indicate that there may be other items in this print as well.

I still don't like how it fits on me

This is a size 4, so I'd say size down.

Now, I wanted to show you something cool about the Tillary purse

The strap is attached inside with snaps.

So you can take it off

And you have a clutch - ingenious!

I would totally get this little purse, if I didn't already have one that fulfills the function, see HERE with the polka dot outfit.

I also tried on the Spindrift sweatshirt and new capri pants as seen in the last window display picture HERE, next to the maxi dress.  Again, this looks like a repeated print. The maxi dress dress was nowhere to be seen.

Spindrift sweatshirt

The sweatshirt is a size Small and I liked it. I mean, it is pretty basic sweatshirt but for what it is, it fulfills the function. I would buy it (with some kind of promo) and I could live in those things at home and on weekends. Very useful. Also see it on Gigi HERE.

Foulard print cotton cafe capri - $118

The Foulard print cafe capri pants were a surprising love for me. Surprising, because I usually don't like capris. I find them unflattering on me. But the thing that draws me to them is the patterned trousers trend. I find most of the floral/paisley incarnations too loud and sometimes hideous but I could do this. O yes, baby, I could. Only problem, they were $118, kind of pricey for trendy pants, if you ask me.

You can see the pants on beautiful Ema from 'My closet, my baby and I', HERE. They look great on her!

Close up of foulard pattern

That's all folks.

I have more for tomorrow: Fabiola Dress, some other unidentified (yet) dress, cotton striped v-neck sweater, and more. Stay tuned!


Are you tempted by any of those items?