Saturday, April 21, 2012

Girls just want to have fun but what's the matter with the clothes I'm wearing?

I had a very busy week and now I have even busier weekend, so I only have time for a quick post today.

My 9yo is performing in the school musical today. The theme is the popular hits from 1950s to 2000s with each grade doing couple of songs from their decade. Kindergardeners are doing 50's, first graders are doing 60's, and since my daughter is in third grade, they are doing the 80s.

Here are their songs (you may have guessed two of them by now):

 "What's the matter with the clothes I'm wearing" by Billy Joel (boys and girls)
 "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper (girls)
"Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi's " (boys).

I really like the theme of the musical and there are a lot of good songs, so I think it is going to be fun!

In addition to doing the songs, the kids are wearing fashions from their decades.  We had a lot of fun going to the vintage clothes store and picking up the authentic outfit from the 80s. It was fun for me, because I was in High School in the 80's and could have actually worn identical outfit myself.
 
80's Girl!
 We got the whole outfit including leather boots (how awesome are those?), studded belt and necklace for $20. We will also do big hair and blue eye make up to complete the look!

I always thought 80's were awful fashion wise (and music wise), but through this project I could now see some funk in it. My daughter and her friends think 80's are cool. I may even dare to look at some of my pictures now. I did it all, complete with big, colorful, drop shoulder cutoff sweatshirt, plastic clip on earrings and all. My favorite colors were hot pink and turquoise.I was lucky to be in HS in the 80's, also because I had naturally huge hair!

***

What did you wear in High School?

Did you like the 80's hits?

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



Friday, April 20, 2012

J.Crew New Arrivals Fitting Room Reviews (Part II)

This is a continuation of my J.Crew New Arrivals Fitting Room Reviews.




 
No. 2 pencil skirt in seersucker



Size 4
The skirt fits TTS, I took my regular pencil skirt size 4 and the fir was perfect. I loved the pockets and the skirt felt very comfortable. The zipper in the back is hidden. If you scroll down you can see this skirt tried on with few other items which should give you a good idea how it will look.



Ring-around eyelet top

The blue grotto color of this top immediately caught my attention, it is so pretty. I tried on size Medium which is bigger of my two t-shirt sizes but I think it would have looked better in Small.The fit is rather boxy and not very flattering (at least in Medium) but the eyelet texture adds interest , I think this top would look great with a pair of white capris.


Top size Medium



Navy Paisley shorts
Shorts size 6
The navy paisley shorts are not yet available on the website but thought they were very nice. I absolutely do not heed another pair of shorts but if are in the market for longer shorts these may be just the thing for you, The paisley print seems similar to last year orange paisley skirt only in navy. Not sure how long those shorts are but I would say maybe 7 inches. I might be wrong of course, I would swear the Porcelain Paisley skirt was at least 24" but kikky cee says it is only 21-22 inches :(



I took size 6 in shorts to try on and it was a good looser fit, I did not want them too tight.

$69.50 98% cotton, 2% spandex.

Whisper Gauze Peasant Blouse
Size M and huge
They did not had size Small so I took the Medium but it was huge. I should have tried XSmall. But truly, I should not even show you those pictures, I think this is the worst fitting top I tried in along time. I actually thought it was cute on a hanger, but after trying it on I wouldn't wear it if they paid me for it.

It. Is.Just. Hideous.

$69.59, 100% cotton

Another unidentified top with lace/embroidery detail.



Now, this top I really liked. I thought the fit was great and I liked the neckline. It was not too low. It came in other colors, I remember the lighter blue and white I think. I thought the orange one looked great with the shorts.



Top size Small

$52, 60% Cotton, 40% poly. Lace 100% cotton, lining 100% silk
Funny, I don't remember it being lined, maybe it was only the front? I remember that I thought it felt good against the skin.


Vintage cotton V-neck tee in bold stripe

This was another of my 9yo picks, and again I was surprised that I liked it a lot. Like Gigi said, I have to pay attention to the youth. I was afraid it would be too neon but it wasn't super bright, just flattering.

T-shirt size Medium
I took a Medium so I would say it fits TTS to small.  It is rather thin and see through but still , I liked it.



$34.50, 100% cotton. Nice but overpriced.


Lemlem scarf that I don;t see on the website


Add caption $125
This scarf has pretty color but it was too bulky, especially for summer. It was just way too much fabric  and it felt a bit rough against the skin. Definitely not my thing and for this price I much rather get a DVF scarf (with 25% off that you can probably score somewhere, sooner or later).

I liked the seersucker skirt and the lace orange top the best. I wonder if the same top in blue would go with my Raj Paisley skirt...

I have ordered the Altuzarra for J.Crew Patricia dress and Featherweight cotton cardigan in colorblock ( in yellow and pink) to try on and review.

I also ordered some items from Madewell and I have visited Banana Republic, where I bought couple of items with my 40% coupon (thank you Gigi!) and I have to say their new arrivals were very interesting.

***

That's all folks!

Do you see anything you like?
Please share, it would be no fun without you !!!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

J.Crew New Arrivals Fitting Room Reviews (Part I)

Yesterday, I posted a preview post with pictures from the May rollout. I have called my PS, to find out more about prices and dates, but so far I have no other info. She is going to check it out but for now they were only sample items not available for trying on or sale and the prices/dates are unknown.   At least I confirmed that the pencil skirt in the first picture is in fact a pencil skirt, not a dress folded down, like some of you were concerned.

I realize this is a bit anticlimactic after yesterday's pictures and wish I could have tried on all of the items pictured yesterday. As soon as I have an update, I will let you know about the prices, and if I have ability to try them, I certainly will.


Here are the items I was able to try on:

Silk bow cami in stripe

Silk bow cami in stripe


This blouse also comes in floral (same as pencil skirt you can see below) and purple. I tried my regular size 6 and the fit is good but you need a strapless bra.  I think a racerback is questionable because the strip of fabric around the neck is very narrow, but I did not have one on to try it. That is a deal breaker for me but if don't mind the strapless bra it is a pretty top. Will also look great with a cardigan or blazer.


Also comes in floral and solid

Untied it works too, I think


$98, 100% silk

Café capri in geranium lace

There is quite a few new versions of cafe capri: leopard, anchor aweight, seersucker, orange red silk with purple diamonds and this one in lace.

Capris size 4, TTS
The fit is TTS, Like other cafe capris. I am wearing size 4 in the pictures and it was a good fit. I woudl not have picked them for the fitting room but my daughter who was with me insisted that I tried them on and I was pleasantly surprised taht I quite liked them. They were also rather comfortable but I would be afraid they are easy to snag.  That said they seemed pretty sturdy, just my general idea about lace pants.

Lace detail

$148, 80& cotton, 20% poly, lining 100% cotton.

Lace Top in Jade Green

This is a nice top with textural interest. The color is TDF.  I was happy to see something else than the flag colors.  This would probably match the Casbah print factory skirt.




Size M fits well so TTS to small


$69.50, 100% cotton

Striped mint green t-shirt. 

Again, another item picked by my 9 year old and rather nice and flattering. I shoudl probably pay more attention to her advice. The scoop is pretty low but not indecent. It felt very soft and draped well.

Size Small, TTS

$39.50, 88% rayon, 12% polyester

Linen mint cable sweater

Pretty color but fits big and rather shapeless. I didn't plan it this way but it actually makes a nice outfit with the striped tee and the capris.

Size Small



Thin and very see through


$79.50, 100% linen

***

Links to other items from this rollout I reviewed:

printed Summer scarf


Scarf Review

No. 2 pencil skirt in garden floral



Review
Schoolboy blazer in linen
Review
Maritime anchor dress
Review

Lucille dress in scalloped eyelet


Other items I like from this rollout:
Featherweight cotton cardigan in colorblock
 Stripe Kari maxidress
Colorblock silk V-back dress
Altuzarra for J.Crew Patricia dress
Margate purse
***

Since the Altuzarra dress and Colorblock Cardigan seem to be getting some love, I have asked for measurements:

The Altuzarra for J.Crew Patricia Dress in size small:

a front bodice length of 37",
a shoulder width of 14.25",
a chest circumference of 36",
a waist circumference of 35",
and a hip circumference of 40".

The size Medium has
a front bodice length of 37.875",
a shoulder width of 14.75",
a chest circumference of 38",
a waist circumference of 37",
and a hip circumference of 42".

The Featherweight Cotton Cardigan in Colorblock in size small:
a center front length of 22.75",
a shoulder width of 13",
and a chest circumference of 33".

The size Medium has
a center front length of 23.25",
a shoulder width of 13.5",
and a chest circumference of 35".

Hope this helps!

***

That's all folks!

Do you see anything you like in this morning's rollout?

Do you like any of the items I reviewed?
Please share, it woudl be no fun without you !!!

I wil have more reviews tomorrow including the seersucker pencil skirt, so please stop by.