It's been a long time since I've bought new jeans, but when I tried these on, it was an immediate yes. Jcrew's matchstick jeans are soft, comfy and best of all, was found in the sale section with an additional 30% off.
(Although they look a little worse for wear in the pictures as it was the end of a long day of sitting, being glued to my computer at work)

 

And it is somewhat of a comfort to know that I am not completely off the targeted body type that J. Crew is catering for, because I've tried the Cafe apris and the toothpick jeans with disastrous outcomes. These are true to size. But seriously, their definition of "short" is still way taller than my short stumpy legs.

Sweater - J. Crew v-neck sweater in neon citrus (found here)

Pants - J. Crew Matchstick jeans (found here)

Shoes - Manolo Blahnik BBs

Weekend Warrior

During the weekends when I am with my daughter, I tend to veer more towards comfort and practicality. Gone are 4" heels and handbags that require more than a careless thought towards its hardiness. 

There is no time nor extra hands available for me to have to worry about staining, marring or damaging any of my more "delicate" handbags, nor would my daughter understand how momma may not be able to run around and chase her (outside in playgrounds and in stores) due to gorgeous but dangerous high heels.

 

So when the weekend is here, I always revert back to a practical sling bag that is roomy enough to dump snacks, sippy bottles, a gazillion of her jewelry and toys that she absolutely MUST have before she leaves the house, but will discard throughout the day. 

And flats. Always. 

Dress - JCrew Maritime dress in Skinny Stripe found here

 (size XS - seems to fit better than the other Maritime dress I have)

Necklace - JCrew outlet

Bag - Marc by Marc Jacobs Lil Mia bag

Shoes - from Target

Fanfare

I LOVE blazers. I think it has to do with growing up in a tropical country where the most one gets to wear is a thin cardigan before others start thinking that one is a loon.

And I love that J.Crew has been doing a lot of Chanel-inspired jackets in tweed. The only annoying thing is that they are not really that cheap (although much MUCH cheaper than Chanel) and they get snapped up really quick when it goes on sale.

I saw this particular jacket in person for the first time when I was in Austin, Texas, visiting my brother. He called it an old lady jacket. Hah. 

I love the detailing on the back

 

I didn't end up buying it that time, even though it was on sale plus an additional 30% off, but a month later, I couldn't stop thinking about it and ended up getting the store to do a charge send. 

Jacket - Jcrew Fanfare in Peacock

Shirt - JCrew outlet

Jeans - Forever21

Flats - JCrew outlet

Clutch - Balenciaga

 

 

Blue and Copper

It is amazing the stuff one finds languishing in the ironing basket...I completely forgotten about this dress. Ironing is not my favorite domestic chore. 

Dress - H&M

Shoes - Manolo Blahnik BB's in Copper

Bag - Louis Vuitton Alma  

BBs

I'm trying to expand my shoe collection. And since I really don't go anywhere but work, it's only natural to build on the basics first that is work appropriate.

Manolo Blahniks have a great range of pointy toed pumps that were apparently quite comfortable. So I finally bit the bullet when Neimans had a special gift card offer with purchase.

In terms of sizing, I am a 38.5 in Louboutins, and in the Manolo BB's, I ordered a size 8 and they fit perfect.

They were comfortable enough to stand during church service holding on to an additional 30+ odd pounds of tired toddler and her blankie.

Above mentioned toddler was less tired after church and wanted to know why I was taking pictures of myself...and she wanted in on the action

Believe or not, she was walking around the room with those on easily enough

Dress - from Ebay

Shoes - Manolo Blahnik BBs in Copper

Swish, swish, swish

I love long, flowy skirts. I like to pretend that I am debutante about to go to her first ball of the season. Until we get to the part where I accidentally step on my skirt and stumble a bit. Then I may not love it quite so much.

 

Shirt - J.Crew outlet

Skirt - Anthropologie Lengthening Rays Skirt

Belt - Ann Taylor

 

Playing Around

Once in a while, I like to play around with my hair. I'll be the first one to admit that I know squat about doing hair and that it generally is too much effort for me in the mornings to do more than just yank a brush through it.

In fact, my daughter is having her first dance showcase in a few months and I am agonizing over the fact that I'm going to have to put her hair in some kind of updo so that her tiara won't fall out. Arrgh!

But thanks to the plethora of Youtube tutorials out there, once in awhile, I get ambitious enough to try. I found a "new" way to curl my hair using Jen's tutorial

 

 Sweater - Forever21

Skirt - J.Crew No.2 Pencil Skirt in Royal Paisley

Necklace - double-strand pearl necklace from Ebay

Shoes - Christian Louboutin Very Prive 

Bag - Chanel Jumbo in Beige Claire

 

Blazers and Jumbos

After almost a whole week of slumping it, I finally picked my act together and got dressed properly.

This reminds me of a question: Do you shop for your real or imaginery life? 

I would like to say that I shop for my intended life. But to look a certain way takes effort, and sometimes, it's more energy than I have (especially when the weather is cold and miserable) 

But when I do take the extra 5 minutes (or 15) to go through the motions, it results in a peppier and generally more productive self. Plus, the compliments don't hurt either ;)

 

Blazer: Gap

Top/tunic: bought from Australia

Jeans: Forever21

Shoes: Nine West

Bag: Chanel Jumbo in Beige Clair caviar leather

J.Crew Maritime Dress

That dreaded final sale. No returns, no exchanges, leaving customers to be at the mercy of sheer dumb luck.

I love stripes. No secret about it. And when I saw the Maritime Dress pop up in the sale section of Jcrew.com during their additional 30% off sale items, I clicked around the world-wide web, looking for reviews; placed an order and crossed my fingers.

 The front? Not too bad...It's a loose fit, but that just means I can indulge in a good lunch (which I did before taking these pictures). This is after it was washed, hence the wrinkles - I'm not 100% sure if it shrank at all...perhaps a little?

Now for the sideview ---

 

Yea.....no.

I naturally have a very defined curve on my back, making it tough for me to find fitted dresses that don't leave me with a pouch bulging up around my tailbone area. (either that or my bum is just big...I prefer the first explanation)

Regardless, I can't return it, so I found a way to work it into being wearable

Ta-da! I have a waist!

The beauty of belts =)

 

 

I am wearing an XS. 

The dress is made up of a thick cotton so it may not be the best summer dress to lounge around it. But the thicker material will help it keep what little shape it has better.

Now, the question is...do I look like I just escaped out of prison???

Dress - J.Crew Maritime Dress

Obi/Belt - Geren Ford

Clutch - Balenciaga

Shoes - Christian Louboutin