Back to Basics - Black and White

Black and white with a splash of red on the lips for Thanksgiving

Shirt - MNG

Pants - J.Crew Minnie pants in black twill (regular sizing)

Shoes - J.Crew Etta pumps

Bag - Balenciaga

Jewelry - Forever 21, J.Crew

 

I don't usually use clutches, because..well...I like to carry everything but the kitchen sink in my bag. But since I was just going to a family member's house for dinner, I figured I really didn't need much with me

What I carried besides my phone and wallet:

- Mini lint roller, because the Minnie pants in the darker colored twills tend to pick up lint/fuzz

- My new lip color - Covergirl Outlast --- fast becoming a favorite of mine due to how smooth the lip-color goes on, how long it lasts, no smudging/color transfer and the color is gorgeous.

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

 

 

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