Linen tees

Sorry for the delay between posts. I've had plenty of purchases I wanted to share but not enough time to get on this blog.

Let me start with J. Crew linen tees. Love them! It was not love at first sight, because I was not loving the see-through quality, plus my normal size seemed a bit big. So the second time I tried one on, I sized down and I immediately liked it better. In my last post, I shared that I bought the Soleil colorblock tee. Well, I had to grab these two from the sale rack -- the Polka Dot linen tee and the Pop Art linen tee (pink of course). Both were a steal at under $20 each.

I also had to go back and grab the umbrella tee. Online it was on promotion but in store it was not. Fortunately the store associate was nice enough to honor the online price with an extra 30 off. I also grabbed (not pictured) a linen tee from JC Penney, which was only $10. The quality was surprisingly good! The idea to shop there came from Beach Chic Style. I didn't buy the flamingo linen tee (which was cute!), but found a great neon violet basic instead.

I also grabbed ANOTHER pair of Scout chinos in soft violet. Love the fit of these and was able to get it on the sale rack for about $20. Lastly, I bought the neon tweed skirt. I am not sure if the $50 I spent on it (after discounts) was a good deal because I don't know how often I will wear it. That said, I couldn't pass up the last one in the area, which consequently was in my size.

I'll post the rest tomorrow if I find the time. Enjoy the weekend!

J. Crew storewide sale

I always debate the storewide sales at J. Crew -- which thankfully have become slightly more common these days. I am pleased that the store is starting to reward the cardholders with an additional discount (cardholders get 30 off as opposed to 25 off). I weigh whether the storewide promo is actually a "deal" or not. Let's face it, many items will eventually make their way to the sale section where they will inevitably receive a markdown and an additional discount. But the question is, will an item be so popular that it sells out in most sizes, or will there be plenty to purchase in a few weeks for less?

I often luck out by waiting for an item to hit the sale rack. I've had the experience of buying something on the sale rack, only to learn that a week later the price dropped by another $20. But when you buy "final sale" you take that risk. Likewise, I've had the experience of waiting for an item's price to drop, only to learn that I waited too long and now the item is gone (Hello, Porcelain Paisley skirt circa 2012!)

This was the conversation that took place in my head this week as I shopped J. Crew's storewide sale. Is this a good deal? If I wait will I get a better deal, or will I have waited too long? These were the items I decided were too good to pass up.

The first two items I bought were no-brainers. It was highly unlikely that I would get a better deal for these Scout cropped chino pants here --- Just $15 each after discounts! I see these getting a lot of use in the warmer months and the quality seems good.

I also bought the indigo dot schoolboy blazer here. I bought this in my usual size for Schoolboy blazers, but for some reason this jacket had a "boxy" fit on me. Unfortunately, sizing down didn't feel "right" either so I guess I will just deal. The jacket with the promo came to $56, which is what a similar blazer at GAP would cost. Do I need more chambray with polka dots? Absolutely not, but that won't stop me from buying more!

It took me three trips to the store to make a decision on the Lodden paisley Liberty print shirt here. The shirt was marked to $99, so with 30 off it would be $70. I felt that was still a lot, based on the fact that I have bought other Liberty shirts in recent months for less. But, this print was sold out online and hard to find in my size in other stores. Plus I had a $25 reward that J. Crew emailed me the other day. With that, I justified in my mind that the item was really only $45. I like the light pinks and greens in the print.

Lastly, I bought the Soleil linen tee here It was $45 retail, but only $30 after the promo discount. I am a sucker for hot pink.

I wish I could say that I'm done shopping for the weekend but I might have to pass by Factory for the 40-off store-wide promo.

Have you done any damage this week at J. Crew? Do you own or like these items?

Please share!

Old Navy 'Stuff & Save' sale

I normally am of the mindset that it's better to make a small splurge on one item and get the quality, then buy for quantity (which I was guilty of in my 20s). With that said, sometimes the so-called quality stores are making items of questionable quality. Likewise, sometimes the "bargain" stores are stepping it up.

With that in mind, I share with you the many purchases I bought at Old Navy's "Stuff & Save" sale this week ( a whopping 30 percent-off for cardholders and yes, this includes GAP and Banana Republic cardholders). You should know that ALL of the items below are in the "clearance section" and were eligible for the additional discount. Total spent...... $70, but since I had a $30 cardholder "rewards" certificate, it really was only $40!

I bought these two polka-dot sweaters because, who doesn't love polka-dot?  Not me! These look strikingly similar to J. Crew's cashmere version. Cashmere sounds nice and all, but... ain't nobody got time for that! Plus, who could walk away from a $7 sweater?

I bought this heart sweater because I wanted the J. Crew "heart me" sweater and slept on it. Glad I did! I also bought this "love" sweater which also reminds me of J. Crew's "darling" cashmere sweater. Same price for each - $7.

I bought this Hello Kitty anchor shirt because it is cute. I also bought this sleeveless crepe tunic.

Lastly, I bought these three (yes I know! I hardly need three MORE) chambray shirts, which each cost about $7.

What do you think of these items? Have you been to Old Navy this week?

J. Crew Factory Madness (pt. 2)

This post is a continuation of my recent purchases at the 'Crewlet' (a.k.a J. Crew Factory). I have been shopping a lot more than usual at the factory in 2013 because I am seeing a lot of reissues and versions of items that I missed out on at J. Crew in the past.

One item I bought was the Factory's version of the Blythe blouse in purple. I thought this was a pretty blouse when it was new in store so to find it in my size on the sale rack was exciting. Total price after discounts came to under $30.

I couldn't resist this sequin heart tee. My concern was that it might be a little too cutesy or 'young' for me personally to wear, but I've see other bloggers pull it off well. The price was just right too, only $18.  I also picked up this 'overbloom' floral graphic tee for about $9. I think the tee will look great with shorts and skirts.

I decided upon walking past the jewelry section that I absolutely needed the Venus fly trap crystal necklace. With discounts the price came to $34, though I would have purchased it for less during this weekend's 50-off the store promotion. That of course, assumes it would still be available. When I purchased mine, there were three left. I also picked up mint bubble earrings (no photo available).

I was excited to see the Lobster Charley sweater on the sale rack. I didn't love it when it first came out, but on sale it came to less than $20 so I bought it.

Speaking of Charley sweaters... yesterday, I caved in and bought another one  (Charley is the Factory's version of Tippi). The one I bought is a neon persimmon color. Honestly I am not sure if I will keep it because I feel I have a lot of items in this color already and honestly, too many spring sweaters. But it was cute enough to come home with me, even if it's only a temporary visit!

Have any of you bought these items? Are you checking out the Factory's 50-off the store promotion this weekend?

J. Crew Factory Madness (pt. 1)

I have been so into J. Crew Factory lately -- much more so than J. Crew. My budget dictates my shopping addiction and although I shop more than I should, I do keep reality (loosely) in check. Given that, the Crewlet as it is called has been meeting my needs. Here is Part I of what I have purchased lately.

The striped skirt is a perfect match to my Gondola striped shirt (purchased on the sale rack of J. Crew last summer). I thought it could make a nice dress with a belt, as could my Heartthrob blouse and skirt. I'm excited to wear it come summertime with a white tee or tank top. While both of those prints share a color palette, I feel the Gondola skirt has the nautical feel, while the Heartthrob print is pure cutesy fun!

I also bought the colorblock striped neon tee. I will admit that I bought the J. Crew version in neon pink last year, but that I get so much use out of it that I couldn't pass it up at $14.

I made my way into J. Crew (to pay a bill - but we all know how that can go), and I saw the dot boy shirt on clearance. I like it because it is a non-chambray blue shirt. I have nothing against chambray -- rather, I own too much of it. This was a nice alternative. And who doesn't love polka dots? The price was right, the size was right.... it was meant to be!

Have you purchased from the Factory lately? Any comments? Stay tuned for a "part 2" coming soon!

Kate Spade "Friends and Family" weekend

I'm a bit behind with those post, but better late than never! 

I took advantage of the Kate Spade 25% off sale last weekend. I only bought one item from the website, these turquoise square stud earrings. Truthfully, I have Kate Spade stud earrings in every color and while that may seem over the top, I get mileage out of all of them. I think it is a quick and easy way to infuse color into an outfit and all the colors I own match my clothing.

While I was in Kate Spade "mode" I noticed this purple "Rock the Casbah" bangle at TJ Maxx (which has had quite a KS collection lately) for just $30, I grabbed it. There was a pink version of the bangle, which read "Arm Candy" on the Kate Spade website for $44, which at the time was eligible for an extra 25 percent off. However I liked the purple one I bought better, so I was happy with the find.

I had an opportunity to visit the outlets over the weekend as well, so that is where I bought most of my purchases. I found this coated canvas pouch, which about $32 after discounts. They had a neon pink and a green version, and although I wanted both, I opted for the green for versatility. I also found these two iPhone cases. I've been buying up iPhone cases lately because iPhone 4 cases are harder to come by now that the "5" is out. Also, when I see an iPhone 4 case I like, it is is usually on sale.

Did you buy any Kate Spade items last weekend?

April shopping

With all the recent sales at Gap and J. Crew, I decided to treat myself to a few spring clothing items. It is, after all, my favorite time of year to shop. I just love all the bright colors!

I needed a new raincoat (after burning a small piece of my beloved synthetic trench coat with a hot iron!) so I liked this "fisherman mac" coat in coral blaze by Gap. It is a pretty color, the waist is adjustable, the length is good, and it is lightweight. Most importantly, it will serve to keep me dry in the rain. Since the online offer at Gap was 40 percent off, I also grabbed the now infamous ladybug print shirt. I had seen it before in store and on several other bloggers. I wanted to see if I would love it after trying it on at home. I did -- it was a good purchase ... and helped ease the frustration of not purchasing the Gap owl print shirt last year. (That just proved to me that if you wait too long for something, you might miss out.)

In J. Crew I picked up the strawberry mint plaid shirt after seeing it styled many was on Tweed and Toile. I am surprised to have wanted a plaid shirt at this time of year, but I just love the colors. I also saw a pair of Cafe Capri pants in Dusty Mauve. Even though I have the pink herringbone pants, these are a lighter material -- perfect for the 70 degree temperatures we are expected to get this week! (Finally- spring is here!) After discounts (and I'm pleased they once again are honoring educator discounts), the total for both was around $70.

Do you own any of these items? What do you think of them? Have you made any good or bad purchases lately? Please comment -- I love to hear from you!