Shearwater boots for LESS

I always thought about a pair of Sperry Shearwater boots from J. Crew but the $98 price tag was too steep. I know LL Bean makes a comparable version, but even their price is above $60. This is why I couldn't pass up these at my local TJ Maxx.

They are Lauren by Ralph Lauren boots and they cost me $49.99. They have been terrific to wear to work this week with all the rain. Although I love my "welly" boots, these are a great option for when you want to slip something on fast and easy.

Trying out Talbots

I don't typically shop at Talbot's. I think some of the items are cute but the regular retail prices are insanely high to me. Good quality, so I suppose you get what you pay for. But when there is a super-sale, it is worth checking out.

Apparently Talbot's is not doing well and has closed several stores in 2012. I was unaware of their financial woes until walking past a Talbot's in a high-end mall in New Jersey where I live. The store was marked down to 50% off of sale price plus an EXTRA 10 percent! Talbot's is currently offering 40-percent off in all stores, but stores that are closing down are liquidating the items at a cheaper price.  I bought this Tweed jacket for just $54 and this Tuileries floral skirt for just $24.

I visited another Talbot's store in a nearby mall -- a store that was NOT going out of business. I was able to take advantage of 40 percent off store-wide (including sale items) and was able to pick up this green suede Equestrian clutch. For $24 I was pretty happy about the purchase. It will go great with the green in the tweed jacket!

Do any of you shop at Talbot's? What are your thoughts?

J. Crew Holiday Sale

I'm loving (and hating!) the 30-off store/sitewide sale going on at J. Crew. I've grabbed quite a few items knowing that sales like these are few and far between.

I wanted some holiday socks so I got both of these "fair isle" print socks on promo and love wearing them with my PJ pants and under boots.

I scored this jeweled brooch after reading about it on Gigis Gone Shopping. I received so many compliments on it! I was on the lookout for a brooch and this was exactly what I had in mind.

I am a huge fan of J. Crew corduroy pants. I wanted the dusty blue matchsticks but, alas, they weren't available in my size in any store in my state. I settled on the bootcut cord style in a similar blue color. For $20, I'm not complaining, but I do need to get them hemmed.

Lastly, I am LADY JACKET obsessed! I saw this blue tweed lady jacket for $149 plus discounts. I had to have it! Love love love love love!

Did YOU buy something during this recent promo?

Moment of silence

In the clutch

So with all the holiday parties and dinners coming up, I realized I didn't have, and could use, a nice clutch purse. Truth be told I do have a very nice (and expensive) black leather designer clutch that I bought a few years back through a consignment company, but it is almost "too nice" for some of the events I plan to attend. I also have a black snakeskin clutch but it is too narrow to hold my basics and really is just for formal events to hold my car keys. Lastly, I bought the safari cat clutch from J. Crew this summer, but that wouldn't work for what I needed.

When thinking about what clutch to buy, I thought a gold color would be nice for the holidays. I liked this "python" bag from Michael Kors (above) but decided the price was too high for an item that wouldn't get much use. (Remember, I already have an expensive clutch, and I rarely use that one!) I did like that it was flat to fit under my arm, and I liked the gold animal texture. I searched the web and found this gold croc clutch on Target.com for $17. It should be arriving in the mail any day now.

After buying the gold, I kept thinking back to the polka dot invitation clutch I saw on sale at J. Crew. It was marked down to $70 before sale and discounts, and ended up costing about $44 total. I might have been able to get it cheaper if I waited, but I decided that $44 was a good price. I think I will wear this one year round. I think I will start using it for going out to dinner because I don't really like placing my handbag on restaurant floors. The clutch could go on the table, or the chain strap could fit on my chair.

Lastly, I spotted a lone black Vero clutch at J. Crew Factory. As you know, the Factory has had some great deals lately. So although I don't need ANOTHER black clutch, this one (see below) has gold hardware, is a bit roomier than the aforementioned snakeskin clutch, and best of all, came out to cost just $33.

What are your thoughts on clutch purses? Will you use one during the holidays? What are your thoughts on these items?

J. Crew Final Sale Items

I can't resist an extra 30 off sale at J. Crew. I always seem to find something I can wear for the right price. It's funny how much more appealing a shirt, for instance, looks when it is only $20 compared to say $70. I grabbed all the following items at what I considered to be terrific bargains.

I bought a tissue turtleneck tee in Gallery Green, which according to Beach Chic Style is the new color of 2013. Win win for me because I love that deep rich color of green. Also, a quick side note on these turtlenecks -- they are thin enough to be comfortable in a heated room, yet thick enough (at least in dark colors) to not be too transparent. I bought my first turtleneck tee from J. Crew in 2009 and I still have it and wear it. They definitely last, and for less than $12 it was a steal.

In another nod to one of my favorite bloggers, I took the advice of Beach Chic Style and bought the Colorblock Top in Navy. I had liked it a week ago when it was $50 plus additional discounts, but I liked it much more for $20! The material is heavier (great for this time of year) and I like the zipper in the back. I don't own any tops with a zipper in the back. I don't like that my ponytail was caught on it in the dressing room, but I suppose I can try to be careful.

Also I picked up the Postage Stamp Navy Tweed Blazer, as seen on Summer Wind. This is a different style blazer for me as I tend to gravitate toward Schoolboy-like and more traditional style blazers. However, I decided recently that I wanted a few Chanel-esque blazers to jazz up my jeans for weekend wear.  That was why I recently bought the Lady Jacket in Berry Pink.  I think this one is also terrific, especially for about just $40.  Unfortunately, my usual size 6 was not available in any area stores so I settled on the size 4. I allowed the SA to talk me into buying it. It isn't terribly tight but I will have to avoid throwing baseballs while wearing it!

I also picked up the Zebra Enamel Bracelet, which was marked down. I admired a similar version of this bracelet on Bauble Bar, where it is currently sold out. I figured that the Bauble Bar bracelet would be cheaper at about $30, but actually the J. Crew version (with the sale discounts) came out to about $40 and it is quite stunning. Not an everyday bracelet, but I did wear it to dinner last night and couldn't stop "playing" with it!

I picked up another pair of Bubble earrings in lilac. These are currently on the website for $29.99 However, I was able to get them with the extra 30 off by ordering in store over the phone.

Lastly, I picked up the Green Red Plaid Flannel Shirt from Old Navy. I had eyed this shirt in store and when I found it was sold out online and almost sold out in store, I grabbed it. Just $19. I need another plaid flannel shirt like I need a hole in my head, but I technically do not own any red shirts and it screams holiday season.

So that was what I bought this weekend. I was able to shop with my husband, who I am proud to say bought two shirts from the sale section of J. Crew for about a total of $42. He seemed surprised to see the final price. Meanwhile I was happy to see him buy some nice new shirts. Win-win!

J. Crew blog copy cat looks

I had to grab the Factory tartan skimmer pants after seeing them on so many blogs I love. Although I already had the tartan holiday perfect shirt, there is something about the pants that are a little more fun. Tartan seems to be all the rage this season, plus I can't imagine that I wouldn't want to wear it at this time next year. I was able to get them for a great price. Also grabbed a pair of toothpick blue cords from factory. The blue color is more of a retro jade, which is a color I apparently can't get enough of.

 

 Also was excited to grab the "lady jacket" (I even love the name!) after seeing it on some of my favorite blogs. I think for me this is something I want to wear with jeans, to get the whole "dressy meets casual" look. I think it will become a classic piece that I can also pair with pants or skirts to look extra dressy at the right occasion. Couldn't be happier about the price -- $70!