Sunday, May 31, 2009

Better than Calgon?

[Details: Cosmo + Burned Copy of SATC a la Thailand = Perfect Afternoon Alone]

When you're a mom, and your hubby isn't due back home for another 24 hours and your only darling little boy is at Gramma's in another country (let alone another city!), could this possibly be the perfect solution to an otherwise sleepy Sunday afternoon?  Hopefully this will keep my mind off of shopping!

Covetous Purchesus

*Sighs*... If you saw this, you know I need to put the card down and walk away from the Mac.  Seriously.  I've done enough damage this month.  But look at these -- Just look!!  They are gorgeous.  I don't normally stray from my J.Crew-Banana Republic-eBay comfort zone.  I am happy there.  Usually.  Today, though... I guess I'm craving change.  & change that's... daring?  Dare, I say!  Yes, daring!  I need something hip!  I'm craving a cool factor, an edginess if you will, that I just don't get from my preppy-meets-eclectic J.Crew-centered universe.  

I started this morning on our usual website.  It's how I start all my mornings.  I don't even know if I should actually admit that.  Should I say out loud that I spend my earliest waking moments perusing the sale section of the site??  Pre-coffee?  In lieu of coffee??  Anyway... I digress.  So I'm on said website getting bummed by the stale merch that appeared before me.  Yawn.  Next task.  Check email.  & what do my crust-impaired eyes see?  An email from Anthropologie.  

Now I'm a casual Anthro peruser.  Sometimes the items are usually too hip for my speed.  But today, given my spunky mood, I check out the site.  & now I have $454 of the most cutest summer delectables you ever did see in my cart.  The question becomes 'Do I seriously pull the trigger on these?'  My aesthetic-loving side says, "Heck yes!  Aren't you going somewhere this summer?  Hellurrr???  Hawaii?  Tokyo?  If you order now, they'll be shipped and at your post office before you can say 'Bank of America.'"  Now, my prudent side says, "Aren't you forgetting you just purchased a ton of stuff from the Crew and Macys aaannnnd Neiman.  Just walk away.  You've got enough."  But ... they are so beautiful.  & really really cute.  My placating (is there a 3rd side?) side says, "Balance is in order!  Spend!  But spend wisely my young paduan."  Not one to ignore that totally sane yoda-ish advice, my decision most likely lies in the 3rd option, involving the whittling down of the cart.  But to what?? What loverly can I possibly give up?

Here they are.  The most hilarious part of all of this is that these pieces are really not daring by the usual sense of the word.  They are verging on plain, you could argue.  But they are daring for me because I don't usually dress this way.  I'm the girl that doesn't leave the house without piles of gramma-chic J.Crew jewelry, a pencil skirt, a dressy-dress, and a security blanket-like cardigan.  I think Sparrows and Sparkles said the same thing about Jackies, and its true for me too, girl.  

On to the Details: 1st Look: Fine Line Blouse/tunic $78.  Patchwork Eyelet Loungers $58.  2nd Look: Possibilities Cardigan $39.95 (sale).  Current Pose Crops $29.95 (sale).  3rd Look: Anchors Away top and bottoms $88 each.  Bitty Bloom Sunglasses $24.


What am I supposed to live without?  My gut tells me to keep the swim suit.  I need a new swimsuit.  & my small bustline is saying Woot Woot to that top.  Not to mention that my child-bearing midsection is loving the high-waisted bottoms. A definite must-have.  I love the white cardi for travel.  & the sale crops are adorable and I think very versatile.  Onto the tunic and the eyelet pants.  Hmm.  A look I could maybe live without.  The pants especially.  But the top with a pair of black leggings could look casual, pulled together, etc.  & lastly, those sunglasses... I know they're out there.  But sometimes one needs a just a little irreverance in their life.  My Chanel pair needs a break every once in a while. Seriousness needs to be set aside today!  

[Another shot of the Bitty Bloom sunglasses... Tell me.  How can I not love these for $24.95?]
Not to be singling out one website in particular, I've also created a cart over at saks.com.  Hey.  If I've already got a $454 cart at Anthro, why not create something similar at Saks too???  But here, I'm loving this: 

Now this is daring.  I could honestly say that.  Say Hi to the Rebecca Taylor Embroidered Bra Top Dress, $206.90 (sale).  How *freaking* cute is this dress.  Trendy cut.  Trendy color.  Soooo not J.Crew-esque.  Anti-esque, maybe. Especially in the boob-bra-top department.  Despite the trendiness, this is cute!  Paired with a featherweight cotton cardi, I could straddle both worlds!  Daring, yet myself.  Because the number one fear of all of these purchases is that they'll be worn once, maybe twice, then relegated to the back of the closet only to be brought out again when I'm looking for things to toss to make room for newer more fabulous-er loverlies.  & that is a crying shame.  

So I need to ponder these!  Daring ideas should probably be made swiftly, but I need to think.  Am I going to wear these?  Then maybe I should get them!  Because they could be there for me on the days when I feel a little anti the Crew, a little rebel-without-a-cause-like.  Don't know yet.  But will keep you posted!  

What do you think?  Help, ladies!  This is when a girl needs her friends in the blogosphere - Should I purchase?  Should I whittle the Anthro cart?  

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Nowhere as Awesome as Most, but Trying.

I have a really great friend, The Outfit of the Day, who has a really great blog.  I have to thank her for this Awe-Summm!!! award.  I'm not a great writer, but I like to share little things here and there with y'all, so I'm thankful she thought of me! 


So here's the instructions for this award:

1. List seven things that make you awe-summm!!!
2. Pass the award on to seven bloggers you read religiously.
3. Tag those 7 bloggers.
4. Don't forget to link the Queen(s) that tagged you.
5. Copy the pic and put it into your sidebar.

Are you ready?

1. I am a crazy planner and goal-maker.  

2. I met my husband on the freeway in Hawai'i and we dated seven years before getting married.

3. I fell in love with Thailand last year and went twice!  It is relaxing, raw, spiritual, delectable and full of heat.  I could go there over and over again and be happy -- at politically stable times, of course.

4. The hubby is my best friend.  He's my lobster.  

5. I love simple evenings with friends.  

6. Work is sending me to Hawai'i 5 times this year!  

7. My little boy is the best thing that ever happened to me.  I never knew you could love someone so much.  

I only have 4 to nominate, but they are so great to read!  Bloggers that I want to tag for the award are (& most of you ladies probably already have it): 

Gigi's Gone Shopping, Making the Best Joyce, Three Sparrows & Some Sparkle, & Pudding & the Paper Bag Princess.  

Friday, May 29, 2009

& not to have him be outdone...

 This is my one-and-only darling little boy.

Some photos taken this weekend

We had a few friends and their kids over for Memorial Day. Kids are a blast to watch at the beach. Here are a few of my favorites.




I don't usually do this, but...

Here I am planning what I'm wearing tomorrow.  & I have no where to go.  No where special.  I'm thinking maybe I'll walk with the hubby to the cute little pancake place near our house for breakfast.  Or maybe we'll check out the fab little cafe near the seawall for some omelettes and illy coffee instead.   I know I'm dropping off some bags to the thrift shop.  & I know I need to swing by the post office. I'm pretty sure I have dry cleaning that needs to get done.  & the hubby is desperate to go the new Terminator flick.  We could do that.  In any case, I don't know where I'm going tomorrow, but I know what I'm wearing.

Outfit Details: J.Crew's Dressy Jersey Strapless Dress in dark charcoal.  Ladies, this is a fabulous dress.  The drape is flattering.  The twist at the bustline a nice touch.  The fabric is rather heavy but at the same time, fluid.  It doesn't feel cheap, if you know what I mean.  This dress can be done up or could be a bikini cover-up.  It really is versatile.  At $78, I know it's a little steep for a jersey dress that looks pretty casual, but I've been really happy with it and found it to be worth the (full) price. 
Also shown: The Featherweight Cotton V-neck Cardigan in Black.  Since this is still being shipped over to me, I will substitute with another black cardi.  I have a pair of grey gladiator sandals I purchased from Forever 21 earlier this month that are similar to the ones shown.  Same goes for the grey scarf, except mine is from American Eagle. 
Two things shown that I am desperate for: 1) Tocca Eau de Parfum spray in the Brigitte scent.  Oh.  Pure.  Summer.  Heaven.  2) Tom Ford Anais sunglasses.  I need a new pair of black shades.  It's imperative.  & these are just fab fab fab. 

What do you think?  Do you plan your outfits in advance?  

Thursday, May 28, 2009

More Examples of Spent Money

So here's yet more reason to love the Jcrew Cotton silk ruffle swirl tank in ivory. Here 'tis. Again. But this time with the Featherweight cotton v neck cardigan in black and the gold silk mini purchased for a mere $15. I can totally overlook it's faults for that price.

Summer Nights
Summer Nights by nojcrewinjapan featuring J Crew

Welcome to My Closet, Lovelies...

Items I'm loving enough to open the purse strings for:

JCREW:
1. Eyelet pencil skirt in shadow
2. Liberty art fabric shirt (regular $118, on sale $39! A deal!)
3.Featherweight cotton v neck cardigan in black
4. Gold mini pull-on silkskirt
5. Rimini gladiator sandals in ivory
6. super 120s astrid jacket inblack

Neiman Marcus:
1. Vince navy blue blouson strapless dress

Macys:
1. Calvin Klein black peep-toe slingbacks
2. Circa Joan and David pair brownlizard looking sandals with high stacked wood heel

Ebay:
1. BCBG dress mauve pink silk top, black skirt.
2. Jcrew Cotton silk ruffle swirl tank in ivory (current bid: $37, reg priceright now at J.Crew website: $79.50!)

As I'm Polyvor-ing new outfits to work in my fabulous new finds, I find that the cotton-silk ruffle swirl tank in ivory is going to play a huge role in my plans. Sight-unseen, it's appearing to be the perfect solution to my wardrobe woes for the summer. a) It's white. b) It can be dressed up, it can be dressed down. & c) It's not too ruffle-y. The eyelet pencil skirt was a must-have. I love the minimalist, classic shape of a pencil with the fabric and texture of the eyelet. & the color tones the lacy-ness just a tad, which amps up the skirt's ability to work in a myriad of roles. Let's face it. I can't keep buying new clothes. I need the pieces I choose to buy to be smart choices, capable of bridging the gap between Saturday casual, Sunday lunches, & yet still be appropriate for the office in hot months. All of the looks I'm loving lately are coming accessorized with the men's distressed brown leather belt. I love the off-kilter factor the belt conveys against the lady-like, prim feeling of the rest of the outfit. This belt was a great buy. I seem to be wearing it with everything lately.

So here is my vision of a simple summer outfit for work. I'm an analyst. It's not like my office is totally casual or anything. But I think with a simple black cardi, like the Featherweight Cotton from J.Crew that I just got, the look will seem apropo for the weather, pulled together enough for the briefs I need to attend, and still classic and fresh.


working summer
working summer by nojcrewinjapan featuring J Crew

This look was inspired just a tad from the catalog pics. I love the Super 120s fabric and finding the Astrid in black and in my size with 20% off was just too perfect not to pass up. It was like the stars aligned for me. I'm envisioning it with the Cotton silk ruffle swirl tank in ivory instead of a plain white tee. Since I can't wear denim to work - especially ones with holes in them - this look will have to be saved for a Saturday lunch with the girls. But I can't wait to put it together.
Saturday with the Girls
Saturday with the Girls by nojcrewinjapan featuring J Crew

What do you think?

Monday, May 11, 2009

Happy Mother's Day to all the Great Moms out there!  

xoxo, M.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

My Version of Summer Luxe.


Straying from the usual JC pattern, I mosied into American Eagle today.  I won't deny I love their denim.  Always a winner on my frame and the price is great.  Found some distressed capri-length denim in the Boy Cut that looked great and bought a pair.  I'm loving the super light washes lately.  Perfect for the summer.  I ended up buying a pair of the distressed Boy Cut capris with the already-rolled-up legs in a vintage wash as well as a pair of the distressed light wash boot cuts.  Also picked up some Aerie pocket tees in white (of course).  A recent fetish...can't have enough white tees!

The simplicity of the outfit I think deserves some *bling*, of which I have packed plenty [Can you believe I'm still in Hawaii?!].  Can't wait to put this together for real.  


Tuesday, May 5, 2009

What I Wore to the Wedding

One Great Dress
One Great Dress by nojcrewinjapan on Polyvore.com

So one of my oldest and dearest girlies got married this weekend. Such a great girl. We've been friends since we were 12. She went to Notre Dame, moved to San Francisco after college, and then found her way back in the islands a few years ago. Great girl who found herself a great guy. They had a gorgeous wedding which I was lucky enough to attend, flying in from Okinawa, Japan to see her walk down the aisle! There was no way I was missing the day.

After some deliberation, I wore the cotton cady Claudine and my metallic Lulu peep-toe heels. I had brought the silk taffeta Gracie & the strapless Carolina as well. A girl needs choices. In the end, the Claudine one. It just felt better. I love the cotton cady fabric.

& I was dripping in accessories. I wore so much J.Crew jewelry it was ridiculous. I looked a little crazy. But the real ridiculous part is that I actually brought all this jewelry with me. Who does that?? & I bought more while I've been here. I have needs. & they require sparkly pretties.

In the end, we had such a great time. & everyone looked fab. When I get back to Japan I'll definitely post some pics. Damn me for taking pics and saving to the camera's memory instead of just getting a new SD card and not bringing the USB hookups! Grrr. Will definitely add a post with some great photos of our awesome Waikiki weekend.

Accessory details: Belt - Men's distressed leather. Necklaces - Crystal Chain Necklace and Pearl Chain Necklace, layered. Bracelet - Pearl Cluster. Ring - Cluster Ring. All J.Crew. Sunglasses - Chanel Pearl Collection '08.