Today's Wears 3.14.2009

Stay at Home Luxe - by nojcrewinjapan on Polyvore.com

Today is Operation: Open Boxes Day, and so not in a good way, like opening newly received J.Crew boxes.  I've procrastinated the last 2 weekends and haven't opened up all the boxes from the move yet.  I'm procrastinating now by writing this blog instead of hauling ass upstairs to attack said boxes.  It's just I have storage issues, man.  Like, lack there of.  But there is absolutely nothing else to do today except open boxes.  The weather sucks.  Windy.  Rainy.  & big surf.  & it's also 50 degrees outside.  So while my son builds his city for his army men (He's into the whole Citadel thing... I've been telling him about what City Planners and Civil Engineers do, and he's feeling the vibe...but the city must be built for army men, so...) I will be opening boxes.  

I've already ran some errands this morning so have had my Saturday Starbucks requirements.  Atleast the caffeine will keep my attitude in check while I work.  Wish me luck on the boxes... 

Today's outfit has been brought to you by: J.Crew, as usual.  The silk-linen v-neck sweater in aqua, vintage slim distressed jean, and suede city ballet flats in the brown color.  

Today's Wears 3.13.2009

Friday - by nojcrewinjapan on Polyvore.com

So I am spending the day in an outfit very similar to Wednesday's **yawn**. But I love love love my Super 120s Blair dress. I always feel totally pulled together in it and never have the "fat feeling." I wore them with boringly similar accessories to Wednesday's outfit, but with purpose! I'm going to a big wine event after work and am planning to wear - for the first time - my Banana Republic metallic shift. Unlike the photo, I do NOT plan to wear the neck warmer. However I'm thinking of accessorizing with the blanched almond skinny belt. What do you think? I'm going to use the classic black / pearl clutch my husband surprised me with on V-day and am so looking forward to a "grown-up night" out. Moms out there, you know what I mean. You love your little munchkins so much, and there's nothing better than a Friday night "in" with the babies, setting up camp on the couch with tons of blankets and having popcorn and watching movies... But there are those moments when you want to dress up like a lady and paint the town. For me, so long as 'the town' closes by 10pm and has me headed home to my sweet little boy, I'm all for those sporadic 'mommy moments!'

Newest Members to My Closet...Thanks 20%!

Newest Purchases - by nojcrewinjapan on Polyvore.com

So I went dress crazy with my 20% off coupon code, getting the Camilla dress in the tan/brownish color, the wool suiting garbadine dress with the tres elegant back view in the brown/slate color, the cotton poplin tie front dress in black, and not pictured because I can't find the image in Polyvore is the Bobbie sundress in the white swiss dot. I have always wanted that dress and it is never - repeat, NEVER! - in Final Sale for less than $99.99, or ever in my size. So I saw it and pulled the trigger. I also ended up getting the pearl necklace...not sure the name, but there's a waiting list til who knows when for it on the site. I'm finding I can be a patient girl, so Woot-Woot to my fellow Waitlisters!
I'm proud of myself that I waited for the coupon code, and that I didn't buy the silk charmeuse skirt at full price. Because I KNOW it will go on final sale soon. & I can grab it then.
What do you think of the purchases?

Hello 20% Off! Where Have You Been?

I've been asking for it and it's here.  I just got the Private Sale notice for 20% off my entire order of $175 or more [Enter SECRET at checkout].  I don't want to seem jaded by the larger percentages I've seen in the past,  a la 30%, so I'll probably be taking advantage of this, especially since I do want some FP items.  

My shopping bag has been meticulously maintained these last couple of weeks, with one stalwart, unchanging theme: The Charmeuse Pencil Skirt.  Funny thing is that now that I am ready to pull the trigger, I find myself saying I should wait until this, too, moves to final sale.  20% off would make this item ~$20 cheaper.  & I can easily -EASILY- see this thing for $79.99 as soon as Easter.  

The other thing is I'll be in Hawaii next month and can finally go to a B&M and try the thing on.  So I have reason to wait.  It's not flying off shelves; I hear no one discussing its lusciousness except moi, so I'm guessing it's safe to wait.  

However, the Camilla dress, recently marked down again to $79.99 (last I saw it was $99.99) plus 20% is a rather good deal.  As well as the Frankie chinos for $39.50 + 20% and the Cotton Poplin Tie-Front for $59.99 + 20%.  The Camilla will be pretty when I'm in Hawaii, and the others will be great weekend wear.  

What do you think?  

Today's Wears 3.11.2009

wednesday - by nojcrewinjapan on Polyvore.com

I almost returned this dress. I bought it because I fell in love with the back of the dress. I already had the Super 120s Blair dress in black, so there was no reason to buy this. & then to my horror, when it showed up, after all my anxious post office visits, it fit HORRIBLY. But I think I lost a little weight. Or I waited too long to return the thing, and it went on final sale. So I gave it a second chance. & voila! It fit really cute. Or so says a very good friend who would tell me otherwise if it looked awful. Despite my "fat" worries, I enjoyed the compliments. & I'm glad I didn't return it.

The outfit: Wool Garbadine Suiting dress in black, J.Crew.  Juliet heels in Pale Almond, J.Crew.  Pearl Cluster bracelet, J.Crew.  Skinny patent leather belt in black, J.Crew.  & the bag, mais oui, is from J.Crew.  What can I say?  I am obsessed.  

How Much Longer??

I just realized it's been about 2 weeks since my last "crime" was committed.  I haven't bought or ordered anything from J.Crew in about that time frame.  I've been thinking how ridiculous it sounds to think that two weeks is an accomplishment in the no-shopping department.  But seriously... it is!  I have an shopping cart situation going on, though.  I keep editing it, determining what pieces are really and truly worth those dollars leaving my pocket.  

I'm thinking it would be a great reward for me, after I finish opening up all these boxes around me from the move, to make my purchase then.  But I've held out so long... I want a coupon code for a % off.  That would probably be a definite reason to get out there and commit to the cart.  

Current Obsession: Shades of Grey...or in my case, J.Crew's Pewter color

obsessed 3.04.2009 - by nojcrewinjapan on Polyvore.com

**Sigh.** I am so not supposed to be shopping, or even looking, at J.Crew. I told myself to be good. But the Frenchie slicker and this skirt have caught my eye. I am envisioning the different combinations I can polyvore with the skirt. Oh the multiple uses I could get out of it! How it would be multi-functional -- not just a one hit wonder -- no! It would be able to be worked into and styled in a myriad of ways. But yet, I shouldn't be shopping. I am supposed to be outfitting my new house by the beach. Or how's this for something truly new:

Don't Shop at All!

I've seen many the JCA who has set herself with the no shopping challenge. & I admire them. I know if I even tried, it would be like setting myself up for failure. 

Baby steps. I atleast want to see if I can wait for a coupon code. & something more than just Free Shipping. I want percentages. 

I hope Mr. Drexler is listening. 

Sir! I would buy so much more with excellent coupon codes for the website! Like 30% off! Or 40% off! On regular priced merchandise and not just the dreaded Final Sale! With warmest regards, Marisa.