J. Crew's Tillary Tote is the Perfect Kick-Off to Spring!

I happened to go to J. Crew's "Final Sale" a couple days ago and saw the Tillary Tote which I immediately clicked on because it went down to $159.99 from its initial price of $228.  The click actually took me to the handbags section and I thought it was a mistake, but sure enough this was its first mark-down.  I am a happy girl because I saw this a few weeks ago in the store and absolutely loved it.  J. Crew describes as:

Thanks to our detail-obsessed design team, this tote doesn't skimp on style, quality or function. In bold-striped canvas with specially developed leather trim, it's just the right mix of sass and sophistication to welcome warmer weather. Perfect at the beach or out for drinks, it's loaded with lots of extra pockets to keep things organized inside and out. Linen/cotton canvas with leather trim. Zip closure. Brass-finish hardware. Interior zip pocket, split-patch cell pocket. Cotton twill lining. Comes with dust bag. Import. 6" handle drop. 11 1/2"H x 19 1/2"W x 3 5/8"D.

This bag is incredibly roomy and I love the canvas with leather trim.  I am glad that I waited it out at least for this first mark-down because I nearly bought it full-price which I almost never do.  I love the bright red and blue which reminds me of summers at the shore.

I love the brass-finish detail on the hardware.  I don't really see taking this one to the beach but more for a work tote or even a travel bag.  Get one while you can.  The price is well worth the purchase.  It is a great bag to welcome warmer weather...love, love, love!

Cheers!

Sophie by DVF

I recently bought DVF's Sophie dress as below on the model with long hair and the polka dot print!  It is so pretty and silk, so glam.  I love the feel of this dress and it is great for day and into evening for cocktails, but aren't all dresses by DVF! ;)

Happy Wednesday...Cheers!

Sophie by DVF by crewcat featuring a polka dot dress

Spring Preview!

Spring Preview! by crewcat featuring kate spade earrings

J. Crew Fall 2012...Exclusive Sketches and Collection Photographs!

Exclusive to J. Crew

Exclusive to J. Crew

Thanks to Flare.com, found these adorable sketches exclusive to J. Crew previewing Fall pieces for 2012. I know, we can barely get to Spring, but I was so totally enamored by some of this collection, that I had to share immediately.  


I am still loving the texture, the prints, the mismatch from one print to another.  A stripe and a print, anything seems to go.  I love the vibrant, bright jewel tones which will be beautiful for this season to come.

This particular collection in my mind, is the J. Crew I remember with a modern flair.  With Fall comes a return to the classic prepster with some high-end pieces to make it more lavish and collectible.  See the pictures of the Fall 2012 Collection over at  Flare.com - J.Crew Fall 2012 Collection - J.Crew Fall 2012 - Flare.com.

I was ready for a breath of fresh air from J. Crew and this feels like it might hit the mark.  I really love the glam mixed with casual which make these pieces more attainable, more fun and with a complete take of its own.   I think it is preppy for the older girls!


I am immediately attracted to leather mixed with wool, silk and faux fur, leather and cotton jersey...the collection pushes the boundaries without pushing it over the edge.  I feels J. Crew in kind of a designer way without trying to be something or someone else.


I can remember in seasons past that the pieces felt out of place and trying to burst their way through a sea of designers with more notable names.  


And I love the accessories with beautiful bags most notably.  I love the eclectic print on leather which feels more like unique verses simple and classic.   And there are still beautiful favorites from pumps to gloves in standout colors.



I love the sophisticated layering so you can go from turtleneck, sweater and blazer down to one with Fall's unpredictable weather (at least in the Midwest)!  Beauty on the runway was again simple, but classic with slicked back pony tails and a bright red or pink lip.  I personally love this because it allows the clothing to take a beautiful center stage.  And this collection deserves it.  The clothing translate wonderfully from weekend to workday and cocktails to glam night.  This is the first double thumbs up that I have had in awhile with J. Crew so congrats to the those who had a hand in this line.

What do you think of this Fall Collection?


Cheers!

A Moment in Time...

A Moment in Time... by crewcat featuring cut out shoes

Oscar de la Renta evening gown dress
£2,299 - farfetch.com

Jimmy Choo cut out shoes
$795 - nordstrom.com

Jimmy Choo clutch hand bag
$1,150 - mytheresa.com

Ruby jewelry
jewelry.1stdibs.com

Oscar de la Renta 24 karat gold jewelry
$395 - neimanmarcus.com

Polka Dot Frenzy...Trend or Foe?

J. Crew Retro dot tunic

J. Crew Polka dot pencil skirt

Spring Runway 2012 Suno

Spring Runway 2012 Tory Burch

Spring Runway 2012 ADAM

J. Crew Polka dot popover

Talbot's Oceanus Pin Dot Miraclesuit

         

   Ann Taylor Dots pleat neck top

My wardrobe goes something like this, classic, classic, classic - occasional trend.  I typically go for classic and every now and then I pull in a trend.  I try to get out in front of it before it spreads like wildfire in every retail store and on every runway.  Take polka dots...I bought a beautiful Rachel Roy polka dot blouse a few months back (before polka went wild) and at the time I remember saying to myself, I hope that I don't see polka dots for the next two seasons, but sure enough they started to spread.  I took the bait again and recently bought J. Crew's polka dot pencil skirt.  And after that, it all went very wrong.  I did a quick search and did a kind of store by store and runway inventory and sure enough - it was officially a trend.  J. Crew gets on these trends and then you see it over and over.  Perfect example are ruffles - for awhile this reared its ugly head in several seasons in a row.  Interestingly, Ann Taylor calls their dot apparel "dot" this and "dot" that verses polka.  Surprisingly Talbot's had the least of the dot factor.  I only found a Miracle suit called Oceanus Pint Dot and I had to laugh.  And I also checked the runway and sure enough, the dots multiplied from ADAM's pajama ensemble with polka dots intended for street-wear, not slumber-wear.  And then to Tori Burch to Suno who actually take dots to a higher, more fashionable look.  So are polka dots friend (trend) or foe?  Do you have any early trends you loved that are quickly moving to the back of your closet or will they never enter your closet!  Cheers...