Happy New Year's Everyone!

Happy New Year! by CrewCat featuring nude shoes

A treasure of a book...My Mother's Clothes (an album of memories) by Jeannette Montgomery Barron

I was shopping online at www.katespade.com and came across a wonderful little book called My Mother's Clothe's by Jeannette Montgomery Barron and have also linked you to Barron's site under this particular book's name.  What a treasure for so many reasons, but mostly how she has reflected upon so many beautiful memories of her mother tied to fragrance, classically beautiful designer frocks like her mother's gold Yves St. Laurent jacket (gasp)!  If I could only find something so lovely.  Here is the thing, I remember so many items like this that I adored too like my of my grandmother's vintage teal-colored tween coat which I stupidly sold many years ago because I could not envision myself wearing it.  Now I could just kick myself!  

I love how Montgomery described the impeccable care her mother took for her clothing with "tissue stuffing the arms".  I often wonder if my daughter too, will look back at the love I have for fashion and beauty finds and my own unusual way or organizing and storing things.  I wonder if she will remember the beautiful perfumes that line my dresser.  I look at my pieces now and know exactly which will stay throughout the years.  And, my daughter has begged me to save my Manolo's and Choo's which I think is kind of funny, but she will likely remember how excited I got when I was holding one of those beauties in my hands!

This is a beautiful little book and I have flipped through the pages over and over.  I love the photographs and how she indexed the designer pieces in the back.  You can tell she must of loved her mother dearly and while fashion does not make us, I do think in many ways it defines us in how we see the world or how we feel deep inside.  I know how fabulous I feel when I can put on a DVF cherry red dress with classic black sling-backs.  

photo by Jeanette Montgomery Barrett

One last note, on page -22- there was a photo of her mother's Bill Blass tiger print jacket which reminded me of a jacket from Ann Taylor that I have been dreaming of and finally purchased with their 40% off sale.  It is a new item, the leopard jacquard jacket at $228.  It is stunning and as the author is now wearing her mother's jacket with jeans, I will hope that this one I recently purchased will hang around for awhile too!

Do you have an item or two that you love and will likely have in your closet for many years?  Do you have a piece from a beloved relative?

Happy Holidays everyone...

The Love of the Sequin...J. Crew's Sequin Sweatshirt

At $98, I could barely justify purchasing not only because it is a sweatshirt, but I have literally jammed my winter wardrobe with an abundance of sequins.  So I became prey again to one of J. Crew's sparkly wonders with the sequin sweatshirt in heather dove which is like a cream or oatmeal.  I got so many complements on this one and even more than the Haya which I purchased a few weeks back.  This one is subtle and would look equally chic paired with jeans or a pencil skirt.  It is unbelievably comfy and cool!  

The bigger question is why I continue buy one gift for someone and another for me!  So if you are up for a personal splurge and into this season's sparkle like I am, than this is a great investment, if that can be considered for a sweatshirt!  What are your favorite sparkle pieces this season, J. Crew or other?

Talbot's Spring 2011...Beautiful Lookbook & November's "As Seen Ins"!

Finally, something to get giddy about!  I am so glad that Talbot's is continuing a fresh, modern and unique approach to fashion.  Some have called their last couple of seasons a "reinvention" or "revival".  The Spring Lookbook  continues with the same spirit while also filled with their gorgeous classics.  They have brought back beautiful a-line skirts and dresses.  The colors range from fresh pastels to bold with teal, marigold and cream/crisp white sprinkled in.  Check out page -12- with a tan leather topcoat which I am loving!  The printed swing jacket on -23- is so sunny and adorable.  I am glad the pencil skirt returns with the same page -12- print; page -35- boasts a pencil skirt in cream/white with a daisy lace overlay.  I also love the sweet parisian floral dress on page -48-.

This is truly a collection and love how they have threaded the prints, bold colors and great shapes throughout.  I think this is hard to pull off in-store without getting off track.  This has been my major complaint with J. Crew over the last couple of years because the runway/collection simply did not translate to store.  And JC's collection items continue to be a bit eccentric for my taste and not quite deserving the category they fall within.

Talbot's keeps a slightly higher retail price on their core items, but frankly the quality remains and continues to offer surprises as well.  I am looking forward to Spring with Talbot's.  Some of the items will be released starting in January.

One last note, Talbot's was featured InStyle November 2010 highlighting their "reinvention" and shoes!

Need I say more!

Happy shopping and have a wonderful weekend!

Tinsel, pouchette, really?

J. Crew, J. Crew, where have we gone wrong?  Tinsel bags, really?  Someone is going to need to do some convincing on this one if in fact it is deemed Collection and high quality...


A little sparkler of a bag made of shimmery metallic satin and covered with strips of festive tinsel. We topped it off with a grosgrain bow and a removable skinny leather strap. Poly/wool/acrylic. Drawstring closure. Hematite-plated brass hardware. Interior patch pocket. Satin acetate lining. Part of J.Crew Collection. Import.


Collection?  Import, from where, the craft store?  Yes, it is a little sparkler of a bag, but Collection-worthy I am afraid not.

I am certain my 9-year old daughter could have come up with something more chic for my Holiday accessories.  This is really embarrassing.  I am wondering if any of the JC designers called out desperate and cheap-looking, but surely they must have thought that one of us would buy this.  I almost wish I had not seen this.  I do not even think this could by styled up.  Where is the unique and classy?  Where is the notable J. Crew Collection that actually deserves $158 and not because tinsel was slapped all over it.  I am getting a little tired of a higher priced tag serving as appeal to a true piece of fashion either in clothing or accessories.  This one is a major fumble?  Any differing thoughts on this baby?

J.Crew Deal Could Unleash Flurry of Action - WWD.com

J. Crew Women's Spring 2011

Photo By Kyle Ericksen

Millard “Mickey” Drexler

Photo By: Courtesy Photo

J.Crew Deal Could Unleash Flurry of Action - WWD.com

by EVAN CLARK and JEAN E. PALMIERI with contributions from ARNOLD J. KARR

Posted WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2010

From WWD ISSUE 11/24/2010

Millard “Mickey” Drexler may have just fired the starting gun for a new and potentially transformative round of industry dealmaking.

By joining with private equity firms TPG Capital and Leonard Green & Partners in a $3 billion buyout of J. Crew Group Inc., Drexler is also readying the company for expansion and giving its new concepts like Madewell and Crewcuts a chance to mature away from Wall Street scrutiny.

Under terms of the deal signed Tuesday, Drexler will remain chairman and chief executive officer and keep his equity stake in the business, which is currently 5.4 percent. Stockholders will be paid $43.50 a share — a 15.5 percent premium over Monday’s closing price but still below the more than $50 the stock sold for in April. 

Investors pushed up J. Crew shares 16.8 percent Tuesday to $43.99, as the S&P Retail Index slipped 0.8 percent, or 3.74 points, to 484.47, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, conscious of European debt concerns and new hostilities on the Korean peninsula, fell 1.3 percent, or 142.21 points, to 11,036.37.

The retailer will consider other offers until Jan. 15. If nothing better materializes and shareholders give the thumbs-up, the deal, which was first reported by The New York Times, is expected to close in the first half.

“We are in this for the long term, and we do what we do day in and day out so we can deliver the best possible products to our customers,” Drexler said Tuesday.

Private equity firms flush with cash have been circling retail properties, which were forced to get leaner because of the recession and are inviting acquisition targets because of relatively low stock prices.

“This is the start of the trend we’ve all been waiting for,” said David Bassuk, managing director at AlixPartners’ retail practice. “The news has always been, the private equity players are swirling around, watching what’s going on. This is the story of them putting their money to work.”

The holiday season could single out the best retail opportunities and lead to a “very active” round of mergers and acquisitions in the first quarter, Bassuk said.

“You will see more retail deals in the $1 billion to $3 billion range,” said David Shiffman, investment banker and managing director at Miller Buckfire & Co. “At that size range, large-cap and midcap [private equity] firms can put significant capital to work. In addition, strategic acquirers are building large cash balances and will use M&A for growth.”

The economic downturn set the stage for deals that are now coming to fruition. In addition to J. Crew’s pending buyout, Bain Capital Partners completed its $1.8 billion acquisition of The Gymboree Corp., which closed Tuesday.

“We’re going into 2011 with some tailwinds,” said Arash Farin, an investment banker at The Sage Group, noting overall holiday sales are expected to rise modestly. “There’s a lot of private equity money that is looking for new deals.”

The M&A machinery virtually shut down for a time during the depths of the recession and money piled up, leaving some private equity firms to choose between spending it or giving it back to their investors. McKinsey & Co. estimated private equity firms have about $100 billion to spend on retail.

Faced with consumer apathy because of the recession, retailers found religion of sorts and cut costs and inventories, becoming the tight operating machines they always claimed to be. 

But something more fundamental might also be going on.

Marc Cooper, managing director at Peter J. Solomon Co., said J. Crew is a bit of an outlier in that it is a sizable retailer with “some interesting growth potential.” Other established retailers that could get taken private are becoming “cash generators” with fewer prospects for growth, he said.


It’s the maturing of the retail industry,” Cooper said. “It’s the overstored nature of retail in the U.S. How do you create value for shareholders?”

One option is the leveraged buyout, where an investor uses borrowed money to buy a company at a premium and then takes cash generated by the business to pay down that debt. Cooper said the signs of a maturing sector can also be seen in dividend payouts, share repurchases and the activities of activist investors.

Public companies also tend to chafe under the glare of analysts and quarterly reporting requirements, and Drexler, who was ceo of Gap Inc., knows how complications multiply as companies grow and are pressured to keep on growing.

“What Drexler is capable of is taking [the J. Crew] brand and making it an affordable Ralph Lauren, and I think that’s brilliant,” said Les Berglass, chairman of executive search firm Berglass+Associates.

Drexler will need to add to his management team as the company grows, Berglass said. “He needs both merchandise support to execute his dream and operations support to guarantee his profit,” he said.

“As a private equity business, they can aggressively ramp up smaller concepts without worrying about the drag on earnings,” said Eric Beder, analyst at Brean Murray Carret & Co. 

“The Street doesn’t have much patience” for the nurturing of new businesses, Beder said, describing the deal as a “growth LBO.”

“There’s still significant growth opportunity with J. Crew stores, there’s international and there are the new concepts,” he said. “These are the drivers that the Street is ignoring now.”

Although Drexler’s place in the “new Crew” is secure and his reputation sterling, the deal arrives at one of the weaker moments in his seven-year tenure as ceo. On Tuesday, the firm reported that its profits for the third quarter ended Oct. 30 fell 13.8 percent to $37.8 million, or 58 cents a share. Although better than the 54-cent consensus estimate, it was well below the 71 cents that analysts had expected before J. Crew, in August, steered the market to an EPS range of between 55 cents and 60 cents for the three months. 

In the third quarter, total revenues were up 3.7 percent to $429.3 million. Gross margin receded to 43.5 percent of sales from 48.4 percent in the third quarter of 2009. Full-year EPS guidance was cut to a range of $2.08 to $2.13, down from the $2.25 to $2.35 earlier projected.

Although Crew shares were already down from their 52-week high of $50.96 — reached on April 26, the same day the S&P Retail Index peaked at just below 500 — the pessimistic view outlined in August limited their recovery. On Monday, before word of the buyout had circulated, they closed at $37.65, up $1.16.

On the conference call, Drexler pointed to pockets of strength in the business, such as men’s, Madewell, Crewcuts, accessories and the factory outlets. “The softness is primarily isolated to our women’s retail and direct business,” he said.

The ceo said J. Crew had “momentum in key businesses that hold large potential for further square footage growth.” 

Madewell just opened its 20th store in Washington’s Georgetown section last week, Drexler said, and the company is “actively pursuing new store opportunities in key markets” with the plan to open another 10 to 15 units next year.

In the third quarter, J. Crew posted $1 million in losses associated with this start-up business, versus $3 million in losses last year, according to chief financial officer Jim Scully. For the full year, the division is expected to lose $10 million, less than the company’s earlier projection of a $13 million loss.

Drexler also pointed to the success of the company’s recently opened men’s stores on Madison Avenue in New York and in Copley Place in Boston, as well as the wedding and collections store in Manhattan. He called the wedding store “a long-term roll-out opportunity in key markets.”

Turning to Crewcuts, he said “really healthy growth” in stores and online also warrant the addition of more stand-alone stores.

This would be TPG’s second round as a J. Crew owner. It acquired 88 percent of the company in 1997, sold most of its stake when J. Crew went public in 2006 and only sold off the final pieces of its investment last year.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

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J. Crew Spring 2011 - WWD.com

Photo By: Kyle Ericksen

Photo By: Kyle Ericksen

 J. Crew Spring 2011 - WWD.com

J. Crew Spring 2011 - Fashion and Design News and Trends - WWD.com

Posted FRIDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2010

From WWD.COM

"J. Crew’s spring presentation, held Thursday at Milk Studios, flaunted the label’s signature boy-girl blend while working in the season’s biggest runway trends. There were electric colors in a neon pink shorts-and-sweater combination; those much-talked-about longer lengths via maxi skirts, one done in blue sequins; a shirt dress, and even a YSL reference or two by way of a short off-shoulder peasant dress. It was all rendered well within the J. Crew vocabulary — meaning wearable — with even the sequined, shiny, dressed-up pieces styled with a modern, casual attitude. And now that Jenna Lyons holds the title of president as well as executive creative director, she stepped back and let Marissa Webb, vice president of women’s design, do the talking. Lyons, Webb and all the models were wearing Day-Glo orange lipstick. As Webb explained, the work of abstract painter Hans Hofmann, particularly his use of color and structure, was a big influence, “but carried back to what we’re best known for,” meaning that all important mix."  

Photo By: Kyle Ericksen

Photo By: Kyle Ericksen

I love the day-glo orange lipstick and continued themes with sequins.  I do think many of the pieces are quite wearable.  What do you think?  I also like the use of bright colors which seem to pop throughout rather than an expected and muted Spring theme that we tend to see on the runways for this collection.  If this is the preview to come for J. Crew in 2011 then I love it so far.  Any thoughts?

J. Crew Offers Me Treats, No Tricks!

I was so excited to get a Rewards Card from J. Crew!  Finally, I feel so appreciated!  Now, holding on to it for awhile has never been my strong suit, but I think I will try to keep it a little while, maybe Christmas (ahhh, who am I kidding!)!  I have items that I have my eyes on including the Marled Alexie sweater.  I have been on a major sweater kick this Fall between J. Crew, Talbot's and Ann Taylor, the options are just fabulous.  I am also loving grey and cannot get enough of it!  The Alexie sweater looks like one of those little sweaters that could be great with a pencil skirt or crossing over to a sweatshirt-like comfy weekend sweater.  On another grey note, the merino lace shell has also caught my eye and J. Crew actually calls this color heather urban grey.  The lining is silk chiffon and love that it has a modern, more masculine gold zipper in the back.  I still love the play with masculine/fem as far as detailing goes.  

I love the drapey sequin tee in shadow.  Lace and sequins have hit a home run in my wardrobe and I think these pieces can up the outfit exponentially whether with jeans or slacks.  It is great to have a couple options when you need that extra sparkle (literally)!  I just hope that sequins do not become the "ruffles" I've grown to hate with J. Crew and where themselves out (if they have not already).

I still have the Ashbury bag on my wish list.  J. Crew describes as "bohemian chic study in contrast...  I am not sure on that, but it could go work week to weekend pretty easily which is typically how I like to consider when purchasing a bag.  I will wait until this one goes down.  Pretty for Fall though and do you like?

This is my last favorite for the day and guess what, with grey and lace printed pattern!  I couldn't resist as the Palmilla lace pencil skirt is gorgeous! I am a bit obsessed with the pencil skirts to begin with, but as JC describes, it is truly "toast-worthy".  The pencil skirt is one that J. Crew does wonderfully and time after time proves to be may favs with their leg-lengthing cut and gorgeous colors to textures.  They stay around for many years as classic pieces.

Any favorites you are still holding out for or not?  I hope everyone has a Happy and safe Halloween with lots of treats from J. Crew or other!

J. Crew November...Thumbs Up to Jenna's Picks!

I have to say, with winter on its way (tisk tisk!) or at least into the trenches of Fall, I was refreshed to see some fresh, updated versions of some classics.  I love the stadium cloth cinema coat with the shearling collar.  I also like the chambray shirt with the little tuxedo pleat!  I adored the lisette lace shift dress.  The heirloom pink is really feminine and I like just a touch of the lace at the neckline...kind of has a twenties feel to it.  This dress is one of those pieces that could be paired with a masculine boot or jacket and an updo and you are set for a night out!  TheWeatherby riding boots are just fantastic!  What a great touch with the lace up on a classic boot.  I also loved the shirt patterns on pages 20-21 of the catalog.  I have to say though.  

I was a little disappointed with the drab, muted robin's egg blue catalog page background.  The cover is just listless and boring.  It amazes me (as I am in Marketing), how a color can just kill the entire vibe of an otherwise great catalog with pages of beautiful clothing.  Anyways, thumbs up to Jenna's Picks.  I just wish they would make that sequin skirt a little longer (maybe Christmas??)!!!  Happy Fall and what was your most favorite item?

J. Crew's Haya Sequin Sweatshirt...A Lovely, Casual, Glam Piece!

I never thought in a million years I would pay $135 sweatshirt, but I did with J. Crew's new Haya sequin knit.  Of course I used my white card which softened the blow, but I almost couldn't justify it.  I have been on a bit of a sequin and sparkle hunt, so this was a must-purchase for me.  I had run from the gym to my son's soccer game last night and threw it on so I did not look like a complete mess and I got so many compliments on top of the fact that it picked up the setting sun and was absolutely gorgeous.  I am going to layer it tonight and wear boots to a party.  It has become a favorite in my Fall wardrobe.  J. Crew describes as:

"Casual comfort meets glitzy glamour. We used a twisted cotton yarn and a special knitting technique to achieve this highly sought-after vintage heathered effect, then bedecked the front with allover sequins. The easiest way to dress up jeans or broken-in chinos, it also looks great peeking from beneath a blazer paired with a pencil skirt and sky-high heels. Cotton. Crewneck. Long sleeves. Part of J.Crew Collection."


Any thoughts on this piece?  Are you tied of sequins in their Collection or regular items?  Happy Fall...

J. Crew Cashmere Wins My Heart Again...Unexpected Color.

I couldn't resist on the cashmere again this weekend at the J. Crew B&M! Not to mention there was a reduction in price on a couple styles. And as I've posted before, there is just an amazing batch of colors this season.  The heather cobblestone Cody cardigan caught my eye most recently.  I would really have described this color as mushroom.  It is neither too gray nor too brown, but somewhat caught in the middle as a beautiful slate or mushroom.  It isn't the first color that would pop off the table, but when I held it up to the light, I was sold.  It is a beautiful alternative to the browns and gray that flood my wardrobe.

I just can't get enough, but my rational teetered on "essential" rather that another hot color.  I just love J. Crew cashmere.  It is the quintessential Fall pairing to nearly every outfit I have.  And, if you can catch a sale, then all the better (of course I didn't)!  Any favorite colors catching your eye?

Eclectic Fashion Find...Rachel Roy's Curly Lamb Swing Jacket

On my continued Fall pursuit of faux fur have come across an adorable, eclectic jacket from Rachel Roy's RRR line.  The Faux curly lamb swing jacket swings in at $179, but she runs fabulous sales and markdowns come pretty quickly.  I have really grown to love her apparel and accessories, shoes...very unique.   I also love the lacey tee, but Target has a great one by Merona, which looks very similar.

I never thought in a million years I would consider purchasing something like this, but I think that it would be adorable belted, casual or even a nice little jacket with a dress as shown.

Check out her Spring 2011 line, very lovely.

Happy Weekend!

J. Crew 20% Off Pants and I Took Advantage of It!

So, I have been on a wild mission for anything "camel" colored, haired and outside of riding one, I am buying all that is related to camel!  With that, I took advantage of J. Crew's 20% of pants sale with the purchase of the 1035 Herringbone trouser.  J. Crew describes as:

Our superbly sleek (and best-selling) trouser, now in a classic herringbone wool (our designer chose this rich fabric because it takes color beautifully). We named it after our Madison Avenue boutique, because like our store, it's your go-to for polished chic. Belt loops. Zip fly. Slant pockets, back welt pockets. Fully lined. Import. Dry clean.

• Favorite fit—our most universal fit with a medium rise.
• Fitted through hip, with a straight trouser leg.
• 33" inseam.

I will review once I receive, but am pretty sure I am going to love these.  Herringbone screams Fall for me and as I mentioned am loving the "camel" trends this year.  So classic and so hope J. Crew has hit the mark.  Any camel-themed items you love this Fall?

Talbots WOW...Tradition Transformed!

For anyone still thinking that Talbot's borders matronly in any way, take a look at one of their new videos called "Tradition Transformed" and here is what they say online:  

"It's Talbots like you've never seen before. Updated and Unexpected. Reimagined classics redefined with covet-me details. It's fabulous. It's feminine. It makes onlookers green with envy. See our transformation (and what everyone's been talking about)."

I love it!  I have been blogging here and there about falling in love with Talbots all over again and the video pretty much summed it up for me.  I love to reinvent, reengage, reaffirm, recreate, redefine which are all words used in this video.  How great to tout all that is new tied to a fabulous brand rooted in classic, well-made pieces that many of us have kept around in our closets year after year.  This fresh new point of view just makes me want to come back for more.  And while I've seem many comments from my fellow JCAs that would describe Talbots as merely "copy catting", I would argue that they have clearly added trends that I've seen across many brands and designers but made them look utterly Talbots and modernly chic.  My only wish is that they would move more of their new items into the stores earlier on.  They had shown a rugby type silk scarf which showed up in the styling of several catalog photos but has yet to get released if at all .  The store associates had no idea if this scarf was even available (boo!).  Anyways, I love the "reinvention".  It keeps them alive amidst a very competitive retail environment.  Frankly, they have brought me over more regularly.  I would imagine they have also picked up some consumers in different age brackets (likely younger than I)!  Hooray Talbots!  Do you like Talbots new positioning and which products are you lusting after?

J. Crew 20% Off & Free Ship +150 (Code OURTREAT)

Am afraid I took the plunge and purchased a few items with another final sale over at J. Crew.  I believe however it was a worthwhile investment given it was the wool gabardine suiting.  I purchased both the pant and two-button blazer which I have been wanting to purchase but somehow the sizing didn't match up for me on previous sales.  The suit didn't pop up as Final Sale either.  I also bought an open merino cardi in the lagoon green which I love!  I can't get enough of this color and they are a steal at $24.99!  So happy Fiday!  Was great to have this pop on a Friday...

Nordstrom Online...Cool, New Look!

I was struck by Nordstrom's cool updated website, fresh with modern graphics displayed in an eye-catching and flashy way (no pun-intended!).  The site is really clean with the focus on three key areas to tap into including 1) Departments 2) Brand and 3) Conversation.  I was particularly taken by the "Conversation" area with drop-down choices including their blog "The Thread" and other catchy items including including a section called "Career Mode" which highlights real people working within different careers talking about how fashion and style works into their lives.  I love this!  Take a look at Melissa for example, an interior designer talking about why different pieces are important to her.  I think this is really smart.  I can relate much better to this than the typical catalog or magazine ad typically 5 sizes smaller than me and who model for a living.

Under the same section, check out "Eye for Style" featuring their longstanding collaboration with Ruben Toledo..  This is wonderfully artistic!

I really love what they have done with this site.  It has gone from somewhat predictable to fun, cool and unexpected in one fell swoop.  I am thinking this will better attract younger generations as well.  While I adore Nordstroms for their old department store charm and service, this really sets them apart from other retail sites.  Very creative and so much to explore. Have you checked it out?