JCrew Factory--now online!

But only until Sunday at midnight (that's May 8th) AND they are offering free shipping.

Here are some of my favorites:

• Factory stripe sequin boatneck $44.50
• Factory printed eyelet trim dress $79.50
• Factory nautical cotton braided flip-flops $24.50 (didn't they used to have these in their regular stores?  I was wondering what happened to them!)
• Factory caprice jacket $49.99 (LOVE the collar on this jacket!)
• Factory lilac shower shift dress $29.99 
• Factory denim calvary skirt $29.99

There are also about a million cardigans too, which I think you can never have too many of.  

So has JCrew opened it's Factory stores online before?  Am I the last one to be finding out about this??

(sorry no pictures, am posting from a Mac today and don't know how to save images with this mouse.  oops!)

I'll take this for Mother's Day please!

Around The Bend willow swing $875.00

Yes, I know it's pricy, but ohmygod I love this so much!  And a girl can dream, right?!  This would look so stinkin' cute on my porch.  Guess I need to take up willow-bending........

Thinking about home design

I've lived in my house for about 2 years now.  I moved from a 1200 sq. ft. townhouse into a much smaller 900 sq. ft. home in the woods.  It's tiny, but plenty of room for my son and me (along with our 2 dogs, cat, rabbit, and 2 turtles--yes, that's excessive).  The problem is, there's no storage, and our furniture was purchased with a much larger house in mind.  I've been thinking of solutions to my design delimma, and short of calling Nate Berkus, here's what I've come up with:



This is all from Ikea, mainly because I can't afford Pottery Barn.  Is it crazy to want white couches?  These are slipcovered though, and therefore washable.  I love washable things.  I love the idea that I can just whip these babies off and throw them in the washing machine.  Plus, Ikea sells covers, so if they get too bad I can always buy more.  So that's not TOO crazy, right??  I'd like to paint the walls a light blue-gray, and accent the couches with bright pillows and art.  My house has really deep porches, so it tends to be very dark inside, so I think I just want something that looks bright and clean.  All my current furniture is dark.  I'm sick of it.  Now, if I could only convince my family to buy me Ikea gift cards!  I keep asking, and they keep coming up with reasons why they won't.  Anyone have a solution to that??

Little Blue Dress

Surplus Chambray Dress $24.00 (on sale!)

I tried this dress on yesterday at Kohls.  Loved it, unfortunately even on sale I couldn't justify buying it.  Can't wear it to school, and it's a little big in the bust.  The bust issue will probably work itself out in the first washing (and isn't really that noticable to begin with), but I still just couldn't buy it.  It's a great dress though.  The fabric is wonderful - not too thin and not too heavy, and I love the stitching detail across the band.  There's also plenty of coverage to wear a strapless bra. 

There were still plenty in the store, and online though, so I can always change my mind and pick it up later. 

Stylebook

I'm seriously obsessed with this app.  I've had it a few months now, but was having a hard time entering in my clothing.  I figured out, though, that using my "real" camera rather than my iphone really helped.  It's a pain, but once you've got your clothes in the system it's great!  Here are some screen shots from my Stylebook:

This is your main closet, and where you add or remove items.

Here's what the "looks" look like.  Kind of like Polyvore, but with things you already own!

 And here is your calendar.  I love the tiny outfits on each day.  So cute!!

Tips for this app:

• If you purchase something online, use the online picture for your Stylebook picture because it usually is photographed much better than you can do yourself (professional lighting is awesome!).  Often, it will also be on a white background while will allow you to "clip" the background super-easy.  I just download the image to a folder on my desktop, then email it to myself.  Easy-peasy.
• If you have to photograph your own outfits, photograph them in the brightest room in your house on a white background.  I use the back of my bedroom door with ALL the lights on in my room.  For shoes I just sit them on my white comforter. 
• You can enter notes for both outfits and individual pieces of clothing.  I like to add both the store I bought the item at, plus the date and price.  No real reason for this, I just like knowing that kind of stuff.
• You can also add inspirational pictures to give you ideas on outfits.  I like to save some of my favorite outfits from my fellow bloggers and email them to myself to add to my app.  It's fun to look at when I'm stumped on what to wear. 

This app is seriously addictive.  Don't blame me because I warned you!!

Monday Favorites

Gap Sequin Strap Tote $49.95

I'm blaming Haute Mama for this one.  Completely impractical but still so cute!  Sadly, at $50, I can't even BEGIN to justify buying it.

OTvan (image and more info here)

Ok.  Seriously.  I want this.  I have no idea why, but it's so stinking cute!!

So there are really only two things today.  I think I've been feeling a little shopped-out and guilty the last few days.  I've bought a lot of stuff the last week or so!!!  Here's a list:

1. New sunglasses (I broke mine last fall, and I'm paranoid about getting cataracts like my dad so it was PAST time to replace them.  Did you know that sun exposure to your eyes is a cause of cataracts??!!! $14)
2. Wide brown belt (used a Kohls coupon - $4)
3. Amazing $18 dress from the resale shop
4. Black cotton blazer (thrift store - $4!)
5. Target dress (I need a few more things to wear that are school-appropriate - $24)
6. Hairspray (upgraded from the $2 a can stuff I've used forever because I used this brand at my sister-in-laws and loved it--also used a coupon from Ulta - $13)
7. Black wedges (half-off AND a needed addition to my wardrobe because the only pair of summery black shoes I have are flip-flops - these were my most expensive purchase by far - I'd link but they're sold out already - $49)
8. Eyeshadow (to replace the one that was used up - $5)

It's not really like I've just gone CRAZY shopping or anything, but that's a lot of things at once for me.  The guilt kind of takes the fun out of things, doesn't it?  BUT...I've also kind of run out of "wants".  I need a new curling iron, and I'm still looking for that denim jacket to restyle, but I think I'm good for now.  My plan now is to take all the inspiration I get from my fellow bloggers and come up with some new ways to wear the things I already have. Can't wait to see what I come up with!!! (and do any of the rest of you spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about your next outfit?  lol)

What I Wore: May 1

Jeans:  Old Navy Skinnies

Top:  Anthropologie (from a few years ago)

Sweater:  Anthropologie

Shoes:  Lands End

I like this outfit.  I'm getting ready to go out for drinks in a little bit and might exchange the cardigan for a brown velvet blazer.  It's in the 50's here today!!!  I want my hot summer weather back!

So these rolled-up skinny jeans? Totally an inspiration from my fellow bloggers.  I have worn these jeans exactly once since I bought them last fall.  Mainly just because I didn't really know how to wear them.  I had a pair of platform booties that looked cute with them, but they just weren't "me".  I felt weird everytime I tried them on, so I returned them.  I like these pants with flats though.  And I have a pair of wedges on the way to me in the mail that they'll look cute with.  So now?  I'm kind of diggin' em!  Thanks guys!!