[Shopping] Dressing Room Diaries

Time for another round of DID I BUY IT?

First up, a plaid button down from Old Navy.

I did NOT buy it. While it wasn't bad, it wasn't great. This is the problem of us larger-on-top women - perfect in the top, but baggy at the waist.

Next, a navy blue Old Navy button down.

Didn't buy it. I didn't love the way the material clung to me at odd places, making it just sit strangely on my body.

Next, a cardigan from the Gap.

I hemmed and hawed over this one. I really liked it, and it was $20, but I had gone specifically to Gap for something else, and money was tight enough that I couldn't justify $20 on something similar to what I already had at home. Although in retrospect, I wish I had bought it, because the only other long sweater cardigan I have is short sleeved, and I forgot that part.

Moving on.

Grey sweater from LOFT.

I loved this sweater. LOVED it. But the one I'm wearing is an XL - now, I'm all for trying on sizes other than what I usually wear, especially since oversize is trendy right now, but while the picture might not look like it, this particular sweater gathered pretty badly at my waist, making me look bigger. They had my size in this in purple, but I didn't love the color, so I didn't buy either. You can see it better in the pic below.

Speaking of, polka dotted pants, also from LOFT, are next.

Didn't get these. The butt was saggy. The material was not stretchy. And for someone with very minimal curves like myself, this can make or break a pair of pants.

This is the purple sweater in my size (same as grey above)

Already mentioned I didn't get it. Forgot I had a pic, haha.

I actually kind of liked the length of the larger one better.

Last from LOFT, a lacy skirt.

I had no idea how to wear this one. Where it hit was entirely too high on my body because of where my waist is. A big NO here.

Next...a Gap sweater.

I love this sweater. LOVE it. I was iffy at the time, so I didn't get it, then went back for it a day later and it was completely gone in my size. The next size up was too big. This one bums me out a bit.

Another Gap sweater:

Didn't love it. Didn't buy it.

Lastly, a sweater from the Limited.

Love this one. AND actually bought it!!! Out of everything here, this is the only one I currently own. That's so not like me. But good for my wallet!!!

What have you bought lately?

[Linkup] Try It Tuesday: C'est La Vie

Just popping in quickly today to announce a temporary suspension on "Try It Tuesday". I will continue to use Tuesday posts to try Pins, but I'm temporarily suspending the linkup. There just hasn't been enough interest for me to keep it up right now.

Of course, in true-to-my-life form*, I saw 2 linkups with the same theme start in the last month, and these other bloggers have a lot better reach than I do. Also, they're using a different day for their linkup, so other bloggers can't easily combine links.

I do have a few blogs that I'm sponsoring in the next month or two, so I may try again if I gain enough readers - but for now, until further notice - no more Try It Tuesday Linkup!

*{Note: I say true-to-my-life form because I have what my hubby calls a curse. Things happen to me that couldn't be replicated if you tried 100,000 times. It's like I have a beacon for things to go not really "wrong", but odd. Like, if there is a sewer grate 20 feet away from me, somehow I will drop something in it from that far away. Perhaps I should start keeping track of these and blog about them, because it's kind of ridiculous how often this kind of thing happens to me. Anyway, before I decided what I wanted to try for a linkup, I paid careful attention to the hundreds of blogs I follow to see if anyone was doing a Pinterest linkup. There was none. Until I started mine. And then there were 2-3. And then I found a new blog that's been linking up with one for months. So goes my luck. Or curse. Whatever.}

[OOTD] So Tired I Didn't Try It

Sorry, guys, but no Try It Tuesday for me today. I have been so busy I haven't been able to do any pins! I haven't even been able to catch up on my blog reading (guys, my rss reader is backed up from last Tuesday). However, I wouldn't want to let down anyone who happened to do a pin post for today, so the linkup is still at the bottom!! 

Top: INC via Macy's | Jeans: Target | Shoes: Payless

I wasn't entirely sure when I bought this if it was a dress or a top - it's short so I'm going with tunic. I really loved the lace overlay.

[Life] Weekend Wrap-Up

I'm not gonna lie - the past 9 days have been rough.

First of all, thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by Hurricane Sandy. I know it's a bit late, but my entire last week of posts were all scheduled pre-hurricane (and so are the next week's worth). I knew I'd have a hell of a week and wasn't able to jump in to update a post to mention it. I have a lot of friends who were/are affected, since I grew up in the area that was hit. My parents were without power for a few days but fortunately that was the worst of it. It was a devastating event and we were all quickly reminded how strong Mother Nature can be. 

As I said, I've been busy. I hosted a Halloween party two weekends ago, taught all 5 days last week, and then hosted 2 more parties this past weekend. The class I taught is one I've just learned the material for, and I had a very trying student in the course, so I had a rough go of it. I also spent hours every evening going back over the next day's content so that I could better deal with said rough student. That, coupled with planning the bridal shower and bachelorette party I hosted, left me with zero time. Like I said, rough week.

But the reward was in the weekend. I was honored to host the bridal shower for one of my closest and dearest friends.

I also got to host an accompanying bachelorette in honor of Jena!!!

We got a room at the Hampton Inn to crash at after the festivities - and started out with champagne in paper Hampton cups. This led to many a rendition of "White Hampton Cup! I fill you up!"

Then, our friend Lea hosted all the ladies at her apartment.

We had an impromptu dance party to the Wobble (hey, most of us are dancers!!!)

The whole crew

Next up, a local club....

And we ended up in VIP...I think it was the veil??

Overall, the night was a blast!!!

I'm so excited and honored to stand by Jena's side next weekend as her Matron of Honor, when she marries Jason, her best friend and love of her life. <3

[Shopping] Fall Fashion Update Numero Dos

I am almost completely done with my fall shopping list - yay!

Here are a few updates:

1. I obviously haven't found smoking loafers yet...but I haven't really been looking too hard. However, the ones I've tried on (including the ones from the Gap) haven't really excited me. This makes me wonder if perhaps this style of shoe just isn't "me", no matter how much I love it!
2. I bought my cowboy boots and they were featured here.
6b. That mustard scarf is sold out. :( Can't find a comparable option! Though I have been looking for affordable scarves in not only mustard, but hunter green and burgundy. Let me know if you find any good options! (Maybe I'm being cheap, but I don't like paying more than $10 for a scarf. I keep finding great ones around the $15 and I just can't justify spending that on a scarf when I have so many others!)
8. I got my polka dot shirt but went the opposite direction and picked white dots on black from F21. This isn't the exact shirt but it's close:

Forever21

9. Got the pink with lace box clutch I was drooling over from the Kirna Zebete collection at Target. I went in last week and it was 50% off - if anyone knows anything about Target, you know the lowest it will usually go is 70% off and I wasn't taking a chance. I'd rather buy it for $7 more and get one than wait it out and miss out on it!

Love

In other news...still haven't found green pumps. Honestly, these are probably at the very bottom of the wishlist. And that red crossbody bag....so elusive! I have a very specific idea of what I'm looking for - small, brighter red rather than oxblood, quilted detailing, chain on part or all of strap, and preferably a front flap with clasp. The closest thing I've found is this bag from Banana Republic: 

...but for $60 it needs to be exactly what I'm looking for and I fear this may be a touch too small at 6 inches wide. I'm looking more for 7.5 or 8 inches in width.

UPDATE since I wrote this post: I came across a great Kenneth Cole red shoulder bag at Stein Mart and picked that one up!

I'll have a picture soon, I couldn't find one online. But rest assured it's cute! :)

How is your fall shopping going?

[Shopping] My Issues With J. Crew

Here's your word of warning: I'm about to talk about J. Crew, and probably not in the way many of you other fashion bloggers do, so be forewarned.

Why do I want to talk about J. Crew? Because I love them. And I severely dislike them. And they disappoint the heck out of me. All at the same time.

Many of us who follow trends and styles know that J. Crew is the ultimate in preppy: chic chinos and classic button downs, luxurious sweaters and wardrobe staples. I am drawn to J. Crew the way every other gal who loves the preppy look is - drooling over the style guides, dreaming of a day when I can afford to buy my entire wardrobe from the catalog.

I love J. Crew clothing. But, I am also a gal on a budget. As many of us know, J. Crew's $150 pieces of costume jewelry (I'm looking at you, bubble necklace!), $70 embellished t-shirts and $300+ sweaters aren't budget-friendly to those of us without large amounts of funds. Many of us, myself included, settle for knockoffs or similar styles. However, if we're savvy, we can get our hands on some coveted J. Crew items.

J. Crew has some great sales. I've seen $80 sweaters marked down to $35, $130 pencil skirts for $50, and $200 blazers for $90 (which is still a bit high to me for a blazer, but that's personal preference). I hate that sale items are final sale, only because online is where you find the best sale selection, and I need to try things on. My body is oddly proportioned, as I've mentioned on the blog before, so buying sale items on final sale means I can only buy them in store where I can try them on. But if you know your body and how J. Crew fits you, this is a great way to get some J. Crew on a budget.

I can hear it already: a bunch of you out there are thinking/saying/whining "But, Jamie, we're talking about price for quality!" - and I wholly agree. To me, the quality and amount of use I'll get out of a piece greatly influences what I'll pay for something. In many ways I can be super cheap because I won't pay for trends, but I am willing to throw down some good money for a quality item I'll use for years. I have jeans that cost me well over $150 apiece but they were worth every penny because they last and last without changing shape, losing seams or buttons, or fading. I am all for spending money on quality.

I write all of the above to preface the rest so that you don't think I'm hating on J. Crew. I'm not. I think their clothes are chic, classy, and classic. I would own a closet full of them, if I could afford them, and if the next two things I'm about to say were not issues. These issues leave me wanting, frustrated, and disappointed. What are those two issues I have?

J. Crew clothes do not excite me as much on my body as they do on the hanger or on someone else.

By this, I don't mean that they're just "not made for my body", I mean - I love them on the hanger and am confused as to why I don't love them on me. Almost every single item. And I don't mean that they don't fit, because they do. They just don't look awesome.

I try very hard to only buy clothes that make me feel fabulous. I can ooooh and aaaah over items in the store and excitedly try them on - only to be disappointed when I put it on and think "huh. This doesn't look as good as I thought it would." The items seem "blah" on me once out of the sheen of the store lights and under the harsh glow of the dressing room. I've seen the same items on other bloggers, looking fabulous, so I know it's possible. I just never feel that I look so great in them. And it's not the fit. I'm not spending money on "just ok" - I don't care if it's J. Crew or Forever 21, if it doesn't make me feel great, it's not going home with me.

Other bloggers look WOW in some of the same items I've tried on. Maybe, while J. Crew clothing fits me just fine, I just don't have the proportions that J. Crew most compliments. In that case, maybe I can overlook this. Maybe J. Crew is just not the store for me. But there is one more glaring thing that is the biggest issue of all for me with J. Crew.

J. Crew quality (or lack thereof) always takes me by surprise.

Yes, you read that right. I have a big ol' issue with J. Crew quality. I can't tell you how many times I fell in love with an item on the website, and since I won't order final sale items I went to the store to try it on, only to be shockingly disappointed in the quality of the item, even for the low sale price! Now, I'm just going on first glance - maybe these items hold up in the long term. The things that stand out to me at first glance, though, are the weight of the fabric (thin, and feels like you could rub a hole into the fabric with your fingers) and the feel of the fabric (rough, not soft and smooth - like if you rubbed it on your cheek it wouldn't feel nice).

Now, I know there are certain items J. Crew always does in high quality - No 2 pencil skirts, cashmere, leather bags - those are great quality items. But t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, and a few other items always shock me. I find many of them carry high original price tags, yet they are thin, and rough to the touch. I have softer tees from Target for 20% of the cost. I have a real issue with poor quality costing so much money. You can't just offset the poor quality items with the high quality ones - if I'm spending that kind of money I want soft! Thick! Comfortable!

While some items are of a ridiculously high quality, other "staple" items appear shoddily made of poor quality material, and I'm often really glad I didn't impulsively order the item online because I would have been super disappointed. As a style blogger who reads other style blogs, I am constantly seeing other bloggers oooh and aaah over J. Crew items and I wish I could feel the same.

I want J. Crew to be everything it promises - great style, great fit, great quality for a perfectly classic look. But to me, it's not. I'm tired of being disappointed. I think it's time for me to stop thinking of J. Crew on this pedestal and realize it's just not for me.

So disappointing.

Are there any stores/brands/items that everyone else seems to love but that just constantly disappoint you?

[Link up] Trend of the Month: Boots!!!

Today I'm linking up with the amazing Marion at Marionberry Style for her Trend of the Month linkup! This month, it's all about boots. Booties, mid calf boots, knee boots - all kinds of boots! Well....I just bought myself a pair of cowboy boots, so I'm going to be different post about that!!! (Although, I wouldn't be surprised if one of my bloggy faves Molly posts about them, too!!)

Now, I'm sure to many of you that's not a big deal. And it's not like this is my first pair of cowboy boots. But I've been a country girl all my life and every pair of boots I've ever owned have been cheap, poorly made, and "fake" - meaning some trendy shoe company put them out because they were in style. In my mind, they weren't real cowboy boots.

Now, all that has changed.

I went with 6 of my dance team girlfriends for an afternoon shopping outing at Horsetown East in Snellville, GA. Talk about authenticity - they carry everything a country girl could want! Jeans, hats, boots, shirts, jewelry - you name it, they had it.

And the boots. Authentic. Real leather. Made to be broken in. Made to take a beating. Made for a perfect hardwood dance floor.

After an hour or two of giving stylistic feedback to my friends trying on clothes, I headed over the boots. One of the women who was working there helped me out and I explained my situation: looking for boots under $200, I have long/big feet and skinny calves, and I've never owned a real pair. She spent the next half an hour choosing boots that met what I was looking for.

I just knew it when I put these on. I knew they were "the ones" - and when every one of my girls seconded that, I knew I had to get them. And I did.

The higher heel made my foot look shorter, and the skinnier shaft (hahaha that made me laugh when the saleswoman said it, how childish am I?!) was perfect on my skinny little chicken leg calves.

I just love my new boots...and I've worn them out on the dance floor a few times and they're perfect. Yay!

Oh, and as a bonus: here's how I wore them dancing!

Top: Old Navy, last seen here | Jeans: Express, old | Boots: Dan Post via Horsetown | Tank: Macy's

And, as a bonus, since a bunch of you have commented asking to see my dance team in action - here you are! (Sorry, but this is one of the best videos of our most recent performance, but it was recorded on an iphone so the quality is meh.) I'm on the far left in the front, when the video scrolls over that way. :)

Happy Wednesday, ya'll!!

[Link up] Try It Tuesday: Pumpkin Cookies

Welcome to Try It Tuesday, a linkup where we can try out something we've wasted all that time pinning! :)  The only rules are that your post content is inspired by something else - be it a pin, a page from a magazine, or someone else's blog. Also, please link back to my linkup in your post - the button code is below and in my right sidebar if you'd like to use the button.

Since tomorrow is Halloween, I thought I'd share the cookies I made from a recipe I pinned! To me, October screams pumpkin flavored things: coffee, cookies, and my favorite - pumpkin rolls (I make at least 2 of these every October, haha). This time, I decided to branch out and try a recipe on Pinterest that was slightly different than my normal pumpkin cookie recipe to see how it turned out.

The recipe I used I had pinned from this post by Jess of Linen, Lace, & Love:

1 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup pumpkin
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

To start, I mixed the shortening and sugar, then added the pumpkin.

I sifted the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt together, then set aside.

Next, I mixed in the egg with the pumpkin/sugar/shortening mixture.

Lastly, I mixed the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mix.

Scooping rounded teaspoons of cookies onto the cookie sheet, I baked the cookies at 375 for 10-12 minutes (a little longer in my oven because it stinks, haha).

They came out great!!! They had an amazing soft texture to them, a little on the dense side, but this tends to happen when you use shortening in a cookie recipe - however, I love them that way! I didn't do the icing that Jess did in her recipe, because I don't love icing on my cookies. I would definitely make these again!!