Hello and happy Monday! I am happy to report that we had a safe and uneventful trip home yesterday. We enjoyed a nice brunch with my mom and our kids before she headed home, and then it was nice enough to sit outside and read on the front porch. Maybe spring is on its way, after all! I’m looking forward to getting back to routine today.
Last week, I went to the mall to return a few things and I ended up coming home with more than I returned! Funny how that works. I started out in Nordstrom and ended up wandering into J.Crew, and I took some pictures so I can share with you.
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This striped cold shoulder top immediately caught my eye at Nordstrom. I tried on both the small and medium, and the medium is definitely the right size, so it runs true to size or maybe a bit small. I really like the length in the front — it hits right at my “sweet spot” to create a nice balance. The split back is a cute detail, and it’s made of a comfortable jersey fabric with a nice drape. It comes in grey, navy, and black, and I ended up purchasing the black. I wore this for half a day in Savannah, and it was great for a casual day when you want to feel a little more dressed up than normal but not fancy.
I didn’t like this slub knit cold shoulder tee nearly as much as the striped top. It’s too long, and the cold shoulder detail wasn’t as flattering. For size reference, this was a small and was plenty big, so this Bobeau brand is pretty inconsistent with their sizing.
The grey jeans I’m wearing are by Caslon. I like the released hem and the shade of grey, but I’m not crazy about the rear view. For size reference, these are a 28, so they run a bit large.
And speaking of bad rear views, these boyfriend jeans do me no favors at all. (These are also a size 28.) I like the ones from J.Crew that I styled last week better, although neither pair really does me any favors from that angle.
Yoiks! Needless to say, those did not come home with me.
Moving on to J.Crew… I love that Nordstrom carries a lot of J.Crew styles because you can earn Nordstrom Rewards on those purchases, AND you get the benefit of the Nordstrom free shipping and free returns as well as the in-store pickup option. For the items that are also carried at Nordstrom, I’ll link to both options.
This white ruffle sleeve top is cute, but I don’t care for how the ruffle on the sleeve is aligned with my chest. I try to avoid tops with sleeves that end there or draw attention to that area. I do like the neckline and the length of the hem. This top might be cuter on someone with a pear shape, as the volume on top would balance the hip area. For size reference, this is a small.
I felt like a clown in this ruffle stripe top (also at Nordstrom.) It’s cute, but I just couldn’t get on board. This is a size 6.
I debated this pink striped bell sleeve top and eventually decided to leave it in the store. It reminds me of a candy striper, ha! I think I might like it better in the blue and white, but I still don’t really think it flatters me. I would like it better if it had a more open neckline. Or maybe it just needs an iron, lol. For size reference, this is a 6.
I didn’t love this metallic linen tee (also at Nordstrom.) Maybe it would be better in the silver, but this gold is too close to my skin tone. I’m also wearing the slim boyfriend jeans (also at Nordstrom) that I styled last week.
I really don’t love the back view. This is why I live in skinny jeans, folks!
I wanted to love this pink tweed skirt, but it was a little too snug in the 6, and it was too big in the 8. The sales associate brought me this white tee to try on with it, but it’s definitely a size too small. I would need a medium in this, and I’d prefer the scoopneck version.
So let’s talk about this red shift dress (also at Nordstrom.) I saw it on the hanger and assumed the straight silhouette wouldn’t flatter me, but I loved the color as well as the eyelet detail, the tie closure in the back, and the elbow-length bell sleeves. After debating, I told myself that you never really know till you try it on, so I grabbed my size and headed to the dressing room. (This is the 6 by the way.)
The sales associate encouraged me to buy it and said that with shoes and accessories, it will be stunning. I actually don’t mind the way it fits through the body, but the neckline is doing something funky, and I couldn’t decide if I wanted to commit or not, so I left it in the store. I’m still thinking about it, though. It might be fun for the kick-off event at the conference I have coming up in a few weeks. The theme is Escape to Tulum.
I really wanted to love this one shoulder ruffle top (also at Nordstrom.) I just don’t know how I feel about all these ruffles, and I feel a little nekkid in the one shoulder style. I’m more comfortable in cold shoulder or off-the-shoulder styles. That said, after I left it in the store, I ordered it in the red. LOL! We’ll see how I feel once I get it home. I think I might like it with white jeans and nude wedges for a summer event or dinner out.
On my way to the cash register, I noticed this ruffle trim top. It looked like it would work for me, so I impulsively grabbed it and added it to my purchase. Since everything else fit so perfectly in the size 6, I figured I was safe, but when I tried it on here at home, it was a little tight across the bust. I styled it for an outfit we shot in Savannah, and I’m borderline on whether or not I like it on me — I’ll be curious to hear your thoughts. It would be super cute on someone not quite so busty.
Finally, this fringy lace sheath (also at Nordstrom) did come home with me. The final event at my conference is “black tie optional” and I think this will be perfect. I hope I made the right decision by getting the black. It also comes in a gorgeous yellow as well as white and coral, but I feel like the black is most appropriate for black tie optional. On the other hand it IS a fashion blogging conference, so maybe I should go for something more fun… What do you think? I could still exchange it for the yellow.
So that’s a wrap. Do you like these Shop With Me posts? If you do, I might try to do them more regularly — maybe once or twice a month. You can also let me know some other stores you’d like me to try.
Have a beautiful Monday!
Yes, I like the shop with me posts 🙂 very helpful, thank you!
Love the “Shop with Me” posts! The black off shoulder top and black dress are both stunning! I have never worn anything from J. Crew so what size did you get in the black dress?
It’s a 6. Everything there fit very well in 6 except the pink tweed skirt was snug – and that blue and white striped top is also a tad too tight in the bust.
I love the pink/gold? tweed shirt..so casual but you shine! 🙂 that black off the shoulder shirt looks really sassy and it would look so great with white capris. you’ll probably be keeping a lot of these items…pretty!
happy Monday to you,
Marie
Love your shop-with-me posts! I like reading about how you decided to keep it or leave it. I also think I would feel “nekkid” in the one shoulder top. That said–it is really flattering on you! I like the dress in black – I can see your dilemma with the color. I always think if you go loud, then it is too memorable to wear again. However, black might be safer for a second time around.
Good point about the yellow dress being memorable, although it’s not like I hang out with fashion bloggers very often, lol. Still, I think there is more chance of getting to wear the black one again.
Love your shop with me posts! Please keep them coming. I also love the striped cold shoulder top and the one shoulder top as well. Believe that I am going to order both of those as soon as I’m done with this comment. I really love your blog as you give me such great ideas. Thanks again and please keep the posts coming.
I also love these shopping posts! The red dress, I think, just does not fit you. Shift dresses can look really cool on a figure with curves, but this one seems to be too large for your overall frame. I think it fits in the bust, but has too much fabric below and it comes up off your shoulders the same way a men’s suit jacket that is too large would do. As for the fringe dress, I love the black with your dark hair–very dramatic look! I have had a yellow cocktail dress before, but figuring out the color shoes to look right with it was a little challenging, so be warned if you switch!!.
Good point about shoes with the yellow. I wanted to wear nude strappy sandals with the black, but I know that is so plain jane. I just got the Stuart Weitzman ones, and they’d be perfect with this dress, but maybe I need a color for this event. If I do nude shoes and black dress, I’ll definitely do a bright color for the bag. And I agree with the red dress, I think I just WANT it to work so badly I was trying to talk myself into it. 🙂
Don’t do it! It’ll live on your hangar.
Love these posts when you “take us with you”!!
Love the Shop-with-me -posts. Keep them coming. Thanks for sharing. The black dress looks super cute on you!
What jeans are you wearing with the striped cold shoulder top? I love that top. It does hit at the right spot. Also, I actually liked the boyfriend jeans on you and think you could pull them off but I know what you mean, I am just not a big fan of them.
I was wearing these: http://rstyle.me/n/cgjwmrgthw – they have a great fit!
I love the fringe dress! The black would be more suitable for an evening event with a pair of smashing heels and long earrings.
I did like the pink stripe blouse on you but the boyfriend jeans don’t seem to fit you nicely through the butt.
I like these shop with you posts. You do all the work for us. Lol
I love going shopping with you !!Yes u should get the yellow dress for something fun although u look Fab in the black !????
I agree with you. I love my skinny jeans
Those boyfriends and girlfriends jeans dont fit me right. Im also still on the fence with all ruffles not sure how i feel about them. I like this post. Its like going shopping with a friend. Glad your back safely
Hi Jolynne, we’ve chatted about jeans before. I’m still struggling… but what is wrong with the rear views of the jeans you wore in this post? I love when you take us shopping!!
Nancy
I feel like they make my behind look wide and flat — which it sort of is, haha! — so I have to always pay attention to the rear view. It would be more helpful if I posted a picture of myself in jeans that I like to compare side by side. I’ll do that next time!
I like the fringe dress in black and I love the shop with me posts.
Love these posts! Can’t wait to see you style the black dress ????
For the black tie event, definitely keep the black one. I don’t like the bright yellow. Thanks for the fun shopping trip with you. Fun to have you do. 🙂
I LOVE the black fringe dress!! It’s super cute, classy, yet different too. I’m going to go try that one on.
OMG I cannot take that pink/white striped poofy bell sleeve top! There is really waay too much going on in one top!! So glad you didn’t buy that one. 🙂 (You disappeared in all that material.)
Recently, I’ve seen some other bloggers on Instagram wearing really poofy, “over-the-top” bell sleeves, strange necklines or plunging off-the-shoulder sleeves that are sliding down the sides of the girl’s arms, and it looks interesting in a picture but I can’t imagine anyone walking around town like that.
I agree — sometimes I see things that I want to photograph for the blog b/c I think it will make cool pictures, but then I think, would I actually WEAR this? I feel like I have to do a gut check sometimes b/c I assume y’all don’t want to see things that aren’t practical for real life. 🙂 Like the pumps with the boyfriend jeans – I wanted to style them that way b/c I knew they would look better, but I also know I wouldn’t have anywhere to wear a getup like that, lol.
Well I’m sure it’s challenging in your case with running a fashion blog and all and trying to stay on top of the latest trends for your readers. And I’m sure it’s fun to buy and try lots of different styles! (Kinda like an interior designer who gets to decorate in a multitude of styles for different clients).
I think you do a good job of embracing the trends, but keeping them at a level where most women can try it and make it their own as well. Also, many of the current styles can’t be worn to work, so women need options. For example, no matter how common and fashionable distressed & ripped jeans have become, I cannot wear them to work (but I like them and have several pairs for weekend activities).
I had to laugh at your comment about shoes w/ the boyfriend jeans. I like the look of heels w/ the boyfriend jeans in pictures, but then when I put them on I feel like I should be wearing skinny jeans or a nicer boot cut jean instead.
Anyway….sorry to ramble. I need to spend more time writing on my own blog!! ???? (Educational blog)
Love when you take us all shopping with you! I don’t get to do much shopping other than online so love the fact that I get to see what’s new without having to go to the mall myself!!
I like the black dress you can always do bright accessories like a purse or shoes to give it a pop of color. I think I recall you .styling fushia or hot pink sandals?
Thanks for sharing
Jo Lynne, I’m considering the dress from JCrew in coral for a wedding–the reviews say it runs short. I’m 5’1 and normally buy petite. How did you find the length of the dress? In your pics it looks to hit you perfectly above the knee.
Do you mean the one I have pictured in black? It was the perfect length for me. I’m 5’5″.
I love these posts. We assume everything you try on will look perfect and it doesn’t. These posts show that you too “struggle” (I use the term lightly because almost everything looks good on you) with finding clothes that look good on and the finding the right size. These posts show us we have to keep trying and not to get discouraged. Thank you for bringing us along!!
Oh, yes, I try a lot of things that go back! 🙂