Desire/Acquire: The Perfect Day/Weekend/Office/Anytime Look

There is something about the outfit Marina Larroude, Style.com Senior Market Editor, is wearing in her Spring 2011 Shopping Guide profile that I am completely drawn to.  Maybe it's the easy-breezy casual, yet pulled together vibe.  Or maybe it's that I think those are fancy sweat pants.  Either way, it is most definitely that I can pull off this pairing with items I already own.  Though I love the blue and gray tones with wild shoes, you could pull this look off with any spectrum of colors: black and gray, brown and cream, or red and orange if you are Viviana Volpicella.

So, let's break it down:

- Nubby knit sweater.

- Ankle length trousers, jeans, or lounge pants in this case.

- Bag in same color family as your pants and top but not matching.  I think if you go with black pants and black bag you kind of miss the look.

- Chunky watch or a wrist full of bracelets to fem it up a bit.

- Shoes with a clean silhouette but an interesting print.  Strappy evening sandals with flouncies would not work here. 

Other than the Celine bag I am salivating over, I don't know much about the other pieces.  But, for a similar look,I think the items below would be perfecto!

PS - If you are heels adverse (which I am during the day) or want to tone the shoe portion down a bit pair with brogues, loafer, or driving mocs.

J. Crew Chalet Zip Sweater in Heather Dove - $39.99

J. Crew Merino Un-Sweatpant in Heather Carbon - $49.99

Parentesi leather tote in Slate Blue - $229 @ yoox.com

Yaneli by Nina Cheetah Wedge - $110 @ dnafootwear.com

Desire/Acquire: Silk Camp Shirt

Maybe this is just me, but every now and then I see an outfit in a magazine or online, and it feels like it is burned into my brain.  It all started with Viviana Volpicella and her lovely blouse surrounding this gorgeous YSL day clutch, then morphed into a summer casual look from Carine Roitfeld featured on Style.com a few weeks ago.  Now I find myself scanning for the elements that will make this outfit happen.  This is where I am with the silk camp-style shirt I have been lusting over for the past few months.  Critical elements: two breast pockets with flaps, button down, roll-able sleeves (even better if there is a button enclosure to keep sleeve rolls in place), and neutral in color.  I have the white jeans, gold statement necklace, but the silk button down I have is too peachy and has ruffles (definitely looking for something with cleaner lines) and oxfords are a bit too tailored.  

Finally!  A shirt has been found!

The Silk Camp Shirt in Asphalt from Ann Taylor fills all my non-negotiables and comes in at $88.

In my opinion, this is a perfect outfit to transition into fall (yes you can wear white jeans after Labor Day).  Right now it's great with sandals or brown wedges/heels, then when fall hits I think it would work well with J. Crew's MacAlister Wedge Boots.  Enjoy!

J. Crew Gets Geared Up for Fall 2010

When the Texans think it's hot outside, it must be unbearable.  That is how I felt this past weekend in Mystic, CT (more on that to come) with my two gal pals from Tejas.  Needless to say, it was just a little exciting to come home last night to see the first tinges of fall in my mailbox: the August 2010 J. Crew catalog.  Don't get me wrong, I love summer.  But, there is something incredibly cozy and comforting about adding that extra long-sleeved layer at night and getting back into the post-summer swing of things.  So, here are my pre-fall picks from J. Crew.  I think they are all quite transitional and you could rock them with shorts, skirts, flips, and dresses until it turns into pants weather.  And best of all, by the time we are able to seriously wear these nubbly knits they will most likely be on sale anyway.

J. Crew Wedding Walks the Aisle Down Madison Ave.

Gentlemen, I hate to break it to you, but for most unmarried ladies you are the last piece needed for the wedding puzzle to come together.  I have friends who have been tearing pages out of magazines for years in anticipation of their red carpet---or er, white carpet--moment.   

And as a lady I know it is all about the dress.  Lucky for us fab on a budg set, J. Crew will be opening a special bridal atelier on May 27th at 66th and Madison Avenue in NYC.  Up until now dresses have only been available online (or by appointment only at a handful of stores around the country), and while I love shopping their final sales, I have always found myself saying, "Ya, they look great, but I want to try them on....and I don't want my wedding dress to arrive via UPS in a cardboard box with plastic wrap."  Problem solved.  Ok, back to the dresses.  I am endlessly impressed with their simple yet classically sophisticated designs which are sure not to induce any pointing and laughing by grandkids looking at wedding pics later down the line.  Dresses range from under $500 to $3,000 or so, and with the wide range of styles and color options available you can outfit your entire wedding party (and find looks that compliments the spectrum of body types--and budgets--your besties have).  Now, if I can just find that man...

Click here to check out J. Crew's wedding lookbook, pics from real couples, and lots of other goodies.

Vogue's Budget Savvy Wedding Tips

PS - I think one of my fav bridal moments of all time is how Lauren Santo Domingo had Olivier Theyskens scissor her dress off to cocktail length mid-reception so she could dance the night away.  Completely fabulous.  And hey, you are only going to wear it once anyways.

J. Crew Final Sale Spring Picks

The J. Crew final sale is happening right now....then again, I feel like it is constantly happening.  Haha.  Here are my top picks that will take you through summer and into fall.  Best of all, I don't think any of them scream J. Crew.  It's always better to keep them guessing.  Luxe details will escalate your entire look.

Checkered Puckered Shift Dress - $120 (was $150)

Looks more Bergdorf than J. Crew
 

Panier Clutch - $50 (was $88)

Pair with a black dress for a spash of color.

Twisted Chiffon Cardigan - $55 (was $78)

Perfect for chilly offices

 Whip-snake Belt - $25 (was $40)

Love the color!

Colorblock Meron Dress - $100 (was $165)

The orange sleeves make this totally modern.

Studded Bangle - $13 (was $22)

Hermes inspired...why not!

Solid Twist Front Bandeau - $60 (was $80)

Sexy without showing skin.  Go strapless.

 Twisted-neck Painter Tee - $20 (was $30)

Summer staple.

 The Pixie Pant - $60 (was $88)

My favorite pants in the world.  Now on sale!