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Denim Cruise Shorts - J. Crew

A warm-weather essential. We styled ours in soft cotton and added a hint of stretch for comfort. The buttons? They're denim tacks City fit—our lowest rise. Sits just above hip. Belt loops. Zip fly. Side-seam pockets, back welt pockets with button closure. 3" inseam. Import. Machine wash.

was $58.00 select colors $29.99 item 12065



I wasn't so sure about these when they first came out. In fact, they might have been subject of a "questionable item of the week" over on the JCA blog. However, after trying on the American Eagle blue jean shorts I bought a couple of years ago, it was clear I needed a new pair... an upgrade. Not just an upgrade in fabric and fit, but something a little more grown-up.



I had to stalk these for a few days online (since my store only has the white ones left in stock), but thanks to "Ema's" help in a previous post {thanks again!}, I was able to snag them late last week. They came a couple of days ago. I was concerned that I might have needed to size up (like with the giraffe print shorts) but since there was only one pair online when I bought them, I went with my normal size.


Upon first trying on, the fabric felt substantial and nice, but still appropriate for summer. I really love the gold button accents on the back and front. The fit is perfect, with just the right amount of stretch. The color is also quite nice. A perfect in-between color that's 'just right' paired with just about anything. I really love these shorts... so my old ones are in the donation bin now! Can't wait to wear them!











**Bottom Line: I really like these. They will be a good, essential addition to my summer wardrobe. These run TTS.

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Steam Fast Garment Steamer




Steam Fast Garment Steamer - $39.99 (Tuesday Morning)



Ok, so today is not a clothing item, but the next best thing ... an item that makes clothing look better!



To preface, I DO NOT IRON. I own an iron and a mini ironing board, but mostly because I feel like I have to (as a home owner, wife, and mom ... isn't it like a law or something?) But, the board is still in the plastic wrap, and the iron is one that somehow found its way on over to the new house from DH's bachelor pad when we moved... don't even know if it works.... don't care.




Anyway, I bought my mom a travel / portable garment steamer for Christmas (which she loves.... and it's pink, so bonus) and ever since then, I've been hauling clothing to her house every now and then to have them steamed... especially online-ordered JC items that come in shambles. It was really time I grew up and started using something a little more substantial than Downy Wrinkle Releaser (lived on that product since college!) on our family's clothing... especially DH's nice work clothes!




I noticed a Tuesday Morning ad at my grandmother's house a while back and there was a garment steamer in the ad. I made the decision at that point to bite the bullet ... to head to our nearest location that next Tuesday to pick one up.




The owner's manual states it takes 45 seconds to heat up .... but I think it's more like 20-30 seconds. Sweet! I'm thinking of racing my new RHD hair straightener and this steamer to see which one is ready first ... both are lightening fast!




I had read nightmare stories about the less-than-optimal results garment steamer owners got using their steamers.... soooo, I was prepared to hate it, pack it back up, and return it.



Until, I used it for the first time.



IT'S AWESOME!



No complaints here. I've even de-wrinkled linen items .... as well as silk, cotton, etc... with no issues. There is a plastic hook on the top of the rod which conveniently holds the item on a hanger while you are steaming it! The rod is in 3 sections, so it easily can be stored and then pulled right back up and used again. The fabric brush attachment came with it and I've used it on everything I've steamed so far, even if I didn't actually need to touch the brush to the fabric.

See .... folds up small so it can fit in my junky linen closet!




Cute little tank



They claim the water tank holds up to 45 minutes worth of water for steaming, and has a helpful little drain plug for emptying the tank area after use if you aren't going to be using it again for a while. It doesn't tank any special kind of water or chemical or anything, but they do suggest using fresh water and cleaning the tank periodically. That's easier than a vacuum cleaner!


The little plastic hook at the top of the rod





**Bottom Line: This is MUCH cheaper than the so-called "professional" garment steamers and I am 100% happy with this product. If I had paid $100 for this, would still be happy... so it's good! What a HUGE improvement over ironing for so many reasons... safety (for me and my clothes!), efficiency, pretty much fool-proof, fun to use, and WAY faster that ironing all those wrinkles on your Victoria Cami! ;)


Do you have a garment steamer? Hate it or love it?

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Cotton Tiered Ruffle Tank - Express


DREAMWEIGHT COTTON TIERED RUFFLE SCOOP-NECK TOP
Style: 9613338C
Was: $29.50 Now: $19.99
Layered-on ruffles add flirty swing to this sleeveless top
Cotton/Modal
Scoop neck
Tiered ruffles
Ruffled shoulders
Machine Washable
Imported


This was a nice surprise! I generally never go into Express (at least not for the last couple postpartum years) but I was shopping with a cousin for her high school graduation dress a couple weeks ago and this was one of the places she wanted to go. She didn't find any dresses to even try on, but I did run across this little beauty.

Bra-friendly and non-clingy, I was sold immediately. And, at 40% off, the price was right, too! It appeared that brighter colors had been available at one point because there were some XL sized stragglers hanging among the muted colored tanks still on the rack.


I feel like this tank resembles the hard-to-find Rolling Ruffles tank offered up by JC just recently, only cheaper and they still had my size. Soooo, I'm happy with it!

A pretty nice fit .... not too "pregnancy poofy" in the front



**Ended Up With: I bought the XS (could have gone with a small) in the off-white color.

**Bottom Line: At $18 bucks, sure, it's a good summer tank to have around! Runs TTS.

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Chambray Perfect Shirt - J. Crew

Chambray Perfect Shirt - $78
(Summer '09) Item# 15463 100% Cotton



What a surprise this shirt was! I first saw it in the store last week and there was only a size 14 left. Luckily, my B&M got another shipment in yesterday and the super-nice SA's put a 0 and a 2 on hold for me!

**yes, I completely suck at this shopping ban thing ... but, in my defense, I'm adding days onto the original 2 weeks for every day I cheat ... which means this could go on forever ;)**

I popped in first thing this morning to take a peek at the shirts in my size, and I loved them even more! The SA couldn't believe they received more in their shipment ... it was a surprise! Yea! Apparently, I'm not the only one coveting this shirt ... so they said. I hardly EVER buy anything for FP from JC, but this shirt I had to have.

The sheen of the fabric takes it from being just a plain 'ole boring shirt, to something truly special. It does have a nice "hand-feel" as JC likes to say in their descriptions, and the fabric is nice and airy, with no stretch. I really like the 2-pocket look since I am small chested and I feel like it accentuates that area a bit! The buttons on the front are just a bit larger in size than on my other perfect shirts from JC, making it easier to button and unbutton.

I think this is going to make an excellent addition to my summer and fall wardrobe. I tried to take pictures of the different ways it can be worn... after a brief meeting with my new Garment Steamer (review to follow soon!) because it was SO wrinkly!! I'm not sure I would necessarily pair it with Bright Rhubarb Cafe Capris like in these pictures (it's just what I already had on!) but I do like it with the F21 pearl necklace!


**Bottom Line: This shirt runs pretty TTS. I could have gone with a zero, but it was a bit snug across the shoulders and back area and I would not have been able to wear even a thin t-shirt underneath it. I ended up with a 2, which is my true size (at JC at least). At $78, this is definitely an investment, IMO... but something about it I just LOVE!

Written by Miss Jongrang


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Brand New J. Crew Top!!!

Pretty new J. Crew Top!
Up-close shot of the ruffles!


I just SOOOOO cheated on my shopping strike..... but it was totally worth it!!! Let me show you!

Connor and I were having a rough day (like a lot of Mondays when he... or us both... are still recovering from the weekend) so I decided I deserved a little "shopping" (not buying) trip. As I was just getting ready to leave J. Crew, I noticed one of the nice associates folding a bunch of new tops! Even though I'm not supposed to be buying anything right now, I had to take a look.

It was PERFECT!!! Exactly what I've been waiting for! Why? It's garment cotton... yea for washable! Sleeveless ... perfect for summer! It's got ruffles... cute! And, the kicker, it's not crazy-big and baggy like every other JC top that's come out recently! It fits perfectly, hugging the body just enough to look nice, but not show-your-muffin-top tight!

I have no idea what the name of this tank is, but the style# is 17329 and it came in at least these colors: lavender, crisp celery, slate (which is the one I got - SLA), dark slate, white, and natural. Sizing is XS, S, M, L, XL. The best part: $35 retail price! One of the store managers who checked me out said there was no way these will be around for very long ... and I think he's right!







See! No puffy, weird a-line silhouette!



Key-hold back button


**Bottom Line: BUY THIS TOP! The price, the fit, the style.... everything is perfect! I want more colors! I got an XS and it fits great. If you are large busted, you MAY want to size up. Otherwise, I think this is TTS.

***Update: I checked my receipt and the name of the top appears to be: Slub Shirred Ruffle Tank... FYI

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Giraffe Print Shorts - J. Crew


Get spotted in our eye-catching cotton canvas giraffe print. City fit—our lowest rise. Sits just above hip. Zip fly. Slant pockets, back slit pockets. 3" inseam. Import. Machine wash.
was $65.00 select colors $19.99 item 10547 (sold out)


I loved these at first sight (in the store and online) but wasn't willing to shell-out the original price. Plus, they came out with the "Resort Wear" roll-out in the winter, which was way before I was even considering wearing shorts! However, once they went on sale, I was lucky enough to snag 'em!

I had to size-up to a 4 on these shorts. The fabric is pretty stiff and doesn't really give at all, plus the length is very short (they say 3", but I think they are more like 2.5" myself), so the size-up makes the fit more comfortable and they sit lower on the hips, lengthening them a little bit!


As with all the unique JC pieces, these shorts definitely are eye-catching and get a lot of compliments.


HOWEVER... the trend toward lower-quality definitely is evident in this particular pair! The second time I wore them, I noticed the inside seam on one of the legs was completely ripped out. Not so much ripped out, but was never sewn to begin with!! You can see wear the thread was sewn into just one side of the fabric, but didn't catch the other side! Also, the button was extremely loose when I bought them, and fell off the first time I wore them!! Both of these issues I was able to fix myself, but seriously! And it's not as if I'm bustin' out of these puppies... they're a little too big! SO... I LOVE them, but come on JC... this is not the only item I've had these issues with here lately!!




Eating on the beach at Sandals Ocho Rios


Our sans-baby Jamaica trip in March!


(sorry these aren't very close-up, these are the only pics I have of me wearing the shorts!)


** Outfit Ideas: The catalog pair these with the Travel Trench in tan, which I do have, but the weather isn't exactly warranting that right now. Besides pairing with the Merino Lea Sweaters, I like to put on the Ruffle Sleeve viscose tank in neutral, a glass pearl necklace and gold strappy sandals (or JC Tierney Sandals).

** Bottom Line: Definitely suggest sizing up on these. LOVE the look ... I'm sure it's pretty trendy, but I think I'll get a lot of wear out of them this summer (that is, if more of the seams don't keep bursting out!)




Do you own these? If so, what do you pair them with? Have you had any quality issues?

Written by Miss Jongrang in: ,


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Banana, ON, and Gap - Online Store Closed?

I just went to peruse the OldNavy.com site (not buy, obviously since this is my second day of "shopping strike" ) but all of the Gap Brand sites say they are "closed" right now.... I guess for maintenance. Say What? I hope it's not for long!

**Update: The websites are back up and running again! I guess I tried them right at the end of the down-time!

Written by Miss Jongrang in: ,

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