My Valentine’s Day PSA: this silk heartthrob shirt was THE bespoke print of the J. Crew pre-spring ‘12 collection when I worked there. Everyone loved it… loved the lookbook outfit that styled the shirt with its matching skirt, which made for a killer shirtdress combination. It sold out in, like, seconds. I could barely get a hold of one for myself as it came through shipment. Now, thanks to the Bring-It-Back Queen (aka J. Crew Factory), everyone who missed out before has a second chance. You’re welcome.

When I worked for J. Crew, my favorite part was seeing new shipment boxes being wheeled in the back room, spitting out the bright colors of the new season. Usually within three days, the contents are styled, fitted, and pinned to the mannequins and filed into the catalog, reflecting the brand’s favorite color inspirations of the season. Because of the company’s love affair with colorful lifestyles, we were always encouraged as sales assistants to experiment and be creative with color combinations in our outfits. To this day, I am always on the lookout for inspirational color combinations—from paintings, floral arrangements, fashion, other bloggers, and even weather— and Pinterest has been a great tool. My current favorites include the royal purple accents in a recent Anthropologie catalog, the soft juxtaposition of pastels and darks in an image unearthed through Pinterest, the fluorescent and rich pinks and oranges in a painting by Isca Greenfield-Sanders (h/t to Tory Burch), a seafoam green beading on a cloudy gray from a blogger’s outfit (via Glitter Guide).

A purchase I am rather proud of. Lusted after this copper snakeskin Timex for J. Crew watch band when it was at its double-digit peak. By a stroke of uncharacteristic patience, decided to wait it out through the holidays to see it sink down to a mere buck seventy-five after factoring in a generous associate discount. Since I don’t yet own a watch, it is to be happily interchanged with a gifted turquoise Timex band as everyday bracelets.

new-yorkers:

Central Park

I spy…the J. Crew holiday shopping bag. Fun fact: they’re hand-drawn. To read more about the inspiration behind the J. Crew holiday bags: here.

(Source: newyorkersunposed)

Falling…in good company featuring moccasin shoes

I’m a major fan of all J. Crew’s “In Good Company” partnerships, but these five items top my exclusive list of IGC essentials:

1. The Laundress for J. Crew cashmere wash— their full line of products is truly amazing, a little pricey perhaps ($18 a pop) but considering how much it costs to get silks and sweaters dry cleaned, it is a great investment (trust me, I’ve done the math).

2. Lulu Frost for J. Crew bangles—bright fun colors through thick and thin

3. Minnetonka for J. Crew deerskin moccasins—the perfect leather driving moc

4. Ray-Ban aviators—a classic which, according to Lucky, looks ideal on a long and narrow face.

5. Wallace & Barnes men’s Eddison plaid flannel shirt—you could throw on just this over a pair of jeans and be sufficiently cozy on a crisp fall day.

jcrew:

it’s a big day here at 770—we’re at our very first New York
Fashion Week to present our spring 2012 collection.
take a sneak peek at the mood board our head women’s designer,
Marissa Webb, put together for inspiration.

P.S. This is just the beginning…there’s more behind-the-scenes Fashion Week scoop on the way.

It’s a year of epic proportions for the company, you see…

Be not afraid of interesting color combinations. If there is just one thing J. Crew taught me, that would be it.

(Cardigan & belt, Skirt)

A sort of whimsical purchase at the good ol’ Crew. It’s quickly becoming my favorite skirt, so unlike my healthy collection of solid neutrals.

One of my favorite “In Good Company” partnerships, as Lulu Frost is (in my humble opinion) one of the best jewelry designers out there. Check out the Lulu Frost for J. Crew bangles here (I’m feeling the mandarin orange & turquoise stone one)

In J.Crew, they are given tousled hair, dewy cheeks, and boyfriend cardigans. The effect is unabashedly lovely. Unlike most catalogue models, however, they do not invoke the prettiest girl in your college class or office but, rather, a new kind of aspirational figure: the prettiest civilian on street-fashion blog the Sartorialist, maybe.

A few of my favorite things….Blazers.

Versatile and classic, they instantly elevate an outfit by adding a sense of power and sharpness. Wander outside the neutrals color spectrum for a pop of color to finish an outfit. And depending on the weight of the fabric, blazers can withstand all the fluctuations of spring and fall temperatures. I practically live in my navy Urban Outfitters blazer in the fall, and as a business school student, also find them to be the perfect throw-over-anything-finishing-piece for career fairs and networking events.

Some of my favorites:

Topshop Black Boyfriend (the perfect LBB—little black blazer)

Topshop Dusty Pink Wool Blazer (beautiful color, wool fabric will be perfect for fall!)

J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer (the rich camel color is a fall must-have)

Behind-the-scenes of the  J. Crew photoshoot with the cast of The Romantics—fantastic book, worthwhile movie. Katie Holmes made a pretty convincing Laura.

(Source: theglitterguide)

jcrewing:

“Personal style is innovative yet intimate. It’s a reflection of your aesthetic, beliefs, who you stand for, and the relationship you have with the world. It has the power to speak volumes about you without having to vocalize a thing” - Prabal Gurung