Banana Republic - December

A while back I visited Banana Republic to check out new arrivals. Some of them have been so popular that they sold right off the website. Once such item is the Burgundy Leather Jacket (item 686083). I still saw quite a few in the store, though. I am trying on size S, my usual jacket size at BR. I love the colour and I love the softness of the leather. The skirt is the Boucle Zip Pencil Skirt size 4. I have a cream version of this skirt and you may have seen it here before.

Burgundy Leather Jacket (similar here, here, here)

Boucle Zip Pencil Skirt (similar here)

Next was the Striped Boatneck Pullover in size S and 'radiant raspberry.' This is my regular sweater size at BR. It's extremely cozy and soft due to its wool/cashmere content (80/20). If pink is not your thing, there is also an 'almond' version with black stripes.

 Striped Boatneck Pullover

 Boucle Zip Pencil Skirt

One fun piece similar to what I have seen at other retailers last year is the Faux-Fur Pullover Jacket also size S. I would wear this with a pair of jeans, most likely. The quality of the fur is quite nice.

  Faux-Fur Pullover Jacket (similar here, here, here)

Exotic Faux-Fur Jacket size M. I was surprised to see all smaller sizes were gone already. It is a bit loose on me, so probably size S would be a better fit.The skirt is Fluted Shine Skirt size 6. I sized up so that I could wear it lower on my hips. This is a fun skirt for the holidays and the photo doesn't do it much justice, I'm afraid.

 

Exotic Faux-Fur Jacket (similar here, here, here)

Fluted Shine Skirt (similar here, here, here)

That's all for now. What else I'm liking at BR:

Piped red field jacket

Piped navy Parisian jacket

Polka dot blazer

Plaid blazer (cotton with  hint of stretch)

Heritage plaid blazer

Cutaway jacket in royal blue (all cotton)

And I still like the Laurel Exotic Crossbody Satchel

Laurel Exotic Crossbody Satchel

How about you? Have you been to Banana lately? What did you think? If you are shopping there, you can get 35% off at all the Gap brands (Old Navy, BR, The Gap) with code GIFTS.

Thanks for dropping by and have a great Thursday, everyone!

Christmas Wishlist

One can dream, no?

London Fog Women's Long Single-Breasted Trench Coat (also love this)

Frye Melissa Scrunch Riding Boots

Jo Malone Orange Blossom Cologne 

J. Crew Liberty Pajama Set in Katie Ann Floral

Hughes Satchel

Wool Houndstooth Scarf

Chunky Cashmere Hat
Dog-e-Glow Leash

  

The glow-in-the-dark-leash is for my pooch. She has everything else, including her own leather couch.

What's on your wishlist?

Suit Up

Last week I met with a couple of recruiters and that's what I wore on one occasion. The shoes are quite old but still in very good shape. I got them at Kalena's on Commercial Drive, one Vancouver store where you can still get some great shoes at reasonable prices. On one ocasion I wore the Blythe Blouse in 'burnished rose' I got after Christmas last year, while on another I wore the Madewell Waterdot Pictureshow Tee. I sized up to a six in the jacket, while the skirt is size two.

Blythe Blouse (similar here, here, here, here)

 1035 Jacket in Super 120s (similar here, here, here)

Pencil Skirt in Super 120s (similar here, here, here)

Elena Alberti Pumps (v. old)(similar here, here, here)

Coach Parker Leather Shoulder Bag (old)(similar here, here, here)

Code MERRYMERRY will get you 25% off $100 orders or 30% off $200+ orders at J. Crew through midnight tonight. Will you be taking advantage of this sale? Please share!

Thanks for dropping by and have a great week, everyone!

J. Crew - December

More than a week went by and I thought it's time to blog about some of the items I checked on my last week's JC trips.

The Cabled Sweatshirt size S in 'navy grey melange' (left) and 'heather mist champagne' (right). These pieces slipped by me on the website, but I really liked them in real life. The body is cotton, while the front panel is a mix. This is my size in tops at JC.

Cabled Sweatshirt (similar here, here, here, here)

Colorblock Funnelneck Coat size 4 and 'heather stone.' This size is too small on me, but there was no size 6 to try on. I zipped it up with some difficulty. I love the coat, and for those who are not into red sleeves, you can try the 'heather graphite' version, which comes in basic colours.

Colorblock Funnelneck Coat (similar here, here, here, here)

And lastly, the Tipped Silk Tee in 'navy.' I don't think I pent much time looking at this on the website either, but I really loved it on! I am wearing size 2, which is the smallest of my top sizes at JC.

Tipped Silk Tee (similar here, here, here, here)
Postage Stamp Mini in Chevron Stripe (similar here)

What else I'm liking at J. Crew:

No. 2 pencil skirt in tipped double-serge wool (IRL photo here)
Patch-pocket pencil skirt (IRL photo here)
Double-cloth Sabrina coat (IRL photo here)
Textured-stripe sweater in navy (IRL photo here)
Woven panel sweater in black (IRL photo here)

Through tomorrow, you can get an additional 30% off sale styles at J. Crew with code PRESENTS. There are lots of goodies to be had. Have you shopped already, or will you be shopping this sale? If so, please share!

Hope you are all having a great weekend so far!

Joules Vests

For today's post, I partnered with Joules USA and am featuring a cute puffer vest from their large vest collection. I chose the Charmwood Women's Hooded Gilet in 'marine navy,' since I don't have any outerwear in this colour in my closet. I plan to wear it on casual Fridays or when I am out walking my pooch. I like to have my arms as free as possible at all times and a puffer vest is perfect that way.

The vest is lined in a pretty striped fabric. The hood is attached with snaps, so it can be easily removed. I like the chunky zippers and the flap pockets that snap closed. The best part of all, the vest is machine washable and comes in two additional colours, 'caramel' and 'red,' which are currently on sale. I chose size US4, my usual size in outerwear. If I needed to wear a thicker sweater, I think I would size up one size, though.

Here is the website photo:

Charmwood Women's Hooded Gilet

And here it is on me:

Joules Charmwood Women's Hooded Gilet (c/o) 

Jeweled Sweatshirt (similar here, here, here)

When I was checking the website out, I also contemplated the Kempton Light Quilted Vest in 'navy check:'

Kempton Light Quilted Vest in Navy Check

or in 'clock check.' Both are made with such pretty fabrics!

Kempton Light Quilted Vest in Clock Check

In the end I narrowed it down to the Marine Navy Downham Womens Gilet and the one I showed you above. I chose the first one because of the removable hood.

I loved the quality of the Joules vest and would love to own a check one next. Have you heard of the Joules line before? What do you think? Please share!

Hope you all have a restful weekend!