j. crew

outfit of the day: punk floral (plus sponsor intro!)

May232013

J. Crew punk floral swoop top (it keeps selling out online and then popping back, so keep checking!) • J. Crew No. 2 pencil skirt (last year, but here’s this year’s cotton version) • Karen Scott peep-toe heels • Tiffany’s and Zenzi via Stitchfix bracelets

This top is part of J. Crew’s punk floral collection, which makes me laugh, because I am the least punk person ever. Apart from a few colorful hairdos, I am about as punk as a bright pink skirt with a green top. Bright color is punk, right?

I have seen this top on adorable outfits from Annie and Tara and when J. Crew had a 20% off sale (and I saw it in my size), I went for it. I love LOVE the color and can’t wait to try this top with jeans for the weekend or white pants. Oh the possibilites.

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It’s Sponsor Intro time, and I’m super excited to introduce you to Katy of Sugar and Chiffon! Katy was one of the first bloggers I connected with when I started my blog, she’s a fellow Midwesterner and she just graduated from law school! Which basically means she’s amazing. (I mean, obviously – look at those pants!) I’m so excited to have Katy sponsor my blog! You can also check her out on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest!

Name: Katy Hanawalt

Where I live: Cleveland, Ohio

Favorite Foods: Iced coffee, good cheese, chips & fresh salsa, and peaches when they are in season

Free Afternoon: Probably go shopping! I love going to Marshalls/TJ Maxx/Home Goods and spending hours digging through everything.

Current Nail Polish: something neon pink from Zoya. I got it done at a salon and can’t remember the name, but it’s super bright and fun.

Favorite music on my iPod: This one always throws people…mostly rap and old, classic rock. Right now I really like Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Pitbull, and I’ve been playing that Florida Georgia Line “Cruise” remix with Nelly nonstop. Simon & Garfunkel, Pat Benatar, Bon Jovi, and Journey are always favorites.

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14 Comments Filed Under: outfit of the day, work fashion Tagged With: j. crew, pink

outfit of the day: flowers + whatever works wednesday

Apr172013

Gap shrunken boyfriend print shirt • J. Crew No. 2 pencil skirt (different colors) • J. Crew Factory emery flats

My love affair with Gap shirts continues. I LOVE them. I don’t know if I can quite convey how wonderful it is to find blouses that don’t gap in the center. Seriously it should not be this hard (AHEM, J. Crew!) to find blouses that fit ladies with big ladies. Plus look how fun this blouse is! For all the colors I have in my closet, I am sorely lacking in prints that aren’t stripes or polka dots. It’s so nice to add a good floral to the mix. I can’t wait to style this blouse with something more casual!

Now anyone want to try and figure out WHAT is going on with my hair?! Your guess is as good as mine.

While you’re blog reading today, hop over to Coming Unstitched. I’m featured on there!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy today!

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Now it’s time for Whatever Works Wednesday!

How it works:

Make sure your link is no more than one week old (older links will be deleted).
Add your link (please link to the specific post and not to your main blog page).
Add a link to my blog in the post you linked up to!
Visit as many other links as you can!

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23 Comments Filed Under: outfit of the day, work fashion Tagged With: gap, j. crew

my j. crew picks + sponsor info

Mar12013

First of all, I have to say thank you for the comments, tweets and messages after my blog post yesterday. I am so thankful for my readers, and I really appreciate you all letting me vent. I’m excited about taking these steps forward and looking forward to expanding my blog!

J. Crew rolled out their March 2013 arrivals, and as usual I want everything. But there were a few pieces I really have my eye on (aka, am hoping they go on sale immediately!).

Pencil wrap skirt – I love the pink and blue colors together, and the shape is super flattering.

Charlie fatigue jacket – you can’t tell, but the jacket is lined with striped jersey. SO COMFY.

Jeweled sweatshirt – Between the color and the delicate beading, I think this might be the only sweatshirt I can wear to work.

Collection Etta sequin pumps – Beautiful rose gold sequin heels that are way more expensive than I can afford, but a girl can dream. Seriously, these shoes are MAJOR.

Bright droplet necklace – I love longer necklaces, and the porcelain blue color is perfect for spring

Crystal necklace sweater – Green, blue and a built-in necklace? Sold.

Indigo floral popover – I’m always looking for cute prints, and I love the pintucking around the collar.

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And now sponsor info! I waited probably longer than I should have to accept sponsors. For some reason, having sponsors on my blog scared me. I think it’s the fact that it involved money. I’m nervous about anything involving money/business. But I knew I had to at least try, and Passionfruit makes selling ad space very, very easy. And being scared of something is a stupid reason not to do it. Even if that something is as small as a $5 ad.

Buying an ad is easy! For $5 in March, you’ll get a 200 x 200 ad on the right side of my blog. I’ll introduce you as a sponsor and tag you in Twitter and on Facebook throughout the month. Ads cost $5 and last for 30 days. All you have to do is visit my sponsor page and reserve your spot.

Also – have you submitted a question for “Ask Catherine”? No? What are you waiting for? I’ll answer any question – fashion, blogging, political. Yep, I’ll even get political. Anything for you all.

Please keep in mind I reserve the right to turn down sponsorships if I think your product/blog doesn’t fit with my message and my readers.

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15 Comments Filed Under: sponsors Tagged With: j. crew

outfit of the day: inspired

Nov162012

Blazer, thrifted • sweater and belt, J. Crew • pants and shoes, Old Navy • bracelets, J. Crew and Target

I bought this sweater from J. Crew last year after doing the normal wait until it goes on sale, then hedge because it’s out of stock in your size dance. I took the bait and ordered a size too big because I had to have this sweater - and ever since then, I’ve regretted it. It’s a beautiful sweater, but it looks sloppy if I wear it alone (or at least I’m self-conscious about it being sloppy-looking all day). Blair of Atlantic-Pacific has this sweater too, and I was inspired to recreate one of my favorite outfits of hers that incorporates it. I’m still not sure about the belt – but it seemed a cute way to rein in a slightly-too-big sweater.

Sidenote: LOFT totally copied this sweater for their holiday roll-out (I mean seriously, was a ripoff ever more obvious?), so if you’re looking for a similar item, buy it here!

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11 Comments Filed Under: outfit of the day, work fashion Tagged With: j. crew, sweaters

outfit of the day: i heart you

Sep142012

Do you ever just have a day where no matter the weather, you want to wear something fun? I have hangups about layering when it’s above 80, but today I didn’t care – I was wearing my heart sweater, dammit. Sometimes you just want a happy outfit. (Also: why am I making a face like this? My only idea is I was probably thinking about dinner.)

Sweater and capris, J. Crew (factory version of last year’s heart me sweater here!)
Blouse, J. Crew Outlet
Bracelets, Target and J. Crew
Shoes, Steve Madden

P.S. I just saw a pair of lookalike leopard loafers at Target – super cute and perfect for fall!

P.P.S. Don’t forget the September Color Challenge link-up will be next Thursday, Sept. 20 – I can’t wait to see your mustard outfits!

P.P.P.S. Who else used to have at least three “p.s.”s when writing letters? Definitely a trademark of my childhood penpal exchanges!

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9 Comments Filed Under: outfit of the day, work fashion Tagged With: j. crew

outfit of the day: bumblebee

Sep122012

It was a little chilly this morning – perfect excuse for a good blazer.

Dress, Sandra Darren
Blazer, J. Crew (on sale in two different colors)
Shoes, Target

I got called a bumblebee today – which I am fine with. I was quick to point out that there are a few blue stripes in my dress, automatically negating any bee likeness.

Coming tomorrow – the color for this month’s Color Challenge! I can’t wait to share it with you!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy today!

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7 Comments Filed Under: outfit of the day, work fashion Tagged With: dresses, j. crew

outfit of the day: obviously i needed more colorful pants

Aug282012

These pants were on sale last week, and I couldn’t resist. Because clearly three pairs of J. Crew’s cafe capris aren’t enough.*

*I say with sarcasm

Tee and scarf, J. Crew Outlet
Capris, J. Crew
Shoes, Talbots

I am in love with this shade of green. I can’t wait to wear these pants with my fall sweaters – seriously, if there was one piece of clothing I had to advise every woman to get, it’s a pair of cafe capris.

I mean, come on. I’m making the look. You have to listen to me.

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13 Comments Filed Under: outfit of the day, work fashion Tagged With: j. crew, outfit of the day, work fashion

my j. crew wish list for fall

Aug252012

I’m always currently wishing for ~~a ton of~~ a few pieces from J. Crew – but their fall arrivals have me swooning at the colors and warm fabrics. This season, I’m drawn to classic neutral pieces that cost more, but will last longer too.

This will undoubtedly get longer. But you all knew that, didn’t you?

Jeweled-collar sweater • ?Matchstick cords • Cashmere turtleneck sweater • Schoolboy blazer • Oxford boy shirt • Tilary purse

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5 Comments Filed Under: wishes Tagged With: fall clothing, j. crew, wishlist

outfit of the day: pop art

Jun272012

You know when you open the catalog of your favorite clothing brand to ~~drool~~ peruse over the new clothes and you see something that is so cute and perfect that you must immediately order it because of course it will sell out immediately? That was this sweater to me. I. Love. It.

Sweater, J. Crew
Pants and elephant necklaces, J. Crew Outlet
Watch, Target
Bracelet, J. Crew
Shoes, Talbots

This is technically a fall sweater, but who can wait for months to wear something new? Not me, anyway: anytime I get something, I have to wear it immediately.

Why one elephant when you can have two?

Quick shopping tip: I found this adorable pink elephant in the Crewcuts jewelry at J. Crew Outlet. They had the cutest necklaces there – I passed up on a tiny pink poodle and Eiffel Tower charm that I wish I had gotten! Don’t forget to check out jewelry in this section of the store just in case they have more adorable pieces.

Linking up at The Pleated Poppy and Rolled Up Pretty today.

Thanks to fabulous Brittany of brittkreigh.com for taking today’s photos!

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20 Comments Filed Under: outfit of the day, work fashion Tagged With: j. crew, outfit of the day, work fashion

outfit of the day: slightly drowsy

May312012

So the whole vacation thing really messed with my internal clock more than I thought it would. A three-hour time change doesn’t sound that major – until you’re staring at the clock at 11:30 p.m., willing yourself to go to sleep so you can look semi-human at work the next day, but your body thinks it’s 8:30 and you should definitely read another chapter of your book. Or two.