Friday Five- J. Crew Factory

As I'm sure you know by now, J. Crew launched the website for its Factory line. I have spent today looking at it and here are my favorites from it.

1. Pearl and Crystal Collar Necklace ($43.50)

No words. Just gorgeous.

2. Crystal Bow Necklace ($15.50)

Cute and understated.

3. Merino Classic Crewneck Pullover ($44.50)

I am of the opinion that you can never have too many good, quality basics in your wardrobe.

4. Anya Studded Ballet Flats ($62.50)

5. Skirted Dress Coat ($152.50)

If you are a fan of J. Crew but hate their shipping rates, you will be happy to know that the Factory rates are much more reasonable (a flat rate of $4.95 or free over $100). Also, if you are on Ebates, you can get 3.0% cash back at Factory.

Happy weekend and happy shopping!

Favorite Things Friday

This week's favorite things comes to you courtesy of my hair. Let me explain- I have more hair issues than any one I've ever met. I describe my hair as looking like a black sheep that's been left out in the rain for too long. Seriously folks. It's that curly and that attractive. I get Japanese straightening done on my hair to make it look nice and be more manageable. The problem with Japanese straightening (aside from the borderline astronomical cost) is that you can only get it done every 4-6 months to allow your roots to grow in. I was supposed to get mine done on Memorial Day weekend, but TLS was in town, and then one thing led to another, and somehow, I was never free for 6 hours in one day to get it done. I finally decided to wait until right before my trip to England so that my hair can look perfect for it and I don't have to spend time straightening my hair then. (TLS says he'll obviously wait for me to get ready, but being that he's a guy who gets mandated haircuts every two weeks, I don't think he understands just how long it takes for me to do my hair.)

Since the bottom part of my hair looks fine, and it's just the top part that I don't like, I have been wearing a lot of baseball caps and headbands lately. So this week's favorite things post is all about headbands.

A cute polka dotted one from Tucker Blair, on sale for $25.

A hair sash from Vineyard Vines in one of my favorite colors, $24.50.
This time a headband from Vineyard Vines, also in one of my favorite color combinations, $30.A cute sporty one from A. Tierney, $18.Another one from A. Tierney as well, this one is for girls, not women, but I have a small head, and it's so cute that I would hope it could work for me, $18.

A cute colorful one from Baekgaard, $20.

The following two headbands are too thin to actually do anything but my monstrous hair (I realize I may be exxagerating a little, but not by much), but are still too cute to not post.


From crewcuts, a thin one with delicate flowers, perfect for evening, $16.50.
From Fornash, another fun thin one for evening, $38. (Like I was not going to post something that has a ladybug on it...)That's all for this week folks. Enjoy your weekends, have fun, and I will hopefully survive the bridal shower on Sunday and will provide you with a recap on Monday.

favorite things

Hope everyone had a good week and enjoyed better weather than us NYC people did. Rain ALL week. It finally stopped but only for a few hours apparently. I guess April showers don't actually end in April? I thought this week it would be appropriate to do an umbrella post. I don't like plain black umbrellas and love quirky, fun, colorful ones. I think they are a fun way to stand out from the crowd and can brighten up a dreary day. (I despise things falling out of the sky with a passion- rain, hail, and don't even get me started on snow.)

The first umbrella on this list actually is black, with a twist. The inside is blue with white clouds, based on a painting from one of my favorite artists, Rene Magritte. $35 from the Art Institute of Chicago shop.

Next is an anything-but-black umbrella from Vera Bradley. A few years ago, I was really into Vera Bradley and acquired a rather large collection. When it became trendier and turned into something that everyone and their mother started carrying, I lost interest and have since then started getting rid of my collection. However, I love the new Bali Gold print, and think that it is great for accessories, like this umbrella. ($28)

A fun, uber-girly one from one of my new favorite stores, SB Design Studio. ($34.95)

The umbrella I currently use: (don't have an actual picture of it, taken from the website)

A blue monogrammed A. Tierney. I got the children's sized umbrella at the sample sale which is about the same size as a regular adult umbrella, and got it monogrammed with a hot pink monogram on it. So cute! Available on the website for $18 plus $10 monogramming.

A pretty pink one from Coach. ($88)

A slightly more muted one from J. Crew. ($19.99)Lastly, I found these beautiful umbrellas on a Japanese site. They are attributed to French designer Atelier LZC. The company's site just brings up a white screen and I cannot find them online. However, they are just too pretty to not include. If you speak Japanese, or can figure out how to navigate the site, you can get them here for $38.18.

favorite things

I apologize for last week's hiatus and a lack of a favorite things post, but it is back this week in full force. In honor of my love for my sorority and the fact that the school year is now over and I don't have to deal with collegian drama until September, the theme for this week is ladybugs. Lis and KMH, start squealing now.

First on the list is an adorable ladybug bangle bracelet from Kate Spade. Thank you to Lis for bringing this to my attention. ($95) Kate Spade also has earrings and a ring to match.

From Anthropologie, a potholder in my favorite color combination to match the rest of my kitchen beautifully, $12.

From Crane, a set of 25 engraved notecards with lined envelopes, $29.

From J. Crew, adorable flip flops, $24.50. I already have a pair of ladybug flip flops from J. Crew in a different color, if you think this is going to stop me, then you are mistaken.

A. Tierney keyfob, $10.

Going under the "dare to dream" category- Tiffany & Co. ladybug charm with diamonds, $3,375.

Finally, two items that are not available online, but are too cute to not be shared. Currently my favorite dress in my wardrobe, a silk DvF wrap dress with hot pink and red ladybugs on it.

I found this dress in an Off 5th last summer and bought it to wear at our national convention. It is so comfortable and flattering and everyone went crazy over the ladybug print. I will now be bringing this dress to every single ASA summer conference between now and the day I die.

TLS would be hurt if I did not include this, so here it is. Tesco is Britain's version of Target and they created a line of green bags with a ladybug design on them. When I saw someone shopping at Trader Joe's, I emailed TLS and pleaded for him to send me one. And he did. I love this bag so much. It is HUGE and I have started using it as an overnight bag. When I went to Trader Joe's last weekend, I brought it with me and the checkout guy did not believe me when I said that I could fit 19 grocery items into one shopping bag. I clearly proved him wrong. Sadly, I have used this bag a little too much, and it is now starting to come apart. Fortunately, there is one en route to me as I type. (The one advantage to a long distance relationship.)

favorite things

Happy Friday and Happy Long Weekend ladies. Since it is so gorgeous in NYC now (and I am hoping that it stays that way!), this week's favorite things list is a random compilation of cute clothes I've found that I want.

First up, from Nordstrom:

Burberry Puff Sleeve Polo, $95 (how shocked are y'all that I found another polo that I want?)

Leifsdottir "Cloud" Skirt, $169.90
I found this skirt a while ago and have been eyeing it, but have never heard of this brand. Has anyone heard of it? How do their sizes run? We don't have a Nordstrom in NYC and I am a bit skeptical about ordering it off the internet without trying it on. It is such a beautiful skirt though and would be fun for brunch or all of the non-existant summer dates that I'm sure to have.

Next up, this Swiss Dot Voile Top from Marc by Marc Jacobs, $178

I adore Swiss Dot patterns. I have a white Lilly Swiss Dot top and a white J. Crew Swiss Dot dress, so it may look like something that I already own, but really, this would be branching out my wardrobe!

Next up, from J. Crew:

A great pair of go-with-everything heels, Juliet patent leather midheels, $99.99

Picture them with the skirt from Nordstrom.

A cute clutch in my favorite color:

Belle clutch, $69.99

From Anthropologie:

Coral Way Dress, $188

From Vineyard Vines:

Women's Polo Dress, $125

A polo and my favorite color. Shocking.

SHOES!

One thing that I am known for is my obsessive love of shoes. I have tons. Literally. When I moved, more space went to my shoes than anything else. The Southern Starlet has asked for my help in finding a pair of green shoes for the NKOTB concert, and how could I say no to such a worthy cause? Here's what I've found:


Jane Suede Ballet Flats from J. Crew. Available in Kelly Green. $98



Jack Rogers Navajo sandals in Green Ostrich- $88.95 at Nordstrom



Jeffrey Campbell Posh Peep Toe Pump- on sale for $47.90 at Nordstrom



Loeffler Randall Olive Leather Peeptoe Pump- $111.99 at Plaza Too.