Happy Thursday! Well. It's still cold outside. Thankfully, J.Crew is running a sale on outerwear (amongst other things) that should help warm things up a bit. Below are my top four picks, in order of increasing frivolity, cost and fabulousness. Armed with these babies, the cold could be downright FUN! Beware, reading on might cause you to spend money you shouldn't... but don't worry, I won't tell! 1. The super classic. Majesty Peacoat in navy or decadent red, $295 less 40% with code TAKENOTE. If you do not own a peacoat, you must get this majestic version! Actually, even if you own a peacoat, you should probably get this one. I am partial to the navy, mostly because it's just a super classic and I've always wanted one. It goes with everything and will last forever. I love the gold buttons too. A nice little military touch (and an added bit of glam) without really going too far. I bought it last year on super sale in celadon, but feel the need to have a sophisticated color staple to add to my collection. You can't go wrong with navy. And if you already have navy, then you simply must have red. I am such a sucker for tomato-y red. Always have been; always will be. 2. The slightly twisty classic. Military Parka in navy ($350 minus 40% with code TAKENOTE) or fatigue ($325 minus 40% with code TAKENOTE). I'm not normally one to pick a parka, but this one has me a little smitten. Everyone needs a parka, and parkas unfortunately tend to have a sort of sad, I've-given-up-on-my-looks sort of look. This one doesn't. It is such a great cold weather staple, especially with that furry hood! I like the slight sheen of the fabric - it's a more sophisticated take on the parka concept. This is the kind of coat that you end up wearing all of the time because it's just so cozy (but the cut, while boxy, is still rather sleek). I can't decide if I like the navy or the fatigue better, but I think I'm leaning towards navy. 3. The excellently statement-y classic. Captain coat in jeweled houndstooth, $495 minus 40% with code TAKENOTE. My obsession with this coat grows with each passing minute. I love the mix of houndstooth and jeweled collar. Such a great juxtaposition of color, texture and pattern. I also love the elongaged lines of the peacoat. The better to keep the booty warm! Get this coat and enjoy the experience of wearing something both super fabulous and practical. It's a statement without being too bold. 4. The absolute fall-on-your-knee totally-to-die-for STATEMENT of the century. Collection Ratti tile coat, $1200 less 40% with code TAKENOTE. I've saved the best (and most expensive) for last. I have no words for my obsession with this coat. Absolute obsession. Like, I actually dream about it sometimes. This statement coat is no understated statement. This statement STATES itself in all its psychedelic glory, and I just want to WEAR it! I love the color combos, the patterns, the cut... everything. The mix of the simple coat structure with that fabulous pattern is just to die for. I need to own this as soon as humanly possible, and I just wish I could win the lottery first. I haven't tried it on, so I can't vouch for fit, but I've been eying it for MONTHS and am hoping that one of these days it comes down to the $300 range. There must be one left in my size once that happens, right?? Right?? Even at 40% off, this coat is not something I can currently splurge on (as much as I wish I could!), but I have faith! The price will drop if it's meant to be! I am certain it does not fight cold, but if you feel fabulous wearing it, maybe the cold doesn't matter? Perhaps I could just wear it around my apartment as my own version of a house coat and sip wine by the fire. Just talking about this has almost convinced me to splurge on the coat and just skimp on electricity for the next few months.... What coats are you craving right now? Happy shopping - and keep warm! KK
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Happy New Year's Eve! New Year's Eve is a time for statements, and statement jewelry is a much safer way to say something to the world than overdoing it with the champagne (though there Is no rule against mixing statement jewels and champs!). I love finding great steals, especially of the statement necklace variety. And statement necklaces that have a global, worldly feel to them. I also love finding statement necklaces that aren't too heavy. (I get headaches from too much weight on my neck, and because headaches trump fashion statements, that often gets in the way of my desire to wear big necklaces.) So imagine my delight when I happened upon this gem of a globally inspired statement steal when I was browsing the J.Crew website the other day for some last minute Christmas gift items: the studs and stones embroidered necklace, $29.99 ($49.99 plus 40% off with code SHOPHAPPY) DOWN FROM $198! That's 85% off! $29 for a fabulous J.Crew necklace that otherwise would be $200? YES, PLEASE. At the time that I found the necklace, J.Crew thankfully hadn't implemented its very annoying "final sale" situation to its sale item stock, so I was able to purchase the product risk-free (they've since turned on the dreaded "final sale" concept to clear out inventory). I ordered two: one for my mom and one for me (along with some "lumberjack shirts" for Matt). When the necklace arrived a few days later, I ripped open the package and was totally delighted (and my mom assures me she liked hers as well)! It's perfect! The orange is NEON, which is not clear in the picture, and the green is a little bit more muted -- almost a sage green -- than the photo leads one to believe. But I totally welcome the neon orange juxtaposed with the "pinot noir" color, and the green can read neon in certain light. It looks cool. Two other great parts? 1) the whole thing is backed in smooth fabric, so it doesn't scratch; and 2) it is not heavy, which was a delightful surprise (it does look like it could be heavy and many J.Crew necklaces tend to be on the heavy and uncomfortable side). Tonight, as 2013 comes to a close, I hope you put on whatever baubles you have, clink a glass of bubbly with a loved one or a stranger, and ring in the new year in whatever way feels right (I'll be at home still in "recovery mode," but I'll definitely be wearing this necklace while I drink a little champs with the hubs!). And if you're daring, click on over to J.Crew and grab one of these fab necklaces! Beware - it's unfortunately "final sale" now, so it's more of a gamble than it should be - but for $29, I think it's worth the risk! Happy Celebrating! And Statement Making! KK Happy Tuesday! And Happy Last Day of 25%/30% Off At J.Crew Day! I love a good J.Crew sale. Through midnight Eastern Time tonight, J.Crew is offering 25% off all regular purchases (code: GETGIFTING) and 30% off all Cardmember purchases (code: CARDGIFTS). Yay! The discounts mentioned below assume you are not a Cardmember, but if you are, just think of that extra 5% savings you'll get. J.Crew's suiting can be hit or miss, but I've found a major hit recently in the J.Crew Seamed Crepe Dress, on sale for $139.99 + 25% off, down from $198. With the extra 25% off, the grand total of this gem comes to $105 plus tax and shipping. I own it in navy and wear it religiously, and I am very temped to get the modern red as well (you know my mom's rule of multiples!). The fabric has a matte silk quality that's drapey but weighty. It's not too thick and not too thin, with a bit of stretch. It's cut perfectly for pear-shaped gals (slim on top and generous on the bottom). And it is office-appropriately long enough, which is strangely hard to find at times. And the seaming (as the title suggests) is just dreamy in its body contouring magic making abilities. I also love the high neck and slim short sleeves. The dress itself is modest and body conscious all at once. I wore this dress through the fall in the pre-freezing days without tights, but it can easily be made a winter-wear staple if accessorized appropriately. Throw a pair of super-opaque dark navy tights or opaque dark navy control-top tights into your shopping cart for a clean and slimming "column." For heel wearers, complete the look with Everely Suede Pumps in black ($245 + 25% off) for a clean and minimalist look or consider adding a pop of jewel-toned color with the hedgerow (a lovely wintery green) version (on sale for $198 + 25% off). My friend Emily wore the black version this past weekend, and not only did I think they were $600+ Jimmy Choos, but also she said they were absurdly comfortable ("I walked, like, 30 blocks in them!"). Emily has an enviable ability to wear heels for impressive amounts of time, but even she couldn't 'make it 30 blocks in a pair of shoes that weren't dreamily comfortable, so I am certainly intrigued by the Everelys (and look forward to a day when I can wear heels again!). If you're a flats wearer, I like these Viv Metallic Flats in heather atlantic ($188 + 25% off) for a little pop that still reads blue. The pointy toe will elongate your silhouette and work nicely with the seamed lines fo the dress. (I also love the Cece Suede Ballet Flats for commuting and weekends.) And if comme moi you're destined for sturdy menswear inspired shoes, I like these Collection Biella glitter tassel loafers in glittler fog ($258 + 25% off) for a borrowed-from-the-boys look that's decidedly sassy, or the Darby Tassel Loafer ($188 + 25% off) in black for a tamer, but still killer, look. My office is set at a cool 55 degrees regardless of season, so I always like to keep a scarf and sweater around. For scarves, I like a pop of color, and this colorblock foulard scarf ($59.50 + 25% off) does just the trick (and it goes brilliantly with those shoes I mentioned before). For sweaters, you can't go wrong with cashmere: I love my Collection Cashmere Boyfriend Cardigan ($238 + 25% off) - black and navy are both safe bets to keep around the office. For jewelry, this dress can easily be worn with nothing (or simple earrings like the ones I mentioned on Friday) for a clean, minimalist look, or with a statement collar necklace or longer necklace. I tend to shy away from big necklaces at work because I find them distracting and heavy, but for a statement, I do like to wear longer necklaces on occasion. This Radiant Statement Pendant ($59.99 + 25% off) is quite wonderful and would be a nice way to step up your look from day to night. Help make the commute a little more tolerable in this Double Breasted Cocoon Coat in Wool-Cashmere ($350 + 25% Off) and this Cashmere Infinity Scarf ($258 + 25% off) in really any color (so cozy!) or, for a lower price point, the Chevron Checkered Snood in black/white ($59.50 + 25% off). Et voilà! You've got yourself a killer workwear outfit (that can be worn multiple ways) all because of a $105 dress that fits like a dream and gets you through the workday in style. (Do you realize I started this post out just intending to talk about that dress?? This is how J.Crew always gets me...)
Enjoy! And Happy Suiting Up! KK |
Kate KellyI am an artist/designer and former financial professional with a background in comparative literature, business and design. I live in New York with my overworked lawyer husband and my two boys Michael and Theo and spend much of my free time dreaming about how to enhance the aesthetics of our little world. I am endlessly inspired and always in search of something new. This is a blog about my search, my inspiration and things I just really, really like or want. Archives
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