Current favorite things at J.Crew. (Could also be entitled: Demystifying Personal shopping - Part 6.)

Yes, we are getting carried away with ourselves.  In the name of research (and desire to support a local organization through a shopping benefit), Lisa and I set up personal shopping appointments at J.Crew in the Natick Mall.  It was also someone's birthday (ahem, Lisa, ahem) and what better way than to spend the day - shopping with friends!

We contacted Sylvia Gesell and arranged our appointments for the same time, giving her our sizes and ideas of what we were interested in.  I was looking for summer tops (still) and white jeans and Lisa was interested in finding white jeans and some transitional looks.

I arrived at the mall to meet Lisa at J.Crew, only to find a friend in the parking garage and encouraged her to come along.  The more the merrier, right?!

We all arrived at J.Crew at 10:00am, and Sylvia was there to greet us and usher us into the dressing room area.  Sylvia had pulled this for me (in the way of tops).

Additionally, there was a dressing room across the hall for Lisa and Sylvia started right away to pull items for our friend from the garage.  We started digging through and found some great things for spring!

With bright colors being one of the recurring trends this spring, Lisa found herself in love with a pair of red pumps.

Not something I would have pulled off the shelf on my own, but look at how they weave their way through the next few outfits.  I might have to consider a pair myself.

Next up, a lace top, another spring trend.  Please comment and tell Lisa how fabulous this looks on her! (Note the red pumps too!  Gives a great color-blocked effect.)

I really took to the Tabitha blouse.  It's a very easy cut that looks great on a multitude of people and came in both solids and a print.  I couldn't resist the paisley print - how great will this look with white jeans and a gold pendant necklace?  Very easy for dinner out or a casual meeting.  Throw a navy blazer over it when it's still cool out.

Photo from jcrew.com

A striped sweater looked great on our friend - layered with a bright tank underneath, it's a steal at $69.50, and will be worn to death over the next few months and on cool summer nights.

Photo from jcrew.com

And speaking of stripes (again), this is a great, relatively inexpensive knit jacket at $128 - navy and white striped, with a hint of orange from a tank layered underneath.  (Again, red pumps!)

Sylvia was great, pulling additional sizes, making suggestions, and giving advice on fit.  We had a great time!  A big thank you to Sylvia and the team at J.Crew for not only a fun morning, but for acknowledging Lisa's birthday with flowers, a little breakfast, and this.  Why can't all shopping experiences be this great? ~ JH

Unless otherwise noted, images are Jennifer Houston's.

Stripes.

Stripes have been a "go to" in my closet since I got my first rugby shirt in college.  Stripes are clean and crisp.  Classic in a Parisian kind of way (Saint James) which may be a reason why I love them so.  They are a perfect neutral that can be refreshed with a scarf or dressed up/down in a snap.  

Honestly, I'm obsessed with stripes and am stockpiling my faves.  One could go so far as to say that I have stripe PROBLEM - witness a shelf in my closet.

Photo by LB.

So in the spirit of January, when the racks are filling with those transitional stripes inspiring us to forget the snow on the ground and look to Spring,  I give you my some of my affordable faves and ways to wear.

Boden stripy tunic.  $58 I got this last year and wore it to death.  It's tapered in the waist so it hangs nicely, not like a sack of potatoes.  Grab one before Real Simple or Lucky does an editorial and they sell out.

Photo from bodenusa.com.

What to pair with it?  TOMS - I was not a believer but am now.  Their canvas shoes are adorable, affordable at under $45 and supremely comfortable.  The leather footbed actually has arch support so you can tool around in these all day and your feet will be happy. They come in all sorts of colors but I like the bright and cheery red.  Look for TOMS new line of ballet flats in February.

Photo from Nordstrom.com

Denim shirt.  Throw a denim shirt over the dress, cinch up the sleeves and you've got great layered look.  A great go-to for denim shirts is J. Crew or Madewell.   This one is the keeper from J. Crew at $78.

Photo from jcrew.com

One of our friends and readers had on this one from Old Navy the other day and it looked fantastic.  Women's Chambray shirts, $24.94 at Old Navy.

Photo from oldnavy.com.

When it comes to shades you can't go wrong with Ray-Ban.  With a small face like mine,  the aviators will make me look like a sad puppy. I found these cool wayfarers at Henri Bendel's for $119 and don't venture out in the sun without them.

Photo from ray-ban.com.

For jewelry, I'm loving these hand made Holst + Lee bracelets.  Made with brass fixtures and beads, mother of pearl discs, glass beads, Egyptian cotton, copper and has a magnetic closure.  Layer with your watch or other bracelets for a pop of color. $155 each.

Photos from shoplatitude.com.

If you're looking for a classic striped top, look no further than Saint James, the definitive French nautical brand which is getting amazing brand awareness with US customers through partnerships with Madewell and J. Crew which just starting selling Women's in store at the Natick store.  

Photo from jcrew.com.

Make sure you've got some yellow in your closet this season.  It's such a happy color and pairs beautifully with navy, white and stripes.

Photo from toryburch.com.

This Madewell Scarf ties it all together for $52.

Photo from madewell.com

With so much color going on above, try for an understated shoe in a light color - a dark color on your feet will drag the whole look down and become heavy .  Metallics are still hot (note: metallics are always in style during an Olympic year) and something like this platinum leather Montauk from Sperry Top-Siders is a classic.  Sperry is one brand that Jen and I couldn't be farther apart on.  I love.  She loathes. ("I really dislike them" - JH) $90 at Nordstrom.

Photo from nordstrom.com.

Happy almost spring! ~ LB