Jello buttons

Reading other like minded women's blogs is delightful and makes me happy. It also causes me to buy things I normally either never would have known existed, or would not have noticed had I seen them. (It's a good thing, actually, because sometimes I am blinded by J.Crew and don't think to look at other stores.) The hot pink pants fall into the first category, but thanks to WMM, I was enlightened and able to purchase these delightful pants for myself!

Tank - J.Crew old ruffled favorite tank, 2008

Sweater - J.Crew Tessa sweater jacket, Holiday 2007 (aka, the best season ever for J.Crew)

Pants - Gap Broken-in straight khakis, size 6 tall

Shoes - J.Crew Lulu ballet flats, 2008

Before we get to talking about the pants, can we just admire this sweater for a second? I mean, just read the description: "Cotton in a 9-gauge double-knit with big, shiny buttons." Double knit cotton? When was the last time J.Crew did double knit cotton? Too long ago... and the buttons. Not only are they indeed big and shiny, but they are striped:

I can hardly stand such an adorable detail. They remind me of the jello my mom used to make every Christmas, it looked like this:

It was delicious, too. Good memories! (here is the recipe, which is also where I found the photo.)

Back to the pants. They run large, as stated by many reviewers on the Gap website, a detail I chose to ignore. So, they are held up by a belt today! I actually like the way the look even though the waist is a little big so it works for me. Many sizes are sold out but they do popback and there are promos constantly. Highly recommend. The fabric is lightweight without being flimsy, and the color is so saturated, I just love it. It's been years since I've bought pants from the Gap, but in the last week I have purchased three pairs! So, thank you again WMM, for reintroducing me to the Gap!

Have you made any great finds lately at retailers you don't normally frequent? What other retailers out there am I missing?! As a loyal J.Crew Aficionada, I am afraid I am really missing out sometimes.

OOTD 9/27/12 by jcrewjd featuring j crew sweaters

Glorified PJ pants?

Glorified PJ pants? by jcrewjd featuring j crew

Too-short, high-waisted dresses

Or, the majority of J.Crew's current and recent past dress offerings. It makes me sad, being a tall person. However, I am mostly legs, and I figure, why not flaunt them from time to time, so with that in mind I ordered the Allie Dress in Aqua Floral. I watched it get marked down once, twice, then a third time, finally landing at $69.99. A reasonable price for a too short, high waisted dress, right? I told myself I could let the hem down and finally just ordered the thing already, after hemming and hawing for days. I had to face the fact that I can't resist a good print nor a good silk twill.

J Crew dress   (see more floral dresses)

There she is in all her glory. And now I will show you the dress on myself. I should've steamed it first... because after steaming, it really came to life and the skirt is all full and cute now.

See, it's not totally obscene!!

The waist actually isn't too far above my natural waist,which is positive.

Annnnd high waist. I probably should not raise my arms this high at any point during the wearing of this dress.

Here's a close up of the print, the hem width, and the lovely silk organza that is sewn into the skirt to give it body. A very nice detail if you ask me. It then has a full lining which you see at the top of the photo.

I ordered my normal size 6 and it fits perfectly. 

I am wearing this dress to a wedding this weekend, but after that I do plan to let the hem down as far as possible, if I can. That fancy organza lining may ruin my plans, though. I have some of that fancy invisible thread but it will be my first time doing a hem on silk. I hope I don't completely mess it up. I think the length is appropriate for a fun wedding but it would make me happy to have it a little longer!

Allie possibilities for this weekend by jcrewjd featuring rhinestone stud earrings

I can't decide which shoes to wear, so I will be hauling several pairs to my destination :)

A final sale success... I love those!

So, what do you think of the dress? Do you too wish it was just a few inches longer? Have you had any final sale successes lately?