The Story Of a Coat - J Crew's Lady Day

I wrote last week about agonizing over a coat purchase. I ended up ordering J Crew's Lady Day Coat unsure if it would fit properly. My coat finally arrived, just in time for spring. :-)

I go between two sizes at J Crew and went with my bigger size based on the reviews I read online. I'm glad I did! There is no room to spare in the shoulders or in the bust. In fact, the buttons are pulling a little bit. But other than that slight pulling, I love this coat. It really does make feel like a lady.

RDog has suggested that I think about getting the buttons moved. What do you think? Is it good the way it is or should I take it to a tailor for some button movement?

Thumbs Up J Crew

I have needed a new coat for some time now. I also love J Crew. So when the Lady Day Coat went on sale for $99.99, I was tempted to buy it. But the fact that I have never tried on J Crew's outerwear and the coat is final sale, made me hesitate for weeks. I called J Crew's customer service a couple of weeks ago and got the coat's measurements and asked that the final sale be lifted this one time. My request was denied so I didn't buy the coat.

Finally, after agonizing over this darn coat for weeks, this morning RDog told me to just buy the thing. I could just sell it on Kijii (Canada's version of Craigslist) if it didn't fit. So I bite the bullet and ordered this . . .


After submitting my purchase, a survey box popped up. I filled out the survey and in the comment box left pretty much the same story I've told you tonight. I just checked my email and found this note waiting for me.

Hello,

Thanks so much for your feedback provided via our BizRate survey.  Your
comments help us shape a continually improving customer experience.

I understand your concern about sizing and have placed notes on your
order allowing the return of the Final Sale coat if it does
not fit.  I also wanted you to let you know we will be opening a retail
store in Toronto at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre in early fall of this
year.

If there is anything else I can further assist you with, please feel
free to contact me directly. I have provided my contact information
below for your convenience.

Yorkdale Shopping Centre is a good two days drive away but other than that, yeah, J Crew! I'm now excited for my jacket which should arrive just in time for warmer temperatures.

J Crew Score

My J Crew 40% sale arrived today and I was pleasantly surprised because I loved everything! Normally, when I order J Crew final sale, I'm disappointed by at least one of the items when it arrives. Not this time. Here are some of my favorite items.

This is the Factory printed stretch cotton sateen pencil skirt. It is unlined and thin so I won't be wearing it any time soon (hello -38 temperatures) but it will be a spring staple. I'm thinking about ordering the plum version as well.
This Vintage cotton amour tank is super pretty in real life. It has beads on each ruffle that really sparkle. You can't beat the price of $11.99.

This is the Factory printed Annalise ruffle cami. I like it because it has pretty ruffles but they're not in your face. I don't like too many fussy things around my face.

And because 10 Jackie cardigans were not enough. This looks really bright in the picture but is a much softer color in real life. I'll have IRL pictures tomorrow because I'll be wearing lots of my new swag.

How did your purchases work out? Did you get some treasures?

J Crew, You're Alright.

This morning, motivated by the 20% off J Crew sale, I placed an order. I originally had a cart full to meet the $150 free shipping minimum but then thought to myself, "Do I really need all this stuff?" I then thought about the high duty I was also most likely going to have to pay. Out went most of the cart, leaving only what I truly wanted; a Jackie cardigan.

A very sensible order because I wear my Jackies A LOT. However, because it was a small order, I had to pay shipping, quite a bit in shipping actually; $13.50. I grumbled to myself that the 20% off had disappeared and hit submit. Then a little pop-up window appear asking me to do a survey on my purchase. I usually just close these but this time, I thought I'd give myself a vent for my grumbling. I filled out the survey and on the last page where a space for comments is left, I wrote this:

I bought one sweater. It will arrive in an envelope that will have a
shipping charge of under $4. J crew charged me 13.50 for shipping. That
is not right.

Blunt, but it was what I was feeling and I was already late for work. When I got home today, I had a reply in my inbox from J Crew!

Hello,

Thanks for reaching out.  Shipping is charged by the merchandise total
and not the overall weight of the package but it is a one time fee.  If
you need an exchange, we'll send it out to you with free shipping.
Also, the cost to ship to Canada is more because of it being
international.  All of that said, I am happy to refund your shipping on
this order as soon as it's available for updating.  You will see the
credit on your statement in the next 1-2 billing cycles.  For further
clarification, I've included the link to our shipping charges below:

http://www.jcrew.com/help/shipping_handling.jsp

If there is anything else I can further assist you with, don't hesitate
to let me know.  Please feel free to contact me directly. I have
provided my contact information below for your convenience.

Now, I know it costs more to ship to Canada but I KNOW it doesn't cost 13 bucks to ship a sweater but whatever, I'm happy for now because I got free shipping! This may motivate me to place another order. I'm glad someone actually read my comments but I would like to see an actual change in the shipping prices. So many people complain about J Crew's shipping charges. Why do they stay the same?

Newest Want:: Patterned tights

The latest J Crew catalogue arrived in my mailbox today. There are so many things I love, but what really stuck out for me was the patterned tights.


So pretty and so versatile. They look subtle enough that I could wear them to work. I need these babies!

Have any bloggers out there tried these? I'm wondering how they fit tall people (I'm 5'10" and sometimes have a hard time finding tights that are long enough).

Freeport Finds - the stuff

I didn't expect much from the J Crew outlet as, in the past, I have found it to be over priced for an outlet. Still I was a wee bit disappointed to find no good sales. In most of the other factory stores, there is a percentage off of the tagged price. In Banana Republic, for example, the items are tagged at lower prices than a normal store then there is 20 - 60% off on top of that. There was nothing like that in J Crew. I find better prices online in the sale section. I love J Crew, but I am cheap. So all I bought there was this cute rose tee.

It's modeled on the bed next to the cats' stinky toys. I was feeling lazy.

Both RDog and did a lot of damage in Banana Republic. I don't have a lot of clothing with pattern so when I saw this blouse, I had to have it.


It is suppose to fit in a loose way but I'm not into that so I was able to size down to an XS to get the fit I wanted. It makes this normally medium sized girl giggle to see the small tag.

I also had lots of luck with Banana Republic's accessories. I found some cute bracelets ad a necklace.




I also had some great finds at Coach. Most things were on sale with an additonal 50% off and I had a coupon for another 20%. I found this lady.

I also bought a bag for my 16 year old cousin for Christmas. She is going to flip!

I know some bloggers are not a fan of Coach but here in Atlantic Canada we are a little bit behind the times and Coach is a big thing. Everyone knows Coach but because there are no Coach stores, they are hard to find. When they appear at Winner (our version of TJ Maxx), they are sold out in hours. I get people coming up to me in the mall and grocery stores complimenting me on my Coach bags. The girls are school always notice them too. They're like,"OMG, Miss has a Coach bag. She is ballin'." No, they really don't say that and I don't know what ballin' means but they do comment on my bags.

Finally RDog was able to find an item from his wishlist.

He looks smoking in them too, like Mad Men smoking hot. RDog, does that make up for all the times I make fun of you on my blog?

My J Crew sale purchases

I've been doing pretty good with toning down the shopping but this week with J Crew's 20% plus free shipping sale and 2 J Crew gift cards, I felt free to get my shop on. Here's what I found.

My sale purchases by KDot featuring J Crew

I also got a Garden-lace shift dress for $7.99 and a pair of linen pants for RDog (I couldn't find them on Polyvore). All this for $151. My gift cards added up to 140 so I really only spent $11. Hopefully Mr. Post-likes-to-charge-me-duty-man will not catch this package.

Psst, RDog, did you see that I only spent $11 AND I bought you something? That totally deserves a present.

No puffiness!

Top: J Crew corsage tee
Skirt: J Crew nicky skirt
Shoes: Naturalizer
Bag: Burberry

Like many other bloggers, I've been doing the apply cider vinegar thing for a few weeks. I've haven't noticed any weight loss but I do feel like my stomach is flatter. Sometimes it feels like I'm pregnant, my stomach puffs out so much. No puffiness lately! Woot, woot

I have a problem

I was really good with not drinking the Crewlade for the last couple of months. This past week I have been a bad girl! I need to stop! Does anyone who has had a successful shopping ban have any tips?

In the meantime, I have a few J Crew treasures coming my way so I've made a few Polyvores.

Untitled by KDot featuring J Crew

My Georgia cardigan arrived yesterday and I love it! I also found another Victoria cami. The last one I ordered was a size 6 in cerise. Since regular sizes were sold out, I tried a 6P and it fits fine.

Untitled by KDot featuring J Crew

The Nicky skirt popped back and I snagged it.

Untitled by KDot featuring J Crew

I liked the Georgia cardigan so much that I ordered another in stone. Seriously, my closet shelf is going to break from the weight of all my J Crew cardigans.

Untitled by KDot featuring J Crew

The gladiola print cami popped back too so of course, me with no will power, had to order it.

Al my finds were great deals but when they are added together, plus the exchange rate and duty, it adds up to a big credit card bill. If I add up all that I've spent at J Crew and Martin and Osa (my other online weakness) in the past few months, I think it would scare me and anger my husband. This is money that can be better spent elsewhere. I know that but changing my ways is easier said than done. But from now on, I am going to try!

Last Class Bash

Skirt: Martin & Osa (currently on sale for 24.95 plus 30% off - a good buy)
Top: J Crew
Shoes: Naturalizer
Jewelry: Suzy Shier pearl and bow earrings

Today was my last teaching day. I still have two weeks of work left but the hard work is done. I made it through year two and haven't gone crazy yet!

J Crew Dreams

Last night I had a dream that my mother and I went shopping and we stumbled across a brick and mortar J Crew. I was so happy. I went around the store, picking up armfuls of clothes. And then they flickered the lights, announcing that the store was closing. I went into a panic, trying to decide what clothes to buy. I pleaded with the staff saying, "But I'm a Canadian and I never get to come to a real J Crew. Please let me shop more." I woke up feeling stressed.

I have issues.

What I'm Wearing Today

J Crew A-Line Taffeta Skirt in Champagne
Martin and Osa Drape Neck Tee (Currently on sale for 9.95 + 30% off)
Naturalizer wedges
Necklace from The Bay

Safety pin sewing

Today, I felt like a girly girl. I wore:

J Crew Merino lea Cardigan in snow white
J Crew silk dupioni skirt
J Crew trois rosette tank
Spring pointy pink pumps
F21 pink cluster necklace
Joe Fresh fireball earrings

I had a problem with the trois rosette tank being too low for school. To solve that, I simply safety pinned the straps to move the neckline up.

My cardigan stayed buttoned all day and covered my "sewing" job.

Wearing today

It's a beautiful, freakishly warm day here in Atlantic Canada. My car's thermometer read at 30 C when I came out of school at 4. I wish it would stay like this. I took advantage of the warm weather and did the bare-legged thing today.

I wore:
Martin & Osa silk skirt
Martin & Osa ruffle tank in navy
J Crew Merino Lea Cardigan in snow white (I had to keep this on while teaching even though I was sweat girl. I felt too exposed without it. I teach 14 year boys; sometimes the hormones are raging)
Naturalizer burgundy ballet flaps
Navy bangle that I bought at Lawtons Drug store

Untitled by KDot featuring J Crew tank tops

I'm not sure what is up with the images on polyvore. It seems that any set I make looks messed up like this one. Any solutions? I'm off to have some drinks outside. Cranberry juice, soda water, and vodka = yumminess!

What I'm Wearing Today

Excuse the wrinkles; this was at the end of a long day.

Martin & Osa pants
J Crew Pleated Tank
Dalia Cardigan from Costco
Chaps wedges
Joe Fresh gold link bracelet

Yellow and green; yes/no?

I've been trying to find something to layer with my Merino Lea in citron yellow. This cardi has green undertones which is making hard for me to find a match. Tonight I was playing "dress up" for DH and this was the best option I came up with.


Untitled by KDot featuring J Crew sweaters

J Crew Merino Lea Cardigan in Citron Yellow
J Crew Perfect Flower Tank in golden avocado
Martin and Osa Sophia Refined Trouser in black

DH was home so I had him snap a photo of my matching. I was just playing around at home so I don't have shoes or accessories.

What do you think? As Gigi says, likey or no likey?

If it is a likey, any suggestions for accessories?

New J Crew Loot

Thank you Canada Post for my new duty-free J Crew loot!

Here is what I got.

Merino Lea Cardigan in snow. This is the last one I am ordering; I swear.

Printed silk twilll boatneck top. I thought I was ordering this print.

But this is what I got.
This is much brighter than something I would normally wear. Maybe it will turn out to be a good thing and force me more out of my comfort zone. I might have to get it tailored a tad bit. It flares out a bit at the bottom and that irritates me slightly.

Taffeta A-line skirt in champagne.
I love this skirt. I love that it is silk, but yet sturdy . I feel like it is not going to get heavily wrinkled in the course of a day like the silk Dupioni skirt.

And last, a swing skirt in bright poppy. I ordered this skirt about a month ago in a medium pewter. I love it but it is a bit big on me. I sized down for this one and it is a much better fit. This will be great for summer days, when a skirt and tank are my daily uniform.

Overall, I am pleased with this order. J Crew currently has an Extra 30% off promotion so I am going to try to score some more Final Sale gems tomorrow. I've got a few more purchases in mind. I'm thinking about the Victoria ruffle cami and the Linen-cotton Wendy skirt. What do you think; should I or shouldn't I?

Snow day!

We have some wacky Maritime weather today. We had a beautiful weekend with warm temperatures above +10 C. The whole neighborhood was out doing yardwork and barbecuing. Today, there is a snow storm with 10 cm of snow predicted. Usually that is not enough to close down the schools but when freezing rain is added into the equation, the schools are always closed. There is freezing rain in the mix today! Yay for a long weekend for me! So today I am hanging out around the house in my Juicy's doing some cleaning.

My father was up last week and I put him to work. I have a great computer dork husband but he is not so good with the handy work. Luckily, my father is handy-man extraordinaire. He re-did our computer room last week. He painted, added new baseboard, door and door trim and installed new lighting fixtures. He also brought up a new desk for me that he built! I have been looking for a simple big desk for years. I like very clean lines but wanted enough room so I could spread out my scrap booking and not have to use our dining room table. Dad just threw together such a thing for me using scrap wood. I am one spoiled girl. Unfortunately, my dad is a very messy home renovator so there is lots for me to clean up today.

I was also glad to be home for when the Canada Post lady came knocking at my door; my J Crew package had arrived. Unfortunately, unlike my packages that were delivered last week, Canada Post charged me duty. The order was small, only two Merino Lea Cardigans, but the duty was $29. Ouch! But because Canada Post doesn't catch every single order, it is still a better alternative than shipping with UPS. Here are the newest additions to my Lea cardi collection.
My black Lea that took ten orders before it actually shipped. J Crew gave me free shipping for the inconvenience. I think I will be wearing this one a lot.
The Lea in citron yellow. This one, I'm not sure what I'll wear with. But I think I will do some playing around with Polyvore this afternoon when my chores are finished. I'm excited to add both of these to my closet.

Back to the fashion

I had a few J Crew packages arrive this week but haven't really felt like trying on my new items until today. This week's packages were delivered through Canada Post instead of my usual UPS. I will be sticking to Canada Post from now on. The packages were actually sent through Express Post so they took about a week to arrive, the same as my UPS packages. The best part was that Canada Post didn't charge me any duty. Goodbye crazy UPS brokerage fees.

The first item was my favorite Merino Lea Cardigan in desert brown. Although I love the Lea Cardigan, I'm having a hard time deciding what to pair under this cardi. The brown is such a faded, muted brown, nothing seems to look right with it. Tonight I paired the cardi with dark jeans and a bright pink tank. It was ok, but not awesome. Any suggestions on colors to pair with desert brown?

My next item was the Pique Hoodie in poppy. This will be great popped over a tank for running around the house. It is also super comfy.

My Marcela Blouse in nantucket fog was next in the box. I was a bit disappointed in this one. Even though I sized down, this blouse is still a bit too loose.

I was also disappointed in the Grosgrain-bow city tee cardigan in champagne. I guess I didn't read the product descroption very well because I wasn't expecting the thin material. I'm also stuck on what to pair with this cardi. I need some color as the champagne tends to wash me out.

The disappointing trend continued with my Cotton Taffeta Nicky Skirt in bright fuschia. For some reason, I ordered this is my normal size, 8, instead of my usual J Crew size of 6. It's way too big for me and just packs on the pounds to my chunky thighs.

I also got a couple of Solid Washed Favorite Tanks (in citrus lime and bright rhubarb). These are great little tanks, great for layering now and for casual summer wear later.


I have a couple more orders coming on Monday or Tuesday. Hopefully I will have better luck with those items.

How many merino lea cardigans can a girl have?

Is six too many?

I love J Crew's Merino Lea cardigan. It all started with one if my first J crew purchases; a lea in melon. That lead to the discovery that I could layer! I had always though I was a simple dresser who didn't have enough fashion sense to layer. With this cardigan's low v-neck, I was forced to layer. I discovered that the cardigan looks great with a blouse and pearls and a tee and jeans. And the buttons,they were oh so pretty and shinny.

Next came the lea in navy. The button were more subdued, but still just as nice. This one looked great with camis, green tees and crisp white dress shirts. But I still needed more. Dark peony came next. It had a small tear in it, but I didn't care. I loved it so much, I would fix whatever it needed.

In the last couple of days, I have ordered the lea in desert brown, citron yellow, and the elusive black. This will be my 10th attempt to order the black. Let's hope this bad boy ships. I have to wonder, when will it be enough? I think I'm still hankering after the gray, white and green. Will people start to wonder about me when I start wearing the same sweater in different colors everyday? Oh Lea, how you complete me.