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The Birdy can credit Pinterest for helping me find this lovely blogger, Glamor Guru -- I loved this outfit, from the red boots to the schoolboy blazer. I have a blazer very similar from J. Crew and I was looking to be Inspired over how to wear it and not look like a stewardess -- inspiration found! I love what a total mix-tape of looks this is, total preppy-rocker-cowgirl in all the best ways. Especially with the boots and jeans; usually I wear these short foldover boots with shorts or a skirt, but a tall cuff on a slim pant totally works. I'm also using this as an open letter to the Pacific Northwest's summer weather to make. up. its. damn. mind. For reals!! I'm picking out fall-appropriate outfits in June!
Anyways, weather gripes aside, at least I have something fun to wear. From the Jaunty Wardrobe: schoolboy blazer from J. Crew, printed top from Macys, jeans from Old Navy, foldover short boots from JC Penney, black satin handbag was a gift.
Jaunty Fine Print: photo from Glamor Guru, Jaunty Wardrobe photos by Denise Sakaki
Over the holidays, this Bird was graced with a lovely gift card for J. Crew by a sweet friend, as she totally knows my Jaunty love for this store! So I got into a bit of a shopping Mood and wanted to peruse the sales and get an idea of what's available for $50 or less. Not that I have to just spend what's on the gift card, but it makes for an easier time trying to consider all the possibilities laid out before me!
After holiday sales are fantastic. I found several things that put me in a sparkly, shopping Mood that all fit within the budgetary ceiling. It's going to be a tricky time figuring out which of these will be coming home with me: {1} Sequin bouquet art tee, {2} silk tricotine hope dress in deep rose, {3} stripe sequin boatneck tee, {4} lace tulip mini, {5} chiffon rufflotta camiin orchid shadow, {6} merino studded cardigan, {7} metal-wrapped chain cuff, {8} muse tank in golden topaz, {9} dream glistening placket cardigan
Jaunty Fine Print: items from the J. Crew website
The Magpie had a Veruca Salt moment, Fancying something like no other, but not quite breaking into song over it. The item in question: the Velvet Eden Blazer from one of my favorite stores, J. Crew. It's been one of their perennial items, meaning -- it never goes on sale. But on a recent trip to the factory outlet, I cornered my precious, fuzzy quarry and was pleased to see the glorious clearance pricetag. Despite my fun budget cutbacks, I couldn't resist its velvet charms and the fact it was $65, so I purchased the lovely aubergine hue. Originally I thought I would have wanted the heather grey, but the color wasn't as flattering and I noticed the lighter colors showed more wrinkles and creases. The retail justification section of the brain, aka, the Excuse-o-Matic, convinced the logic part that this would be a piece I would wear for a long time, through several seasons, and could easily be dressed up or down. I do look forward to being able to put together some fun new Inspired vignettes as a result of this find, that's for sure.
It totally makes me think of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Mind you, the Gene Wilder characterization, not the mildly terrifying Johnny Depp version. Egads. I couldn't help but doodle my way through this Fancy post, with the voice of Gene Wilder singing, "Come with me, and you'll see, there's a world of pure i-ma-gin-a-tion..."
Jaunty Fine Print: Blazer photos by Denise Sakaki, image of Gene Wilder from Art Store
The best part of fall is being able to enjoy it. Between the rainy days, you'll get lucky and find yourself outside on a day cool enough for a favorite jacket, and warm enough to not have to get bundled up for winter's chill. This was a fun and easy outfit styled from The Jaunty Wardrobe, for those perfect Inbetween Days, which is to say, a day that feels not quite summer, not quite fall, just a comfortable spot in between.
The pieces shown for Inspired fall walk include: Magenta jacket from J. Crew, denim bermuda shorts from Old Navy, striped tank from J. Crew, oxfords from Steve Madden, earrings, pin and crossbody bag are vintage.
Jaunty Fine Print: photos by Denise Sakaki
It's the time of year again where you're not sure whether or not to pull out the fall/winter wear or keep pushing the summer wardrobe pieces juuuuuust a little longer. I know I should just change The Jaunty Magpie to The Jaunty J. Crew-Obsessed Magpie, but I can't help it, I love their classic, smart style. Their looks always Inspire me to no end, as did their summer floral mix that could just as easily segway into fall days, with a bit of layering.
The Power of J. Crew compelled me to pull this from the Jaunty Wardrobe: tie-front cardigan from Kenzie, t-shirt from Smoking Lily, skirt from Newport News, bag from Nordstrom, necklace from Romy, shoes from BCBG, bracelet handmade by my Jaunty Auntie!
Jaunty Fine Print: photo from J. Crew website, wardrobe photos by Denise Sakaki
Who says just because it's after New Years, one has to put away their sparkly favorites? The long, grey days of winter are still before us, so it's even more of a reason to wear our favorite bright colors and throw on a sparkly bauble or three. Dazzle the daytime wear by throwing on some nighttime gems, and get down with your bad Jaunty self!
At the risk of looking like a crazy Auntie Mame, this Bird was inspired by the big jewelry of Vera Wang's spring collection of last year, which still looks fresh today, given the carryover of statement pieces. Forever hovering over favorite store, J. Crew, their blingasmic Carrington bow necklace caught this Birdie's Jaunty eye and I've been flying circles 'round it ever since! Maybe it all harkens back to childhood, where imaginative afternoons were spent layering on sparkly finds from my mother's jewelry box, but this Bird has never lost her love of glimmering treasures.
Hand-picked from the Jaunty Wardrobe, the items featured are a jersey knit dress from Maggy London, black and cream ginormous bag from Nordstrom, orange tights from Forever 21, purple raw silk scarf was a gift, grey mary jane heels from Nine West, blue short cardigan and super-duper bling necklace from Express.
This recession-aware Magpie had her heart set on being a good little browser this weekend when she went shopping with her fellow birds over the weekend. I purposely wore an outfit that would be annoying to take off and put on, discouraging jaunts into the changing rooms, and a quick budget assessment that morning was a fresh reminder of future bills needing to be paid. But best-laid plans often go waste when the prospect of browsing the J. Crew outlet store comes along.Not to worry, those future bills will still get paid without the need to pre-sell organs. But the epic battle between style-lust vs budget-must took place before a victor emerged: a plum-hued berry-trim Astrid jacket. I remember falling in love with it last year, admiring the fabric-tied button detail reminiscent of a classic Chanel jacket, but with a more handcrafted style. It was an unrequited love, as the original retail price was $248, and being that I'm a jacket junkie, there was no way to justify the cost for adding yet another piece of fanciful outerwear to the Magpie's overstuffed closet. At least until today when I found it on clearance at the Seattle Premium Outlets in Tulalip. Why they call it "Seattle" when it's in the city of Tulalip, that's a question better left for another day, but the clearance price, plus an additional 20% off, left an $86-sized hole in my wallet. A significant discount from the original retail price, I must say. My conscience chided me for the purchase, reminding me that it could be used towards car insurance, but the mini version of me wearing devil horns said that is boring, boring, boring.It took a bit of hemming and hawing, but in the end, I think the power of true J'adore won out. I love the Astrid jacket today as much as when I saw it a year ago, and every once in a while, patience pays off and objects of desire become a bit more attainable. As shown in the upper right photo from the J. Crew website, and reviewed on J. Crew Aficionada, it's a fun and distinctive piece that can be dressed up or down. I'm looking forward to introducing Astrid to her new family of beloved coats and jackets, and letting her play with all the other items in the Jaunty Wardrobe.
This Bird realizes fall is in the air, but the Pacific Northwest is getting the rare treat of a lingering summer, with pleasant weather and clear skies (knock on wood). It puts a relaxed step into our normally hurried workaday gait, so let's slow down and take some time to soak up the lovely autumn colors appearing in the trees, and wear some of our favorite comfortable, slouchy summer clothes for at least a few more days. Digging through the Jaunty Wardrobe, this home-shopped look of layered ruffles (Express) and a light cardigan (LaRedoute), paired with a velvet-embellished cargo pant (Express), and finished with vintage jewelry and gold peeptoe heels (Steve Madden)* was Inspired both by the elegant styles of the J. Crew October catalog, and a Pacific NW-appropriate (love the coffee!) runway look from Dsquared2's 2009 fall ready to wear collection.* Readers have asked about the clothes featured on Inspired posts. I don't list things, only because many of the pieces are several years' old and the stores don't carry them anymore or I've had them for so long, I don't even remember where I got them! If no one minds my bird-brained memory, I'll list stores when I can. The original intent behind Inspired posts is to show that one's own closet can be as good as any store, so be creative, be jaunty, and don't be afraid to pair things together and take a fashionable risk!
Trade in those pressed office whites for some dressed-up brights. 9-to-5 drone, begone! This Bird doesn't believe in keeping ruffles, color and other fancy plumage for after dark or special occasions -- a careful selection of textures, a pop of shine, and a swirl of colors can make a Monday seem less than dreary. Inspired by outfits from J. Crew's catalog, and New York & Company's Editor's Picks, the Magpie flew about her own closet to put together an outfit of different pieces, both old and new. Set about making a jaunty set of armor before waging war in the urban jungle.
We seem to be nearing that in-between seasonal period, where the days still linger, but the evenings start to whisper of an autumn chill. But the Magpie wants her summer parfait and to eat it, too! Inspired by looks in Proenza Schouler's and Yigal Azrouël's 2010 resort collection, this little birdy rummaged through her wardrobe to follow their jaunty lead. Combined with a new fitted vintage-style tee, this Inspiration has hints of herringbone in a lightweight vest and baggy shorts, aviator sunglasses, and a few notes of polished bohemia to lighten the menswear touches. This little ditty is meant to celebrate the remaining afternoons of ice cream and flipflops, and herald the days of galoshes and peacoats to come.
This little birdie was wilting from the heat this weekend! I sought shelter in a retail haven, visiting an outlet mall with some fellow birds. It's no secret that I have a deep abiding love for J. Crew, and I have an outright passion for their outlet stores, which always have bargain gems, ripe for the picking. I was keen on finding some of their soft t-shirts with the lovely vintage prints. They have such character and are easy year-round staples that can go from hot to cold weather while still looking smart. The printed tissue tees shown below the main photo are some of the newer ones, but I was looking for the foil-printed styles I'd seen a while back in the stores. Being true to my Magpie self, I found a couple of sparkling eye-catchers at the outlet store. The bee pollen-yellow tee with the silver foil was particularly endearing, since it's a little ad for an art supply store. The cream-colored tee with the motorcycle print and clear sequins were just the right notes of fun and light-heartedness that J. Crew always manages to exemplify in their pieces. Plus, I know if I lose one of those clear sequins, it won't be obviously missed! Thanks to J. Crew Aficionada for keeping us Crew-fans up to date on the latest news and seasonal releases!
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