l.l. bean signature spring arrivals!

Hello everyone! Sorry to be MIA yesterday, but we hosted a family birthday party for my son, so had no time. I will have to share the easy and delicious semi-homemade cake recipe I made a little later -- it was sooo good!

L.L. Bean Signature just announced spring arrivals, and they are offering free shipping on $75+!  Here are my favorites -- there are lots!

Silk Habutai Print Skirt ($139) and dress ($225)

Camp Shirt Dress $159) -- Love the silk/linen blend. Color would work in fall nicely.

Cotton Linen Dress ($119) -- Yellow for spring is always nice, and I really like the silhouette.

Silk Habutai Stripe Dress ($275) -- Pretty but pricey.

Silk Habutai Pullover Top ($139) -- What can I say, I like silk! :)

Cotton Modal Blouse Tee ($59) -- Nicely retro.

Kennebunk Silk V-neck ($89) and tank ($79)-- Love the colors and luxeness (is that a word) of these simple pieces.

Cork Wedge ($119)

Danforth Ballet Flat ($89) -- Beautiful neutral colors.

Millbridge Clog ($125) -- love these!

Newburyport Heel ($139) -- Great neutral heeled sandal.

Turtleneck Bag ($195) -- Completely gorgeous and classic.

Saltwash Canvas Picnic Bag ($95)and Clutch ($39)

Nappa Leather Skinny Belt ($25) -- Looove this sea glass color.

What do you think? I found a LOT to love here. The colors are pretty, the shapes simple and classic, but with a bit of a twist, luxurious fabrics. I might have to try a few things out...

Have a great day!

woohoo! vacation booked.

Yahoo! DH and I just decided to book ourselves a lovely beach vacation in May. We'll be heading to Puerto Vallarta, one of our favorite vacation spots, which we haven't been to in six years. We love the resort and adore the town. If you haven't been, I highly recommend it.

You guys know what's next...resort wear! Ok, so I have a nice resort wardrobe already, as I stocked it up for our beach vacation last year. But that's certainly not going to stop me from finding one or two fun things, right?

I'm now doubly thrilled about scoring the Pineapple Punch and Renatta Paisley one-pieces, and the Water Garden bikini during one of the recent J.Crew sale frenzies. (posted about here)

Here are items I'm considering:

Cotton Gauze Long Dress from Garnet Hill (p.s., check out their new arrivals -- cute!):

J.Crew's Linen Henley Tank, Lyric Dress, and Button-up Dress:

Tie-Dye Dress from Calypso St. Barth

I'm sure there will be more resort wear to find -- anyone see anything fabulous I should try?
Have a great weekend!

talbots new arrivals.

Hello everyone!  After all the J.Crew madness, it feels strange to not be in a huge tizzy about some sale piece or new arrival this morning. (heaves huge sigh of relief.)  A bit lost in my JC excitement yesterday, was the fabulous Talbots catalog I received.  Love, love, love so many things in their spring arrivals! The whole catalog was lovely, with a French theme, soft colors, interesting takes on denim, and flirty pieces.  Lots of bows, and skirts that aren't mini. :)  Also, all cardigans are now 25% off! Hard to narrow down, but here are my favorites:

Bardot Dress ($159) -- This one is my favorite, and a fav of the blogosphere already. Could be worth FP. Hoping to try on today or tomorrow if it's in my store.

Leather Bow Hobo ($199) -- Adorable. Lovely nude color that will go with everything. I have the Marche bag in fawn, or I'd be wishlisting this immediately.

Porshia Platforms ($159) -- Great nude heel. I've found their platform shoes to be very comfortable. There's a cute nude kitten heel and flat version as well.

Corset Vest ($99) -- I'm not sure if this is something I would reach for all the time, but I'm still drawn to it. Thoughts?

Jackie Fit J'Adore jacket ($) -- So adorable. I can't help my love for bows. I love the bow-collar jacket (the cotton version) as well.

Snake-embossed Beacon Hill madison satchel ($325.00)

Grace Fit Double Breasted Faille Jacket ($199) -- I'm sure the fabric and quality of the jacket is gorgeous, and it's a classic shape.

Champs-Élysées skirt ($89) -- I'll have to see where this hits on the leg, but it's just fun and pretty.

Sienne Blossoms Cardi ($66.75 sale, reg $89) -- Er, this looks a lot like the new J.Crew cardi, no? Pretty colors.

What do you think of Talbot's arrivals? I'm excited to try some pieces on and see how they translate IRL.

p.s. Gap has an extra 30% off sale with GAPSALE30, and LOFT has 30% off full-price with SPRING30.

Happy Friday!

j.crew new arrivals online.

I had to pop in today b/c new arrivals are online! (40% off sale is extended, huge update! eta: see below for my sale purchase today.)  Here are a bunch of the pieces worth highlighting:

I Heart Chambray Shirt ($98) -- Obviously this needs to be highlighted for the name alone. Not a fan of the heart, but I appreciate the kitch.













Cotton Taffeta Brooke Bodice ($150)-- Love this blue color. Not sure how this will look on, b/c it looks short, but it's very vavavoom and could be cool with the skirt for a dress alternative.

Stripe Button-Back Tee ($39.50) -- Tried this on (no pics, but see it on AppGal here), and really liked it. Thought it ran a touch big.  I love my vintage bateau, so this one is the summer version I may need to get.

Linen Henley Tank ($68) -- Love this color. Wishlisted.

Scallop Lace Shell ($48) -- I tried this on HERE, and loved it in the weathered sage. Also love it in the vintage fatigue with black lace. Wishlisted.

Sequin Lattice Sweater Vest ($235) -- Hmmm...

Retro Shell ($88) -- Very cute in the popsicle pink. Definitely captures a bit of simple retro chic, very cute. Too pricey for a cotton shell though.

Lace Stripe Tissue Tee ($58) -- Pretty and simple. I love the dove grey. Wish it wasn't so pricey.

Fineline Cami ($78) -- Love this in the brilliant blue color. Odd that this silk piece is priced lower than the cotton retro shell?

Sequin Boy Tee ($118) -- I love sequins, but I have about enough of them. It's really cute though.

Vintage Patch Art Tee ($98) -- Not many art tees this round, but I actually like this one. Not for $98 though, argh.

Luxe Baseball Tee ($65) -- Easy and cute everyday piece. (Not for FP though)

Floral Creek Cardigan ($98) -- Pretty colors, love! Wishlisted at sale price.

Jaquette Cardigan ($395) -- Gah, it's the pretty sweater from the lookbook, and of course it's that expensive. Annoying.

Cotton Taffeta Brooke Skirt ($98) -- So disappointed in the pencil skirt offerings. I saw most in person already, and didn't love any. This one is promising in the pretty blue color, but I'm picturing the taffetaness of this going Swish, swish swish a lot.

ETA: Found this not listed under new arrivals, but didn't notice it before?  It won't let me add to a cart yet. No. 2 Pencil Skirt (cute name) -- Like the citron! Seems to be the new stretch double-serge pencil.

Maritime Dress ($78) -- Love the color, nice price point. Will have to try on to see the actual fit/look of it.

Lyric Dress ($79.50) -- Love the agate! If it's not too low-cut, wishlisted.

Button-up Sundress ($68) -- Cute, simple silhouette.

Herringbone Schoolboy Blazer ($148) -- Saw in store and liked the feel of it, but didn't have time to try on. I love the aged driftwood color.

Gingham Sonoma Short ($49.50) -- Cute, but not sure I can do a 4" inseam. Better than 3 though!

Duchesse Ruffle Short ($395) -- Here are the lookbook shorts. Too much for me, but interesting nonetheless.

Avenelle Cutout Wedges ($195) Fun sandal, but in nude, which takes it down a notch and still elongates the leg.

Oxford Ballet Flats ($138) -- Classic, love. These might get my rewards $.

Oval Heirloom Locket Necklace ($98) -- I adore lockets. Like that they kept it simple and offered both gold and silver.

Timex Traveler Watch ($98) -- The smaller ladies version. This is the other item I might get with rewards.

What did you think? Over/underwhelmed?  I'm going to reserve judgement until I try a lot of stuff on, but my first impression was sort of middle of the road -- some cute pieces, but not a ton of MUSTHAVNOW.

ETA:  The huge sale update today got me, with a bunch of items I've been watching and hoping to still snag. Can't believe I got the short Icon for $54!  And the grey boutonniere! Hooray!

make it stop!! by shopwithm featuring pouch jewelry

Did you bite on the sale? Or are you done.done.done?

Have a great day!