Theory Shirt & J Brand Jeans

A while ago, I bought the Theory Listree Sag Harbor shirt and J Brand Maria high rise jeans in varnished steel from Ruelala.  I haven't had a chance to write about them until now!  These J Brand jeans are actually my second pair of Maria high rise jeans (first pair here).  Even though high rise is not all that sexy, but I really like how they stay up so well lol.  Besides, my tops would cover the top of the jeans anyway so no one would ever know if I'm wearing high rise or low rise.  

Here they are worn with my Vince Camuto Norita pump (which are on sale now!  Highly recommend!!) in bittersweet grapefruit.

I don't know why I got the Theory top in size P instead of S!  But I wish I had ordered S.  I feel like the P is just a tad short.  Not a complete deal breaker, but I would love it more if it was a size up.  I love how it looks on the Bloomingdale's model:

Sigh... it's a cute top too!  Linen material... I was thinking it could work as something to wear under a suit jacket to work, or as a casual top.  I think I can still make it work... maybe I'll wash it and then stretch it while it's wet lol.  I just need like an inch!

The J Brand Maria jeans are size 27, which are a little too big, just like the other Maria jeans that I have already.  I didn't want to order a size down because I was afraid my other pair was a fluke and size 26 would have been too small.  But I was wrong again lol.  Both these items were deeply discounted (about $40 each) so they are not returnable.

While I wish the jeans were smaller, I think it's better to be a bit loose than a bit too tight anyway.  This work fine, I'll just wear a belt!

The "varnished steel" color is pretty interesting.  It's a dark charcoal kind of color with a bit of sheen.  It's actually very cool, but very hard to capture on camera.

Super high rise!

When I was searching for these jeans online, I noticed that each retailer's picture looks different from the next.  So I'm not the only one who had trouble capturing the color!  Here they are from:

J Brand's website - probably most true to real life under most lighting conditions:

Bloomingdales - They must have taken this under bright lighting so you can see the sheen in the fabric:

Neiman Marcus - somewhere in the middle:

Anyway, this color goes with pretty much everything.  So I'm happy to add it to my collection!

Shopping Trip at Nordstrom Rack!

I went to Nordstrom Rack to return the Vince Camuto sweater I got from Hautelook a couple months ago.  Of course I ended up trying on a bunch of stuff and taking home a Vince top, DvF dress, and Converse Chuck Taylors!

I used to really dislike Converse shoes, but they've been growing on me.  So I was considering getting some for my New York trip.  I like that their style is pretty versatile.  A nice casual shoe that is not super athletic looking.  Nordstrom Rack had both the Chuck Taylor style and the Shoreline style.  I debated between the two, but ultimately went with the Chuck Taylor because the Shorelines were really tight on the top of my feet - the tongue/laces are not adjustable, and I even tried a size up and had the same issue.  I believe I have higher than normal arches, but was surprised at just how tight they are.  I do really like their lower cut though!  But I also like the classic look of the Chuck Taylors.  Here are the Chuck Taylor and Shorelines side by side that I took at the store:

Anyway, the Chuck Taylors are not discounted at all at Nordstrom Rack.  The Shorelines were like $30 or so.  I guess they just carry the Chuck Taylors because they are popular?  I got my usual size 6, but they seem to run large.  I could totally size down to 5.5 but the store didn't have any for me to try on.  I bought them but I'm not sure if I'll use them in NYC after all.  I didn't realize that their soles were so heavy, and I don't think they would be that comfortable to walk around all day in.  

I like the red/white/blue combo though!  How fitting that I bought them on Memorial Day!  =P

They look pretty cute with ankle pants, I think... here they are, along with the Vince Drop Shoulder top I bought.  I can't find the exact one online, but here is the same style in different colors also on sale for about the same price I paid (~$50).

This Vince tee is pretty comfortable, and I like the casual loose fit.  I got it in size XS, same as all my Vince tops, and it's still very loose.  I seriously love this brand.

There are subtle stripes in the print, but kind of hard to see:

It's got the split hem with back longer than front by about an inch:

Lastly, I got the DvF New Julian Two Silk dress in ocelot floral multi.  Nordstrom Rack is selling it for $159, which is pretty much the lowest price I've seen for DvF wrap dresses.  I thought the print was pretty striking!  I worried for a bit that it may be too tropical/Hawaiian print.  But I think if it is, then it is in a good way lol.  I like it.  Got my usual DvF size 4.

Here's the print up close - so the Julian 2 dress differs from my Jeanne 2 dress in that it is 3/4 sleeve, and has no collar.  Otherwise the two styles fit the same.

I found this dress on Nordstrom Rack's website in like all sizes.  The web photos make it look so dull and yucky!  It's no wonder that no one is buying it.  It looks much more vibrant in person (like in my photos).  I think it's a steal!  I would even consider wearing it to work, either with a blazer over or on its own on a summer Friday.

I would never have considered buying this dress if I only saw these Nordstrom Rack photos lol.

It's also red, white and blue!  Too late to wear for Memorial Day, but perfect for 4th of July?!  =D

Sunday Funday!

Wow today doesn't even feel like Sunday!  One, tomorrow is Memorial Day, and two I am going to be in New York next week!  It's a pretty last minute trip decision, but I haven't been to NYC in a while and wanted to take a break from work.  I hope the weather will cooperate!  So far the forecast looks like very hot weather (85ish high) with scattered t-storms.  Whatever that means.  I am from LA where we are in the middle of a drought so I don't even know what rain feels like anymore lol.  I also haven't owned an umbrella in years.  That's probably about to change.

My workout sessions went very well this week!  Probably because I'm getting back on point with my diet.  I sure hope I can keep it up while in NYC, though it will be tough.  Usually when I visit a different city, I want to experience all that it has to offer!  I better bring lots of workout outfits and hit the hotel gym every morning lol.

Monday 5/18

What I did:  Strength #1.

What I wore:  Lululemon Water Bound singlet in black, with Lululemon Centered Energy bra in flash under.  Nike Forevergradient tight, and Nike Free 5.0 TR Fit 4 shoes in ash.

Alo Yoga Exhale LS as to and from:

Tuesday 5/19

What I did:  Strength #2.

What I wore:  Lorna Jane Macy tank with Titika March bra under.  Lululemon giant houndstooth dip dye wunder under pant, and same shoes as the day before!

Splits59 Venus jacket as to and from:

Wednesday 5/20 - Rest day.

Thursday 5/21

What I did:  Strength #3.

What I wore:  Lorna Jane Heather tank with Lorna Jane Portia bra under.  Lululemon Inspire crop in oil slick lotus camo, and Nike Free 5.0 TR Fit 4 shoes in hyper cobalt/bright mango.

Lululemon Be Present jacket as to and from:

Friday 5/22

What I did:  Strength 4.

What I wore:  Nike camouflage burnout tank with Lululemon Free To Be bra in power purple under.  Lululemon Inspire crop in deep zinfandel, and Nike Free 5.0 TR Fit 4 shoes in venom purple.

Lululemon Forme Jacket in savasana camo fatigue green as to and from:

Saturday 5/23 - Rest day.

Sunday 5/24

What I did:  I haven't done any conditioning workouts from my workout program in a while.  But I decided to do both Month 8 conditioning workouts back to back today lol.  I almost died, I think.  Then I attempted to do 20 minutes on the gauntlet but only lasted about 12 minutes.  

What I wore:  Lorna Jane Erika tank with Lululemon Pace Crop and same Nike shoes as the day before.

Alo mesh hoodie as to and from:

Not sure if you can see from the last pics that I chopped off my hair!  It was actually a pretty spontaneous decision when I was planning on getting my regular trim and told my hair stylist that I felt a bit boring with the same hair cut.  She said that nowadays everybody is getting the Kim Kardashian mid-length hairdo.  So I decided to jump on the bandwagon too!  Haha - I don't even like Kim Kardashian!  So my hair stylist chopped off about 5 inches of my hair.  This is the shortest I can remember having it in at least the past 10 years!  It's amazing how much lighter I feel now!  I am figuring out new ways to style it.  I like the beachy wave thing Kim K has going on.  But that seems to be too much maintenance for me.  So we'll see... even though this is a pretty big change for me, I think I like it!  =)

Anyway, I gotta get packing!  As usual, I always appreciate recommendations on what to do, where to eat, etc. so if you have any favorites in NYC, please share!  Have a great rest of the long weekend!