J.Crew's Jenna Lyons On Vogue's Best Dressed List

"Thanks!" to Kathy who let us know that Jenna Lyons, J.Crew's creative director, was selected by Vogue (click here) as one of their "ten best dressed" for this week.

I do think the dress looks amazing on her! (But I think she would have been better off without the coat & dark lipstick.) :) Although, I am surprised that she isn't wearing one piece of J.Crew as she normally does (or maybe I can't notice it). ;)

J.Crew Email Reminder: Ends Today. 30% Off Your Purchase + Free Shipping. Online Only.

J.Crew sent an email today reminding us that they are offering 30% off and *free shipping* on orders of $150+ with promo code JINGLE. This offer expires, today, 12/16/08.

Have you been able to take advantage of this offer or unable to (either you are waiting post-holidays to shop or because the site was down yesterday)? :) Do you think there will be another promotion being offered tomorrow? If so, what do you think it might be. ;)

J.Crew's Final Sale Expected To Return In Jan '09

J.Crew's current sale (both online and in-stores) is *not* "final" (which means customers can return items under the normal return policy). {yey!} The decision behind this {wonderful} move is that J.Crew expects many items purchased during this {holiday} season to be gifts, which may need to be exchanged or returned by the recipients.

Some news to consider while we're still in the midst of our holiday shopping... As many of you have mentioned, the non-final sale is expected to last for a limited time. An associate (Anon at 12:22 AM in this post) stated that the "sale items are returnable through January 1, 2009". I was also told by an associate (at a store last weekend), that the final sale is expected to return after January 1st.

At least January 1st is a couple of weeks away, plenty of time to shop the sale with the option to return if necessary. :)

J.Crew Stores: Resort Collection {already?}

As many of you have noticed and commented, many J.Crew stores have the new resort collection (click here to view online) available for purchase. I saw at a few J.Crew stores in CT, several {beautiful} Spring-like items, like bright color three quarter cardigans paired with short sleeve tees and bright color minis, on the mannequins near the front of the door.

Even though I know it is common for retailers to offer resort/ Spring wear items around this time, it still feels a little "too soon" to see these items (in-person) at my local stores. This feeling might be because I live in the Northeast (where it is pretty cold until late March) and not somewhere warmer (e.g. Hawaii)- so the focus for me is more on warm winter coats and cozy winter accessories. :)

Is the resort collection available at your local J.Crew store? What are your thoughts about the timing of the new resort collection at J.Crew stores (e.g. do you expect them to be available now, or do you think it is too soon, or do you think it should be available online but not in stores yet)? What are your thoughts on the resort collection itself (e.g. are you excited about any of the new arrivals)? :)

Product Review: Wool Herringbone Ella Dress

Wool Herringbone Ella Dress
Click here for product page
Item 99504
Regular: $188.00
Now: $139.99

A big "thanks!" to Anon at 11:45 AM (in this post), who shared with us her great review of this {beautiful} dress!

Here is my review of the Ella dress. I think the Ella dress fits TTS. I am normally a medium in tops, 8 in pants, 10 in skirts. I ordered the 10 because they said the bodice of the Ella was fitted. It fits very well. They were accurate in their description, it was very fitted.

You don't have to worry about the sleeves falling down, the fabric has no stretch and stays in place on the shoulders nicely. The one thing I didn't like about it was that because the fabric has no stretch, the sleeves do not have give to them and you can't raise your arms that high because they are off the shoulder sleeves.

The dark peony color is more of a deep pink than maroon. It looked maroon on the model. It is a very pretty color though. The fabric is also very nice and not itchy for being wool.

There are snaps to secure your bra, but I found that the fabric is thick enough and the bodice is fitted enough that I did not need to wear one with the dress and nothing showed. I did try it on with a bra and it created massive cleavage that I did not like. I am a 36B for the record. Overall I really like the dress and I got tons of compliments on it at my company party last night. :)

"Thanks!" again to Anon at 11:45 AM (in this post) for her review! :)

What are your thoughts on the Wool Herringbone Ella Dress (do you like/dislike the style, design, fabric)? Are you considering or already have purchased this dress? Have you seen this dress in-person? If so, please share with us your reviews too! :)

J.Crew's Website: Tech Difficulties {yes, again} :(

As *many* of you have noticed and mentioned, J.Crew's website seems to be down yet again. :( Hopefully, the site will be running smoothly soon. :) However, considering this has been happening often (unfortunately, it feels like too often), I am not sure if it will. :(

Have you been able or unable to order online? Do you think the website issues will get better, stay the same, or become worse in the next few weeks? :)

J.Crew's Too Good To Last Offer {30% off & free ship}

"Thanks!" to many of you, including Anon at 12:37 AM, mjMuffin, & Green_Dino (in this post), Anon at 12:38 AM (in this post), Anon at 12:39 AM, JLiz & Anon at 1:50AM (in this post), Anon at 12:54 AM, JLiz, Anon at 8:14 AM, Whitney, & Twiga (in this post), as well as Dina, who let us know about J.Crew's latest promotion. :)

J.Crew is offering 30% off and *free shipping* on orders of $150+ with promo code JINGLE. This offer expires 12/16/08.

I am happy to see all these promotions being offered, especially since I don't remember J.Crew ever offering this many (consecutively) before. :) (I mentioned this earlier, but I have a feeling that they will be offering a promo until the holiday season is over too). :)

Are you planning to take advantage of this offer, or wait a bit longer (for better deals), or avoid shopping online (e.g. prefer to shop at their B&M stores)? :)

The Great (Weekly) Exchange

This post (of weekly posts) is for individual members who want to swap/sell/share among yourselves. This post is where you can mention your items and outside listing/ auction site (like eBay and eCrater & the corresponding user ID). Please note: this posting is not for resellers.

Individual members can also request in this post, items that they are looking for and interested in buying. :)

Please note that any transactions are independent of this blog. (Especially since you will be using an outside listing/ auction site like eBay or eCrater.) I have no dealings or interactions with any of the potential communication, listings, or transactions. :) Moreover, please limit comments about items to swap/sell/share to the "Great (Weekly) Exchange" posts. (Refer to "A Quick Note to J.Crew Aficionadas" post.)

Do you have any items you would like to swap/sell/share among yourselves through your outside listing/auction site? Is there an item (or items) that you are looking for and interested in purchasing?

Product Review: Large Oslo Bag

Large Oslo Bag
Click here for product page
Item 99990
Regular: $425.00
Now: $299.99

Although I have not seen this purse in person, I did think it was lovely. I also wondered how big the purse was and what the material was like.

Luckily for us, Bug Pin (in this post) was kind enough to share her review of this purse.

Large Oslo Review-inside wall has one zipper pocket that unsnaps (for what reason-I have no idea) this pocket is the equiv of any zipper inside pocket but not built into the bag lining as there isn't a lining. Just rough leather inside and no pockets inside..a weird/bad move IMO.

The leather is super smooshy in the large version and doesn't have ANY "body" or structure to it--it will collapse all over itself. It will work with a large "Purse-to-go" as that helps it hold a shape and offers pockets for your phone and other things inside. I do not recommend anyone orders it without having the purse-to-go or they will want to shoot themselves for bothering.

The champagne is very pretty and neutral but haven't seen the grey/ash IRL. Hardware is fine, has a heavy horn closure that you do not need to close but can just throw over. If you must lock it each time--it will be a PITA.-HTH. Overpriced

"Thanks!" again to Bug Pin for sharing her great review with us! :)

What are your thoughts on the Large Oslo Bag (do you like/dislike the style, design, material)? Are you considering or already have purchased this purse? Have you seen this purse at your local store? If so, please share with us your reviews too! :)

J.Crew's Website: Tech Difficulties {again} :(

As many of you have noticed and mentioned, J.Crew's website seems to be down again. :( Hopefully, the site will be running smoothly soon for a possible new promotion tomorrow. :)