Adventures: To Wash or Not to Wash... Is that Really a Question?

Let's start this post with a juicy confession.

I am a complete and total klutz.

I stub my toes on even the slightest of raised surfaces, walk into walls, trip over myself -- you name it. I also can't get through a meal without spilling something on me, so I was unfazed when I dropped a greasy piece of my chicken wrap on my favorite J. Crew jewel-encrusted silk blouse yesterday. (It was a gift from Lynnie, which makes it extra special.) I went to wash it when I got home from work, but checked the tag first. 

Shockingly, it read: "DO NOT DRY CLEAN. DO NOT WASH. SPOT CLEAN ONLY."

Um... really?

I realize that J. Crew's ideal woman -- like this leggy wonder from their website -- probably never spills a drink on herself, accidentally marks her pants with pen, or ever sweats or needs to shower, but real women do all of these things. (In most cases, anyway.) So being explictly told never to clean this article of clothing simply boggled my mind.

J. Crew's clothes are not the priciest, but they certainly aren't cheap. I searched for "spot clean only" women's clothing on their website, and found non-washable tops, skirts, and dresses ranging from $98.00 to $1,400.00 (see below).

Their clothes are also timeless in design and made from high quality fabrics; my few Crew items have been wardrobe staples for a more than a few seasons. Could you imagine the smell if I didn't wash this top for a years!?

So here's what happened next: I decided to give J. Crew the benefit of the doubt, and since the tag instructed me to spot clean only, spot clean I did. And it left huge water marks -- and the greasy stain -- on my shell. So I tried again. And then a third time.

Then I did what most people would do -- I hand-washed it in Woolite and line-dried it in my shower. Other than a few wrinkles, the shirt is perfectly fine. If only the tag had said that in the first place.

S.S.W. Asks: Have you owned a "spot clean only" garment before? Did you clean this item? If so, how?

Jackie

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Tried & Tested: Body Central's Faceted Bead Necklace and Four Piece Bangle Set

My apologies for not posting my Body Central product reviews sooner, but I've been super busy this year! (Wedding planning, fashion writing, and such.) I scored a Faceted Bead and Pearl Ribbon Necklace and Four Piece Bangle Set from our Body Central swag bag.

I loved the necklace's sweet feminine details, and how the beads and bow detail in the back combined with the metal chain links. The necklace was very sturdy, and the bow remained tied throughout the day. (I am a teacher by day, so this is no easy feat!) I also liked that I could adjust the length of the necklace to suit my outfits.

The neutral colors of both the necklace and bracelet work nicely with really any outfit. I always wear a two tone watch, citrine earrings, and my engagement ring so the accessories blended nicely with my own. They also dressed up my boring work wardrobe (huge plus since everyone always hates on how teachers' dress). Both are great style steals at just $6.00 each!

Lynnie

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Fab Finds: Printed Canvas Kicks for under $50

Canvas sneakers have been popular in the U.S. since the early 1900s. The earliest versions were made for recreational activities, like walking and basketball, and only came in black and white. Today, canvas kicks are used for everyday wear, and are available in myriad prints and patterns. Inspired by a co-worker's recent canvas shoe purchase and my own hunt for a new pair of canvas kicks, I found these fabulous printed canvas sneakers for $50.00 or less. Enjoy!

Keds for Madewell Polka-Dot Sneakers, $50.00

 

Vans Sweetheart Lo Pro Sneaker, $47.00

 

Keds Champion Leopard Print Canvas, $40.00

Vans Limited Edition Hello Kitty Lo Pro Sneaker, $49.95

Keds Champion Plaid Sneakers, $44.99

Keds for Madewell Stripe Mix Sneakers, $50.00

Jackie

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Jackie's Picks: JewelMint's Parisian Dream Necklace

Spring's warm weather has me dreaming of vacation. My destination? Paris! The City of Light seems like the perfect place to pass a beautiful spring day -- noshing on a croissant outside a small café, checking out amazing artworks at the Musée du Louvre, and shopping the best of French fashion.

But, alas, my dream will have to wait. (Work obligations and all that mumbo jumbo.) With weather this nice -- sunny and 70 degrees! -- I'll gladly take a buttered bagel from a local deli while wearing JewelMint's Parisian Dream Necklace (above, $29.99). This opera length necklace has beautiful lavender, clear, and soft blush colored beads on a 37 inch chain. I'm going to wear mine as a single strand with my favorite bateau top and day dream myself to Paris.

Like this style? Get 50% this and other JewelMint gems with the code NY1001, courtesy of the Mint Brand Ambassador New York team and Style, She Wrote. This exclusive offer expires 03/31/12.

Jackie

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Chic on the Cheap: DvF for Gap Kids

This Thursday, March 15th, Diane von Furstenberg brings her signature boldly printed, brightly colored clothes to Gap Kids. (International shoppers take note: The collection will hit your stores' shelves two weeks later.) The limited edition line boasts logo-covered onesies for infants, and fun and funky tunics, mock-wrap dresses, capri pants, and summery sandals for girls. Prices for the line range from $20.00 to $120.00. Check out our favorites on some super cute kids below and see the full line here.

 

All images courtesy of The Cut.

S.S.W. Asks: Will you shop DvF for Gap Kids?

Jackie

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Look for Less: Christian Louboutin's Highness 160 Red Suede Pumps

Lynnie and I have lusted for many a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, and our most recent favorites are the Highness 160 Red Suede Pumps (above). But with a stilt-like 6-inch high heel and $1,075.00 price tag, they are not practical shoes to purchase. Enter Aldo's Troiano Pumps (below). These pumps have the luxe Louboutin look, but with a slightly lower (4 3/4 inch) heel and even lower price tag ($100.00). We're sure our feet and wallets will thank us.

Jackie

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Fab Finds: ASOS Hooded Spring Cape

Get ready for April's showers with ASOS' Hooded Spring Cape! Available in classic camel or bright blue for under $45.00 ($44.76 and $37.60, respectively), this hooded cape has easy-to-find chunky button closures, a wind-blocking wide collar, vertical slouch pockets (for easy storage), and chic epaulette shoulder details.



'Cause there's nothing like staying dry in style!

Jackie

P.S. Marni's H&M collection hit H&M stores and online today. Did you shop the line?

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Obsessions: Mercedes-Benz Red Zircon Nail Polish

Image courtesy of Rare Vintage

Mercedes-Benz Red Zircon nail polish...to match my imaginary convertible.

Need I say more?

Jackie



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Jackie's Picks: JewelMint's Royal Ascot Ring

Say hello to the bold and the beautiful! JewelMint's 1" long gold-plated Royal Ascot Ring is the perfect statement piece for spring. Get this equestrian-inspired beauty now for 50% off (normally $29.99) with code NY1001 courtesy of the Mint Brand Ambassador New York team and Style, She Wrote. This exclusive offer expires 03/31/12. Giddy up!

Jackie

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F4T: "All About Shoes" at the Bata Shoe Museum Online

Black button boots, possibly German, late 19th to early 20th century

Courtesy of the Bata Shoe Museum



Obsessed with shoes? Then you'll love the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Canada. The museum celebrates 4,500 years of footwear in three rotating galleries and a semi-permanent exhibition of twentieth-century celebrity shoes. Even better -- especially if you don't live/visit Toronto -- they offer online exhibitions that focus on an array of footwear and footwear traditions.  All About Shoes has over 500 images with 2D or 3D imaging that help online visitors see every shoe's nooks and crannies. Among other subjects, the exhibition explores tradition and innovation in footwear design, the Museum's best boots, and the rise of the high heel. Also on virtual view is On Canadian Ground, a show co-hosted by the Virtual Museum of Canada. This exhibition examines how aboriginal and immigrant peoples have crafted shoes in Canada, and features the most three-dimensional photography in an online exhibition to date, allowing visitors to "handle" the items they are viewing online. (Pretty cool, huh?)

Jackie

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Look for Less: Vera Wang Lavender's Paige Charcoal Wedge Platform

Looking for a pair of flirty and fun sandals for summer? Then you'll love Vera Wang Lavender's frilly Paige Charcoal Wedge Platform (above)... but maybe not their $275.00 price tag. (Can you say ca-ching?) We scored this high-fashion look at a wallet-friendly price -- $29.90! -- with Body Central .

Amid the many goodies in our Body Central swag bag were these Ruffle U Front Wedge Sandals (below), made from chocolate brown fabric with a 4 1/2 inch heel and 1 inch platform and sleek buckle closure. I pair mine with skinny jeans and crisp white button down shirt, but I also love how they look with a breezy summer dress (as shown on the Body Central website).

 S.S.W. Asks: Which wedges would you choose?

Jackie

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Hot or Not? Urban Camouflage, Part II

Last month we discussed Gaultier and Moschino's brick-patterned menswear designs for fall, and it seems womenswear designers are following suit. Indian designer Manish Arora showed these brick-printed ensembles in his fall 2012 runway presentation last week. Arora also appears to have been influenced by Liu Bolin's urban camouflage artworks, as many of the designer's styles blend into grafiti-covered backgrounds.

Images courtesy of New York magazine.


S.S.W. Asks: What do you think of the urban camouflage trend?


Jackie

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