Cute new line at Macy's - Maison Jules

Guys. It's been a minute. Yeesh.

A lot happened in the last 6 months. For example, my computer broke (it's fixed), we sold our condo, I ran the LA marathon (which I meant to post about because there are actually some pictures of me where I look sort of... refreshed and cute?!), went on a couple of trips, went to a few weddings, lived in a temporary house, bought a house, I made some excruciating decisions about purchasing furniture... you get it. Oh, and lately I've been in a weird phase where I just want to eat Cheez-its all the time. Whatever. A lot happened.

But I'm back, because I really want to tell you about the cutest new line at Macy's I stumbled upon.

I was up in the bay area visiting friends and family, and I was hoping to squeeze in a mother-daughter shopping trip. My mom suggested we check out Macy's because they had one of their extra 20% off coupon thing they always have going on. I'm not really into Macy's because... I just don't get it. Like, on the one hand, it's a department store, and they have all sorts of normal stuff. Sure. But on the other hand, so many Macy's I'm exposed to are just... tired. They seem ragged. Like, the tile is so... travertine gone late 80s mall and it seems like everything is a Petites department. But the Walnut Creek one is pretty nice.

Good thing we did because they have the cutest new line, guys! Maison Jules (trust me - I know the website isn't very attractive, but the clothes are) is this cutie patootie French inspired line that's at a totally moderate price point (The most expensive thing is a dress for $79. Also, 20% coupons!). It's like if Anthropologie and Comptoir des Cotonniers had a value priced child.

Here are some of their cute things*:

* The styling is a little "juniors department", but the pieces look sophisticated in person.

Oh, and just so you know I'm not crazy, some "cool" outlets took notice too! (Elle, Refinery29, Teen Vogue)

Cute, classic backpack

Travis and I went to Portland for President's Day weekend, and walked around seeing all the Portland-y things. All the women there had on super cute Navajo-y cardigans, which I didn't see in any shops (sad face), but, to be fair, I didn't look that hard, and I think it might be a little late to hop on that trend. (Disclaimer: I reserve the right to take this back if I buy one next fall. It took me, like, 3 years to try leggings.)

While browsing stores, I fell in love with this adorable Scandinavian backpack by Fjallraven.

:: Kanken Classic, $75 ::

This is the Kanken Classic that, according to the website, was designed for Swedish schoolchildren in 1978 (awwwwwwww...). It comes in 28 colors, but I love the rust color above (or maybe the teal green? or the sunny yellow?).

They also have a version that looks almost the same, but has a padded section for your laptop.

For a more rustic look (Fjallraven is primarily an outdoor sporting line), I think this Rucksack No. 21 is beautifully designed.

:: Rucksack No. 21 Medium, $190 ::

And, fun fact: Do you know what Fjallraven means?

It means Acrtic Fox. How cute are these guys???

Great Grab-n-Go Canvas Tote

I think all of you should buy this canvas tote:

Baggu Duck Bag

I picked one up a few months ago (in this nice nutmeg color), and it's a total game changer.

I use it for weekends when I know I'll be walking for a while and want something lighter than a leather purse, but also something that can hold a cardigan and a scarf and a snack.  But then I sometimes don't bother changing back to my normal purse during the week, and I still think it's cute enough for normal wear.  It can fit a full sized notebook or laptop or iPad, but doesn't feel cavernous if you just have a few things.

Also, it comes in a variety of super-cute colors.  And it's $24.

If it's not obvious, I'm suffering from a major case of Baggu fever.  I'm eyeing this cutie as a weekend tote:

Baggu Weekend Tote

Zara Home Collection

You guys, you guys, you guys... Zara just released Zara Home in the United States and it's reeeeeally good.  (Thanks Oh Happy Day for the tip!)

Zara's clothes never fit me (and also I think they're not that cute (and sometimes tacky) and sort of more expensive than what I think Zara should be charging?), but I always like the idea of Zara and the great news is most of the stuff at Zara Home looks to be really cute and classic in a unique way.  Sort of like Anthropologie but without as much insane zaney "AAAAAAAAH A GIRL LIVES HERE AND I'M ZOOEY DESCHANEL AND I ALSO AM A KOOKY LIBRARIAN AND I LIKE BIG FLORALS AND MORACCAN THEMED THINGS!!!!!!" kind of way. 

More like in a this kind of way... subtle with some whimsy:

:: 1. Costa Throw $59.90  2.  Allan Tumbler $7.90 each  3.  Marta Flatware $9.90 per piece  

4.  Duck Pitcher $99.90  5.  Senise Towel $39.90 ::

So cute, right?!  Prices are... okay, I think.  For unique stylish pieces, it's a reasonable price point to jazz up your home a bit with these personality-ful pieces.  (Oh also, yes, thanks for noticing!  That is my first collage!)

Also, free shipping during October!  Might be hard to resist...

Oh, and in case you were thinking "Whoa, did Zara just get 100% classy and not at all Euro-tacky?", don't lose sleep!  This shirt was also featured on the site (yes, the Zara Home site):

 

 :: Leopardo T-shirt (aptly named) $59.90 ($59.90?!) ::

Please please please tell me if you buy anything from Zara Home!  Can't wait to hear all about it.

J. Crew Wha??

Dear J. Crew,

You're killing me.  I only just made peace with paying a full priced $69.50 for a button down shirt because yours are so cute and versatile, and now you're charging $150 for a cotton shirt?!?!  This is madness!  Stop!  Stop it! 

:: the $150 shirt ::

3 things you need to own. Like, now.

Guys, lately I've been really into three gadgets that I own, and I'm really not a gadget person, so if I'm obsessed, it really means something.  I want to highly endorse the following products to you, for your own sake:


Clairsonic

clairsonic at nordstrom

Okay, I know I endorsed Argan Oil a while ago, and now I'm talking about Clairsonic, and it's all becoming an urban cliche but... the Clairsonic is good!  I got the full-on regular one, but I don't see any reason why you shouldn't get the Clairsonic Mia, which is smaller and a bit less expensive (and come in a lot of cute colors).  Using it is basically like getting a mini-facial every day, and it's fun, too!  You use it for 60 seconds (20 seconds on forehead, 20 seconds on nose/chin, 10 seconds on each cheek), once a day, and you can use any face wash -- you don't need to buy the special Clairsonic ones.  If you use a Clairsonic, you don't need to/shouldn't use another exfoliant, so it basically pays for itself (in, like, 5 years).  My skin has never been in better shape (which isn't saying a lot, but it's definitely saying something), and I feel very clean!  (Oh, and soft -- so soft!  Like a Labrador's ears soft.)

Immersion Blender

immersion blender at amazon

I love soup, but seeing directions in a recipe that say things like: "Turn off heat, let cool, transfer to blender, blend, add back to pot, re-heat" make me not like soup.  But guys, with an immersion blender you don't need to do that!  Just plug it in, submerse it in your pot of soup (or sauce, or whatever you're trying to blend) and turn it on and swirl it around.  Voila!  Pureed goodness!  Do you have any idea how easy it is to whip up a batch of tomato soup, potato leek, butternut squash.... whatever!, with the help of an immersion blender?  (Hint: it's super easy!)  Also, the bottom part of it snaps off and can go right into the dishwasher.  So easy.  So, so easy.  (Disclaimer: I don't own this model -- I can't find the one I have.  I recommend you buy one in the $35 - $75 range, though... cheaper is not going to be durable, and there's no good reason to pay any more.)

Hand-Held Steamer

jiffy travel steamer at amazon

Like anyone who has ever tried to iron in his/her life, I hate ironing and am really bad at it.  I've literally cried over ironing before.  (To be fair, it was a king sized duvet cover and it was really, really hard.)  Also, my hate for ironing is matched only by my distaste for paying for dry cleaning.  So it puts me in a bit of a tight spot.  Until I got this Jiffy Travel Steamer!  Guys, it's like... a magic tool that removes wrinkles without messing up at all!  I'm sure the non-travel version would be even better, but I live in an apartment and am not about to find storage for something that big.  Especially when I'm so over the moon with my Jiffy Travel Steamer!  It has really opened up a world of possibilities in terms of what clothing I can buy.  Cute silk blouse?  Oh yeah!  Put it on delicate wash in a delicates bag in the washing machine, line dry, and then hand-held steamer that sh**!  Normal cotton Oxford shirt?  No problem!  Work pants?  Try to stop me!  It's the best.  (Tip: it does get a lot of calcification gunk going on, so you will need to buy the cleaner fluids and clean it every few months.  But a small price to pay.)

Happy shopping!

Gift Guide: What to Buy for Me (Part II)

I initially called the "stuff I want" post Part I of many.  You'll never believe this, but I actually wasn't coming up with more stuff I wanted.  But I realized I needed to be a woman of my word and not leave you hanging when I said I would deliver.  So, without further ado, more cool stuff!

Color Wheel Umbrella, $24

I love this rainbow umbrella.  I've always liked them, but have only seen those in those humongo golf-sized versions.  Who is carrying those huge umbrellas, by the way, who is not insane?  "Looks like it's raining!  Let me grab this huge thing that is pointy, cumbersome and literally an entire yard long!  Easy breezy!"  Anyway, here's one in a practical size.  Yay.

Jonathan Adler Peace Bookends, $195

Honestly?  There's not much to say.  Super groovy to the maximum amount possible.

Caitlin McGauley prints, $75

I love Caitlin McGauley's fun, preppy watercolors.  Seeing them makes me pretend like my life is much more glamorous and together than it is. I like the idea of hanging one of them with a large off-white mat and a thin, simple dark wood frame alone on a wall painted in a supercool color.  Yay, pretend life!

J. Crew monogrammed sweaters, $100-$200-ish

Since I got married and changed my name, I've become convinced that the quickest way to acclimate to a new name is to get tons of cute monogrammed stuff.  I mean, the logic is sound, right?  

Reading is Fundamental, donation

Look, I'm being a good person!  This organization sounds awesome.  I first read about it here.  This group promotes literacy in high-poverty areas by providing new books to children.  As you probably know by now, I'm basically obsessed with reading, and I can't have imagined my childhood without books.  The statistic above is sobering.  Sounds like a great place to make a holiday contribution.

Bye!

Gift Guide: What to buy for me (Part I)

Tis the season, guys!  Everyone makes holiday gift guides, but I’m not that great at doing that kind of thing (I don't know what dads want.  Who knows what dads want?!), but I was still inspired to try my hand at it, so I decided to stick with what I know.

So I present to you: A Gift Guide, for me.  That’s not crass at all, right?  Basically a list of stuff I want.  But I'm imagining it's also stuff you might want.  So in the end, we're getting right back to the spirit of the season: wanting stuff!

Ready?  Here we go!  

Hudson Bay Blanket

I know what you’re thinking.  “Joanna, that blanket is FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS.  You are a monster!”  And to that, I say: Look, I said this was a crass display of gluttony.  I refuse to apologize.  But do you know the storied history of Hudson Bay blankets?  Early American settlers traded them to Native Americans for beaver pelts!  This is part of our history as Americans!  Also it is bound to be a family heirloom.  You can’t put a price on that!  (Or you can, and it’s $400-ish.)

Also, a “cheaper” version here, by Pendleton, which I feel is fairly legit because even though it’s not original gangsta like Hudson Bay, Pendleton is a renowned maker of woolens.

LL Bean Wicked Good Moccasins

Yes please.  I have fond memories of the LL Bean and Land’s End catalogues (I’m lumping them together… I have no idea what the difference is between the two) because as a kid, they were some of the only catalogues that came, and I loved me some catalogue play-time.  Now that I have resided long enough at my residence to get on random catalogue mailing lists (grown-up stuff!), I get my very one once again!  I have a feeling everything in the LL Bean/Lands End catalogues is odd and oversized and boxy and generally ill fitting (even though I sort of really want a classic barn jacket), but shoes are going to fit like shoes, right?  And these slippers look really cozy.  I am imagining myself making waffles in these and then reading a book on the couch while Travis watches football.  Then I also imagine that I decide to walk to Peet’s to grab some coffee and think “These are so comfy and cute – I’m not going to take them off!” and feel really cozy until I get into the store and feel ridiculous for wearing slippers in public.  Remind me not to do that, guys.

Yubz Retro Handset Extension

Oh, hi there!  Let me just lay back on the couch so I can catch up with you on the phone, enjoy our conversation, and look darling… all while totally not getting brain cancer!  (You plug this into your cell phone as a handset.)  Gwyneth Paltrow featured this in Goop’s gift guide, and I love it.  I pretty sure it would become a clunky item that I'd forget to use and don’t know where to put away, but the thought of it reminds me of being in middle school, sprawled on a couch or bed or floor patch gabbing away on the phone.

Stanley Thermos

I am feeling convinced that if I toted my soup to work in this thermos, I’d be much more excited to bring lunch and I’d look really cool.  Like that chick who’s all “Oh, this?  Yeah, I’m always on the go.  I made an amazing soup last night from scratch…. just bringing the leftovers for lunch today.  I guess that’s what I do when I’m not on spontaneous camping trips with my friends or watching hip documentaries at home or going to underground concerts late at night on school nights but still come to work looking fresh as a daisy… you guys have no idea what a cool life I live outside of here!  …Gotta run, time for soup!”

Lululemon Astro Pant

I know.  It’s a $100 sweat pant, basically.  But you really look 200% better than you do in a $33 sweat pant.  I promise.  I like the leg opening… not a flare, but not a legging… because as much as I like the idea of wearing a long legging… without the aid of boots over them, they make everyone’s body look strange and mis-shapen, right?

Oh, PS -- more coming.  (You didn't think this was all I wanted, right?)  Stay tuned.

J. Crew's Biggest Practical Joke Yet...

Guys,

I love J. Crew.  Sometimes I wish my life was a version of "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler," only instead of staying overnight in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (which would be seriously cool), I get to stay overnight in a very well-stocked J. Crew (which would be seriously, seriously cool.)  The styling of the J. Crew catalogues have taught me many things...
- I can wear punchy colored nail polish and not look like a tramp (provided my nails are very short)!
- I need, need, need some coral lipstick, stat!
- Rolling up the sleeves of a sweater or any other knit looks very fresh and smart!
- When in doubt, throw a belt over the waist!
- Why buy any old coat when you can buy a super cute lemon yellow coat?!

I could go on, but I won't.

But because I look forward to 10 minutes of escapism and aspirational lifestyle when the catalogue arrives, you'll understood that I felt I was being punked when I saw the November catalogue.  Guys... is J. Crew screwing with us?  Will the December catalogue say "HAHA... got you!!!!"?  Because this stuff is seriously strange.  Examples below (these are from the lookbook part of the website, but you get the gist):

:: You can't deny these are some very strange pants ::

:: When you want to go to work and are going for a 1930s heinous thing ::

:: Again, bizarre pants ::

:: Because everyone wants pants that are super ill-fitting, not cute-fitting.  Also, gloves. ::

:: Oh, perfect!  This is the length I always want my skirts to be! ::

Seriously?!  What is going on?  Where has my beloved J. Crew gone?  Does Jenna Lyons know it's not even close to April Fools?

Sad.

Bye!