Kit & Ace, Eileen Fisher, Willy’s Detroit + James Perse SALE END!!

(it’s HOT out there!)

It’s the weekend, yay! First things first, if you haven’t shopped the James Perse sale yet, and you’re still interested in some pieces, do it NOW, because it ends this weekend. You can still use code GRCHNFIREWRKS for free shipping on all orders. And yes, all sales are still final, so ask if you have any questions about anything, and/or consult this post for reader input on sizing, and this one for sale feedback.

Now. A few other random things.

Shinola opened up in downtown Plano recently and I had a chance to go by and check it out this week, and I’m VERY impressed. I’ve loved the watches for a long time, and the leather goods are very nice, although I’m partial to my friend Admonish for made-in-the-US leather. Alongside the Shinola shop, a Willy’s Detroit opened up, the first one outside of Detroit actually, and this is where I got REALLY excited. They’re owned by the company that owns Steven Alan, so they sell many of the same things Steven Alan does, but this particular location is much closer to me geographically. They have Imogene + Willie jeans, Black Crane, Calder Black, Clare V., Steven Alan. I bought a dress by Calder Blake (not online) on sale, but I’m taking it back.

I don’t know how many of you are in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, but if you are, please come check out both shops if you’re interested in American-made at all. I’d really like to keep them in business here!!

After our discussion about tailoring on this post, I really thought about some of the things I own that I would wear more if they were hemmed, or fit a little better. So I sucked it up and took my Goldsign jeans and my James Perse leggings to the tailor to be hemmed. And I am SOOO nervous. Really scared, actually, because I’m truly afraid that I’ll get them back and they’ll be unwearable – too short. They weren’t unwearable before, I just folded the hem under to the right length, but when I do that, I feel like I’m trying to make something work that doesn’t…and will often choose not to wear them.

I feel very good about the tailor I took them to, she was very attentive and accommodating, but as I’ve said before many times, I’ve taken SO many jeans, etc., to be hemmed only to get them back and never wear them again because the look changed. Granted, that was many years ago and the jeans were flared, or bootcut, and hemming does indeed change the line, but still…

If it works out and I’m happy with the jeans, I’ll take my Raquel Allegra slip dress to her and have her fix the mess I made shortening the straps, and shorten them just a bit more. I spent some time yesterday playing around with it a bit more, layering it with jeans/leggings/sweaters, and I think I’ll wear it quite a bit when it can be layered. More than I’ll wear it on it’s own, honestly.

I also went to the new Kit & Ace store that opened here last week, since Jen had such nice things to say about a shirt she got. I tried on EVERYTHING I could, and was very impressed by the fabric – so soft! – but felt like the sizing was really wild. And I couldn’t tell how something was “supposed” to fit, if that makes sense. I did LOVE THIS DRESS (I tried it in size 8) and would have gotten it if it’s not exactly like my James Perse dress. It was SO SOFT, and fit me really nicely. Interestingly enough, it comes just to knee length on me, although it’s supposed to be midi-length. Blame my ass for that I guess.

I ended up getting the Mara tank in a darker gray than they have online and really love it. The fit is impeccable. Everything is so tempting, and you know how much I love a good basic t-shirt, but I’m not sure of longevity yet, or how these wash/wear over time. But I’m a sucker for “technical” gear, and easy silhouettes, so I had to check it out in person. I would be hard-pressed to recommend ordering online without trying on in person yet though, because I can’t figure out the sizing. Generally I guess I’m an 8, but I tried on a 6 in some things and that also fit. And the prices. Whoa. Like I said, I had to try, and I’m impressed, generally, but have no idea if it’s worth the price yet. I will let you know!!

(Eileen Fisher slouchy slim pants)

Finally. I was on a mission yesterday to find black, relatively lightweight, and slightly slouchy pants. If you can believe it, I don’t have a pair. I have harem pants, and I have slouchy trousers, but not a slouchy pant. I know…I know… Anyway, I knew I wanted to try this pair by Eileen Fisher, so I went to the store to try them on. I ended up with the small, regular, but I’m not sure I’ll keep them. I think they might still be too long on me. I’m going to seek out the large petite today and see if they are better (I tried on the medium petite and they weren’t slouchy enough). If not, I’m just going to give-up on them altogether and get these cropped crepe pants instead.

(Eileen Fisher slim ankle pant)

OMG, they were amazing. These are the black pants I want in my life. I won’t get them until fall, but I will get them. Honestly, I feel like my life is changed just by trying these on (I would take a medium petite). Like they were meant for me. I think I’ll stick with Eileen Fisher for black pants from now on. The search is over.

Ha! Okay, so maybe the search isn’t REALLY over, but for now, I feel like it is. I’m satisfied that I’ve got the right pants for me now. The right jeans (assuming the hemming turns out okay!), the right leggings, the right slouchy pants, and so on.

And now, I’m finished shopping for a while.  I have been on a tear lately, trying to deal with anxiety over lots of things and uncertainty of EVERYTHING by getting my wardrobe right where I want it.  After lots more purging and some buying, it is, for now, and of course that didn’t fix my anxiety, but I do think it has helped.  I feel more calm and like at least I’ve got my wardrobe sorted out.  I’m planning for travel (bar mitzvah outfits!) and fall and I feel like I’ve got all that covered now, so I can move on to actually deal with the things that are causing the anxiety.  Ugh.  This seems to be my process though.  Work through it with my wardrobe first, then tackle the “real” issue.  Seems to work for me, and as long as I’m aware of what I’m doing, I think it’s helpful.

Have a great weekend!!!