Liz Claiborne: Gingham-Print Dirndle Skirt Review

I have wanted Liz Claiborne's Gingham-Print Dirndle Skirt (style #LCMUA160) since pretty much the moment I saw it.  The skirt is numerically-sized, and is available in this one color, indigo multi.  Liz Claiborne describes the skirt as such:

The arrival of this fabulously feminine skirt has just made our day. A fusion of old-world style and new-age whimsy, it features a full and flirty shape, tulle trim and discreetly placed pockets. Its playful gingham print has an innocently sweet vibe that we're over the moon for.Cotton/silk. Fully lined, tulle trim. Side zip, hook & eye close. 2 onseam pockets, high-waisted. Machine wash.

When this skirt was finally available for purchase online, it sold out in many sizes pretty quickly, including mine.  When it finally went on sale, it was available in one size bigger than I needed, so I just grabbed it anyway.  This is a size 8.  I had bought another Liz Claiborne dirndl(e) skirt, and I had ordered a size 4, and it was way too small (granted, I didn't read the size measurements carefully enough - I should have ordered a 6).  I get that the skirt is supposed to be high-waised, but it was very high waisted.  I would have liked this gingham-print skirt in a 6, but I had to settle for an 8, and I'm very pleased with the way it fits.  I would recommend your regular size if you want the skirt to be very high waisted, and a size up if you want to be a little higher on the waist, and two sizes up if you want it lower on the waist.

Boyfriend really dislikes this skirt.  He said it looks like something from the 50s, but that's what I like it.  It's such a fun and sort of retro print!  The skirt has a lining, and the bottom hem of the lining is a stiffer strip of fabric, which helps give the bottom of the skirt some fullness and shape.  There is also a small strip of tulle underneath as well, which also adds some fullness.  The actual skirt is a very light, soft and silky fabric.  I was actually surprised how light it was.  It's very smooth and delicate feeling, and is definitely not as shiny as it photographs.

The skirt moves very well, and is definitely a fuller shape, so if you are worried about adding a lot of volume to your bottom half, you might want to stay away from this skirt.  On the flipside, if you want to hide anything on your bottom half, this skirt can definitely help you out with that, too.  The skirt comes just to my knees, so a nice length, and if I were to wear it higher on my waist, then it would be a bit shorter, but I'm happy with the length it is now.

As for the pattern, it's a very pretty cotton-candyish shade of pink, which I love, but I can see how some people might think it's too cutesy.  I do love the retro sort of vibe of this skirt, but again, I think that's a personal style choice, and can see how it is not for everyone.

I love this skirt, and am so glad I was able to get it, especially on sale!  I love the way they've paired it with floral print shoes on the model - I have a pair of very similar shoes from Payless, and I will be curious to see how it looks in real life.

What do you think?  Do you like this skirt?  Do you think it is too sweet looking?  What would you pair it with?

PS - I included Mr. PD in these pictures just because he does the same turns that I do - front, side, and back - when I am doing them, and that was too cute not to share.

Nordstrom: Half-Yearly Sale

For any Nordstrom fans out there, they announced today [with their eye scorching e-mail] that the Half-Yearly Sale for women and children is going on now.  This sale is going on in-store and online, with savings of 33% or more.

Nordstrom cardholders can also get double points through Saturday, May 23.

What do you think?  Will you check out this sale?  Do you shop at Nordstrom?

Origins: 25% Off Friends & Family

Julia R. was kind enough to share this 25% off coupon (no minimum!) for Origins's Friends & Family event.  This promotion is going on in-store and online.  To use this coupon in-store, print the graphic above (click the picture and then print), and bring it to the store with you.  There is no coupon code for using this offer online, but if you click the link in the e-mail, it takes you to this link, which seems to be tagged and "knows" that you are coming from the e-mail promotion.

I love Friends & Family events, especially when they are for higher percentages off!

What do you think?  Will you take advantage of this offer?  What do you think of Origins?

Wishlist: Kate Spade Preston Hollow Flower Pot Handbag

I love Kate Spade.  She runs a close second to my most favorite handbag company, Coach.  I'm super lucky to live near outlets for both Kate Spade and Coach (and super lucky to have access to [genuine] Coach wallets for $10!).  I Heart Luxe sent this adorable Preston Hollow Flower Pot Handbag around as one of their picks of the day, and I was instantly in love.

I love the whimsical floral cut-out pattern, and I really love the bright color.  I also like the longer drop on the handles.  My current KS is really not long enough to go over the shoulder, so I have to carry it draped on my arm, or hold it like a briefcase (which I don't like doing).

So, I have added this bag to my wishlist.  I should probably say my dreamlist, as it's a staggering $495!  It was difficult enough to (let The Boyfriend) buy the Kate Spades I have now, and that was at the outlet, with a great percentage off!

What do you think of this bag?  Do you like it?  Is it too precocious for you?  What is your favorite brand for bags?

Monday Giveaway: Bath & Body Works Hair Accessories

The Giveaway
Today's Monday Giveaway is for a set of Bath & Body Works Hair Accessories. You get a pack of elastics, bobby pins, and hair clips, as well as a three-band headband, all in a pretty shade of pink!

How To Win
If you would like to win these hair accessories, all you have to do is e-mail me by midnight tonight. If that link doesn't work, you can e-mail me at jadorethesestores AT gmail DOT com. I will randomly pick a winner and announce it tomorrow morning. Good luck!

A Worthy Substitute: American Eagle for Coach

Now, I wonder how many of you are scoffing at the subject of this worthy substitute already - does she really think you can substitute American Eagle for Coach? On some levels, no, of course not - Coach is Coach (unless it is Factory Outlet Coach), and American Eagle is American Eagle. However, on other levels, I do believe you can substitute something for Coach, and I feel that the bag by AE could be a very worthy, and very affordable (especially relatively speaking) alternative to Coach. [And in case you might think that I feel this way because I don't own any Coach, I do, and plenty of it.]

Within the past couple of years (cannot remember exactly which one), Coach debuted a gorgeous pattern - its Bleecker Tattersall, which consisted of muted shades of colors (blue, green, orange, and pink) on a cream background. Many of the Bleecker Tattersall items also include a silhouette of a horse and coach, along with the Coach logo. I really loved this pattern, because it reminded me of vintage, classic, and modern pieces all at the same time.

I even had the opportunity to purchase a Bleecker Tattersall tote at the Coach Factory Outlet store at Christmas. I saw another customer walking around with it, and hunted throughout the entire store until I grabbed the last one. Coach was also running a coupon promotion that day to sweeten the deal. I went back and forth on the tote a few times, as I wasn't completely enamored of the way that it closed on top.

When he heard about the bag, the Boyfriend told me to go ahead and buy it, and he would give me the money for it, as an early Christmas present. In the end though, I returned it, as I already have a wonderful Coach bag, and decided the top closure on the Bleecker Tattersallwas too much on the dislike side for me to keep the bag. A huge factor was also the price - the bag, at the Outlet, cost almost $200, and I couldn't justify that for yet another bag.

Now, it's not like I am walking around regretting that I didn't get the bag (I got some great cookbooks instead!), but when I saw this bag at American Eagle last week, it immediately called to mind the Bleecker Tattersall. I think it is the pattern of the bag - those soft, muted colors on the cream background - that made me consider this as a worthy substitute for Coach.

This bag is called the Plaid Mini Duffle (style #0427-7222), and retails for $59.50. Still a little on the pricey side, but much easier to swallow than $200. AE describes the bag as such:

The perfect girly accessory to grab when you're on the go.
• Soft, sturdy cotton
• Spring plaid pattern
• Bright color interior lining
• Soft leather straps
• AEO logo keyfob attached
• Classic duffle shape
• Three interior pockets

Imported, Machine Wash

From what I recall, the bag is lined in a muted pink color (a little brighter than the pink stripe on the outside), and is very roomy. Don't let the "duffle" in the name fool you - it's shaped like a duffle bag, but still looks like a nice, girly purse. I would imagine the leather straps are what raise the price on this a bit (don't recall any other purses that were this expensive from AE before), but they are a very nice, classic touch.

The bag is fairly light, and the handle drop is nice and long, so you can carry this in your hand, on your arm, and just as easily throw it over your shoulder. Another huge plus for this bag is that it is machine washable. Speaking from experience, it is next to impossible to clean a Coach bag yourself, even if it is a fabric bag (as opposed to leather).

The AEO keychain is an okay touch, and actually reminds me of Coach's tags on their bags. I'm not sure I would keep the AEO one on my bag if I got it though - I'm not sure I'd want to listen to all those chains and tags jangling around together!

So what do you think? Would you consider the AE Plaid Mini Duffle as an alternative to a Coach bag?

Just for reference, the Coach print at the beginning of this post is no longer available through Coach. They have updated the Tattersall print this year to include some scribbling (below).