With everything our mothers do for us over the years, it’s only fair that they get a day completely dedicated to spoiling them right back. Spending time with your mom and letting her know you care is by far the best gift; however, you did get your sense of style and love of shopping from somewhere. Show her what excellent taste you inherited – I don’t think she’ll mind a little something all wrapped up!

There isn’t anyone (mom or otherwise) who wouldn’t love a new summer PJ set, kicked off on Sunday with breakfast in bed. I can say with no shame that I make a terrible cup of coffee, but I buy cute mugs to make up for it. #distractionbyikat Also, the coordinating colors? That was no accident.

J. Crew Translucent Stone Necklace

J. Crew Factory Summerweight Cashmere Cardigan J. Crew Havana Clutch

I always like to pair a few things when gifting clothing. Whether she wears them independently or altogether with her favorite outfit, your mom is guaranteed to get a lot of use from these pieces as well as plenty of compliments. Plus, you can always borrow them. Didn’t they warn us when we were younger about dressing like our mothers?

If you have Instagram and/or don’t live under a rock, you know how trendy (and delicious!) macarons are right now. Why not try making them with your mom? I’ve heard they can be difficult – although this is coming from a girl who can’t make coffee – so pair this cookbook with a sweet summery apron in case things get messy.

If all else fails, take her out to lunch, buy her some flowers, and let her forget all her responsibilities for the day. You can make macarons or terrible coffee anytime, but there’s only one day a year when your mom knows the real reason why you’re doing it!

xo

Diane

IN STORES & ONLINE: EXTRA 30% OFF SPRING SALE ITEMS WITH CODE SUNSHINE.

SHOP NOW. 

Here’s our weekly roundup of the latest & greatest of J. Crew sale items! This week we’re focusing on Women’s Sale:

Pretty Lipstuffs - in French Martini

$10 OFF Sperrys in Pretty Pastel Colours

This Pencil Wrap Skirt (as seen on Rachel Parcell of Pink Peonies)

Jackie Cardigan in Stripe {with Anchor Buttons}!

No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Pinwheel Eyelet

Ikat Tee

Anchor Buckle Belt {$30!} 
Oh, you like Nautical things? Check out our “Come Sail Away” Pinterest Board!

Circle Print Chambray Popover

Collection Cafe Capri in Bazaar Print

Crinkle City Mini

Collection Cashmere Tippi Sweater

Collection Washed Silk Side Tie Pant

Rosalind Dress in Tricotine

And don’t forget…

Petal Floral Sonja Dress | Milan Straw Portrait Hat | Equestrian Silk Scarf
Collis Velvet Horse Slipper | Delia Dress | & SHOES!

And, of course, you can’t mention the word “Derby” without a strong desire to down a Mint Julep, or three (we prefer monogrammed silver julep cups – more on that later).

Whether you’re fully stocked with polished silver drinkware, or ridin‘ SOLO (I see you, college kids, we won’t judge) you’ll love this refreshingly simple Mint Julep Recipe:

Photo Credit + Details: MyRecipes.com

Now pick out your dress, shoes and hat.
Purchase your Julep fixings.
And prepare to celebrate the greatest two minutes in sports!

New to hosting Derby parties? Don’t fret! Get up to speed at: KentuckyDerby.com/Party

Tweet/Instagram us your Derby attire this weekend: @JCrewReview #KyDerby!

Shop our Favorite Derby Dresses, Shoes & Accessories:

XOXO,

MM & JD

A few of our PRO-TIPs for online window shopping post-break up: proceed with caution and hot tea, never approach the internet after 3 or more glasses of wine, and don’t actually BUY anything — trust us, you’re about to lose a lot of weight because you’re sad and eating reminds you of picnicking with your ex-lover in a meadow filled with daisies and your hopes and dreams, which absolutely never happened but IT COULD HAVE.

I haven’t been “real” shopping because I live in Brooklyn and my rent in one month is my clothes budget for an entire year.  Generally, I get by with my Christmas and Birthday presents, my roommates’ belongings, and $15 finds at Beacon’s Closet.  Bonus: when you shop at Beacon’s Closet you get to carry around a bag with a baby wearing hip glasses on the front.  It makes you look like you’re cool and from Brooklyn and I appreciate that because I’m not cool and I’m from Connecticut.  However,  I recently realized that a grand haul shopping trip is in store in the next month or so…

I had wondered back in January how I might continue on with my post as Resident Wedding Guest Blogger. I’d already posted about dresses twice; I’d covered my problem with shiny fabric; and now that I am in a romantic rut I’ve worried: Have I lost my Wedding Blogger Mojo?  But everything has a way of working itself out and one day, while online window shopping, I was reminded of all I have to look forward to… Which finally brings me to the Fashion portion of my post:

The JCR Girls Style Guide for Wedding Festivities!

The Bachelor Party

Bridal Parties aren’t always “traditional.”  For the girl who’s one of the guys, we suggest a laid back put together style:

We love the combination of classic pieces such as the nude/tan/peach wedges (J.Crew Lillian Patent Low Wedges) and a white blouse (MANGO Metal Fastening Blouse) paired with edgier pieces like a statement necklace (J.Crew Fan Fringe Necklace), and cut off/leather shorts (Rag & Bone Jean The Cut-Off Short.)  And while we’re all for breaking tradition and making things your own, we still think it’s bad behavior to wear white to weddings when you’re not the bride or not directed by her to do so! If you’re invited, sneak some white in at the Bachelor Party – you know you’ve been dying to show off your cute new spring top!

The Bachelorette

Girls, this is your night to go crazy!  While we don’t encourage behavior fit for a hollywood film, we think you should look like you belong in one.

There’s nothing wrong with getting noticed tonight, so go for it!  We love the combination of a fun, flirty dress (Ted Baker Penny Floral Embellished Red Dress) and attention-getting accessories.  The outfit above features OASIS Metallic T-bar Sandals and Modcloth’s Mint to Be Yours Bag.  What’s so great about these accessories is that they evoke a bygone era while remaining modern and fresh.  We love the idea of a modern pin-up cat eye with an outfit like this, check out  MAC Liquidlast Liner!

The Bridal Shower

Keep it light and classic for the Bridal Shower, with a few personalized touches.

Try a structured fit and flare dress like JCrew Loretta Dress in a summery shade paired with a flowy hat like JCrew Summer Straw Hat.  Add whimsical touches like Windsor Store’s Gold Love Signature Bracelet (similar here) , and Kate Spade New York All Wrapped Up Pearls Drop Earrings.  Then tie it all together with a staple piece from your closet, like white wedges (ZARA Block Sandal w/ Ankle Strap!)

The Rehearsal Dinner

For the Rehearsal Dinner, go for Ultra-Femme, Understated Elegance, in your clothes and in your demeanor: let the next 24 hours be about your family/friends without sacrificing fashion!

Peachy hues and lavender tones are perfect for a Rehearsal Dinner.   Find a dress that cinches in your waist and floats away from your hips like French Connection Berry Voile Fan Dress and pair it with a – dare we say it – COMFORTABLE low-rise heels (J.Crew Miri midheel suede pumps.)  Remember that you do NOT want sore blistered feet going into a day of standing on even MORE uncomfortable shoes! Remember to get creative – if you can’t find a necklace length you like with the neckline of your dress or shirt – check out the kid’s section like we did!  We found this JCrew Girls Ribbon-Tied Long Pearl Necklace, which would suit this neckline perfectly.  Finally, tie it all together with a peach-pink blush and lipstick like Nars Blush in Orgasm and Mac Creamsheen & Pearl Lipstick in Peach Blossom.

The Morning After

Ah, the bittersweet morning after.  You’ll probably find yourself partly glad the craziness is over and partly sad that something you have looked forward to has ended.  You will also probably be sore from dancing, tired, and possibly find yourself with a slight headache (21+ only!!!!)

Pictured: Jcrew Ray-Ban thick cat-eye Wayfarer sunglasses,  Korres Yoghurt Face Sunscreen Cream SPF30, Butter London Nail Lacquer in Fiver, Asos Straw Floppy Hat, TOPSHOP Cream Scallop Texture Swimsuit (similar)

Today, you will RELAX, sit by the pool, have a margarita, and think about how not married you are.

xo

AG

Reva Ballet Flats

And, seems obvious, Reva flats…in every color. I’ll be re-stocking on the basics though.

See what we are stocking our wardrobes with in the lookbook. Oh, and don’t forget to start perfecting your mint julep with the Kentucky Derby just around the corner!

Pretty in Punk Floral

Now are there more important things in my life that I am missing from the States? Sure. My family, LUNA bars, and oh how I do miss the sun. But, not having a J.Crew store to stop in for a new gingham or even to just be surrounded by inspiring colors, has really taken a toll on me. Listen to me complaining as I am traveling England

Enough wallowing in my current J.Crew-less life, I am excited to share with you two looks that I have been witnessing all over this beautiful country. And I am helping you create these British ensembles in head to toe, crew.

And come visit me on xodiaries.com for a peek into my little life in London!

~Anni

PS* Did you know J.Crew is currently carrying a few pieces from Liberty Art Fabrics, from London!? See #8 and find more HERE.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

Aside from the May Style Guide’s ability to solidify my thoughts that I am more than ready for summer… I now feel as though I have no clothes, and must own everything on every page.

What we’re coveting for this season…

1. Anything “Punk Floral.” This print (donned on the cover of this month’s catalogue) was archived from an old botanical book, dug up by one of the Women’s designers. Citron and pink flowers, accented in black, are scattered across a field of emerald green, giving the pattern a sophisticated Pop Art feel.

Style Tip: Don’t be afraid to mix polka dots or stripes with bolder prints. After all, floral is summer’s neutral!

2. Anything flowy and free. From beachy tunics to maxi dresses to the new Silk Flutter top, summer is the time for breezy pieces in beautiful colors. The best part about these pieces is their ability to take you from picnic to party with only few minor adjustments. (Colorful jewels, anyone?)

Style Tip: Add a baseball cap or boyfriend jeans for a sporty turn on flirty attire.

3. Anything Neon. Nothing compliments a summer’s tan more than hues that are just short of radioactive. Whether it’s Shocking Pink, Neon Violet, Citrus Lime, or prints that include all of the above, J.Crew girls welcome these colors in anything from 3” Chinos to Vintage Cotton V-Necks.

Style Tip: Celebrate summer by creating a look in head-to-toe neon. The safest way to do this is staying monochromatic, while adding accents in a similar color family. 

Although these looks are our favorite, there are some other aspects of the Style Guide that deserve Honorable Mention. Mostly, the beach-ready attire that have me begging for a vacation sooner rather than later:

And this little girl, because, I mean, she could not be any cuter:

And, lastly, you’re welcome.

What was your favorite part of this month’s Style Guide? Any pieces you have to have? Could do without? Comment below, or tweet the @JCrewReview with hashtag #StyleGuideScan and let us know!

XOXO, AJ

@smallstrand