I had lunch with my mom last week and we were talking about my blog (my parents love my blog and they always ask me about it, which I love!) and she asked "Does J Crew pay you to write about them because you're always wearing their stuff on your blog!" and I laughed and said No (but I wish!) and to tell you the truth, I knew I liked shopping at J Crew but I didn't think I liked it enough for my mom to notice and then as I was putting together this lookbook, I realized that 95% of it came from J Crew (and Madewell which is owned by J Crew). Dang! I think I need to step away from the Crew and shop elsewhere until they pay me to endorse them. LOL!
What I'm Wearing
Blazer: J Crew
Tunic (worn as a top): J Crew
Pants: Madewell
Belt: Nordstrom (really old)
Shoes: Christian Louboutin - New Simple Pumps
All Jewelry: J Crew
Speaking of moms: I think almost everyone I know has read the controversial Why Chinese Mothers are Superior and I have to say that I related to a lot of this article (I've felt the pain of getting my first B. I thought my life was OVER). However, my mom (and dad) still let me attend sleepovers, choose my own extracurricular activities (although I did play the piano and violin too), heck I was even on the cheerleading and dance team which I suspect the author of the article would abhor. And you know what? I still turned out fine! My parents are proud of the way I turned out and I'm proud of myself and my accomplishments. I love my parents for raising me the way they did. It was definitely hard for me when I was in high school and my parents' strictness/rules made me think life was SO HARD but I now realize why they were strict with me and how it's helped me with everything I do in my life now. It was just an interesting article and while I think that the author is a bit extreme in her thinking (but I also realize that she IS trying to sell her book), I did actually agree with some of it, although I could pinpoint the areas that, if I had children, which areas I would not be adhering to, only because of personal experience. <---- when I was 8 or 9, I had a Chinese piano teacher who made me play the same area of the song 100+ times if I messed up. And I had to mark it in the book for every time I did it. Before the lesson was over she would hand me a long list of areas that I needed to work on and the amount of times of each piece I had to practice every day which amounted to hours every day! Traumatic much? No wonder I won't touch the piano anymore! Did you read the article? What did you think about it?
AE Women's Striped Schoolboy Blazer
I love this Michael Kors blazer too, it's the perfect color for the spring.
You could also go with a short sleeve version or this one that's a bit more casual.
I haven't tried these on yet but they look great. I've been living in my skinny cords, they are a great alternative to jeans. These skinny military cords are great too.
I'm wearing the New Simple pumps and the yellow color was sold out last year but they always have the Simple pumps which I own too and are my favorite Louboutin style. The New Simple pumps are great because they have an extra platform and give you just an extra bit of height!
For those of you looking for yellow pumps, check out these suede pumps and get 4% cashback from ebates or cute peeptoes and get 8% cashback!
You do wear a lot of J Crew but I love it! I am so excited to finally be able to buy from there when I fly to LA in a few weeks!
ReplyDeleteThat article was very very interesting. I always wondered why Asian kids always excelled in everything academic wise in school. It is so interesting to read about the two different parenting styles and it's so true. Looking back on my days in high school, I personally gave up on a lot of subjects because I wasn't doing well and thought that was the easiest (and best) thing to do but looking back I should of stuck it out. I mean I still have got to where I want to be right now (I got straight into university) but I think in some areas I lack the confidence because I never persevered and succeeded with it and proved to myself that I could do it. Like the author said, that is where the two parenting styles are completely different. Luckily as I've got older I don't have such a give up attitude anymore!
All in all that was really interesting. Thanks for posting!!
I don´t wear J Crew (not even sure if I can buy it here). But I absolutely love your jacket and your style in general, so I think I like it too hehe.
ReplyDeleteMy parents were strict with me too (as Im the oldest of three girls, so they had to try :-P). I hated it when I was young. But now I think it was the best for me and helped me alot for my studies and then later, career.
xx
M.
this has to be one of my most favorite looks on you! that blazer is amazing! and the shoes! and the bracelets! LOVELY!!!
ReplyDeleteYou look so fab! love it!
ReplyDelete♥
There's so many blogs dedicated (entirely or mostly) on J.Crew fashion out there...I wonder if J.Crew does anything to endorse them! Anyways, love every time the yellow simples make an appearance.
ReplyDeleteI didn't love the article (but like you I could relate to several points) as it was clear she was being a bit extreme just to stir up controversy and sell the book. If she really did raise her kids exactly as described in the article...I wonder how often they'd go home to visit mom after college? Or call just to chat?
You do wear J.Crew a lot, but I love it! Sounds like such an interesting article. If asked, do I wish my parents were harder on me? I would answer 100%. I think it's very common to settle for mediocrity when sometimes all it takes is a little pushing.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I never think of you as always wearing J. Crew/Madewell. I think it's because you take those pieces and then pair them with other things to make it your style. I've seen other blogs that look like a J Crew catalog (which is fine), but I really love the spin you put on it.
ReplyDeleteWhat I love about this is that you don't look like a J.Crew ad. If you didn't label your sources, I would have had no idea this outfit was entirely J.Crew/Madewell. Which is a testament to J.Crew's versatility and, more importantly, your personal style.
ReplyDeleteThey should totally pay you. Lol!
great bracelet! i like J Crew but dont tend to shop there much.
ReplyDeleteI <3 j.crew! you look so adorbs.
ReplyDeleteYou look great!!! My Mom says the SAME thing about my blog, and my affliction for Jcrew!!! So sad I didn't get the yellow New Simples, by the time i pulled the trigger they only had a size to big... and then i went back for the Simples in Purple, and again gone, guess i need to stop waiting!!! :)
ReplyDeletethe shoes are adorable! LOVE the color!
ReplyDeleteI thought the article was really interesting. It was definitely extreme, but I think a lot of "western parents" (is that what she called them), should take a tip from the chinese mothers.
ReplyDeleteGreat outfit, I'm going to have to try those pants.
Maybe you *should* get them to sponsor your blog.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't think that yellow pumps would look good with this, but you're constantly surprising me.
Love your yellow shoes and your entire outfit:)
ReplyDeleteYes, Chinese parents are strict but there's a very good reason for it. And you turned out fine for sure! such a beauty:)
Cinz
http://cinzee.wordpress.com
i adore jcrew and madewell! sometimes, when you just love items season after season, you just end up with a lot of stuff from that brand! you always look put together though! and like others have said, you don't look like you stepped out of a j.crew catalog! ;-) have a good weekend!
ReplyDeletehttp://adoretoadorn.blogspot.com
btw...i think it's so great that your parents <3 your blog! great support system!
ReplyDeleteand one note about the "tiger mom"--i also was raised by chinese parents and very much related to the article. interestingly, i read people's reply to the "tiger mom" and it hit a strong note with me. i'm appreciative of the way i grew up because i am who i am today. here's more to read:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/01/20/chen.tiger.moms/index.html?iref=allsearch
@Pauline yay for your trip to LA! Hope you get to hit all the spots that you want to go to! And good for you for recognizing and changing your attitude. I think that a lot of people (even as adults) have that give up attitude but I was never raised that way so I can't understand it!
ReplyDelete@Marcela I feel ya! It was such a pain to have such strict parents when I was young but I have no doubt that what they did helped me to become what I am now.
ReplyDelete@Diane aww thanks Diane!
ReplyDelete@Hanna thank you! <3
ReplyDelete@PetiteAsianGirl I know that a lot of my jcrew buys have been because of other bloggers so I bet the blogging community really has made a big impact on J Crew sales.
ReplyDeleteGood points, it might be frightening to think about them at college and their first taste of freedom! I knew a few people like that who had strict parents and then went CRAZY at college because they weren't used to having any independence.
I'm actually intrigued enough to buy her book!
@Christina I think that's really interesting! My parents never let me settle for less than the best and although it put a lot of pressure on me as a child and teenager I can really appreciate now as an adult.
ReplyDelete@carodaily I'm glad you said that because I never want to look like I was styled by a store. Not that it's a bad thing but I'd just rather have my style stand out rather than people noticing that everything I wear is from a particular store/brand.
ReplyDelete@K.Rae thank you! I appreciate that comment. and they should pay me! haha!
ReplyDelete@Andee Layne I never shopped there until the past 2 years and then I went crazy and bought too much! haha!
ReplyDelete@Taylor oh man! but yes, the simples go SO fast! I always have to snap them up right when they get in or else my size sells out so quick.
ReplyDelete@Abi P. thank you!
ReplyDelete@Love. Run. Wine. they are my most brightest color shoes but they surprisingly go well with a lot of outfits!
ReplyDelete@Chelsea agreed. And yes, if you can find the Madewell cords I highly recommend them! I saw them still in the store on the sale rack the last time I was there.
ReplyDelete@A-C I need to find out who the PR manager for J Crew is and send them an email :) LOL!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks, I'm actually surprised by how well they work with outfits as well.
@cinzee Yes, definitely good reasons but hard to understand when you're a child right? As an adult I totally see their side but as a kid I was like "WHY?! what is wrong with my parents?" at all their rules. haha!
ReplyDelete@Nancy I'm glad that you don't think I look like a J Crew ad. As much as I love their ads it's still not my style and I like to make sure that my own style and personality stands out more than my clothes itself.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend too!
Another J.Crew-aholic here :) I love how you're not afraid to wear a patterned jacket with a solid shirt underneath. I usually reverse the two so not as much pattern is showing. Really need to step out of my comfort zone!
ReplyDeleteI thought Amy Chua's article was an interesting read. Like most Asian kids I could relate, although my parents sound more like yours. (It helped that they became Americanized and didn't try to force every Asian upbringing tactics on me). Back to the article. Albeit extreme, I felt she did make good points though, about how kids don't know what they want and need a little push. Of course who wouldn't enjoy activities that they excel at? This other writer responded to her article (don't have the link handy, but it's titled "Amy Chua is a Wimp") and basically said her kids are going to grow up to be socially awkward because they weren't allowed to interact with peers. I don't quite agree because I doubt limiting sleepovers and playdates are the only ways to gain social skills.
@Nancy It's awesome that they support me writing my blog. It's such a big part of me that I can't imagine if my husband or family didn't know about or read my blog. it's something that I think about every day and I love talking to them about it.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like the comments in the WSJ article. People calling it child abuse and stuff was going too far when there are far worse things going on in this world to children. I had to stop reading them before I got too angry or upset. I'm totally appreciative of how I was raised and would never change a thing. Thanks for the link! Off to read it now.
You should definitely get in touch with J.Crew and see what they can offer you :)
ReplyDeleteI read the article and I've heard several people say they related to it so I don't know why people are making such a controversy about it.
Speaking of moms, mine was the one who got me into J Crew, they have great pieces that you cannot get else where so I totally understand why you wear them often, Madwell is great to shop online, love that they offer both contemporary and bascis! ... About the way your parents raised you, I remember growing up and having that same thought of them making life harder for me, but now I can totally see why they did every single thing, think I'm proud of myself too! ... Have a lovely friday!
ReplyDeleteps- did you notice I didn't say anything about your shoes today? ... Oops I just did! Sorry they are adorable!
http://blog.cessoviedo.com
I love the pop of yellow in those shoes! I have GOT to find some yellow pumps.
ReplyDeleteI've read bits and pieces of the article but not the entire thing. For what it's worth, I agree that you turned out BETTER than fine! :)
You look great as always! Love the shoes.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love JCrew too... it's hard not too!
That's a great blazer- So fun finding new ways to wear them. I'm also in love with those yellow pumps- to die for! XO
ReplyDeletehttp://tryitonmegirl.blogspot.com/
I'm in love with your yellow loubs! <3
ReplyDeleteI think pretty much every Asian kid can relate to the article in many ways. The lady is a little too psycho though lol. I was allowed to go to concerts, sleepovers, take horseback riding lessons, etc. (aka things I wanted to do) as long as I was also satisfying my parents in the ways of academics and such. But a lot of what she's saying, I really do think it's the right thing to do even though I detested it as a child myself. I grew up thinking that I would never get into college if I even got a single B! I remember freshmen year of high school when they were allowed to give out A+.. I got 3 A+ and the other 3 were A's. My parents asked me why the A's I got weren't A+'s! It made me so angry, but the truth is b/c of my parents, I am where I am now. I also played piano and flute and remember having to audition for orchestras year after year until I was principle flute getting solos.. as well as getting straight A's in school of course. It may seem cruel and abusive to some, but Asian kids just accept that that's the way of life for them and I think in the end, do end up thankful for how much their parents pushed them. I despised it as a child, but now I'm thankful. I absolutely hated hated playing the piano as a kid.. I quit for a long time, but now I play it for fun sometimes and I tell my mom that I'm glad she forced me to keep going with it b/c I know kids whose moms let them quit at a young age b/c they hated it.. now they don't remember how to play it at all and tell me they wish they had learned for a little longer so they could play it now.
haha you should totally get J. Crew to sponsor you! You always look really put together, so it's a testament to how good their clothes are.
ReplyDeleteWork the yellow pumps, girl! OW!! I'm planning on heading down to Seattle/U Village and checking out Madewell's (finally!) Maybe I'll see you there ?!?! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the thought of adding yellow to this outfit! You have such a great eye for styling.
ReplyDeleteXoxo, Natasha
twenty-something blog
I love the yellow heels with this outfit. Makes me want to get more heels but I know I can't walk in them. (tears*) I am going to read the article now :)
ReplyDeleteJust Better Together is having a giveaway!
The yellow heels are so adorable!
ReplyDelete<3 richL @ rarepersona.com
you know, i don't associate your style with jcrew per se. ya you wear a piece here and there, but you're not head to toe jcrew, everyday :) with that being said, your outfit is adorable!
ReplyDeletewith regard to the article, growing up in an indian household i can relate on several points, but as several people have stated the article was a bit extreme. i played sports, was in drama/speech and debate, and i turned out fine! :)
i love the outfits you wear :) and i really like how you added a pop of yellow in a blue outfit..looks nice :)
ReplyDeleteThe Tiger mom certainly got the publicity of a lifetime, eh?
ReplyDelete@Katie I know, it shouldn't be that big of a controversy but people love to have something to argue about, especially on the internet! :)
ReplyDelete@CessOviedo oh haha, that is funny (about the shoes) thanks! :) Hope you have a good weekend my dear!
ReplyDelete@Melissa It's such an unexpected color, especially for shoes but I really am surprised by how many times I've worn them!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks :)
@Twenty.Something I know right? Especially the last couple of years when they've changed their styles and added jewelry. It's impossible not to shop there!
ReplyDelete@Brittany - Try It On Me I do love my blazers! I can always find an excuse to wear one :)
ReplyDelete@Carol I completely agree. And I think even my parents would argue with the author that she was being extreme.
ReplyDelete@MizzJ thank you! I don't love everything they carry but I can always find something to buy! :)
ReplyDelete@Elisse YAYAY!! Have fun!! You really might see me there so say hi if you do!
ReplyDelete@Natasha xoxo aw thanks! It was such a blue outfit that I couldn't decide on what shoes until I spotted the yellows and then it just worked!
ReplyDelete@Justine thanks! aww, maybe you can find some cute yellow flats? That would be cute with this outfit too!
ReplyDelete@Richelle thanks Richelle!
ReplyDelete@Leena Yeah, it was only this outfit in particular that I was like OMG I'm wearing all J Crew and I never wear one brand of anything head to toe! :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely extreme. I think having strict parents is better than having too lenient of parents. I had friends who never had a curfew in high school and I couldn't wrap my head around that.
@Saba thanks so much! I was thinking the yellow might be too much but it just kind of worked with it.
ReplyDelete@WendyB I really think that it was a smart move of her to post that WSJ article. It caused such a controversy that it has now made me want to buy her book! :)
ReplyDeleteYou were the one that inspired me to get my Louboutin's and I got the simple 100's! Looove them!!!
ReplyDeleteVery chic! And the shoes are sheer perfection.
ReplyDeleteyou are so cute here!!! love the whole outfit chica :)
ReplyDeletei so didn't grow up like that, i was tough on myself, but never to that level, i played the violin and loved it (my own choice) i wasn't however allowed to participate in any sports or extracurricular activities (other than the violin) or go out to the movies, the mall, anywhere, haha. i can truly appreciate how strict my parents were, they just wanted me to be focused. and it has truly helped me as an adult!
Love the blues mixed w the yellow shoes! Come visit us at www.bornandbread.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteLove the yellow shoes! I realized my entire outfit today (save for boots and jeans was J. Crew).
ReplyDelete