Uniform shopping at J Crew

Sometimes I think there's nothing like a school uniform. More precisely there's nothing like a school uniform list (for me at least). Because honestly if there's ever a piece of paper that could make me happier I'd like to see it (because it would need to be a winning lottery ticket).

And as daring and as bold as Emma can be at times, she does have a bit of a uniform - pencil skirts, pretty blouses and cardigans. And there's nothing wrong with that, nothing at all. I think lots of people develop a uniform of their own when they have a strong sense of personal style. And there are surely advantages. Like feeling no need to follow a fashion simply because you read in a magazine that a look is so this season. And I don't think Emma is swayed by trends. I don't think for one minute that she'll be considering the fetish look (sorry Will I just don't think she'll go there no matter how much you might want her to).

Shopping with Emma at J Crew by shinyprettythings featuring a long pencil skirt

And if Emma has a school uniform then her outfitters of choice is surely J Crew. I like to imagine her going off on a shopping trip at the start of each season armed with a long list of Jackie cardigans and no 2. pencil skirts followed by their J Crew colour and interspersed with proper school uniform list phrases such as 'at least one of the following' and 'to be worn with'.

Shopping with Emma at J Crew by shinyprettythings featuring crew neck t-shirts

So I'm pleased to see that Emma has indeed stocked up on some new basics in this seasons colours but there are one or two other pieces that may have caught her eye.

I definitely think she'd try on her staple no 2 pencil skirt in the purple paisley print (though I can't see her wearing it with the matching blouse).

Emma wears the Suzette blouse by shinyprettythings featuring a bow belt

I love the idea of Emma wearing the Suzette blouse and I think the nightfall floral print would be perfect on her.

And since Emma has a certain fondness for sweater vests, I'd love to see her in this pleated one with a bow seen at the fall 2011 J Crew fashion show - though preferably in a bold colour.

Speaking of bold colours, I think the keynote dress in super 120s would look amazing on Emma in the deep lagoon.

I'm liking the postage stamp (not so) mini and fanfare jacket in peacock tweed too.

And though I'd like to see more colour again, I do like the overtime necktie top in bird's-eye tweed.

Shopping with Emma at J Crew by shinyprettythings 

I think Emma could well have picked up some of the colourful patterned enamel bangles to accessorize with and perhaps some new shoes.

And while I'm pleased to see that J Crew have some shoes that would please Emma and the viv pump is pretty, they don't really compare with the perfection that is the PMJ. I do wish that in true outfitters tradition they had continued making a style that passes the test of time and simply introduced more colourways. If they had I'm sure Emma would have been adding more PMJs to her wardrobe with each new season.

Kate Spade October

I'm not a fan of Kate Spade's colour of October. In fact I'm thinking that they've run out of inspiration for living colourfully because as colours go chocolate seems like a clear admission of defeat.

Fortunately they don't feel the need to stick solely to the colour of the month and there are a few pieces I'm liking.

wool martingale sweater $195

 I'm pleased to see the adorably bow-cuffed Martingale sweater revisited in this lovely shade of african violet rather than a shade of chocolate, though I can see these two colours could work well together.

silk reade blouse $295

The polka dot print tie-neck Silk Reade blouse surely has a lot of Emma potential but while I think the silhouettes and details of the ruffled tie-neck Catarina blouse and the cropped bow-adorned Nightingale jacket would be great on Emma, I'm not really loving the zebra print. Perhaps it will grow on me. I know it will if Emma wears either of them.

Catarina blouse $295 and Nightingale jacket $695

Nellie dress $395

The Nellie dress comes not in chocolate but a strong graphic print of red, white and black and with the ruffled placket I definitely like it.

caravell dress $445

 I like the simplicity of the Caravelle dress, and of course the bow, but it's certainly more Rachel circa season 3 than Emma.

Accessories wise I'm much more tempted. I mean who doesn't love mittens? And pom poms? And I love red and pink together so these would be perfect for me.

hand in hand pom pom mittens $95

The popcorn necklace seems fun and festive

popcorn garland scatter necklace $148

And I adore the plaid coal tote which is like a winter version of Emma's Jayma's point breeze

fireside plaid small coal $365

But I've really fallen for the black and white houndstooth and patent leather henley park little nadine too. For me it's retro styling wins.

henley park little nadine $345

And if I had to pick a shoe from the new arrivals, and I kind of do, it would be the lovely multi-colour glitter karolinas.

karolina $325

At home with Emma (and Will*)

*though he's really not so important to me in this whole little scenario to be quite honest

I've been so looking forward to seeing Emma at home...her home, Will's home, it really didn't matter to me. Her Anthro apron provided a tantalising glimpse in 'A Night of Neglect' but it's been a delight to see her in her vintage nighties and in the kitchen making breakfast and preparing packed lunches. But at the same time I'd like to have seen more Emma around the place. Apart from the teapot napkin holder, which I don't remember from Terri's time there, and a couple of bird prints, which could well be Emma's, I don't see much sign of her yet. I think she really needs to make her mark on the apartment...you know to make it her own, rather than the place that Will and Terri shared (and you know made a fake baby in).

So in case she needs some help I've picked out some homewares that I think would appeal to her. And for the rest of us I think it's the perfect way to get more Emma in our lives, and who doesn't need that with a four week hiatus to get through?

At home with Will and Emma by shinyprettythings

Okay first off we have my choices from the ever tempting Modcloth. I think Emma would like the bird and squirrel wall hooks for keeping things tidy and a decorative doormat to keep the dirt at bay. The pear print is adorable and who could resist the owl lamp? Not Emma surely. I personally wouldn't be able to resist the doe-eyed creature comfy pillow. And how wonderful would the 'Go brush your tree-th' toothbrush holder be? Um, if we didn't all have electric toothbrushes.

Baking with Emma by shinyprettythings on polyvore.com

Of course Modcloth have pretty aprons too. And, yes, there are a lot of aprons in this post but I like them and you need a lot of aprons when you've got that much Kate Spade to protect and bacon to iron. My choice for Emma might just be the 'To the houndstooth' apron for its touches of coral though really I'm loathe to choose. I love the corsage adorned 'garden gourmet' apron because if cardis can have corsages why shouldn't aprons get them too? I really like the mustard trim on the 'potluck of awesomeness' apron and of course the owl print of 'cooking owl day'. And I really want the nest of nectar sugar dish, and I can't choose between the 'seasoned with sweetness' shaker set, the 'plenty of spice to share' birdhouses or the little owl 'taste buds'.

Ruche have some lovely things too. My favourites are (of course the aprons), the throw cushions that look like they were inspired by an Anthro cardi and without a doubt the 'owls of wisdom' bookends.

At home with Will and Emma by shinyprettythings featuring apron tops

Um and more aprons...also another shaker set. But these ones make a vintage telephone. A pretty mug because you can certainly never have enough of those.

gardenia floral print apron $28.99, look who's calling salt and pepper shakers $17.99, perrenial peony coffee mug $12.99

And oh look another apron. But this one, I have to buy Emma would have to buy. I think it might be apron perfection...it has a ruffled collar *sigh*.

kensington gardens apron $38.99, raleigh gray flower throw pillow $24.99, chilton garden blue hammer tool set by William Morris $14.99

The hammer is there because every girl needs her own tools and she should know how to use them. So they might as well be pretty.

Finally, I think we all know Emma will eventually be furnishing her home from Anthropologie. So maybe she's just taking her time to think it through carefully and make the right decorating choices, or save up enough from the pittance leftover from her wardrobe allowance. But I have a limitless virtual budget so I've just rushed in and chosen the first things that caught my eye. The total came to just shy of $13,000 but it's easy to get there when you're spending $1500 on a bureau and $1000 on a light fitting. Oh and $5600 on a bed. Still the bedlinen is only $48. I think that's a bargain. I was going to add more light fittings and mirrors but I thought that would take me outside my fictional limitless budget. Yes, I can't explain the logic of that either. But I wanted enough left over to buy them the $698 rustic romp taper holder, you know, for atmospheric lighting. Although in retrospect I think $700 for a candelabra might not be money well spent and also it might be slightly disturbing.

At home with Will and Emma by shinyprettythings

Okay Emma also needs this for school. And it's only $16. Although she'd want to move it out of the way when Coach Beiste puts her feet on the desk. It's too pretty to get broken.

sleepy hollow pencil cup $16 from Anthropologie

And perhaps there'd be enough money left to buy one of these wise owl cookie jars for Will.

L to R:winking wisecracker jar $68, wise ol' cookie jar (orange) $128, wise ol' cookie jar (grey) $98

And some more aprons for Emma ;) Plus the ruffled mini bakers because what could be better than ruffled edged baking dishes for two in pretty colours? And another divine storage cannister with the most delicate floral design.

Baking with Emma (again) by shinyprettythings on polyvore.com

And yes, in all this it is possible I'm projecting. Quite possible.