Over at Style.com, Jenna Lyons comments on a new Sharpie marker designed by Tom Sachs.  $12 is rather expensive for a marker, but I guess that is the price of art. What are your thoughts?

What: An art-world version of a beloved real-world staple: the Sharpie marker re-created by brand-subverting artist Tom Sachs.

Why: Because even though it’s more than you’re used to spending on a permanent marker, it’s far less than you’d spend on art. “[It’s] the closest that most of us will get to the art world, with a practical application. And it’s cool,” says J.Crew creative director Jenna Lyons, who is well versed on affordable luxury.

Where: $12, www.tomsachs.org

J.Crew sent email last week to announce that all stores, including J.Crew Factory stores, would be offering 20% off your entire purchase.

This offer is very exciting. I was at my local store on last Thursday night and picked up a few last minute gifts. I couldn’t believe that everything in store, including resort items were a part of the promotion.

This offer is valid until Wednesday, December 24th (Christmas Eve).  Hurry!

Happy (last minute) Shopping!

J.Crew’s Resort Collection is now available to view online. Seeing this collection really makes me wish that I was going away this winter like I did last winter.

This time, last year, I went to Key West with some of my girlfriends.  It was a week of great fun in the sun where I wore my Sanur dress almost everyday.

Sanur dress, $68.00, Item 91099

The Sanur dress really is as extremely versatile as it described on the website. It can be worn as a tube dress so that it hits mid-calf, as a foldover tube dress so that it hits at the knees, or as a foldover skirt.  I purchased this dress in the sky blue and black colors and wore both many times during the trip.

Because of the lightweight jersey material, the dress moves very easily. It also does not cling so it can be worn in warm climates easily. I love that this dress does not really wrinkle. I just rolled it up in my suitcase and I was good to go.

I have been a J.Crew credit card holder for many years so I guess I have just gotten used to it, without realizing all of the perks associated with it.  My boyfriend recently signed up for the card at our local store and his card arrived in the mail today, along with an insert explaining all of the benefits of a J.Crew card.

On that same insert, the various phone numbers to reach J.Crew are listed.  I didn’t know there were so many different phone numbers to reach J.Crew.  Call any one of the following phone numbers, depending on your needs.

• 1.800.562.0258 to reach the call center for a phone order or customer service
• 1.877.280.2718 to request a “We’ll find it for you” search on a hard-to-find item
• 1.800.205.3877 to reach a wedding specialist that can coordinate your entire wedding party
• 1.866.599.5222 to receive front-of-the-line priority on phone orders when using a J.Crew card
• 1.866.393.2090 to inquire about any of the services that J.Crew offers

Wow!  I never knew that were so many phone numbers set up to help customers depending on their issue.  And now that I know that J.Crew card holders have a special line, I will call it the next time I need help.  I wonder how “front-of-the-line priority” the service will be.

J.Crew is offering free shipping on ALL orders at any price with the code, HURRY. Simply enter it at checkout when shopping online.

Hurry! This offer expires this Friday, December 19th.

UPDATE: Many readers have written to say the JINGLE code is still working. Happy Shopping!

Last week, I wrote about how I was looking for the Storybook charm bracelet in the post, “The Storybook Charm Bracelet from J.Crew.”  My sister really wants this item and I successfully found it through using a We Will Find It Search from J.Crew. Thanks so much to everyone for your suggestions!

The necklace arrived earlier this week in a box with a note from Mickey Drexler.  The note is handwritten, but upon further inspection, I found that it is actually pre-printed. It is the thought that counts though.  J.Crew is right. I don’t have to shop there, but I chose to because I love their items.  It is a shame the website has been so intermittent this week.

We’ve all read the news and I think think it’s safe to say, we’ve seen better times. We understand that now more than ever, where you shop is an important decision…so we just want to say thank you for your continued loyalty to J. Crew.

Mickey

Back to the Storybook charm bracelet.  I really love it and am afraid that my sister may not end up getting it after all. I may have to do a search for another one. I really love the resin tortoise shell chain.  The  charms are very fun and playful.  Most of J.Crew’s bracelets do not fit my tiny wrist, but I found that this one looked really nice on. I am actually wearing it while I write this post.

Liquid-gold sequin skirt, $250.00, Item 99884

Aasha, a great reader of this blog recently purchased the Liquid-gold sequin skirt and loves it. Please read below for her review.

I just received my Liquid Gold Sequin Skirt from J.Crew. If anyone is on the fence about this, I can say that it is absolutely beautiful.

The finishing is perfect - the sequins are all incredibly beautifully sewn to the merino and it is lined in silk chiffon.  The color is nice too - a true gold color, not gaudy though, and offset by the grosgrain ribbon at the waist which is a cream/ivory color.  It will look good with the putty color cashmere as shown on the site, but also a simple grey tee.  The one caution I would have is that it is sized VERY big. It is the XS/S/M etc sizing vs 0/2/4/ etc and my XS is so big it actually falls off:(

Admittedly, most of J.Crew skirts are big for me as I am a ballet dancer. I think if you are a regular size 2, it will fit. For others who are zero just know it is sized big - even bigger than other J.Crew Collection skirts I’ve bought. It is supposed to sit at the hip.

Over at The Racked, there are some great pictures of the windows at the J.Crew Mens Tribeca store.

These windows are very cheery and definitely put me in the holiday spirit. Too bad the hail that is coming down right now in Philadelphia does not.

Enjoy an extra 30% off all purchases of $150 or more online at J.Crew. Also, receive free shipping with a purchase of $150 or more.

Use code JINGLE at checkout when shopping. This offer is valid until Tuesday (tomorrow).

Enjoy an extra 20% off all markdowns on J.Crew’s website and in stores.  Also, receive free shipping with a purchase of $125 or more.

Use code EXTRA20 at checkout if shopping online. This offer is valid until Sunday.