J Crew Christmas Window Display

I love this winter/Christmas window display at J. Crew {I know I always say this but I don't photograph the ones I don't love}.  It's very subtle with the Christmas theme, only some balls on one of the trees, but it's nicely done with the black background. 

Many seasons they will use fabric patterns in their window display backgrounds but that doesn't seem to be the case here. Instead, it looks like they're using up the gold paper from the fall display.

J. Crew :: Fall Window Display

Fall is here!  At least in New England we have fall weather, perfect for jackets and sweaters, and the leaves are starting to change colors!  There is very little that makes me this happy about any other season.

I love the gold leaves of this J. Crew window display.  They didn't photograph as well as I would have liked {I was in a different mall than normal during daylight hours, and I'm pretty sure Paul Blart fell out of one of those skylights} but it's pretty nonetheless.

Crewcuts Window Display :: Mr. Roboto

This window display goes into the running for cutest {in a slightly creepy sort of way} children's window display.  I love the cardboard robots because they are made out of paper and boxes just like a giant sized version of what a child would make.

Crewcuts :: Jellyfish Window Display

At a certain time of year, and I don't actually know when, Boston Harbor fills up with what look like hundreds of plastic bags.  It's thrown me off a few times, because Boston isn't the kind of place you expect to see hundreds of jelly fish floating around, but it's kind of fun to see.

The jelly fish in this Crewcuts window display are probably a friendlier, more touchable type of jelly fish.  I love the bright colors.

Crewcuts Window Display :: Lemonade Stand

I don't know about anyone else, but it's been so hot out I have probably had lemonade or limeade every day for two weeks now.  I haven't even had the energy to giggle at the prices in the Crewcuts catalog, but I did find the stamina to get this photo of this adorable Crewcuts window display.

It's really cute and really simple with the pennant and the raw wood stand.

J Crew Window Display :: Summer Yard Objects

I took my own life into my hands to get to this window display. Apparently Manhattan high schools graduate at Radio City and the event let out the same moment I was trying to get by. They were covering the whole side walk on both sides of the road and blocking traffic, so of course I had to walk on the busy road to get past them. There was honking involved but no one got one of those promised "honking fines".  Too bad, I've always wondered if they actually give those tickets out.

I thought the backdrop to the display was interesting with the summer lawn toys {and foods} as a color blocked back drop to the clothing displays.

Also, in the summertime I have that many fans blowing on me to keep cool because I have no air conditioning.  So in a way, this display reminds me of home.

J. Crew :: Colorful Chevron Window Display

I don't think this J. Crew window display needs words. I love the color and the simplicity of the window.  It doesn't distract from the clothing, it adds some character to the black backdrop.

Crew Cuts Window Display :: Neon Balloons & Clouds

I have to say, I haven't really gotten into the neon thing.  Except for a shirt that I wear so only the collar shows and the toes of a pair of socks, I have stayed clear and stuck to pieces that will last over time.

This window display is a very cute use of neon.  It's cheerful and spring-line which is just what I want to see after 16 more inches of snow last week.

Plus, I love the clouds.

J. Crew Window Display :: Watch for Falling Rock

Or falling diamonds.

I think I prefer falling diamonds.

J Crew Holiday Window Display

Sorry about the long absence, my laptop is temporarily broken so I took a bit of a break since it's hard to type on an ipod.  I finally got a tablet to use in the meantime but it's really only good for simple tasks.  I went down to take photos of the window displays in Manhattan this past weekend {and went through a lot to actually get photos of the windows through the crowds} so I will work hard to try to get them posted by Christmas.

I like this very simple holiday background by J. Crew {I actually think there is a similar display I took at a Boston location but I can't confirm until my computer has been repaired}.  It looks to be made entirely of gift tags but if you look closely, the wreaths are made mostly of construction paper with some colored gift tags added.

Also, for those wondering, I used the HDR action on the Photoshop app, so the colors are not actually this bright in real life.  I just use that to cover up my bad photography.

Crewcuts - Building Window Display

Oh J. Crew, you're so punny {even if I don't get how the words in the speech bubbles relate}.

This is a cute and simple window display so it fits all my categories for a window display.  I'm not sure what the buildings are made of but they would be easy to make out of some thin {or even corrugated} cardboard.

J. Crew's Back to School Window

While not the most exciting window ever, I like this back to school window display at J. Crew because of it's simplicity. It would be great for a shop with a low {or no} window display budget.

J. Crew - Hot Days, Cool Looks Window

I first spotted this J. Crew window display way back in May at Rockefeller Center along with this one. I photographed it, but it all you could see was me {and I don't like being in photos} and all the other buildings. So, I found it locally and rephotographed it for your viewing pleasure.

I haven't had a snow cone in years! I can't actually eat the regular ones anymore which is okay since they are just sugar water. This real fruit snow cone syrup recipe sounds delicious though and you can add whatever fruit you want.

J. Crew - Connect the Dots Window Display

Here's another simple and graphic window display by J. Crew.  The lining of the cardboard tubes - either outside or in - reflects the colors of the outfits on the mannequins.

It's possible I have that polka-dotted sleeveless shirt.  It's also possible that I felt slightly ripped off when I bought it.  I have resolved to learn to sew clothing.

Crewcuts Window Display :: April Showers

I find it very interesting to see which window displays are similar each season.  I know they take a while to design and then roll out but I can't help wonder if there is ever some behind the scenes mischief or drama with one store stealing another store's window design concept.  A few years ago, Anthropologie and ABC Carpet & Home both had piles of furniture in their displays, chairs to be specific.  There is another example of this rattling around in my brain but I can't figure out what it is.

The reason I'm rambling about similar window displays is due to this.

This cute and fluffy cartoonish cloud is mighty similar to this Jack Spade window I posted about at the beginning of March. I like both displays, but I think I like the crazy eyebrows on the Jack Spade cloud and the square rain better.  This one is perfect for Crewcuts and little kids and the Jack Spade display is a bit edgier, for the big kids that would shop there.

I'm still waiting for some April showers around these parts, there have been lots of clouds but the rain seems to be getting stuck up in the clouds.  I'll probably regret saying I'm waiting for a good shower when I get stuck outside in a downpour, but until then I'm waiting!

Surgical Strike

Over the weekend, I found myself in desperate need of some new clothes.  I like looking at clothes and seeing what's out there but I don't actually like selecting and shopping for clothes myself.  I sometimes wish it was okay to wear jeans and a t-shirt to work {with a cardigan in the winter, of course}, but sadly it isn't always possible.  When I do have to go clothes shopping, I look online for possible clothes and then plan my route, including parking in the closest door to stores I am visiting if the mall is involved.

Saturday I went in without a plan, not in my surgical strike mode.  The only thing I knew was that I wanted something other than black, gray and navy since that is basically what I own.  I ordered a shirt that I don't actually remember but it's red, white and black {that color combination always reminds me of Claudia from The Babysitter's Club.  Am I the only one who still has this problem?}.  And I found these flats that make me very happy since they are striped!  I only have to figure out how to keep the white part clean. 

via J. Crew

I think they come in heels for those with more coordination than I have.

via J. Crew

They are a bit on the pricey side, but they are made in Italy so I'm okay with that.  I really love that J. Crew sells shoes made in Italy but I'm hoping the whole shoe is made there, and it's not just where the bow was sewn on.  A few years ago, I read the book, Deluxe: How Luxury Lost It's Luster, It's definitely worth reading if you haven't yet.  It will change the way you view clothing and labels.

J. Crew's Botanical Window Display

I've been trying to find better, more interesting windows since at times Boston seems to be an window display desert. On a recent trek around the Back Bay I found an interesting J. Crew window display with handmade botanical prints.

Here is a closeup of my favorite part.  I really enjoy this color combination - purple and green with some acid yellow and black to keep things from becoming too sweet. 

This artwork would be super easy to make yourself.  Just grab some branches or leaves and trace and cut out the outline from colored or construction paper {it can be as nice or as inexpensive as you want it to be} you could even use a patterned paper.  If you look closely, you can see all the leaves were traced as is, neither the leaves or the branches are perfect or symmetrical, the folded bits and imperfections were captured.  I find this to be a nice touch.

There are so many different ways you can do this too.  I took a 2-dimensional drawing class and we traced leaves with a black pen and then filled it in with black gouache making a nice silhouette of the leaves.

Has anyone made their own botanical silhouettes?

J. Crew's DIY Window Display

 

I don't normally pay attention to J. Crew window displays since they are mostly just mannequins and clothing, but it looks like they are getting into the crafty window display game with these paper magazine pinwheels.  There are a million tutorials for this I'm sure, but here's one for you if you're interested.

It kind of looks like they used US magazine or some tabloid pages for it, doesn't it?