OOTD 11/30/2011-Timeless Plaid

Yep, it's true...I stole this look right off of "shopwithm"!  Polyvore is a wonderful thing!  Love these pants, love this sweater, love these shoes...I'm loving it all today!

These pants have been all over the blogoshpere and everything that I've read about them has been good.  You won't hear anything different here....well made, fully lined and a beautiful, classic tartan plaid.  Speaking of classic,  we should be wearing these for years to come.  A co-worker said this morning, "Oh, I like those pants!"  "I have a skirt in that same plaid....I need to pull it out."  She proceeded to say that the skirt had been her mothers and that her mother had worn it on her honeymoon!  In 1953!!!  Now that's a timeless print!  (I can see myself now...its the year 2069 and I'm 102 still wearing these pants!  HAHA) 

By the way, once again, sorry for the lame pics!  I so wanted you to see the color and "feel" the festiveness of this outfit.  But, stay tuned...big news coming.... 

J Crew Collegiate Cardigan in Navy/Graphite - Size S

J Crew Cotton Contrast Stitch Shirt - Size 6

J Crew Factory Blackwatch Tartan Pants - Size 4

J Crew Penelope Mary Jane Pumps

OOTD 11/29/2011

Love today's outfit...rich, classic and feminine!  And the colors are gorgeous together...charcoal pants, camel turtleneck and the blazer is a mixture of the two.  Boy, I love it when things come together!

Don't forget to gather your family around the tube tonight (8:00 on CBS) for the Christmas classic, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."  I love these Christmas shows....they have become a holiday tradition for our family.  I watched them religiously as a child and have continued the practice with my family.  (Yes, my seventeen year old son will participate too.  :o))  I jokingly told him the other night that since this will be his last year at home before going off to college, we might to have to watch each one twice!  Somehow, it's just not Christmas without Rudolph, Hermie, Yukon and the gang!  :o)  Anybody else out there that still watches these old favorites?   

J Crew Cashmere Turtleneck in Vicuna (Holiday 2008) - Size S

J Crew Factory Celtic Jacket (Holiday 2007) - Size 6

J Crew Wool Bistro Pant in Charcoal - Size 4

J Crew Wool Flannel and Tortoise Pumps

OOTD 11/28/2011

So, as we all suspected, going back to work after having the week off wasn't as bad as I expected.  The anticipation of the return was actually the worst part.  I still haven't had a chance to do any "cyber shopping".  Unlike, Black Friday and fighting the nasty crowds (no thanks)...I definitely want to take advantage of some of the superb offers out there.  J Crew is offering an excellent promo...25% off and free shipping on any order, which I MUST use.

Today's outfit was just meh....The best part was that my new tortoise watch matched the tortoise buttons on my cardigan!  :o)  Probably, the fact that I've got an upper respiratory infection doesn't help my attitude.  If you've read my about me, you know that I only have one lung, so I feel a bit "run-down".
Guess I better muster up some energy from somewhere...there's still shopping that has to be done! :o) 

J Crew Dream Cardigan in Dusk - Size S

J Crew Victoria Ruffle Tissue Cami in Spicy Olive - Size XS

J Crew City Fit Pinstripe Pant in Navy - Size 4

J Crew Patent Mary Jane Pumps in Black



OOTD 11/25/2011 and 11/26/2011

I have so enjoyed this last week away from work and I am already starting to think about facing Monday and what will be awaiting me.  Uggg!  I'm telling myself not to think about it...concentrate on the "good stuff"...time spent with family and the like.  The boys are outside right now shooting down some mistletoe for decorating.  I purchased my wreaths for the front doors yesterday and I'm planning to put the bows on them later today.  I guess we'll probably get our Christmas tree next weekend.  Another bit of good news, I'm officially finished with my Christmas shopping....let the wrapping begin!

J Crew Factory Stripe Lambswool Popover - Size XS

J Crew Candy Tee in Citron - Size S

J Crew Factory Twisted Hammock Pearl Necklace

J Crew Matchstick Jeans - Size 27

J Crew Kinzie Calf-Hair Ballet Flats

J Crew Stripe Snap Tee in Faded Black - Size S

J Crew Arrow Sweater Jacket in Camel - size S

Old Navy Polka Dot Scarf in Gray

J Crew Matchstick Jeans - Size 27

Call It Spring Beechum Patent Loafers in Black

The Deal of The Century

All right, girls...fasten your seat belt, hold on to your hat and prepare to be AMAZED!  

I visited to Lynchburg clearance center the other day.  They had several great deals, but I was able to contain myself to just one purchase.  Remember the Biella loafers ($228) that I've raved about and also mentioned that I'd like to have the black as well, if they made it to sale?  Well, as fate would have it, they had a pair of black Biella's in my size for $90.  As great as that is, the story doesn't end there.

The day that I was there, they were offering 20% off everything in the store, bringing the cost of the shoes to $72.  Not bad!  Not bad, at all...I'll take them!  So, I take my shoes to the register, the SA rings them up, I hand her my J Crew card and she says, "Just a second, I'll have to call over to the other store so they can run the CC.  We don't have a CC machine."  Ok, no problem!  (wait, wait, wait)  The other store won't answer the phone.  (They were extremely busy because they were having a friends and family warehouse sale)  The SA hangs up and tries again...after several minutes, still no answer.  By this time, her line has backed up with several other customers, so she ask if I minded, if she voided my sale, checked out some other customers, and then she would try again.  "Sure", I said "That's fine!"  The SA rang out a few more customers and another SA shows up and opens another register.  So the SA who had been helping me, calls back to the other store to no avail...still no answer.  I said, "I can use another card.  I just like to use my J Crew card so I get credit for my rewards card."  The kind SA says, "Since you've been so patient, I'll give you an additional 20% off."  Of course, I said that would be great!  Grand total $57.60!!  Needless to say, I was super excited!

Guess the moral of this story is....show kindness and maybe somebody will return the favor!  :o)

Crewlet News and a Review of the J Crew Factory Stripe Lambswool Popover

Well, today's button hunt was a bust!  But, I'll keep looking...I'm not easily dissuaded when I set my mind to something.  :o)  On a more productive/positive note, I visited the Crewlet today.  Here are a few things you might be interested in:

1. All Factory Haberdashery Shirts are on BIG sale...regular $49.50 on sale for $19.99
They have solids (white, pink) as well as, stripes.  You can always use these staples, especially a good white shirt for layering.

2. If you haven't purchased the Tartan pants but are interested...they are $89.50 with 40% off...total $53.70.  These pants are so cute and well made...a steal at $50.

3. I found another shoe tee at the Crewlet.  Do I need another shoe tee?  No, but it was $14.95 with an additional 40% off and I had a 20% coupon...grand total $7.  I just had to have it...it's a shoe tee, for goodness sake!

Size Small

4. The Factory Stripe Lambswool Popover...it is medium/heavy weight and has 3/4 length sleeves.  I sized down from my normal S to an XS to get rid of the excess fabric in the waist area.  I think my normal S would have worked too but I was going for a bit of the "shrunken" look.  It comes in three colors...navy/gray, black/white and navy/burgundy.  These are $69.50 with 40% off...total $41.70.

 

Oh, did I hear somebody say they liked the polka-dot scarf.  It's from Old Navy and reminds me a lot of the Boden polka dot version from a couple of years ago.  It was a mere $13.  It also came in navy and red.

That's all for now....Have a wonderful evening!  And since I probably won't get to post tomorrow (it's my 20th wedding anniversary), I hope all of you have a blessed Thanksgiving!

OOTD 11/21/2011 and Lucky Brand Blackwatch Plaid Blazer Review

Pardon the absence of makeup, but remember that "me" time that I mentioned the other day....well, I went for a facial this morning.  No need to put on makeup just for her to take it off.  I've been having regular facials for about six months now and I'm hooked!  Of course, they are relaxing but there are also the benefits of deep hydration, boosted circulation, and cellular regeneration all working together to create a fresh-faced healthy glow.  I've already noticed fading of some hyper-pigmentation (brown spots) and decreased redness.  I understand that both of these tend to come with age and redness is especially prone in fair complexions. (that's me!)

For you lucky Texas girls, there is an esthetician named Renee Rouleau.  She has a spa in the Dallas area, as well as, Plano, TX.  I heard about her through a magazine article and have been using some of her products for a little over a year.  I've been pleased with everything that I've tried and would absolutely love to be privy to one of her facials.  She also has an amazing blog that contains a wealth of information about skin and related products, conditions, routines, etc.  (You can add her to your blog roll and receive her blog posts)

I really liked today's outfit!  I found out about this jacket from "shopwithm" on polyvore.  It's an excellent alternative to J Crew's Blackwatch Blazer for a fraction of the cost.  It's by Lucky Brand and I purchased mine from 6pm.com on sale for $45 with free shipping.  It looks like now they are $52 but in my opinion worth every penny.  The fit is tts (took my normal S)...for a nice fitted silhouette.  Thick wool/polyester blend, fully lined and nipped in at the waist.  I am contemplating switching out the buttons for some gold crest ones to mimic the J Crew blazer.  (I going button shopping tomorrow...if I switch them, I'll post the results here  :o))       

J Crew Candy Tee in Citron - Size S

Lucky Brand Blackwatch Plaid Blazer - Size S

J Crew Matchstick Jeans - Size 27

J Crew Factory Pearl Hammock Necklace

J Crew Kinzie Calf-Hair Ballet Flats

OOTD 11/19/2011

Today's outfit was another layering act and preppy to the max!  I thought it turned out really cute and used another of my graphic tees that I mentioned yesterday.  I especially love this tee because of the beaded greyhounds on the front.  One of our first dogs was an adopted ex-racing greyhound who we named Greycie.  She was so sweet and just had a very calming spirit about her.  She passed away a couple of years ago and we still miss her.

To try this layered look, start with a button down shirt. (mine was white)  Over the button down, layer a tee of your choice and over the tee, add a long cardigan.

If you want an additional layer for warmth or just to add to the "cute factor", accessorize with a pretty scarf.

One last item to mention....the shoes!  I purchased J Crew's Biella patent loafers in poppy (see review here) and they are perfection.  I want the black Biella's as well, but I am waiting for them to hit sale.  So in the mean time, I ordered a cheap pair of black patent loafers to fill the void.  I ordered them one evening from Zappos and they were delivered the very next day....how's that for service?!  The style name is Beechum and they are faux patent with a synthetic sole, but they are super cheap.  I paid $39.99 with free shipping; however, they are now $35.99 with free shipping.  If you are in the market for some inexpensive black patent loafers, check these out.  They fit tts (took my normal 7) and they are comfortable. (no rubbing, etc)

J Crew Perfect Shirt in White - Size M

J Crew Beaded Greyhound Graphic Tee (from Fall 2008) - Size S

J Crew Dream Varsity Striped Cardigan (from Fall 2009) - Size S 

J Crew Matchstick Jeans - Size 27

J Crew Jersey Striped Scarf

Call It Spring Beechum Black Patent Loafers

OOTD 11/18/2011

Happy Friday!  And an added bonus for me...no work next week!  I'm taking the week off to celebrate Thanksgiving, my 20th wedding anniversary and I'm throwing in a little "me" time.  It should be an awesome week!  I'm also going to try to finish my Christmas shopping.  I'm almost there...just a few loose ends to tie up.  I have to finish early before the madness starts and I can tell that its starting to "kick up" a notch. 

Today's outfit includes some old favorites from 2009.  The faded floral tee is still one of my favorites.  It's from the period when J Crew was slapping chiffon on everything.  By the way, has anybody else noticed that there haven't been any graphic tee releases recently?  It's just as well, I don't need anymore, for sure...but I guarantee that wouldn't stop me if they came out with something super cute.  I don't know what it is but, I just love those "dressed up" tees. 

I also added the mohair retro-stripe cardigan into the mix today.  Another great item that if you don't have, you would be lucky to lay your hands on!  I actually saw one for sale on ebay recently with a decent starting price.  To finish today's look, I added my staple pearl hammock necklace, jeans and some "way cute" tweed bow flats.

J Crew Mohair Retro Stripe Cardigan - Size S

J Crew Faded Floral Tee - Size S

Gap Straight Fit Jeans - Size 6

J Crew Factory Pearl Hammock Necklace

J Crew Tweed Bow Ballet Flats

OOTD 11/17/2011

Another rainy day...what better way to brighten it up than with some argyle and a pop of color!  I adore this sweater!  Great color combo and I love the button detail at the shoulder.  It was originally from Holiday 2007, but for me it was an ebay find a couple of years ago. 

I copied the J Crew catalog look by substituting my LL Bean Corduroy jacket in golden cider.  Gorgeous color!  and definitely a bright spot on a rainy day!  :o) 

J Crew Cashmere Argyle Crewneck Sweater - Size S

LL Bean Corduroy Jacket in Golden Cider - Size 4

Merona for Target Denim Trouser - Size 4

Cole-Haan Tortoise Pumps

OOTD 11/16/2011

Pinstripes and argyle...that's today's outfit.  I really have enjoyed this argyle sweater...love the color combo of camel and vibrant flame together.  I can't wait until my wool pencil skirt in vibrant flame arrives so I can pair the two of these.  Unfortunately, it isn't due to ship until January.  I also think I need to check out the jester argyle turtleneck sweater.  I like argyle and I love me a good turtleneck...put the two together and you've almost got to get something good!  :o)

Today with my argyle, I paired "Old Faithful"...my chambray shirt.  I purchased this shirt from Target back in the summer for $10, which just goes to show that you don't always have to spend a fortune to get something good.  I added my navy pinstripe slacks, some pearls and my signature touch of leopard.

J Crew Jester Sweater - Size S

Merona for Target Chambray Shirt - Size S

J Crew Cit-Fit Pinstripe Pants in Navy - Size 4

J Crew Factory Pearl Hammock Necklace

J Crew Serengeti Peep Toe Pumps