Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  We all are so richly blessed and have so much to be thankful for...our families, our health, our homes...and the list goes on.  While a new sweater is nice, there are some things money can't buy...and it's those things that I give thanks for today.  I hope everyone has a safe and happy thanksgiving!  Love ya!

J Crew Striped Broadcloth Shirt

J Crew Cashmere Argyle V-Neck Sweater

J Crew Herringbone Jacket

J Crew Crystal Snowball necklace

Gap Straight Fit Jeans

J Crew Flannery Ballet Flats

A Visit To The New Crewlet

My hubby and I went out to dinner to celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary...my how time flies!  After dinner, he...yes, I said he...suggested we go to visit our new Crewlet which opened about three weeks ago.  They had lots of sales...all sweaters were 40% off, outwear was 50% off, jewelry was 40% off, etc.  Nevertheless, hands-down, the best deal in the store had to be the bling-button cardi on sale for $19.99.  I picked up the light berry and seriously had to restrain myself not to grab several of them.

I also paid a visit to the Loft outlet, where I came away with this cute dress for $48.  I think it will be super cute with a tissue turtleneck from J Crew underneath.

And this is what I wore for the occasion...

J Crew Professor Blazer in Carbon

J Crew Check Shirt

Gap Straight Fit Jeans

Mossimo Leather Belt

J Crew Flannery Ballet Flats

OOTD 11/22/2010 and What Else...A New Pair of Shoes!

Hallelujah...No work for me this week!  I'm sure I'll pay for it when I go back but I'm living in the moment and enjoying my time off for now.

I had some errands to run this morning...Michael's had their ribbon on sale (50% off), so I snatched up several spools for wrapping Christmas gifts.  I had to visit the dreaded grocery store and also popped into Target for a few things as well.  As fate would have it, I breezed through the shoe department at Target and what to my wandering eyes should appear?  A super cute pair of leopard pony hair ballet flats!  Now anyone who has seen my polyvore sets knows I need another pair of hairy leopard print shoes like I need another hole in the head.  (It's a weakness)  Nevertheless, that didn't stop me...there they were sitting on the sale rack, calling out to me!  They were marked down to $12.48, they were just my size and the cute factor was off the charts!  I think it was destiny...I had no choice right?!  If you're interested, run to your local Target and check out the clearance rack. Also, they are available on-line (here) for $24.99, which would still be a steal imo.  They are by Merona and the style is "Maudie"

ATL V-neck Cardigan in Black

J Crew Flower Sketch Tee in Fatigue

J Crew Matchstick Jeans

J Crew Scarf

Enzo Angiolini Quilted Flats

OOTD times 3

I'm playing catch-up again....here are a couple of the outfits I wore last week.  First up...this outfit goes all the way back to last Sunday.  I had to help out with the little ones at church....so that calls for comfy.

J Crew Tori Cardigan

J Crew Scout Chino in Fatigue

J Crew Embroidered Flowers Tee

Merona Pearl Cluster Necklace

J Crew Patent Tortoise Ballet Flats

Next, was a set that I created several months ago when I initially purchased the moss tweed pencil skirt.  However, at the time, I was still in search of the Flannery platform pumps.  Lucky me...I finally found them on ebay...so the outfit is complete!  The shoes are grand (I had lots of compliments)...a little tight in the toe but not so uncomfortable that I won't wear them...you'll be seeing these a lot!  

J Crew Dream Turtleneck in Nordic Blue

J Crew Moss Tweed Pencil Skirt

J Crew Flannery Platform Pumps

And the last outfit was an "all-out" copy of my friend gymrat's set.  Even the nail polish is similar....I'm wearing Essie's Steel...ing the scene.  :o)  BTW...if you run across these shoes (the flannery ballet flats) in your size, snatch them up!  They are so cute and I thought very comfortable!

J Crew Dream Varsity Striped Cardigan

J Crew Sequin Strip Tank in Fatigue

Gap Straight Fit Jeans

Mossimo for Target Belt

J Crew Flannery Ballet Flats

and

Raleigh the runaway dog :o)

Craddock Terry Hotel

If you're ever in the Lynchburg, VA area and need a place to stay, I highly recommend Craddock Terry Hotel.  In the mid-1800's it was the Craddock-Terry shoe factory.  Since, the old factory has been refurbished and turned into hotel rooms.  All of the rooms feature shoe themed decor, as well as, high ceilings with the original wooden beams and exposed brick walls from the old factory.  Also, each morning, you receive a complimentary continental breakfast that is delivered to your room in an old fashioned wooden shoeshine box.  (How cute is that?!)  Each room is also marked with a different wooden plaque of a particular shoe....we've stayed there twice, once in the red maryjane room and once in the loafer room.  The next time, I want to stay in the leopard heel room.  :o)    Here you go, take a "look-see" for yourself....  

Surrounded by shoes....Talk about sweet dreams!

OOTD 11/12/2010

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...would you be mine...could you be mine....won't you be my neighbor?  Anybody recognize that as the theme song from "Mr Roger's Neighborhood", which was a children's television show?  At the beginning of every show, Mr. Rogers would come into the house, singing the theme song.  He would hang his coat in the closet, put on his cardigan sweater and remove his loafers to put on sneakers.  (Bear with me, I'm going somewhere with this)

Last night, I showed my husband two outfits and asked, "Should I wear this or should I wear this?"  His response, "Go with the Mr. Roger's sweater."  What a guy!  and the sweater that he's making referencing to is the Brynn.  Well, it is nice and cozy, if that constitutes "Mr. Roger's sweater".

J Crew Cotton Contrast Stitch Shirt

J Crew Brynn Cardigan

J Crew matchstick cords in glazed pecan

Mossimo for Target leather belt

ATL Naomi wedge sandals

Target Reindeer Tee Review

Yesterday, as I was perusing Fabulous Florida Mommy's blog post, "You look very familiar....Have I seen you some place before?", I happened upon the Merona Reindeer Artist Tee.  It is similar to J Crew's Beaded Reindeer Tee from last year.  I missed out on the J Crew version, so I popped into Target on my way home and picked one up.  So cute...and at a mere $14.99, you can't beat it!

The color is called birch....it looks like a taupe-gray to me.  The antlers are darker slate gray beads, while the rest of his head is done in small clear beads with a silver sequin nose.  The fit is similar to J Crew, I purchased my normal J Crew size. 

So if your interested, hurry to your local Target....I bet these will sell out fast!

OOTD 11/9/2010

This morning I got dressed, took my picture and thought, "Hmmm....maybe this would look better without the tights.  So, right there in the dining room, I proceeded to remove my tights...retook the picture and decided I preferred the look without the tights.  Good thing I'd shaved my legs!  :o) 

Which do you prefer...with or without tights?

J Crew Cotton Contrast Stitch Shirt

J Crew V-neck cashmere cardigan

J Crew cord pencil skirt in golden wood

Tory Burch greta wedge clog in charcoal/sienna

J Crew crystal snowball necklace

OOTD 11/7/2010

I just love it when everything works!  What can I say, small things make me happy.  For instance, as I put this outfit on, I noticed that the brown leather belt matched the leather on my shoes perfectly.  Also, the carbon wool of the blazer and the charcoal flannel of the shoes...perfect!  Ahh, life is good!  :o)

Hope everyone has a blessed Sunday!

J Crew Flower Sketch Tee in olive moss

J Crew Professor Blazer in carbon

Gap Straight Leg Jeans

J Crew beaded layering necklace

Mossimo for Target Belt

Tory Burch Greta Wedge Clog in charcoal/sienna

Oh, my goodness gracious.....

I saw these shoes in a polyvore set and it was love at first sight. 

Tory Burch Greta Wedge Clog in Charcoal/Sienna  (Buy Here)

A spluge, yes, but they are absolute PERFECTION!  Aside from the fact that they're gorgeous, they fit like a glove.  I swear, it was like Cinderella's slipper...they slid right on...not too tight, not too loose....flawless!  Oh, my goodness gracious, I'm getting a little light-headed just thinking about them!  They are the perfect combination of leather and flannel on a beautiful platform wooden heel.  Ok, ok...you be the judge.

So whatcha think?

 

OOTD 11/5/2010

Today's outfit idea was borrowed from my friend coffeegirl on polyvore.  You can see her set here.  It was so super cute, I just had to copy it!  I don't think I would have ever thought to put the doggie tee and my leopard print cardi together...and yet, it is adorable!  Ah, the beauty of polyvore!

My irl picture doesn't include the downtown field jacket...but I wore that too!  Snapped the photo, grabbed my jacket and my purse and out the door I went.  (in a mad rush, as usual)

Also, for anyone who's interested....Target is offering again, the very popular Mossimo Katherine Engineer Boots boots from last year.  I have thoroughly enjoyed mine and imo they are well worth the $49.99 price tag.  So if you missed out on these last year, you might want to consider picking up a pair. They are offered in brown and black.

J Crew doggie tee

J Crew spotted cat cardi

Mossimo jeans from Target

Mossimo Katherine Engineer Boots from Target

J Crew downtown field jacket in mossy brown

Mossimo belt from Target

J Crew beaded layering necklace

OOTD 11/4/2010

I got the email today that J Crew has expanded the 25% off $150 to include "in stores".  Now that I may bite on....I've got some jeans that I need to take in to have hemmed so now may be the perfect time to stop in.  So far I've refrained from the other "online" offer since it doesn't include free shipping.  I refuse to pay J Crew's exorbitant shipping costs.  Anyway, here is today's OOTD....It was inspired by a J Crew catalog and I think it turned out pretty cute.

J Crew Perfect Paisley Shirt

J Crew merino rose cardi in light pewter

J Crew matchstick cord in glazed pecan

Mossimo belt

J Crew Alessia patent peep toes

Baby, It's cold outside

If you're in the market for a coat, Old Navy has some super deals on some really cute coats.  I went by yesterday with a couple of my co-workers and here are just a few of the items which I found interesting.

One of my friends actually purchased this one....the color of this coat, imo, is perfection.  The color is called "golden gate"...not red, not orange but a perfect combination of the two....and at $29 for a lined wool blend coat, it's a steal!

This coat was really cute too...and very J Crew-esque, without the price tag.  My co-worker purchased this one yesterday in the yellow. I believe she paid a mere $40.

Another cutie!  I have the J Crew version of this from last year in camel.  This is a nice representation for a fraction of the J Crew price...$60 if I'm not mistaken.

Need a wool blend trench coat with fur trimmed collar?  This is a great option at $70.

And this was my personal favorite...a nubby wool blend, double breasted coat with a back waist belt for a slimming effect.  It appeared much more expensive than it's $60 price tag.  I really had to fight myself over this one...."you don't need another coat!"  "But, it's so cute!"  "You don't need another coat!"  "It's only $60!"   And I have a feeling the fight isn't over....I may still have to go back for this one!    

OOTD 11/2/2010

Today's outfit was inspired by my latest Boden catalog.  When I saw the photo, it reminded me of a skirt that I had hanging in the closet from Ann Taylor Loft which I purchased several years ago.  Add to that my beloved space dyed tee, standard black jackie and a pink belt...voila, a super cute OOTD.  Thanks Boden! 

J Crew Space-Dyed Tee

J Crew Jackie Cardigan

ATL Houndstooth Skirt

J Crew Whip Snake Belt in neon pink

J Crew angel pendant necklace in gunmetal

ATL patent slingback pumps (oldie goldies)

You did WHAT?!

Yes, I did...ride an African elephant, that is!  I am a HUGE animal lover, so this past weekend when we visited Lynchburg and I found out that there was a zoo close by, I had to visit.  It was a really neat experience and we were able to get up close and personal with lots of the animals.  My son found out how close...one of the llamas spit on him...but only after he had fed him.  (snicker)    We were able to feed and pet lots of animals...adult and baby camels, (one of the baby camels wanted to eat my hair instead of the feed) llamas, donkeys, giraffe, muntjac, deer, etc. and there was one little donkey who I just know wanted to come home with me.

The highlight of my trip; however, was a ride upon the back of a 9,000 pound African elephant.  Her name was Tosha.  She was orphaned in Africa and came to the zoo when she was just a baby.  (a wee 400 pounds)  It was amazing how smart she was and how she followed the directions of her handler...better than lots of children. (mine included sometimes)  Her skin was so thick and tough and that cute "little" trunk...She smelt my shoes (J Crew tortoise flats...hey, the girls got good taste)  and she wanted to smell my husband's face but he wasn't having any part of it. (party-pooper).

And me, being the nerdy accountant that I am, had to figure out the ratio of my weight to hers to determine that me sitting on her back is the equivalent of 1.8 pounds on my back....so she hardly even knew I was there.