Liebster Blog Question answers

Thanks, again, Egyptomaniac for the nomination. Here are my answers and my OOTD.

1. What is that one special item(clothing/accessory) you never leave the house without? Why?
My remembrance necklace for my dad.

2. If you could only wear one pair of shoes for an entire year, what would they be and why?
What?!? Only one pair of shoes? Is this a trick question? ;). My Jack Purcell sneakers, I guess. That or my Frye boots. Or my J.Crew Viv flats...

3. What's your biggest fashion 'Don't' or trend you avoid at all costs?
Gauchos? Seriously, I guess anything frilly or with excessive bows/ruffles.
4.What's the most expensive item in your closet?

My J.Crew Lexington blazer. Bought it from a friend. Didn't pay full price, (or near what I've seen them go for on eBay), but it still wasn't cheap!

5.Ok, now what's the most treasured item in your closet--the one you wouldn't sell for a million bucks?
See #4.

6. Honestly now, do you dress for yourself or dress for others?
For myself. Colors make me happy. Dressing nice makes me happy.

7. Let's be catty for a moment: Any public figures you'd like to nominate for 'What Not to Wear'?
Ice-T's CoCo?

8. What's the best piece of fashion advice you were ever given?
Try to incorporate texture, color, shine & pattern in every outfit ("What Not to Wear" advice.) ((what happened to that show?!?!))

9. What is your favorite season to dress for? Why?
Autumn/winter; love sweaters & boots!

10.Got any pet peeves or phobias? What kind of crazy do you try to hide from others?
I don't know if it's a phobia, but stray hairs (fallen out of head of hair) drive me nuts. I'm always grabbing them off mine & others' clothes...

11. The holidays are coming up! It wouldn't be the holiday season for you without:________________.
Humbug! I'm not a holiday fanatic at all! Maybe Starbucks' Creme Brûlée latte? Time off school? Snow.

Bonus Question: (cause it's a good one!)
12. I'm assuming we're all fans of J Crew here (or just insert your favorite retailer). If you could give one suggestion/idea/demand/restriction/vent to the designers for future seasons what would it be?
Dear J.Crew,
Please consider re-releasing some of the popular pieces from the past, improve quality and construction, and stay true to the preppy style!




Can't see the colors well, but I went w/a pumpkin theme: orange, green & brown.
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Oooooh Noooooo! or, how to survive a closet renovation

My spare bedroom is my closet, and my closet in my closet is under construction! Everything's out so the ceiling & walls can be torn out to be re-insulated. What a mess! I am definitely an 'everything in its place' gal, so this will one more stressor to deal with this week. Will be nice NOT to graze my head on the stucco/popcorn slanted ceilings in the closet, though!





I like this top, but man is it itchy & scratchy!

Side note: Thanks for the nomination for the liebster blog award, Egyptomaniac; I'm working on the Q/As... For the record, I kinda dislike those things...I don't follow enough blogs to pass them on to the required # of bloggers, and I keep thinking 'ponzi scheme,' but I'll be good if you'll be patient!

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Monday's OOTD

Blue denim to match my back-to-work-after-a-long-weekend blues. 4 days off and I forgot to buy a new mirror...


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House construction...

Back of my house! A work in progress...
My paint samples (L & R of patio door) were prior to new siding...

BEFORE: God bless the 70s and their color schemes!


DURING: Old siding stripped off...


New roof!


Lower back done, minus fascia...


Top is what house will look like when finished. We'll have to paint the back window frames & the patio door. Man are the workers messy!


Exciting, but exhausting! Can't wait for it all to be finished! Except for decorative stone in the front (2 weeks out yet?), it should be done next week. More pictures later.

Despite the house chaos, I did manage to make it to J.Crew today. Picked up two pair of wool slacks (navy unlined and brown checked-lined), the cream/gray polkadot Blythe blouse (all on clearance) and a killer bracelet (full price, but I LOVE it!). Wool pants were needed, blouse was a bandwagon purchase--plus I like it, the bracelet was a frivolous splurge. It's brown 'stones' (colored glass) w/mint green crystals around each stone. Yummy! Hoping there will be a matching necklace!

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Friday's OOTD

Busy weekend...
I threw on a navy wool blazer w/this outfit. Many compliments on the vest!


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Tweed skirt arrival

My OOTD:


Really gotta say that I love me some pencil skirts! Sooooo easy; so flattering! Bravely worn w/out boots today....brrrr! Must buy new mirror!

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Wool Pencil Skirt Love

My OOTD


Again, another horrible Wednesday. At least I loved my outfit today!
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Crappy Mirror Day 2

So I heard back from customer service @ J.Crew today via email: "...due to you being undercharged. Since it was our mistake it isn't right to make you pay for it."
Wow! I know others have had negative experiences w/their cs, but I have only had wonderful experiences! Integrity!
OOTD: (couldn't get this one to 'feel' right...


Man, the photo is bad! Sorry!
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Orwellian Propaganda

My OOTD:


Sorry for the crappy picture-broke my big mirror this morning...T-shirt from Out of Print Books. Love it!
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Too good to be true...

So I got my email order confirmation yesterday, and I called the online # today; I was under-charged for items, and the final sale status was all mixed up. The rep I talked to thanked me for calling, and the prices will be adjusted. As a thanks for my honesty, she's sending me a special promotional gift. The only final sale item ends up being the multi-colored tweed skirt because of the status of final sale w/the other items online (I can still return the sequin tank if I need to!).

I also asked about combining the in store promo % w/the teacher discount, as Apples & Pencil Skirts was not able to use hers w/the promo yesterday; the rep said that it's store by store. Odd. Not complaining; there's only one store in my area that has ever declined combining the discounts for me. My two favorite locations always will.

I will update what I paid when I get the revised bill--and let you know what the 'promotional gift' ends up being. --never mind, it just arrived via email: a $15 gift card.

Damn you, MN nice!
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25% off clearance @ my B&M J.Crew today = :)

Just got home from shopping & running some errands. Went out on a mission for wool pencil skirts...ended up w/3. I had to order 2 online from in the store, as my size is nowhere to be found in the Minneapolis area, but I think I got some great deals! The 3 skirts I got are the long herringbone in purple, 50.99; the double surge wool pencil skirt in berry pink, 32.14; and that obnoxious tweed one in purple/blue/pink 22.96. (It looked awesome w/my frye boots!) Tops: the color block top in portobello mushroom, 13.77 (!!!!!!); the maroon & navy collection sequin color block tank, 36.73; and the paisley appliqué top in black, 38.24. Plus a pair of zebra print socks, 5.09; and the bubble earrings in blue, 19.12. Grand total for all of my loot? $220.43! (25% off + 15% off w/free shipping to boot!)

The only thing I'm not convinced I'll keep is the sequin tank. I already have 3 that I hardly ever wear...it was just so pretty w/the rectangular sequins!, and the colors are to DIE for!





















Not too shabby! Getting out of bed on Monday will be just a little easier now!
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:)

It was a good day!


Thanks for reading! Looking forward to doing some shopping this weekend!
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OOTD

One wear of the cream pencil skirt... Meetin w/my Ps this weekend to try some colorful wool pencil skirts. It's time to switch over my closets to fall/winter!


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Wednesdays = yuk.

It's Wednesday night, and I'm exhausted. Due to the inclusion of a 'Seminar' class every Wednesday for student (run by community members, which is very cool) to provide time for a 1 1/2 hour professional development for staff starting @ 7:15, the classes and passing times throughout the day are all shortened and by 3:00, I feel like I've been on a merry-go-round. Stop the ride; I want to get off! My OOTDs on Wednesdays may be a subconscious reflection of my mood in preparation, I think. Blah.


There's always tomorrow, right?
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Quirky color combo

So here's what my mood selected to wear today, only I swapped out the shoes for leopard print flats and a tortoise resin necklace before running out the door. Maybe a bit too spring-ish, but who cares!


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