J.Crew sale - yes or no?

So I am curious. Did you all take advantage of the J.Crew sale last week? 20% off of $175 or more? I wasn't going to but then after I received the reminder email that the promotion was ending I took a quick peak at the sale items to see if there was anything that I needed.


Needed? OK wanted.


There was - of course! I have a few events surrounding my friend's wedding that I had in mind while I was looking.

This sweater will look so awesome with this pink flower pin that I found in Crewcuts for girls and will look great with these Navy capri pants and my navy blue Me Too flats.


I need a navy blue clutch... any ideas?

Or I could get wild and use my cracked silver clutch... what do you think?

Did you watch it? Did you love it?

Well?? Did you watch Tudors on Showtime? Did you love it? Ever since I read, "The Other Boleyn Girl" I can't get enough of the saga! I am reading, "The Boleyn Inheritance" now and I have, "The Queen's Fool" in my que.

Warning - this trailer is a rated R(ish)...

As requested...

As requested by the lovely Mrs. K for a picture of my new Joan Jett syle - here is the best I could do - the photo is blurry for several reasons... I am still trying to figure out the self timer on my new camera, I couldn't find my point and shoot, Mr. would laugh at me if I asked him to take a picture of my Joan Jett do, and even though I found my point and shoot this morning... today I have my hair in a baseball cap.

Hair today... gone tomorrow.

Back in early November I got my hair cut after nearly a year of growing out from a really bad really short cut. And yesterday I got my hair cut after nearly 6 months of unintentionally growing it out again. It's not that I was trying to grow it out - it's just that I was liking it and was having consistent good hair days. Up until last week that is when I realized (1) my ends were a mess and (2) it had been nearly 6 months since I had it cut! I've never been an every 6 weeks girl anyway but, going 6 months is, as we all know, not good if you want your hair to look and feel healthy. Right? Or is that another one of those beauty myths like don't shave your bikini line or the hair will grow back ten-fold or once you start waxing your hair will grow back thinner and finer?



BEFORE


Anyway, (gosh I get distracted easily) yesterday I got my hair cut for the first time in nearly 6 months.



AFTER


How does it look you ask? Can you say Joan Jett? Not Joan Jett from the late 80's early 90's Joan Jett with all the big crazy hair - the Joan Jett from the early 80's with what some might call a female version of the mullet. That's what I think my hair looks like now.
.

Boo-hoo. Too bad so sad for me.
.

I'm not crazy about it but, what the heck, it's hair and it'll grow out eventually. Until then you, can just call me Joan!



Now... if I could only figure out how to get her rockin' body to go with my new do...!

Spring...?

O Spring, Spring, wherefore art thou Spring?

Confession.

Dear Mr.

I have a confession.

I am so sorry to have to tell you this in a blog post but I am not sure how to break the news to you. I've given you several hints - little comments here and there. This week if you had bothered to sit with me on Tuesday night I would have been able to get up the nerve to tell you to your face. But you wanted to watch golf upstairs and so I wasn't able to confess to you my secret. And then you left for a business trip the next morning and my chances to confess were lost until Friday. I can't keep it in any longer - I can't wait another day - I must confess.

I am in love with another man. There I said it.

I am sorry to hurt you like this.

I am in love with Michael Johns.

Come on now, you have to admit he is hot and after his performance Tuesday night I can't deny it any more. He can sing, he's hot, and he has a cute Australian accent. I love him. Can you forgive me? I promise to get over him soon. In fact, I will probably be over him in a few weeks when he is cut from American Idol because we all know little David or big David will win this season. And then he will be gone from our lives and we can get back to normal.

If you need an imaginary lover of your own during this time, I will understand. But, she must be shorter, fatter, and preferably unattractive and poorly dressed - because we both know there is a double standard in our house. Right? Just so we are clear here.

Love,
Kerry


----

Dry armpits?

A naked bug walked into our bathroom this morning and we had an interesting conversation.

Bug: Momma...

Me: Yeah, bud?

Bug: I just realized my armpits are dry.

Me: Your armpits?

Bug: Yeah.

Me: Let me see...

Bug: (lifts both of his arms....)

Me: Do they hurt?

Bug: No, I just realized they are dry.

Me: Do you want a little bit of lotion?

Bug: Yeah.

Me: Lift your arms.

Bug: (lifts one arm...)

Me: Lift both...

Bug: (lifts the other...)

Me: Both!

Bug: OH! (giggles and lifts both of his arms again and I put on the lotion)

Me: Better?

Bug: Uh-huh. I just realized they aren't dry anymore.

Me: Oh good.

Bug: I love you momma.

Me: Love you too bug.


Now I ask you - have you ever in your life heard of dry arm pits? I wonder where he got this? It struck me as such an odd conversation - I've been giggling about it all day!

I'm off to hop in the shower and wash my stinky self! I have been sitting around (working) in sweaty work out clothes all day and I stink!

Dressed to impress.

Easter is such a nice holiday. I love to see the kids dressed in their new spring clothing even if it was freezing outside and felt anything like spring in Ohio. I think it even snowed later that day. I have always wondered why Easter dresses are often sleeveless. It's never warm enough on Easter Sunday in MD to go without a winter coat so why sleeveless Easter dresses in the stores? Makes no sense to me. I love bug's sweater vest. He hated it. We made a deal that if he was extra good in church that he could take it off before we went to my sister in law's for dinner. He was good so as soon as we walked in the door he changed. In fact, we all did!

This was taken at my mother in law's house before leaving for church.

This was taken outside my mother in law's house before leaving -- it was cold!

I am calling this one, "brotherly love." Bug loves to hug on his sister... and she hates it.

The kids were so tired of pictures - as soon as I said, "OK" they were out of there headed for the car and their winter coats!!

But... of course I had to get one more when the sun came out on our way into church.

-----

And... I meant to post a picture of the kids on St. Patrick's Day last week in their green of course. Bug was very sure to wear as much green as possible to the "lucky charm guy" would not pinch him!

Home Sweet Home!

I have never been so excited to see the "Welcome to Maryland" sign this afternoon on our way home from Columbus, Ohio. I love Maryland. I love Maryland so much I think I will never want to leave this beautiful state ever again. Maybe I will swear off all future travel so that I never ever have to leave this wonderful place ever again.

Oh... wait... that would mean I won't be able to go to NYC for my friend's wedding in May or to Martha's Vineyard this summer. OK... so maybe I'll just say for the record I am just really, really, really happy to be home from our weekend trip to visit Mr.'s family. Do I need to elaborate? No? Good.

The Easter Bunny did not disappoint us. He somehow found us in Ohio - man, that bunny is a smart one. He gave the kids a big water bottle filled with gum balls even though he knows we don't (often) allow the kids to chew gum. When the kids saw these water bottles filled with gum balls and my displeasure they were worried that I would take it away. With a big sigh, I voiced my unhappiness and said that I guess it would be OK since EB brought it. :) Mr. pulled me aside to ask me if I knew they were gum balls... duh. I looked at him like he was the child that he sometimes is and said of course but I was trying to make it seem like the EB was not really ME - especially since the cousins do not believe in the Easter Bunny anymore! Then I saw the light bulb go off in his eyes and he smiled (like a child) and said something about me being a sly one. Sometimes I wonder...

My sister in law's 3 youngest (she has triplet boys) do not believe in the Easter Bunny... they are 6! So sad don't you think? I hope mine believe in the Easter Bunny and Santa forever! OK, maybe not forever but at least for several more years.

So anyway - we are home and getting ready for our week to begin. Back to school for the kids - back to work for me.

Did you have a nice Easter?

A shower and his own bed - does wonders!

I talked to my dad last night before he went to bed and he was so thrilled to be home. I can't tell you how good it felt to hear him sound back to normal. He is hooked back up to the remote devise and they will continue to monitor him - just in case. But thank God he feels well. I can breath a little easier now. I was thinking about staying home from our planned trip to Ohio this weekend but both my mom and dad say I should go. They promised to call me if anything happens. My dad is pretty confident that nothing will. I think having all of those tests that have come back with great results has him (and us) feeling good about the situation. All I can say is, "Thank God!"

Lemonade!

The kids are off school today, tomorrow and Monday for Spring Break and tomorrow we are going to Ohio so I could not take off work today. Baby girl is at a friend's house and Mr. decided to go golfing. So it's me and bug at home today. He's being really good. He even brought me a glass of lemonade that he made himself! It was good (and sweet) - I am pretty sure he used the entire packet of crystal light drink mix in the small child size cup but hey it was his first time and he was so proud of himself.

A first for me...

I haven't mentioned this before tonight because I wasn't sure what was going on but I had a "first" last weekend.

My mom called Sunday morning to let me know my dad was admitted to the hospital Saturday night. He had been to the doctor and his heart was being monitored by a remote devise. He was given the monitor at his appointment on Friday and not 2 days later he finds himself in the hospital as a result of a Ventricular Taclycardia "episode." It lasted 18 seconds, which is abnormal and could have indicated a lethal outcome. He's been in the hospital since Saturday night. He has had every imaginable test on his heart in the last 4 days and they have found nothing - in fact they have only found minor heart disease which for a man in his mid 60's that is about normal if not better than normal. So he's home and back on the remote monitor and with medication he will be fine.

This was the first call I have gotten regarding my parent's health and it's scary. I forget that I am getting older and so are they! I also realized my parents (mostly my mother) still view me as a child and the youngest child at that. Does this ever change? My sister (who is 2 years older) was their "go to" person. She was the one they called to explain what was going on each day so she could then call me. I have to say it hurts my feelings.

Will they ever see me as anything other than the baby in the family? I am nearly 38, married with 2 kids, a house, master's degree, a good career, and more - but in their eyes I am still just their youngest daughter. Do they think I can't handle it? Do they see me as weak? Or are they just trying to be protective? I'd love to ask them this... but I know it would surprise them and probably even hurt their feelings so I won't.

Every time I spend time with them and leave with these thoughts I find myself feeling young and imature... tonight I even got a little nervous going in to the store to buy a bottle of wine. I half expected to get carded! Silly, I know.

Second time is a charm...

These J.Crew pants came today and though they were way too long the first time I ordered them this time they fit awesome! Of course I ordered a size smaller this time too so maybe that's what's why they fit so well. What ev - they fit and they look great on AND I paid 2/3 less this time around. It was a win-win!

I'll be wearing the pants in Ohio... yes... the Ohio trip has finally caught up with me and we are officially heading (east) west Friday. sigh. O-hi-o here we come...

Muffins with Mom, guest reader, and of course J.Crew!

This morning was Muffins with Mom - does your child's school have this? It's where you get to go in early and read with your child while enjoying muffins and coffee or juice. I think the mom's must have complained in recent months... I noticed they were also serving donuts this morning. Normally it's "donuts with dad." I managed to stay away from the shiny glazed donuts not because I was trying to be healthy - not at all - when I saw the glazed goodness I immediately thought about that Sex in the City episode where Miranda is dating that guy from Weight Watchers... ever see it? If you have then you know what I am talking about. If you haven't... well, I can't even go there. eewww!

And then later today I had to go back into school to be guest reader in bug's class. Those little kindergarten kids are so darn cute. I read, "Ratatouille" and if I dared to pause one of them would speak up to tell me something about when they watched the movie. Cute! Cute! Cute!

I was also feeling cute in my new J.Crew fleece shawl collar popover (pullover) in black! It came yesterday and I knew I'd be wearing it today! Did you get one too?

Men...

I managed to get my behind downstairs to the basement last night to get ready for Purple Heart. And Mr. hauled the bags out to the front walk by 7AM this morning as requested by Purple Heart who didn't come until after 2PM.

Of course, Mr. felt the need to start rummaging through the bags and questioning me on why this or that was in there - he stomped into our bedroom after taking the bags out and wanted to know, how could I throw away a perfectly good pair of Lucky jeans?! Never mind they are about 5 years old and never fit properly anyway. I guess I should keep them in my closet because they "look like new," right? Wrong. They do not fit - I do not wear them... they are just making my already messy closet messier!

He can't resist. He does that everytime he sees a bag of Goodwill or Purple Heart things and sometimes will even take things out and pile them somewhere for me to find later. It reminds me of one of those old sitcom episodes - wasn't it a Leave it Beaver episode or Archie Bunker where the wife took an old plaid sport coat to charity and the husband moped around the house for the entire episode and then went to the charity store and bought it back? Ridiculous I tell you! I think if it were up to him I would never throw anything out because if it were up to him I would never get anything new.

MEN! Ya gotta love 'em. Right?

Purple Heart tomorrow AM

It's 9:45 and I just remembered the Purple Heart is coming tomorrow for a pickup... do I wait until the morning to take the bags to the door or do I do it now?

I know the answer... but do I feel like hauling my ass down to the basement to haul a few bags of old clothing and toys up the stairs? hell to the no! Do I really think I will get my ass out of bed an hour early to do it? double hell to the no. So what is my option? Do it tonight. I hope who ever ends up with 3 bags of my old clothes appreciates them!

That was wrong of me to say wasn't it? Not very charitable was it? OK... sorry. I am making my way down in one minute with a happy smiling face because it's not about me - it's about people who are in need.

Talked myself right out of that bad attitude...!

Oh Danny Boy - Muppet's Style...

Did you love or hate the Muppets growing up? For whatever reason I loved them... why did I love them? They are quite possibly the worst! Or maybe they aren't because I found this funny... Beaker would be my favorite.

The paper airplane...

I was amazed by this video - it's oddly beautiful and peaceful.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I can't believe it's March 17 again already. In one way it seems like it was just yesterday that we celebrated St. Patrick's Day 2007 and in another way it seems like it it's been so long! Saturday night we went to our friend's house for a great corned beef & cabbage meal which was unbelievable! My friend's husband cooks this meal every year and the corned beef was cooked to perfection - it melted in your mouth unlike when I try to cook corned beef!

I was able to wear my new J.Crew flower belt for the first time :)

white cotton canvas Fiona jacket from J.Crew

last year's J.Crew navy blue cashmere long sleeve sweater

my beloved J.Crew flower :)

J.Crew boot cut jeans

navy blue Me Too ballet flats

I managed to get my green in - by way of my green and navy monogrammed purse!

Did you have a good day or a bad day?

Me? I had a good day as usual even though I am still experiencing writers block - but who wouldn't when you are writing about environmental services when you would rather be writing about great deals at J.Crew or other shopping adventures?

None the less I had a great day at work. These people? Not so much. Bad, bad, bad day... watch and have a great weekend!

Any idea how to turn your PC into a TV?

I heard you can turn your PC into a TV... does anyone have an idea where to start with this? I don't know why I want to do this... but it might have something to do with watching reality TV while I work at night or read blogs at night. Or maybe it's just that I love my little office so much I don't want to have to leave. Sad? Yeah... I think so too.

TGIF and 20% J.Crew sale items...

I don't know why but I am so happy today is Friday - it's been a busy week with work. I am nearly finished writing content for 4 small niche "micro" web sites and once they are complete (hopefully today) I will breathe a little more freely.

J.Crew by the way is offering an additional 20% their sale items AND use this free shipping coupon IFB-200 (expires today)!

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I checked in this morning and saw these capri pants from the fall are back on sale at $14.99 (plus an additional 20%). You can't beat that can you? They have red, black and sesame and they are great pants. I have them in all 3 colors plus brown which they don't have anymore. In honor of the great price I decided to wear a pair today! And I am wearing these with the Alpaca Shawl collar sweater, which also happens to be on sale for just $39.99 (plus 20% off that!). And it just wouldn't be a work day for me if I didn't wear a pair of UGGs - these (below) are as comfortable as my fuzzy blue slippers!

OH! And if you missed out on the shawl collar fleece the other day - it's back again! Hurry - they'll be gone by the end of the day! After the 20% discount it's like $15! You can't beat that! J.Crew sales are too good to pass up - especially when they offer the 20% additional!

And while I am at it... do you remeber these pants? I ended up sending them back because they were way too long? Well they are on sale and they have my size so I think am going to try them again. I think my new navy blue flower will look lovely with them - don't you?

And, if you are looking for comfortable cords - these Favorite-fit stretch vintage 5-pocket bootcut cords are also on sale and you will love them.

J. Crew you are amazing.

If you didn't read last night's post - you should before you read this one...

I was in my robe with my hair still wet (the beauty of working from home) when I heard someone knocking on my door this morning at 9:30. "Who in the world...," I thought to myself. With a quick peak out the side window, I yelled to Mr. that he had to get the door because the FedEx was here. Mr. opened the door saw that the package was for me and made his usual man-like comment, "Momma's been shopping again. What is it this time?" He checked the sender's address and laughed. The package was from J.Crew and we knew it was my beloved flower belt. Mind you it was nearly 5 o'clock last night when I was emailing with the Senior VP at J.Crew and less than 24 hours later I am admiring my gift up close and personal. Now that is customer service at it's best.

Thank you again J.Crew!

J.Crew... oh, how I love you!

J.Crew and I are officially back together... well, we were back together this morning when they announced more final sale items and my favorite shawl collar fleece pullover for $19.99 was one of the many items to be found. But then... then... they really made me fall in love all over again.

Wait until you read what was waiting for me in my in box...

The kids had swim team tonight so I packed up my bag with my computer and Internet air card so I could finish writing content for a web site I am working on while at the pool. And, as I was struggling with copy as a result of a mild case of writer's block, I decided to check my email. By the way, if you don't have an Internet air card you really should get one. You can literally work from anywhere - the pool, the mall, the gym, the airport... anywhere.

So back to my story. I decided to check my email. I scrolled through the few new emails I had to see if there was anything interesting. And then I spotted something that made me sit up a little. The subject line was,"We have a belt for you!" Can you imagine my surprise when I opened the email and read that it was from a Senior VP at J. Crew? Surprise is not even the appropriate word here. I was floored. I was, as the British might say, "gobsmacked!"

Here is what the email said...

Hi Kerry--

Your blog has been the talk of our office...I wanted to personally get back to you and let you know that we tracked down a navy flower belt for you (coincidentally I am wearing the same one today!).I would like to send it to you with our compliments. Please let me know your address and we will get it out today.

All the best,

Name Withheld
Senior Vice President
J.Crew Group

My response? I could barely think straight - and obviously an intelligent, well-written response did not enter my mind so I went with my emotion...

Dear Name Withheld,

You are joking - right?? Please tell me this is not a joke...

I am so thrilled I can't even begin to express how happy I am right now - first that you found the belt and second that you are sending it to me. I can't thank you enough and can't wait to gush about J.Crew on my little blog.

My address is:

Annapolis, MD

Thank you so much - I am still in shock!

Kerry

Her response less than 5 minutes later?

No joke! We will send it to you now...enjoy!

As if I didn't love J.Crew enough already? Well, now I am over the top for them.

In all seriousness... as a consumer I sometimes wonder if big companies really care about their customers. Oh, they all say they do but too often their customer service representatives behave differently. I don't want to pick on the customer services professionals because ultimately it is the responsibility of the senior leadership at a company to have standards of customer care and to ensure their standards are being upheld. I've never wondered if J. Crew cares about us. In the 10+ years that I have been buying from them, I have rarely been disappointed.

This senior leader at J. Crew went above and beyond to email me personally as a result of a blog entry that was written tongue-in-cheek. Was I really upset about the back ordered flower? Yes! Was I really going to "break up" with J. Crew? No! I love them way too much and the good has consistently outweighed any bad that I have or ever will encounter. They really do care about their customers. Cheers to J.Crew and cheers to the Senior VP of Marketing!

J. Crew... I love you (wo)man!

Fleece on sale. Run!

This fabulous shawl-collar fleece is on sale on jcrew.com - only $19.99





Hurry!

Oh fine.

Oh fine J.Crew if you're going to be that way... then I am going to find my pleasures elsewhere!

I am desperate for flowers here. I have been wearing a plain black flower on my jean jackets, in my hair, on my belts, and on any collar or flap I could find for the last 2 years and I've been OK with the one black flower. But that flower is tired. So when I saw THE flower from J. Crew I knew it was for me. And then... sadly it has become THE forbidden flower.

Do I wait until June? Me? Seriously... me? The queen of "I have to have it NOW!" No.

.

And so these beauties are on their way to me from the fabulous etsy.com and we'll see if I cancel my order for THE $68 J.Crew flower after receiving these FOUR replacement flowers.

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OK, so they aren't navy blue but I think they might just be what I need and 4 for less than the price of one...!? Well... um, I think I might be cancelling! Not!

Do you love this one?! as much as I do that is...

I'll have a large decaf please.

I just got home from having coffee with the lovely Amy. It was our first time meeting in person even though we live near each other. I just know our paths have crossed at some point in the past - this town is not very big. Funny how our blogs brought us together.

It was great to finally meet you Amy!

Not happy J.Crew... not happy.

My Dearest J.Crew,

I wasn't going to say anything - I didn't want to hurt your feelings. I didn't want to cause discomfort between us. I was going to "let it go." But I need to be honest - my feelings are hurt. Really hurt. You disappointed me yesterday. I am not sure if I can recover from this.

I ordered the lovely navy blue flower belt from you just the other day and I checked to make sure it was in stock. You told me it was. And yesterday when my package arrived I was so excited to see the lovely little accessory I so desperately wanted.

As I tore into the box I could imagine myself wearing it with my new cashmere tee-shirt and skinny jeans. I had no idea as I sliced open that box that I was only a second or two away from disappointment that would take minutes to recover from.

Even as I pulled out the last of the contents I thought to myself, "well it's such a delicate little flower it must be in the big box somewhere..." It wasn't until I checked the invoice that I allowed myself to realize the truth. Why didn't you tell me when I placed the order it is on back order until June? June!? How could you J. Crew? How could you!?

After all that we've been through for the last 10 years? After I have publicly professed my love for you over and over again? How could you hurt me like this? Don't you love me as I do you?

It will take some time to get over a hurt like this. I need my space - please do not email me with tempting offers of free shipping or discounts. Please - I just need time to get over your betrayal. Please... just let me have my space.

When I am ready I will be back as you are, and will always be, my first true love.

Until then,

Kerry

Something I need...

I wish my office chair was a reclining chair. I feel like I need to close my eyes for just a minute or two and I know if I dare put my head on a pillow I will be out like a light. A reclining office chair - is there such a thing? I'd buy one!

Just when I thought it was safe...

I saw this over at dooce.com and seriously - is someone trying to sabotage my pre-spring diet?

I have managed to avoid the little girls because I know I can't say no and I know I can't eat just one (box that is) of Tagalongs but seriously if this crosses my path I will not be able to deny myself.

This is someones idea of a sick joke - right?

We didn't go to Ohio...

yeah! I caught another break from the long road trip to Ohio. And thank goodness we didn't go - they got 24 inches of snow this weekend! THANK GOODNESS we did not go! Can you imagine being stuck in a now storm with your in-laws?!

The Final Selections - finally!

So what did I end up with the dress, shoe and bag selections for the wedding I am going to in May?

Here are my final selections... finally!

Vera Wang

Kate Spade

These shoes by the way are the most comfortabe high heel I have ever put on my feet!

It's also been a while since...

It's also been a while since I've shared what I am wearing. Why? Because I don't go any where during the day any more and I am usually in gym gear or jeans and a sweater until I shower which has been at night lately. I feel like such a slob!


Today I did get up and shower first thing because I have lots to do this evening. I THINK we are going to Ohio to visit my mother in law who had surgery last week. Our travel plans shifted from last week to this weekend and now we are considering postponing again until Easter weekend because apparently it is snowing and and icy from here to Ohio - and travelling in that weather is not smart - right? If we go Easter weekend we can actually spend Easter with his family and that would be a nice thing since we NEVER go to Ohio for holidays - we always spend holidays with my parents who also live in MD.



At any rate... here is the outfit du jour. Nothing exciting - but it sure is comfortable! I'll be wearing my black Tori Burch ballet flats later to run errands but for now I am all about the fuzzy slippers!

oh... and hey... will you wish me luck that we DON"T go to Ohio this weekend? Please!

It's been a while...

I has been a while since I have shopped at J.Crew so I made up for it in the last few days. I am ready for spring and come April I will be also ready to break out the spring clothes! Two new outfits will be included in the spread...

This cute jacket with a navy blue cashmere t-shirt and this cute as can be belt...

And...

This versitile dress/skirt (only $68) with my monogrammed jean jacket OR...

...this cute cardigan. I decided not to get the white flower belt too - although if I love the Navy blue one I might have to get the white one too. It's on back order until June so no rush on the decision!