Saturday, July 26, 2008

Creating J.Crew Outfits with Polyvore!

Slastena in the "Will you visit J.Crew this Weekend?" post came up with a great post suggestion, which is to share our favorite outfits utilizing Polyvore.

According to Polyvore's website, they allow you to "mix and match images from anywhere on the web, to create outfits, interior designs, or any kind of collage." You can also "browse and shop thousands of looks created by our vibrant community of stylish people."

I won't lie, this site is addictive (in a good, fun and entertaining kind of way). You get to play paper dolls with all the clothes & accessories you actually own (or want to own) in your closet. I love that! The image to the left (click here for original link) is an example (by Jcrew chick/Slastena) of the beautiful outfits you can create. (I love that outfit in the image too! So classically divine!)

Do you use Polyvore for outfit creations, ideas, and inspirations? What are some of your favorite J.Crew outfits created utilizing Polyvore?

86 comments:

  1. This is a great site, and Slastena has some BEAUTIFUL outfit combinations!

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  2. FabulousFloridaMommy: The site is fun! I could spend a couple of hours on it easily. ;) Slastena also has a great eye for outfit combinations- they really are beautiful.

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  3. Alexis: I have been on many times, and actually found it awhile ago, but have never saved any of my creations...maybe I will start...styling outfits is one of my passions! :)

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  4. FabulousFloridaMommy: You should totally have an account! And you really do have an eye for outfits. You get asked all the time on this blog how to put pieces together- with this site you can just refer to an image now. :)

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  5. This is so addictive! Thanks for sharing, I've already made an account! =)

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  6. i would love to play around with that site...i'm sure i would get addicted...but between checking out the jcrew site and this blog i think i better stay away or i will get nothing done! :)...my son is already yelling at me to get off the computer as it is...i have to wait 'till his naptime or preschool time to do this stuff...i'm such a junkie :0

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  7. yeah, jcrewchick got me hooked on this! It's totally addicting. I'm trying to limit myself to creating one outfit a day, but with all the new fall stuff... it's hard!

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  8. ccbmum: I'm with you! I love looking at this site, but if I start making outfits, I'm going to do less work than I'm doing now, which isn't much!

    However, in typical enabling mode, I second the vote that FFM get an account! I always love reading her outfit ideas, and seeing them would be even better!

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  9. Oh, wow! I have been away for a couple of days and when I come back there are tons of posts to read and this particular post! I am so flattered. Thank you!

    I hope some of the contributors will post their outfits as it seems many have a very keen eye on J crew fashion mixing/matching. I personally would love to see other people's ideas so I can utilize more things from my wardrobe.
    I remember reading about an enterpreneur lady who for the fee would come to your house and would go through entire wardrobe and would put outfits together according to the latest trends from whatever is in the closet already.
    I loved FabulousFloridaMommy idea on transitioning from summer to fall with Startlet jacket by adding grey l/s turtleneck and grey pants and boots to the outfit.
    Would love to hear/see more suggestions about red peplum cord jacket (Text item 96652), velvet Bella jacket in deep purple from last year and wide leg cords in navy. Anyone has purchased those and would like to share how they wear them?

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  10. slastena: welcome back...we missed you! Your outfit combinations are really pretty, and we seem to have very similar tastes, not to mention very similar wardrobes. :) The lady you talked about that goes into homes for styling outfits: I have actually had that idea for awhile now, and have been trying to figure out how to get the "business" up and going...I am thinking that I will start with close friends. I will put together 5 complete outfits from what they have in their closet, and then suggest complimentary pieces they might wish to purchase to enhance or update what they have already. Wish me luck...it really is one of my dreams to do. :)

    alexis and kater: Thanks for the compliments...I will see what I can do...I have a little more free time since it is Summer, so I will probably try it out. :)

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  11. FFM:
    This is a fabulous idea! I wish you the best of luck. It is so much fun.
    I am looking forward to your Polyvore lookbook.

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  12. FFM: (I'm posting this here because it's a recent post) I visited Old Navy today but I didn't see any of the ruffle cardigans or shawl fleece sweaters, unfortunately. They did have these tanks with sequins down the front that look exactly like the ones J.Crew had earlier in the season.

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  13. katherine: Thanks for letting me know about Old Navy, and the cardigans and sweaters...luckily shipping is just one price and returns are FREE, so it may be worth going that route to see what they are like in person...not too much risk involved. :)

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  14. alexis, slastena, and kater: I opened a Polyvore account and have created a few sets...you all are right: it is HIGHLY addictive! :) My site is Here under FFM. :)

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  15. ffm: these sets are fab! You are so good with mixing colors. The azalea with the belle skirt in dark fog is fantastic. I never thought of that color combo, and now I'm wishing I had the lana top in the pink instead of the gray!

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  16. I commented your idea of the Neon Pink Lana top with the new denim pencil skirt. You are correct...very elegant! Also, didn't realize that you were an Endo Resident. My husband is a dentist!! Good luck!!

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  17. FabulousFloridaMommy:I just looked at the sets you created and they are beautiful!!! :)

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  18. Jcrewjunkie:
    Thank you! How was your trip to stores? Anything exciting?

    I have been a general dentist for some time, but then decided I wanted to specialize. This is my last year!Can't wait to be out, although I might miss teaching and academic environment. And even worse,loosing my educator's discount, hmm? :)

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  19. FAbulousFloridaMommy:
    loved,loved, loved your sets! Please, continue posting, I'll be checking regularly.

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  20. ok, i opened a polyvore account...oh no...i need to restrain. it's sooo addicting but i love it! what a great idea...my husband just rolled his eyes when i told him about it! :0

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  21. ccbmum:
    LOL. My husband did the same thing to me, BUT.. I told him it's better then therapy ( granted, I had none, but I threaten him occasionaly that I would start one :)) So much fun putting outfis together!

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  22. slastena: yes, way better than therapy (i haven't had any either...yet :)) although he's probably going to throw me in the loony bin if i start spending to much time doing this!! lol :)

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  23. ccbmum: where can we see your outfits! I'm still not letting myself get an account, but I like to see everyone else's!

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  24. ccbmum: I laughed at your husbands reaction because that is what my husband did to me when I showed him the site! :) Too funny!

    Slastena: I say the same thing to my husband about shopping- its retail therapy! It's cheaper than real therapy and I get to take something tangible, home with me. ;)

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  25. Thanks for the compliments everyone! This is alot better than taking my whole closet apart and creating outfits...much less of a mess! ;) My husband calls it "playing with paper dolls", which it sort of is...he teased me about it, too, and commented that it's probably better than me tearing our closet apart and "playing dress up". ;)

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  26. kater: i'm working on one but it's still a draft. i'm sneaking it in while i'm "getting ready" to go to a birthday party :0. i'm going to get in trouble!!! lol. it should be ready today...it involves the lucille jacket in spiced mustard, the hammered silk tank in peacock, matchstick jeans, that python clutch in grey...and my favorite perfum...fig apricot from fresh...:) so much fun!! :)

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  27. ccbmum: Definitely share your set when you get it finished...I am really interested to see what other's come up with, as well. :)

    Alexis: Are you going to share your polyvore sets?

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  28. FabulousFloridaMommy: I haven't made an account... yet. But I know making an account is inevitable for me! I have made outfits but I haven't saved them. Like others have mentioned, the minute I have an account I will be consumed by the site. ;)

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  29. So this is slightly off topic but has to do with outfits. It just got me thinking. I came down the stairs yesterday - looking extremely cute - head to toe in J Crew gear. My fiance smiles and says "You are trying to look way too J Crew." I didn't know how to take that comment, I went straight upstairs and decided to shed a layer.

    Have you run into this? Does it look over the top when you wear too much of a good thing??

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  30. jcrewbug: can you describe the outfit? I'm sure I've gone overboard with the crew before! But I also try to mix other pieces in - anthropologie, banana, etc.

    now I'm racking my brain trying to think of my most j.crew-ed outfit!

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  31. I think the comment was sparked by my layering (a very J Crew thing to do!) and my flips. I had on a favorite fit striped tank, a veck tee, slub button down hoodie, favorite fit shorts, and some critter flops. We were going down to my parent's boat - so it was casual.
    So I was obviously thinking about getting some yorks in black and maisies in bronze (which I did), also available in my size are a pair of dark green or brown yorks. And I thought, I would really like these, but would the green put me over the J Crew edge with my outfits?

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  32. I don't think that outfit sounds too j. crew! I've definitely rocked similar ensembles. and I think the green yorks are fab. I don't think they would put you over the j. crew edge. I love colored shoes, and think they add spark to outfits!

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  33. I do like the green, I thought brown would be more practical though. I sort of get big ideas about what I could wear and then end up dressing pretty plainly. Brown is so darn difficult, I think I have three brown pairs of flats and still can't find a pair to look good with certain shades of brown pants. So then I thought green shoes might work. :)

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  34. I think green would totally work with brown pants. I love fun colored shoes, and am always wearing things together that don't really match! But I get more compliments than crazy looks, so I think it must be somewhat ok...:)

    I also think the green yorks would look great with denim too...

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  35. I love all the polyvore sets everyone here has made!! I am afraid of getting an account because I would spend too much time on the computer.

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  36. Kater: Oh good point - def with denim. There are some Eason's in light green and Yorks in Dark Green. Dark??

    My other issue has to do with length of pants. Is the roll up completely out? I feel like I'm almost completely over heels - I walk too darn much for them. Yet, all my jeans will drag with flats. I either have to buy all new or shorten. Can't really decide.

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  37. I vote for the darker green of the yorks! I just looked them both up
    on ebay, and just like the style and the color of the yorks better. I think the darker green is more versatile than the lighter color too...

    I don't know about the roll-up. I still see girls doing it (just one
    big flip at the leg, not really a roll), but I don't live in the most
    fashionable of cities (washington, dc). I wear flats on a daily
    basis, so get the vast majority of my pants hemmed. Especially my
    jeans, which are always ridiculously long. I buy and get them tailored at nordstrom though, and they reattach the original hems of the jeans, so they look totally unaltered, which is great. Good tailors will do this too, but it's hard to find one who actually does it WELL. I had two pair of jeans ruined that way before I started buying exclusively at Nordstrom...

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  38. Yeah I definitely don't want to ruin any jeans. I buy at Nordstroms too (Joes and Citizens) but wasn't impressed with the seamstress at my Nordstrom and ended up just buying them long so I wouldn't have to deal with her. Haha.

    Thanks for all your advice!

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  39. JCrewBug: I don't think you can ever look "way too J.Crew". ;) But this is just my opinion, someone who has worn head to toe J.Crew before (and will again). :)

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  40. weird, because I love the nordstrom tailor I have! I'm also into citizens and have a pair of joes, but I think sevens are my favorite!

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  41. jcrewbug and kater: hope you don't mind me jumping in...the Fall catalog has the "roll up" in the women's section on page 49, and it is on the J.Crew Men's Website section, too...guess it's still in, at least according to J.Crew. ;)

    Btw...I don't think you can look "too J.Crew", either. :)

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  42. FFM, Kater, Alexis - I'd prefer it to "be in" just in case I mix up the shoes a bit. I'm scavenging for yorks since I don't really like the look of the new mocs - The Lizzie.

    Well, I may have to tone down the J Crew factor around my fiance. Perhaps it reminds him of how much I spend there and that is why he doesn't approve :)

    Their stuff is such good quality it makes it hard for me to look elsewhere. I feel that its the best I can get in my price range. I can't really afford Anthro. Love Banana but find that their shirts need replacing quite often, especially the ones (which they make a lot of) out of that viscose material. Their button down shirts don't dry clean well for me so I prefer J Crews. Yikes - long post sorry.

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  43. jcrewbug: i still do either a roll-up (like FFM said in catalog so i guess that means it's still in style ;)) or i do one big cuff. i do the cuff on my jeans that are straight at the bottom and have red stitching on the inside so it shows. i usually wear flats like a ballet, slingback or flip flops. luckily when i wear them unrolled the length is just right on my jeans since i've always worn flats...:)

    as for head to toe jcrew...i worry about that sometimes too but then sometimes i look at what i'm wearing and it's all gap (although not as much any more since i don't like much at gap/banana lately). usually i wear a mix of jcrew/gap but i have definitely done head to toe jcrew before (minus the shoes)...your fiance just knows when you're wearing all jcrew and like you said it probably reminds him of your spending money there!! lol :)

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  44. ccbmum: That's an issue I've run into, I have many flare legs cause I have larger feet and like to cover them up. I was very happy to discover j crew's ballets and driving mocs because they don't make my feet look clunky. So now I am happier with a bootcut or straight leg jean. Looks like I have to buy new jeans now too:)

    Kater: just bought the yorks in dark green. can't wait to get them. what do you think of the new lizzies??? I have the welsh purple ballets and love them - they are a darker purple so they went with lots of stuff. Those are my spring board into the world of "alternative colored shoes." And thank you for the inspiration and advice!

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  45. jcrewbug: I like the lizzies (especially the patent yellow ones), but think the yorks are better overall! There is something about the york buckle that is cuter to me.

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  46. i made a set on polyvore...such fun! here

    so addicting... :)

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  47. ccbmum: I love it, especially the color combination...so casually elegant, too! :)

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  48. FFM & CCBMUM: Agreed. Love the color combos.

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  49. I've been on polyvore for 10 days and I've made 37 outfits so far... wow... a little embarrassing! :P

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  50. heather: are you going to share your site with us? We would love to see your sets. :)

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  51. ffm, yep, you can find mine through jcrewchick's ... you have probably seen some already, actually! I'm a little obsessed with colorful tights (I own about 40 pairs!). :) my username is toastfacekillah-- silly user name, I know. :)

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  52. here is my most recent outfit I made this afternoon during a thunderstorm: rainy day time waster!

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  53. FFM & heather: your sets are so pretty! :)

    heather: 37 sets already...i can see how that can happen! i must excercise restrain...:)

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  54. heather: Very cute!!! Now I know who you are on there...I've actually looked at all your sets, and I really like your color combinations...very cute! :)

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  55. I hope no one minds; I made a Polyvore group named J.Crew Aficionadas. I just thought it would be fun if we had a designated place to post our outfits. This way, whenever someone makes a new set, we can all see it.


    I really liked the idea of a group because looking at the sets some people have made, I had a new appreciation for items that might not have caught my eye before, or I saw a great way to wear something that I hadn't thought of. I hope you all will consider joining! By the way, my username is mchesq.

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  56. michelle: I think a J.Crew Aficionada Polyvore Group is a FABULOUS idea! Thanks! :)

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  57. heather: as FFM said, i saw one of your sets today too...the one with the lucille jacket...i'm becomming obsessed with that jacket...i just hope that when i see it in person in spiced mustard i still love it ;)

    and i almost forgot...slastena, your sets are fabulous also!!

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  58. michelle: I just joined the group and added the sets I have made so far...are we going to submit all or just some of our sets? I noticed that you have only submitted one...are you planning to add your others? I love the one with the Katie in Geranium...that is one of the looks I will "rock" this Fall. :)

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  59. I'm assuming sets submitted to the group should be mostly or all jcrew? Asking because I have several sets where there is only one or two jcrew pieces. Sometimes one item can scream jcrew (like a dress, sequin argyle cardigan, a piece from the Collection etc.), and sometimes a plain tshirt, khaki chino shorts + flip flops could look like it could be from one of many retailers. I guess this is a question of jcrewness LOL :)

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  60. so I caved and got an account. But I'm having trouble getting an image off j.crew that is the key to my outfit! Have you guys gotten errors when trying to import things? Is there a way to cut and paste instead?

    thanks!

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  61. FFM: I planned to put all of them up there, because all of them consist mostly of J.Crew items. I just put that one up there to get started. Thanks for joining :) I'm glad you like the geranium Katie set. I was just looking at yours and I really like the one with the Andrea jacket and the herringbone sweater with the zebra shoes! This is so exciting :)

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  62. kater: do you have the "clip to polyvore" button on your toolbar?

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  63. yup that's what I'm using, but every time I try to clip the short-sleeve florentine sweater, I get an error! It's weird, because other items work fine...

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  64. kater, if you have the polyvore clipper installed and are still having problems, try right clicking the image and see if it will let you open in a new window or tab (you can't do this in the pop up images b/c it is flash player). The only problem with doing it this way is that I don't think the item info carries over into polyvore, and it does not link back to the product page, just the image.

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  65. michelle: i joined your group...this is taking my jcrew obsession to a whole new level...OMG! :)

    kater: LOL! you caved, resistance is futile! :)

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  66. kater: As far as Enablers go...WE ROCK!!!!! :) Resistance is Futile...Welcome Aboard! ;)

    ccbmum: I am right there with you! I didn't think my obsession COULD get any worse, and then this happened...I am truly addicted at this point, but I think my husband is almost relieved that I am "shopping" on Polyvore as opposed to shopping for real. ;)

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  67. resistance is futile! as are my attempts to add that sweater! thanks for the tip heather, I tried that, and it still said error. It must be a cursed sweater or something...

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  68. ccbmum: Yaaay! Welcome :) I am very excited that people are on Polyvore now, because I have always been afraid of color and trying more daring combinations. I like seeing what others have come up with and would like to try some new things :) That's actually one of the things that drew me to J.Crew. I always liked the clothes but I never thought I could pull it off, until one day a few months ago I said oh whatever and took the plunge. This website has been a huge help in that regard. And now like you said, Polyvore is taking it to a whole new level ;)

    FFM: I would love it if someone came to my house and made great new outfits out of things I already have. What a valuable service! Totally worth the fee because you wouldn't have to buy a whole new wardrobe every season (unless you WANTED to haha or you could just buy a new piece or 2 like you suggested), so you could save some money AND look good doing it!

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  69. kater: right click on the sweater and when the little menu pops up click on properties. When the properties window shows up, highlight the URL after "location" and cut and paste it into a new window; then try to clip the image from there. Maybe that will help.

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  70. I created an outfit and joined the group! It doesn't have the sweater in it though - I'll have to go back and add/revise if I can get michelle's tip to work...

    I must stop!

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  71. Yes, I caved (which I knew I would) and created an account with Polyvore. :)

    Michelle: I think it is a great idea to create a group for us to share outfit ideas/inspirations. I already joined your group and plan to submit my "sets" in the next couple of days. :)

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  72. FFM: unfortunately my husband isn't relieved that i'm doing polyvore now :0 he now thinks i'm wasting waaayy too much time on the computer...ok, he might be a little right ;) and polyvore is only motivating me to go to jcrew tomorrow...that means i might spend more money!! :)

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  73. ccbmum: my fiance is not enthused either! He came over, and was like, what are you doing. I said, making outfits! he replied, how about you make your dissertation?

    ARGH! boys just don't understand...

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  74. ccbmum and kater: I'm sure my husband will start to get irritated if I continue to stay on here too much, as well. I am working on the laptop in the Family Room so I can still converse with him, and make it seem like I'm not "too" involved or obsessed. ;) I'm glad I opened my account during Summer so that I have a little more "free" time to create and blog...once we start schooling again my time will become more limited, but I'm sure I will still be able to "find time" to continue my obsessions. :) Good thing I have great time management skills! ;)

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  75. Kater: LOL! My husband keeps asking me why I am not working on my dissertation too! Every time I mention this blog or Polyvore, he has a follow up question about my dissertation. I am happy to hear I am not the only one in the same boat. ;)

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  76. FabulousFloridaMommy: You really have excellent multi-tasking skills! I am so impressed that you can manage everything and make it all look like a smooth process. :)

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  77. Alexis: Thanks! Sometimes I wonder what in the world I did with all of my time before I had children...why didn't I find a cure for cancer or something? Now life is all about time management, otherwise I would get nothing accomplished. :)

    I'm logging off so my husband doesn't think I am out of control with "playing dress up"...have a great night! :)

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  78. alexis: you are definitely not alone! Next time my fiance tries to say something smart, I'm going to tell him that my outfit is potential conference wear, so it totally counts as me working on school stuff!

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  79. FabulousFloridaMommy: Have a good night too! :)

    Kater: That is an excellent line about planning an outfit for a conference! I will have to remember it. ;)

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  80. Kater & Alexis: I too am trying to write my dissertation. Haha. This is such a huge (yet needed) distraction for me. I find that writing all day long is monotonous and at times lonely. I'm glad I can share a passion with you gals for J Crew clothing. It's such a nice release! So thanks!

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  81. Alright kids, I'm signing off for the next few days. The bar exam is Tuesday and Wednesday, so I'm hunkering down. Talk to you all on Thursday!

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  82. GOOD LUCK MICHELLE!!!!

    we'll all be here writing our dissertation (i.e., making outfits on polyvore) when you get back!

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  83. good luck michelle!

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  84. JCrewbug: Too funny! I can't believe we are all writing our dissertation while blogging about J.Crew. I totally agree that this is a nice distraction from the monotony of academic literature.

    Michelle: Good luck with your exam!!! :)

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  85. I joined the J.Crew Aficionada group as well (under Katdep) - there are a ton of amazing outfits already posted there!

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  86. I just joined the group (oliver1288--will post sets soon) and you guys have basically convinced me to get the hammered silk in peacock at full price. It is my favorite color this fall, and judging by your sets, its very versatile!

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Dear J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados: Please feel free (and encouraged) to share your thoughts and opinions. :) However, please note that this is still a personal blog. So comments that are considered inappropriate (e.g. obscene, racist, homophobic, personal attacks, rude, and just plain mean) will be removed.

And now back to J.Crew! :)