Nordstrom Challenge: One Last Thing..Or So I Thought

Like I promised, here is one last thing for my Nordstrom Challenge. My friend Sharon sent in a few dresses and shoes as suggestions. (I do like the silk dress *hint hint* Christmas is coming up *cough cough*…and no, I’m not sick. =p) I actually ended up not buying some items from Emily’s entries, although they were all fabulous. BUT, silly me, I didn’t know the Nordstrom half-yearly sale was going on. When I went to order the clothes, most of it was gone, either not in my size, or sold out. I bought items that were similar, and a few other things, since they was quite a bit lower prices than usual. The items have been shipped, and I will let you know the exact items that I purchased. So yeah, this is not the last you’ll hear of the challenge.

Adrianna Papell Belted Ponte Knit Dress $122

Calvin Klein Belted Ponte Knit Dress $129

Donna Ricco Sleeveless Sheath Dress $138

Marc New York Stretch Satin Sheath Dress $148

MICHAEL Michael Kors Banded Silk Dress $112.90

Linea Paolo ‘Gwen’ Pump $86.90

Steve Madden T-Strap Sandal $59.95

- Joyce

Sites We Love: Blog Chef

Pretty simple and delicious recipes. Be prepared to use lots of oil. Bobby for Blog Chef likes to do a lot of deep frying.

Check out more Sites We Love!

Our Week in Photos (Week 45 of 52)

To end the last week, we headed over to The Ice Creamery with family and friends. It was a random get together. The grand opening of the Castro Valley Library was on Saturday. It was a nice < 20-minute walk there. People were checking out books like the library never existed for borrowing books before. Everything looked great! My Nordstrom Challenge finally came to a close. Norm finally found time to blog and made his announcement. I cleaned a drawer. =p Got LOTS of photos this week: Week 45 of 52. And did I tell you I’m a winner over at Home Sanctuary! So easy, just do a Small Thing each day. It makes a BIG difference.

- Joyce

From Week 45 of 52

From Week 45 of 52

October Update: “When It’s Time to Change, It’s Time to Rearrange”

So we never got around to September’s monthly update. Oops!

This was a month of change for us. We started out the month with 2 birthday bashes – Ashlyn’s 3rd birthday at Superfranks and Davina’s 21st birthday at her place in Dublin. The following weekend, we had a blast at Moore’s Pumpkin Patch with Alice, Sean, and Andrew. The next Saturday we went to Melody and Emily’s future middle school for Pathway’s dodgeball tournament to raise money to save lives in Africa. Then, Norm flew down to SoCal for training. Joyce hung out with family and friends, including a storytime with Theo.

The weekend was a full one for Norm. He played for the Community Festival at church, while Joyce was in Millbrae with the girls for Lydia’s Sweet 16 birthday party. On Sunday, Norm was at church by 8AM to man the soundboard, was home for lunch and “naptime”, then back to church for practice for Pastor Steve’s installation service which was 5:30-7:30PM. On a spontaneous note, we headed to the Ice Creamery with random people. And the very last day of the month was the grand opening of the new Castro Valley library building. Then we were party poopers, turned our lights out and watched It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

Norm finally blogged about the reason for some changes around here.

Organizing My Drawer

Why do I have procrastination issues with doing the Round-Ups? Grrr! I did do it though, finally. October’s Monthly Organizing Round Up was to work on a drawer. I chose one of our two utensils drawers. This is for our everyday utensils, the set of flatware that we don’t worry too much about.

Laura, the organizing junkie, asked us to work out this month’s round up by using PROCESS. (Photos are at the bottom.)

Plan of attack - I decided which drawer I wanted to organize.
Remove items – I took everything out of the drawer and put it onto the table.
Organize into piles - I threw out what really didn’t need to be there. I moved a few items to where they should be. I put away others for later use.
Containerize – I already have the flatware tray that came with the set, but I’ll be looking for a better one, maybe expandable or with more slots.
Evaluate plan - It’s too cluttered, and utensils are on top of each other. I could shave seconds from the time I take to look for what I need by moving a few things around.
Solve/simplify – I moved items that I use all. the. time. to a more accessible place, and other items moved to the back.
Smile, relax, and enjoy your hard work! – It’s done! Yay!

Here is PROCESS in photos:

And Laura’s have a shutterfly photo book giveaway. Check it out at her review site.

And the Winner is…..

…wait, I have to introduce my panel of judges.

First, we have my hard-working husband, Norm. (See how hard-working he is in this photo below.)

Next, we have my firstborn, Melody. She usually helps me make all my decisions when I change to go out.
“Honey, should Mommy wear this? (holds up jeans) or this? (holds up jeans)” (And by night, she’s a rockstar drumming on the drums.)

And finally, we have my former roommate for 15 years, my little sis Jen, who is getting married next year! (With my secondborn Emily, and Ikea Lingonberry Sparkling Apple Cider.)

These guys have to see me wear the clothes quite often, so I let them help me judge.

Oh, I think I said I would announce the winner of my Nordstrom Challenge.

Finally, what you’ve all been waiting for….the winner is:

EMILY!

Emily is now one Alexander Hamilton richer, and she she gets a BIG BIG THANK YOU from me!

All the outfits were fantastic, but here in our home we like more bang for your buck. Thanks all for participating and reading! It’s been fun. Until next time…when I need more clothes. =p

Nordstrom Challenge: Entry #4

Entry #1
Entry #2
Entry #3

**I’ve actually decided to keep everyone in suspense on who the winner is, although my panel of judges have decided already. So, more than a month ago I put out a Nordstrom Challenge. It was slow in starting, but the results were worth the wait. After revealing the winner tonight, I will order my new outfits!**

The last entry is from my “cousin” Johnny.We grew up at church together, so I’ve known him since we were wee little kids. You can read his comments about each item below. So ends the entries, but I do have a little something else to share later…Wow, I’ve got some stylish friends. =) Thanks everyone!

TOTAL: $371.75

1) BU from Malibu Skinny Stretch Jeans $38.00
Simple/basic yet fashionable skinny style jeans, versatile grey color, easy to match with many outfits, trendy fall/winter color
2) Caslon V-Neck Sweater $18.90
Super cute and comfty, casual, it’s pink but works for those holiday parties and get-togethers w/o being way too “Christmasy” with the reds and greens… the pink is energetic
3) BP. ‘Edie’ Leather Ballet Flat $49.95
Super cute, fashionable flats, hopefully comfortable (although sometimes you have to sacrifice comfort for fashion haha), versatile colors – Black or Brown

4) Kenneth Cole New York Hooded Peacoat $98.90
I absolutely love this peacoat!! Such a classic, timeless style… and it’s another super cute and fashion item b/c it adds a nifty hood to the peacoat – genius!! The Black color is probably more versatile although I do like the Charcoal Grey one too. (Does this look familiar? It’s the same peacoat that Janet picked too. It’s a sign.)

5) Vigoss Felt Pocket Skinny Stretch Jeans $54.00
Again, super popular/fashionable skinny jeans, this pair in a darker wash… which could be interchangeable with the outfit above)
6) One A High Collar Sweater Coat $68.00
Simple, clean-cut, yet very chic and sophisticated… I like the Raven Red color because it’s bold and energtic, and also works for the holiday season rather than going overboard with the common Christmas colors… and again the focus was fall/winter wear

7) Rubbish Ribbed Trim Turtleneck Cardigan $44.00
Cute and fashionable w/o overdoing it, the Grey color is very versatile and matches either of those jeans and shoes, but the Oatmeal (cream) color is great for the winter/holiday season… and also matches with the other items I’ve picked out.

Nordstrom Challenge: Entry #3

Entry #1
Entry #2

**I’ve actually decided to keep everyone in suspense on who the winner is, although my panel of judges have decided already. So, more than a month ago I put out a Nordstrom Challenge. It was slow in starting, but the results were worth the wait. After revealing the winner tonight, I will order my new outfits!**

I received the 3rd entry right after Emily’s entry came in. It is from Janet. She goes to Sunset Church and became friends with Norm when he was attending there. She just welcomed baby #2 just 2 months after we did. And her daughter is also 2 months younger than Melody. The first outfit can be worn to a wedding or holiday party.  Another everyday outfit is the 2nd one that Janet put together. And last is a very cute and classic peacoat.

TOTAL: $354.40

1) JS Boutique Empire Taffeta Dress $49.90
2) Jessica McClintock Two Tone Rose Flap Clutch $28.00
3) J. Reneé ‘Maryanne’ Slingback $49.90

4) Semantiks Ruffle Trim Blouse $28.90
5) Jag Jeans ‘Evan’ Trouser Jeans $38.90
6) Me Too ‘Limit’ Ruffle Ballet Flat $59.90

7) Kenneth Cole New York Hooded Peacoat $98.90

Nordstrom Challenge: Entry #2

Entry #1

**I’ve actually decided to keep everyone in suspense on who the winner is, although my panel of judges have decided already. So, more than a month ago I put out a Nordstrom Challenge. It was slow in starting, but the results were worth the wait. After revealing the winner tomorrow night, I will order my new outfits!**

The second entry came from a former classmate. She is name twins with my 2nd daughter, Emily! We were in yearbook our senior year, and I think that was the only class we had together. Emily said the first outfit can be worn out for date night with the hubby, and to church with the black cardigan. The active wear can be worn at home hanging out with the kiddos and working out (what’s that?). The shirts and jeans are for everyday. And she even threw in a purse! Who knew you could get so much at Nordstrom for that price?

TOTAL: $330.15

1) Lily Halter Maxi Dress $38.90
2) BP Three Quarter Sleeve Jersey Cardigan $24.90
3) Enzo Angiolini ‘Trinity’ Sandal $44.90

4) Make + Model Hoody $34.90
5) Make + Model ‘Item’ Knit Pants $23.90

6) Susina® Lace Trim Drop Waist Tee (Juniors) $16.90
7) Susina® Surplice Knit Top (Juniors) $17.90
8 ) Calvin Klein Jeans Flare Stretch Jeans $31.90
9) BP. ‘Revel’ Flat $59.95

10) Roxy ‘Shimmy’ Shoulder Bag $36.00

Nordstrom Challenge: Entry #1

**I’ve actually decided to keep everyone in suspense on who the winner is, although my panel of judges have decided already. So, more than a month ago I put out a Nordstrom Challenge. It was slow in starting, but the results were worth the wait. After revealing the winner tomorrow night, I will order my new outfits!**

This is the first entry from a friend from our former church. She got married not too long ago, but we were not able to make it to their special day. Congrats Mei (and Sing)! (Because she submitted her links early in the game, one of them does not work anymore. The last item is a white shirt, which was really cute by the way.)

TOTAL: 191.95

1) Matty M Beaded Knit Top $84.00
2) Trouvé Double Knit Leggings $38.00
3) N.Y.L.A. ‘Mabel’ Sandal $69.95