Seeing Red
I still have that sweater, the one I bought from J Crew when I was 19. It’s cable stitched cotton, a mock turtleneck. Forest green, a popular late-80′s color. I think it’s coming around again, though I lacked style and wore it every year from then to now.
With this quest to reward myself for weight loss success, I wanted to break my sordid love affair with J Crew. Kiss a different lover. Add a frock to my closet that was more than something I put in my perpetual shopping cart on the J Crew site.
I always have a cart going. My J Crew user name is continuous sign in. If the three sale items in my current basket are still there by the weekend, it’s a sign I’m supposed to have them.
It’s a sick game I’ve played for as long as they’ve been online.
No surprise I settled on threads from J Crew. A dress from their fall collection. I violated my usual rule and splurged for something full price.
We set the balance aside to go to Helsinki for Thanksgiving. Because experiencing life is ever so much better than wearing it on my backside.
This post is part of the series Don’t Mess With the Dress. If this is your first visit to the series, please click here to go back to the beginning, go here for the second installment, click here for the third installment, go here for the fourth installment and click here for the fifth installment.
Helsinki – that is a cool idea. Aquavit and crayfish and bad craziness. That’ll be some thanksgiving.
It is a very cold idea, Roger, but that’s part of the fun.
…by the way – cool picture:)
Between you and Robert Johnson (quotidianhudsonriver), I am ashamed of every picture I post. But, thank you.
We all need a reward for losing weight, even if it’s only 2lbs.
Now, where did I put those chocolates?
Luuuuurve the dress.
Haha. I ate a chocolate last night……….and woke up almost a whole pound heavier………
Sounds about right…..
Nice look!
Thanks, Robert.
Awesome dress, and you can play checkers as well. Helsinki is a great destination, on my list in the next few years for sure.
I’m really looking forward to some serious snow and hot drinks from the huts at the Christmas markets.
A very nice selection and you look great in it but the bad news, no lottery win for me (but you really didn’t want that $3k dress anyway, did you?
I was pulling for you, Howard. I am sorry you didn’t win.
A very fine selection. Quite dotty. The color is great on you. According to a show Bill and I watched on The Science Channel, a woman in a red dress can get more men to do her bidding than a woman in a white dress. The woman in the study was able to get men to give her money, to pick her up and carry her across the street, and to listen to her requests. The woman in the white dress was only marginally successful. I can’t remember the Science channel series this was part of but it was one on the brain and how it works.
Here’s a reference to the study behind the presentation on the Science show. http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/02/the-red-dress-effect.html
So, THAT’S why all these men are loving this dress so much today…….and every time I wear it………..
Yup…that will be the harvest you reap!
I think travel is always a better choice!
Me, too.
Practicality will out!! Helsinki AND a new dress! I love this choice!! Wear as is for evening, and add jacket, etc. for that business lunch! (PS…I don’t think you lost that much “off the top.” You look quite “balanced”–and very svelte–to me!)
In the 60′s a number like this fit into the image for “Power Dressing.” It would appear that mantra is back for another go ’round: http://www.wearittowork.co.uk/fileStore/news/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFmxPRTJDTFZCM3hHUGFDdUxaOEhTbFEAAAACaWQKAXgAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg
I do have a velvet jacket that would probably look good with it. And, it’s sure to fit again….
Mad jelly! Hope you have a great trip.
Awesome dress — you look loverly!
Thank you on both fronts.
I LOVE that dress! You are absolutely gorgeous! This has been one of my favorite series recently…and I love your board on Pinterest too
It was a fun break from the fiction, Andrea. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Fabulous dahling, just fabulous!! You look like a teenager!
I wish…..thank you.
You look amazing in that dress! Love the style and the print is AWESOME! Grats again!
Thanks, Kenneth.
Adorable!
Thanks, Jessie.
Foxy! You look amazing.
It was hard to forget this dress once I saw it.
Red is always a good choice, Andra, and you wear it well. I’m sure it will accompany you to Helsinki. This was a fun series and your wrapped it up all nicely with this picture present of the Lady in Red. Well done!
I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to wear red after I colored my hair red. But, it works together. Thanks, Penny.
Woo woo, hottie! You look fantastic! Good for you! Wear the hell out of that thing! Wear it to the grocery store.
Haha. I actually think I have already worn it to the grocery store…
Looking good Andra, looking good. Congrats on the weight loss.
Thanks, James.
You look FABULOUS! But that dress will not be warm enough for Helsinki in November . . . better pack the sweater!
I won’t even take it to Helsinki in November. I do have plenty of wool socks that will be going…..
On Andra! That dress is BEAUTIFUL on you. I LOVE the color (sorry for the caps but I feel that way). Perfect. As I read the picture slowly scrolled up..the first thing I saw was your smile. It made me smile. Thanks for that. That dress would make me smile too.
The color looked happy and festive to me. I’m glad my choice ended up being red. If I had started with that in mind, I never would’ve found it.
You look great! Lovely choice.
Thanks, Heather.
Love the dress and the pattern on it. Looks like dots, yes?
Again, great job on the new eating plan. Thought of you and MTM last night when I grilled two quarter pounders, sans bun, generously sprinkled with lemon pepper. YUM!
It is dots, yes.
I owe you the waffle recipe. Getting it from MTM to email to you right now.
No rush. Whenever you get a chance. I went off the rails today and had bacon and eggs … with hearty, whole wheat pancakes. Just couldn’t resist them. :/
Just send it to you, since MTM was sitting across from me. Let me know if you have any questions.
What a great dress, Andra! And Helsinki? Damn, that sounds amazing!
Hugs,
Kathy
I am really looking forward to going there. Neither MTM nor I have ever been.
It’s a beautiful dress and you look simply wonderful in it! And I love your choice! As much as you love travel, you’ll enjoy Helsinki, and the enjoyment of all the planning and anticipation up front! Good choice!
Thanks, Debra. I hope Helsinki will be fun. Two hours of daylight will certainly be different from home.
Cuuute! I love the pattern.
Sadly, J. Crew stuff never fits me. Like, ever. But that doesn’t keep me from looking.
Banana Republic never fits me. It’s weird how these places differ so much with sizing.
Ha — Banana Republic fits me fine pretty much always. I suppose it’s good that there’s something for every body type, but J. Crew’s marketing continues to suck me in!
They are both really good at the marketing thing, aren’t they? Want factories.
Red! I was right! And you look fabulous, of course….
Thank you, Kate. I laughed when you first said red. I already had the dress.
Love the dress! I have one very similar in black and white graduated dots that I got for my Paul Harris award presentation spring 2011. Of course, they neglected to give me my PHF that night, and now I’m 15 lbs too heavy to fit into my awesome PHF dress. ( But since I still don’t have the PHF, perhaps I’ll be back into the dress when my club finally decides to give it to me?) lol
Give my regards to Helsinki! Run up the steps of the Tuomiokirkko (cathedral) and be sure to spend some time at Temppeliaukio (rock church) where the acoustics are amazing. There are often musicians playing during the day; if you’re lucky you may catch someone playing the traditional kantele. Visit Sibelius monument on a windy day, and see if it plays for you! Lie underneath, it’s amazing! Catch a concert at Finlandiatalo, as well, and don’t miss exploring the Kansallismuseo! (I was a Rotary exchange student in nearby Kotka, once upon a time. I love Helsinki!
Have a wonderful trip! “Hauskaa matka!”)
WOW… your Hotness Level matches the intensity of that Red Dress…