Sweet fashionistas,
Kick your heels off a minute and rest a bit. Glad you’re here to join me for The Blended Blog’s “Spring Fever Fashion” link-up and the debut of my LBD from JCP. Before we get to the dress, allow me to tell a little story about how it came to be mine.
A Little Story
I love JCPenney active wear, right? Especially their Xersion line. The clothes are fun, reasonably priced and good quality. So, in January, I ordered two pairs of active wear pants and a strappy-cute sports bra, ship to store. One pair of the pants arrived right away. The other two items didn’t come and didn’t come. Long story short, there was lots of miscommunication. And I made two more trips to the store to pick up the rest of the order only to learn it wasn’t there either time. So I struggled but finally got a refund.
Not so Fast
And then I got a phone call. The four items I had ordered and was waiting on had been located in the storeroom. Four? Another trip back to JCP. The sales woman retrieved a bag from the back with my name on it. She asked me to check to see if everything missing from my order was in the bag. I tried to explain that I had canceled the order for the missing sports bra and work out pants and had received a refund.
I opened the bag to find my strappy bra, my work out pants and a little black dress, three items. Tried to explain that the dress wasn’t mine but the clerk said it had my name on it. When I pulled it out of the bag, it was a (hopeful) size 8. And it looked vaguely familiar. I think it was a dress that I saw on JoLynne Shane’s blog and had looked about ordering. But had either never ordered or never received. Again, I explained that I had been refunded for the active wear and needed to be recharged for those pieces, plus the price of the dress. The clerk said everything was paid for and told me to take my items.
I did.
My Free LBD from JCP
Maybe because I felt guilty. Maybe because the dress was a size 8 and I felt sure I was a 10. But for some reason, I left the dress in the bag for several weeks. Then I took it out of the bag and hung it in the closet, but not in with my other dresses. Just kind of off to the side.
On one skinny morning, I decided to put on all of my suck-it-in Spanx and try on the dress. It fit!! I sashayed all over the house in it (PC was out of town at the time). Then I ordered some rose gold shoes I had been coveting at DSW, bought a rose gold bag, necklace and earrings at Charming Charlie and created this look.
First on Polyvore
Then a Flat Layout
R&K dress from JCPenney, Anne Klein rose gold strappy pumps from DSW, rose gold bag, pave earrings and necklace from Charming Charlie.
And Finally on Our Model
As you know, I usually take pics on my cell phone for my infrequent ‘style’ posts. I have a better camera but I am still learning how to use it. This past weekend, I had asked PC to take some pics of me in my LBD from JCP using the good camera and out somewhere. Not just in our guest bedroom or backyard. He was sick all weekend but yesterday, once he was a little less green around the gills, he agreed to help me out. We went up to McKelligon Canyon where we often walk, for my photo shoot.
Here are a few of the photos he shot.
And if you haven’t already seen enough. Enough, already…a few pics with ye ole cell phone.
Those stairs were tricky. Especially in heels!!
Spring Fever Fashion Link-Up
Please run by The Blended Blog to see how all our faithful friends are styling spring outfits for today’s link-up. And join us with one of your favorite looks.
Then come back tomorrow, pretty please, for reviews of the books we read in the second month of The Blended Blog’s “Virtual Book Club”. And our kick off of April’s books. You can still sign up to participate in the book club, here.
Thank you, friends, for stopping by.
And with that I bid you adieu.
Have a hApPy HuMp dAy.
Hugs and kisses,
Linda
You look so pretty! I really like the different items put together. And I love the pictures outside!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hey!! Thank you so much. I felt like a fancy lady doing a photo shoot! Thank you for commenting.
Sarah @ Foxy's Domestic Side
OH my gosh, you are the best. I love you so much. The dress, the whole story. Amazing, and the dress looks GREAT on you! Rock it lady!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, sweet Sarah! What a very special comment. Thank you so much. I felt good wearing my dress. Now to get PC to take me somewhere on a date in it! XO
Jill
That dress was meant to be and looks amazing on you! I love all of the rose gold details!
Jill
Doused In Pink
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I felt bad about the dress (for about 5 minutes) but I think somehow it was meant to be. Thank you so much. I like the rose gold for dress-up occasions. Now to go somewhere to wear this!
Sharon
Love love the dress on you! You look gorgeous!!!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, my Sharonia!! Thank you, dear BFF. I am not sure how that dress wound up in a bag for me but glad it did. Thank you so much. Love you BFF.
robjodiefilogomo
Now that’s my kind of shopping, Leslie!! It’s not like you stole the dress, so might as well enjoy it and celebrate! And it’s absolutely marvelous on you!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Jodie! Felt a little like I stole the dress but heck, I have it home now!! And I did offer to pay for it…
Hope I can talk my PC into taking me out on the town in it for my b’day! Maybe knowing the dress was free will make turning 59 less
painful.
Thank you for coming by and thank you for leaving a comment, love!
Deena - Shoes to Shiraz (Dee)
Beautiful colour combo…those shoes makes your legs look SEXXY!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ha! I love it. Me? Sexy legs? Thank you, thank you. I am going to wear those shoes all the time, now. You might have created a monster. But love you for it. XO
Karen Strand
That is about the BEST dress story EVER!! I guess it pays to put things in our virtual cart and forget about them (or maybe hit “buy now” and forget about them??) Anywho, the dress looks perfect on you and Im sure you will get a ton of wear out of it 🙂
Also, as I mentioned on IG or FB, the background for your photo shoot is breathtaking! Here in New England, I’m still looking at a bit of snow in my yard, so seeing you in your natural habitat is very refreshing!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
OH, KAREN!!! What a dear message. Thank you so much. I think you hit the nail on the head. Somehow that dress was in my cart and I bought it when I bought something else. I have had such trouble with online orders at JCP in the past year but just really like their rewards, prices, merchandise…and now their free dress program!
I am going to drop hints to PC that I would like to take my dress out for a spin on my happy birthday. Maybe getting dolled up will ease the blow of turning 59. Oh boy.
Did I understand correctly that you guys are expecting big snow this weekend? Bless your frozen little hearts. I love snow but not in April! Thank you for your sweet comment about the backdrop of my pic. It was an amphitheater in the canyon where PC and I often walk. And the set for productions of Shakespeare on the Rocks and a local musical on the history of El Paso called Viva El Paso. I had never been on the stage (of course) up there but it is open for everyone to enjoy, year-round. Sure beat taking pics in my guest bedroom!!
Thank you so much for coming by and warming my heart with your words. XO
Andrea
That’s a great dress, Leslie! And what a story behind it!
You look absolutely fabulous! Beautiful backdrop, too!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you! I felt like a fancy lady, which is a rare occasion. I am most at home in the beautiful mountains of El Paso. Now to get PC to agree to take more pictures of me up there!!
Lisa
First, you always make me laugh and smile – you have such a gift at writing. You look amazing in your “free” LBD. It was a perfect gift – for all your troubles. Also, thanks so much for joining the Fabulous Friday Link Up. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Lisa
Daily Style Finds
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Awww, you always warm my heart. Hope this month is better and brighter for you. Thank you for your sweet comments. I guess the JCP order gods were just rewarding me for my patience and customer loyalty!
Jennie
Oh, you look so beautiful, Leslie! I just love the modern style of this dress and it looks wonderful on you. Your Polyvore is so creative, too. Mine are always so plain; I am inspired to try something different next time. I love your gorgeous photos, too! Thanks for linking up and have a wonderful weekend.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Jennie! I like playing dress up with Polyvore.
Was so glad when PC agreed to take some photos of me in my dress somewhere other than in front of the garage!!
Amy Johnson
OH my gosh! That dress is gorgeous and you look absolutely breath taking! I love it! And your pictures are fabulous! I order from JCP all the time and I have never had a problem with them. I’m so surprised.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you! I just ordered a bomber last night from JCP. We’ll see how that goes.
Sheila @ Making the Most of Every Day
Yay for feeling great in free dresses! You LOOK great too!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Aren’t free dresses the best. I think I like them better than those I pay for!!