Pretty Random Thoughts

I Did It!! Contest and Blog Giveway

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:46:00 +0000

As promised, when I reached 50 followers, I would have a contest and blog giveaway for some of my favorite things - much like Oprah - Lesli's favorite things. And last night I did it; I now have 51 followers!

The Giveaway will include gift cards for books, coffee, beauty and one of my favorite stores, and some other surprises.

All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me something about your holiday. What do you want for Christmas, real or artificial tree, do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, did you bake cookies, what are you doing for New Year's Eve, do you even like New Year's Eve? Just something random about the holidays, whatever you celebrate.

You will get one entry for your comment.
Another entry if you are a follower or should become a follower (be sure to tell me that in your comment).
Yet another entry if you Tweet about this and let me know.
And even another entry if you write about my Giveaway on your blog & link back to me, letting me know.

For a possible total of 4 entries. And that's it!! Contest runs through midnight on New Year's Eve, and I will draw one lucky winner on New Year's Day. If you have won a previous Giveway, you can still do this - everyone is welcome.

Good luck!!

Another Fashion Blog - Oh, Yeah & More Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:44:00 +0000

I have kind of been feeling I should practice some restraint and not shop so much for myself. I have so far not purchased the cute Juicy Couture pink Scottie Dog iPod speakers from Bergdorfs nor the Mistletoe hair clip from Kate Spade (now out of stock - boo),

or the Kate Spade Barbie, which would look so sweet & chic sitting on my Pottery Barn desk.

But then today I found myself on a new-found fashion blogger website (Jaclyn Day) and so I bought this cute holiday T-shirt from Forever 21.

And then I found out that the awesome writer, knitter and blogger, Laurie Perry of Crazy Aunt Purl has a much-anticipated new book that has been released early so I had to rush over to Amazon and purchase it.

And while I was there I also bought this book about Marie Antoinette that I have been wanting. Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution.

So there I did it. No shopping moratorium for me. I kind of think I have a problem, no? Yes!

Ok - Just One More Follower And ...

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 01:33:00 +0000

When I hit 50 followers I will do a contest/blog giveaway for one lucky reader.

You know how Oprah has her Favorite Things? Well, this will be Lesli's Favorite Things and will include gift cards for coffee, books, shopping and beauty and some other surprises.

But I need one more follower so it is up to you guys!!

Work your magic. Mention it on your blog or Tweet about it or something!!

Happy Holidays!!

Dear Santa, I Really Want These

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:53:00 +0000

Juicy Couture pink Scottie Dog iPod speakers

Available at Bergdorfs, Saks and Neiman Marcus

Best of 2009 - 07

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:04:00 +0000

7 - Blog Find of the Year - That gem of a blog you can't believe you didn't know about until this year.

My favorite new blogs are Chloe Conspiracy and Glammed If You Do, Glammed If You Don't for fashion, and for art and interior design, Fifi Flowers Design.

Chloe Conspiracy and Glammed are full of fun fashion stuff, and also both bloggers are so funny. Fifi Flowers is whimsical and fun and has glamourous photos. She is so talented!

I am also excited to find that St. Paul-born author, Elizabeth Berg, has a lovely little blog as well here. She divides her time between Chicago and Wisconsin.

Best of 2009 - 04

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:07:00 +0000

4 - Book. What book - fiction or non - touched you? Where were you when you read it? Have you bought and given away multiple copies?

I have read so many books this year & you can see a partial list on the sidebar under my Shelfari, which actually needs to be updated as I have read several books since! By the way, if you are a member of Shelfari, please feel free to add me as a friend.

Anyhoo, books that have touched me.

I really enjoyed Retail Hell which I passed along to my friend, Amber. In turn, she got me into reading some of Jodi Picoult's books and Amber and I also attended a book signing for Jodi Picoult's newest book, Handle with Care. In addition, it was Amber who got me into reading the Twilight books, but that was actually at the end of 2008.

I also introduced my friend, Sttaci, to books by Jane Porter, first Frog Prince and then Flirting with Forty. I hope she will read Mrs. Perfect next!!

I also went into the Young Adult arena (teen??? - I can be so immature!) and read LA Candy by Lauren Conrad, as well as books by Sarah Dessen and Zoey Dean.

And I dipped into nostalgia with two memoiors of Beverly Cleary, the children's author, and some old books from yester-year - the Snowy series of books by Ruth Doan MacDougall. I would have to look up the publish dates but the books seem to take place in the 50s initially and then Snowy grows up and goes to college and gets married and grows old and loses her husband, and they are sooo good!

I also enjoyed books written by actresses, Valerie Bertinelli and Tori Spelling.

Those are just some books in a nutshell. I love reading and whenever I read one particularly good, I will mention it in my blog.

Happy Reading!

I Won, I Won, I Won!

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:44:00 +0000

Last week I entered a photo contest on Fifi Flowers' beautiful, wondrous blog. I chose a holiday photo of my cat, Brie. She is a very sneaky, but adorable Siamese cat who loves hanging out in my Christmas tree.

I chose this photo. She is perfectly framed in all of the greenery and doesn't she look sly?

(click to enlarge)

Well, this morning I checked my email and I won! I won a painting of this very photo (will be done on Wednesday).

So be sure to check back and see how well the painting turned out, and also stop by and visit Fifi. She has a very fun blog and gorgeous paintings as well as a shop on Etsy.

I Wish I Had 50

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:34:00 +0000

I wish I had 50 followers.

So I am borrowing an idea from Lindsay at Pixies and Bears and throwing it out there that when I reach 50 followers, I will do a really cool blog giveway.

So if you read my blog, but are not a follower, you might want to consider following. Please help me get to 50!

Thank you!!

Hi to My Pal, Kristie!

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:42:00 +0000

Look how sweet this is!

Look!

You should check out Kristie's blog--she is a sweetheart.

Best of 2009 - 03

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:10:00 +0000

3 Article. What's an article that you read that blew you away? That you shared with all your friends. That you Delicious'd and reference throughout the year?

Okay, I read many, many fashion and decorating magazines. Many magazines geared towards women. At my job, we literally get dozens of magazines for the beauty and fashion industry that we are in, BUT my answer is going to be oh so lame, because not one single, solitary article stands out in my mind.

So you might say, oh, Lesli, that is just because you read shallow magazines about lipgloss and how to get your boyfriend to propose, but that is not true (entirely). I also read serious journalism and I can't think of any specific articles.

However, this has been an interesting year what with the economy and the job market and the sinking real estate market. So probably my answer would just have to be not one specific article, but all the articles on the economy. And not that I really want to keep reading about the poor economy. It is depressing!

Come to think about it, I would RATHER read about lip gloss. And celebrity gossip. It really does take your mind off the bad things that are happening in the world.

Now that I sound completely shallow, I need to go turn on CNN and get serious because I suddenly sound like I am in a beauty pageant and I am seriously failing the interview portion of the contest!! This was a really hard question.

Best of 2009 - 02

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:01:00 +0000

Restaurant moment. Share the best restaurant experience you had this year. Who was there? What made it amazing? What taste stands out in your mind?

I have to always say my favorite Minneapolis restaurant, Joe's Garage, and it doesn't even matter who is there - it can be anyone as long as I have my mashed potatoes and Japanese cream cheese egg rolls. Oh, and wine.

If you are ever in Minneapolis, you should check out my favorite spot. It overlooks Loring Park and the atmosphere is sort of funky, hip, industrial. In the summer, there is a lovely rooftop bar with a view of the Basilica and Downtown Minneapolis.

And the garlic mashed potatoes are to die for, with a choice of many toppings, but I always get the blue cheese cream sauce.

WINTER STORM 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:41:00 +0000

What used to be my patio furniture, buried in a Wisconsin avalanche!

(click all pictures to enlarge)

The 2-hour commute home yesterday on I-94, as seen out the windshield of my VW Bug, Daisy

Noodles and my floral Uggs - safely back inside. Weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful!

Trista, the regal white cat - she is happy she doesn't have to leave the house ever. She is happy to preside over her kindgom on top of the refrigerator!

L is for Lovely

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:58:00 +0000

(click picture to enlarge & see all of its fabulousness)

Sometimes I will see a cute letter L, you know, made from fabric or wood or something at places like Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie or a local craft fair and I will think I need it. Then I will think but what do I need it FOR? Then I came across this fabulous use of the letter L in decorating.

Isn’t it soooooo cute? I also love that spiral open-air staircase. I used to have one just like it in my old condo and I miss it. If I ever design a custom-built home, it is going to have that staircase somewhere in the house.

This picture is courtesy of Beki at the fabulous blog Artsy Crafty Babe.

Best of 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:37:00 +0000

I got this idea from Amber (another idea from Amber - she has the best ones!). To find out about the Best of 09 Blogging Challenge, click here.

But I am not formally going to participate, and I thought I would just pick and choose which ones I will do for the month of December. I am all about making my own rules, you know!

December 1 is What Was Your Best Trip in 09?

I had to stop and think about what trips I took this year. I feel that I did LESS traveling, but I had to flip back through my calendar.

In May I went to Vegas. It was my first time there EVER. Eric and I stayed at the Paris Hotel and I remember eating a lot, drinking a lot, shopping a lot. Walking a lot. Going to see Donny & Marie (such a great show) and Cirque du Soleil. Hanging out by the pool. Meeting my friend, Will, for dinner one night. Going to the spa. A gondola ride at the Venetian. Playing the penny slots – a gambler I am not. But Vegas is about so much more than gambling. I think, like everything else in life, it is what you make it! And I made it about shopping, drinking, eating and relaxing!

Shopping At Chanel in Vegas

Over the 4th of July weekend we went to New England. We stayed at Eric’s parents’ house in New Hampshire for most of the trip, but we had one night in Boston and one day of shopping in Boston. Plus one fun filled day in Salem—well, it was fun til I tripped in the parking ramp and broke my toe! Otherwise, we spent time at the lake and watched the fireworks over the water.

Cutest Pet Boutique in Salem, Mass.

In August, Eric and I took a road trip to West Des Moines, Iowa - my old hometown. I got to hang out with Amber and we saw Julie and Julia (the movie). I did some shopping at Jordan Creek. I met girlfriends for lunch. I attended the Iowa State Fair. And I briefly caught up with another old girlfriend, my dear friend Leigh Ann who I recently got back in touch with through Facebook. It was my new car, Daisy's, first road trip and it was a blast. (Shockingly, no pictures???!! What the!)

And finally in October we went to Southern California for my birthday weekend. We stayed at the Radisson in Newport Beach and rented a convertible and I did my favorites- shopping, drinking, eating and relaxing. Got to hang out with one of my best friends, Jodan, in Laguna. Saw Marilyn Monroe and Farrah Fawcett’s graves in Hollywood. Had a delicious Red Velvet Cupcake from Sprinkles, of course.

Beautiful Laguna Beach!

Out of those trips, my favorite had to be the California trip because I always love going out there and just feel so at home, but all of the trips were fun and I am glad I took them!

Tempting Tuesday Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:47:00 +0000

Regrettably, I did not participate in this year's Cyber Monday. Shocking I know.

But I can't bear to think that I don't have any fun packages on their way to me so today has been dubbed Tempting Tuesday and I proceeded to use two of my gift cards from my birthday in October.

One was from Barnes & Noble and the other one from Macy's.

From Barnes & Noble I got the new 50th Anniversary Barbie book, "Barbie: All Dolled Up: Celebrating 50 Years of Barbie".

I already browsed through it at the book store and it is full of delightful pictures and replicas of rare memorabilia. I can't wait!

And from Macy's I chose a Betsey Johnson charm bracelet. It has a bunny and a snowflake and a mitten and a heart. How cute is that?

Here is the description:

Dress up with a little holiday spice. This Betsey Johnson bracelet features glass pearls, crystal accents and an array of charms including a bunny, mitten, snowflake and heart. Set in antiqued 14k gold-plated mixed metal.

Random Meme

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:32:00 +0000

I borrowed (okay, stole) this from Amber at a Little Pink.
Hopefully, she won't mind!

Current Book(s):
I just finished 3 books, “How Starbucks Saved My Life”, “Home Safe” by Elizabeth Berg (love her writing!), and “Hungry” by plus-sized model Crystal Renn. All 3 were really good books. Now I am onto my next book, whatever that may be.

Current Music:
Satellite radio in my car – I split my listening time between Hits on Channel 1 and then I listen to the 70s, 80s and 90s, and also Lithium (alternative) and Boneyard (the really hard rock station—ha!).

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure:
Internet shopping while at work. I am so bad! Kate Spade jewelry. McDonalds new Holiday Pie.

Current Colors:
Red as in my red Kate Spade bag, perfect for the holidays. And purple. I have a Kate Spade bag in that color as well.

Current Obsessions:
kate spade, little dogs, Anthropologie, Philosophy Eggnog Bubble Bath, and Christmas lights

Current Drink:
Caribou’s Apple Coffee Cooler—but pretty sure it is gone now that it is December – boo!

Current Song:
Leighton Meester’s new song “Somebody To Love”.

Current Movie:
There are two movies coming out that I want to see. The first one is with Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker, “Did You Hear About the Morgans?” and the other one is Alec Baldwin & Meryl Streep called “It’s Complicated”. Both come out this month.

Current TV Shows:
Million Dollar Listing, Real Housewives of Orange County, Gossip Girl, 90210, Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives—that is my line-up right now.

Current Wish-List:
A second dog, a white Louis Vuitton bag, and a Porsche. That’s about it for now! Oh, and diamonds.

Current Needs:
I need someone to get the tar off my car (I ran into some road construction). Poor Daisy!

Current Triumph:
See below—I triumphed over that zit. Thanks to a good dermatologist & an emergency appointment.

Current Bane of my Existence:
A big zit. But a little cortisone injection can work miracles.

Current Goal:
I don’t have any goals right now. I sort of want to be goal-less.

Current Indulgence:
Mince pie with brandy sauce, McDonalds holiday pie, chocolate covered cherries and marshmallow Santas. Tis the season.

Current Blessings:
My friends, my husband, my pets (not necessarily in that order!)

Current Slang or Saying:
Happy Holidays, of course. (I am a receptionist!)

Current (Fav) Outfit:
Any dress over black leggings with my low-heeled black suede boots.

Current Excitement:
Hmmmm…. I NEED something to be excited about. I don’t have anything right now. But I will. Don’t you worry.

Current Mood:
Fidgety + a little sleepy – ready to go home. Oh, and run to Target. When the sun sets so early it makes me tired!

My Twitter Cloud

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:44:00 +0000

According to Tweet Cloud, these are the words I use most on my Twitter account. And probably the words I use most on my blog, too!

Kinda fun!

Maiden Minnesota - 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:28:00 +0000

As someone who enjoys shopping and drinking wine and socializing and jewelry and fashion and candles, etc., etc., of course I had to attend the Maiden Minnesota Event a few weeks back. I meant to write about this a few weeks ago....but as you may have noticed, the theme of my blog lately is procrastination. I don't know what has happened to me.

So to recap, Maiden Minnesota is to benefit the arts and showcases the designs and wares of women-owned companies in the Twin Cities area. This year it was held at the super-elegant Graves Hotel in Downtown Minneapolis.

I was especially in love with the Eggnog Latte candles by Illume. Love it! So yummy for the holidays. Illume candles are available at Anthropologie and Bloomingdale's.

And the long fingerless gloves by Annie Fink. (Similar to those below, but not exactly.) Actually, Annie's are called arm sleeves and are much longer, and were worn by Lindsay Lohan on "Ugly Betty". Click on the link to see what I am talking about and read more about Annie. Each of her sleeves comes with a tiny red heart sewn on the inside of the wrist!!

And, finally, all things Hollywood Fashion Tape. Yes, they are based in Minneapolis, which I never even realized. They are the "stars' secrets to preventing wardrobe malfunctions" and they have everything from body shapers to oil blotting papers to ballet flats. Click here to see their shapewear model! Yes, she really did walk around all evening dressed like that. But she was darling. She was a model!

I Am Famous

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:09:00 +0000

(kidding!)

But my little bio is on AliShops.com now. The picture is still a big red X, but her web designer is working on that.

I am officially a shopping assistant. I thought maybe you would want to see the bio:

Lesli LeJeune grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa and moved to the Twin Cities to attend Lowthian College of Design where she studied interior design, fashion history and fashion merchandising. She's a receptionist at the corporate office of the Thymes, a Minneapolis-based bath and body company and lives in Hudson, Wis. with her husband, four cats and a naughty Pug. When she isn't working, blogging or caring for pets, Lesli loves to shop: Nordstrom, Von Maur, Anthropologie, Target. Ridgedale is her favorite mall; 50th & France is her favorite neighborhood. But any place with Kate Spade bags or Nanette Lepore dresses is worth the drive.

I Seemingly Skipped Over Halloween!

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:53:00 +0000

I know it is Thanksgiving tomorrow.

I DID celebrate Halloween.

I DID hand out pre-packaged joy to all the neighborhood ghosts and goblins. Until the handle on the screen door broke & Eric announced Trick or Treating 2009 was over!

I DID dress Noodles as a Hot Dog Bun.

Below are some belated pix (as always click to enlarge):

California, My Birthday, Etc.

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:37:00 +0000

I started to write this post well over a month ago. But what I can say, I have really been procrastinating! I found it in my notes.

Over the weekend of October 10, I was in Southern California, one of my most favorite areas in the country and where I someday will live. It was my birthday weekend and my husband and I flew out there to celebrate California style!

We flew into LAX , rented a Mustang convertible (a really pretty burgundy colored one) and then drove to Newport Beach where we spent 3 nights at the Radisson. I probably go out to California at least two or three times a year. For one thing, my husband has an office in San Diego and if he gets sent out there for work, you don’t have to tell me twice to tag along. So as a result, I am pretty familiar with the area. I know how to get around and where to shop!

This trip was not supposed to be a work trip for Eric but he did schedule one teeny-tiny conference call, which turned into a 4-hour phone marathon. Not to be daunted, I took the convertible to Fashion Island in Newport Beach and also paid a visit to Sprinkles Cupcakes. When I got back we TRIED to go to lunch at Eric’s favorite Mexican place in Irvine, but on the way there he got an emergency call and he literally spent the whole meal on his phone with his laptop on the table tapping away—ugh!!!

Later that night he made it up to me. No, not like that—ha ha!! He took me to South Coast Plaza and I got a new charm for my Tiffany bracelet and a new watch.

JODAN AND I IN LAGUNA

I also got to spend one of our days in Laguna Beach with my good friend, Jodan, and her boyfriend, Donny. They live in Ontario (east of LA?) and drove down to spend some time with me, celebrating my birthday. We had a really nice lunch at Las Brisas, overlooking the Pacific, and then we walked around Laguna for part of the afternoon window shopping. Okay, I am the only one who did some ACTUAL shopping. One of the things I bought was a really yummy smelling soy candle by Makana Candle Studios in Laguna. The fragrance I got was Coco Mango.

After a stop at Starbucks, Jodan and Donny were on their way

JUST SOME PRETTY SHOTS OF LAGUNA BEACH

In the evening, Eric and I went to Downtown Disney and it is always just fun to walk around there. Of course, I had to get a Mickey Mouse t-shirt. Yes, of course, it is pink.

I KEPT RUNNING INTO DAISY'S CALIFORNIA COUSINS!

On our final day, I decided it was important to visit Westwood Cemetery. I wanted to see the famous wall crypt where Marilyn Monroe is buried and in my research, I discovered that Farrah Fawcett is buried just across the lawn.

MARILYN MONROE'S CRYPT - PEOPLE PUT PENNIES IN THE NAMEPLATE

FARRAH'S GRAVE - SHE HAD A DOZEN RED ROSES - FROM RYAN?

So that wraps up my birthday trip to California. I am ready to go back! Maybe at Christmas?

It's The Little Things - Giving Thanks

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:27:00 +0000

For the entire year of 2009, I have been participating in Days of Grace 365, in which I listed 5 things I was grateful for each day. I often fell behind and then would play catch up, but I did it for approximately 240 days and then I really fell behind in September and tried just listing 5 things for each week. And eventually I gave up.

Not that I am not still grateful—I am. I just learned that it is really hard to be disciplined enough to write down 5 things for each day. So, hey, I fell short by 125 days, but that is better than nothing….and it really did make me stop and take notice of the little things that make me smile. I consider it an experiment.

Here and there, I still plan to tell you what I am grateful for. I just don’t want to follow such a strict schedule. I am bad at anything too regimented!

But as this week is Thanksgiving, I definitely need to give thanks and tell you some of things in my life that I am grateful for.

Without further ado:

I am grateful for kittens, cupcakes, fashion blogs, blogging friends, all friends, old friends, new friends, chocolate covered cherries, snowflakes, little dogs, dogs in clothes, dogs in handbags, shoe shopping, clothes shopping, on-line shopping, fun packages and cards in the mail, thank-you cards, birthday cards, Christmas cards, just because cards, watercolor paintings, fashion illustrations, sea shells, falling leaves, sunsets, thunderstorms, shiny hair, skipping, laughter, hugs and the sandpaper tongues of cats.

And those are just a few of the little things I am grateful for.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Thursday I plan to get up and watch the Macy’s Parade in my pajamas. Friday my mom will be here for a weekend of shopping and pie and wine.

Hope your holiday is full of the people and things you love!

Two Fashion Blogs I Am Loving

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:48:00 +0000

I recently (as in really recently, like this past week!) came across not one, but two fabulous fashion blogs and I am in love with both of them.

Check them out!!

Glammed If You Do, Glammed If You Don't

&

The Chloe Conspiracy!

You will thank me for referring y'all to these two blogs.

You're welcome!

Mitten Fail

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:29:00 +0000

So I have checked Bloomingdale's multiple times today and they are still not letting me order the Kate Spade mittens, although it says they are in stock. But I contacted customer service and the very, very nice lady (excellent Bloomies customer service) informed me that there were zero available to order NOW, but to keep trying. So I did keep trying, but so far no luck.

And while I will try again tomorrow and the next day and the day after that, I am going to need some cute mittens pronto so how about these Betsey Johnson mittens with the cute, dangling pom-poms?? Would you believe I tried to order them twice at the office and both times the website locked me out? WTF???

But I think I can order them now, from home. Wish me luck.

Kate Spade Mittens

noreply@blogger.com (Lesli) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:03:00 +0000

I wanted these mittens and now BOO they are sold out. They seem to have been sold exclusively at Bloomingdale's because I can't find them on the Kate Spade website nor at Nordstrom, Von Maur or Neiman's, and now Bloomingdale's has zero to sell. I know, because I called the Bloomingdale's customer service.

How cute would these have been?

I am not giving up!!