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What I Wore + Q&A

If you haven’t seen it, Instagram has this new Ask Me A Question feature in their Stories, so one night last week when I was bored at the beach, I decided to give it a whirl.

I don’t have many outfits from this week, so in addition to sharing my outfits today, I’m also posting the Q&A from my Instagram Story last weekend.

I’m always afraid it sounds super self-absorbed to tell people to ask me a question, as if I am that interesting, lol!!! But I always enjoy it when other bloggers do a Q&A, so I figured I may as well put it out there.

I got quite a variety of questions, and I know a lot of you aren’t on Instagram, plus I never know if my stuff is getting seen or not with the finicky algorithm, so I thought it might be fun to share them here. I’ll just intersperse what I wore this week among these questions. There’s not much to say about my outfits, it’s mostly the same old, same old! #tistheseason

Q // What kind of church do you attend?

A // We attend a PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) church that was started almost 15 years ago by our former church. When we moved to this area 12 years ago, we switched our membership.

Speaking of church, this is what I wore last week:

dress // similar shoes // earrings // bracelet // clutch

Q // How did you get into or decide to be a fashion blogger?

A // Totally a fluke! I sort of fell into it — I’ve been blogging since 2006, but it started out as a family/mom blog, turned into more of a lifestyle site with various topics, and at one point I even had a few contributors, but then I decided to niche down to fashion a few years ago. Who knows what’s next… I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. Haha!

Q // How do you keep your clothes organized and from not getting out of control?

A // Ahhh… that’s a constant battle. I keep blog clothes and my personal wardrobe separate, for one thing. I also have a basket where I put things I’m done with — to eventually donate or sell. I keep a separate basket with items I want to return, and I try to go through it and get them to the post office once a week, but that doesn’t always happen. I would actually love to hire someone to help me with managing all of that.

Q // Do your daughters ever ask to borrow your clothes and/or your purses?

A // Haha, no. They know better! That said, my older daughter sometimes rescues tops or dresses from my donation pile, and my younger daughter sometimes inherits my sneakers or sandals. (My older daughter doesn’t wear the same shoe size.) Oh, and sometimes they like to look through the jewelry and bags that I’m getting rid of, but that stuff is usually too mature for them.

Q // What is your least favorite thing about blogging?

A // For the Q&A, my answer was the technical side of things, and that can be a challenge for sure. But for this post, I’m going to amend this answer and say that equally as difficult is having so much information out there for public consumption. Sometimes I feel like I’m just talking to you guys — faceless internet people that I’ve come to know by your user names in my comments section, ha! It’s easy to get too comfortable with that and feel more anonymous than I should. I’m an over-sharer by nature, and I’m always trying to temper that with the realization that people from every part of my life can see everything I put out here.

When I go to church or to my kids’ school events, I’m aware that some people who I don’t know are familiar with what my house looks like inside, what I’ve spent on my outfit, what’s going on in my kids’ lives, and where I went to dinner the night before. It’s all very strange and disconcerting at times. I’ve had to make peace with this aspect of blogging, but sometimes I wish I could go back to being a completely anonymous “regular” person.

similar tee // jeans (option) // shoes (option) // bag // earrings // sunnies

Q // How did you and your husband meet?

A // Blind date! 🙂 You can read more about it if you want.

Q // Are you gluten-free by choice, or because of health issues? How do you stay so trim?

A // It’s for health issues, but I’m not celiac. It just doesn’t agree with me. I run and work out and try to watch my food portions… but it’s an uphill battle at 46!

Q // What kind of meals do you make for dinner? And do you take vitamins?

A // I don’t take vitamins because I’m lazy. I try to cook with real, whole foods as much as possible — mostly meat, veggies, potatoes, rice. I don’t buy packets and mixes and things; even when I make tacos or chili, I make it from scratch. That said, there are plenty of nights we do takeout or go out to eat or just snack. I probably cook a healthy home-cooked meal on average 4 nights a week.

Q // What is your favorite dessert?

A // That probably depends on the day you ask, but my go-to desserts when we eat out are flourless chocolate cake and crème brûlée — mainly because they’re the most common gluten free dessert options. I also love a good key lime pie.

top // jeans (option) // shoes (option) // bag // earrings // bracelet // ring

Q // Do you do your own housecleaning, or hire someone?

I’m going to preface this answer by saying, if you saw my Q&A on Instagram last week, I was trying to be flippant and funny when I responded to this question, but my husband and both daughters told me I sounded like a snob and my response was in poor taste. They were all in complete and unapologetic agreement on this, so if I came off sounding that way, I apologize.

I try very hard to weight my words carefully when putting them out there, and I’ve learned over the years to go with my gut if I feel like something I want to say is going to come off the wrong way, but it’s practically impossible to put as many words out into the public sphere as I do and never misspeak. So with that said, here’s my reframed answer… 😬

A // I have someone who comes in several times a month and does the major cleaning (floors, bathrooms, kitchen) but of course I still do a lot in between her visits, and Paul and the kids help too.

Q // Will you have another Shop Jo-Lynne’s Closet post?

A // Maybe at some point. It’s just a lot of work to sell things online, and I recently discovered Clothes Mentor. It’s easier than consignment because they decide what they want to take and pay you on the spot. I know I’m not getting as much for my things as I could if I were to sell them individually online, but if you consider the time involved in doing it that way, it might be a wash.

Q // Best over the knee boots that don’t cost more than $150?

A // I haven’t tried them, but I like the looks of the Steve Madden Brinkley. They get great reviews and are less than $100 at the #NSale.

Q // Best pant style to wear with ankle boots?

A // The nice thing about ankle boots is, you can wear them with pretty much anything. I like them best with ankle-length or cropped skinnies, but they’re also great paired with the cropped straight or cropped flare styles. You can wear bootcut jeans over them, but the pants have to be at the exact right length for the heel, so I’ll say an ankle-length skinny or cropped flare is the easiest.

See my how to style ankle boots post for more info! (I need to update that this fall.)

Speaking of jeans, I just got these J.Crew toothpick jeans in the mail, and they are SO GOOD and only $69.50. I know that’s not chump change, but they’re a lot less than most of the jeans I link to, and they’re really good for the price point. Comfortable, flattering, a nice light wash, and the perfect length too (for me, anyway.) They’re true to size, or size up if in between; I have the 29.

top // jeans // similar bag // shoes // earrings (pink cats eye) // ring // watch

Q // What is your favorite feature or aspect of your new home?

A // Ooooh… tough one. I love the privacy of the backyard and the pool. I love the mudroom, the 2nd floor laundry, and having a 5th bedroom. But most of all, I love how light and spacious it is throughout.

Q // Do you get Botox?

A // Nope! I’m not opposed, though. I’ve considered it for my forehead; I just haven’t gotten around to it.

And that’s all I’ve got! I’ll do this again another time, but you can always email me questions if you have them. I’ll work them into a Facebook Live, an Asked & Answered newsletter feature, or I’ll just reply to your email.

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30 Responses

  1. I really enjoyed the Q/A last week, but I didn’t figure out until about halfway through that I could slow it down by pressing my finger on the post. I know I laughed when I read your response about having someone clean your house. I hate housecleaning too! You didn’t come across as a snob to me.

    Btw, I can personally attest to the fact that it can work to check back on items you really want from the Nsale. Unfortunately, (lol), three items that I really wanted to get were recently either restocked or just had returns last night and this morning. I got the Leith cardigan in charcoal (had bought it in tan at the beginning of the sale and LOVE it), the Jeffrey Campbell booties in the snake print, and the Ugg Pax boots in chestnut. I will probably choose between the two booties once I get them rather than keep both. Even though they’re completely different. I think I’m already trying to justify to myself why I should keep both. 😉

  2. GM! I really enjoyed your Q&A with my morning coffee and glad you shared it with us.  
    But I know it must not be easy sharing your life with everyone on a daily bases but it must also feel good to know, that what you do helps inspire us everyday. 

  3. Jo-Lynne, thank you for sharing the questions you answered on Instagram!  I think it’s a great post for a Saturday.  Now I am going back to your email to look at the other items.  I am interested in seeing what you have ordered for the new home.

    1. Ha! Thank you. I’m glad. I told them, I know her! She gets me. They were like, Yeah, but 2000 people read that response. Anyway, glad it didn’t sound as bad as I’d feared.

  4. Great post!  What a neat story on how you & Paul met, I never knew the backstory!  Im in love with your new home as well, the light from all those great windows are what I noticed right away! Glad to hear you have a commitment free weekend.  Our July was one of the busiest we’ve had in years.  Five family birthdays, 3 were milestone ones, the biggest being my husband’s & brother-in-law’s 70th birthdays.  They were 9 days apart!  Lots of birthday cakes to say the least!  Enjoy your  weekend!  

  5. Hanging a new chandelier would be exciting enough for me. Ha! 
    I know you share a lot but I think it keeps your readers coming back and opening your posts. There are others I follow that I see the outfit and don’t even bother opening. It’s a one shot and done. 
    About the cleaner, I have one too and only because I hate to clean. I’m perfectly capable and have the time to clean but I prefer to pay someone. No apologies needed! 
    Enjoy your weekend!

  6. Love to read your Q & A!  Always fun to learn more about my favorite bloggers.  The story about how you met your husband was great.  Not only do you give us great fashion advice, but you’re a great writer too!  Have a great weekend 😊

  7. Please know that your honesty, transparency and ability to be vulnerable are all appreciated by your devoted readers! Thanks for providing us with guidance, ideas and a welcome respite from all of the craziness going on in the world!

  8. I also have checked for restocks every day and finally got the UGG loafers in grey.  I had bought them in my usual size and wished I’d heeded your advice to size up 1/2.  The first were too small!

  9. I saw your comment about the house cleaning last week, and wasn’t offended :). I have followed your blog for awhile, and don’t consider you a snob under any circumstances.  
    That being said, I would really be proud of my husband and girls for pointing out that some people might be offended.  We all have different incomes, budgets and circumstances, and I think being aware of that shows understanding and compassion that we all live differently, some more affluently than ourselves, and some less so.   Some people don’t seem to be aware or sensitive to that, as your family seems to be.  So I say good on your husband and kiddos, and you, too !!
    Have a good weekend!!

    1. Thank you, I think it’s the way I responded, as if I was above cleaning it all or something… but yes, they definitely call me out when I’m out of line. Haha! My girls are half mortified by my presence on Instagram anyway, so yeah. I get a lot of “advice.” 🙂

  10. I thought your response was perfect!  I too hate cleaning,however, I really like eating out and going to movies…so I clean!  We all have our chosen priorities in our lives.  

  11. Great post, as always… I admire how you keep things fresh and interesting. Reading through the q&a again was fun!

  12. What a lovely blind date story! It is such a “meant to be” story.

    You do not come across as a snob at all. Don’t fret about it at all.

    Glad to hear your stories. Your vulnerability and transparency are what set you apart from other bloggers whose lives appear to be perfect. We know it isn’t and find it inauthentic. You come across as very real and like a friend next door. I love how you “keep it real”. There are many other women who agree I am sure, just not all comment. Have a great weekend!!

  13. First,  LOVE how you share and are so real. Please don’t stop. Its why you have so many followers who listen to your fashion advice etc.  2nd, the Jcrew jeans are the color I was looking for, but do you think the light color is more true to the picture of you wearing them or the color shown on the website? The ones you are wearing look darker.  3rd, the Q&A was fun to read.  Keep it up.  Are you doing the facebook lives again yet?  If so, could you please remember to post them again the next day for those of us who don’t have facebook?  Thanks  

  14. Thanks for sharing.. I didn’t realize bloggers did this with answering personal questions. But I can see where it makes us followers maybe relate better to you … I feel like I personally know you and Cyndi because of this… but I’m sure there are things you’d like to keep personal ( understandably).. I know I would. Thanks again 
    Karen 

  15. I love your blogg Jo-Lynne!!! I found you through Cyndi Spivey’s blogg several years ago when you didn’t post fashion daily. I love how you are so down to earth and that you write something daily. I love reading about your life and about fashion. I refer back to your posts often when I need ideas about how to wear ankle books, capri’s, maxi skirts, etc. Thank you so much for being you!! 🙂

  16. Great Q & A! I missed some of the answers on IG stories!

    I made my LAST purchase of the #nsale today and it was a big one. I got the Brahmin purse!! I couldn’t stop admiring it lol! I asked my husband and mom if they would contribute as a bday gift (t-13 days to 40) and they said yes 🙂 I can’t wait to get it! I also showed a friend several of your pics with it and she gave me a thumbs up on the purchase, said it was pretty 🙂

  17. It must be very tricky to navigate that fine line between sharing and over-sharing. You are so authentic and down-to-earth and a wonderful teacher of all things fashion. That is the reason I tuned in every day. I have never read anything you have written that seemed the least bit snobbish, so no worries there. I really enjoyed the story of how you and Paul met. Truly meant to be! I have heard so much about the J. Crew toothpick jeans. Do they bag out at all after wearing?

  18. It’s so odd to me that your words could ever be misconstrued as snobby (or that you’d fear they might be). I enjoy your blog precisely because it’s so unpretentious and relatable. You’ve unraveled so many fashion and shopping mysteries for me, making fashion really fun, rather than a baffling and sometimes intimidating chore. And speaking of chores, less time cleaning = more time with your family!!
    Thanks for sharing with us!

  19. I’m LOVING your blog and this post is no exception!  I would love to see a post in the future about doing front tucks on shirts.  They look so cute on you, but when I look at myself from the side in a mirror it seems to enhance my small tummy pooch (which isn’t all that big, but this seems to magnify it.)  Or I end up with this odd looking bubble of fabric sticking out above my waist.  I must be doing something wrong.  Help! 🙂 

  20. This is a great post 🙂 And just for the record, I didn’t think you came off as a snob at all in your response about housecleaning. It made me laugh! Love your blog. Thanks for always keeping it real. You’re the best 🙂

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