<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC050180.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2459" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC050180-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>This is Part 3 of a 3-part series that is officially a 4-part series.  You'll see...</p>

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<p>I decided that I was in dire need of a fashion overhaul.  Part 1 involved uninterrupted time with fashion magazines to research new looks.  <strong>I never made it past the smutty articles in Cosmo.</strong></p>

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<p>Oh, well.  I could always enlist the help of a personal shopper at Nordstrom.  I've never worked with a personal shopper before (aren't they only for the rich and/0r famous?), but Nordie's allows the common folk to sign up for free.  Go figure.</p>

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<p><strong>For Part 2,  I took the <em>Field of Dreams</em> approach to my closet.</strong> If you clear it, the updated wardrobe will come.</p>

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<p>Well-fed, well-rested, hydrated, and ready to shop.</p>

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<p>For Part 3, I scheduled a personal shopper at Nordie's.  I <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">dragged</span> invited Katie aka Katie Ann along with me for several reasons.</p>

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<ol>
	<li>Katie Ann has innate fashion sense. </li>
	<li>She is a teacher, and therefore very patient. </li>
	<li>Since she is used to children, she perfectly manages my limited shopping attention span as well as my whining about how tired and hungry and thirsty I am an hour in. </li>
</ol>

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<p>Knowing myself, I ate an almond butter sandwhich in the car on my way to Nordie's.  (Almond butter sandwhiches stick with me for hours.)  I also brought 32 ounces of water and slept 8 hours the night before.  I was ready for <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">battle</span> my makeover.</p>

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<p>In case you didn't guess, unlike 99.9 per cent of women, I am not a fan of shopping.  I can think of a thousand things I'd rather be doing:  playing guitar, walking the pooch, hiking a mountain, practicing yoga, reading a book, writing a book, etc., etc., etc.</p>

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<p>Oh, the poor, poor unsuspecting personal shopper at Nordie's.  Let's call her Ms. P.</p>

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<p>Previously on the phone, Miss P asked me a few basic questions about size, style, my budget and my goals.  I replied, "Petite small, eclectic/sporty/classic, middle-range, 40-somethingly fabulous new look.</p>

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<p>This is the dressing room that Katie and I walked into.</p>

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC050187.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2483" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC050187-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>

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<p>I'll tell you what's wrong with that picture.  I'm the woman with a red kitchen, a marmalade living room, a green bedroom, a sunflower yellow office, purple bathrooms, and a chalkboard door.  [It sounds more garish that it really is.  Trust me.  :-) ]</p>

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<p>Here's a personal shopper mini fashion show for your viewing pleasure/displeasure.</p>

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC050182.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2484" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC050182-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></p>

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC050183.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2485" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC050183-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></p>

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC050184.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2486" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC050184-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></p>

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<p>I gently explained to Miss P that I am not afraid of color.  She redeemed herself.</p>

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC050188.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2487" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC050188-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC050181.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2488" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC050181-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></p>

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<p>In the midst of all of this mayhem, Katie Ann waxed fashion philosophical and dubbed my personal style as bohemian sexy.  Her description immediately resonated with me as I recalled a date earlier in the year when I guy whom I was very into told me that my style reminded him of Sheryl Crow.</p>

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<p><strong>And then the night before Thanksgiving</strong> Britt (who is quite stylish herself) complimented me on my shoe collection.  She went as far to say as I had the best shoe collection of anyone she knows!</p>

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<p>Hmph.  Maybe I don't need a personal shopper after all.  Maybe I just need a good friend and a bit of confidence while getting in touch with my Inner Sheryl.</p>

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<p>And an almond butter sandwich, of course.</p>

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<p>Stay Tuned for Part 4 -- Coming in January 2011.</p>

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<p>ultimately, i'm doing o.k.  on my own.  i get compliments.  men tell me i look like sheryl crow.  britt tells me that i have best shoe collection of anyone she knows.</p>

<p>i have katie who has known me for nearly a decade, knows me well, knows fashion.  i don't need a personal shopper.  i need a full stomach, channel/ geting in touch with my inner Sheryl, and katie.  part 4 coming in jan</p>

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