Thank you.

A serious job is no excuse.

When I chose that name for this blog almost 15 months ago, I hadn't the slightest idea just how meaningful a mantra it would become for so many women.

Or for myself.

I started ASJiNE for two primary reasons, the first of which was to raise awareness among women, most notably those in the overachieving professional crowd, that placing daily priority on putting together a smart, figure flattering, venue appropriate look was a critical component in achieving their professional goals.

Not more critical than the graduate degree, not as critical as the gets-along-with-the-guys quick wit, but still, critical.

The second reason was a selfish one - to build up a body of writing in an area in which I had enormous passion but absolutely no rightful claim, no pedigree, no legitimacy; my writing here would serve as my entry into an industry everyone in my life knows is the one in which I was meant to make my most meaningful professional mark.

Over the past few weeks, I've grown increasingly sure that my value-added on the first front has run its course. As I wrote in a recent post, I can only write so many scathing reviews of block heels, French manicures (and pedicures) and be-tanktopped chunky upper-arms before my "shtick" becomes predictable and my persuasiveness loses its punch.

And on the second front, well, there are some big changes a comin' in your Editrix's life, and these are changes that will require a good deal more of her time than her current blogging schedule allows.

So this is a bit awkward and more than a bit unexpected, but I think today, a day we see only once every four years, is the perfect time for me to cap the lip balm on this venture and bid all of you adieu.

Thank you to everyone who read, commented, e-mailed, and especially to those whose public personal attacks taught me the difference between hateful words that matter and hateful words best used for e-mail fodder among girlfriends.

I'll miss this. I really will.

best,
Johanna

p.s. one more thing, the consignment event will definitely still move forward but under the sole guidance of the lovely Maria -- please check out her blog, Righteous (re)Style, for any and all updates pertaining thereto.

Thank you.

A serious job is no excuse.

When I chose that name for this blog almost 15 months ago, I hadn't the slightest idea just how meaningful a mantra it would become for so many women.

Or for myself.

I started ASJiNE for two primary reasons, the first of which was to raise awareness among women, most notably those in the overachieving professional crowd, that placing daily priority on putting together a smart, figure flattering, venue appropriate look was a critical component in achieving their professional goals.

Not more critical than the graduate degree, not as critical as the gets-along-with-the-guys quick wit, but still, critical.

The second reason was a selfish one - to build up a body of writing in an area in which I had enormous passion but absolutely no rightful claim, no pedigree, no legitimacy; my writing here would serve as my entry into an industry everyone in my life knows is the one in which I was meant to make my most meaningful professional mark.

Over the past few weeks, I've grown increasingly sure that my value-added on the first front has run its course. As I wrote in a recent post, I can only write so many scathing reviews of block heels, French manicures (and pedicures) and be-tanktopped chunky upper-arms before my "shtick" becomes predictable and my persuasiveness loses its punch.

And on the second front, well, there are some big changes a comin' in your Editrix's life, and these are changes that will require a good deal more of her time than her current blogging schedule allows.

So this is a bit awkward and more than a bit unexpected, but I think today, a day we see only once every four years, is the perfect time for me to cap the lip balm on this venture and bid all of you adieu.

Thank you to everyone who read, commented, e-mailed, and especially to those whose public personal attacks taught me the difference between hateful words that matter and hateful words best used for e-mail fodder among girlfriends.

I'll miss this. I really will.

best,
Johanna

p.s. one more thing, the consignment event will definitely still move forward but under the sole guidance of the lovely Maria -- please check out her blog, Righteous (re)Style, for any and all updates pertaining thereto.

"high-end" -- let me clarify

Readers,

When I wrote in my previous post that only "high-end" items would be accepted at the upcoming consignment event, what I meant was, for purposes of both keeping the inventory at a manageable level and to remain consistent with the boutique "feel" of the space, we're looking to only include blouses, sweaters, jackets, jumpsuits (!), trousers, skirts, dresses, overcoats, handbags, clutches, pumps, evening sandals, boots and premium denim that are in not just good but very good condition and that are either appropriate for an office, cocktail or formal setting.

The event will include women's clothes only this time around, but if all goes well, we might try our hand at something bigger and more male-friendly in the Fall.

We very much welcome women of all sizes to donate labels of all kinds that fall into all price points.

We're not brandists, we just want you to use your own good judgment in deciding which pieces to contribute. If something is super cute but falling apart, think twice; if something is in great condition but so ugly even your Mother wonders aloud why it's still in your closet, think twice; if something is perfect but has a minor stain, dry clean it before donating.

You get the point.

More information, most notably, what the event is called, when it will be held and to which location on what day you should drop off your clothing, will be forthcoming.

If you have any more questions on the type of items we're looking for, please e-mail me at ASJiNE@gmail.com

best,
Johanna

p.s. Montesquieu will be there on shoplifting watch in full security guard regalia, so leave the butterfingers at home!

"high-end" -- let me clarify

Readers,

When I wrote in my previous post that only "high-end" items would be accepted at the upcoming consignment event, what I meant was, for purposes of both keeping the inventory at a manageable level and to remain consistent with the boutique "feel" of the space, we're looking to only include blouses, sweaters, jackets, jumpsuits (!), trousers, skirts, dresses, overcoats, handbags, clutches, pumps, evening sandals, boots and premium denim that are in not just good but very good condition and that are either appropriate for an office, cocktail or formal setting.

The event will include women's clothes only this time around, but if all goes well, we might try our hand at something bigger and more male-friendly in the Fall.

We very much welcome women of all sizes to donate labels of all kinds that fall into all price points.

We're not brandists, we just want you to use your own good judgment in deciding which pieces to contribute. If something is super cute but falling apart, think twice; if something is in great condition but so ugly even your Mother wonders aloud why it's still in your closet, think twice; if something is perfect but has a minor stain, dry clean it before donating.

You get the point.

More information, most notably, what the event is called, when it will be held and to which location on what day you should drop off your clothing, will be forthcoming.

If you have any more questions on the type of items we're looking for, please e-mail me at ASJiNE@gmail.com

best,
Johanna

p.s. Montesquieu will be there on shoplifting watch in full security guard regalia, so leave the butterfingers at home!

An exciting endeavor!

After a three-day weekend of fielding friends' and family members' "are you moving to New York?" questions and "you're totally knocked up, aren't you?" concerns in response to the "exciting announcement" I alluded to last Friday, I'm beginning to wish I'd chosen a slightly less emphatic adjective to describe what I'm about to describe.

But then again, what I'm about to describe is, in fact, pretty darn exciting.

For those who know me personally and for those who only know me blogospherically, the word "green" only enters into my vocabulary in the context of that which comes after yellow and before blue and that which tends to make for a stunning hue of evening gown for those with fair skin and mahogany hair.

Put simply, the notion of being green, making green decisions or even thinking about being green or making green decisions is not something with which I've traditionally concerned myself.

But then, shortly after I wrote what one DC blogger rightly referred to as my "Closet Cleaning 101" post, I had the pleasure of being approached by and then spending a couple of hours with the author behind DC's newest green-living blog, "Righteous (re)Style". As a result of that delicious Cake Love meeting, I've now been set straight on my theretofore belief that caring about the environment would somehow shapeshift me into a paunchy, balding, friend-to-the-stars Democrat. Now I understand that just like there exists an avocado, a mint, a kelly and a hunter on green's color spectrum, so too are there gradations when it comes to living a green life.

And so, my first baby step in the direction of doing right by the environment is to co-coordinate (with Ms. Righteous) a one-day consignment event that will embody all things green and all things fashionable. We still have a few details to work out, including the date, location and what color cash register to rent, but what we do know is this:

• The clothing at this event will be high-end, and by that we mean only the gentlest of gently-used professional, cocktail and formal clothing will be accepted
• The only customers admitted to this event will be those who donate between 5-15 items
• Pricing will be the responsibility of each individual donor
• Major credit cards will be accepted
  
• Shortly after the event, you will receive a check for the exact amount of money the sale of your clothing earned
• You will have the choice of either reclaiming those items of clothing that aren't sold or donating them to a to-be-determined DC charity (this decision will need to be made at the time of your drop-off)
  
• There will be a reasonable admission charge to cover costs, the excess of which will be donated to a to-be-determined DC charity
• You will be welcomed to an event that is controlled in attendee size and chaos level -- no bargain bins, no makeup-stained messes, no food* and oh yes, cordoned-off private areas with at least one full-length mirror in which you will be able to admire yourself before making a final decision

Not only will this event provide an intimate opportunity for the style-minded women of Washington to co-mingle but it will also serve as a reminder to those who haven't made much of an environmental effort in the past (pointing at self), that by doing something as simple as extending the life of your clothing through consignment, you're making a contribution to the greater cause of a healthier, greener future.

Now, before Ms. Righteous and I choose a venue, we need to gauge the interest of our respective readerships. We want to know for just how many of you participation in an event like this is something that doesn't just interest you but will actually motivate you to stand in front of your closet, select the highest-quality items of clothing you no longer fit into/need/want, price these items, and drop them off on a pre-determined day at a pre-determined time.

This event is extremely important to both of us, and we want to make it as fabulous and well-coordinated as possible, so please, in the form of a comment or an e-mail, let either of us know as soon as you can that you'd like to join us in making our beloved DC a little bit greener and a lot more stylish.

best,
Johanna


*clear, green-minded cocktails, however, are on our must-have list...

An exciting endeavor!

After a three-day weekend of fielding friends' and family members' "are you moving to New York?" questions and "you're totally knocked up, aren't you?" concerns in response to the "exciting announcement" I alluded to last Friday, I'm beginning to wish I'd chosen a slightly less emphatic adjective to describe what I'm about to describe.

But then again, what I'm about to describe is, in fact, pretty darn exciting.

For those who know me personally and for those who only know me blogospherically, the word "green" only enters into my vocabulary in the context of that which comes after yellow and before blue and that which tends to make for a stunning hue of evening gown for those with fair skin and mahogany hair.

Put simply, the notion of being green, making green decisions or even thinking about being green or making green decisions is not something with which I've traditionally concerned myself.

But then, shortly after I wrote what one DC blogger rightly referred to as my "Closet Cleaning 101" post, I had the pleasure of being approached by and then spending a couple of hours with the author behind DC's newest green-living blog, "Righteous (re)Style". As a result of that delicious Cake Love meeting, I've now been set straight on my theretofore belief that caring about the environment would somehow shapeshift me into a paunchy, balding, friend-to-the-stars Democrat. Now I understand that just like there exists an avocado, a mint, a kelly and a hunter on green's color spectrum, so too are there gradations when it comes to living a green life.

And so, my first baby step in the direction of doing right by the environment is to co-coordinate (with Ms. Righteous) a one-day consignment event that will embody all things green and all things fashionable. We still have a few details to work out, including the date, location and what color cash register to rent, but what we do know is this:

• The clothing at this event will be high-end, and by that we mean only the gentlest of gently-used professional, cocktail and formal clothing will be accepted
• The only customers admitted to this event will be those who donate between 5-15 items
• Pricing will be the responsibility of each individual donor
• Major credit cards will be accepted
  
• Shortly after the event, you will receive a check for the exact amount of money the sale of your clothing earned
• You will have the choice of either reclaiming those items of clothing that aren't sold or donating them to a to-be-determined DC charity (this decision will need to be made at the time of your drop-off)
  
• There will be a reasonable admission charge to cover costs, the excess of which will be donated to a to-be-determined DC charity
• You will be welcomed to an event that is controlled in attendee size and chaos level -- no bargain bins, no makeup-stained messes, no food* and oh yes, cordoned-off private areas with at least one full-length mirror in which you will be able to admire yourself before making a final decision

Not only will this event provide an intimate opportunity for the style-minded women of Washington to co-mingle but it will also serve as a reminder to those who haven't made much of an environmental effort in the past (pointing at self), that by doing something as simple as extending the life of your clothing through consignment, you're making a contribution to the greater cause of a healthier, greener future.

Now, before Ms. Righteous and I choose a venue, we need to gauge the interest of our respective readerships. We want to know for just how many of you participation in an event like this is something that doesn't just interest you but will actually motivate you to stand in front of your closet, select the highest-quality items of clothing you no longer fit into/need/want, price these items, and drop them off on a pre-determined day at a pre-determined time.

This event is extremely important to both of us, and we want to make it as fabulous and well-coordinated as possible, so please, in the form of a comment or an e-mail, let either of us know as soon as you can that you'd like to join us in making our beloved DC a little bit greener and a lot more stylish.

best,
Johanna


*clear, green-minded cocktails, however, are on our must-have list...