Shopping Our Closets: Tweed Jacket

The origin of tweed fabric is Scotland, and it is still the informal outerwear choice of most of Great Britain. A wool fabric it was originally “woven with a plain weave, twill or herringbone structure.” (Wikipedia - Tweed) It was known to be quite weatherproof, and for a time was only worn by the upper crust for outdoor activities such as shooting and hunting.

What we here in the USA call tweed, while manufactured to look like the rough, textured fabric is much more colorful and typically made from polyester, and cotton with a small percentage of wool, or none at all. Of course there are true tweed pieces to be found but it is mostly seen as suiting, although there are jackets here and there that would meet the true tweed standard.

When I was newly married, I owned a faux tweed suit. It was a beautiful light blue. Unfortunately, tweed became less popular as a fashion trend, and I outgrew my suit so I got rid of it. Now tweed is in and out of the spotlight much like polka dots and satin, but it will always have a place in this girl’s closet; maybe it does in yours as well.

Today I am showing off one of several tweed jackets that I have thrifted over the years. This piece is great for spring and fall. It offers just the right amount of warmth on a cool day, and makes any outfit look work or date worthy. Just for fun I am showing you two looks.

Look 1 - Work Appropriate

I love the colors in this Marshall Fields piece. Brown, yellow, rust, and creamy white form a beautiful blend for any season. This piece is 30% wool, so perfect for the chilly days of fall, winter and spring. During summer, this might just be the piece you put over your shoulders when the air conditioning is blasting. I also love the fringe detail along the collar and middle seams.

To make this look more work worthy I chose a pair of Croft and Barrow Chinos purchased some time ago from a Kohl’s clearance rack. I thought about a light weight sweater, but decided on my dressier, Christopher & Banks button down. This was also thrifted.

You can see my belt, and necklace above. I thought the rusty colored belt and my second hand loafers would subtly pull out the rust color in the jacket. The shoes are a brand called Etienne Aigner. I had to do a little research, but found Etienne Aigner, the man, was born in Hungary and established a fashion line that now caters to buyers all over the world dealing in luxury bags, shoes, clothing and more. Aigner, the retail company now hales out of Munich, Germany. Etienne, the man, died in the year 2000 at the age of 95.

Sorry for the crummy picture.

You’ve see this satchel bag on the blog before. I purchased this from Walmart a number of years ago, and is a brand called George.

Look 2 - Casual Day with the Kids or Grandkids.

To give the look a more casual vibe, I went with a dark brown tee shirt tunic. I also swapped out my Chinos for a pair of light gray Chicos ankle pants. Both are thrifted.

I swapped out my jewelry for a long, pressed flower pendant, and chose my thrifted Rafe for Target bag, which has also had a day or two here on the blog.

Instead of loafers I went back to my Steve Madden sneakers. Yes, they still need a good scrub! Ha, ha.

What do you think of these outfits? Which one do you like better? Do you have a tweed jacket? How do you like to wear yours? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to leave a comment or two.

Thanks for following along. Until next time!

I’m including a few shopping links for tweed jackets. The sizes are sparse, but I tried to find a variety. Besides these you can always search for tweed jackets in your search bar and see what pops up. In addition, thrift stores are great places to find these kinds of pieces. Happy hunting!

Outfit Inspiration: Gray Days of Spring

We all yearn for the warmer temps and sunshine of spring. We want to see the trees budding into flower and leaf, and smell the fragrance of flowers on the breeze. We are ready to tear off our winter layers, and pull out the tees, light weight sweaters and jackets, and allow our ankles and toes to see the sun. Unfortunately, here in the midwest, spring mosey’s along as if trying to decide whether it wants to settle in, or just bypass our area and let winter reign a while longer until summer blazes into place.

Today’s outfit was inspired by the weather. It is gray, damp, and chilly. There is a chilly breeze blowing, which doesn’t help it feel more spring like. On day’s like these I am still reaching for layers. However, I like to keep the layers visibly lighter and more spring-like in their appearance.

The outfit started around this recently thrifted Rose & Olive knit top. I love the print and after a little research I am not sure if I would call this a Damask, or Ikat inspired pattern. It is quite unique and along with the puffed sleeves and wider banded wrists give the top a very elegant feel. I think it would look lovely with a dark gray skirt or pair of trousers, or a black maxi skirt or jumper. Even pairing it with a dark navy would be fun. You can see I layered a darker gray, long sleeve tee underneath as an extra layer to keep me warm.

Once I chose the top, I thought the best way to give it a more spring feel was to pair it with a light colored pair of pants, so I chose these white, thrifted, distressed Stylus brand cropped jeans. These are very comfy and I am looking forward to wearing them more when the weather gets warmer.

Yes, my shoelace is untied, and I didn’t notice until late in the day. Ha, ha.

I knew I would need one other light layer so I reached for my years old, Christopher and Banks vest. This is a great piece and I regularly wear it as a light layering piece or as a great way to cover some of my middle age bulge. :)

I knew I would gravitate towards my thrifted gray moto boots and my current thrifted gray cross body bag as the perfect accessories to keep a monochromatic feel.

I didn’t want the outfit to be too bland, so I added a sparkly pendant necklace with a tear drop gray jewel, and a cherry blossom scarf, both thrift finds. A girl has to have a little sparkle and glam even if she is just dressing casual. You just never know what a day will bring. I ended up meeting a friend for coffee at a near by coffee shop and I felt very comfy and stylish.

Of course if you get too warm through out the day, you can always remove the scarf and add it to your bag.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you think it evokes the feeling of a gray, spring day? Do you think the scarf and pendant necklace good additions to make the outfit a tad bit more interesting?

I hope you enjoyed this post. I hope that these fashion ideas help you use the clothes already in your closet to create new outfits that will make you feel fresh and confident.

Style Tip: You can make a look like this using any two colors. I chose gray and white, but you might choose navy and tan, or mint green with pale yellow. See what is in your closet and go for it. The outfit formula is simple: top, pants or skirt, vest, shoes, bag, and your choice of accessories. Have fun!

I hope you have a wonderful week.

Shopping Our Closets: Graphics on Clothing

Today I thought I would spend a little time talking about graphics on clothing. When I refer to graphics, I am talking about specific pictures, words, sayings or branding that make a statement. I read an article called A Brief History of Graphic Tees. I was surprised to find that the first printing of a word on a tee shirt happened in one of my favorite older movies, The Wizard of Oz. In one of the scenes after Dorothy and her companions reach the Emerald City, they are all getting cleaned up. Three workers, all wearing tees with the word "Oz” printed on them, are seen re-stuffing the Scarecrow. That was 1939.

The article goes on to show how graphic tees gained popularity being used by presidential candidates, Walt Disney, and artists like Andy Warhol. Graphic tees really took off as a “messaging platform” in the 1960’s and 70’s with the explosion of rock and roll and anti-war protests. Tee shirts became an easy way to show what you believed and who you wanted to associate with.

Today, graphics are not just common place on short sleeved tees, but can be seen donning sleeveless and long sleeve tees, as well as pullover sweaters, sweatshirts and tops with added textures and trims. Graphics can also be found on sneakers, bags, water bottles and bedding.

A few years ago, I came across a company called Love in Faith. All of their tees and products have to do with the Christian faith. This is not a sponsored post. I have not been given any products or money to endorse this retailer, I just like what they do, and the products they produce. Today’s outfit revolves around one of their tees.

You know my style is casual, but even with a tee shirt I like to look like I made some effort in putting the outfit together. This look was entirely put together from things I already had in my closet. I have loads of tees, and over the last couple of years since I found out about Love in Faith, I have purchased a number of their fun, tees which are always spot on either with verses, lines from hymns or Christian songs, or specific holiday graphics.

I chose this particular tee because it has the words, It is well, with my soul, which is the first line of the chorus from one of my favorite hymns, When Peace, Like a River. I was totally taken in by the bold, white flowers and the unique cognac color. I decided to layer a black tee underneath since our weather is still very unpredictable.

To keep me cozy I grabbed my fuzzy, chenille cardigan. This was a hand me over from my oldest. I had actually gotten this for her one Christmas a few years ago, but it didn’t really grab her attention. When I saw she was getting rid of it, I snatched it up. It is a perfect topper fall, winter and spring and it’s cream color makes it a very versatile piece.

To keep this look light and more fitting for spring, I grabbed my medium wash, thrifted, Bandolino, straight leg jeans. These are very comfortable. Since they are not all that interesting, I added a hem roll on the bottom to give them more of a boyfriend vibe.

I opted for gold jewelry, but you could easily swap in white or black, or go for a more bold choice and pick a medium blue necklace or scarf to pull in the color of your jeans. That would also make the outfit look even more springy.

I wear these thrifted, moto boots several days a week. While they are completely man made materials, they seem to be holding up very well. My cute, little, woven bag is a recent thrift find, and I thought it would be perfect for Easter.

Do you wear graphics? If so, what sort of graphics do you wear? What do you think of this outfit? Would you wear something like this? Let me know what you think, in the comments. You can also comment on Facebook if that is easier for you. I just love to have your feedback.

Here are a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Have a great week.

Outfit Inspiration: Floral Sneakers

I find inspiration for outfit building in many interesting places. I was reminded by an Instagram account I follow, Rosemary @lifefashiongo of how inspiring our accessories can be. For today’s look, I decided to revisit the idea, but rather than a scarf, jewelry, or a bag, I looked a bit lower, to the level of my shoes. These thrifted, Vans floral, Off the Wall, skateboard shoes were the inspiration for this transitional spring outfit.

I did a bit of research over the last few days, looking at accounts on Pinterest on transitional winter to spring outfits. I found a few good articles on how to make the transition while it is still quite chilly, and still give a nod to the inevitable onset of spring time. I know many of us are looking forward to the next season, and in fact, are already enjoying longer days, buds on trees, and the early signs of the greening of spring.

How to Wear Your Spring Clothes When It Still Feels Like Winter by My Chic Obsession has six how to’s to take your heavier layers and make them work for spring. From that same account this article suggests things we can pack away and things we can keep out as we make the transition: 6 Item to Pack Away for Spring (And What to Replace them With). I thought about that as I was putting today’s look together.

I knew I wanted to pull in at least two or three of the colors in the shoes. Green is a main focal point, but there is also bits of orange, pink, and a neutral tannish, yellow, that is close to cognac. I ended up using green, and orange as the main colors, and added a touch of pink. I’m going to include a few style tips for transitioning a casual outfit like this from winter to spring.

Style Tip: When transitioning from winter to spring don’t give up the layers, just modify the weight and chunkiness of those layers.

For this look I chose my lighter weight, thrifted, striped pullover. I do have a long sleeve tee on underneath, but the layers are much more streamline, and less bulky that what I might have chosen back in January. On the day I wore this outfit it was quite chilly starting out, and my hubby surprised me with a day date to a little tea shop for lunch about half an hour away. I added the vest as a good layering piece. I was glad I did. With my coat on, in the sunshine in the car, I got too warm, so the vest was perfect for our little trip.

Style Tip: Vests are a great way to add interest and layers when the days just aren’t warm enough to go without a jacket. Vests are good all year round just for fun.

Another way to create seasonal transition in casual outfits is through your jeans (not DNA :)). You can do this either by wash, or by length, or both, as I did in this outfit. Light wash, while wearable all year round, is especially telling in the spring as we reach for lighter fabrics, not just in weight, but in hues. Also, nothing says warmer temperatures and sunshine like raising the hems on our pants, especially when paired with loafers or sneakers. However, until those temperatures rise, pairing shorter pants with ankle boots or high tops sneakers is perfectly acceptable.

Style Tip: If you prefer a dark wash denim for the slimming effect, try lightening them up a notch with a medium wash. Also choose a straight leg like those below, or even a girlfriend silhouette for a more streamlined vibe.

I kept my accessories light to complete the transitional look. I love both the light weight eternity scarf and the floral tote. Remember totes are back in, especially oversized ones. My tote bag was from Kohl’s a few seasons ago, the scarf was thrifted.

My jewelry was a nod to the pinks in the shoes.

Style Tip: Remember you do you. Whatever the trend setters say are merely suggestions. You don’t have to go buy a new tote bag when you already have three perfectly good ones in your closet. You have them, because they are statements of who you are. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

I hope you enjoyed learning how to find outfit inspiration in things you already have in your closet.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links and are brought to you at no cost. All opinions are my own.

Hello 60! The Writer in Me

If this is your first interaction with my blog welcome to my Fashion page. This month I celebrated my 60th birthday. I decided to spend the month celebrating me. Why not? I rarely spend a lot of time talking about how I came to be the person I am, and 60 is a pretty big deal.

Last week I did a post that gave a shout out to the decade I grew up in, the 1970’s. I was born in 1964, but it wasn’t the 60’s that most influenced my fashion or music choices. I can distinctly remember a particular pair of red cuffed, wide leg flares my mother ordered for me out of one of the sale catalogues at the time (JC Penney, and Wards were the two I grew up with). I remember standing on the toilet in the bathroom, so I could see what I looked like in the medicine chest mirror. We never had a full length mirror in our home. I was so excited to wear my mod, red pants to school that day. Do you have any good memories that revolved around clothing when you were young?

I’m gong to throw my pictures in throughout, tell my story, and then give the outfit details.

It was in 8th grade that I became a writer. Our English class was reading The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. For some reason that story felt so real and personal. As a typical public school student I saw the divisions, the bullying, and the reality of teens being affected by their peers. I was one of them. I didn’t get bullied like some, but I never fit in. My family didn’t have a lot of money, and I often wore second hand clothes I got from my cousin. That’s probably why I remember those red pants so vividly. I had a small circle of friends and most of my social life revolved around the church.

I began to create my own Outsiders stories. After several “books”, which were hand written pieces of about 100 pages, I moved towards stories with mild sci fi slant. Gradually, I turned to trying to write historical fiction, and now my muse is fantasy. I have published a few short articles, and I do a regular monthly article in a local community news magazine, and of course I have this blog. Do I want to be a published author? Yes? Why haven’t I got there yet? I could give you a million excuses such as undisciplined, lazy, tired, busy, etc., but I think the real reason is much simpler: fear.

It takes effort, time, and something I would call heart and soul to pour out your ideas and thoughts into a cohesive work that makes sense and appeals to others. Not only do you have to write, you have to read, voraciously, books in your genre, books in other genres, and books on writing; lots and lots of books. In addition, once you’ve written your piece then comes the ripping, and tearing editing process, followed by the overwhelming questions. Where do I send this? Is it long enough? Is it short enough? Is it good enough? Should I get an agent? How do I look for an agent? The questions are endless. Believe me, to be a writer for a living is a full time job, and not for the weak. However, I am not going to give up.

I am currently working on a fantasy novel with a Christian slant involving a rag tag group of young people who have to learn how to overcome their various problems, find self acceptance and become warriors who can help save the world. In addition to that, I have a few short stories I want to fine tune and try to send either to e-zines, or contests. I would like to get a portfolio of 10 to 12 short stories that I can keep sending as I receive rejections to eventually get something published. Right now I have five short stories that need some work. I am also going to keep looking for some sort of freelance work that I could do part time. If anyone you know is hiring for remote writers, or copy editors let me know.

That’s enough about my writing life. Let’s look at the details of this outfit.

I was inspired by looking through Pinterest at 70’s and 80’s fashion when I found knit sweater outfits, either a skirt and top or a dress. I thought it would be fun to mimic that style and use a few of the 70’s accessory vibes.

My creamy zip up v-neck was a Kohl’s find a year or so ago. It is soft and warm. The skirt I found at a thrift store. I don’t usually wear sweater knit skirts or dresses, due to the hip factor. I do have wider hips and I have never felt comfortable showing off my curves like some women do, but this skirt is big enough that it doesn’t cling. It is also very warm and comfy. The brown belt adds an hour glass vibe, without being extreme.

The Walmart bag is a nod to the patchwork patterns that were popular in the 70’s. Bags were shaped differently than this one, but I thought this worked as a tote bag, and purse.

Once again I added my thrifted slouchy, suede boots.

Apparently, pearls were a thing in the 70’s too. I do remember my mom wearing fake pearls to church early in the 70’s, so I guess that was a thing.

Are you a sweater dress, or sweater skirt fan? What do you think of this look? Would you wear something like this to work? Please leave a thought or two in the comments. I always love to hear from you.

Sharing a few shopping links just in case you are looking for slouchy boots, patchwork bags, or knit pieces of a similar vibe.

I hope you have a great Tuesday!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2023 - New York Palette: Rose Violet, High Visibility, and Doe

Today I am bringing you another outfit in my Pantone Autumn/Winter color series. I find these colors on the Pantone website. My renditions of their color palette may not always be an exact match, but I shop my closet and try to find the pieces that come as close as possible to their color choices. I want you to be able to shop your wardrobe as well. You may not have all of these colors in your closet like I do, but you will certainly have two or three. The idea is to take those colors and use them in new ways to make outfits you never thought of before.

I love the boho vibe of this outfit. The bright colors, tiered skirt and fringe bag are all indicative of many Bohemian outfits.

I was having a hard time decided which piece to use for the Rose Violet color. It is a bright, fuchsia pink and though I had my Button Front Maxi Dress from Closet52 (no longer in business), it was too overwhelming. I felt the bright pink and the bright yellow were needed in small doses, thus this fun, thrifted, tiered maxi skirt.

I added the old Christopher and Banks cat eye necklace to pull the Rose Violet color upwards, and I also wore make up allowing for a softer version of the bright pink on my face.

My Doe colored sweater was a fabulous thrift find. I thought the neutral color with the glistening, metallic dots would be great for the up coming holidays with a versatility that allows for dressing up or down.

High Visibility is certainly so. This bright yellow is so cheerful and definitely a pick-me-up on a cloudy, rainy day. Again, the skirt uses a paler version of the yellow to keep the outfit completely compatible through out.

Here is another way to wear the pashmina.

My accessories remained in the neutral shade to allow the bright pink and yellow to be the focal points for the outfit. The sweater is quite long, hanging below my bottom so I tucked it in and added the belt. It brings additional interest, texture and gives me a more refined hour glass silhouette.

I added the thrifted fringe bag, and my older suede ankle boots which have a low heel helping to keep the skirt off the floor.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like the combination of bright colors with more neutral colors? What would you do differently? I love to hear your ideas and thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

I hope you enjoyed this outfit featuring the Pantone New York Palette colors: Rose Violet, High Visibility, and Doe.

No shopping links this week, but I hope you are having a great day and a good week. Check back next Tuesday for another outfit post.

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2023 - NY Palette: Tender Peach, Red Dahlia, and Silver Birch

It was fun last week to hear your thoughts on how to combine these Pantone colors. I had my outfits already picked out, otherwise I might have tried some of your suggestions. Today’s outfit takes two of the more subdued colors and pairs them with a darker hue for an outfit that’s perfect for work, a child’s school event or even a casual date night with your significant other.

It is always fun shopping my closet for these colors. Everything in today’s outfit is thrifted except the boots and the bag. Let ‘s look at each piece in color order.

Tender Peach

I found this top last spring thrifting. I fell in love with the eyelet across the top around the neckline. It is a cotton fabric and fully lined making an under layer unnecessary. The bell sleeves make it a great summer piece, but obviously it works well for spring and summer as well.

Style Tip:

If you struggle with wearing solid colors choose pieces that have texture to create interest and draw the eye away from areas that might make you more self conscious.

Red Dahlia

This color is a staple in my fall and winter wardrobe. No matter what you call it: maroon, berry, Red Dahlia…it is a color that adds depth and classiness to any outfit. This cardigan with its black houndstooth pattern and gold toned buttons was a great addition to my closet and since pulling it out for this series, I’ve decided it really needs more time out it public.

Style Tip:

Adding a few patterns like houndstooth, herringbone, or chevron to your closet can boost your closet’s outfit potential. Try finding pieces in the forms of jackets, vests, cardigans or skirts that can quickly put together with other pieces to make simple looks that exude classic style.

Silver Birch

These cargo pants are actually a tad light for the Pantone Silver Birch color, but you get the idea. Silver Birch is a light gray, like oxford, but even lighter with a different hue. The cargo pants keep the outfit looking casual, but not as casual as my distressed jeans.

Style Tip:

Never say never when it comes to color. I have heard many older women say, “I can’t wear gray.” Gray is a great neutral and you most certainly can wear it on your bottom. In addition, try out various shades and hues of gray and you will realize not all colors are created equal. Oxford, cobalt, charcoal, steel, silver are all shades of gray, but each one has it’s own tones and hues. Find the one that works for you. If that doesn’t work, remember you CAN wear the gray, just add a scarf near your face that compliments your coloration.

The rest of my outfit came together with my accessories. The necklace was actually given to me by my spouse who found it at a garage sale. He knows I love costume jewelry, so every once in a while he will surprise me with a special piece he found.

I bought my Sonoma bag a few years ago on Clearance from Kohl’s. It’s just a roomy tote bag, but I thought the peachy, orange pattern went well with the Tender Peach color of the top.

I am always excited to be able get out my ankle boots in the fall. These ESpirit burgundy boots are regularly worn all through the fall and winter.

So what did you think of this color combination? What Pantone colors would you have combined with either Tender Peach or Red Dahlia? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I’m including a few shopping links to look at. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great day!

Shopping Our Closets: Monochrome Madness

I know I typically talk about color in my Color Play column at the end of the month, but this week I decided we should shop our closets for similar colored pieces to create a little monochrome magic. After all, I wouldn't go out shopping for same or like colored pieces to create a monochrome look, because generally we have pieces already in our closets that match.

The creation of a monochrome outfit in the fashion realm occurs when clothing pieces of similar or same color are combined to make an outfit that appears to be a column of a single color. Once you get started this is as easy as matching pants or skirts with tops or sweaters. An easy way to create a monochrome look is to use a dress, either short, midi or maxi with matching shoes and even, if you dare, matching hose.

Today I will show you step by step how I came up with this perfectly fall outfit.

I guess I should have taken these pictures outside because I am blending in with the cedar planking in our house. Ha, ha. I decided to use this cognac color to create my monochrome look. Here are the steps I took to put this look together.

Step 1 - Choose your color.

This might seem rather obvious, and for some this will be easier than it was for me, because I have so many darn clothes in just about every color. I thought this cognac brown a good color for fall, but I also thought about rust, burgundy and green. You can also use prints in a monochrome outfit as long as it stays mainly within the color scheme.

I started with my StitchStar jeans as I knew I had a pair of ankle boots that matched perfectly. My top is older and is Mudd brand. The idea that your shoes, pants, or skirt and top should all be pretty close to a match makes sense for a monochrome look.

Step 2 - Decide on a topper.

For my topper I chose an open front Tahari cardigan that I had found on clearance at Kohl’s a number of years ago. You could pick anything that matches your monochrome color from a pullover to a blazer.

Step 3 - Choose your jewelry.

I chose a piece that was in the same color scheme as the rest of my outfit, but you certainly don’t have to do that. Your jewelry can be whatever your choose and the outfit will still exude a monochrome vibe. My goal was to stay as close as possible to the cognac colors.

At this point you could be done with your monochrome outfit, but you know me! Why stop there? Ha, ha. While I love monochrome looks, I am too much a fan of color, texture and interest, so I had to add a few colored accessories.

Step 4 - Add a little interest.

I chose a scarf and a thrifted Liz Claiborne bag that matched the green in the scarf.

Step 5 - Finish it off.

Since fall is truly just around the corner layers are going to be essential, so I decided to finish this look with a recently thrifted Merona utility jacket. When I saw this cognac colored jacket I knew I had to have it. While it is a little snug for me, it works great as an open front piece and still allows the under layers to be visible.

Style Tip: When thrifting make sure to look at all different size racks. You never know what you will find if you think outside the box in how you wear various pieces.

I hope you enjoyed this post and that it gave you quick and easy tips on building your own monochrome look. Shop your closets with new eyes. You will find new outfits you never knew existed. No shopping links today, because I know you are all running to your closets right now to see what you can create!

Until next time, think creative and be creative. Your wardrobe is yours to explore and have fun with.

My Style: Bluer than Blue

Today’s outfit came from shopping my closet. My thoughts revolved around the desire to give you an outfit that is completely me, but also something you can easily replicate from pieces in your closet. Who doesn’t have a pair of jeans, a blue or chambray top and some sort of soft knit topper? Your outfit doesn’t have to use rolled up skinny cropped pants, use your simple straight leg jeans. Your outfit doesn’t have to include a sleeveless chambray lace up tunic top, grab that light blue short sleeve sweater top or that sky blue tee. Your topper need not be an open weave poncho, use that blue cardigan or long sleeve chambray shirt that is tucked away in your closet. Use my outfit and my style to create an outfit that is uniquely you!

There is no deep philosophy to what makes our style. It is simply what we feel comfortable and confident in. Ever since I was a young girl I was a tom boy. I didn’t like wearing dresses, and I loved my jeans. This still holds true today. I’m still a bit of a tom boy, feeling much more comfortable in jeans, tees and sneakers than in frilly dresses and heels. It is also practical and easier to dress this way. The few times I wear heels now I get cramps in the arches of my feet, and getting on the floor to play with my toddler grandson is so much easier if I am not wearing a dress or skirt. Ha, ha. Let’s look at the details.

This flowy chambray top is a brand called Earl Jeans and was thrifted. I never used to own anything that was chambray, but over the last decade I have added numerous pieces to my wardrobe. Chambray is basically a lightweight fabric that usually looks like denim. It is typically made from cotton or linen and its uses vary, but it is most often seen in the clothing industry for everything from tops, to pants, to jackets to shoes. Here is an interesting article on the fabric that is known as chambray, cambric, or batiste.

My cropped skinny jeans are old and are A.N.A brand. I believe I got them at JCPenney. Here is a similar style at a decent price.

My open weave poncho has been around for a long time. I have no idea where I got it, but it is a cute piece that I hang onto for just this type of occasion where I want a little extra texture, and it adds a little warmth in an air conditioned coffee shop (where my hubby went after I took these pictures). I can wear it with the two points down the front and back, which it a more traditional way of wearing a poncho. Or, I can wear it with the points extending down the length of the arms.

A few easy accessories and I was good to go. My crossbody wallet is a great piece for shopping and doesn't allow for all the weight a more typical cross body bag would. I found this on clearance at Kohl’s a number of summers ago. Jewelry is a hodgepodge of pieces I have collected over the years, and my Keds were also a Kohl’s clearance find.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you own any chambray? How do you like to wear it? I love to get your feedback. Your thoughts are always important to me, so thank you.

I hope you all are having a great week. Check back later in the week for a new Faith post revolving around those Wonderful Words of Life.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to peruse. These are affiliate links brought to you at no cost. If you purchase something through one of these links I might get a little kickback. I appreciate all the support. All opinions are my own.

Color Play - Peach and Sea Foam Green

My grandson was here for the weekend, so I asked him to give me an unusual color combination. First he came up with orange and purple, which is definitely on my list of colors to pair in the future. He also mentioned red and green, but when I said Christmas, he decided not that. Finally, he said, “Peach and Sea Foam Green.”

We proceeded to have a mini discussion about what peach and sea foam green or blue actually look like. I finally had to Google both colors to see what the internet said. Sea Foam green is pretty straight forward. It is akin to minty green, but with a touch more blue in it. Peach, however, is another story. There are so many versions of peach: yellow-pink, pink-orange, yellow-orange…the list goes on. When you open up the peach fruit, the center is a yellowy orange, but the skin can have shades of pink in it.

When I started looking for these colors in my closet I was leaning towards the pinky orange, but everything I have leans more towards coral than peach. I finally settled on this floral tee blouse. I call it a tee blouse because it looks and feels like a tee, but the sleeves and front have a sheer material, giving it a lovely dressy vibe. The sea foam green jeans were just right for this post.

Style Tip: Think outside the box when it comes to color. You don’t have to wear the same colors all the time, because that’s what the color gurus say you look best in. Try adding color in small amounts with a bag or shoes, or other accessories. I know I have said this before, but color is just too fun to not wear it.

This pretty floral piece is Alfred Dunner brand and was either a thrift find or a clearance find at Kohl’s. It has been a few years, so I can’t remember. Ha, ha. I like the water color feel of the flowers. Since peach is yellow, but also pink, I thought this blend of colors a good compromise. You might not think it looks very peachy, but the point is not about perfect matches, but color inspiration.

Style Tip: Let color be a guide rather than a prison. Maybe you don’t have anything peach, or orange or yellow. Maybe your clothes revolve around neutrals. Why not use beige or tan with your sea foam green instead?

These bright green jeans are a brand called NYJD. I found these thrifting, but they do have a website and it looks like a decent brand. I love the fit and feel of these jeans. They are a bit stretchy, but not so much so they get slouchy. Check out their website, NYJD. I am not receiving anything in exchange for telling you about this retailer, it just looks like a decent place to get jeans that fit well.

I decided to add a pinky-peach cross body bag to tie in the pink colors in the top. I also added my pale yellow Universal Thread sneakers, clearance from Target. Isn’t the embellishment on this bag so much fun? It looks like embroidery.

When you really pay attention you can see that this top isn’t really peach. You can also see that the green in the top, which is almost a citron green is nothing like the sea foam green of my pants, but I think the outfit works. Again, think in terms of inspiration rather than firm rules.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you think these colors work together? What is the brightest pair of pants you have in your closet? Do you have anything in the sea foam color? I love hearing your thoughts so leave a comment or two.

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Outfit Inspiration - Independence Day Color

We just celebrated the 4th of July which is a summer holiday filled with fireworks, picnics, and cookouts. For my husband and I it was a day to get things done around our home that we have let go way to long. On Sunday we started cleaning our bedroom. I kid you not when I say, it took us three days, and he still has a bit of tidying up to do on his bookshelf and dresser, but we conquered the dust bunnies!

In addition to cleaning our bedroom, we decided to clean out our chest freezer. We have had our freezer for many years. My husband being a hunter, we bought it expecting that part of its use would be for game. Unfortunately, what seems to happen is that things get lost in there. In fact, the freezer becomes like an ancient tomb, but the finds at the bottom of the burial mound are not very pretty, let alone edible. We threw away a lot of food. It is unfortunate, but it is real life and we are going to try to do better from now on to use what we have, and rotate our stock.

For today’s ultra casual look, I will confess I didn’t even get dressed until late afternoon. I tried on a maxi skirt, but that made me feel too hot. Usually, they are pretty cool, but on a 90 plus day the less material the better. Ha, ha.

This is my regular, summer outfit formula. Rolled up jeans, or cropped pants, a top, sneakers, some sort of jewelry and a topper for air conditioning. My husband and I were heading out for dinner and ice cream. Ice cream was our treat for working so hard the last few days, that and the reward of a clean room and defrosted freezer.

My bright red sleeveless top is perfect for these occasions when red is the color of choice. It is a bright, tomato red and is a brand called Popsugar which I found on clearance a Kohl’s a few years ago. I love the smocking detail on the bodice and the ruffles. It is also flowy, so no worries about the bulges showing. Ha!

These thrifted cropped jeans are Mossimo. They have been seeing quite a bit of wear this summer. I am always on the lookout for jeans when I thrift. I have found some of my most favorite and most worn pairs second hand. Jeans see a long life of wear, if made properly, so getting them at thrift store is a way to find off brands that fit, save money and keep clothes out of the land fills.

My creamy white sweater is another thrift find from a few years ago. I was enamored with the beaded embellishment near the neckline. It also has 3/4 length sleeves, which I don’t wear often, but for summer air conditioning they are the perfect length. It is Christopher and Banks brand.

I went with white for my jewelry. That way, if I did’t have the sweater on, I still wore red, white and blue. The cute daisy pendant necklace was a Christmas gift a few years ago from my spouse. The bracelets were clearance finds.

The Comfortiva red shoes you saw last week, and the blue bag, I added after I finished taking pictures, so I had my hubby snap a couple with the bag. Ha, Ha.

What did you wear for your July 4th? Did you get dressed up, or did you keep it casual? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Just leave me some love in the comments.

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Color Play - Finding Inspiration in Wall Art

We don’t just have to go to Pinterest to find inspiration for our outfits, although that is a great source for all sorts of color combinations. All you need to do is type in your color combo and outfits of all sorts will pop up. For example if I type in, “Neon green with brown outfit,” or “Outfits with neon green and brown,” you’ll get a variety. If you want to only search casual outfits, add the word casual to your search.

I am one who likes variety when it comes to where I am getting my color inspiration, so it is a good thing the sources are unlimited. Besides nature, one of my favorite places for inspiration is wall art. From water colors to oils, to photographs to tiles in kitchen back splashes or bathroom trim, I love to create outfits using those colors.

Today’s outfit revolves around two pieces of wall art that were hanging at the house we staying at on our trip to Kentucky. I loved the colors in each. (I had to take the pictures at an angle to cut the glare on the glass that was over the prints.)

As I started looking through my closet I was struck by how many different outfits could be derived from these prints. I may have to revisit these at a future date. Today’s casual outfit pulled out the bold red, dark and medium blue, and the creamy light brown.

Everything in this outfit is second hand, except for the tee shirt. My white v-neck tee is Time and Tru brand from Walmart from a year or two ago. These make great basic tees and are totally affordable. If you click on the Walmart link you’ll see they have two packs of these types of tees in various colors.

I pulled out a pair of straight leg jeans as it was going to be a little cool and rainy on the day I took these pictures. These are Old Navy brand and are called The Sweetheart. As I usually do, I rolled these. Having my ankles showing makes me stay cooler and it just seems more appropriate for the summer weather.

My print jacket is a Christopher and Banks piece. It seems to be a blend of leopard, and floral. I thought the lighter colors would be good for the warmer weather. It is also lighter weight than a denim or utility jacket. Once again, the beauty of thrift shopping is that you can find all your favorite brands at reduced prices and keep them out of the landfill.

Since the jeans incorporated the darker blue of the picture, I added the brighter blue crossbody bag to pull in the pretty blue of the vase in the second print. This is Tignanello brand.

Now let’s talk about the color red. Red provides such a wonderful pop of color in any outfit that is somewhat understated. I think the red flower necklace and the red shoes make this outfit more fun and interesting. I just found these awesome red shoes at my favorite dollar thrift store. They are like brand new and are a brand called Comfortiva.

If you want shoes that are super comfortable, and affordable, check out their website. They have some cute sandals like the Erena, the Parrea, and the Ganata. I’m not getting any compensation to recommend this retailer, I just know my dollar thrifted shoes are super comfy and cute.

So what do you think? Did my outfit look a little like the prints I took inspiration from?

As I said before, I might have to revisit these color inspiring prints for another outfit. Do you ever get your outfit inspiration from paintings, wall tiles or nature? I would love to hear your sources for outfit inspiration, so leave me a comment or two below.

I hope you are having a great week.

Shopping Our Closets - Wonderful White

I grew up in the era when white was only worn between Memorial Day and Labor Day, with the exception of Easter Sunday when my mother typically bought new white shoes, for both of us. Easter Sunday always represented the onset of spring, even though the actual spring equinox happened before, so white shoes and a white bag were perfectly acceptable for that religious holiday. However, wearing white blouses, dresses or pants usually didn’t start until after the end of May when the summer festivities were well under way.

I love the combination of white with brown. When I thought about going for a monochrome look, I knew I didn’t have a white belt, although I could have left my shirt untucked and wore white tennis shoes and had a white bag for a completely white look. However, I like the way this turned out. Casual and fun with interesting details, this would be a great look for a summer concert at the park or a boat outing with friends…I wish a had friends with a boat. Ha, ha.

Everything in this outfit is thrifted. Thrifting seems to be on the rise as people look for more ways to save money. I did a little shopping at Kohl’s recently and was flabbergasted by the prices. A man’s polo shirt for $80? What? I bought the ones that were on sale for $12.99 and I had a 30% off coupon. Shopping retail becomes a game of knowing when to shop and finding the best deals and coupons. Thrifting, fortunately, tends towards slower inflation rates and many places still offer spectacular deals. We have a shop about 20 minutes from where I live where everything is $1. With the exception of a few upscale brands, furniture and the like, all the clothing, books, toys, shoes, and home goods are one buckaroo!

My top is Adrianna Papell brand. This brand seems to specialize in special event gowns and dresses. I love the crinkly texture and the “just enough puff” sleeves. I really don’t like anything too poofy, as my shoulders are a bit broader. That’s why I was never a fan of shoulder pads. If they are removable, I take them out of my blazers, dresses or tops that come with them. You can also see the necklace I added in keeping with the brown theme.

My distressed, Boyfriend cut, white jeans are Stylus, a JC Penney brand. They are super comfy and casual, so these will be on repeat this summer. The belt loops were wide enough that I was able to get this recently thrifted, woven piece through. I thought the speckling of color and the braiding of the belt were great details.

I found these cute sandals when my hubby and I went up north at a Goodwill store. They are a brand called I Love Comfort, and looks like it used to be a Sears brand. They slip on and tie up just like regular shoes. They have a fairly comfortable footbed, and give full coverage for my veiny feet. Sorry for the nasty looking nail polish. I need to redo my toes with a more durable polish. Ha, ha. Hey, I’m just keeping it real.

You’ve seen this bag on the blog before. It is Rafe for Target brand. Check out the actual Rafe NY website. Cute bags, but way out of my price range. I love this one I found at a second hand store. It is quite roomy, so I might make this my bag for our upcoming travel.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you wear white in the summer, or all year round? Do you like to dress in a monochrome look? Do you add different colored accessories to make the outfit more interesting? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. I hope you are having a great week!

Color Play - Brown and Pale Green

Brown is a color that not everyone likes to wear, but you know me and my motto which is all colors for all women. Color and how we wear it and look good in it has to do with shades of color, and placement of the color on our bodies.

Today I am showing you an outfit that uses different browns, as well as different pale greens. The thought that brown and green go well together is not new, just think about trees and their branches. Many of the color combinations we see in nature work in the fashion world too.

It is hard to tell that these pants are actually green, but they are. They almost look gray, but when you set them next to a gray pair of pants, they definitely have a green tint. I found these recently on a thrift run and they are Chico’s Girlfriend style.

My plaid brown top was also a thrift find and is Lauren Conrad brand. I love the poofy sleeves and the smocking around the neckline. The fact that it is brown and plaid are what ultimately made me buy it. I have a hard time finding the color brown, especially for summer weight clothing. This one is perfect for the season. Of course, it also helps hide one thousand sins, you know the ones, the extra ice cream sin, the extra serving of potato chips sin, the double serving of just about any kind of chocolate sin…Ha, ha. Ugh! I can’t even really taste things right now, but I just keep on eating.

I added this other second hand treasure, the Apt. 9 vest, for interest and to tone down the volume of the top. The vest adds its own volume, but I think together it looks cute .

For accessories I added my Keds sneakers, a minty green necklace and some beaded bracelets with mint and silver like the necklace. I am also showing off this Rosetti bag that I recently found at a thrift store.

The only things in this outfit that aren’t second hand are the necklace, bracelets and sneakers. It is a satisfying feeling to be wearing an entire outfit that didn’t end up in a land fill.

What do you think of this outfit? I would like to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments below, or leave a comment on my Facebook page.

I hope you are having a marvelous week.

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Shopping Our Closets - Light Weight Joggers and a Button Down Shirt

This week I want to share with you two pieces I think are essential to a warmer weather wardrobe: light weight joggers and a button down shirt. These two are practical and versatile and able to be used for so many outfits. For today’s post I combined these pieces to make a comfortable ensemble easily worn to a summer graduation party, a casual night out, or a trip to the zoo with the kids or grandkids.

I was never a jogger sort of gal. Jeans have always been my go to, and occasionally dress pants for work when I had an office job. Joggers were for exercise, not daily wear. However, I came across a floral Sonoma pair at Kohl’s a couple of years ago and thought I would give them a try, since I loved the floral pattern. You can see those styled here. Now I have this purple pair, and a blue pair. In addition I have added a few pairs that I thrifted.

Those of us who have very bad varicose veins do not really like to show our legs off on a regular basis, but we also like to be cool in the hot weather, so a light weight, comfy pant like these joggers is the perfect compromise. They are completely versatile as well, so you can make them super casual, or add a silky top and heels for a more dressed up vibe.

Style Tip: Never say never when it comes to clothing. Trying new styles and pieces is exactly how you grow your wardrobe and how you really hone in on your exact style. Style, just like many things in life, is a trial and error type of thing. Try something and if you don’t like it, move on to the next thing.

I went for a purple with purple combo in this outfit, but I wouldn’t call it monochrome, because the purples are quite different. My tee seems to lean in the blue direction, although if you saw it by itself you would definitely say it is purple. I love graphic tees, and this thrifted Misslook piece is spot on my style. You can also see my purple hued bracelets that I added for jewelry interest.

Style Tip: If you like to wear tee shirts think outside the box as to how you style them. A nice, crisp white tee is just as much a work wear piece as a nice, crisp button down. Add a neck scarf or some layered necklaces, top it with a structured blazer and you’ll look ready to take on the world. On the other side, tees, especially graphic ones with words or designs, can be uniquely yours and tell a lot about your personality and what you value.

Once again, I am using a classic button down as a shacket. This thrifted yellow piece is White Stag. I have hung onto a few more structured, solid colored button downs as layering pieces that can be used all year round.

I chose this bright yellow bag as I thought it drew out the bright yellow in the center of the daisy on my shirt and compliments the pale yellow button down. This was a thrift find and is a brand called Bueno.

I got these pale yellow Universal Thread sneakers at Target on clearance a few seasons ago.

What do you think of this look? Do you wear button down’s as light weight layering pieces? Do you like to wear tee shirts? How do you like to style them? I always love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to leave a comment or two.

As usual I ‘m including a few shopping links for you to peruse. Please feel free to use these links as inspiration for your own wardrobe. I only make money on these links if you use the link to purchase something. These are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

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Shopping Our Closets - Utility Vest

Today’s outfit revolves around a utility vest. Vests are great pieces to have in your closet. Whether you wear them as an extra layer in the winter, or style them as a fun topper in the summer, a vest can add interest and depth to an outfit. Spring is the perfect time to pull out those lighter weight vests and change up your looks from dark, cozy colors to lighter pastels and brights.

Style Tip: Try using olive as a neutral in your outfits. It is a nice change from the typical tan, beige or gray, and works great in any season.

My Mudd brand vest was a clearance find at Target a few years ago. I have a few utility jackets, but I liked that this was a vest, and is made of a soft, medium weight fabric making it perfect for warmer days. For those of you who like pockets a utility vest is a practical workhorse for your wardrobe.

I just nabbed this Croft and Barrow puff sleeve top on the Kohl’s clearance rack. You know how I love embroidery and the sleeves on this were pure perfection. While the whole print isn’t embroidered, but the combination of print and embroidery really stands out.

I wanted to show you another ankle length jeans look. Last week I showed you a wide leg jean. This week is a thrifted, Gloria Vanderbilt, straight leg version, and once again, it is in a lighter wash. These are also a pinstripe, which is harder to find, but you can’t really tell unless you get close.

I knew I wanted to do something pink and gold for my jewelry so I chose this floral statement necklace and the gold bracelet for a bit of bling.

My bag was a clearance find at Meijer a few years ago when velvet was trending. My sneakers are Sperry’s.

What do you think of this outfit? Is this a style you would wear? Do you have a utility jacket or a utility vest? How do you like to wear them? I love to get your feedback, so leave me a comment or two.

I am including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. They are brought to you by me and I do not receive compensation for your clicks, but only if you make a purchase through the link. These are provided for your benefit, to give you ideas and options for items you might like to purchase. All opinions are my own.

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Outfit Inspiration - A Spring Look

Spring is here, at least the calendar says so, even if the temps don’t feel quite like it yet. As I worked on taking pictures of this outfit I was glad for my long sleeve tee and bulky, longer cardigan, because, dang it, it’s still cold outside! The sun is shining brilliantly, but not quite up to the task of warming our northern states. It will come, so we just have to be patient.

While we wait I thought it would be fun to post a few spring outfits that cater perfectly to our crazy midwestern changing weather. Fall and Spring are our transitional seasons and our temperatures can fluctuate from below freezing in the morning to the mid 70’s during the day. In addition, we can almost always expect rain, rain, more rain and plenty of wind, all of which continue to make me feel cold and want to dress in cozy layers.

Today’s Outfit Inspiration comes from Pinterest where I have a board titled Spring Fashion. Do you use Pinterest? I find that it can be a great source of inspiration and ideas from everything fashion, to holiday decor to recipes. I get tired of the same thing all the time, and I can’t tell you how many times I walk into my closet and just feel overwhelmed. Pinterest and the challenges I participate in on Instagram help me to think differently about my wardrobe and help me rediscover the joy I get from creating a fun outfit.

Style Tip: Look to other sources for outfit inspiration. Instagram, Pinterest, bloggers, and other social media platforms can be overwhelming, but they can also keep things from getting stale and get you looking at your closet with new joy. If you are not a social media kind of gal, then look at the fashion magazines at a bookstore or grocery store. Even though many of those don’t cater to your average woman, many of them can still give you color combinations, acceptable trends and outfit ideas.

The pin, which I will show you at the end is from an influencer Get Your Pretty On. Founder, Alison Lumbatis has a classic, petite, feminine style that works perfectly for busy moms. You can check out her website by clicking on the link. However, it doesn’t look like she has posted anything since last July, so I am not sure if she is still current. Anyway, the pin is for a spring outfit and features a pink cardigan, light wash jeans, a white v-neck tee, a pink tote, and neutral colored flats or sandals.

This white long sleeve tee is just a basic Hanes tee shirt. Basics like this are good to have in your wardrobe, especially if you have a more casual style. You can see I did a bit of a front tuck and added a pink belt to complement the sweater.

I actually had these Signature Levi Strauss jeans from the clearance rack at Meijer in the bag to return, but when I saw this pin, I began to think about other ways I could style these wide leg ankle pants for spring and summer and decided to keep them. They are super comfy and have a high waist that actually fits over my bulges, making it a good choice for wearing with tees that I might want to tuck in.

My thigh length, open front cardigan is Old Navy brand and was a thrift find. I’d say this has been one of my favorite sweater finds while thrifting. I love the length, the pockets, and the cozy fabric. The fact that it will be useful over three seasons is an added benefit.

Style Tip: When using an outside source for outfit inspiration, think about ways you can change up or add accessories to make the look completely your own.

As you can see I did just that with this outfit. I added this thrifted floral silk scarf for a bit a warmth, chose a coral floral Sonoma bag instead of pink to go with the coral tones in the scarf, and chose my neutral Keds sneakers instead of flats or sandals.

Here is my outfit next to the outfit I pinned.

Let me know what you think? Did I do a good job using the pin as inspiration, and did I do a good job of making the look my own? What would you do with this outfit inspiration? I always love to hear your thoughts. You inspire me to keep posting my blog posts and to keep playing with clothes!

I have added some shopping links to give you more ideas.

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Have a great week!

My Style - Pantone Spring 2023 - NY: Classic Green, Love Bird, Leek Green

For today’s look, I decided to combine the three greens on the New York Palette into one outfit. These greens are all different, but go together making a fun, bright, spring outfit perfect for any casual occasion.

You know my go to is always casual and comfortable, but aIso like my outfits to look put together, so it at least appears that I gave a little thought to what I am wearing. I always try to plan my outfits out the night before, so that I don’t have to take the time in the morning to make those decisions. Do you pick out your outfits the night before, or do you just throw things on at the last minute?

This outfit is my style: casual, cute and comfortable. It is the type of outfit in which I feel most confident and most like myself. I love wearing button downs as a topper over a graphic tee or light weight long sleeve tee. Skinnies are always going to be part of my wardrobe, no matter what the trend forecasters say. I will definitely style other types of pants from boot cut, to straight, to wide leg and flares, but skinnies will still hold a place in my closet.

I thought this Periodic Table of Muppets tee perfect for the Classic Green color on the NY palette. The thing I love about graphic tees is that they allow every individual to speak for themselves. They show the bands we like, the shows we watch, the activities and hobbies we groove on. A graphic tee can tell a lot about a person. What do you suppose this tee says about me? If you guessed that I grew up watching the Muppet Show, then you are right! Ha, ha.

This thrifted Jaclyn Smith Love Bird button down is such a great piece for spring and summer. Gingham always moves our minds towards the warmer days of spring and a summer full of outdoor activities and picnics at the park.

While these olive pants are not as yellowy as the Pantone Leek Green, it still gives you the idea of olive drab, which you know comes in a variety of shades from green gray to green brown and green yellow. I’ve had these Gloria Vanderbilt utility skinnies for a number of years and have styled them multiple times on the blog. You can see them with an olive utility vest, a light weight sweater, a floral bomber jacket, and a snakeskin print jacket.

The addition of my Steve Madden white sneakers keeps the outfit feeling springy and fun.

This brown and white bag was a thrifting treasure. It is Rafe NY brand. I really like the style and roominess of the this bag. The fringe tassel and woven buckle strap on the front pocket add such fun details. The bag is a bit heavy, so I won’t be using it for any long shopping trips, but it will make a great travel bag with room for a book and a few snacks. Ha, ha. I felt it went very well with the whole vibe of this outfit. What do you think?

I didn’t get a good close up of my necklace, but it is a simple short pendant and the colors mimic the other colors in the outfit.

Style Tip: Go monochrome without going monochrome. All of these colors are in the green category, but they are all different. Even still, the outfit does have a distinct monochrome feel. This is also a great way to put an outfit together. Pick a color category, then choose various shades from that category to make up your whole outfit. Use your accessories as a way to add a few pops of different color.

What do you think of this outfit? Does this mimic your style? What is your casual go to style? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Leave me some love.

I’m including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links and are brought to you at no extra cost. If you purchase something through a link I get a little bit of a commission. I also now have a Buy Me a Coffee link, so if you are so inclined you can support this little blog by doing that. Thank you so much.

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I wasn’t able to find anything in the Love Bird color, so you may have to track that one down yourself by Googling it or by looking for it at thrift stores.

Have a great week.

Shopping our Closets - Colorful Skirt and Pantone Spring 2023 NY: Beetroot, Crystal Rose, Gray Lilac

(The colors used in these Pantone posts are approximations and not exact matches. The reference to the Pantone Color Institute is meant as a guide and only for your consideration. I do not receive any money from Pantone for these posts. I do it because I love color.)

This week we are shopping our closets looking for a colorful printed skirt to build an outfit around. I chose this floral maxi skirt that I have styled on the blog before as the place to start. Once again, I am incorporating three of the colors from the New York color palette just to give you a sampling of what the Color Institute came up with for this spring and summer.

These colors definitely fall into our radar for spring and summer. For some people pastels are a year round affair. For me, I tend to reach for these lighter, pale colors in the summer months as a way to stay and look cool. In my opinion Beetroot is very similar to Viva Magenta, although a bit more pink. Unlike years past, this year, the Color of the Year is not on the New York or London palettes. I guess they decided they could add one more color on each if they left the Color of the Year as its own entity.

My pleated maxi skirt was a clearance find from Kohl’s a few years ago. Chaps brand, it has a full lining and is very fun to style with its swishy, pleated loveliness. You can see this skirt styled with a gray tee and pink cardigan another Pantone season a few years ago.

Style Tip: As with our unique cardigan from last month’s Shopping our Closets post, start with your printed skirt and build your outfit around it, either focusing on one color in the skirt or a few different colors.

My Crystal Rose pullover sweater is a brand called Colorado Clothing and was thrifted. One of the reasons I give you the brand names on my thrifted pieces is so that if you like the brand you can take the name and plug it in on second hand clothing apps like Ebay or Poshmark and maybe find something you like.

My utility jacket from Maurices is the closest thing I have to the color called Gray Lilac. I had a bag, but in my messiness of clutter, I couldn’t find, it and might have gotten rid of it, but don’t remember. Oh dear, my brain! Ha, ha. It is a darker shade, but if you look it up on the Pantone Spring/Summer 2023 New York Palette page on their website you can see that it is similar.

I kept the accessories fairly simple as I wanted the skirt to be the focal point. I also made it my own by adding combat boots with a blingy clutch.

Style Tip: Make outfits about you and your personality. Just because a particular outfit typically is worn with a certain type of shoe or blazer, doesn’t mean you can’t mix it up a bit and choose pieces that are more to your liking and make your personality shine. The necklace and clutch were both clearance finds; the clutch at Kohl’s and the necklace at Meijer. My boots are a brand called ID Required and are thrifted.

What do you think of these Pantone colors? Do you have these in your closet? Do you have a love/hate relationship with pastels? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on Facebook. I’d love to hear from you.

How would you change up a style like this to make it your own? What do you like about this outfit? What do you not like? Let me know what you think!

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Outfit Inspiration: Pantone's Color of the Year - Viva Magenta

I still want to bring you a look at the Pantone Color Institutes color selections for this year, so this month I am going to feature a few of the New York Palette Spring/Summer 2023 colors for each of my monthly columns. The Pantone website has become increasingly user unfriendly for just the average joe. If you want to buy their services and products they are great, but I can no longer get specific color info. If you look at their page for the Palettes, the colors are now featured as these tiny, almost imperceptible to the human eye, swatches. Ha, ha.

Before I start, let me reiterate, these are my interpretations of the Pantone colors. They are not exact matches, but correspond as closely as I am able to make them with my limited information from the website and my limited wardrobe.

Viva Magenta is a bright, rich pinky red that easily catches the eye. It is a pretty color that can be combined with loads of other shades for a spring and summer worthy outfit palette. I don’t have a lot of pieces this color in my closet, so I was glad to see I had this Sonoma 3/4 bell sleeve top and the thrifted Libby Edelman shoulder bag.

I decided to combine the Viva Magenta with two of the other colors from the Spring New York Palette. Summer Song is a soft, light blue that reminds me of a light wash denim, which is why I chose my thrifted J. Jill - Out of the Blue embroidered, jacket as a topper. I love the embroidered details on this piece. I’ve worn this on the blog before. You can see it with a white skirt for summer, and with a pair of wide leg jeans.

Vanilla Cream is one of the classic colors on the palette this year. I would say it is a cross between a pale pink and a pale coral. The Crayola Crayon box might call this one Flesh, ha, ha! These thrifted Refuge jeggings, seemed to come pretty close to the Pantone color. I don't typically wear leggings or jeggings without a longer top, but these have back pockets and do look more like jeans than leggings, even though they are incredibly soft and stretchy. You can see how I styled these with a black floral top, a belted orange tank top, in a pink monochrome look, and in a flat lay.

My SO ankle boots were a clearance find from Kohl’s a number of years ago. You can see how I styled them with my cognac jeans, a yellow knit cape, dark pink cords, and gray plaid cropped pants.

Are you a fan of Pantone’s color of the year, Viva Magenta? Do you like it combined with these other spring Pantone colors? Do you have any of these colors in your wardrobe? Leave me a comment or two. I always love to hear your thoughts. I do try to respond to all of your comments, so be sure to check back after a few days.

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