Summer Outfit - Leopard Print Skirt - Dressy

I decided after finishing up my Pantone series, to do a few weeks of summer outfits, using pieces from my closet and showing how to wear them two ways; a dressed up version and a more casual version. Today’s summer piece is a thrifted leopard print, asymmetrical skirt that I scored at a Goodwill back before the pandemic ever hit. This is a Who, What Wear piece, which is typically found at Target.

These photos were taken at the beautiful Botanical Gardens here in Toledo, which are very close by. I tend to forget they are there, which is ridiculous, because they are so nice for walking, taking pictures, clearing your head and they even have a huge playground, which is now reopened. I may have to get my grandson over there on a day when it is not too hot.

Here you can see up close the uneven hem of the skirt. The skirt is very light weight, but unfortunately when I put it on, it became full of static. I ended up putting a slip on, which helped a little bit, but static was still an issue. I guess I need to add fabric softener next time I wash it.

Here is a better view of the skirt from the front.

For more of a dressed up work look, I added my polka dot Black Label -Evan Picone blazer. I have styled this on the blog before. You can see me wearing it with a burgundy tunic dress, a blue maxi dress, and a scarf print blouse. Because I knew we were going to be taking pictures at a location that might not have their bathrooms open yet, I decided to make my changes from dressy to casual as simple as possible so I could just do it at the car. When I was completely done with one outfit my daughter and I would drive back to her house where I would change into the next outfit. Yes, we get creative. Ha ha.

The thrifted, off white, St. John’s Bay tank top, was an easy top to just throw different jackets over without any fuss or muss. You’ll see that in Thursday’s post.

I kept my accessories fairly simple since I had some print mixing going on. My necklace used to belong to my daughter, and when she didn’t want it any more, I grabbed it. I like the ribbons and dangling beads. It makes for a unique piece. I opted for a simple wood bracelet and a off white clutch type cloth bag.

These Kenneth Cole - Reaction - black wedge sandals were also a thrift find and I have used them on the blog before. You can see them worn with two outfits styled around a bag. and an outfit with shorts.

Do you own a leopard print skirt? Is it one you could wear in the summer. I have two other leopard print pencil skirts. One is corduroy and great for cold weather and the other is a more medium weight, so could be worn in any season.

Did you like this outfit? Be sure to check back on Thursday to see how I used this same skirt and tank for a completely casual look.

I’ve included a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Tanager Turquoise, Heritage Blue and Blanc de Blance

This is our last set of colors for this Pantone Spring/Summer 2020 series. Thursday I will do a recap of all the outfits from both palettes. Today’s blues are perfect for summer. Think tropical waters and blue skies and you have Tanager Turquoise and Heritage Blue. Pairing these two blues with white just seemed to be the right thing to do for a pretty summer outfit.

The basis for this outfit turned out to be a short sleeve floral sweater that I found while thrifting before the lockdown ever happened. I have yet to step back into a thrift store. I know many people are getting back out and resuming normal life, but I and my family have chosen to be a little more cautious. My husband and I have aging parents and we haven’t been able to spend any time since last fall visiting with them. Usually we spend the Thanksgiving through New Years holidays traveling to see our parents and other extended family, but this past fall, my job situation changed and I took on a seasonal job that did not allow for travel. Then, of course the pandemic happened. We miss our parents and hope to see them in a few weeks, Lord willing, but COVID is far from over.

Anyhow, this pretty sweater is Land’s End brand. It is perfect for these lingering cooler days of spring, before the really hot weather of summer begins, which for us, appears to be happening in just a couple of days. It is a medium weight with a crew neck and banded bottom. It has plenty of stretch so is easy to get on an off, although not like a regular tee shirt. Here are a few Land’s End tee’s to check out: leaf print, tropical, striped with ruffled sleeves, pale pineapple stripe, and here is a cute sleeveless polo as well.

I am also wearing one of my summer pants staples, my Christopher & Banks crop pants. I have used these numerous times on the blog. They are the perfect weight and thickness for summer and they have a banded waistline, so just pull on and off.

I added my light blue Croft and Barrow sweater that I have had for a number of years. I thought that this color mimicked the Tanager Turquoise in a softer more pastel shade. Now that I see the pictures, I think the blue flowers in the short sleeve sweater were a closer representation of that rather aqua blue color, with my purse being a closer shade to the Heritage Blue. Here are a few similar cardigans to look at: essential button up, seed stitch and another button up in darker colors.

I kept my accessories fairly simple since the floral sweater is doing all the talking. A few beaded bracelets, a bead and silver necklace that disappears in the sweater, the blue Rosetti cross body bag and my silver SO flats round out the outfit.

What do you think of these colors? Do you like this outfit? Do you have these colors in your closet? I’d love to have your feedback, so be sure to leave me some love in the comments section. Your feedback helps me grown as a blogger and helps my blog as well. Thanks for all you do.

I’m including a few other shopping links below. Feel free to peruse. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo and graphic credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone Spring/Summer 2020 - Storm, Fiery Red and Blueberry

Last week I was really struggling with all that was going on in the world and in our country, so I only posted once, and never did send out an email. I apologize for that. Sometimes, life is like a sucker punch to the gut and you have to step back and try to catch your breath. I am going to approach the subject of all that is happening and my own response to it on my Faith page tomorrow, so just know that I do feel this is important enough to talk about, but I do not think it needs to be done on my Fashion page. Be sure to look for that post tomorrow.

Today we are looking at two very bright and bold colors. When I thought about pairing Storm with Fiery Red, I knew I wanted to keep it as far away from looking Christmasy as possible. Obviously, Storm would never be mistaken for the typical Christmas green that we usually associate with that holiday, but things have changed. Christmas green and red are no longer the only color combinations in holiday decor. Still, I wanted this look to evoke a feeling of fierce femininity, so let me know what you think.

This thrifted, graphic tee from Old Navy is the perfect green and considering everything we have been going through, I love its positive message. Everything has beauty, we just need to look for it.

I had some sheets hanging out on the line on the day we took these pictures, so we had a little fun with it.

Rather than create an outfit with a full red piece, I thought I would show you an outfit where you use one color just in your accessories and wow, what a statement it makes! The Fiery Red bandana in my hair, the jewelry and the bag, add that bright red color, without being overwhelming. Some people feel less comfortable wearing bright colors and prefer to just stick to the classics, like navy, gray or black. Adding a bright color really boosts the overall look of an outfit.

My medallion print skirt is from Christopher and Banks last year. I like that it is light weight, and yet not at all see through. Win, win. I felt that it was a good match for the Blueberry Pantone classic color.

You’ve seen these loafer heels numerous times on the blog before. I got these thrifting and have had them for years, but they still look pretty good. The plus side of real leather. These are Relativity brand.

What do you think of these colors? Do you think this was a good combination? Do you where skirts in the summer? What length skirt do you like to wear; mini, knee, midi or maxi? I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you to all of you who regularly comment on my posts. I always look forward to your insights and of course the positive feedback is wonderful, but your negative feedback is welcome too.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. I hope you are staying safe and healthy wherever you are!

Photos and graphic Rebecca Trumbull.

These shopping links are affiliate links which means I get a few pennies when you click on a link. Thanks for those clicks. All opinions are my own.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Yellow Iris, Rose Brown and Cuban Sand

Today I am featuring two colors I was not quite sure what to do with. When I began searching for these colors in my closet I was sure I wasn’t going to be able to find them. Rose brown is an odd color; not exactly brown, but not really pink, it has a purplish feel to it. Yellow Iris was another tough one for me. I don’t have a ton of pastels in my wardrobe. I like jewel tones and earthy colors, so this pale yellow was stumping me. I have a lot of yellow in my wardrobe; bright yellow, mustard yellow, sunflower yellow, and so on, but not a lot of pale yellow. While Sunlight from the New York palette had an almost light beige or tan vibe to it, this Yellow Iris is strictly a pale yellow. This is what I came up with. Let me know what you think.

I found this floral embellished tee first when looking for these colors. The flowers bear a close resemblance to Rose Brown. This is a thrifted Christopher and Banks tee. The Yellow Iris button up is a thrifted White Stag piece and while not quite as dark as the Pantone color is similar enough. The next pieces I had that were a light yellow were too yellow. Ha, ha.

I added this brown woven belt, because it has a bit of that Rose Brown vibe going on as do the two necklaces I chose. They are definitely a darker brown color, but different than a regular brown, and I thought they went well with the tee.

The gold in the longer necklace made me reach for my gold clutch. You can also see that I added a few simple seed bead bracelets to add a touch more of the Rose Brown color.

My white crop pants I have styled on the blog before. You can see them styled with a dress in another Pantone shoot here. These are a thrifted St. John’s Bay brand.

I looked up the difference between a caged sandal and a gladiator sandal and discovered that there really is no difference. Many gladiator styles come up higher on the leg, much like a boot and involve some sort of lacing, but both gladiator and caged sandals are basically an open style of sandal with numerous straps coming across the foot. They can be open toe, thong or closed toe in variety. The gladiator style ones I have on are Massini brand. I like that they cover more of my foot than a sandal with only a few straps. They also have a small block heel, which I think makes them a little more dressy.

What do you think of these colors? Are they colors you would wear? Do you have pale yellow, this purply brown in your closet? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I am leaving you with a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photos and graphic Rebecca Trumbull.

Wearing White - Ankle Pants

Hi everyone. Can you believe it is the middle of August already? It is still summer here in the mid west. I had a nice reprieve from the heat when I went to my mom’s which is near Buffalo. Sometimes being at the other end of Lake Erie can make a 10 to 15 degree difference. We had a few beautiful days to celebrate my mom’s birthday.

Growing up, my mom and I had a pretty good relationship. I think she was glad to have a girl after two boys. She used to sew us matching dresses and all through my growing up years she always made an effort to take an interest in what I was interested in, whether it was watching late night Sci-Fi Theater or prerecorded Alice Cooper concerts. We both love to read, watch birds and go for walks. My mom and I have seen plenty of sun sets and walked through blizzards just for the fun of it. At 93, she can’t walk as steadily anymore and has a harder time seeing print on a page, but we still watch the birds and television together.

My mom grew up in an era where wearing white was something you only did after Memorial Day at the onset of summer and only until Labor Day at the onset of fall. Usually that meant white shoes, white hand bags and an occasional white skirt or sweater. Obviously, fashion has come a long way since then and white is whenever and whatever you want it to be. Personally, I still like the lighter colors for spring and summer and the darker colors for fall and winter, but as I said, I am trying to get out of my own box.

Today’s white piece is a pair of ankle pants from Christopher and Banks that I have styled on the blog before. You can see these styled with a geometric print top, a gray studded tee, a neutral open front cardi, a bright floral top, and a chambray popover blouse.

Currently, I have two problems with these pants. First of all, I have gained weight and they have gotten tighter than they were. Second, when I stood up you could see all the wrinkles. I was a very warm day and everything was sticking to me, so I am sure that didn’t help either. Ha, ha.

My tee was a recent thrift store find. It is Disney brand and very silky and soft. I love the words and if you don’t remember, or have never seen Disney’s Cinderella, here is a refresher. There are times I wish I was a princess, or at least had the castle. I already have a lot of shoes.

To make the outfit transitional to fall, I added my Torrid olive military jacket. This was a Christmas gift a few years ago, from my younger daughter. I love the detailing on this piece from the cuff stripes to the double rows of buttons, to the pockets.

I opted to keep my accessories dark to go with the jacket and tee. These Clark peep toes shoes are a great transitional shoe with plenty of coverage for cooler weather, but still a peek of skin and toes.

My Rosetti leopard print bag is a new thrifted piece. Leopard print is always a winner and I didn’t have a bag with that print, so why not? I have a feeling I will be using it regularly in the cooler weather.

Since there was more going on in this outfit with the graphic tee, the added textures on the jacket and the print on the bag, I opted for a simple choker.

I hope you enjoyed seeing this outfit. Do you own a military jacket? I’m including a few shopping links for you to see. Every time you click on a shopping link, I get a few cents. Every little bit helps. Thanks for all your support.

Have a great Tuesday.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. 

Tuesday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb, and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge.

Wearing White - Embroidered Pants

I hope you are enjoying this series on wearing white. Most of us have at least something or other that is white, or at least cream or ivory (what is the difference really). I centered this series on pieces that I would classify as a true white, not cream or ivory or off white, however every outfit could easily use pieces that aren’t a true white. It’s all about wearing what works for you and what you are going to feel best in. Not everyone likes to wear white, top or bottom. It can make us look washed out or larger if it is on the bottom, but we are trying to break out of some of those fashion boxes right, and if I want to wear white, I’m going to do it. Ha, ha.

Today’s outfit revolves around pants that you saw earlier this spring on the blog. These pants are from Shop National and were gifted to me when I did the original post, which you can see here. I was excited to get to style these again and wanted to pull another color from the festive embroidery on the legs, so I chose yellow.

I have to tell you, my daughter and I had quite a time being silly on this shoot. It was hot and I was melting, so everything was sticking to me, as you can see here, my yellow tee was taking on its own identity with its ripples. Ha, ha. When we are taking pictures, I don’t remember to smooth everything out, but I guess that’s real life. When is life ripple free? Rarely ever. This tee is thrifted and is Basic Edition’s brand.

I thought it would be fun to show movement, so I told my daughter I wanted to take more shots of me walking. Here are a few. I must confess, I was having a hard time walking a straight line. Ha, ha. And I don’t even drink!

Because I wanted to make the outfits in this series transitional to fall, I added a layering piece to each one. For this outfit I chose my green faux velvet jacket that I found at a thrift store. This is a brand called Erika. It is soft and perfect for when the evenings start to get cooler.

Since this was a casual look, I kept my accessories simple. This pendant necklace I have worn before on the blog.

The embroidery on the pants contains yellow, green and a couple of blue shades. I brought in the yellow and green, so I thought blue would be perfect for my shoes and bag. These bright blue Keds are regulars on the blog, as you just saw on Tuesday. Isn’t it amazing how much more blue they look with the bright white pants?

Bright blue is also how my bag rolls. Bright blue like the summer sky.

I actually had this green tassel from another bag, so I added it to my blue bag. I just like that combination of colors and think it works perfectly for summer. I have several Rosetti bags and like each one for various reasons. Cross body bags are definitely my muse right now. They are perfect for hands free shopping and more secure than a shoulder bag.

I hope you liked this post and that this will inspire you to pull out those white pieces and creatively make an outfit that will take you into fall.

I’m heading off to see my mom this weekend. What are you up to? I love to hear from you and am very thankful for all of you who take time out of your busy schedules to comment.

Have a great weekend.

Wearing White - Basic Tee

White has long been a staple for the summer months, and now it is worn all year round, even in the dead of winter. I don’t reach for white on a regular basis, so I thought I would do a short series on white with a few transitional outfits that could easily take me into fall.

This first look features a white tee. A simple white tee is an easy and inexpensive piece to add to your wardrobe and can be dressed up or down. I wore this outfit to my younger daughter’s poster presentation for the final project of her summer research position with the University of Toledo.

In all honesty, I am not happy with my weight right now. After being down last year I have gained everything back plus extra. My pants are too tight. I don’t like the way I look or the way I feel. I have gotten back on the Fitbit bandwagon and am trying to keep track and walk, but it is a long process and I really suck at being disciplined. They say confession is good for the soul, so y’all get to hear mine. Ha, ha.

This jacket was a clearance find at H&M last season. You can see how I styled this before on the blog in my print mixing series, here. A light weight, lined jacket like this is a great way to start transitioning toward fall and cooler temps. Here in the midwest we might have days still in the 80’s well into October, but evenings will be cooler. Usually, we start doing the yo-yo thing with one day being 85 and the next day being 55, but thankfully, there should still be some summer type weather for at least another month or so.

My white tee is from Walmart. If you want simple basics that have a great price point, Walmart is a good place to look. This brand is called Tried and Tru. The weight of this tee is medium and it has a relaxed silhouette, so isn’t too clingy in all the wrong places. I also don’t have to worry about it being see through. Obviously, if you were wearing a red or black bra, you could still see it, but for the most part, I won’t have to wear a cami under this tee.

These yellow crop pants were thrifted and are Talbots brand. They are a medium weight denim and I do like that they are a totally different color than I usually wear. This bright yellow is great for spring, summer and fall. You can see how I styled these for a more fall look here.

I decided to go with gray for jewelry and shoes to compliment the light gray jacket. These shoes are Naturalizer brand. I think oxfords are a nice alternative flat for general use and I have several pairs.

To bring it a little more color, I grabbed the current bag that I am carrying, a blue, cross body. I like the adjustable strap, the extra zippered compartments and I added the green tassel. This is Rosetti brand. Have you ever noticed how expensive purses are? I’m not even talking Coach, Dior or Kate Spade. I mean standard Kohl’s brands like Rosetti, Fossil, Dana Buchman and so on. I have found that I can find my best deals on the clearance racks at the end of the season. I know trends are important to people, and even staying on trend, which means they wear the trend before, or as it is happening, but I’m not all that worried about timing. I also like what I like and if it is a trend, great, and if it isn’t, so what. Wear what you like and carry the bag you like. This little number is pretty, practical and carries everything I need.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you have a white tee that you like to wear? How do you style yours? I’d love to hear you ideas and thoughts in the comments. I appreciate when you have the time to leave me some feedback. That means a lot.

Rebecca Trumbull took these pictures on my camera at our house, but I did the editing. We were heading out the door and just had time for a few quick shots.

Have a great weekend.

Denim Daze 2.0 - Denim Jacket

The final piece in my Denim Daze series is a denim jacket. I have several denim jackets, all of which I love. For as long as I can remember I have liked denim jackets. Just like moto jackets, to me they seem cool and tough, but done up the right way they can be feminine and flirty. I own a simple jacket that has no embellishments in a light wash. I also have a cropped one in a medium wash that I have styled on the blog many times. A few others include a white, a light wash with white eyelet stripes and an orange one. This week I am featuring a newer one I acquired from Christopher and Banks. The characteristic that drew me to this one, was the embroidered detail.

I wanted this outfit to be casual, but still clean and fresh. These pinstriped light weight ankle pants are thrifted and Gloria Vanderbilt brand. They have become a go to summer option in my closet, when I want a little more coverage, but not the heavy weight of regular denim.

I thought this floral Croft & Barrow tee from Kohl’s went perfectly with the colors in the embroidery of the jacket. This tee was a recent purchase and has longer short sleeves and a medium weight. I love the cute pic on the front. If I had the time, and was more disciplined I would love to have more of a garden, a bit like an English garden with loads of different kinds of flowers that have some sort of uniform messiness to them.

Here is an up close of the embroidered detail. I can see wearing this into the fall with colors like rust, and maroon.

In keeping with the blue theme of my outfit, I opted for blue accessories. This cute cross body bag was gifted to my by my younger daughter for Christmas. I love the gold zippers and fringe detail.

Since I was on a floral kick I pulled out my floral SO flats. If you follow me regularly you know I love these flats and have them in four different colors. They are comfy and easy to get on and off.

I also wore a simple heart necklace with a pink stone. This was the perfect finishing touch.

Do you like to wear denim jackets? How do you like to style yours? What sort of washes do you have denim jackets in? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave a comment or two below.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

I’ve included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links, which means when you click on a link I get a few pennies. If you purchase something through my post, I get a small commission. All opinions are my own. Have fun shopping.

Denim Daze 2.0 - Long Sleeve Chambray Shirt - Dressy

This week I am styling a long sleeve chambray shirt. When I began this denim series a few weeks ago, I differentiated between true denim and chambray. Chambray and denim are made with the same type of cotton threads, but the denim uses a double strand and the chambray uses a single strand. It is amazing, these days how soft and moveable denim is. Now we add other threads to the mix like spandex and viscose to make this normally stiff fabric more figure and lifestyle friendly.

This long sleeve polka dot top works well as a jacket or a light weight layering piece for when you are going to be in an overly air conditioned office for the whole work day. My husband and I like to go out to eat and then spend the evening at Barnes and Noble. We both love books and enjoy working on writing projects, the blog or just relaxing with a book or magazine. I noticed the last two times we went into the store, the air was blasting and it was down right cold. Enter the light weight layering piece.

Whereas Tuesday, I showed this Christopher and Banks blouse styled casually, today’s outfit would be work or date night appropriate. On Tuesday, I wore it as a jacket with the tails loose and the front unbuttoned. Today’s look involves tying the tails and buttoning one or two buttons to create a fake ruched look.

Some gals might be fine with wearing a style like this without a tank top underneath, but I wanted a more appropriate work look, so opted to add a thrifted Loft tank top for additional warmth and layered interest.

You’ve seen this skirt before on the blog when I did my print mixing series. You can see those two posts, here and here. This was a thrifted piece and is Gianni brand. I love this simple a-line silhouette and the colors of the print. It has proved to be a very versatile piece.

I was excited to add this statement necklace to this outfit. I have had it for about a year and haven’t worn it too much, but I thought it was the perfect length and colors for this outfit. I found this beauty at Christopher and Banks online. Many times that is how I find my deals. I shop their clearance and wait for additional percents off.

My little bag is thrifted. It is a fun little piece to use all on its own, or you could use it inside a larger bag for holding the little odds and ends that every woman has in her purse.

Once again, I grabbed my trusty gray heels. Sometimes a simple heel is the best shoe of choice, rather than going for something with more interesting details. This pair is older, but is Comfort Plus brand. Have you ever noticed how hard it is to walk on squishy grass in heels? You sink! Ha, ha. The things you put up with as a woman, right? Ha, ha.

I hope you enjoyed this post and are enjoying the Denim Daze series. Most of us have a least a few of these denim or chambray pieces in our wardrobes. How much use are yours getting?

My hubby and I are heading to Wisconsin this weekend to be with his parent. Tomorrow is their 60th wedding anniversary. What a wonderful accomplishment! We are going to do a few fun things with them in celebration of the special day. I hope you all have a great weekend!

See you next week.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

I decided to feature a few fun pieces from Nordstrom since they are having a sale right now. Have fun shopping. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Denim Daze 2.0 - Long Sleeve Chambray Shirt - Casual

Before I get into the actual post for today, I wanted to let you know that there is a nice interview with, yours truly, on Rebecca Trumbull Photography’s blog. As most of you know, Rebecca is both my photographer and my oldest daughter. Her website, not only includes information about her packages and what she offers, but her own blog, which gives her experiences with clients and some fantastic pictures. Be sure to click on over the the interview by clicking here and give us both some love.

There are times in the summer, where it gets really hot outside. The problem, then is not the heat, but the air conditioning. Many places have the air blasting and it makes it uncomfortable for people who like moderation. Especially if you are going from the cool house, to the hot car, to the hot outdoors and then back into the cool indoors. My husband and I always take a light weight sweater or jacket with in the summer months, just to have something to put on when the inside air gets too chilly.

This week’s denim piece is a long sleeve, polka dot chambray shirt. A light weight blouse like this is another great way to have extra coverage for those chilly indoor spaces. You can use it like a jacket and take it off, if you get too warm.

This Christopher and Banks blouse is light weight and covered with fun purple polka dots. I decided to do some print mixing wearing it over this purple printed popover sleeveless blouse by Izod.

I think the print mix works well, because the popover top, which has the busier, and larger print is paired with the smaller polka dots of the chambray blouse. It also works because I chose a common color to mix with, which in this case was the purple. Here is a close up of the two prints. In the close up, you can see the popover top does its own pattern mixing.

White seemed the obvious choice for my bottoms. These cropped white jeans were thrifted.

We didn’t get a picture of the back pockets, but they have pretty bling on them. The cuffs on the bottom also add another interesting detail. The crop pant typically falls between where a capri would fall, several inches below the knee, and where an ankle pant would fall just at or a smidge above the ankle.

I wanted to add in another color, so when I chose this choker necklace that got passed over to me from my daughter, I decided to add green, thus the olive green hobo bag.

I also added this pretty multi layered beaded bracelet. I got this on clearance at JC Penney a few years back and I really like the way the beads change color as they wrap around the wrist. Its colorful and has a fun boho vibe. Couldn’t you see this piece of jewelry with a long flowing tiered gypsy skirt, a bright top with an off the shoulder look, lots of beads and a bandana on the head? Maybe not on me, but you get the idea. Ha, ha.

I found these sandals at a thrift store and they went into my cart as soon as I tried them on. I love the color. I don’t own very many accessories that are purple, other than jewelry, so I thought these were a fun addition to the wardrobe. I also like that they cover more of my foot. I would love to wear those strappy cuties that many women wear, but my bulbous veins, are not attractive. That doesn’t mean I can’t wear sandals, it just means I try to find styles that give me a little more coverage.

Do you own a long sleeve chambray shirt? Do you ever wear it like a jacket? Wearing long sleeve shirts as jackets can be done with any long sleeve, button-up in your closet, just keep it in mind when you are putting your outfit together, and pick accordingly.

Be sure to check back on Thursday for a dressed up version with this long sleeve shirt. I’ve included a few shopping links for long sleeve chambray’s below. Be sure to check them out.

Have a great Tuesday.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Denim Daze 2.0 - Pencil Skirt - Casual

What could be more versatile than a denim skirt? You can wear it spring, summer, winter and fall. You can dress it up or dress it down. You can wear it with heels, flip flops, ballerina flats, and boots of every configuration. A good, pencil skirt in any fabric with stretch can be a great addition to your wardrobe. It can take you from work to date night and has unlimited potential for other outfits. When I found this stretchy denim pencil skirt at a thrift store. I knew I had found a piece that would get repetitive use.

This skirt is a brand called No Faze Jeans. This brand is no longer available, except for on Poshmark and other 2nd hand retailers. This is a case, where the brand is not as important as the type of skirt. As I said before, a pencil type skirt should have a little stretch in it for bending and sitting. While I like a medium wash in a jacket or vest, a dark wash is a good choice for bottoms. Darker usually gives a slimmer profile.

For this casual look I grabbed a thrifted No Boundaries tee with the word, happy, embellishing the front in different colors. This is a light weight semi-sheer tee, so great for summer, but opaque enough that you don’t need a cami, unless you are wearing a very bright or dark bra.

This next picture shows you the front tuck. The shirt is quite long. Doing a front tuck defines your waist and provides an interesting line from front to back. Some people call this the French tuck, as well. I have mentioned this before in an earlier post, but I like the front tuck because it allows me to show off a belt, yet doesn’t take as much effort as tucking the whole piece in.

Even though the belt doesn’t match any other colors in the shirt, I like how it makes the outfit look bright and cheery, after all, the shirt does say happy.

This choker was a clearance find either at Kohl’s or Penney’s. I like that it looks dressed up, but can also be worn with something casual like this. The faux pearls add just the right class. In addition I threw on a few faux pearl bracelets to match.

Besides a cross body bag, I like a small hobo bag like this, when I don’t want to carry my full load around. This small shoulder bag is just big enough for my wallet and a few other items.

Keeping the vibe casual called for my well worn pair of sparkly gray Keds. These sneakers see a lot of wear in the warmer months and have been through the washer numerous times. I’m not sure how much longer they will hold up. Ha, ha. Who doesn’t have a pair of well worn shoes that they pull on all the time?

This is a simple outfit formula: denim skirt, graphic tee, jewelry, bag and sneakers. If you wanted to, you could swap the graphic tee out for a plain colored one and wear layers of chains, pearls or even a scarf for a whole different vibe.

Thursday, I’ll show you how I chose to dress this skirt up.

Do you own a denim skirt? Do you like to wear it? How do you like to style it? As always, I love to have your feedback. Just leave a comment below. I always read and respond to your comments, so you can check back the next time you are on the blog to see how your comment helped me out.

I’ve included a few shopping links for denim skirts. I hope you see something you like. I usually try to stick to retailers I am familiar with and I also try to include at least one plus size option. These are affiliate links. I get a few pennies when you click on a link. All opinions are my own.

Have a great Tuesday!

Denim Daze 2.0 - Ruffled Chambray Top - Dressy

Before I start today’s post I wanted to let everyone know that my interview with ShopNational is finally on their blog, ifthemuumuufits. Be sure to check that out and thanks again to ShopNational for the opportunity to work with them. You can see the original post here.

I intentionally chose this outfit for today, because it is red, white and blue. Happy 4th of July everyone. I hope that your day will be a good one, whether relaxing at home, because you have a day off from work or spending the day with friends and family celebrating. Our day will be pretty low key. Our kids are busy with their own thing. We used to regularly go see the fireworks, but sometimes we just want to stay home and watch a movie. That’s what we did last night. We watched the first Indiana Jones movie, which is one of our favorites.

Today’s post revolves around the short sleeve chambray top featured on Tuesday, but today will be a dressed up version.

Looking at this picture, I realized how white I am. Ha, ha. I don’t intentionally tan, like I used to when I was a young person, but it would be nice to have a little color. I was using a Mary Kay product for a little while and it was giving me a bit of a glow, but it is a lot of work to keep it up. You have to use the product every day for a week or so and then I am assuming every other day or so to keep it up. I just don’t have the time or discipline. Just like so many things in my life. For real!

Once again, the top is a Liz Claiborne find from JC Penney. This skirt was a recent purchase from Christopher and Banks. I absolutely fell in love with it. To give you a little background, I was watching a show on Netflix called the Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. Set in the late 1920’s in Melbourne, Australia. It is fun, sassy, sexy and definitely eye candy for the fashion conscious. This skirt would have been a little casual for Miss Fisher, but it could have fit right in. I love the vertical stripes, which help to elongate my legs and the button details on the side.

I decided to tuck the shirt in all the way around, and you can’t even tell because the skirt is thick enough where the color doesn’t show through. I don’t think I would wear back, navy or red underwear, though, just in case.

I added red accessories, to make this outfit a winning patriotic statement.

Believe it or not, this pair of pretty red wedges are Keds. I have had these for a while and when I got on their site, it doesn’t look like they offer anything with a wedge heel any more. I found a few others that are similar and will include those at the end under shopping links.

I hope you enjoyed this outfit and that you will have a wonderful Independence Day here in the good old USA!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

I’ve included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Denim Daze 2.0 - Ruffled Chambray Top - Casual

When we talk about denim, we often think of chambray. Chambray typically uses the same cotton fabrics that true denim does, but they are put together in a a different way, called plain weaving, as opposed to twill weaving for denim. Chambray is lighter weight as it uses single strands of thread as opposed to the double strands that denim uses. However, we most often identify chambray as denim as it comes in the same washes and typically serves the same purpose for casual dressing.

This darker wash Liz Claiborne chambray top was on the clearance rack at JC Penney. I don’t frequent Penneys as much now, but when I have a coupon and am looking for a specific item, I will go there. Believe me, as a clothes horse, I have spent lots of money on clothes, but I have always felt the need to shop clearance and second hand. Now, I feel thrifting is even more important for environmental reasons. Land fills are overflowing with plastic, furniture, appliances, clothing and just general garbage. Why throw stuff away, when we can repurpose it?

I thought for a casual look, wearing these Christopher and Banks, Bermuda length shorts would be something different. Plus, most people grab their shorts for summer outfits that are cooler. These Sonoma shorts are light weight, the perfect length for those of us who are a little more leg conscious. I like the way this darker chambray top looks with the tan shorts. For a girl who usually loves lots of color, being more toned down once in a while is a nice change.

I absolutely love the detailing on this popover top. The raw edges on the bodice and sleeves, as well as the ruffles make this a very pretty and interesting piece.

Since this was a relatively casual outfit, I wanted to keep my accessories more minimalistic with a few beaded bracelets, a pendant necklace from Christopher and Banks, a white bag and sneakers.

This white and tan bag is a thrifted Jaclyn Smith. It has a longer strap so you can wear it as a crossbody bag.

This pair of Windsor Knot Grasshoppers were a recent purchase this season. Here is a link to DSW where they have several colors. Once again, it is the details that make an outfit so much more interesting. The stripes on these sneakers and the braided cord, just adds a special touch. Of course this would have looked great with a fun pair of sandals as well.

Do you have a fun top like this, that has unique textural details? How about a pair of shoes that are more interesting because of their different details? A bag can also be a focal piece for an outfit, adding color, texture, and other details.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Remember your comments help my blog, plus I feel like I have friends out there, even though we have never met. If you ever have an idea for a post or a series on my blog, let me know. I’d love to have your input.

I’ve included a few shopping links for more chambray tops, but also for tops with fun details. Be sure to do some window shopping. All your clicks help support the blog as well. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Denim Daze 2.0 - Vest - Casual

During the summer of my first year blogging, I did a series called Denim Daze. During this series, I featured different denim pieces and showed you how I styled them both in a casual way and a dressy way. I’ve decided to reboot this series using different denim pieces and giving each outfit a full post, so one day for the casual look and one day for the dressy look. You can see the original Denim Daze posts by clicking on the following links: Intro, Bermuda Shorts, Chambray Shirt, Knee Length Skirt, Flared Jeans, and the Denim Jacket.

For this series I am starting with a denim vest. You have seen this Christopher and Banks denim vest on the blog before, with a maxi skirt, a pair of olive crop pants, in a Pantone outfit, and in a holiday outfit. It is one I return to again and again.

I thought it would be fun to give you the rationale behind each of the pieces I have chosen for this series, and why I styled them the way I did. This vest has several characteristics that I love.

1 - The color. I love denim in all washes, but for a vest, jacket or top, I often go for a medium wash. I’ve seen denim vests in light, medium and dark washes, but for me the medium wash seems to be easier to style with a lot of different options as far as colors, textures and patterns.

2 - The fit. I have a variety of vests. Many of them are knit with cascading fronts, or puffy for when the weather cools down. For a denim vest I like a more fitted profile. This one is pieced together with panels, rather than being one whole piece in the back or sides. These seams and the panels give a more fitted silhouette.

3 - The bling. What takes this simple denim vest up a notch is the bling. The sparkly studs on the yoke are the perfect compliment and make it quite simple to dress this cutie up or down.

The next piece I chose for this outfit was the thrifted floral tee. I knew I wanted to jazz up the outfit with a print and with some color. There is a little bit of blue in the top that matches the denim blue of the vest perfectly. I just love the cohesiveness of at least something matching in an outfit.

Once I picked out the top, I immediately thought of these jeans, which I have worn on the blog before as well. These thrifted Gloria Vanderbilt jeans are fun with their bright pinky red vibe and of course, the polka dots. They also match the shirt.

The tee, honestly, became the driving force in picking out the rest of this bright, casual outfit. I had blue and pinky red, the last color I wanted to accent was the green, thus the jewelry and the bag.

If you have a hard time putting outfits together, it is often easier to pick a piece with a few different colors in it and then use those to guide you to your next pieces. You can use a floral top like I did, a printed scarf or even a bag with multiple colors. Once you choose that piece, then find a skirt or pair of pants that comes in one of the other others, then a top or scarf, etc. Even your jewelry can be part of the color combination. When you are done, you will have an outfit that is cohesive and looks fantastic. For those of you who like to follow a recipe when you cook this method of picking out an outfit will work especially well for you.

For shoes, I am sure you could have guessed, I chose my blue SO flats.

I like the bright, happy look of this outfit and I think it would be perfect for lunch or shopping with your girlfriends, or for me a casual date night with my husband. I would even wear an outfit like this to work.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you own a denim vest? Do you ever wear it? If not, why not? I hope this provided a bit of inspiration for taking that denim vest out and putting it to work for you. Be sure to check back on Thursday for the dressed up version of this sparkly vest.

I’ve included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Summer Pieces - Floral Jeans

Florals seems to be here to stay, just like animal prints and I am glad. Both florals and animal prints are great patterns around which to build an outfit. Today I am showcasing a pair of floral jeans that I have had for a number of years. I was surprised that these still fill as I have gained more weight than I want to admit. That’s what happens when it rains and the Seasonal Affective Disorder continues to hold me in its grip. I am tired, so I have a hard time getting out of bed. Exercise eludes me, both because it is raining and because I am tired. In addition the craving for chips and sweets adds to the weight gain. But enough about that and all my silly excuses. The struggle is real girlfriends!

These jeans were a Kohl’s clearance find from a few years ago. These Lauren Conrad ankle jeans have a fun, but subtle floral pattern with touches of white, blue and purple. They are a great piece for pattern mixing, but for this outfit, I chose to keep the other pieces solid.

This open knit, front zip cardigan is from Christopher and Banks. To zip it right now is a little snug, but I’m fine with wearing a cardi open, just like a blazer or light weight jacket that is more for layering. I love the rich orchid color and as you can see I found some metal bangles that were an exact match.

This pastel tee borders on blush, but has a more purple tinge to it. This was a thrift find and I love the embellished bling neckline. It is a brand called Cynthia Rowley. She is an America fashion designer based in the West Village of New York City. Click on her name to see her online site. Her pieces are deliciously feminine with ruffles and florals. They are not something most of us can afford, but it is fun to look and to know that I scored a fancy designer label at the thrift store.

I found this cute owl necklace thrifting and knew it had to come home with me. In this next photo you can see the necklace and the embellished neckline on the tee up close.

I decided to keep the colors similar so chose my blue Keds and blue Rosetti bag. You’ve seen these bright blue sneakers before on the blog. Another thrift store find, I am getting to the point where I can’t wear them for as long a period of time. As we age, our bodies change, as you well know. Our noses and ears tend to get more elongated and I think our feet do as well. I used to take an 8.5, but now I need a 9 in most shoes. I also have a bunion that is starting to bother me, so I need to wear shoes that have a little more room in the toe area. Oh the joys of getting older, but my husband always says, “Well, the alternative isn’t so good either.” Ha, ha.

Would you wear floral jeans like this? Do you prefer to wear pants that are solid or do you like to wear fun prints? I know some people prefer to not draw extra attention to their lower half, but I think printed pants keep things interesting. Tell me what you think.

I’ve included some shopping links as usual. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Be sure to check in next week. I’ll be starting my Denim Daze 2.0 series. Until then, have a great weekend.

When Summer Doesn't Feel Like Summer

Since the beginning of January, Toledo, OH has gotten more days of rain than Seattle, WA. I have a feeling many other mid-west areas could make the same claim. Obviously, the rainy days do their own thing to make me want to feel comfortable, but in addition, the temps have been much cooler than normal. I can remember a number of years ago, when the girls were very small going camping in May at a campground that is only about 45 minutes away. That year, the average temperature in May was in the mid to upper 80’s. I don’t know that we have broken the 80 degree mark yet this year and it is now the middle of June.

The thought came to me this morning that it might be good to share a post on how to dress when summer isn’t exactly acting like summer. We all want to wear our lighter colors and lighter weight clothes, along with short sleeves, shorts and sandals. I see many people doing just that, rebelling against the weather, but I like to be warm or at least comfortable, so I still find myself wearing long pants and cardigans over my short sleeves. Today’s layered looks revolves around three key pieces: a pair of thrifted jeans, a bell sleeve top and a knit ruana.

When I saw these Banana Republic jeans at a Goodwill store, I tried them on. I almost wasn’t going to buy them, but they were 50% off, so I think I paid $2.50 for them. I like the wide legs, the applied pockets, the subtle distressing, and the lighter wash, but the right leg has a wonky seam. You know how it is, when the leg seam doesn’t stay lined up with the other leg seam. It isn’t too noticeable and for the price, I decided it was worth it.

This knit ruana was a clearance find at Kohl’s. If you learn nothing else from me, then I, at least, hope you have learned to shop clearance, or second hand. Ha, ha. The texture and feel of this piece drew me to it. I love hand crafted pieces and really wish I had the time to learn to knit or at least pick crochet back up, as I learned it from my mom as a child. This ruana is made of a very soft, almost silky yarn. It is light weight, so the perfect topper for a cool summer day or an air conditioned office. It gave me just the right amount of coverage, so I wasn’t uncomfortable in the cooler temps today. This one has a small seam at each side, which I think helps keep it in place, and runs a little shorter in front than the back. Here is a couple of back views.

I got this Liz Claiborne bell sleeve top last year at Kohl’s and today was the first opportunity I had to wear it. I like the design and colors and the bell sleeve is at just the right spot so I am not dragging them through my food. Yes, I am that clumsy! I liked the way the bell peeked out from the bottom the the ruana sleeve. I did the front tuck and wore a gold belt for a fun statement.

Since, I chose the gold belt, I thought to accent the rest of my outfit with gold as well, so grabbed this three layered necklace, and a few rose/gold bead bracelets.

The outfit was decidedly boho, so I went for my burgundy fringe bag, which I thought lifted the burgundy color in the blouse.

I had to think about shoes for a bit before I decided on my SO booties. It was cool enough today, that this wasn’t a bad choice. My little toes were happy to be warm and cozy in these light weight faux suede booties. I’m serious. It really felt more like a late September or early October day today. So sad! The other reason I chose these was that they have a little bit of a heel. These pants are long and as you can see were already hem worn by the previous owner. I don’t mind pants dragging a little bit, but I don’t want to be walking on them.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you own pants with wonky leg seems? Do you like bell sleeve tops? Do you like to knit or crochet and do you wear your own creations? I’d love to hear from you.

I’m including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links, which gives me a few pennies when you click and a few more when you buy. All opinions are my own. Have fun shopping.

Remember to check back on Wednesdays for my Faith post and Thursdays for my second weekly Fashion post.

Until next time, have a great day.

Summer Pieces - Bright Floral Blouse

Summer seems to be the season that I like to wear colors that are brighter and bolder. I know that most fashion rules have been thrown out the window. We now wear white all year round, older women can wear things that younger women only used to wear and colors don’t have to be season specific any more. With that said, please don’t make not following the rules become a rule. I like colors that are season specific and while I will wear white all year round, I do not always feel comfortable in things that the younger generation is wearing. Let’s remember, fashion for each of us is unique to, well, each of us. Wear what you want, but allow other women to bask in the security of a bra or the modesty of a tunic over their leggings. Fashion should be what makes you comfortable and for many of us that revolves around clothes that are classic, comfortable and modest. But I digress…back to color.

This bright, neon piece was a thrift store find. Actually, everything in this outfit is thrifted except the bag and the jewelry. When I saw this bright top flashing its beautiful boldness at me, I had to try it on. I would call this a popover blouse. It has long sleeves that can be buttoned up, a v-neck with a button placket that only has a few buttons, and can be tucked in or left out. I decided on a front tuck, which has been my go to this summer.

You might wonder, why do the front tuck, rather than tucking the whole blouse in. Personally, I like the way the front tuck looks. It gives me a waist, lets you see the front of my pants, but doesn’t take as much time to arrange. It also allows for a bit of air circulation and many of you who are going, or have gone through menopause, know how important air is when you are having a hot flash. The front tuck also allows you to wear a belt and still have it seen, without having too much shirt inside your pants. Ha, ha.

I chose gold for my accessories. The floral necklace has a bit of a purple hue, which is also why I chose the bag and the sandals I did. It is always fun to me, when all my accessories come together. I know it is not necessary to have our accessories match, but I still think it is fun to do, once in a while.

Remember back in the spring, when I did a post on spring trends? One of those trends was neon colors. This pretty blouse fits the bill perfectly, but doesn’t seem overwhelming, like some neon colors can. I think the backdrop of white really helps keep the blouse bright, but not obnoxiously so.

What do you think of this blouse? Would you wear neons like this? What are some other ways you can think of to wear a blouse like this? I hope you’ll give me some feedback. I always look forward to hearing from my cyber girlfriends! You gals are the best. Thank you so much for supporting my little blog.

I’ve included a few shopping links for fun. These are affiliate links. Every click gets me a few pennies, so have fun perusing these options.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Summer Pieces - Graphic Tee

What is summer without a fun graphic tee? I found this Smokey the Bear tee at Kohl’s at the beginning of the spring season. Do you remember Smokey the Bear? Originally this, real, bear cub that was found in 1950 during a major forest fire in the Captain Mountains in New Mexico, was called Smokey Bear and you can read his story here. There are lots of Smokey the Bear tees out there, so I’ll be sure to include a few choices at the end of this post.

I paired this tee with my Angle jeans from Kohl’s. They seem to be getting pretty faded. That’s was happens when you wear your jeans often. Comfortable jeans are my favorite thing to wear. These have a good amount of stretch and are technically skinny jeans, but I decided to wear them more like a crop pant. This time I only rolled them once, but sometimes I roll them up twice. Today was pretty cool, so I added my Mudd camo jacket, another clearance find from Kohl’s.

Here is a closer look at the tee.

I chose fun accessories as well. This multi-strand gold necklace makes it easy to layer necklaces. This one is all connected, but I have a few others that can be separated into individual necklaces. This one has a green chain, a green charm and the lowest charm is like an small green agate. You can’t see the color as well in this picture, but it is a nice piece to add to lots of outfits.

I also found this mixed metals bracelet and thought the two pieces worked well together.

I thought this thrifted bag was a good companion to this casual outfit.

Once again I went for my Keds. This brand is my go to for warm weather foot wear. This is an older pair which is a slip on, rather than a regular shoe.

In all honesty I threw this outfit together at the last minute. My in-laws have come to spend the week, so the family has been spending time together for meals and so on. However, a graphic tee or two is a great addition to your summer wardrobe. You can pair it with jeans like I have, or you could throw on a pair of shorts, a skirt or try it on over a summer sleeveless dress so it looks like you are wearing it with a skirt. Graphic tees can be anything from a gold standard like Diet Coke, or Smokey the Bear, to your favorite band, movie or sports team. I have a few different ones including, Wonder Woman, Mickey Mouse, The Beatles, and lots with words, here, here and here.

Do you have very many graphic tees? How do you like to wear them? Leave me some love in the comments.

I’ve included a few shopping links for you to check out. These are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

Until next time, have a great day.

Summer Pieces - Longer Kimono

Part of what makes a clothing piece interesting to me is color and pattern. As most of you already know, who follow me, I love pattern mixing and color combinations. Some of my pieces are busy with patterns and some are simply understated with texture rather than a mix of designs and color. What I like is the ability to choose. I have never been a fan of capsule wardrobes, not because they aren’t incredibly practical and workable, especially for vacations, but because I like to have choices. Not just the choice of what outfit to wear, but how to put that outfit together. As an aside, I really should try to do a capsule wardrobe for a month and see how it goes. That would make for some interesting blog posts

Today’s outfit focuses on a Sonoma kimono that I recently acquired on the clearance rack at Kohl’s. I love when they mark things down and then I get a 30% off coupon, plus a rewards coupon and some Kohl’s cash. That is really the way to stock up on fun pieces like this.

I like the sleeker fit of this kimono compared to a poncho, a ruana or a kimono that is wider. It gives a more fitted silhouette. If you are not sure what the difference is, check out my series on kimonos by clicking on the following links: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, and Week 6.

I normally don’t like to take pictures of my bum, but I wanted you to see the whole kimono front and back. This way you can see the length and the continuity of the pattern. The colors include a light blush on the front trim and a dark navy criss cross and diamond pattern.

I went with the silk tee from my Neiman Marcus, thrifted, sweater set. You can see how I styled the whole set in this post. It is a classy piece with plenty of texture and stretch. I also chose a choker set that has both a cord with a pearl and a chain. From there I added the bracelets.

This New York & Co bag actually belonged to a friend who was getting rid of it. You can used it as a large clutch or a tote, depending on how you want to carry it.

These sneakers were a Meijer find. I think one day, I found three pairs of shoes at Meijer on the clearance tables and this was one of them. They are a bit loose, but work well if you don’t want to pay the more expensive price of Converse. The brand is called Rocket Dog. Here are a few fun pairs, prints, stripes and slip ons.

My jeans are an older pair of Apt. 9 ankle pants. Many times I roll these up so they are more of a crop pant, but I like the ankle pant length for this outfit.

Do you wear kimono’s or other layering pieces like this? They are perfect for summer, when you don’t want a heavy sweater to wear outside, but you also need something for a chilly, air conditioned office, theater or restaurant. I have a number of kimonos now and am looking forward to wearing them more this summer.

I’m including a few shopping links for kimonos and fun bags. Be sure to check those out. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Summer Pieces - Water Color Maxi Skirt

With my photographer on vacation I have to resort to taking pictures myself for a week or two, meaning relearning how to use my camera. Ha, ha. I thought I would talk about a few of the fun summer pieces I have recently acquired. Every seasonal change, I have to go through my wardrobe to purge what I do not wear, what no longer fits or what I realize was one of those, why did I buy this, moments. As I have said before, I love clothes and I love shopping, so you can imagine that I am inundated with clothing. I also, (true confession time), often shop in spurts, somewhat like an addict trying to get my fix. It is sad, really, but for many of us, shopping is a hobby. To keep myself from ending up on the show, Hoarders, I decided that when I buy, I also need to purge. I am in the middle of this process right now and the fun part of it is, I get reminded of all the fun pieces I do have, and it inspires me to put together a few new outfits.

This water color maxi skirt, I found at a Goodwill store along the way, when my hubby and I were on vacation. It is a brand called eci New York. Macy’s does carry a few eci pieces that revolve around bright, bold florals and patterns. I love all the colors, because it provides a myriad of options for putting outfits together. Made of a medium weight polyester, this piece is easy wash and wear with no ironing needed. It has a wider elastic waist which provides comfort, as well as ease of wear.

I first thought of pairing the skirt with a light pink top, but then when I pulled this top from last year out of hibernation, I knew that was it. The yellow, St. John’s Bay top, from JC Penney, has a bit of a boho vibe already so I thought it was the perfect companion for this unique skirt. I love the textured aspect of this top, from the eyelet on the bodice, to the poms along the bodice edge, to the tasseled cords. I also like the flowy sleeves.

When I started veering towards the Bohemian feel, I chose a woven belt that ties, leaving long fringe hanging along the skirt. You could position this belt wherever you wanted, with the fringe in the front, back or off to either side. I chose the left side, since I typically carry my bag on my right side.

I also chose jewelry that I felt epitomized that characteristically gypsy feel, like a multi-layered beaded bracelet with a dollop of fringe and a unique amber pendant choker with an aesthetically pleasing swirl.

My bag, bought many years ago, is the only true macrame piece I own and what says boho more than macrame? Ha, ha. It is small, but I have used this piece over and over as a cross body bad when we travel. It is big enough to hold the essentials, but not so big that it hurts your neck. This probably could use another washing. Bags like this are easy to wash. Be sure to put it in a laundry bag, then throw it in with your lights or towels. It isn’t meant to be a true white, but more of a cream.

For shoes I chose my No Boundaries black, gladiator sandals. These are ankle high gladiators, unlike the ones that go all the way up the calf. I’ve had these for a long time. They are comfy for a flat sandal and easy to pair with so many outfits for summer. I finally painted my toes, so summer must be pretty well here to stay. It is not that warm, but perfect in my opinion. If I owned a pool, I’d be happy with temps in the mid eighties, but as it is, I really like it to be about seventy five with a slight breeze.

Do you like this outfit? Would you wear a skirt like this? What sort of artsy or uniques pieces do you have in your closet? I’d love you hear from you. I don’t mean to be a nag, but I really do like when my followers give me a little feedback. It is good for my blog as well. It helps me to know what you like and what sorts of things you would like to see on the blog. Even if you made a commitment to comment once a month, that would mean a great deal to me. Thank you so much, for all of your support, whether you comment or not! I appreciate you.

I’ve included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. When You click on a link, I receive a few cents. Every little bit helps. These links are to things I think you might like and that follow along with the outfits I am posting. All opinions are my own.

Have a great Tuesday.