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.

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.

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022 - New York Palette: Samoan Sun, Martini Olive and Chiseled Stone

Today is my last post for the Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022 New York palette series. I decided to do a flat lay for a change due to several factors that are affecting my ability to get posts done. The first is time. I do not know where time goes, but it sure seems like I have less of it than ever before and I am not even working a regular job right now. Second, I injured my knee a few years ago and recently I tweaked it and it has been very painful. I have an appointment Thursday to have it checked out, but I knew it was going to be hard to get pictures done with changing clothes, running up and down the stairs and going outside, so I thought a flat lay the next best thing.

The three colors today’s outfit revolved around are great colors for fall and I think this outfit would be perfect for a casual Thanksgiving celebration. My yellow Samoan Sun sweater is a thrifted Old Navy piece. It has more orange undertones to it, but I still think it works great for this outfit.

My Chiseled Stone striped tee is another thrift find from a brand called Company Ellen Tracy. I looked up Ellen Tracy and it is a clothing retailer with some nice pieces. You can check it out by clicking on the link. The brand seems to exude class and modesty. Prices are a tad high for my limited resources, but I like to show you retailers you might be interested in. If I had the money, I would definitely shop this brand more often.

My Martini Olive utility skinny pants have made multiple appearances on the blog. They are Gloria Vanderbilt brand. You can see these pants styled with a floral bomber, a light weight pullover, a snakeskin print jacket, a floral dress, a lace vest, and a floral dress as a jacket.

My accessories were simple and I chose to emphasize the black to coordinate with the stripes in the tee.

I love this simple charm pendant necklace. It adds a touch of interest to almost any outfit without being overly garish. I couldn’t even tell you where I got it, but knowing my past shopping habits it was either thrifted, or bought at Kohl’s or JC Penney. Ha, ha.

I’ve shown you this black Aidebam bag on the blog before. I got this one from Amazon, but Amazon’s inventory changes pretty regularly and I don’t see this exact style on there anymore. I will include a few shopping links at the end. Here is a very similar one.

These black boots are a very recent thrift find. They were my size and I loved the “witchy” vibe of them. They are a brand called Rampage. I have a wedding coming up and right now I am planning to build my outfit around one of two pairs of ankle boots. I also found a blue velvet pair, another thrifting treasure that I wasn’t lookin for, (but I was). I hope to do a blog post next week on what to wear to a fall wedding using the outfit I come up with. Keep a look out.

Style Tip - The right shoes or boots with an outfit can absolutely make the outfit. If you are not sure about which pair of shoes to wear when going to an event or celebration, try on a few different pairs. Remember, heels of any height will upgrade a look, even when wearing distressed jeans and a tee. If you are going for a more casual look, then think flatter souls and a heel that is an inch or less.

I hope you enjoyed this flat lay and the conclusion of my Pantone series. From now through the end of the the year I hope to bring you holiday inspired and winter looks. Leave me a comment or two, letting me know what you thought of this outfit. Which was your fave in the series? 1 - Lava Falls, Amazon, and Arctic Wolf, 2 - Orange Tiger, Nosegay, and Autumn Blonde, 3 - Rose Violet, Caramel Cafe, and Polar Night, 4 - Waterspout, Midnight and Loden Frost or today’s.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. Remember these are affiliate links, which are brought to you at no extra cost. You do not pay anything extra to purchase something through one of my links. In fact, it helps me by putting a few cents into my pocketbook. I really appreciate every little bit.

Have a great week!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022: Orange Tiger, Nosegay, and Autumn Blonde

Welcome to another outfit in my Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022 - New York Palette color series. For today’s look I combined the colors Orange Tiger, a lovely fall orange, Nosegay, a rich pastel pink and Autumn Blonde, a neutral classic for a cozy outfit with watercolor brushstrokes and southwest vibes.

When I decided to pair Nosegay and Tiger Orange I had this watercolor skirt in mind. The colors are mixed together with bold strokes and finished off with the southwest hem along the bottom of the skirt. I found this piece thrifting a few years ago and thought it would be great for spring and summer, but it seems to work for fall as well. It is a brand called ECI NY.

My light Nosegaybutton down is a thrifted Eddie Bauer piece. Originally I was thinking of wearing it over the sweater like a shacket. I ended up putting it under the sweater, but I’m not in love with how this looks.

The Autumn Blonde sweater is a recent find and is Forever 21 brand. I really like the ties along the outer seams on the torso.

I decided to grab the olive color in the skirt with my bag and booties. The Fossil bag is thrifted, and the SO booties are from a few years ago at Kohl’s.

I am not thrilled with this outfit, but life happens and I wanted to get something thrown together to at least share the Pantone colors with you. Though I love the color pink, it is not one that I use regularly in the fall. I also go more for rusty oranges rather than a bright orange like this one. What are your thoughts? Do you like these colors? How would you wear them?

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Thank you for all you love, support and feedback. I always appreciate hearing from you!

Have a great week.

Oh, Olive! Utility Vest - Workwear

Tuesday you saw the casual look with the olive utility vest. Today we are going to look at a casual workwear look, that would be easy to take from the work place to a casual evening out. Once again the vest will take center stage, but will be complimenting a floral blouse, instead of floral pants and a denim skirt.

Just as a refresh, the olive vest is Mudd brand, a clearance find from Kohl’s. My blush floral print top (Fall Trends) is this season’s purchase from Maurices and branded Coco and Jamison.

This blouse reminded me of things my mom used to wear as I was growing up, so I felt it almost had a bit of a retro vibe. The cut is more boxy and the sleeves longer making it a great piece to put under this vest. I actually put a cami underneath. You know I am all about modesty and I guess I really am a bit of a prude when it comes to things being low cut or too short, but that is me and that is what I am comfortable with. This blouse is really not that low, but I wanted to feel like if I bent over I was safe. It’s probably just me, but hey that’s who I am.

My medium wash denim skirt was a thrifted Gloria Vanderbilt piece. A denim, pencil skirt like this is so versatile and not restricted by the seasons. Wear it with a casual sweatshirt and sneakers in the spring. Style it with a blouse like this for summer. Add tights, ankle boots and a sweater for fall and try it with knee high boots and faux fur in the winter. You can’t go wrong with a denim pencil skirt.

I thought gold accessories would be a good compliment to this outfit. I then finished off the look with my SO olive colored ankle boots and my blush bag.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you have a utility vest?

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know what you think of the color olive and how you would style it.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few pennies every time you click on a link. If you purchase something through my blog, I get a few extra cents. I appreciate all your clicks. Even more I appreciate your comments and encouraging feedback. All opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend!

Color Play - Fall Color Mix

What better time to play with color than in the fall? I love the bright hues of red, orange and gold, as well as the moodier tones of burgundy, brown and forest green. I have found many Pinterest pins on fall color combos, so drew some of my inspiration from those. The pieces I chose are perfect for this in between time where the days can still be warm but the mornings and evenings cool. Today, took a turn towards the cooler side and I am typing this post with a cup of hot cocoa at my side. I need the milk for calcium, but thought this morning I would add a little chocolate and pop it in the microwave. Yum!

When I started looking for my Warm Spice colors, I knew I wanted to used my burgundy SO sweater, which was a Kohl’s purchase last year. I have another one just like this in a light pink, which you will see on the Pantone series coming up. I also got two sizes. This one is a large and the light pink is an extra large. I liked the way each fit for different reasons, so I got both. Ha, ha. You can see the side detailing below.

Yellow was the next color in the Pinterest Warm Spice Pin, so I chose a thrifted short sleeve Sonoma tee with a small white pattern.

I also, knew I wanted this to be a cozy, casual look so opted for my Rock & Republic straight leg jeans.

The third color is orange. I wasn’t sure, at first, how I was going to pull that off, and then I saw this infinity scarf hanging in my closet. This was another thrift store find. I love getting scarves, bags and jewelry at thrift stores, because there are so many different choices and you can’t be the prices. I absolutely love athe fall vibe of this piece. It contains all those colors I think of when I think of fall and the pattern is reminiscent of the 1970’s. You can see I did a bit of print mixing as well.

With the mix of orange in the scarf, I thought it would be fun to add another pop of orange away from my face with the addition of this thrifted orange suede bag. It may be small, but this little number packs a powerful color punch.

It seemed the natural choice to also reach for my Spirit faux suede ankle boots, to balance out the whole look. I love all of my boots, but especially enjoy wearing these ankle boots in the late summer and early fall. Only 5 days until the first day of fall. Whoo, hoo. I have already noticed Halloween decorations in yards and Christmas items in the stores. Eye, yie, yie.

The only jewelry I added was a fun charm bracelet with a bit of fall color.

What did you think of this outfit? Would you wear these colors together?

I hope you are having a good week. I have been busy. My grandson’s 10th birthday was Tuesday. He was supposed to have a small friend party, but one of the boys got sick and with our #covidlife as it is currently we had to cancel. We hope to reschedule for a future date. My husband and I went over and I made a cake and he got to open some presents. This weekend, we are going out to Maumee Bay State Park for one night at the lodge as a part of the birthday celebration. Quintin’s mom and he will go with us and our other daughter and her hubby will join us for dinner. We find ways to make life work, even in our current circumstances.

I am including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

I hope to get my faith post up tomorrow, so be sure to check back for that. Have a great weekend!

Outfit Inspiration - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Christmas can truly be one of the most wonderful times of the year, but I know it can also be an extremely hard time for people who have gone through loss, are struggling with illness or things like financial strain and relationship stress. Often, the holidays become a mad race to get everything done that we feel we have to do and we end up feeling down and disappointed. Even amidst the struggle and the strains of life, I think we can still see Christmas as a very wonderful time.

Christmas is typically a time we reconnect with loved ones. It can also be a time to do things we find hard to do the rest of the year, like listening to special music, baking, attending holiday parties and other activities like Christmas shopping and gathering with friends. In the church environment there are also special services, kids programs and service activities like caroling and helping at the local food pantries and city missions. Yes, it is a very busy time, but I also believe that the basis for many of these activities is what makes it the most wonderful time of the year.

Serving others and thinking about that special gift we are going to buy for a friend or family member gets us outside our own boxes. It creates in us an others’ centered mentality and it is in that, that we find joy. Not only that, but the basis for Christmas from the very beginning was the unselfish act of an Almighty God, towards His fallen creation.

What I instantly think of when I hear Andy Williams’ It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, are shopping malls and stores all decked out in Christmas garlands and lights while Christmas music plays overhead. It also makes me think of loud family gatherings around the Christmas tree opening presents with laughter and joy.

For this outfit I wanted to look festive, but also like myself. I wasn’t going to see the King, I was going to the mall to shop for my family. Ha, ha.

This wonderful red plaid Requirements blazer was a thrift store find. I just love the treasures I find at thrift stores. I could never have the large wardrobe I do if it weren’t for thrifting. I still shop quite regularly at full price retailers, but I have found some of my most special, unique pieces at thrift stores. Many of them, like this blazer are by brands that no longer exist; the added benefit of thrifting.

The fit and structure of this beautiful jacket is perfect and will definitely get used long past the holiday season. I am excited to try it with various colors and pieces. It is a wool blend, but fully lined so I don’t have to worry about my skin’s aversion to wool.

My black long sleeve embellished snowflake tee was purchased a number of years ago. I believe it is from Kohl’s and is a brand called MCCC Sportswear. You can see holiday sweatshirts from this same brand at Kohl’s by clicking on the link. They also have long sleeve tees here.

You can also see my Believe pin. If you have ever watched Miracle on 34th Street, then you know the significance of the word believe. I have noticed over the last few years, the word believe is popping up everywhere. Whether you believe in Santa, the Spirit of Christmas, the person of Christmas, Jesus Himself, or in yourself, the idea of belief in someone or something is pretty important in our world.

I personally believe in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and that is what I think of when I see the word believe, but I also love that this idea of belief has become a positive message to all of us, especially young people, who are often told they will never measure up or amount to anything. The beauty and simplicity of the Gospel message is found in this idea of belief. God’s word says,

“For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.’”

— Romans 10:11 (NASB)

At first I was going to wear knee high boots, but then I thought the pants didn’t really look right with them, so I opted for this pair of Sonoma booties from Kohl’s. I like the contrast of the gray, black and red with the taupe of the boots and bag. I didn’t bother with any other jewelry since I felt the embellishments on the top and bag, along with the pin, gave the outfit enough punch.

What do you like to wear when you shop? Do you dress up or do you prefer to just go out in your sweats? I’d love to hear your thoughts. What do you think about the word, believe? Is belief something that is important to you? Please leave me some love in the comments.

Here is my favorite version of It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams. I’m not so sure about the music video, but it is colorful. Ha, ha

I’m including a few shopping links of all things plaid, for you to look at. Maybe you still have some Christmas shopping to do and one of these links will inspire you. These are affiliate links, which means if you click on a link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through one of my links, I might get a little more. Every penny helps.

I hope these posts are inspiring you and bringing back memories of your own childhood Christmases. Have a great weekend and stay healthy for the holidays.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Flat Lays in the Flesh - Capes

This is the last of my Flat Lays in the Flesh outfits. I picked out the four that really appealed to me, but that doesn’t mean the other Flat Lays weren’t also interesting and possible “in the flesh” outfits. These four were the ones that appealed to me for various reasons and it has been fun to see how they actually looked on a person, namely me. For your information, so that you know how you might measure up, I am 5’5”, 171lbs. I would feel more comfortable in my skin if I was about 150 or 155, so that is a goal I am working towards, albeit very slowly.

Today’s outfit in the flesh features the Fall 2019 trend of capes. I think capes were very popular back in the day, especially in Medieval Europe. They have come and gone over the years and typically when we hear the word cape we think of super heroes donning their spandex suits and adding a cape as a finishing touch; think Superman, Batman and Robin or even Thor. While capes came back this year, I personally haven’t seen very many of them floating around in the stores or donning women walking down the street.

Flay lay and photo by Amy Christensen

I know not everyone is buying into the mustard trend, but I really do like this rich sunflower yellow cape that I found while thrifting. I like that it is a crafted piece, made by hand and has the fringe, which is so indicative of a bohemian look. Here is the outfit in the flesh.

My yellow thrifted plaid shirt is Divided brand from H&M. I had no idea when I found it how well it would go with this knit cape. I love plaid and since I have been on the yellow train, it makes sense that I would buy a yellow plaid shirt, especially one from a thrift store. The plaid print includes a little blue, white and blush.

Drawing on the blush in the shirt, I went with blush accessories. My clutch I found on clearance at Meijer. My necklace was a JC Penney clearance find, and my SO ankle boots with the block heel, were a Kohl’s clearance purchase.

My Rock and Republic boot cut jeans are more like jeggings than jeans, but they have a zipper and button front, as well as regular pockets. They are just made from a stretchy fabric and are easy to move in.

Here is a quick shot of the back of the cape. I just love the fringe around the bottom.

What do you think of this outfit? Would you wear a cape? Just to clarify, capes are usually shorter like this one and cloaks usually come past the knee, with some versions reaching the floor. Do you know how to knit or crochet? That is something I wish I had time to do, but not right now. My mom used to crochet afghans and doilies and I had an aunt that used to crochet stuffed animals like bears.

I’ve included a few shopping links for capes and for yellow pieces that I think are fun. I hope you are having a great Tuesday and thanks so much for stopping by the blog.

Photo credit, except where specified, Rebecca Trumbull.

These shopping links are affiliate links. When you click on a link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through my site, I get a little bit more. All opinions are my own.

Pantone Autumn/Winter - 2019 - Fruit Dove and Galaxy Blue

These next two colors are described by the Pantone Color Institute as an “extroverted pink” and a “thoughtful blue”. I like that combination of terms, in the same way I like this combination of colors. We often think of extroverted people as popular, charming and talkative, while thoughtful people could be described as people who think more than they talk, or people who are on the look out for ways to help others. I am not an extrovert, but an introvert. I have a hard time in crowds, get tired of too much noise or activity and I need my alone time. Wearing a bright pink like this is my way of standing out in the crowd, without saying very much.

You might think these three colors are more spring like than fall like, but colors transcend all seasons. I do like darker, richer colors for fall and lighter, breezier colors for spring, but that is my personal opinion. What really makes an outfit more season specific are the textures and accessories you incorporate into it.

i’ve worn these bright blue Ruby Rd. pants on the blog before. You can see them with a light blue sweater, a plaid bomber jacket, and a multi-colored kimono. My friend was getting rid of these and I took them, not realizing how much I would actually wear them and used them for the blog. This royal blue color seems to keep coming around again and again.

I have had this thrifted Ralph Lauren pullover sweater for a while. I don’t wear short sleeve sweaters too often, because in the summer it is too hot and in the fall, winter and spring it is too cold. However, for some of these warm fall days, where the temps are still in the 70’s in the day and 50’s at night, a short sleeve sweater is a good option. Can you tell in the picture below I am trying to stand up straight and suck in my rolls? Ha, ha. Well, I am! Just being real!

In addition to the two New York palette colors of Fruit Dove and Galaxy Blue, I wanted to incorporate one of the classic colors. I thought it was interesting that they included this olive green, which they call Guacamole. In the past, the classic color palettes usually contained a dark blue, a gray, some sort of cream or ivory and either a camel or a shade of brown. This was the first year they included a green. At first, I thought that was a rather odd choice, but once I got used to the idea, I realized this green would work with a number of color combinations. I pulled out my velour jacket, knowing it would be a great accompanying piece for this outfit.

Since I pulled in the Guacamole, I decided to go for green accessories. My SO olive booties, the velvet floral bag and the green neck scarf bring a continuity to the outfit and tone down the bright blue and pink.

Believe me when I say, it was too hot to be wearing all of these layers. As soon as we finished at outfit, I was undressing as we walked back to the car. Ha, ha.

What do you think of this outfit? Would you wear these colors? Would you wear these colors together? Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Do you like to wear clothes that attract attention, or do you like to wear pieces that make you disappear? I’d love to hear your opinions and thoughts. Your support keeps my blog going, so leave a comment or two.

I’m leaving you with a few shopping links for pieces in these colors. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photos and graphic credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Holiday Outfit - Dressy Casual - Jeans

There are times during the holidays that an event calls for a look that is more than casual but not overly dressy. This is what I call dressy casual. This is often the perfect choice for a holiday office party, a dinner and shopping date with your significant other, or a party in someone's home.

Here are some tips for putting together a dressy casual outfit for the holidays using pieces already in your closet. 

1. Pick a pair of nice dark wash jeans.

For this look I chose my Rock & Republic boot cut jeans. What makes these jeans a more dressy choice has to do with the cut and wash of the fabric. A boot cut jean is figure flattering on just about anyone, as is a dark wash. A dark wash also looks more polished than a lighter wash. I also feel a jean without tears or holes is more dressy than a distressed look. As you can see these are more fitted as well. A baggier jean gives a look a more casual vibe. Another option for this outfit would be a denim trouser. Here is a version of what I am thinking. Here is a pair from Target. 

2. Select a blouse appropriate for the holidays.

My shiny cream colored blouse is Jaclyn Smith brand and I found it at a thrift store. A blouse like this can be worn out or tucked in. I chose to wear mine out to keep my look casual, but flirty. 

What exactly makes a blouse holiday worthy? I think the blouse needs to fit you well and serve as a back drop for fun jewelry or scarves. If you want to go with a holiday color like red, green or gold that's fine, but I would keep it a single color. If you don't have a blouse like this, a crisp white cotton blend would work as well. A longer tunic type blouse would also work. A button up or a blouse made from a shiny polyester blend gives a more dressy look. 

3. Choose a few awesome accessories. 

I decided to use burgundy for my accessory color and I chose to stay with that color for my necklace, bag and shoes. I feel that in this case, less is more. This would also work with a few layers of gold chains, a sparkly clutch and heels. I have styled this burgundy necklace from Charming Charlie before on the blog. You can see those posts here, here and here. 

This is a unique piece of wood and metal and makes the perfect statement against the creamy background of the top. You can see I also added my burgundy bracelet with the magnetic closure. 

This burgundy clutch was a recent thrift store find and I find myself reaching for it again and again. I think burgundy and maroon are a great color to add to many outfits for fall and winter. Especially in the form of accessories. 

4. Grab your heels.

There is just something about a great pair of heels that takes any outfit up a notch. High heels tend to make us walk with better posture and stand up straighter. I don't wear heels very often, but when I do, I feel like I am dressed up. Heels are no brainers with skirts, dresses and dress pants, but they look fabulous with jeans and just look how much classier this outfit looks with them. 

These berry colored shooties are Bandolino brand. Here is something with a lower block heel by Franco Sarto. Here is another pair with higher heels from Macy's.

This is an easy outfit to put together as it only has two pieces plus accessories. Once in a while a minimalist approach is the best approach, especially when the holidays can be hectic and fast paced. 

I hope you are enjoying this series on dressing for the holidays. Thanks for stopping by the blog. Be sure to check back on Thursday for an easy way to layer for a day at the mall. 

This post contains affiliate links. Some links provide shopping opportunities. If you click on a link I get a few cents. If you make a purchase through my blog, I get a little commission. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. 

Layering Love - What to Do with a LuLaRoe Tee

I introduced you to Kaylee Barfell in a previous post on LuLaRoe. Kaylee throws these Facebook parties and posts pictures of LuLaRoe pieces which we are then able to shop and buy. She has posted so many amazing outfits and pieces. When I saw this Perfect Tee, I knew I wouldn't be able to pass it up, so I made the purchase. 

The beauty of the Perfect Tee is in its fit. The tee is more fitted through the bodice, but then flares out from the waist. It is a tunic length, so could be worn with leggings, but also looks fantastic with skirts or jeans. For this post today, I decided to style my Perfect tee with my light orange skinny jeans that I got at dressbarn on clearance. 

I wanted to show you the tee with two different layering options. Since winter is on the way, I know I won't wear just a tee by itself, so I wanted to show you how you could still wear your tee, but be a bit warmer. Sorry for the fuzzy pics. I was in a hurry and it was cold. Ha, ha.

Layering from Underneath.

For this look, I put a blue button up blouse under the Perfect Tee. For size reference in the Perfect I went with a medium, because it flares out at the bottom. Many times I buy a large in a top, not because I need it through the bust, but because I don't want all my bulges to show. With the Perfect Tee you don't have to worry about that. It fits just right in the bust area and I was able to get this blouse on underneath without bulges and wrinkles.

Here is a close up of the pattern. LuLaRoe has so many fun and colorful patterns. That is part of the draw. 

To keep the look simple I chose yellow beads for my necklace and bracelets, my blue SO flats and a gray clutch.

I had to add a twirl, so you could see how the Perfect is more like a swing tee.

Layering Over the Top.

For the second look I took the button up off and put my denim crop jacket over the top. I swapped out the yellow beads for a long green and gold fringe pendant necklace. I decided to wear my suede ankle boots and opted for a large yellow tote. 

What do you think? Do you like to dress in layers? Have you ever layered a blouse under a tee? Layering is a great way to extend the wearability of some of your summer clothing into the fall and your fall clothing into the winter. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. Have a great weekend.

Romance is in the Air - Week 3

As you all know, Valentine's Day is over, but in keeping with the idea that romance is a year round affair, here is another outfit for a date night with your significant other. The last two weeks I showed you two outfits that were a bit more dressy. This week and next week the outfits will be more casual. You can see Week 1 and Week 2 by clicking on the links. 

This J.Jill knee length velvet jacket was a thrift store find. It is a beautifully tailored piece with a full floral lining, which I forgot to take pictures of! The jacket has roomy pockets on both sides and buttons for closure. As soon as I put this on at the thrift shop, I knew I wanted it and for only six dollars who's complaining. 

I decided to pair this jacket with a floral long sleeve blouse with hints of pink and berry. I tucked the blouse into a pair of bootcut jeans and wore a navy belt. For my jewelry I decided on pink an  gold to highlight the pink in the blouse. 

Accessories included a Vera Wang bag that I thrifted and my berry heeled booties. 

This would be a great outfit for a date to a quaint little outdoor shopping area. We have a small town about a forty minute drive from where we live that was built along a picturesque river. It is a nice place to go for lunch and a walk through antique and craft shops, as well as down by the water.

While this outfit isn't as flirty and feminine as the first two, this is one that makes me feel warm, comfy and confident while still looking stylish. What would you wear on a more casual outdoor date? Let me know your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below. I love to hear from you. 

Also, do me a favor, if you like my blog, but have never subscribed please do so now. I promise not to clutter up your in box and usually only send you an email once a week with links connected to each of my posts. The content will still be relevant to the week, but you won't have a whole bunch of separate email in your inbox. 

Thanks for all your support. Check back on Thursday for this week's Color Crash Course.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a shopping option below I receive a few cents. If you actually purchase something through my site I get a little bit more. However, all opinions are my own. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, and Shelbee in the Spread the Kindness Link Up. Wednesday linking up with Sara and Hannah in the Wearable Wednesday link up. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge and Ada Elegance and Mommyhood.  Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style and JoLynn Shane in the Fashion Friday link up.

Beautiful Blogger Bests - Leopard Print with Maroon/Burgundy

This month the Beautiful Blogger I am sharing is Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots. Jennie is an amazing fashion blogger. I love her sense of style and the fact that she is not afraid to try different looks. Jennie does everything from casual to dressy, boho to edgy. Check out Jennie's About page to learn more about this actual woman, wife, mother to four sons and full time administrative assistant (how does she do it all?). 

If you click on this link Shhh! It's Secret Celebrity, it will take you to the post outfit that I derived my inspiration from. While Jennie was specifically showing off the shoes that were gifted to her from Camtrade Footwear, I just loved the outfit she put together. The mixing of the leopard print sweater with the maroon lace top, the black jeans and the maroon shoes simply called out to me to give it a try. 

Let me preface this by saying, I never knew there were so many variations on the colors we refer to as maroon or burgundy. If you look at Jennie's top in her post, I would say it is more of a maroon, as maroon has more of a purple undertone. In my post I think my top is more red, so I would probably say it is more of a burgundy. Ha, ha. Once again, you can call it whatever you want. 

Here is my outfit. My leopard print cardigan is a button up with 3/4 length sleeves. With the single digit temps we are having here in the Midwest, I will generally wear long sleeves with layers underneath. I might save this sweater for when it warms up again, or wear a long sleeve top underneath and let the longer sleeves show. This is an older pair of black ankle jeans.

Would you say I am doing some print mixing? The pattern on the lace top and the print on the sweater are definitely mixing it up! Print mixing doesn't always have to be pairing different colored prints together. It can also be pairing different textures and patterns together. Why does this work? I think it is due to the fact that the top is one solid color. Try imagining it with a leopard print blouse under a lacy solid color jacket. It still works. I think the black trim on the top also helps pull the two pieces together with the black trim on the cardi. 

In Jennie's post she wears a gold necklace. Gold looks great with both the leopard print and the maroon/burgundy top. 

Here are those shoes again! They just seem to keep popping up in my posts! Ha, ha. I never knew when I tried them on at the thrift store that they were going to be so versatile.

I love the inspiration I receive from following other bloggers. Not only do they inspire me to try new things, but they inspire me to share ideas with you. I hope you will check out Jennie's blog and give her some love! 

Thanks for following along today. I hope you have a great weekend! 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Shop the Look:

Leopard print cardigan - Target - $13.79

Maroon/burgundy lace top - JC Penney - $14.99

Black ankle pants - Macy's - $23.99

Shoes - DSW - $44.99 or DSW - $49.95

Awesome Accessories - Boots

Do you ever have one of those days? Or weeks? Or months? Or years? Ha, ha. Where you just feel like, "i'm tired!" Or maybe even like giving up? You feel like you really aren't making a difference and all the work is not worth it! That is how I am feeling this week. Between my daughter's plumbing problems (which turned into two nights of water streaming into her closet), extra running back and forth, working extra hours and various other annoyances that I won't go into, like the fact that I typed this whole post once already and then it all disappeared! Don't you love technology? Ha, ha.

Oh well. Enough of my rant. Just being real here folks. Now onto my blog post.

Let's talk boots! Whether we are talking work boots, rain boots or fashion boots, boots have long had a place in our wardrobes. From farmers to construction workers, to officers in the military to fashionista's and fashion bloggers we all need or want to wear boots at some time or other. Winter is  prime boot season and today I just wanted to share a few of my favorite styles with you.  

These berry colored suede booties are one of my new favorites. Another thrift store find, I love the color, the texture, the height of the heel and added platform under the ball of the foot. They are very easy to walk in and versatile enough to wear with jeans, skirts, dresses, dress pants and leggings. 

This style and the ones following are what we would refer to as ankle boots. They fall just above the ankle and again are versatile enough to wear with many different clothing pieces. Ankle boots come in a variety of fabrics, patterns, and heel heights. They also zip, lace up or just pull on. They are a great staple for any wardrobe, especially for seasonal transition times like fall to winter.

I really like the wedge on this gray suede pair. It is just talk enough to say I have a heel, but super comfortable. I wear these to work and even out for a day of shopping.

This brown pair of boots is what I would call a mid-calf height. I like this height as I can still tuck my pants into them, but then I can also wear leg warmers which can add warmth, color and texture to the outfit. These are super comfy and I love the motorcycle vibe they give off.

The knee-high black boot is one I find myself wearing again and again. I actually have two pairs right now. These which are a typical riding boot and then I have a pair that have a low heel, for a little dressier look. Again, these are very comfy and can be worn in many different ways. 

The only other boot, I have yet to attain is an over-the-knee boot. Maybe for Christmas! If I do get a pair you will be sure to see them in January! 

I hope you enjoyed this post on boots. What height boot is your fave? Be sure to leave me some love in the comments section below or on Facebook. I appreciate your input and support.

Photo credits Rebecca Trumbull.

Shopping for Boots:

Dress Bootie - Payless - $22.00 (also this - $25.00)

Wedge heel - Tom's - $69.90

Ankle boot - Steve Madden - $75.00

Mid-calf boot - Rogan's Shoes - $56.24

Riding boots - DSW - $69.95