Begin Again, and a Look at What I Have Been Wearing

Hi everyone. What was originally going to be a one month hiatus has turned into nearly two, thanks to my new normal. I am trying to come to terms with the idea I have a chronic illness; a muddled mess of chronic sinusitis and asthma, each one individually trying to be managed, and at the same time exacerbating the other when one goes awry. In my vast experience (ha, ha) of 3 years I am seeing a pattern of sinus infection almost always leading to worsening of asthmatic symptoms. There seems to be a definite connection, though you will hear little of it from the medical community. Indeed, I am learning it is imperative we do our own research and keep looking for answers while trying to maneuver an overburdened medical landscape.

That is part of the reason for my disappearance from regular posting on my little blog. My hubby and I were able to take our meandering vacation in May without any issues, other than the car having a few hiccups. I am so thankful, because it was after that I got sick, and that would have ruined a really relaxing trip.

Here I am doing what my counselor so often tells me to do and that is, begin again. I will be starting out slow, but I do want to get a little bit of content out there before the summer is over. Today I am going to share a few of my daily outfits that I was able to post to instagram.

Outfit 1 - Long Denim Skirt and Graphic Tee

I wore this while we were visiting my mother-in-law, before we left for our Meanderings. It was the perfect combination of comfy and cute. I have this skirt in my rotation to be worn again, so I am thinking it deserves its own spot in a blog post.

Outfit 2 - Olive Pants and Peach Top with Lace Cut Out Yoke

I love this thrifted top. It has a cotton liner in the bodice area, and since the entire thing is cotton it is very comfortable for our warmer temps. I thought the combination of pastel peach with olive and blue chambray a fitting outfit for late spring and early summer.

Outfit 3 - Subtle Camo Cropped Pants, Floral Tiered Tunic and Open Weave Shrug

This is one of my favorite outfits I put together since we got back from our trip. Everything but the Sperry sneakers was thrifted. The outfit came together as a result of a print mixing challenge in Instagram, and I always love a good print mix. It was one of those cooler, late spring days, and these pieces kept me completely comfortable.

Outfit 4 - Rewear of Camo Cropped Pants with Floral Peasant Top and Blingy Vest

I always rewear my pants over the course of a couple of weeks between laundry sessions. Rewearing helps keep our clothes from getting worn out due to over washing and saves water and detergent. Do you rewear your clothes before washing? Isn’t the floral mix of print and embroidery beautiful on the sleeves of this piece? The Christopher and Banks vest makes regular appearances on the blog and Instagram.

Outfit 5 - Purple and Blue Striped Maxi Skirt and Graphic Tee

It is a struggle for me to wear things outside my comfort zone. This comfort zone revolves more around what is going on in my life than things not being comfortable due to size, fit, or type of piece. I love skirts and dresses, but my life rarely is conducive to wearing them. In order to not be too stuck in a rut, I am trying to reach for a maxi skirt on occasion and style it for my writing grandma lifestyle. Ha, ha.

This outfit is so me. I love the purple hues in the skirt and the tee is right up my alley. The tee was thrifted, and the skirt was another past Christopher and Banks purchase. I haven’t bought from them since they closed down their brick and mortar stores, but I sure did like them when I was able to shop in person. Since they went to an online only presence I have been less than underwhelmed. Sad!

Outfit 6 - Embroidered Chambray Shirt, Graphic Tee and Dark Wash Jeans

I have had this light wash chambray shirt for years and I absolutely love it. If it has embroidery on it I am sold! I used it more as a shacket, but occasionally wear it as a button down. I don’t like to layer it under other things because I want the embroidery to be a focal point. The floral graphic tee was a Maurice’s find several years ago. The dark wash, ankle jeans are a pair of Lee’s petites that I found at Kohl’s on clearance a while back. I don’t normally buy petites but when looking for an ankle pant they often work.

Outfit 7 - Pineapple Bling Tee and Jeans

A fun, easy outfit. What more can we ask for during the busy, hot, days of summer?

Outfit 8 - Floral Kimono, Oversized Tee and Reworn Jeans

I had an eye doctor appointment the morning before I took these pictures, and my eyes were dilated. That’s always fun. When I stepped back outside after I got home to take these pics, I was pretty squint eyed. Ha. ha.

Style Tip - There are so many ways to take an ordinary jeans and tee outfit up a few notches with accessories including layered necklaces and kimonos. Just because you have a routine of wearing the same type or style doesn’t mean it has to get boring. Jazz up the routine with colors, patterns, layers and bling, even if it just for a grocery store run or a doctor’s appointment. It is amazing how much better it makes me feel to put in the effort. Even when I am struggling with my physical heath.

Outfit 9 - Jeans with Bling and an Oversized Tee

I could not resist this recently thrifted tee. It is not cotton, so definitely not one I will wear when it is super hot, but it is so me. I love murder mystery shows, all the comfy clothes, and feel most comfortable with just a small number of people; although I can handle more like 8 or 10. Ha, ha.

Finding pieces that perfectly fit both your body and your personality is really what makes fashion fun. Graphic tees are great ways to show off the bands, movies, books, and philosophies you like. In the same way accessories can further show off your amazing sparkle. Don’t be afraid to play dress up every day, even the days you don’t feel good.

I hope you enjoyed this look at a few of my more recent outfits and I hope to be back at regular posting soon. Have a great week!

Outfits with Sweaters

Hey everyone! I am trying to bring you content at least once a week, but time got away from me this past weekend and I wasn’t able to get pictures taken. I thought, instead, I would show you some of the the outfits I have been posting on Instagram. I know, not all of you have an Instagram account, and maybe not a Facebook account either, so you wouldn’t be getting that content.

Anyway, I recently styled four different sweaters and thought I would show you those outfits. I love my sweaters in the winter time. Anything to add extra layers on these frigid days is exactly what I want and need. We live in a drafty old house and over the years we have added insulation, new windows and things like that, but it is still a drafty, old, house. Ha, ha.

All of these outfits were made using a few of my longer cardigans. I love a long cardigan in the winter in our house, because my legs often feel cold, even with the extra bits on my thighs! Having a longer, cozy cardi makes me feel like I am wearing a blanket around my body.

After each outfit explanation you will see a new feature called a Style Tip. Be sure to check those out for easy ways to update your looks.

Outfit 1 - Mint Green Bubble Cardigan

This is a Christopher and Banks piece I bought a few years ago. The bubble texture is soft and cozy. For this outfit I decided to pair the sweater with a pale, lavender long sleeve top and a printed scarf which also had navy accents in addition to the mint and purple. That is why I chose my navy, SO ankle boots and a few navy bracelets. Here is a similar pair of boots at Kohl’s. My jeans are from Maurices. Click on the link to a similar pair.

Style Tip:

Trying pairing pastels with other pastels, then throw in a bit of a primary color like red, bright yellow or dark blue for an interesting contrast.

Outfit 2 - Leopard Print Cardigan

I found this great piece while thrifting and I grabbed it. I had been on the hunt for a longer, heavier, leopard print cardigan and this one was perfect. This cardigan, like the last one is an open front piece, with no zippers, buttons or snaps. I have grown to really like these types of cardi’s because they provide warmth, but still allow you to show off the top underneath, as well as any accessories like scarves or jewelry.

For this outfit, I chose my rusty brown, thrifted turtleneck, which happens to be Chico’s brand and is very soft. My jeans are my trusty old Rock & Republic brand from Kohl’s. My boots are clearance Sonoma brand, also from Kohl’s a few seasons ago. Here is a different gray pair, a brown pair, and a black pair.

Style Tip:

Adding a belt to a longer cardigan can give you an entirely new look, accenting your waist and making the outfit more streamlined.

Outfit 3 - Camouflage Waffle Weave Cardigan

This purple camo piece I found recently at my local Meijer. Not only was it on clearance, it was an additional 50% off. Yay! Being that is was such a different piece with the color and the texture, I grabbed it. I had just been thinking I want to add a few other purple pieces to my closet and this was perfect. In addition, it is a medium weight so I will be able to wear it for three seasons instead of just one. You can try finding a long light weight cardi here on Amazon.

This look was very casual, with a thrifted light weight pullover sweater, thrifted jeans and my sherpa lined ankle boots. Another clearance Sonoma pair. I wore this to go meet friends at a nearby BBQ place.

Style Tip:

Add layers of fun jewelry to a casual look to take it up a notch, making it social engagement ready.

Outfit 4 - Bright Blue Bubble Sweater

Apparently, bubble sweaters were a thing, but now they are not. I think I got the mint one, and this bright blue one the same year. This one I found at a local shop last year when my girls took me birthday shopping. My sparkly, red, long sleeve tee is a recent online purchase from Kohl’s. Tee’s are definitely a staple in my closet: short sleeves for spring and summer, and long sleeves for fall and winter.

The jeans are a stretchier version of my other Rock & Republic jeans. The boots are a hand me over from my oldest. Since her pregnancy her feet got a tad bigger. These are tight on me too and I almost wonder if they were mislabeled. I wear them around the house and places where I don’t have to walk a lot. Do you wear shoes at home? Many days I wear my slippers, but I will also get fully dressed, just to feel like I am not frittering away time. Since I am currently working from home with my little freelance jobs, it makes me feel like I am accomplishing something if I get dressed. Ha, ha.

Style Tip:

Color block an outfit by adding two, three or more different solid colors, then add a fun printed scarf for warmth and interest. Don’t forget to accent your scarf with a pretty pin/brooch.

I hope you enjoyed this post. These are a few of my every day outfits. I love to get dressed and to add interest and color to my outfits, even if I am just staying at home. I provided a few shopping links within the article that you can check out. Some of these are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great evening.

Pantone - Spring/Summer - 2021 - Raspberry Sorbet, Mint and Willow

Today’s Pantone outfit revolves around a tantalizing pink, a refreshing green and another earthy color reminiscent of the weeping willow trees that hug the banks of lakes and streams. Raspberry Sorbet, Mint and Willow combine in an outfit that is both sleek, colorful and casual.

When I think of the color mint, I am more inclined to think of the light Green Ash color from Tuesday’s post. I guess my rendering of mint is based more on ice cream and Christmas candies than it is the actual plant. The mint plant is a bright, living green, so I think the Pantone color is much truer to the natural source. My Mint green top is a thrifted Falls Creek piece. I wore it for this shoot and then I got rid of it. It has been hanging in my closet for a while and I wasn’t certain, why I didn’t reach for it more often. After putting it on, I just didn’t like how stiff the fabric was. I’m all for structured pieces, but a piece has to move with me for me to want to wear it.

My camouflage pants, also Falls Creek, are a recent clearance find from Meijer. They are light weight, so good for summer. Unlike some camo that is more green, these tend towards more brown and gray. The Willow color is in there as you can see in the following picture. Willow was hard color to find. Most of my pieces are more olive green and Willow has more of a brown undertone.

Instead of choosing another clothing piece for the Raspberry Sorbet color, I opted to include it in my accessories. My necklace, bracelets, and the Vera Bradley tote were the perfect pop of this bright, saturated pink.

I went for my silver SO flats to tie in with the silver chains on the necklaces.

What do you think of these Pantone colors? Do you have the color Willow in your closet? I love to hear back from you, so leave a comment or two.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to peruse. These links are brought to you at no cost, but using them to purchase something gives me a few pennies as a kick back. I appreciate all your support. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo and graphic credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Have a great weekend everyone!

20 Days of Christmas - Red Velvet Jacket

When you think of Christmas style, what piece in your wardrobe do you think of? Is it a bright green dress, an ugly Christmas sweater or maybe a classic holiday vest with jingle bells and bits of bling? One fabric that always says Christmas and holiday gatherings to me is velvet, or the faux version that we see everywhere these days. The original manufacture of velvet was a complicated and costly process and traditionally was made from silk. Today’s velvet is manufactured at much lower cost, on large machines and is made of various types of fabrics including polyester, nylon, viscose and even spandex. Many of the pieces that make it into our wardrobe in the form of tops are these types and are known as “stretch velvet.”

I found this gorgeous red, velvet jacket at a thrift store and fell in love. The color, the fit and the fact that it is made of velvet compelled me to try it on and once I did, I knew I would be styling it for Christmas and other days throughout the winter. This blazer is a brand called Briggs New York.

I wanted a festive, but casual look with an edge, so I chose my Sonoma camo jeans. I also added a recently purchased long sleeve Croft and Barrow striped tee from Kohl’s. Thanksgiving weekend and the week following are great times to find essentials for yourself while you are shopping for everyone else. Long sleeve tees are sold at great prices, so you can pick up a few. Ha, ha.

I couldn’t make up my mind for jewelry so I went with two necklaces for a layered look. Even though the greens on the necklaces don’t match and the metals are different I think it works.

Since I went with dual necklaces, I went for dual bracelets as well and once again mixed silver and gold. If Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman can do it, why can’t I? I also used my daughter’s minty green clutch. Thank you, Rebecca!

My olive green SO ankle boots are making another appearance. I rolled the hem on my jeans so that the whole boot shows. I like the cut out on these. It makes the boot more interesting and also makes them easier to walk in and easier to get on an off. These have an inside zipper as well. You can see these similar ones at Kohl’s. Right now they are marked down from $49.99 to $34.99. Unfortunately they no longer have olive colored ones. But here are a few olive pairs from Francesca’s, Old Navy and these Sonoma ones at Kohl’s.

One thing I have learned from doing this 20 Days of Christmas Challenge is that many clothing pieces have greater potential than we realize. Who would have ever thought to use camouflage jeans in a Christmas outfit? I’m sure someone thought of it before me, but to me it was new. It has also made me rethink pattern mixing. I love this combination of red stripes with the camo. I also really liked the festive look of last week’s, Eva Trends dress with my plaid shawl/vest. You can see that post here.

What do you think of this outfit? Would you wear something like this to a Christmas get together?

For those of you who regularly get my emails, I apologize for not sending an email out last week. I have been swamped with work, family responsibilities and Christmas gatherings and preparations. I haven’t forgotten about you and you all are the reason I keep doing this, so thank you. If you don’t get an email, just go to the blog and check for new content. I appreciate it.

Have a great Tuesday everyone.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

I’ve added a few shopping links for all things red velvet. These are affiliate links. If you click on a link, I get a few pennies. I appreciate every click. All opinions are my own.

Working Under Cover: An Introduction

Welcome to my first series of 2018! Due to the aging process changes occur in our bodies, resulting in weight gain and redistribution, loss of muscle and skin elasticity and other physical changes such as varicose veins, foot problems and arthritis. The ability to deal with these issues starts in our heads. Frankly, we just need to accept the fact that we are getting older. We are no longer 25 and we never will be again. 

While we need to take care of our bodies by eating well and getting exercise, the changes that come after menopause are not easily gotten rid of. Instead of obsessing over our bulges by trying to do millions of sit ups, or worrying over the veins that show on our legs or hands, there are other things we can do to cover our flaws and still look and feel beautiful. 

As you can see by the title of this series, my intent is to share with you different ways of dressing that will cover the changes that age has brought about, so that we can still look fashionable and well styled. This week, I'd like to look at a few things we need to think about first before we start our under cover operation.

1. Accept what you can't change.

This slightly fat kitty seems to pay no heed to the fact that he/she is overweight. We have a myriad of articles and news stories available on positive body image, body shaming and self esteem. I think it is important that we create a culture of acceptance, while at the same time encouraging one another to be the best we can be. Health and self confidence are the key issues we ought to be pushing, not skinny or fat, tall or short, black, white or rainbow colored. I believe we are all created equal, by a Creator, so there is no room for bullying, body shaming, racism or comparisons based on external factors or even internal preferences such as religion or political affiliations. 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed;”

— Declaration of Independence

I recommend taking an inventory of the things you don't like about your body. For the sake of this series, I am only going to discuss physical body issues, not emotional or mental characteristics. Stand in front of a full length mirror and look at yourself, preferably with no clothes, or with just your underwear. Look at yourself from head to toe. Take a piece of paper and make four columns. 

Column 1 - Things I don't like, that I can't change

Column 2 - Things I don't like, that I can change

Column 3 - Things I like

Column 4 - Other

Column 1 would be things like a big bottom, or no bottom at all, long arms, knobby knees, small feet and so on. You may not like these things, but you cannot change them.

Column 2 would be things like pale skin, extra weight, varicose veins, breast size, or other issues that could be altered whether by using make up, exercising and eating better, or having some sort of surgery or procedure. 

Column 3 should be the things you like about your body. My husband has always told me I have pretty collar bones. Some women like their strong shapely arms or legs. Maybe you have very pretty decolletage (a fancy word for cleavage), or you have smooth, beautiful skin. Write down all the things you like and don't say you don't like anything about your body. God made you beautiful, you just need to agree. 

I added column 4 because for some of us there are things that could be changed, but perhaps at this point in time resources do not allow that particular procedure or maybe you are just not sure about having major surgery to help with weight loss or breast reduction or implants. I have bad varicose veins, but currently they do not bother me. Without a diagnosis of pain or necessity, it is doubtful that our insurance will cover a procedure to have them dealt with. However, I will put them on my sheet as something I would like to change in the future. Maybe you just had a baby and have 30 pounds of extra weight you'd like to get rid of, but right now, you are just trying to get to know your little one. Put that in this column as something you want to address at a future date. 

Acceptance of what we cannot change or have no control over, is the first step to healthier, more confident way of viewing yourself and the world around you. 

2. Accentuate the positive.

Look back at the list I had you write. More specifically look at the things about yourself you like. These are the things that you need to pay attention to when you are buying clothes, and getting dressed. 

If you are a woman who has shapely, blemish free legs you can wear skirts and dresses, as well as cropped pants and shorts. Show off those beautiful gams. Maybe you have strong, well defined arms. Don't be afraid to expose them with sleeveless tops or even tighter fitting sleeves in the cooler weather. Perhaps what you love most about yourself is the color of your eyes. Look for make up as well as tops, scarves and accessories that will make those beauties pop. 

In our information friendly world you can find all sorts of articles on line about how to dress for your body type, complexion and hair color just by typing in a few words. Check out a few of these:

How to Dress for Your Body Shape

10 Ways to Look 5 Years Younger 

40 Eye Makeup Looks for Brown Eyes

You can find all sorts of tutorials, articles and advice on how to accentuate your positives. 

3. What you can't change, camo!

I'm not saying that we need to cover up anything and everything that we are not happy with when it comes to our bodies. If that were the case some of us would be wearing a bag. What I hope to do over the next few weeks, is show you ways to dress that will cover up a few of those problem areas and make you feel more confident and put together. 

Camouflage is nature's way of hiding. God gave critters an amazing ability to hide in plain sight and that is exactly what we want to do. We want to hide the things we view as flaws but still feel comfortable to go out and live life. 

Pixabay

I hope you'll join me next Tuesday as we start looking at those problem areas and how we can put them under cover. 

Until then, have a great week. 

Be sure to check back Thursday for more Layering Love.