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!

Color Play: Building an Outfit Around a Bag

When I found this cute color block bag on a recent thrift store run, I knew I had to style an outfit around it. The colors are perfect for spring, summer and fall, and for me, the size is just right. I have gotten away from carrying large bags, because they tend to bother my shoulders. Even a cross body bag that is larger becomes problematic because I put too much stuff in it. You know the saying, “If it’s big, fill it up!” Ha, ha. I may have just made that up.

Aren’t the colors on this piece so cute? This has no brand name on it anywhere.

There were lots of choices I could have went with for an outfit. For a little while I was looking at a white maxi, but decided to save that for another day. I also pulled out a pair of coral pants, but ended up with the look you see here.

For this look I decided to have a similar color block vibe to the bag. I am looking forward to using this bag again for inspiration with a print mixing outfit.

I was pretty sure I wanted to use this thrifted teal blazer as it matched so well with the bag. Obviously this is a great outfit for these spring days where the temps fluctuate, but once summer hits the heavier layers will disappear. This blazer is a brand called Weekenders. It is a medium weight with a longer silhouette, and textured cuffs that match the shawl lapels.

Once I decided on the white Gloria Vanderbilt jeans that I have had for years, and can still squeeze into…and I do mean squeeze…I knew I wanted a coral piece to match the coral in the bag, so I chose this thrifted Cherokee shell, which I decided to use as a knit vest.

I also wanted to add a little black, so decided on this thrifted Chaps blouse with polka dots. Once I had that the only jewelry I added was this fun pendant necklace I found at the second hand shop around the corner.

I have always like the classy look of oxford shoes, so I pulled out this black patent leather pair I have from my days as an assistant manager at the bookstore. These are a brand called Sugar.

Do you have a bag that you can use to inspire an outfit? Have you ever tried building an outfit around a fun, colorful bag? What do you think of this outfit? Would you wear something like this? I would love to hear your thoughts.

I’m including a few shopping links for you. I bring these to you at no extra cost. These are affiliate links which means I get a few cents if you click on a link, and a bit more if you purchase something through one of the links I provide. I appreciate all your support. All opinions are my own.

Have a super week!

Shopping Our Closets: Tweed Jacket

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

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

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

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

Look 1 - Work Appropriate

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

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

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

Sorry for the crummy picture.

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

Look 2 - Casual Day with the Kids or Grandkids.

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

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

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

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

Thanks for following along. Until next time!

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

Outfit Inspiration: Gray Days of Spring

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I hope you have a wonderful week.

Shopping Our Closets: Graphics on Clothing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have a great week.

Shopping Our Closets: Spring Trends Edition

Today’s post revolves around several Spring 2024 fashion trends. While I don’t follow every trend that comes along, I like to be aware of what is happening from season to season. Frankly, most things have already been done, and just keep coming back into the trend rotation. Certain colors and prints, fabrics and styles come around again and again. For instance, leopard print is once again in; not that it really went out. I always hang on to a few leopard print pieces. That choice is less about what is trendy and more about what I like.

I’m not even going to give you links to forecasted spring trends because they are all so different. One says high waisted pants are out, another says they are in. The same thing for corduroys, and other styles. As I always say, wear the things that make you happy and feel good about how you look and who you are. You don’t need a high priced fashion entity to tell you what to wear. That being said, in today’s post I will share a few of the trends I like.

Prep School

Academic blazers, button down shirts and polos are all part of this preppy aesthetic. You can’t go wrong with a thrifted Ralph Lauren blazer. This is my second Ralph Lauren blazer. You can see my navy blue one here and here.

Style Tip: Second hand stores, and retailers like Poshmark, Ebay and ThredUp are great places to find cast off high end brand names.

Color Combos

This dark gray and brown pairing was another item on the trends list for this year. It seems there are few color combinations that seem a little different, but you know I love a color combo challenge, so this was perfect. Dark gray and chocolate brown would not be my first go to color combo, but I like it.

Cherry Red

Red is in and it speaks volumes, adding a pop of color to any outfit dressy or casual, and there are so many ways to make a statement with red. Try a red top, a red skirt, a red jacket or coat, a red scarf, a red bag, red shoes, or keep it simple with bright red lipstick.

Wide Legs

The wide leg look is sticking around, and you can wear it in any fabric or texture. Dress up in a wide leg trouser for work or a night out, or dress casual with a variety of wide leg jeans.

Metallics and Flats

Metallic fabric is shimmering on the run ways, but that doesn’t mean we have to go all out. Just a little dab of metals is all you need to take an outfit up a notch. I added mine in the form of my gold clutch and my silver SO flats. Flats are also on trend this spring, so take those ballet flats from the back of your closet and let them shine.

I added a few silver necklaces for a layered jewelry look, along with a few silver bangles.

Before going out shopping for new trends, be sure to take a look in your closet. Without a doubt, you have one or two pieces that are back in the trend revolving door. Out of the trends I listed above a nice structured blazer, and metallic shoes or a bag are great pieces to hang on to. They are easily styled with dressy or casual outfits, and are perfect for parties, special events and work.

I hope you enjoyed today’s outfit, and that it will inspire you to check out the spring 2024 trends on the web. You might find you have some of the ones I mentioned or others already in your wardrobe.

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

Have a great day!

Color Play - Finding Inspiration in Wall Art

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I hope you are having a great week.

Shopping Our Closets - Wonderful White

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Color Play - Brown and Pale Green

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I hope you are having a marvelous week.

No shopping links today, but if you appreciate the blog and the content I put on here please consider buying me a coffee. Just click on the link below.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Color Play - Dark Plaid in the Spring and Summer

Today, I am going to show you how to take a darker plaid and make it spring and summer ready. I know many of us put our darker colors away replacing them with pastels and the bright happy colors of warmer weather, but not everyone has as big of a wardrobe as I do. Indeed, for those who are more into a capsule wardrobe, this is a great way to use a darker print all year round.

I found these plaid Croft and Barrow pants a few months ago while thrifting. When I tried them on, I liked the way they fit, and knew they would be great for the holidays, but I also thought it would be fun to wear these any time of year by just adjusting what I pair them with. I decided to pull them out for this post.

As you can see in the picture below they are a simple pull on knit, thus the name inside the waist band - Effortless Stretch Pant. The older I get, the more I like that idea. Ha, ha. But then, the younger generation all wear leggings, which is really just a stretch pant, right? You can see these are perfect for Christmas with the red stripes, and green and blue plaid.

Style Tip: Roll up the hems on your straight leg pants, creating a narrow cuff, to give them a current, casual, and youthful look.

You might be wondering how I chose the sweater and the tee. I wanted to keep to the color scheme of the pants, but with lightening up the shades to a pastel, minty green, and a pastel, blush pink, it changes the feel of the whole outfit. I could have done a similar thing with a lighter reddish orange, and a lighter blue, but in similar shades to the original.

The whole idea behind Color Play is to play with colors and color combinations. I am not a color “trekkie”, boldly going where no woman has gone before in my color combinations. I still like things to look classic, polished, and put together in a way that makes a person think, wow, that’s a cool outfit. But, I still want to experiment and try new things, and I hope I am inspiring you to do that as well.

Style Tip: In order to lighten up an outfit when using a darker print, think in terms of shades of the darker print’s colors. If it is navy, evergreen and maroon, think in terms of light blue, minty green and pink.

My pink sweater was a Nordstrom Rack find, and is a brand called BYdesign. You can click on the link for a variety of color options. This is a great spring, and summer sweater as it is light weight. I got an XL, as I often like a roomier option. These are also on sale right now, so feel free to click on through.

My minty green v-neck tee is Hanes brand and a second hand find. Long sleeve and short sleeve plain colored tees are great pieces to stock up on at thrift stores. It doesn’t matter as much if they are not new as they are typically worn underneath other things.

I decided to wear a few red pieces of jewelry to coordinate with the red stripes in the pants.

My white bag is another thrift find that I typically pull out in the summer. I still have that “wear white in the warmer months” mentality, not so much about pants or tops, but definitely bags. In our current time anything goes, as they say, but we certainly still have our own personal preferences.

These cute sneakers were another thrift find. They are brand called vaisb, which looked to be a brand that used to be sold on Amazon.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you think I accomplished a spring or summer look by incorporating lighter colored pieces with the darker plaid pants? I personally like the way the outfit turned out, but I know it is not for everyone. However, the idea is to play with color. Don’t be afraid to think outside the crayon box when it comes to what colors you are brave enough to wear, and the color combinations you might create. Getting dressed should be fun and that is one of the reasons I share this blog with you.

I am including a few other shopping links below. Don’t forget to check out the BYdesign link above if you are in need of a light weight cardigan for summer. These are affiliate links. I do not earn any money from these links unless you purchase the item through the link. I provide these links to give you information and they are brought to you at no additional cost. All opinions are my own.

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Outfit from Clara Sunwoo

This outfit was gifted to me and I was not paid to do this review. All opinions are my own.

Recently I was contacted by retailer Clara Sunwoo to do a collaboration. Clara Sunwoo started sewing clothing in 1968. In 1975 she moved from Seoul, Korea to New York City. Twenty years later Clara and her daughter Roseann, saw a need for women’s clothing that fit better and in 1997 started their own clothing line in Manhattan’s fashion district. In 2004 they designed their own soft, stretchable knit fabric, a fabric that is breathable and wrinkle free. Their clothing has reached all across the United States and is loved by women including Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Kathie Lee Gifford.

This outfit features the side tie watercolor top paired with the brown signature straight leg pant. (Please note, the links only take you to their main website, but you can look each item up by it’s name, or click on the link for tops, or the link for pants, etc. and scroll to find the item.) Each item is made from a soft, breathable knit created by the mother/daughter team.

Their website states that this knit is breathable and perfect for traveling. On the day I took these pictures, it was only in the forties, so I will have to let you know how this light weight fabric does in the heat of summer at a later date. The fabric is pleasing to touch and feels great on. It stretches as you move, making it perfect for our busy lives.

I love the elbow length dolman style sleeves, and the cute detail of the front tie. The muted neutral tones will be fun to style with other items in my closet.

I was concerned when I took these straight leg pants out of the bag, that they were going to be too small. I chose a size Large (14). I would say these are just about spot on. I am between a 12 and a 14. I was actually surprised that they looked as nice as they did with my wider hips. I would like to try a pair of their wider leg, or split leg pants to see how they compare.

I decided to use silvery gray for my accessories. My shoes and bag were both thrifted.

Clara Sunwoo is a retailer I can get behind. Their story (be sure to watch the piece from the Today show) is a picture of the American dream. Most of their products are designed and manufactured right here in the United States. The clothing is well made with quality fabric that moves with you as you move throughout your day. Their sizing is fairly inclusive running from an extra small (4/6) up to a 1X (18). I think they allow for larger sizing due to the stretch in the fabric, but I don’t know that the pants or certain sleeve types would necessarily fit all body sizes and types. Keep that in mind if you are interested in ordering anything.

I also like that this is a Slow Fashion manufacturer. They only make a limited number of pieces for each season, so there is less waste. The price points are higher than what I would normally pay, but I would consider these investment pieces. These are the perfect pieces for a resort trip or cruise, walking the beach or going out to dinner. They would also translate well into the work place where comfort and classic style is a plus.

I have signed up to be an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo, so if you want to purchase something on their site just use the code, STYLINGRANNY10 and you’ll receive a 10% discount site wide. They always have free shipping in the U.S. Check them out!

Shopping Our Closets - Utility Vest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Buy Me a Cup of Coffee. I provide this link for you to monetarily support my blog. I do not make money on my blog, but I do sacrifice my time to bring you fresh ideas and thoughts. If you enjoy these posts this is a small way to support my efforts.

I hope you are having a great week.

Outfit Inspiration - A Spring Look

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here is my outfit next to the outfit I pinned.

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

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

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Have a great week!

Color Play - 2 - Pantone Spring 2023 - NY Palette: Tangelo, Peach Pink, Machiatto

These are the final three colors from the Pantone Spring 2023 NY Palette and I wanted to let you see them. This is also going to be a color block outfit, though not as distinct as the previous one with the more primary colors. These colors are softer and make me think more of light spring showers and Easter flowers. This outfit has almost a monochromatic feel as the colors are similar in their hues.

With Easter only a week away, I thought it might be nice to focus on an outfit that would work for a casual Easter get together. It used to be we dressed up for this holiday, and I think many people still do, but while many are still donning their white shoes and pretty spring dresses, there are others who will reach for a more casual, practical outfit for a day of cooking and preparing treats for the grandkids’ Easter hunts.

This outfit is made up of three main components: bottom, top and accessories. I am including the vest in with the accessories because it is not essential to the outfit. You could easily wear a top and bottom without a topper like a vest or blazer. For this outfit, the vest was representing another of the Pantone colors and not only does it add an element of warmth, but an element of texture and interest.

My Peach Pink pants are W62 brand and I believe were from Dress Barn. I have styled these on the blog before. You can see them styled here in a monochrome look, with a red moto jacket, with a pastel pink cardigan, with a LuLaRoe tee, with a cropped blazer, and with a different set of Pantone colors,

Sorry for the poor picture quality. Phone pictures are great, but not so much when it comes to editing.

My Tangelo vest was a Christopher and Banks purchase a few years ago. I love the deep orange color and it serves well for both spring and fall.

You can also see in the above picture my thrifted Old Navy sweater top. I had a Machiotto colored jean jacket picked out, but I didn’t have any other orange that worked as well as my vest. Even though there is a distinct marled print you can see the brown color throughout.

I added the scarf as a way to pull the entire look together.

My daughter was getting rid of this pretty, statement necklace, so I snatched it up. I thought it went great with this outfit.

My sneakers are Mossimo and were thrift find. They also mimic the Machiotto color almost perfectly and add another bit of shine to the look.

My bag was a gift from my daughter. Both my girls know I love purses, so I am always excited when I get a new one as a gift. I love the embellished detail on this piece.

What do you think of these colors? Would you wear these together? What are you going to wear for your Easter Day celebration?

I’m not sharing any shopping links to day, but hope you have a marvelous weekend.

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Color Play - Pantone Spring 2023 - NY Palette: Fiery Red, Empire Yellow, Blue Perennial, Light Aqua

Today I am looking at a color combining technique that is known as color blocking. Color blocking is the combination of solid colors creating distinct blocks of color. I don’t use the color block technique very often because I love prints. Many times I will combine something like a pair of jeans with a vest or sweater in a solid color, combined with a print top. I guess in that case I am almost always doing a type of color blocking. However, jeans are a type of material that don't typically look solid. Does that make sense to anyone else out there besides myself? Ha, ha.

This outfit is bright and colorful and a great ensemble for the crazy fluctuating temperatures of spring.

The color block technique is a great way to combine one color with another without worrying if they match. The whole point is to combine different colors to create a fun, statement worthy outfit. All of these pieces have been in my closet for a while. I have worn each of them separately, and I have worn the vest and pants together before, but not this combination.

My Light Aqua top is Massini brand and was a clearance find from Kohl’s a few years ago. It is a medium weight knit with a cozy feel.

My secondhand pants have made numerous appearances on the blog and are Ruby Rd. brand. You can see a number of my posts in this one post, Why You Should Have a Pair of Colored Pants - Bright Blue. While I don’t pull these out real frequently for my day to day outfits. I have used them over and over for a special occasion or for the blog.

This yellow vest is a brand called Love Tree. I really like this piece. It came with a detachable hood, and the inside of the vest has a fuzzy, warm sherpa lining. I think I got this at a local boutique, but I actually cannot remember. I know, I know! Too many clothes. I’ll save my clothing muses for another day.

I decided to focus on Fiery Red as an accent color, so my bag, and my pendant charm necklace do the trick. Isn’t it cool, how the red pops against this already colorful outfit? I have this crossbody bag in a similar style, but different brand (both from Amazon), in black. They are great bags with three separate compartments to keep all your things organized. They are not huge, but big enough for the essentials. I’ll give a few shopping links below. A crossbody bag has become my regular go to, because I like the hands free approach. This is especially helpful when you are chasing grandkids, or shopping.

I really wasn’t sure which shoes to wear, and the only reason I ended up with my high top mesh Converse was due to the red stripe around the sole. Ha, ha. Really, my thought process for putting an outfit together is not all that complex. I tried the outfit with a pair of white sneakers first, but it just didn’t look right. I think the heaviness of the fabrics and the vest needed something a little less springy, but I also didn’t want to use knee high boots as those seemed too wintery…thus the Converse.

So what do you think of this outfit? Do you like the color blocking technique? Tell me about an outfit where you have used it. Your comments mean so much to me. You are the reason I keep this blog going, so it is wonderful to hear from you.

Please feel free to show your support for me and the blog by using my Buy Me a Coffee link. When you contribute to my page I can use that money to buy a treat when I am working on the blog at a coffee shop. I appreciate all your support.

I’m including a few shopping links. I only make money off of these links if you purchase something through a link, however, I bring these to you to give you ideas. All opinions are my own.

Have a great Tuesday!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Have a great day!

You can now also buy me a cup of coffee by clicking on this link. I appreciate all of your support.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. I do apologize that I have not yet gotten linked up with some other affiliate partners. It’s all about the research which takes time. I haven’t given up, but for now I will keep bringing you at least some possible options through my ShopStyle affiliate program. These are brought to you at no additional cost, unless you purchase something of course. Ha, ha.

Color Play - Red and Orange Cream

As you know, the reason I like to play with color is to force myself to get out of my own preconceived box regarding color combinations. Most of us are familiar and comfortable with combinations like navy with white in the summer, or rust with yellow in the fall. We tend to stay away from those combinations that look like restaurant decor - think yellow and red (McDonalds), or team colors - yellow and green (Green Bay Packers), unless we are putting on our work uniform or going to a football game. However, I like the challenge of finding different or unusual color combinations allowing me to make better use of the clothing I already have in my closet.

Today’s outfit revolves around two new pieces I got in the last month: a red and white striped top and a creamy light orange eyelash cardigan.

I pulled out my thrifted St. John’s Bay wide leg pants. The only reason I chose these was so I could wear my knee brace without it being seen. Ha, ha. But I actually like the way the outfit turned out. Wide legs seemed to have jumped off the trend-go-round until next time, but that is no reason to get rid of them, if you have a pair. Every once in a while it is nice to wear something outside the trend box, just because it is comfortable and the right color.

My bright red striped mock turtleneck tee is from Maurices and was another great deal. I love stripes anyway. I have a few tops that are white with red stripes, but when I saw this red with skinny white stripes, I grabbed it. It is very soft and comfortable.

I also added a long pendant necklace with reds for a bit of fun.

This wonderfully fuzzy chenille eyelash sweater is the bomb. I love the fun texture and the luxurious softness of the knit. It is also extra cozy, so I have a feeling it will be popping up here and there throughout the chaotic weather of spring. I found this on the clearance rack at our local Meijer.

I used my red top handle bag again for the Valentine’s red color and added my SO ankle boots which matched my pants fairly well. However, silly me, didn’t think to put on my brown socks…ha, ha. Oh well, the little foxes match quite well.

Style Tip: To make your legs look longer and leaner match your shoe to your pants (and your socks :)). You can get the same effect with tights and boots of the same color.

What do you think of this color combination? I think it is fun and different, but not so different that it doesn’t work. Let me know what you think by leaving me some love in the comments.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own. These are provided for your benefit and do not cost you anything to click on.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 - NY Palette: Harbor Blue, Dahlia, and Northern Droplet

These are the last three colors from the Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 New York Palette. Today’s colors are festive and fun, the perfect combination for a summer event. I always love a brighter, richer approach to color anyway, so these are probably two of my faves from this palette. Click here to see the actual Pantone colors.

Harbor Blue is a medium blue green giving it a teal vibe, but with a little less intensity. Dahlia is a beautiful shade of purple that reminds me of spring and summer flowers like Azaleas, Cosmos and Pansies. Northern Droplet is a light shade of gray much like an early morning fog over a mountain lake.

For my outfit today, I ended up using a slightly darker gray rather than a light gray. I don’t own a lot of light gray because it is one of those colors that doesn’t do me justice. It is also what I would term, a non color, meaning it doesn’t really do a whole lot for very many people. Certainly there are women who look wonderful in a light shade of gray, but it seems to me that a medium to dark gray is a better choice for most of us.

As of the posting of these photos it is still cool in the midwest. We have had so many gray and rainy days, I am honestly starting to think we are turning into the new northwest and joining our friends in Seattle. However, I did want to give you an outfit where I at least showed a little bit of skin on my legs, just to give the feeling of oncoming summer and warmer weather.

My Harbor Blue bomber jacket was a clearance purchase from ShopNational a few seasons ago. I love the floral textured pattern. The banding at the neck, sleeves and bottom makes it extra comfy to wear. It is a unique piece that I don’t wear a lot, but one that I will hang on to for its versatility and vibrant color.

My thrifted jeans are a brand called Stylus. This appears to be a discontinued brand that may have once been sold at JC Penney and Walmart. I like that they have a tiny bit of distressing near the pocket and above the knee.

My Bambi tee is a thrifted Sonoma piece. When I first got it I knew the print was of deer, but after closer inspection it is definitely Bambi’s silhouette. You can also see my silver necklace that my bestie gave me back in March when we were in NY visiting my mom. I opted for the olive canvas belt because there is a bit of olive in the scarf.

My beautiful scarf was gifted to me by a dear friend who was clearing out her home in preparation for their move to Tennessee. Every time I wear it, I am reminded of her and her husband who moved to be near their youngest daughter, her husband, and their first baby. I just love all the colors in this scarf and feel like it is the perfect piece for every season.

Style Tip: When you don’t know what outfit to put together, pull out a favorite printed scarf. Take cues from the scarf on putting the ensemble together by choosing pieces with matching or similar colors. It really helps for picking out outfits and I do this often, when I am going away for the weekend.

My Ked’s sparkly sneakers are quite old, and perhaps need another run through the washer. I chose my simple Aerosmith tote (a hand me over from my younger girl) for my bag.

Do you like these colors? Would you wear these colors together? Let me know what you think of this outfit by leaving me a comment.

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