Styling into the Holidays - Part 2: Holiday Work Party

It’s been five years since I lost my job at the university bookstore. As an assistant manager I was lucky to be able to wear business casual attire and sometimes went to work wearing a sweatshirt and jeans, especially if I was going to be book slamming - unpacking and shelving textbooks. However, once in a while I liked to get more dressed up to at least give the appearance that I was the second in command. Ha, ha. Today’s look is one that I might have worn during our holiday sales events.

When I was getting ready for my little photo shoot I decided to put volumizing powder in my hair. Unfortunately, I ended up putting too much in and I couldn’t even get a brush through my hair without nearly pulling my head off. Ha, ha, ha! I tell you what, us girls go through such feats to look beautiful. I tried to add some waves, but even the straight iron couldn’t make headway with my mess. So silly. There are times I really do feel like Lucille Ball. Ha, ha.

My thrifted, plaid Requirements blazer has been styled on the blog before. You can see that post here. It is a great piece, but doesn’t get as much love as it should since I only use it during the holiday season, which is very short. That is exactly why I pulled it out for this post. I really should try to wear it after the holidays. What do you think? Would you wear this before or after the Christmas season?

Denim skirts are trending right now, so I was glad to have another opportunity to wear this thrifted St. John’s Bay piece. This is a great pencil maxi whether you dress it up or down. My belt was also a thrift find.

I love this black turtleneck top that I found second hand. It is a brand called united.states.sweaters. It is soft and stretchy. A basic black turtleneck can be very flattering and can be dressed up or down. Just add gold or silver jewelry or a bright colored scarf and you take your outfit up a notch without really trying.

For my accessories I chose black for bag and boots and gold for my jewelry. My blag top handle hobo bag was a thrifted piece and a brand called Scarleton. You can find this brand on Amazon and they are very reasonably priced.

My black boots were a Black Friday purchase last year from Kohl’s and are Journee brand.

These gold tone jewelry pieces have been around for years, but always seem to keep their shine.

What do you think of this outfit? Would you have worn something like this to a holiday office party? What would you do with the pieces in your closet?

I hope you enjoyed this post and that it provided a little inspiration for your holiday get togethers, or just gave you an excuse to get dressed up to go to the mall or out to lunch with a friend. I have provided a few shopping links for similar items and I try to keep the price points more reasonable. These are for you to shop or to just draw inspiration from. These are affiliate links, brought to you at no extra cost. If you purchase something through one of my links I get a little kickback. I appreciate all of your support.

Leave me a comment or two. I always love to hear from you!

Heading Toward the Holidays - Blazers and Scarves

One of the things I like about the cold weather seasons is the ability to wear layers. Layering is possible in the warmer weather, but we reach for light weight tops, sweaters and kimonos. In the winter I can get out my blazers and layer them over sweaters, buttons downs or long sleeve tees. I can also add scarves and boots to the ensemble for a warm work wear look. Today’s look is just that.

I thought I would go step by step to show you how I put this look together. I wanted to give you a less casual outfit than last week since I know some of you like to get more dressed up for holiday gatherings. I thought this look, while still leaning towards casual works perfectly for an office Christmas get together.

Step 1 - Pick a top. I got this cute tee from Kohl’s online when I was looking to use some Kohl’s cash and a 40% off coupon. I paid less than five dollars for this tee. I got this one and a navy blue with a woodsy vibe, both of which will work all winter, not just for the holidays. You certainly don’t have to pick a long sleeve tee. You could go with a light weight pullover sweater or a button down blouse. You do you.

Step 2 - Pick a blazer. Blazers are such versatile pieces and I think most of us have at least a couple in our closets. I have plenty (yes, clothes horse, most likely a Clydesdale - ha, ha), but I opted for this one I thrifted this past summer due to the green in the plaid. Green has been on my radar over the last few months. You could just as easily choose a plain colored blazer. I love plaid, and this definitely works for a holiday look.

Step 3 - Choose your bottoms. Since my outfit was business casual, I chose a wider leg, dark wash jean, because I think they look a more dressy than a skinny, and definitely more appropriate than a distressed pair with holes. I love those, but that would not necessarily be the right choice for a more corporate setting.

Step 4 - Pick a bag and shoes. I wanted my bag to draw out the reds in the jacket, so I chose my burgundy saddle bag.

I tried on several pairs of boots and ended up choosing my Nine West brown suede boots, also from Kohl’s a couple of years ago. I wish I would have tried on my burgundy ankle boots, because they might have looked just a tiny bit better.

Step 5 - Choose a scarf. A scarf is the perfect finishing touch on an outfit, especially when you want a little more class, and a little more warmth. You never know when you go to a gathering what the temperature is going to feel like. Often where there are a lot of people someone might open a door or a window because they are feeling too hot (this often happens when alcohol is being served). A scarf will be that added touch of warmth, and you can always take it off if you feel too warm. Again, I chose burgundy. I think this thrifted piece has a bit of a Christmas feel.

Would you wear an outfit like this? What would you do differently? I love to hear your thoughts and ideas, so leave me a comment or two.

No shopping links this week. I think all of us are trying to watch our spending as things have gotten so expensive. I do not like to push buying products because I feel we have enough pressure to spend, spend, spend. I just watched the Grinch, so I can hear his voice saying “All the noise, noise, noise…” I will continue to make recommendations and provide shopping links on occasion, but my motto is, if you haven’t tried thrifting it is a great way to find all sorts of fun and interesting clothes and try brands you might not know about.

As always, thank you for following along. I appreciate each and every one of you who support me and my blog. Have a great day!

If you follow my Faith page, be sure to stop by in a day or two to see my next installment as I head towards Christmas by looking over the names of Christ in Isaiah 9:6.

Shopping Our Closets - Light Weight Jackets

I thought it would be useful to do a post on light weight jackets. As the summer draws to a close and fall meanders its way into our areas we all will be reaching for those light weight jackets to ward off the early morning or late evening chill. There will still be plenty of warm days ahead, but having a few light weight jackets, not only gives you something to throw on when chilled, but adds a touch of class to any outfit.

I have been blogging since 2016, so for 7 years I have been showing different outfits in this space. Instead of showing you a new outfit this week, I thought I would go back and cull my posts to find photos for the different types of jackets I am going to talk about. As I always tell you, make it your own. Shop your closet and figure out which light weight jackets will work best as the season of summer transitions into the season of fall.

Denim Jackets

I wanted to start with this one, because it is one of my faves and a regular go to. Denim jackets are much more versatile than in the day when they were thought of as work wear only for the farm, or a style worn by teens looking to get into trouble. Boy, times have changed…Ha, ha. Today jean jackets come in every cut, color and wash, and they are still relatively inexpensive.

Cropped:

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull

Embellished:

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Colored:

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Denim and jackets cut in a similar silhouette are great, casual choices for transitional weather outfits.

Utility Jackets

I love my utility jackets and they are the perfect light weight piece to add to your transitional wardrobe. Utility jackets, like denim, now come in assorted colors and prints. They are the perfect casual topper for spring or fall when the temperatures are beginning to fluctuate, and they offer a little more coverage than the standard denim option.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Blazers

I love blazers all year round, and they do double duty in making an outfit look stylish and providing a light layer of warmth for the cooler days of fall or the air conditioning of the office or retail store. The following are a few of my blazers. From solids to prints, a blazer is a fun option for adding interest to your outfit and keeping warm as the weather cools off.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

It was fun going through my blog looking for light weight jackets. Many of these pieces I still have, and a few I have gotten rid of. As we grow in our fashion journey, we realize what works for us and what doesn’t. Sometimes that has to do with what phase of life we are in. Losing my assistant manager job and coming home to help with the grandkids and dabble in the freelance writing arena has definitely changed what I wear on a regular basis.

I’m including a batch of light weight jackets in my shopping links. These are affiliate links, brought to you at no cost. If you purchase something through my link I get a small commission. Every purchase you makes helps me keep this blog going. I really appreciate it. All opinions are my own.

Have a great day!

My Style - Blue Jeans and Plaid Blazer

Nothing says comfort and style like a good pair of jeans and a fun blazer. This is the kind of style I love and dressing like this always makes me feel stylish, and confident. An outfit like this can be worn on casual Friday’s at the office, out for lunch with your gal pals, or for a casual date night with your significant other.

In keeping with my month long attempt to use mainly Valentine’s colors in my outfits I had to showcase this recent purchase from Maurice’s. I got this red plaid blazer and a few other fun items at great prices as they are moving fall and winter stuff out to make room for spring and summer. This piece may just be wearable for at least three seasons if not all four. It is a medium weight knit, but still structured enough that it lays well. It has a double breasted feel, with a one button closure.

My jeans are oldies that I have worn for many blog posts and Instagram photos. They are a brand called Kikit, and like many of my favorite jeans are beginning to show their wear. Do you have a few pairs of favorite jeans that you always find yourself reaching for over and over?

I thought this Elle brand, Eiffel Tower sweater would be a good mix with the black and white in the blazer. While this interpretation of the French tourist attraction is by no means symmetrical, I like the way it is filled in with the black velvet paisley swirls, flowers, and lace.

Since I was going for a casual, fun look I opted for my thrifted black marled Converse sneakers. My jewelry was simple with a short chain necklace with blingy globes and the burgundy twist bracelet. Last, I chose my black top handle/cross body bag, which was from Amazon.

Do you like to wear a blazer with jeans? What is your go to style for a casual Friday look or going out with friends? Let me know in the comments below. I love to get your feedback.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few cents when you click on a link. I appreciate every click. All opinions are my own and you are not charged anything extra to make a purchase through my links. I supply these links mainly to give you ideas and options for outfit pieces you may not already have. I appreciate all you clicks and purchases.

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 - Autumn/Winter - 2021 - London Palette: First Blush, Ibiza Blue and Ultimate Gray

Due to my longer than usual absence from the blog because of my illness, I am going to bypass the wrap up of the New York Palette and the Intro to the London Palette for the Pantone 2021 color series and jump right into the London Palette, so that I can get this series concluded and get on with new content. I have been trying to give a more daily content on Instagram, which now also shows up on my regular Facebook account, but unfortunately, I have not been posting over on my Granny page. I guess I should start doing that as well. You would think all of these things would just be linked together. A few of the meds I am on are making my brain a bit dopey, so bear with me as I try to get things back into some sort of regular routine.

Here we are again, looking at a pastel pink on the fall color palette. I know pastels in fall are no longer taboo, but my brain still looks at this and thinks, “What a great spring outfit!” Maybe I should have paired First Blush with one of colors that seem more Autumnal to me, like Tomato Cream or Downtown Brown, but I liked the combination of blue and pink, so this is what you get.

My Ibeza Blue plaid shirt is a thrifted Faded Glory piece. I used this same plaid shirt in the spring for the French Blue color that was on the New York Palette. You can see that post here. You’ve seen these thrifted, distressed Lane Bryant jeans numerous times on the blog as they are one of my faves.

My First Blush jacket is also a repeat from my closet. Originally a Christopher and Banks purchase, this faux leather piece has some knit panels on the sides and under the arms to allow ease of movement and stretch. I added the scarf to bring in a little bit of added interest and additional color, plus with this being a fall outfit, the need for a scarf seemed more likely.

Ultimate Gray, once again makes its appearance on the London Palette, so I used this for my accessories in the metal chain belt, thrifted fold over bag and my silver sneakers. The only thing I did differently was the rose gold pendant. I just liked the way the color popped against the blue plaid.

While this look is certainly not what we would typically think of for the holidays, if you are more into pastel colors, this is a great casual look for that Thanksgiving celebration, especially if it involves a bit of shopping afterwards.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. Remember to order soon for Christmas. We have all heard how things are taking longer and some things are back logged so be sure to get your orders in, or even better, don’t deal with that added stress and try to buy local. That is what I am thinking about doing at least for part of my shopping this year.

These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Jessica Trumbull with Rebecca Trumbull.

My Favorite Denim Pieces

For the last few week I have been looking back at some older posts, due to scheduling conflicts and my own lack of motivation and energy to bring you a lot of new content. I do apologize for that, but this does offer you a look at different pieces that are worth investing in due to their reusability. Since we as fashion bloggers, thrifters and purchasers of fashion are wanting to be more conscious of how our choices affect the environment we are learning that sustainable fashion is important for the future of our world.

Sustainability at its finest starts even before the actual manufacture of clothing. While more companies are jumping on the sustainability wagon, we must admit there are literally tons of used clothing going into landfills, that could be part of this sustainability loop. Thrift stores are part of this loop and are helping to give new life to second hand pieces. Bloggers, Instagrammers and others are working their accounts to show you new ways to wear the clothes that are already in your closet, or at least encourage you to shop second hand.

This week I decided to focus on the favorite denim pieces in my closet. Denim has always been my go to fabric for every day outfits. Whether you like jeans, denim skirts, or denim jackets, everyone can get onboard with having a few work horse denim pieces in their wardrobe.

Piece 1 - Cropped Denim Jacket

This is one of the first cropped pieces I found that I really liked and still use repetitively. There is something about the silhouette of a cropped denim jacket that to me, makes it a little more versatile. I feel like it dresses up better than a standard jean jacket, but some of that might also be the wash. A darker wash will always look more dressy as opposed to a lighter or more acid washed piece. You can wear a piece like this with a casual dress, a classy maxi dress, leopard print, a longer tunic and jeans, and a pair of utility pants.

Picture by me.

Piece 2 - Denim Skirt

Since jeans are my first choice for most of my causal outfits, I am not going to include them in this post, but I will say, that most of my favorite jeans I have picked up at thrift stores. The ability to try on different styles, silhouettes and brands, many of which I wouldn’t have ever thought to shop, have provided me with several pairs that are on repeat during most of the year. If you are more of a skirt or dress kind of girl, then a denim skirt is a great casual alternative to jeans.

Just so you know, the first skirt is from a few years ago and I got rid of it, because I outgrew it. The last two pieces were just unique, so I picked them up, but my most used piece would be the darker wash pencil skirt in the middle number of photos. If you are looking for a denim skirt, that is the wash and style I would recommend. I recently thrifted a longer light wash one, so we’ll see how that gets styled this summer. Stay tuned.

Photo by me.

Piece 3 - Denim Vest

Another piece that I really love is a denim vest. So far I only have one and that is my Christopher and Banks piece, but I would like to find a few others including a longer one that ties and a more traditional vest shaped piece. These are things I add to my thrifting list and keep and eye out for. If I never find one, no big deal, but if I do, I’ll grab it.

Unique Denim Pieces

Since my love for denim extends to all areas of my wardrobe, I also wanted to include a few unique pieces with their own special embellishments or characteristics.

Embroidery

Any sort of embellishment on denim is fun, but I do love embroidery.

Chambray

While not technically denim, we group this with denim due to its similar washes and uses. Whether it is a button down, a popover or a dress, chambray is a great denim substitute for the warm temperatures of spring and summer.

I hope you enjoyed this look back at a few of my favorite denim pieces. I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit where not specified, Rebecca Trumbull.

Fall/Thanksgiving Outfits - Harvest Tee and Distressed Jeans - Dressy

Yesterday was my eldest’s birthday. She ordered us lunch, which I picked up and took to her house, then after we ate, we went shopping. I have to say, I felt almost like life was normal for a few hours. We had fun and I enjoyed my time with her. I have always tried to take my girls shopping on their birthdays since they were fairly young. I used to take both girls and we would get lunch together, but then the gift buying would be for the birthday girl, although I would usually end up buying the other girl a little something too. Life is so busy and with the Covid complications it is hard to find time for those moments.

Today’s look is the dressed up version of my distressed jeans and harvest tee. I only made a few changes to elevate the look. I switched out my cozy sweater for a long burgundy blazer. I also donned a pair of heeled boots and grabbed a snazzier bag.

This burgundy blazer is a thrifted Pendleton piece. I have, on several occasions thought to get rid of it, but it is such a classic, tailored piece that I keep hanging on to it, and this is precisely why. I love the way it looks with jeans. Obviously, it would also look good with a pencil skirt or more dressy trousers. The structured collar, more fitted waist, pocket flaps and detailed buttons really make this a class act.

I kept the same necklace, but added a couple gold bangle bracelets and a gold belt to go with the gold on the tee.

This thrifted, no name bag has such cute details. From the faux alligator print to the fun clasp and more structured shape, I knew I had to snatch it up. Just don’t tell my hubby! Ha, ha. He thinks I have too many sweaters, bags and shoes. Ha, ha. Why would he possibly think that?

These boots were also a thrift store find. They are Life Stride brand and I really like the brownish, burgundy color. It makes them unique from the typical black, brown or gray colors of many of my boots.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you think the changes I made elevates the look or do you think because of the distressed jeans, it still looks ultra casual? I would love to hear your thoughts, so leave a comment or two.

Here are the two outfits side by side. Which one do you like better?

Can you believe a week from today is Thanksgiving? I will confess, I have started listening to Christmas music. I just need that little bit of happy in my day to day life right now. I haven’t started decorating, but I hope to get to that soon.

I am leaving a few shopping links. Be sure to check those out. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a good evening everyone.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Summer Outfit - Leopard Print Skirt - Casual

Hi everyone. How are you doing? I just finished reading an article written by a woman whose whole family contracted COVID. They are all struggling through it. Her husband was in the hospital, but now is home. Both of her kids got it, but they are slowly progressing. She has it as well, but is managing at home with oxygen. I also read another article this morning that yesterday was the highest recorded day of new cases in the US since April. It is very disheartening and discouraging, but it is, what it is. Don’t stop taking precautions. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Keep your distance. Okay, enough on that, now time for an outfit.

Tuesday I showed you my thrifted leopard print skirt in a more dressy, work wear friendly style. Today, I am showing off that same skirt, but with a more fun, casual flair.

If you didn’t read the last post, this thrifted skirt is a brand called Who, What, Wear. It is a very light weight material, but it did seem to get full of static when I put it on. I am going to have to see if washing it with fabric softener makes any difference, plus I dried it on the line, since I don’t have a dryer at the moment. As long as the weather is good, I like to hang clothes out in the warmer weather anyway, so I decided I wanted to get the dish washer, which we just replaced last month, paid off, before we purchase a new dryer. The joys of real life. Ha, ha.

I kept the same off white thrifted St. John’s Bay tank top, but swapped out the black polka dot blazer for my thrifted Rue 21 cropped denim jacket. This is one of my favorite thrifted pieces. It is so versatile and I pair it with everything. The fact that it is cropped with 3/4 length sleeves makes it the perfect piece for summer outfits, when you don’t really need a full blown jacket.

I changed my accessories to reflect a more casual vibe. Sometimes it is fun to wear multiple necklaces together, so I wore a gold and cream beaded choker with a longer gold charm pendant necklace.

I chose my thrifted yellow, Elle tote bag because I like the way it went with the skirt and I thought it added another dimension of texture and interest to the outfit.

My Mossimo sneakers were also a thrift find. One of the Goodwill stores I go to has multiple new items from Target. They must be items that are discontinued, but they are brand new with the labels still on. How fun is that! These are not sneakers I would wear for a long day on my feet, but I thought they were fun for occasional wear and for the blog.

What do you think of this casual interpretation for this skirt? Do you think it works? Would you wear a skirt in this way. Leave me your thoughts in the comments. I love to hear your ideas and thoughts.

Here are the two outfits side by side. Which one did you like better?

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

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Have a great weekend everyone and stay safe!

Meet Maureen and Mavis

I want to introduce you to two gals who are going to help me out on the blog every once in a while. They used to work retail, but lost their jobs last fall and now they live with us. They were kind of happy their retail positions got canned. Both of them really wanted to become detectives and solve murder mysteries. For the time being they said they would model for me, since they have nothing better to do and there haven’t been any murders in our neighborhood. Although, with a lot more husbands and wives having to spend loads more time together, would it really be a surprise if someone ended up dead? Ha, ha.

Mavis is the taller one. She has a more conservative, classic stye, and is the planner on the team. Maureen likes to mix it up, gets a little edgy with her clothes and loves to play with technology.

Today, our models are showing off a trendy style that is perfect for spring, leopard print and denim. Join me as we get to know the girls and their style a little better.

Mavis

Mavis is wearing a thrifted dark wash denim pencil skirt. This is a brand called No Faze Jeans. I’ve worn this skirt before on the blog and you can see it styled for a casual look and for a date night look. Mavis is dressed for a stop at the coffee shop to do some computer work on a case (or she would be if she had a client and their wasn’t a lockdown). She likes this skirt because it is comfortable to sit in, with a good amount of stretch.

This awesome leopard print bomber jacket was another thrift find. Another Christopher and Banks piece, I like the cognac colored background and the sturdy zippers on the front and pockets. Mavis likes that it looks cool, but still classy.

The brown top is a Faded Glory tee that I have had for a while.

This leopard and gold pendant necklace goes perfectly with the outfit.

Mixing snakeskin print with leopard? Why not! Mavis isn’t afraid to print mix. A private eye needs to have a cute bag to keep their necessities in: lip gloss, tissues, credit cards and a gun, of course. A girl needs to have some protection.

Mavis always goes for a more conservative shoe. She likes shoes that look cute, but also offer support and stay on the foot. You never know when you might need to run after a criminal. These thrifted Natural Soul by Naturalizer heels are perfect.

Maureen

Maureen loves to stand out and be noticed. She loves clothes that are more flirty and feminine, but also has no problem wearing motorcycle boots and leather jackets. Today’s look revolves around a light weight, silky leopard print dress, a brand called Forever (possibly from Forever 21) and also a thrift store find. the dress is perfect for warmer weather as it is light weight and sleeveless.

You’ve see this thrifted Rue 21 distressed denim jacket on the blog before. It is one of my favorite denim jackets and offers a shorter cut, than most. The fact that this jacket has 3/4 length sleeves and subtle distressing means it is versatile for casual and dressed up occasions. You can see how I styled it with a LuLaRoe dress, a midi dress and a maxi dress, a leopard print skirt, a sweater tunic and a high waisted skirt. Maureen loves her denim, especially with a dress.

Maureen and Mavis are both modest girls by choice, so Maureen wanted a tank top under the lower cut v-neck of the dress. This one is thrifted and St John’s Bay. I like the little sparkle detail along the scoop.

Maureen, like Mavis loves jewelry, but hers will typically carry an air of hippy vibes and boho. I found this beaded choker while thrifting.

Maureen loves a bag that she can throw her lunch in if she wants and just like Mavis, she usually carries a piece, although her’s is a bit bigger than her friend’s. This thrifted, slouchy, hobo bag is American Eagle brand and has two handles, so you can either use it as a cross body bag, or a shoulder bag.

These thrifted Falls Creek combat boots are definitely showing their wear, but I thought they would look cute with this dress. Maureen thought so too. You can see how I styled these boots with pink jeggings, skinny jeans, and a printed a-line skirt.

I hope you enjoyed meeting Mavis and Maureen. They will be around again in the future and maybe they will have some adventures to share. Until then, have a great weekend. Stay safe and keep looking up.

I’ve included a few shopping links for leopard print jackets and dresses. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Denim Daze 2.0 - Recap

I hope you have enjoyed this series on denim. Most of us have denim pieces in our wardrobes and it is helpful when we have new ways to style them. Denim is a versatile, easy to wear fabric and goes with everything. It is also easy to wash and typically doesn’t need to be ironed, although the lighter weight chambray can get more wrinkly than typical denim.

Here are all the outfits side by side.

Denim Vest

Ruffled Chambray Top

Denim Skirt

Long Sleeve Chambray Shirt

Denim Jacket

Do you have a favorite outfit? Were you inspired to style your denim pieces differently from reading the posts in this series?

I think the piece that I really had to think about how to style was the pencil skirt as a dressier piece. I think is is natural to style a denim skirt in a more casual way with tees and sneakers, but dressing it up, just seems to take more thought. As far as my favorite piece in this series, it would be a toss up between the ruffled chambray shirt and the embroidered jacket.

I hope this was a fun series for you. It is hard to believe we are almost done with July. With August comes a return to school and even though the temps will still be warm, our thoughts begin to turn to fall, and all the things that come with it, like football and changes in the trees and the weather. I’m going to do a few posts on wearing white which will include some transitional outfits, then I’ll be showing you all the New York and London Pantone colors.

Thanks so much for the support you give to me and my little blog. I appreciate all your comments. If you signed up for my emails and are not receiving them, please be sure to subscribe again. I have noticed a few emails are not going through and I am thinking it might be that the emails did not get typed in correctly. Also, if you make a comment on a post, be sure to check back a few days later, because I do respond to all of your comments, or at least I try to. Thanks again.

Denim Daze 2.0 - Denim Jacket - Dressy

We don’t often think of a denim jacket as being a dressy piece. If we are scheduled to go to the opera, or a special theatrical production, I wouldn’t usually reach for my jean jacket. All the more reason, to create an outfit around a piece that could be considered dressy enough to wear out on the town. You saw this Christopher and Banks denim jacket styled casually on Tuesday, now I want to show you the dressed up version.

A pleated skirt always dresses an outfit up a bit. There is something about these lined, swingy skirts that make an outfit look extra special. This gold Lauren Conrad skirt I ordered online from Kohl’s last year. It was on clearance and I was looking for something in a different color from my burgundy one I already own. I think this is a little big on me and need to take it in. It has an elastic waist, thus the gold belt to create a more polished effect.

I like the way the belt really brings out the gold buttons on the top. This bright pink top was a hand-me-over from my daughter. It is sleeveless and A New Day brand, from Target.

For accessories, I chose a little bit of an eclectic look. This time not everything matched. I often like my accessories to match, like my shoes and my bag, but once in a while it is fun to get outside that box and just pick a few things for the fun ratio.

I thought this gold flower necklace was whimsical enough to go with the fun embroidery on the jacket and the gold also went with the gold buttons and belt. In that regard, I did keep all the metallic elements gold, except for the buttons on the jacket. You can see, I also wore a few gold bracelets. Somehow, to me, I need an element in every outfit I build that brings the whole thing together. It might be one particular piece like a scarf or bag, or it my me as easy as having all my accessories having a common metallic color. Do you like things to match, or do you not worry about that so much?

I found this awesome palm print bag on the clearance table at DSW. Palm print was big last year, but I noticed it is still hanging around this summer. You can use this as a clutch or wear it on your shoulder or as a crossbody bag. The gold chain makes it dress up well, but this would be a great casual bag as well.

I went with my retro heels, for my shoes. I have this voice in the back on my head saying it would have looked better with a different shoe. What do you think? A bright pink heel or a denim flat? I don’t know. I’d love to hear your thoughts. I am always open to input.

If I looked a little wilty in these pictures, it was pretty warm that day and I was getting tired, hot and sweaty by the time we were done with these pics. My daughter and I usually have to plan a series shoot all at once, because we are both busy, so our schedules don’t always match up.

I hope you enjoyed this series. On Tuesday of next week I’ll post a recap, where you can see all these denim outfits side by side. After that I’ll have a few end of the summer looks and then we’ll be starting the fall Pantone series. Yup, that’s right, fall will be upon us before we can say, “Boo!” and “Happy Halloween!” Ha, ha. Have a great weekend.

I’ve included a few shopping links for A New Day tops and some pleated skirts. Have fun shopping. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Denim Daze 2.0 - Pencil Skirt - Dressy

Tuesday you saw this dark wash, thrifted, pencil skirt styled with a pair of sneakers and a graphic tee. Today I want to show you how to style this same skirt for a look that would be night time and party ready. When you want to take a casual piece and make it more dressy, you need to think about the piece you are going to pair it with and the accessories. Bling and heels are always a quick way to bring a casual piece up a notch.

For this skirt, I decided to add an asymmetrical hem, tunic for a new and more upscale look. My daughter was getting rid of this Fred David tunic and I really liked the color of the print. The tunic is more free flowing and I’ve worn it with skinny jeans, boots and a turtle neck sweater underneath for a colorful cold weather look. You can see that look on my Instagram account here. This time I wanted to have a more feminine, body con look, so I chose to wear a wide black belt.

The high-low hem line allows the skirt to still be seen, so you could do this with any other skirt or even a dress for a different look.

Black seemed to be the right choice for accessories, but you could have also chosen shades of the pinky purple in the top, white, gray or even navy to tie everything together with the skirt.

This cute little necklace I found on a clearance rack some where. It has two layers and each of the little dangles holds a sparkly stone.

I chose my sparkly black clutch, as well. Sparkly, to me, always says dressed up, rather than dressed down. Don’t get me wrong, I have tee shirts with bling, but even those make me feel more dressed up, as opposed to a graphic tee like in Tuesday’s outfit.

I haven’t had many opportunities to wear these cute shoes. They are Aerosoles brand and so comfy. The heel, for me is just the right height, and I like the band across the top. They are easy to get on and stay put.

Here is a look at the outfit from the side.

Do you own a denim skirt? Is it a pencil skirt, a-line, pillar or tiered? There are lots of options for denim skirts these days, especially if you go to thrift stores. They are not tied into the trends or seasons, so there are more options available. If you don’t own a denim skirt, you could do this same thing with any pencil skirt you own. Dress it down with a tee and sneakers or dress it up like I have done here with a flowy top and heels.

I’ve included a few shopping links for fun clothing pieces and accessories. I hope you enjoyed this post and that it inspired you to see what you have in your closet that you could play around with to make great outfits.

These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Denim Daze 2.0 - Vest - Dressy

A monochrome look, to me, always seems more dressed up than other looks using similar pieces. Style a black pair of pants with a multi print blouse and you have a great work outfit. Style the same pair of pants with a matching black blouse, heels and pearls and you have made yourself ready for a night out on the town.

Denim, by nature, is casual. Originally created as work wear for farmers, miners, lumberjacks and other physical labor jobs, denim was not meant to be worn to the opera or the theater. However, denim has come a long way since its original inception back in 1873. We now have various washes, weights and colors of denim, making it a much more versatile fabric for real life events, both casual and dressy.

In order to make this Christopher and Banks, denim vest seem more dressed up, I chose to pair it with a chambray, bell sleeve dress for a glitzed up monochrome look that I would wear with confidence to any number of more dressy events.

I found this cute, Massini, chambray, dress on the Meijer clearance rack a while back and it was one of those things I felt I couldn’t pass up. You know the feeling. It is not only cute and fits, but it is the right price and you have nothing like it in your closet. I love dresses, but do not wear them very often, but still, that doesn’t stop me from occasionally purchasing one that I absolutely love.

This dress has a full zipper in the back, a fit and flare silhouette, and is light weight. It works well on its own or when styled with a vest over the top. Wearing a vest still lets the fun sleeve bells strut their stuff, but gives you extra coverage and layers if the weather is cooler. I’ve worn this piece with a knit vest, suede boots and tights in the chillier months.

The only other things I had to add to this simple, but stylish outfit were the accessories. Since the vest has silver bling on it, I decided to have silver for my jewelry, shoes and bag. Simple pie, right?

This outfit came together quite easily because I had two pieces that were the same color. I don’t think this would have been quite as dressy if I had a vest that was a darker or lighter wash. Remember, when you have an event and you don’t know what to wear, a monochrome look will always be chic and stylish.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you think I accomplished the casual and the dressy with this vest? Are these outfits you would wear? Specifically could you see yourself wearing a monochrome denim outfit for a fancy occasion? It is always refreshing to think outside the box.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

I’ve included a few shopping links for chambray dresses. There seem to be a ton of these around right now, so it might be a good time to invest in one. They can be very versatile, especially if you get a button up, shirt dress type, which you could wear as a jacket, vest or dress in so many different ways. Have fun shopping.

These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.