A Month of Holiday Outfits: Inspiration - Saddleback Leather Co.

This post includes a review of Saddleback Leather Co. I was gifted the bag for a review of their product and appropriate links in the post. No money was exchanged for this review.

I decided to create this holiday outfit around a small bucket bag I was gifted by Saddleback Leather Co. I thought it would be the perfect piece to build an outfit around that might include some Christmas shopping or lunch with my hubby or a girlfriend. It also made me think about the idea that not everyone wants to look overly festive. Many women (and men) would rather not be known as the ugly Christmas sweater winners at their holiday work parties, and like a more understated, classic look revolving around winter shades and textures.

Let’s start with the bag, since that is the focus of this holiday outfit. Saddleback Leather Co. has a very interesting story, and you would be remiss if you didn’t hop on over to their website and read it. Click on the link here. I always enjoy hearing about how these companies get started, and what keeps them going. There motto is “They’ll Fight Over it When You’re Dead”.

Leather is expensive, there is no way around it, and quality leather goods are even more expensive, but leather is also beautiful, durable, long lasting, and it smells so good, especially when you first take it out of the package, or walk into a leather store!

This cute, mini bucket bag is the perfect size for those days when you just need a few items. I can easily fit my wallet, keys, a small notebook and a few other odds and ends like tissues, hand sanitizer, and lip gloss. This bag has a sturdy drawstring to cinch in the top, so things don’t spill out, a back pocket that would be perfect for your phone, and an adjustable strap that clips on with stout clips that won’t break or slip off. The only thing I would like added is a snap or magnet to keep the flap secure. Overall, this is a durable, stylish bag that works perfectly as a cross body type, keeping it close and keeping your hands free.

I chose my outfit based on the bag color. The website calls this color Chestnut, but to me it has a bit of a burgundy vibe. I chose my burgundy, corduroy, cropped vest that was a last holiday season purchase from Maurices.

I really like gray with burgundy, so I opted for this a.n.a. tunic button down from JC Penney that is a few years old.

To add just a tiny bit of holiday pizzazz I added this short Christmas colored neck scarf. This was a second hand find.

My skinny jeans are a thrifted Lane Bryant pair. Don’t judge me for wearing skinny jeans. I still love them best for tucking in to tall boots.

My SO suede boots were a hand-me-over from my oldest daughter.

I hope you enjoyed this outfit and this introduction to Saddleback Leather Co. In addition to the amazing bags they carry, that have other leather products as well. They are also involved in a ministry called Love 41. You can read more about that by clicking on the link. If you are looking for quality leather products that come with a 100 year warranty, for that special someone who has everything check out Saddleback.

Have a great week!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2025 - London Palette: Salted Lime, Fanfare and Chocolate Martini

We are well into October and the last four days have felt like the middle of July rather than fall. We are hopefully heading into a cool down in a day or two. Midwest weather has always been rather chaotic with fluctuating temperatures, times of endless rain, or months of drought. Right now things are very dry, the trees have hardly any color to them, and our cars are regularly covered with dust.

For today’s look I wanted to combine the two greens on the Pantone Autumn/Winter London palette. Just like I combined Lavender Blue and Crown Blue, today I am pairing Salted Lime, a medium, citrus green, and Fanfare, a tealy green. I chose Chocolate Martini for my classic color and I like the earthy vibe of this look. You can see the London palette colors by clicking on this link.

The star of this show is the Fanfare, velvet jacket that I recently thrifted. While not true velvet, it certainly looks the part. I found this piece and immediately threw it into my cart. When I tried it on, I knew it was coming home with me. It was obviously hand made as it still had the rough, inner seams with no finished edges, and no label of any kind.

Salted Lime is not a color I have a lot of. When it comes to greens I like the darker more moody hues of olive and forest green. I also like deep tones like emerald and jungle green. However, I do keep a few pieces that are this lime color. This thrifted, Jaclyn Smith, gingham button down has been around for a number of years. You can see this top as a shacket over a graphic tee, worn under a graphic tee, and worn with a plaid skirt,

My Chocolate Martini pants were purchased new when I was still working as an assistant manager at a university bookstore. These are Worthington brand and I got them at JCPenney. They have a wider leg and are a bit long so I like to pair them with something that has a small heel.

I chose my Nine West heeled ankle boots, which match the pants perfectly. A tip for making your legs look longer and leaner is to match your pants and your shoes. I got these a couple of years ago at Kohl’s.

I went for a layered jewelry look with a short wood bead necklace and a long beaded pendant necklace with fringe.

I wanted to add a pop of color and remembered this cute color block bag I had thrifted last year. It is just a cheap bag and has no brand name in it, but I thought it was extremely cute and fun. I think it works beautifully to add an element of extra color to this outfit.

What do you think of these colors? Do you have any of these in your closet? If not, which one would you like to add? Be sure to leave a comment or too. It helps my blog and it always encourages me.

This picture below, definitely needs a caption! What would you put on it?

I have included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links and are brought to you at no extra cost. These are retailers that are available through the affiliate and I cannot speak as to the quality of the pieces offered, so just be sure before you order something that you know the retailer’s return policy. If you purchase an item through my blog using one of my links, I get a little commission. I appreciate all your purchases as they help me keep the blog going. All opinions are my own.

Have a great week!