Outfit Inspiration: Pantone Spring/Summer 2025 London Palette Colors - Pear Sorbet, Hibiscus and Cocoa

I got my month all off kilter and I haven’t even been able to get my Faith posts out, so bear with me as I try to get back to my regular posting schedule. This column, Outfit Inspiration, usually happens the first Tuesday of the month, but for some reason I got completely off this month. Oh well, I know you all are very understanding so I appreciate the support even when I am losing the plot. Ha, ha.

I know a few weeks ago, I said I wasn’t going to cover all of the Pantone 2025 colors, but I got sucked in and am having fun shopping my closet for this year’s Spring/Summer palette. Currently, I am covering the London Palette after which I will decide if I am going to continue with the New York Palette. To see the current London palette you can see the pin I added to my board a few months ago with all of the colors. So far I have shown you Airy Blue and Passion Flower, and White Grape, Veridian Green, and Curds & Whey.

Today’s outfit is a mix of a bright jewel tone pinky red, a pastel very pale yellow, and one of the classic colors from their palette, a dark chocolate brown. May I introduce you to Pear Sorbet, Hibiscus, and Cocoa.

When deciding which of the remaining colors to put together I had to play around for a few hours to find the right pieces in the right combinations. I like how this turned out and it all started with this pale, Pear Sorbet, thrifted Christopher & Banks, plaid shirt. I am not as much into really pale colors like this, but I do think there is a place for them in our closets, especially in the warm weather months. This piece is as light weight as it is pale and will be great for when the temperatures go up.

The other piece I knew I wanted to use for the bright pinky red Hibiscus color was this thrifted Amazon Essentials vest. It is interesting how these darker or brighter shades of pink can look so vastly different. If I compare this to pink it looks almost red. If I compare it to red it looks pink. The wonderful world of color!

I have worn this tiered, knit maxi skirt on the blog numerous times. It is one of my regular go to’s in the the warmer months and is so comfortable. This is St. John’s Bay brand and is from JC Penney. You can see it styled with a spotted top, a green moto jacket, a bookish vest, and a long fringe vest.

To make the look more spring/summer like, I added a thrifted, pale yellow, St. John’s Bay tank top under the button down and left the upper buttons undone. I also added some layered jewelry.

I added my thrifted, leather Anne Klein crossbody bag.

Finally, I dug out this pale yellow pair of Universal Thread sneakers I found on clearance at Target a few summer’s ago, to complete the look. Sorry for the crummy picture.

What do you think of these colors? Do you like this combination of colors? Do you like pastels, and how do you like to wear them? I love to have your feedback, so please leave a comment or two.

When the weather does finally stay warm this bright vest will be put away until the cold weather returns, but I was glad to get one more wear in before summer actually arrives.

I’m including a few shopping links below. These affiliate links are brought to you at no extra cost. If you purchase an item through one of my links I get a little kick back. I appreciate all your clicks and purchases.

Have a great week!

Fall Trends for 2022

Once again, the season of fall is just around the corner and the fashion world always has its take on what is new and popular for the season. I am a firm believer that there is nothing new under the sun, whether it be a story plot, a difficulty or a fashion trend. Many of these trends you will already have in your closet. This post might introduce you to something new, or it might give you inspiration to dig out a particular piece and give it new life.

Baggy Jeans

I still love my skinny jeans, but baggy is in and because I love jeans in general I thought I would include this trend. Jeans are no longer just for the working man or woman on a ranch or construction site, now they are spot on for a casual day at home, a work day or even an dressy evening out.

Style Tip: If you want to dress up your jeans think fabrics and accessories. A silky top, heels and few statement pieces of jewelry will take your casual day outfit to night time glam outfit.

Basic White Tanks

I can get on board with this because just about everyone has a white tank top in their closet. This piece is perfect for late summer and early fall layering. Throw a blazer over your white tank and your ready for work, or add a cozy sweater for a casual lunch date look.

Style Tip: When looking for tank tops that are going to serve as actual tops and not just layering pieces choose fabrics that are a little thicker for less show through. Also, if you want more fitted look for ribbed knits; if you want less cling look for flowy fabrics in an a-line silhouettes.

Bomber Jackets

Bomber style jackets are back in force and they don’t just have vintage military vibes. They vary in color, prints and fabrics making them a piece that is accessible to everyone who wants a shorter coat for cool weather days.

Style Tip: Use a lighter weight bomber jacket like a sweater or blazer. Wear it over a blouse for work, or a tee for a casual date night look. Add accessories like metallic or sparkly jewelry, or soft scarves to make this menswear style completely feminine.

Oversized Button Ups:

Many of you already know, I love oversized button up shirts. I have shown you a few of my own over the last few years. I use them as jackets, under sweaters and vests and as tunics over skinny jeans with boots. Oversized is not for everyone, although I think most every body type can pull off an oversized button up by using it as a layering piece or a tunic, or even a short dress for those of you who are more petite. Don’t be afraid to try this trend, you might find you like it.

Style Tips: If you don’t like all that fabric especially if you are slight of frame, try belting the shirt or tying it at the waist. If you are a thrifter, be sure to shop for oversized button ups in the men’s section. That’s where I have found most of mine.

Cozy Coats:

Nothing beats the colder weather like a soft, cozy coat. Whether you like real or faux fur, real or faux shearling, soft wool blends or suede, a warm coat in a pretty color or with fun details can make a blue winter day seem a little less daunting.

Style Tip: When shopping for a coat, be sure you wear layers that you would normally wear under your jacket, or at least keep that in mind when you trying coats on. Sleeves that feel perfect with your polyester blouse may not be as roomy when you have on a chunky knit sweater. The same is true for being able to button or zip the coat. Think ahead to how you will most often wear the piece and what you will wear underneath.

Cargo Pants:

Cargo pants are a great alternative to jeans. I realize not every woman wants pockets on the side of her pants accentuating her thighs, but if you don’t mind those added details, cargos can be another way to a fun casual look. I especially like the jogger styles, because I think they look a little more slimming than the typical canvas or heavy cotton material.

Style Tip: When styling cargo pants try to balance out the extra pockets on your legs with a top with slight shoulder pads or or with pieces that are trim like a fitted tee, or a cropped jacket. Too much material on top begins to make the outfit look less classy and more unkempt.

Vests:

Vests, or in the fashion realm, fitted waistcoats are making a comeback, though I don’t know how much retailers are catching on with this one. Even at thrift stores it is hard to find vests, so hopefully you have a few in the dark recesses of your closet that you can pull out and give the light of day. I like vests for three reasons. The first is that the old fashion waistcoat really makes an outfit look polished and professional, whether you are wearing jeans or a pleather pencil skirt. A vest also adds a layer of warmth in the cooler weather. Finally, vests are a great way to draw in the waist and cover the bumps and bulges without wearing a full on corset (and yes, those are trending this fall as well, but I have chosen to leave those to the younger generation).

Style Tip: While vests look wonderful with trim button up shirts or more fitted sweaters try pairing a vest with an oversized button up for a fun artsy boho look. You can also wear a vest under a blazer for added interest and polish.

Maxi Skirts (and Dresses):

I’m not including any links for maxi dresses since I just showed you two from Closet52 a few weeks ago. Hem lengths really are an anything goes standard, but for the fall the longer, floor length styles are trending again. When it comes to styles these vary as well. One website talked about the Bohemian influence which would include tiered and prairie silhouettes, while another site said a-line and columns are in.

Style Tip: If you are petite you might struggle with finding a maxi skirt that is not too long. Try shopping for skirts that are tea length on other women. Tea length usually falls between the knee and the ankle which will probably be just about right for ladies that are 5’2” or shorter.

Leather (real or faux) jackets:

I have always loved leather jackets. I own a couple that are actual leather and the rest of my stock are fake. Fake leather today, looks just as good as the real thing, but varies from manufacturer to manufacturer as to how durable and long lasting the materials are. I recently went through my jackets and did put a few in the donate pile, mostly because they are more snug than I want these days. My style has also evolved over the last few years and I am more likely to reach for a utility jacket, a cozy sweater or a blazer when I want a light weight jacket or extra layer indoors. However, I still intend to hang onto a few of my more loved pieces.

Style Tip: When shopping for a real or faux leather jacket be sure to find pieces that are made of flexible, soft materials. The stiffer leather will become stiffer with age, unless regularly worn and tended to, and faux leather that is too cheap or stiff will tear away from the under layer.

Additional Trends worth mentioning:

Square Loafers:

Leopard Print:

Just a quick word here. Leopard print is always going to be around, so wear it, flaunt it, carry it and wrap yourself up in it. In addition sturdy tote bags are trending and very useful for work or even travel if you don’t want to pack too many suitcases. I also added the faux fur bag, since fur ( and faux fur) accessories are trending as well.

As always there are many more trends I would love to discuss, but these were the ones I felt we all could get on board with. Maybe you don’t like baggy jeans, but you do like square loafers. Maybe you are a fitted vest kind of girl, and absolutely don’t like oversized button ups. I hope you enjoyed hearing more about these fall trends.

All of the items listed are affiliate links. I get a small amount if you click on a link and a little bit more if you purchase through my site. I appreciate every click and even more appreciate your support for the blog. I’d love to hear your thoughts on these trends. How many of these do you have in your closet?

Next week I hope to show you my take on a few of these trends. Until then have a great week!

Having Fun with Layers - Dressy Valentine's Day Look - 5 Year Bloggiversary with a Giveaway

Today I am showing you a more dressed up Valentine’s Day look. Although, so many of us are choosing to not go out very often, or at all, there still is the opportunity to dress up for a date night right in your own home. Obviously, this is harder for those of you who have kids, but those of us who are empty nesters can do this a little more easily. If you are a young couple, there is no reason you can’t have a fun Valentine’s party with your littles and reserve some of your own special time once they are in bed.

Today’s outfit revolves around a beautiful blouse I recently acquired from Maurice’s clearance rack. I love everything about this blouse from the high collar, to the pattern and the flowy, sheer fabric. Just like I did for my casual outfit on Tuesday, I am wearing the same under layers consisting of the black tights and black tank top.

My long, black maxi skirt was a Meijer clearance find. It is a summer weight skirt of lighter material, but it is not sheer, so doesn’t need a slip underneath. The brand is Ava James. I like the textured pleats which gives it the look of crepe. It also has a comfortable elastic waistband and pockets.

You can see from the above picture that I drew on the gold, metallic splashes that are on the blouse for my jewelry inspiration. There is plenty going on, on the blouse, but I thought a few simple gold pieces would compliment the look just right.

I added the metallic, blush moto jacket as my over layer piece. This jacket, I’ve styled before on the blog. I got it a few years ago at Nordstrom Rack and it is a brand called Coffee Shop New York. You can see how I styled it with a camo shirt and with a Mickey Mouse tee.

In keeping with the gold jewelry and the gold flecks on the blouse, I decided to carry my small gold, clutch. This is a thrifted piece and perfect for those special occasions that require you to dress up. I don’t have very many of those any more. How about you? Do you still find occasions to dress up?

My shoes you have seen multiple times on the blog. They are Aerosoles and I got them on clearance at DSW. Again, I apologize for the dirty shoes. I didn’t realize how much cat hair is just laying around, and I have vacuumed several times since Christmas. Those darn fur balls. Ha, ha.

What did you think of this outfit? Do you like floral blouses? Do you prefer maxi skirts, midi skirts or a knee length or shorter? Are you doing anything special for Valentine’s Day? I don’t know if we are doing anything or not. As we get older, it has become less about the particular days and more about making every day special. Don’t forget about the giveaway. I’m including the rules again, below. If you haven’t entered yet, be sure you comment and subscribe.

If you want to be entered into the drawing to win either a $25 Target card, or a $25 Amazon gift card, please be sure to read the rules and enter. Entries will be taken until 12 midnight on Friday, February 12th. If you are not sure how to subscribe, just click the link at the top of home page that says, Subscribe and fill in the information. Being a subscriber does not cost you a thing. It just allows me to sent you a once a week email, to remind you there are new posts on the blog. You can either comment on today’s post, or on this past Tuesday’s post. You can also earn more entries by commenting on Facebook and Instagram. Have a fabulous Thursday!

Fall/Thanksgiving Outfit - Maxi Skirt and Pullover Sweater - Dressy

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope your day will be filled with whatever you need to feel peaceful and well. For some that will mean gathering together with family for a feast. Others will, do to the pandemic, opt for a more low key celebration. My husband and I will be on our own. Our older daughter and her hubby are both sick and since I was exposed to them, my hubby and I are self quarantining, so we won’t be seeing our younger daughter or grandson either. I am sure there are many out there who are in similar situations, so please know, you are not alone and you are being thought of and missed by your family. The holidays are proving to be more precious, yet even more difficult with not being able to see those we love, but the key is to try to remember all you do have to be thankful for.

Today, I am thankful for a working furnace, a warm bed and a hot shower. I am thankful for the food we have to eat, even if it isn’t turkey with all the trimmings and I am thankful that our extended family, especially our aging parents are safe and healthy at this point in time. I am also thankful for the sun, when it is shining, because we are already having too many gray days, and I am thankful for the joy associated with the Christmas season, because of what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did for us. Like the Grinch realized when he tried to steal Christmas, it comes anyway, no matter if we have our families, the decor or the food, because Jesus came.

Today, I am showing you the more dressed up version of the outfit from Tuesday’s post. Both the tiered maxi skirt and olive pullover sweater were thrifted. For today, I added a thrifted blazer, heels and bag, to elevate the look.

Out of the three outfit combinations I have done the last few weeks, I feel like the transition from casual to dressy is most evident in this outfit. Each piece that was swapped out or added, to make this outfit more dressy, really seems to add an element of class that is not evident in the more casual outfit. Not that the casual look was bad; it was meant to be casual and looks like the perfect outfit for a day of window shopping or lunch with friends (oh to be able to do that again). This look, while carrying a bit of a boho vibe, is something that could be worn to a show, a nice dinner out or to a Holiday concert.

This thrifted evergreen jacket is a brand called I.S.B.Inc. Not to be confused with IBS, ha, ha, ha! It doesn’t seem to be a brand that exists any longer. There were a few things that popped up on thredup, but that was it. While it is supposed to be a double breasted look when buttoned, I can’t button it. Ha. ha. However, I knew that when I bought it. I like the way the buttons line up down both sides, so it just looks more decorative with the jacket open. Just because a piece doesn’t fit exactly how it was intended, doesn’t mean you can’t use it.

I decided to go with coppery gold for my jewelry as you can see with my charm pendant necklace and my sparkly bracelet. I thought it went well with the whole look and had more of a fall feel.

My bag and shoes are both thrifted pieces. The heeled shoeties are Bandolino and the bag is a brand called Kelly & Katie. You can find Bandolino brand shoes at DSW, Macy’s and other retailers. Kelly & Katie brand is found at DSW and on second hand retailers like Poshmark and thredUp.

The two pieces are different colors. The bag is more of a salmon red and the shoes are more of a burgundy, but when you have them apart, they almost look like they go together.

What do you think of this outfit? What are you wearing for your Thanksgiving day today?

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

I hope you are having a lovely day and are feasting, whether it is just two of you or a few more. I also hope you are finding all the many things you can be thankful for even amid the pandemic and other difficulties.

I am not going to include any shopping links with this post, as you will no doubt be looking at all the Black Friday deals online for the retailers you love to shop at.

Have a lovely day.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Fall/Thanksgiving Outfits - Maxi Skirt and Pullover Sweater - Casual

To mix it up a little bit, I decided this week I would show you two outfits using a floral maxi skirt and a pullover sweater. I love maxi skirts, and I have a number in my closet, as you probably realize by now, because I am always styling them on the blog. When I was working, I would wear them every so often, but with being home, I don’t usually reach for a skirt. It is hard to clean and go up and down the stairs to do laundry if you are wearing a long skirt. However, I still like to show you options for styling a skirt, long or short. Today’s look revolves around two thrifted pieces.

For some reason I fell in love with this thrifted tiered maxi skirt the moment I saw it. Not only could I see the possibilities for spring and summer, but I thought it would be a wonderful piece for fall and winter. It is extremely sheer, and even though it has a lining, the lining is also sheer, so I do have to wear a slip under it. I imagined it with a dark sweater and ankle boots, so that is exactly what I did for this outfit. The floral pattern makes be think of greenery and berries for Christmas, but the gold speaks to the colors of fall, so why not wear it for Thanksgiving Day?

This thrifted olive sweater is the brand DIVIDED from H & M. It is simple, but soft and warm and I like that it is a little shorter than most of my other sweaters. Once in a while, you just need a different silhouette.

I also added this beautiful scarf with a watercolor type print. I used this scarf for my Color Play post on Seeing Red, last spring. You can see that post here. I thought the scarf went quite well with the floral pattern in the skirt as both of them have a similar color scheme. This is one way to print mix without getting too worried about whether the prints will clash. The prints are far enough from each other, but compliment each other with their similar hues.

Once again, I reached for my thrifted, leather, Fossil crossbody bag. It just goes with so many things and has held up so well. I just need to find a smaller wallet to use in it. Maybe I should add that to my Christmas list. Ha, ha.

My faithful, olive, SO ankle boots are making another appearance. I have no regrets for purchasing several pairs of these in various colors. They are on repeat in my wardrobe all fall and winter long.

The beauty of this outfit is in its simplicity and comfort. There are no zippers or buttons. The elastic waist on the skirt allows for plenty of Thanksgiving feasting comfort. The length of the skirt means you can go without hose or tights, but if you want an extra layer of warm you can add leggings or sweater tights to raise the cozy factor.

Is this an outfit you would wear on Thanksgiving Day? Have you ever created an outfit using the colors in a skirt? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave a comment or two.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. I know this week is one of the biggest shopping weeks of the year and with the pandemic situation many of us will be doing most of our shopping on line, so make sure you shop early to ensure your gifts get where they need to go on time.

Have a great week everyone!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Actual Amy - Tiered Navy Skirt

Today’s Thursday column revolves around outfits I would be likely to wear. What I would like to do with this column is give you some explanation behind my outfit choices. Not only does this help me to be more thoughtful about what pieces I am putting together, but it also helps you as you think about the pieces that are in your closet.

Today’s look is what I would call dressy casual. What makes an outfit fit this description? I believe it is a combination of what types of pieces are worn and how they are accessorized. While we don’t usually think of something like sweat pants or torn jeans as being dressy, there are certainly ways we can make them looked more dressed up.

With this outfit, I think the tiered skirt, the button up and the tee could all be dressed up or down. Pair the skirt with heels, a silk blouse and a blingy bag and you’d be ready for a show. Layer the tee under a blazer, with nice dress pants and heels and you’d be ready for the office. The button up could be worn with a cashmere sweater in the cooler weather, with nice skinny jeans and boots and it could be date night. I have learned to try not to divide my wardrobe into casual or dressy. I believe there are all manner of levels of casual, dressy casual and dressy between the stay at home in your jammies look and the heading to the Oscars look.

I just recently found this pretty, navy blue, Chaps tiered skirt, while thrifting. I really am a sucker for tiered skirts. Why is this me? Part of it is, I like to cover my legs, due to my veins, but I have liked the prairie skirt idea ever since I can remember. I always thought the long dresses of days gone by were so unique and different, whether plain, like the women living on the frontier or the frilly, decorative dresses of the nobility. I am also a bit of a boho girl, and to me a prairie skirt just seems to have a certain hippy quality about it.

There is definitely something fishy about this JC Penney button up from a few years ago. Though this top is not silk it has a certain soft, silky quality to it. I chose this top, because I decided I wanted to go for a more monochrome look. There is just something classy and slimming about an outfit with one main color scheme.

My white, v-neck tee underneath is Time & Tru brand from Walmart. Walmart, Target and Kohl’s are great stores to get basics like short sleeve and long sleeve tees.

Rather than tucking the top in and adding a belt, which would have made the outfit more polished, I chose to tie the tails at the waist. Just that simple choice of tying, rather than tucking, can make an outfit more casual or dressy.

My accessories were chosen to finish off the casual look, yet I felt they kept the outfit elevated enough to be something I could wear to an outdoor concert or dinner with friends, especially if walking was involved. I got this great Stone Mountain cross body bag at a thrift store. It is real leather and looks hardly used. I thought it was a fun pop of color and goes with the color of some of the beads in the necklace. Once again, my white Keds sneakers are making an appearance. Adding sneakers to a dress or skirt is an easy way to make the look more casual and right now this is very trendy and also better for your feet, knees, hips and back if you have to do much walking or standing during the day.

I don’t have much opportunity to wear heels any more, though I do put them on with outfits for the blog, because I know many women still wear their heels. That is why I have so many different sneaker type shoes. It’s just what I wear.

What do you think of this outfit? I am including a few shopping links, for you to look over. Remember every link you click on gives me a few pennies. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend everyone. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay sane.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Biscay Green, Saffron and Brilliant White

Today’s outfit revolves around three colors from the Pantone Spring 2020 New York Palette that are described as flavorful, cleansing and pristine. Saffron is a rich orangey yellow color, while Biscay Green leans towards a more soothing aqua. Both colors to me are perfect for summer and when paired with a bright white give a warm weather, party ready look.

When I saw Biscay Green on the palette, I knew that I had nearly nothing in my closet that was this pretty greenish blue, so I started keeping an eye out at my local thrift stores last fall for an item or two that would add this medium green to my closet. This oversized button-up caught my eye. It is a brand called Zylos, which appears to be a past men’s brand in dress shirts and ties. As I have mentioned before, I am liking the oversized button up shirts for a fun, casual way to dress up a pair of jeans or in this case a skirt. For this outfit, I tied the bottom of the shirt and buttoned two buttons.

The Saffron colored Apt. 9 tee, is another thrift find and I have used it on the blog before for another Pantone series. Last year a similar color was called Mango Mojito and I used this same tee to represent that color. You can see that post here. I thought the color was independent enough that I didn’t need the whole tee shirt to show. The bright pop of yellow orange stands out quite nicely with the peaceful green.

I’ve styled this skirt on the blog before. It is St. John’s Bay brand and I got it at JC Penney a few years ago. I was drawn to it for two reasons. The first was that it was white and it was lined. It is so hard to find white you can wear in the summer that doesn’t require a slip or some other underwear that won’t show. This skirt is completely lined. You can still see through it if you have on a dark pair of panties, like red, black or navy, but for the most part they won’t be noticeable. The other reason was the beautiful lace detailing. It is a very pretty piece and can be dressed up or down, depending if you are feeling classic or boho.

I have had this layered beaded necklace for a while. I really like it, but don’t think to wear it that much. When I saw how well it complimented this outfit I was excited to include it. So much of my jewelry I can’t even remember where or when I got it. Ha, ha. Maybe that’s because I have so much of it. I also included a navy beaded bracelet, which you will see in the next picture, to pair with the navy beads in the necklace.

I found this bag at another thrift store when my girls took me thrifting back on my birthday in January. Ahh, those were the days, when we could get together, go shopping and get lunch. Hopefully, those days will come again. I love the color and feel of this bag. It is a brand called Stone Mountain and is very well made. It has a long handle which can be adjusted, so you can either use it for a shoulder bag or a cross body bag.

My perforated peep toe shoeties are Sonoma brand and from Kohl’s. I need to paint my toes. I don’t wear sandals a lot because my feet are like my legs and covered with nasty looking varicose veins. Last fall I went to a vascular surgeon who did an ultra sound to see what could be done. Unfortunately, most of the veins in my legs are in the same bad condition, so having them worked on would provide some temporary relief, but over the course of time, they would develop the same issues. I am putting that off for now, but one day may revisit the idea.

Do you like these colors? How would you wear them? Remember you don’t have to put the colors together as I do. I am simply trying to show you what the colors are for the Pantone seasons and ways you might combine them. Do you wear white in the summer? Do you have a white skirt or do you prefer to wear pants, capris or shorts? I’d love to hear from you, so leave a comment or two.

Graphic designed by Rebecca Trumbull.

I’ve included a few shopping links for you. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great day and be safe as the world begins to open back up!

.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Faded Denim, Orange Peel and Lark

I must give the creators at the Pantone Color Institute credit for coming up with interesting names for their colors. It is especially mind boggling when they have been doing it for so long. Coming up with new words to describe color has to be no easy task. The name Faded Denim is cute and evokes memories of well worn jean jackets and tattered jeans. Orange Peel, mmmm, can’t you just smell the juicy, citrusy goodness? A Lark is a type of bird and you can see a few images of one here. On seeing the images the color will make perfect sense. On to our outfit.

The Pantone version of Faded Denim is a more of a medium wash denim that has paled a bit from repetitive washing. I chose my light wash Christopher and Banks pop over chambray top, which is a bit lighter than the Pantone color, but it serves the purpose. I’ve used this top on the blog before. You can see how I styled it with white pants, and with a denim vest. Here is a picture without the sweater, which I’ll come back to.

This Lu La Roe maxi skirt has a fun multi-colored print that includes Orange Peel. I like a printed skirt like this because I can match it up with so many different colored tops or sweaters. Even in this situation where the top is not one of the colors in the skirt, it works because the light blue goes well with all of the other colors. You probably could do this with numerous other colors.

I found this Lark (or camel by any other name), colored sweater thrifting. It is Old Navy brand. It has a bit of a grunge vibe, which I like. I thought pairing it with this more dressed up skirt and top gave the look a cozy feel.

This chunky orange necklace was perfect for this outfit and the small little black clutch with heart appliques kept the whole look from being too overwhelming. Some times a big skirt and a big sweater and a big top with a big bag, just gets to be too much.

This black pair of peep toe shoeties from Clarks are so comfy and I like the zipper on the heel. They are very easy to get in and out of.

What do you think of Faded Denim and Orange Peel? Would you wear these colors? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

I’ve included a few shopping links, just for fun. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Graphic by Rebecca Trumbull.

Summer Pieces - Water Color Maxi Skirt

With my photographer on vacation I have to resort to taking pictures myself for a week or two, meaning relearning how to use my camera. Ha, ha. I thought I would talk about a few of the fun summer pieces I have recently acquired. Every seasonal change, I have to go through my wardrobe to purge what I do not wear, what no longer fits or what I realize was one of those, why did I buy this, moments. As I have said before, I love clothes and I love shopping, so you can imagine that I am inundated with clothing. I also, (true confession time), often shop in spurts, somewhat like an addict trying to get my fix. It is sad, really, but for many of us, shopping is a hobby. To keep myself from ending up on the show, Hoarders, I decided that when I buy, I also need to purge. I am in the middle of this process right now and the fun part of it is, I get reminded of all the fun pieces I do have, and it inspires me to put together a few new outfits.

This water color maxi skirt, I found at a Goodwill store along the way, when my hubby and I were on vacation. It is a brand called eci New York. Macy’s does carry a few eci pieces that revolve around bright, bold florals and patterns. I love all the colors, because it provides a myriad of options for putting outfits together. Made of a medium weight polyester, this piece is easy wash and wear with no ironing needed. It has a wider elastic waist which provides comfort, as well as ease of wear.

I first thought of pairing the skirt with a light pink top, but then when I pulled this top from last year out of hibernation, I knew that was it. The yellow, St. John’s Bay top, from JC Penney, has a bit of a boho vibe already so I thought it was the perfect companion for this unique skirt. I love the textured aspect of this top, from the eyelet on the bodice, to the poms along the bodice edge, to the tasseled cords. I also like the flowy sleeves.

When I started veering towards the Bohemian feel, I chose a woven belt that ties, leaving long fringe hanging along the skirt. You could position this belt wherever you wanted, with the fringe in the front, back or off to either side. I chose the left side, since I typically carry my bag on my right side.

I also chose jewelry that I felt epitomized that characteristically gypsy feel, like a multi-layered beaded bracelet with a dollop of fringe and a unique amber pendant choker with an aesthetically pleasing swirl.

My bag, bought many years ago, is the only true macrame piece I own and what says boho more than macrame? Ha, ha. It is small, but I have used this piece over and over as a cross body bad when we travel. It is big enough to hold the essentials, but not so big that it hurts your neck. This probably could use another washing. Bags like this are easy to wash. Be sure to put it in a laundry bag, then throw it in with your lights or towels. It isn’t meant to be a true white, but more of a cream.

For shoes I chose my No Boundaries black, gladiator sandals. These are ankle high gladiators, unlike the ones that go all the way up the calf. I’ve had these for a long time. They are comfy for a flat sandal and easy to pair with so many outfits for summer. I finally painted my toes, so summer must be pretty well here to stay. It is not that warm, but perfect in my opinion. If I owned a pool, I’d be happy with temps in the mid eighties, but as it is, I really like it to be about seventy five with a slight breeze.

Do you like this outfit? Would you wear a skirt like this? What sort of artsy or uniques pieces do you have in your closet? I’d love you hear from you. I don’t mean to be a nag, but I really do like when my followers give me a little feedback. It is good for my blog as well. It helps me to know what you like and what sorts of things you would like to see on the blog. Even if you made a commitment to comment once a month, that would mean a great deal to me. Thank you so much, for all of your support, whether you comment or not! I appreciate you.

I’ve included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. When You click on a link, I receive a few cents. Every little bit helps. These links are to things I think you might like and that follow along with the outfits I am posting. All opinions are my own.

Have a great Tuesday.

Pantone Fall 2017 - The New York Palette - Autumn Maple and Shaded Spruce

Believe it or not, this is the final installment in my Pantone Fall 2017 Series. Next week I'll do a recap of all the colors on both the London and New York palettes. After that I'll be starting a new series on camouflaging those problem areas, so keep coming back!

Originally I was going to pair the rusty orange called Autumn Maple with one of the blues, but after mulling it over,  thought what could be a better fall combination. mimicking nature, than orange and green; the very colors we see combined on the trees as they go through their metamorphosis. One of my favorite fall scenes is to see the dark green of pine surrounded by the bright oranges and reds of the changing leaf landscape. It is for that reason I combined Autumn Maple and Shaded Spruce in this rather bohemian outfit for today's post. 

You've seen several of the pieces in this outfit before. I wore the tiered skirt here and the black vest here and here. I also used the bag in this post here. i like to show you that you don't always have to go out and buy new clothes, even though that is way more fun! You can shop you closet and find new ways to reinvent a piece you already have. 

Though this skirt is not a solid color, orange is really what you see when you look at it. I thought it was the perfect companion piece for my Shaded Spruce Sonoma popover top. 

Here you can see some of the pretty perforated detailing on the top. I added a brown belt and lots of necklaces. The belt is velvet. I like a belt with this type of outfit as I feel it adds a touch of class to a more casual look. I tried my hand at the multiple necklace look. Did I pull it off, or do you think it looks to chaotic? I have mixed feelings. I also grabbed my berry fringe drawstring bag. I like this additional pop of color. What do you think?

I topped the whole outfit with the quilted black vest, and my black ankle boots. I think this pulled the outfit together and broke up the differing color scheme. 

I hope you enjoyed this series on the Pantone Fall 2017 colors. Next week, I'll have a recap of all the outfits from this series. 

Check back Thursday for another Fun Fall Look.

Below are a few shopping links in case you are looking for Shaded Spruce or Autumn Maple. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. 

Pantone Fall 2107 - The London Palette - Royal Lilac and Golden Olive

This is the final installment in the London series of colors from the Pantone Fall 2017 palette. I love the brightness of these two colors, especially together. For some reason they make me think of fall and of a Bohemian gypsy vibe. Maybe it is a flash back from the bright psychedelic colors of the late 60's and early 70's. Royal Lilac is a purple worthy of a king. Purple is one of my favorite colors and we rarely see it on the runways and magazines of the fashion world. Purples in those realms seem to tend more towards wines, burgundies or maroons.

Once again, let me say that when I look for these colors I try to get as close as possible to the color that is being portrayed in the Pantone palette. My colors do not always match exactly, but the point is to introduce you to the colors on the palette and show you ways to style those colors. Just like Toast and Copper Tan, Golden Olive was a difficult color to find. I had this top in my closet and the actual color seems a bit more green than what appears in the pictures, but not quite like the Golden Olive.

Out of all the color pairings that I did from the London palette, I like this one the best. There is something about the contrast between the purple and the mustardy yellow, that appeals to my inner gypsy. In keeping with that idea, I thought I would accessorize with a brown hobo bag and brown slouchy boots. 

For my jewelry I added a brown lariat choker and a long metal and bead necklace that tied into the purple skirt

One of the other things I like about this outfit is the comfort. The material of the top and the skirt is basically heavy weight tee shirt material, so it moves with me and there is no binding or pinching. This is also a great transitional outfit as the weather cools. The 3/4 length sleeves on the shirt, the maxi length skirt and the boots all provide full coverage for those chilly days ahead. 

What do you think of these two colors? Do you like them? Would you wear them? I hope you will leave me a comment in the comments section below. I appreciate when you do and it helps my blog grow.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a shopping link below, I get a few cents. Every lttle bit helps, so thank you for the clicks. Part of why I include the links is to show you real items that are currently available in the colors I post, or at least close. All opinions expressed are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Thanks for hanging out on the blog today. Check back on Thursday for another Fall 2017 trend.

Pantone Fall 2017 - The London Palette - Blue Bell and Lemon Curry

Last week I looked at two colors with more of an orange hue from the Pantone Fall 2017 London palette. This week I am going to introduce you to one of the two yellow hues on the palette. Lemon Curry is a spicy yellow that can add a bit of zing to your fall color combinations. I decided to combine this yellow with Blue Bell, a light soothing color. The combination results in an outfit that has both pizzazz and peacefulness. 

My daughter had to teach me a few things about photography when she first sent me this grouping of pictures. The reality is that a camera does not see things the way the human eye does. Our human eye, unless they are unable to translate properly, see colors as they really are. A camera and the image it imprints onto a digital card is affected by lighting, exposure and other factors. 

When I saw these pictures, I texted my daughter and said, "This skirt does not look like it looks in real life." We went back and forth on it for a while and I finally told her to leave it alone. When we got together for my grandson's birthday party yesterday, she took the time to explain to me that a camera, no matter how fancy picks up what it thinks it sees, not necessarily what is really the fact. Who da thunk? Obviously the hombre skirt contains an underlying tone that the camera translates to more of an aqua blue, when in reality it is more of a navy or gray blue. Rebecca was able to adjust the pictures to make the skirt look more like the original color and I learned a few things about digital images. 

For this post, it doesn't really matter, because the blue I am trying to match with the Blue Bell color is the top tier of the skirt, rather than the bottom tier. 

Once again, for this color combination I shopped my closet. I've had this tiered skirt for a while and usually wear it a few times over the summer months, as it is light weight, but also lined. The tee I've had for a long time. I love the pattern, the fit and the longer short sleeves, but I hardly ever wear it. When I came across it looking for something yellow, I realized this would be the perfect piece to represent Lemon Curry.

Even though the top contains some black and white you can clearly tell is has the spicy Lemon Curry vibe. 

To pull the look together I wore Blue Bell colored jewelry including my pendant necklace from Kohls and my bracelet from Chico's. I decided to used a brown bag to keep the look more grounded and earthy.

For shoes, I chose my simple SO flats. Yes, I know I keep wearing these for various outfits, but they are just so cute and comfy!

What do you think of the pairing of these two colors? Which color do you like better?

I think these two colors are perfect for fall and transition easily from summer. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen. 

The following are few shopping links for possible items in Blue Bell and Lemon Curry. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. 

Thanks for stopping by the blog. Hope to see you back again soon.

Marvelous Maxis - A+ A-lines

This is the final installment in my Marvelous Maxis series. An A-line skirt is basically a skirt that is narrow at the waist then subtly flares out toward the bottom, thus the "A" look. I have always been a fan of the A-line skirt because it is figure flattering, but still allows for room through the hips and thighs. It is also a great skirt to wear if you want some flare, but don't want a lot of excess material. 

Today's skirt is from Dressbarn. If you are not familiar with Dressbarn they are a women's clothing retailer selling sizes 4-24. I hadn't been in a Dressbarn in ages, but then visited one with my girlfriend while I was back in NY a few months ago. I was glad I did. They have a fun and whimsical style with a variety of prints, colors and cuts in pants, skirts, dresses and tops. They also sell accessories like shoes, bags and jewelry. It took everything in my power to not spend more than I did! 

Look 1 - Casual

I fell in love with the print on this skirt, knowing that I will be able to use it for spring, summer and fall. The skirt is a somewhat sheer material, but is fully lined so you don't have to worry about finding a slip to wear underneath. 

The lining has knee high slits on both sides, making it easy to walk and sit without feeling bound in. Here is a pretty fuschia floral print. 

I paired the skirt with a simple embellished orange tank top. This is a St. John's Bay brand which is found at JC Penney. My tank was thrifted. I tucked the top in, to keep a more figure flattering silhouette. Notice after I tucked it in, I pulled it out a touch, to allow the material to bag out to camouflage my bulges. We have to have a trick or two to hide our baggage!

Since the tank has all this bling, I decided to not wear a necklace. For accessories I just wore a multi-strand beaded bracelet, carried a small macrame bag and wore my lace up sandals. I bought these sandals at Meijer. Meijer is a grocery and clothing retailer here in the midwest. I was surprised to find out that their Massini clothing line is now backed by Stacy London of What Not to Wear fame. Meijer is trying to create a style for every body. 

Look 2 - Dressy

For a more dressy look, I swapped the casual tank for my glitzy taupe short sleeved pullover blouse. This piece was thrifted and is The Limited brand. The Limited is no longer available as they closed their stores back in January. You can see how I styled this blouse in last fall's Pantone series here. 

I also added a gold clutch and gold Covington wedge sandals, Sears carries Covington brand shoes. I also added a fun pendant necklace. 

Here are the two looks side by side.

I hope you enjoyed this series on maxi skirts. These skirts are a great option when you want to have your legs covered, but don't want to wear pant or hose. Do you have maxi skirts in your closet? How do you like to wear them? I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

Have a great week! 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen. 

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a shopping link below, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through my site, I get a small commission. All opinions are my own. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Shelbee in the Spread the Kindness link up and Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style. 

Color Crash Course - Mad About Monochrome

Webster defines the word monochrome as relating to or made with a single color or hue. Black-and-white photography is a form of monochromatic imagery called grayscale, using shades of gray with or without black and white. Now that I think of it, if you look at a black-and-white photograph like the one below, it really does look like varying shades of gray.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull

When we talk about a monochromatic outfit we are not only referring to those that might be black or gray, but to any outfit that contains a single hue. The monochrome look seems to be one that has been around forever and will continue to do so. The look is classic, effortless and can be dressed up or down. 

Today's post centers around two outfits that I put together to show you a casual and a dressy monochrome look. The first outfit uses hues of salmon or coral or possibly both. You can decide.

Many of the things I have read about pulling off the monochrome look say to vary the textures of the pieces. As you can see I have a pair of skinny jeans which creates a smooth look on my bottom half (minus the pudgies - ha, ha). I got these at Dress Barn back in my home town when I was out shopping with my bestie! They were on clearance, so I think I paid about eight dollars for them. I love those kinds of sales.

On the top, I am wearing an asymmetrical hem (shark bite to be exact) short sleeve tee that I recently purchased from Kohl's. There are still plenty of colors here. 

I also added my open weave tie front, short sleeve cardigan. I found this at a thrift store and pull it out every summer. It is a perfect topper for overly air conditioned restaurants, or for when the weather is just not quite warm enough. i love the texture of this sweater and the length is perfect if I am just having a bad "butt" day!

Rather than go for a contrasting color for my bag and shoes, I went for a more neutral, subdued tan that almost blends with the coral color. The loafers are thrifted and the leather and faux burlap bag I got when shopping a friend's closet.

I kept my jewelry understated, but shiny with the three strand gold necklace and the multi-strand beaded bracelet.

The next outfit might be something I would wear to a summer show or a nice dinner out. For this look I chose classic black.

This outfit consists of a long black knit maxi skirt that I got on the clearance rack at Kohl's a few summers ago. The weight of the material is somewhat thin, so you might notice underwear lines, but with it being black, I don't think it is that noticeable.

The top is a black lace short sleeve top that is rather short, but it works well for this all black look. I wore a black tank top underneath. I'm sorry, but I didn't change bras and you can still see a little bit of my purple blue one peeking out around the shoulders. If I was wearing this out in public, I would put a black bra on or a tank with fuller coverage. I just think it looks more polished if the bra straps aren't showing. It is one thing if that is the look you are going for. With all the pretty bras out there, why not show a little strap, but for a monochrome look, I personally feel black underwear would be better for this outfit.

For accessories I went with gold. Three gold bracelets. gold fringe statement necklace, gold woven clutch and my gold wedge sandals. Gold brings a touch of class and upscale to any outfit. 

Me striking a striking pose. Ha, ha. I have the silliest time taking my own pictures. I forget to smile, forget to put on make up, forget to stand up straight or focus on my good side. When my daughters are involved they coach me and I don't have to worry about where the focus point is, if the picture is blurry, was I squinting, am I standing in the wrong spot. I just pose and try to look like I know what I am talking about. Whoo, hoo! 

I hope you enjoyed this post on wearing a monochrome outfit. Monochrome is a great way to go if you love a particular color, if you want to elongate your body or if you are going for a classic, chic vibe that transcends all seasons. You can't go wrong with monochrome. 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments section. I'd love to hear from you. 

Have a great weekend.

Here are some possible monochrome looks to shop for. This post contains affiliate links, which means I get a little bit of an income if you shop through this post. All opinions are my own.

Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style, and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge.  Friday linking up with Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots. Saturday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb.

Pantone Spring 2017 - Greenery

I decided to put this color first before the Island Paradise, which was the one next in the Pantone line up, because I thought it made a possible Easter outfit. The Greenery color is one of my favorites from the Pantone Spring 2017 line up for its connection to nature. Looking out my window, I can see the first shades of green in the grass, trees and bushes. No two greens are exactly the same. I first talked about Greenery when Liz and I did our collaboration back in February. You can see that post here. I decided to use the same top, but paired it with a white skirt and a Greenery suede jacket that I found recently thrifting. 

I tucked the popover top in and added a belt that blends green and a bit of pink with the straw color. Tucking the top in and adding the belt give definition to my waist. I could also have left the top out and wore the belt over it. That would make another interesting look. 

Here you can see the belt better as well as the necklace and ring that I added for accessories. As always, I like to add visual interest to an outfit by adding texture. The belt, the skirt and the suede jacket all add their own texture. In addition to that the necklace with its gold metal sunbursts add a different but complementary element. 

I went for my pewter  tote bag and added my tan colored shooties. The subdued brown and tan shades add to the earthy look of the outfit, while the white skirt makes it stand out. 

You can also see a little of the detail on this fun maxi skirt that I found at Kohl's at the end of the season last summer. I love that this is a fully lined maxi, so I don't have to worry about wearing a slip underneath. As long as I don't wear red or black underwear this will be a great go-to skirt for a day of shopping, a night out with the hubby or a walk in flip flops on the beach. I love pieces that have that amount of versatility. 

What do you think of this outfit? Would you wear something like this for Easter? What are you planning for Easter day? We will have a treasure hunt for my Grandson, visit with family and probably have the traditional meal of ham, deviled eggs and many other goodies. 

I always appreciate your input, so if you have the time, be sure to leave a comment in the comments section below. 

Have a wonderful Easter!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a shopping link I get a few cents. If you purchase something through one of the links, I get a little commission. All opinions are my own. I appreciate your support for my blog. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up with Shelbee in the Spread the Kindness link up and Hannah and Sara of The Perfect Storm Blog. 

Awesome Accessories - The Pashmina Scarf

Since the weather here in the Midwest is beginning to cool down considerably, I thought I would take another look at scarves, but focus on a heavier, longer variety of scarf that we refer to as the pashmina. The original pashmina was type of cashmere wool woven into a garment meant to be worn as a shawl. Today we have a variety of pashmina colors and prints as varied as the flowers and plants in creation. Many of the scarves or shawls that we now term pashmina, are made from a variety of fabrics and realize different weights and textures, thus, not true pashminas. However, there are many stores that sell real wool/silk blend pashminas for very reasonable prices. 

Today's post will look at a variety of ways to wear these longer, rectangular shaped scarves.

This scarf, while having the shape of a pashmina is not made from the soft, silky cashmere wool. It doesn't feel scratchy so I do not think it has any wool in it. It is probably a blend of man made materials. A thrift store find, I thought I could use it like a blanket scarf, but then as I did more research realized a true blanket scarf is square not rectangular. I am learning new things all the time!

1. The shawl - 

2. The simple flip over one shoulder - 

3. Flip ends to the back then pull ends to the front - here the ends are the focal point of what hangs in the front - 

4. Flip ends to back, but leave front loose. Pull front down into more of a long bib, then bring just the fringy ends to the front - the messy look.

5. Triangular bib - similar to above, but make the bib more triangular and tucks the ends under the bib. 

6. Left long and belted - 

Here is a look at all of them:

I hope this post inspires you to dig that pashmina out of your closet and start wearing it. I have quite a few in different colors. It is the perfect toasty addition to any outfit or just wear one with your coat to keep your neck warm. The pashmina is not only stylin' it's practical.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

If your are looking for a true pashmina check out The Pashmina Store.

This store is only a recommendation that I found while perusing on line. I have never bought anything from them, but might some time in the future! 

Pantone Fall 2016 - Lush Meadow

The final installment in the Pantone Fall 2016 series is a vibrant, rich color called Lush Meadow. I am not sure I would have given this color that name, because to me it seems to express more of an emerald tone, than a field of green. Unless you are in the jungle, meadows are typically more of a grassy green and perhaps filled with flowers. Something like this:

Pixabay

However, I was not on the committee to name these colors and I am sure they had a reason they named this green what they did. Now that my little tangent is over. Here is my outfit.

I have had this maxi skirt for a long time and just could never find the combination of top and accessories that made me say "Yes! This is it!" When I paired this top with the skirt and then added the belt, I thought I had hit the mark. 

Even though the top is a single color, there is a definite print to it. I am not sure what the process was, but it looks like lace and crochet mixed. I didn't realize it at the time, but seeing these pictures now, I see that the shape of the print on my top, matches the shape of the print on my skirt. How's that for some fancy mixing? Ha, ha.

For my accessories I wore a bead, ribbon and chain necklace which had beads that whisper Lush Meadow and ribbons in the line of Spicy Mustard. I also added a Spicy Mustard bracelet. (To see how I styled Spicy Mustard as an outfit click here.) My bag was a simple charcoal gray clutch that matched one of the colors in the skirt. The skirt also has white and a bit of tan, thus the inclusion of the brown belt and brown ankle boots.

In this shot of the boots, you can also see a bit of the lining of the skirt. (You can also see the mud on the heel of my boot - ha, ha - squishy ground!) It is fully lined from top to bottom, so it provides an extra layer of warmth and no need for a slip. This is a great transitional skirt for fall, but I think I will be wearing this again in the winter with a chunky sweater, knee boots and tights for added warmth.

I hope you have enjoyed this series on the Pantone 2016 Fall colors. Next week I will be doing a recap of all the outfits, so I hope you'll check in again next Tuesday. 

Thursday I will be looking at the Pashmina scarf as another awesome cold weather accessory. Be sure to check back. Until then take care and keep stylin'!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. 

Shopping for Lush Meadow:

Tops -

Nordstrom - $70.00

Kohl's - $28.80

Roaman's - $49.99 - 54. 99 (Plus Size)

Bag's - 

Kohl's - $69.30

Kohl's - $55.30

DSW -  $49.95

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up with Allison of Sydney Fashion Hunter, and Tania of  50 is Not Old. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, Jennie of a Pocketful of Polkadots,  JoLynne Shane on Fashion Friday and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge.

Beautiful Blogger Bests - Styling an Outfit Around a Printed Bag

When I started blogging back in February I was informed by my daughter and other resources to start following other bloggers. My email is constantly inundated by new posts. Sometimes I can keep up and sometimes I can't, but I have found a number of bloggers that are worth following for their creativity, fashion moxie, sense of humor and their beautiful spirits. When I decided to start this column it was not to give myself a pat on the back by featuring other bloggers, hoping they would do the same for me. I made the decision based on a simple theory....inspiration inspires inspiration. The inspiration I have received from other bloggers has given me ideas, confidence and creativity that I never knew I had. It is my goal to inspire you by drawing on the inspiration other bloggers have given me.

The blogger I am featuring today is Janeane of Designing from My Closet. If you visit Janeane's blog site you will find a California girl who loves interior design, color and fashion. You can follow Janeane by clicking on the link I provided and subscribing to her blog, or find her on You Tube or Instagram. 

Back in May Janeane did a post titled How to Wear a Printed Handbag. Click on the link to read that original post. My first thoughts were, "What?" "How do you wear a handbag?" After reading the article I realized what Janeane was referring to was designing an outfit around a particular bag. In her case a beautiful floral tote bag. I came away thinking, "Hmmmm. That would be a cool thing to try. I do have a couple of colorful bags I could work with."

Not long after reading that post a girlfriend of mine was getting rid of a closet full of clothes, bags and shoes and invited myself and two other friends over to "shop" her closet. We had done that before and had such a fun time we jumped at the chance to do it again. 

This was one of my finds from my friend's closet. Right away I knew I had found the bag to style an outfit around. I asked my other two friends, "Does anyone want this bag?" We're polite that way! Ha, ha. Neither one did, so I brought it home.  I have used it many times this summer and found that styling an outfit around a bag is an easy way to pack for a short weekend or to style an outfit for a summer evening out. What follows are two of the ideas I came up with for styling this bag.

Black maxi skirt, black strappy wedge sandals, bright pink tank, blue 3 strand beaded necklace and a simple green and gold cuff bracelet.

Here you can see a little more of the detailing on the bag. It is a beautiful tote by Sarah Violet. There is an exact version on Poshmark right now for only $15.00, so click on their link if you are interested. I am not real familiar with the brand, but it seems sturdy and well made. The bag is roomy and has a few pockets for added organization.

Here is the other outfit, this time drawing on the red, blue-green and yellow on the bag.

Light blue crop pants, black strappy wedge sandals, red button up front tie blouse, yellow beads and bracelets.

Here are the outfits side by side.

Styling an outfit around a bag is fun. It gave me a starting point for choosing an outfit and actually made it much easier to decide what to wear. I am thankful for Janeane who inspired me with her idea and I hope that this post will inspire you as well. 

If you come up with a great outfit styled around a bag let me know in the comments section below or post a pic of it on my Facebook page.

Thanks for checking out Stylin' Granny Mama and have a great day.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Casual and Dressy: Outfit Recap

This week I wanted to show you a recap of the last few weeks' outfits by showing the pictures side by side. This gives you a better idea of how I styled a piece casually and how I styled it more dressy.

View fullsize

View fullsize

The first two were styled around a pair of jeans. I swapped out the casual sneakers, tee and sweater for a dress and sparkly sandals.

View fullsize

View fullsize

These weeks revolved around a black maxi dress. Week 1 was a casual tee, espadrilles and yellow beads. Week 2 a sparkly vest, silver belt and black sandals.

View fullsize

View fullsize

The key piece in these posts was the white crop pants. Casual with the sparkly tee, dark wash denim button up and Keds was turned dressy by changing into a silky blouse, light weight sweater, neutral sandals and a sparkly pewter bag.

View fullsize

View fullsize

Here I styled a pair of light pink jeggings. Again you can see the change of shoes, top and jacket or sweater can take the look from casual to dressy.

View fullsize

View fullsize

In these final two posts there were only a few simple changes made. My black espadrilles were changed out for nude peep-toe heels, the pewter hobo bag became a sparkly pewter clutch, the jewelry switched from casual beads to shiny gold and the lace tee was tucked in a belt added.

I am, by nature a more casual dresser. I don't get dressed up for very many occasions, so this was a fun way to think about how I would make an outfit that started out casual, more dressy. I decided to take this adventure up a notch so starting in August I'll be doing another series on casual versus dressy styles, but this time using denim.

I hope you all enjoyed this series. Let me know your ideas for taking a casual style and turing it dressy. Have a great week.

Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style.

Styling a Maxi Skirt with a Denim Vest - Post 2

This week my post doesn't have a dramatic change from last week (see the casual look here). I am still wearing the same skirt, lace tee and denim vest. The only changes made had to do with my accessories. 

Last week I styled this look more casually with black espadrilles. This week they were swapped out for my nude peep toe heels. I tucked the lace tee in rather than leaving it out and I added a belt for a more polished look. 

In addition, I changed out the casual beaded necklace for a long gold chain with gold fringe and dangles with a matching bracelet. The gold also matched the gold of the belt. 

Lastly I added my sparkly pewter clutch. It is amazing how easy it is to change an outfit from casual to dressy. All you need is a few different accessories and a little creativity. The great thing about this sort of styling is that you can just throw a few things in a bag and go from the office to a night out with just a few simple changes.

Photos by Rebecca Trumbull. Make up by Rachel Christensen.

Shop the look:

Print maxi skirt - Macy's - $55.99

Denim vest - Christopher and Banks - $44.95

Lacy white tee - Christopher and Banks - $39.95

Nude peep toe heels - Zappos - $69.00

Belt - Mod Cloth - $22.99 

Necklace - JC Penney - $16.80

Next week I will be doing a recap of all these looks, so you can see them side by side. I hope you have enjoyed this series. Have a great week.

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots and the Ageless Style Link Up and with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Friday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style and Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots.