My Style: Goblin Core

You are probably looking at my title and thinking, what in the world is Goblin Core? I am so glad you asked. Ha, ha. Goblin Core is a newer aesthetic similar to Cottage Core, with its whimsical fancy, but with a darker, earthier vibe. For a refresher on Cottage Core check out this post I did on Cottage Core with an Edge.

I first learned about Goblin Core when I was perusing Pinterest and looking at Dark Academia aesthetics. You can see my Goblin Core board by clicking on the link. I only have six pins so far. If you look up style types you won’t typically find this style, but you might find something similar called Natural/Earthy. If I had to define Goblin Core I would say it is earthy with an edge, but the colors primarily revolve around earth tones and also embrace the idea of life and living things, so browns and greens. Wardrobe pieces are comfortable, even to the point of oversized or baggy and are robust with textures and details. Overalls, corduroy, baggy sweaters, combat boots, Mary Janes, patterned socks, grandpa style sweaters, and vintage pieces are all part of the Goblin Core style. I was drawn to the greens and browns of this style, so that is what I chose as I put my outfit together.

I feel like there is a bit of Gypsy influence in this style, perhaps due to the earthy colors, or the tiered skirts and vests. It has a similar feel to Bohemian style, but perhaps more grounded.

When I started putting the outfit together, I knew I wanted to pair green and brown, so the sweater came first. This is an older, thrifted Faded Glory piece. It is definitely getting pilly, but I still haven’t found an adequate way to get rid of pills that actually does a decent job. If you know of something, let me know! It is a great sweater with plenty of room, a little longer body, and nice textured stripes.

I then thought about a topper of sorts wondering if I should do a similar colored cardigan, utility jacket, or blazer, but the idea of brown kept coming back to me and I remembered I had this stupendous corduroy vest. This is a Liz Claiborne off shoot called Crazy Horse. This is a great vest with structure, but added stretch. I love it.

I initially had no intentions of using a skirt for my lower half. I was looking at jeans with embroidery, but then when I saw this skirt I knew I had the right combination. This has made multiple appearances on the blog and is a brand called Notations. I honestly do not remember what store I bought this at. It has been a while. You can see how I styled this piece with a graphic tee, in a Pantone outfit, and with a yellow jacket.

I decided to wear knee high boots instead of combat boots, or Mary Janes, because I’m me. These boots are recently thrifted XoXo brand, and seem to be in good shape. No they are not real leather, but I will hopefully get some wear out of them before they start to peel. I decided that if we can wear distressed jeans, why not distressed boots? Ha, ha.

I kept my accessories simple, as Goblin Core doesn’t seem to over embellish. My necklace was a thrift find and my bracelet was purchased from somewhere, which I also can’t remember. Eye, yie, yie. My brain!

My bag is another thrifted Fossil piece, and another one I really like. Olive will go with any other color, so definitely a versatile piece.

Looking back at these photos, I wish I would have used a better looking sweater, but it is what it is. I hate to get rid of something that still has plenty of wear. As I said, I need to find a way to eliminate pills.

I hope you enjoyed learning more about the Goblin Core style aesthetic. I like sharing these ideas with you and even if you don’t necessarily like a particular style I hope that it will still inspire you to be creative with your own clothes, making new outfits from the pieces already living in your closet.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. Remember with Christmas on the way these also might be ideas for the loved once on your gift list. If you make a purchase through my site I get a few pennies. These shopping links are brought to you at no extra cost and all opinions are my own.

Have a great day!

My Style: Tomboy/Tomboy Femme

Tomboy or Tomboy Femme style is a mix of masculine and feminine elements that involves pieces as simple and casual as flannel shirts and sneakers to ones more classic and complex like trousers and button downs. I have always deemed myself a tomboy. I loved chasing after my older brothers when I was growing up, especially when they were riding dirt bikes in the field near our house. I would follow them on my bicycle, longing for the day when I could join them on their noisy, dirty motorcycles.

While my longing to race motorcycles never came to fruition, to this day I love the rumble of a Harley Davidson, and all the leather and denim that goes along with it. I enjoy playing outdoors whether it be hiking, camping, fishing or even hunting, occasionally, with my spouse.

When puberty came with all of its teenage angst, it also came with a full swing into things that were girly. I did play with dolls growing up and definitely loved Barbie and all of her friends, but after puberty I noticed I became acutely aware of clothes, boys, and hair styles. Make up came later when I was in college.

To this day, I still prefer jeans and sneakers to dresses and heals. I can totally dress up for a special event, but the bulk of the time I feel most confident when I am wearing a casual look that involves both feminine and masculine vibes.

This look came together after I picked out this multi-print babydoll top with peasant sleeves. This is a fun piece I thrifted a while back, but it is definitely made for cold weather as it is a heavy weight material. I wore a tank top underneath to keep the chilly air from coming up under the top. This is definitely a feminine piece by its silhouette, but the colors keep it more grounded and even masculine in nature.

After I picked the top I knew I wanted to use an oversized button down to hone in on the tomboy nature of the look. I remembered I had this wonderful thrifted corduroy shirt so I dug through my cold weather clothes, which are slowly being transitioned back into my closet after their summer hiatus. This piece matched perfectly with the rusty orange in the top.

Style Tip: Look for heavy weight, oversized button downs in the men’s section at thrift stores. You will most likely find a few gems. Use these like a cardigan, blazer or jacket for a casual, relaxed tone.

Knowing my top half was going to be more bulky and oversized I wanted to go for a slimmer leg jean. I grabbed this slightly distressed, high waisted pair from Maurice’s on clearance. I rolled the hems to add to the tomboy demeanor, but I look forward to wearing these with boots later this season and into winter.

My high top Converse seemed the perfect choice to drive home the tomboy nature of this look, however I wanted a few more feminine touches so chose a pastel pink cross body bag, and two rosy gold necklaces that my bestie gave to me a while back. She gave me a box with multiple necklaces and scarves that she was no longer using, so I finally pulled it out of my closet and took everything out so I can use it. I love the layered look these two necklaces provide. I also added my sparkly rose gold faux leather bracelet.

Do you think I pulled off the tomboy, or tomboy femme look? Do you wear outfits like this? Do you have pieces like this in your closet? Do you own a corduroy button down? Be sure to leave me a comment or two. I always love to hear from you.

I was also participating in an Instagram challenge yesterday that involved our favorite hat, so I added my hat to the outfit and took a few more pics.

I am including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Note I included a few men’s corduroy button downs as they will provide a bigger, oversized look. I typically get a men’s Medium or Large so there is a bit more room in the hip area, but if you are petite order a small.

Have a great week!

My Style: Pantone Autumn/Winter 2024 NY Palette - Fern, Adventurine, and Dark Gull

I wanted to continue the Pantone color series, but I also wanted to stick to my monthly posts, so for today’s look I am combining three of the Pantone NY palette colors into another style I like, but haven’t as much experience in: Dark Academia.

Academia fashion draws their ideas from university influences both real and imagined. Think of looks combining plaids, tweeds, cozy sweaters, pleated skirts, houndstooth patterns and other vibes associated with higher education. Dark Academia (click on the links to see a few of my pins on Pinterest) uses the darker, moodier end of the color spectrum, while Light Academia chooses pastels, and lighter shades, but in similar textures, styles and patterns. While some looks may include preppy, these are not specifically prep school leanings. I think of Dark Academia as outfits with a Detective Noir slant, but with more fun accessories like back packs, boots and plaid skirts.

This is my take on the Dark Academia style using the colors Fern, Adventurine, and Dark Gull.

To start off, I chose this thrifted, Old Navy, tiered Fern skirt. Tiered skirts are not really part of the academic vibe, but at the current moment I don’t have anything green in pants or a skirt that would have fit both the color and the style. However, I think this worked pretty well. You can see how I styled this skirt before on the blog with a colorful kimono, with a sheer floral top, and with a colorful fall jacket.

This second hand, Old Navy green top I chose is a tad darker than the Adventurine color, but it is pretty close. I found this gauzy piece recently at the second hand shop around the corner. I have always loved gauze tops. They are so pretty, comfortable, and while we often think of them as warm weather pieces they are perfect to layer a jacket or sweater over.

This thrifted, Mossimo, Dark Gull blazer was a hand-me-over from my daughter. I have always liked a dark gray, better than a light gray, so I am naturally drawn to pieces this color. To me they are classy looking, but aren’t black, so a good choice when you don’t want to go as formal as black.

On Pinterest most of the accessories revolving around academic fashion are simple pendant necklaces, leather, or faux leather boots, loafers and oxfords and back packs or bags. There are also scarves, but our weather is still too hot for those. I decided to focus on silver as the belt over my shirt has silver links and buckles. I also chose a thrifted pair of shoes, a brand called Enzo Angiolini, that are like loafers, but also like oxfords. Ha, ha. And yes my collar is crooked in the first two pictures. Ha, ha.

What do you think of these three Pantone colors? Do you like the Dark Academia vibe? How would you change this type of outfit to make it your own? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments below.

I’m including a few shopping links for pieces that would fall into the Dark Academia style. These are affiliate links brought to you at no extra cost. All opinions are my own.

My Style: Business Casual

I have been doing a series in this monthly column of different style types that I borrow from. As I have said in the past, I do not have one particular style, although often I choose Casual as my current go to. This said, I do like to borrow from other style types when I am feeling particularly adventurous, or if I have a particular event or style challenge that I am participating in on Instagram. So far I have looked at Classic, Boho, and Grunge. Click on those links to see how I interpret each of those styles. Today I am going to look at the Business Casual style.

Business Casual revolves around pieces you can wear to the work place that are both comfortable and classic in style. Think of blazers, tees, trousers or wide leg denim, structured bags, simple cardigans and shoes from loafers to sneakers. For this outfit I chose items from my closet that were bought new and thrifted.

I actually started this outfit with this Jaclyn Smith sweater and Liz Claiborne bag. Both are thrifted pieces. The green color is trending for fall, and the Pantone color palettes for both London and NY contain a few greens. I believe the London palette color called Rain Forest comes closest to this dark, rich green.

The next piece I chose were these wide leg, Ophelia Roe jeans that I found on clearance at our local Meijer a few seasons ago. That was when wider leg pants were coming back in style and I knew I didn’t have any. I liked the lighter color and the no belt loops waistline. I also like the gold buttons and front patch pockets.

My simple, blue, thrifted, Time and Tru v-neck tee seemed the perfect pairing for this outfit that became, basically, a two color combo of light blue and dark green. To me it symbolizes the beautiful blue skies of late summer and early fall, and the dark greens of the last summer days against those blue skies.

With the addition of a gorgeous statement necklace that I acquired a number of years ago from Christopher and Banks this outfit really stands out. I also added a few metal bangle bracelets in similar colors of silver, blue and purple.

Here is a closer look at this great, green and brown, Liz Claiborne satchel bag that I found thrifting about a year or so ago.

Finally, I went with my older white and navy Keds for my shoes. I also have a pair of brown loafers, a similar brown to that of the bag, that would have went well with this look as well.

Sorry for the poor pictures. I have gotten lazy and use my phone for pictures, that and my computer no longer has room to hold pictures from my camera. The poor Apple is getting old. I will be looking at replacing it in the, hopefully, not too distant future once I have a bit of money saved up. However, the phone, as great as it does, doesn’t allow for adjusting the lighting, and if the light isn’y perfect then neither are the pictures.

So what did you think of this outfit? Do you have Business Casual pieces in your closet? Is this a go to style for you? I love to hear your thoughts so leave me a comment or two.

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

Have a great day everyone!

My Style: Grunge Aesthetic

This third Tuesday of the month I have been looking at various styles from which I pull my own style. I’ve titled my style blended, meaning I take from a variety of styles to make my own creative looks. So far we have looked at the Classic Style, and the Bohemian Style. Today we are going to look at the Grunge Style.

While we may not think we take much from the Grunge aesthetic we really do. Plaid patterns, graphic tees, combat boots, and hobo bags are all part of the Grunge scene. The term grunge originally came out of a music genre born in the northwest United States in the late 1980’s and 1990’s. Kurt Cobain of Nirvana fame was probably the most influential rocker on the grunge fashion movement. His style was completely understated often wearing an oversized sweater, baggy jeans and Converse tennis shoes to perform. The fashion movement bolstered the thrift movement with young people shopping to find worn, baggy, ripped, and oversized second hand clothing.

I easily fit into certain aspects of this style and I feel very comfortable in it. In fact, this is probably one of my faves, except for the fact that I love color, and it took some time for me to buy into the whole distressed pant movement. Now, however, I love my combat boots, my plaids, my ripped jeans and of course my graphic tees.

I had to think through how to build this outfit. I don’t have any band tees, and most of what I read and the images I saw showed tee shirts with band names and graphics on them. I decided since I hit 60 that I can make it my own, so I chose this silly tee I got at the state park my hubby and go to once or twice a year. It says, “I Ain’t Old…I’m Retro!” I couldn’t resist buying it and I think it works perfectly with this old lady’s grunge vibe.

My gray and white Vanilla Star plaid shirt is a thrifted piece. It had a slightly worn look to it, so I thought it served the purpose quite well. For some reason I felt my posture and facial expressions had to be a bit snarky to get the true grunge vibe across. Ha, ha.

These Stitch Star jeans I picked up on clearance at Meijer a few years ago. I like the distressing including the raw hems. I also like the buttons for the fly instead of a zipper. They look a little more worn than when I first got them, but I do wear them a lot and with all the washing they are looking rather funky, but that also may have had something to do with watching a toddler before I took these pics during his nap time.

One of the other pieces that I read about was the zip up hoodie. It seems dressing in the grunge way is all about layers of loose or oversized clothing. My pieces aren’t really all that oversized, but you get the idea. This zip up is part of a thrifted two piece set by NY & Co. Sport. Unfortunately, I messed up the pants with bleach, so I typically only wear them around the house. You can see the set before I messed up the pants here.

Layered necklaces, including crosses seems to be a thing, so this was my version.

These Joe Boxer combat boots became my faves this past season after I found them while thrifting. They are definitely showing their wear, but when you are feeling grungy the more worn the better.

I was trying to decide between a tote bag or one of my hobo style bags, and ended up with my Aerosmith tote to make up for the absence of a band tee.

What do you think of the Grunge Style? Do you have any plaid in your closet? Do you own combat boots? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

I hope you enjoyed this look at the Grunge Aesthetic. I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links and are brought to you at no cost. If you shop through one of my links, I get a few cents. Every view counts. Thank you for all you do.

Have a great week!

My Style: Bohemian Vibe

I started a series last month on the various styles that make up what I like to call my blended style. I don’t stay true to one style, but mix styles together for looks that are completely my own. I’m sure many women have this same thought about their own styles. Last month I looked at the basics of a Classic Style. Today we are going to take a look at Bohemian Style.

(It was extremely windy and cold when I took these pictures, so they aren’t the best. It even started to snow when I got back into the house. :))

Here is another article to look over, 15 Boho Outfit Ideas: Must Have Items. I found that once I started looking in my closet I had most of these pieces. In fact, I will be adding a few photos from previous posts wear I display the Bohemian Style.

I recently found this thrifted, gauzy top and I just love it. Especially with the lace cut outs around the neck area. The brand of this top is Jodifl. No, I did not spell that wrong. Ha, ha. I do have a white tank top underneath as it is pretty see through.

The crochet and wood belt is also thrifted. Since crocheted items are in the boho vibe, I thought it was appropriate, and the shirt is a little more billowy, so I wanted a little more of an hour glass silhouette.

My asymmetrical fringe vest has been on the blog before. It is Say What brand, and I honestly can’t remember where I got it as I have had it for quite a while. You can see that other post here. This piece is great for the warmer weather and like a kimono would be cute with shorts and a tee or tank top.

My tiered maxi skirt has been around quite a while. This is another piece I have used on the blog. You can see those posts here, and here. This piece was from JC Penney, and is St. John’s Bay brand.

Layered jewelry, wide hair bands, and soft bags with fun prints are all part of the Bohemian style.

We can’t forget shoes. Neutral ankle boots are big in the Bohemian style. This suede Sonoma pair are quite old, but still fit and still look fairly decent. Sorry about the blurry pictures!

What did you think of this outfit? Are you a boho kind of girl? Do you like certain aspects of the Bohemian style? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to leave a comment or two below.

I’m including a few other Bohemian style outfits from past blog posts. Just click on the picture to go to the original post.

I’ve included a few shopping links, but I didn’t have much success on the vests. I would say check sites like Etsy or second hand sites like ThreadUp or Poshmark.

Have a great day!

My Style: Classic Look

As fashion bloggers we talk about style all the time, but not everyone knows what their style is. Style types vary, and while many people stick mainly to one type or another, others of us tend to blend our styles. I believe blending is taking elements and components from various styles and mixing them together.

What I would like to try to do over the next few months is show you outfits from various named styles that I do borrow from, and then follow that with a few outfits I would consider blended. Since I am talking about my style, everything I show you will be taken from my own closet, but I hope to give you plenty of info and style tips, so you can decide if any of these styles are for you.

I found an article through Pinterest and thought you might like to read it too, so here is the link: Classic Outfits: Timeless Fashion Choices. It talks specifically about classic wardrobe pieces. If you have a classic style then you probably already have most of these things in your closet. Classic style revolves around clean lines and pieces that are simple to use and combine with other pieces in your wardrobe.

For today’s look I chose a black blazer, white tee (my v-neck was in the wash), classic wash (medium to light) ankle length jeans, and white sneakers. Since bags and jewelry are constantly changing I decided on my bird print tote bag, and a layered gold necklace.

This vintage, double breasted, Aldolfo, wool blazer is a thrifted piece that I have had for years. I seriously thought about getting rid of it, but I like the cut, the buttons and the fact that it is wool. Upon preparing for this post, I started a list of things to look for at thrift stores, and one thing will be a black blazer that is more appropriate for spring and summer and with a single button front rather than the double layer.

Style Tip: When looking for a black blazer decide what fabric texture and weight you would like. If you wear blazers often it certainly wouldn’t hurt to have two; one for cold weather and one for warm.

A simple white tee is the perfect piece to layer under your black blazer. This scoop neck is long sleeve, but you could also use a short sleeve one when it get’s warmer. This is Hanes brand. I did the front tuck to give the look a little more class, even thought I opted to keep it casual by not adding a belt.

Style Tip: Make your classic casual outfit more work wear appropriate by swapping out the tee for a white button down shirt. Tuck it in and add a thin belt for a sleek, polished vibe.

The classic wash, Stitch Star jeans were a clearance purchase at Meijer last year. They have a good amount of stretch, and I know I will be wearing these more in the warmer months ahead.

Style Tip: You can’t go wrong with a classic or medium to light wash jean. I love my dark wash jeans in the cold months, but when spring and summer comes I really want to lighten things up a bit. While a light wash may not be your style, anyone can pull off the classic medium wash.

These Steve Madden platform sneakers are on rotation in the spring, and summer. I need to clean them, but seeing as they are made of a vinyl type material they do clean up quite easily with a little baking soda, water and a toothbrush.

I really need to take this bag out and use it! Ha, ha. I love the color and the beautiful blue birds printed on it. Since bags are constantly changing I’m going to say use whatever bag you want. A more classic bag would probably be a crossbody bag in a light brown or tan color, especially with spring coming. I’ll leave some other choices in the shopping links below.

I thought a simple layered necklace completed the look, although I think a silk scarf might be better seeing as this is a heavier blazer and it is still cold. It was freezing when I took these pictures. This more delicate necklace might be better with a spring/summer weight blazer.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like the classic look? Is classic your style? Do you have these pieces in your closet. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I always love to hear your ideas.

I’m including a few shopping links. Use these to purchase something or just to give you ideas. I appreciate all your support.

Have a great week.

Heading Toward the Holidays - Graphics and Flannels

Once again, I apologize for my inconsistency in getting things posted on the blog. Life has been busy and often overwhelming with various difficulties, but I will keep trying to show up. I decided to forego my Pantone color series. Just like in life, we often have to review and measure what is important and meaningful in our lives. The things that don’t give us the spark they once did might better be set aside for a time, and maybe even left forever.

The whole Pantone entity has become much less user friendly. The graphics are no longer available to use without paying for them, and even their website seems less geared toward the fashion industry and more towards color as it is used in building and designing interior spaces. That is fine, but I am a bit underwhelmed by it all, so for now, I am setting that part of my color interest aside.

For this month, December, I want to focus on building outfits for the holidays from our closets. Winter colors, textures and pieces can be so much fun to play with and even more fun to think about putting together as we deck the halls, make the cookies, shop, wrap presents, and gather together with friends coworkers and family.

Today’s simple, casual look revolves around a Christmas themed long sleeve tee and a plaid, flannel shirt.

Style Tip: When dressing for the cold weather holidays think textures and layers. Chunky beads, or scarves, fabrics like flannel or fleece, and faux suede boots with a bit of slouch make for interesting outfits whether dressing in jeans, skirts or even dresses.

This outfit is a mix of new and old. Let’s start at the top. This men’s flannel shirt was purchased last year on line from Kohl’s when they had a good sale. You know my love for flannel and I didn’t have anything with this combination of tan and dark green. The Christmas Tree Farm tee was also a Kohl’s purchase last year. Both of these pieces are Sonoma brand.

My string of beads are a thrift find. Don’t they match perfectly with the tee?

My jeans I’ve had for a few years. They were also a Kohl’s purchase and are a brand called Angels. Kohl’s only seemed to carry them for a short time, as the brand is no longer available. I really like them and was sad when the brand disappeared. These are a skinny leg, which are still my faves for sliding into boots.

As I mentioned earlier faux suede or real suede is a great textural element to add to your winter outfits. My boots, which are also a Sonoma purchase from Kohl’s clearance a few years ago, are one of my favorite pairs and they went so well with this casual outfit. I took a few close up pics of the boots, but for some weird reason they would not download like the other ones did. Go figure. It honestly is ALWAYS something! Ha, ha.

My fun, velvet bag comes out every year in the colder weather. It’s a different green, but I think it works because it is just different enough it stands out on its own, but the blue flowers complement the blue jeans and pull the outfit together.

Style Tip: Pick accessories, especially bags and boots that you know you will reach for again and again. These are the easiest to use with multiple different outfits and if you love them you’ll want to show them off.

At the last minute I decided to add one other piece to this outfit to make it perfect for a run to the store for those last minute stocking stuffers. I found this beautiful reversible jacket on one of my last thrift runs with my girlfriend when I was back to see my mom. It’s a brand called Jenny Buchanan, but seems to be only available now on second hand websites like Poshmark and Thread Up. I love the detailed quilting on this piece. It isn’t lined, so definitely won't work for a really cold day, but this will be great three season piece. I probably will use it more like a blazer in the winter.

Do you like to wear casual outfits like this? What would you do differently? What is one of your favorite casual brand names for winter clothes? I love to hear your thoughts.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look through. I provide these as a service to you, to give you ideas or places to look for similar pieces. These are affiliate links. all opinions are my own.

Have a great week everyone!

My Style: Bluer than Blue

Today’s outfit came from shopping my closet. My thoughts revolved around the desire to give you an outfit that is completely me, but also something you can easily replicate from pieces in your closet. Who doesn’t have a pair of jeans, a blue or chambray top and some sort of soft knit topper? Your outfit doesn’t have to use rolled up skinny cropped pants, use your simple straight leg jeans. Your outfit doesn’t have to include a sleeveless chambray lace up tunic top, grab that light blue short sleeve sweater top or that sky blue tee. Your topper need not be an open weave poncho, use that blue cardigan or long sleeve chambray shirt that is tucked away in your closet. Use my outfit and my style to create an outfit that is uniquely you!

There is no deep philosophy to what makes our style. It is simply what we feel comfortable and confident in. Ever since I was a young girl I was a tom boy. I didn’t like wearing dresses, and I loved my jeans. This still holds true today. I’m still a bit of a tom boy, feeling much more comfortable in jeans, tees and sneakers than in frilly dresses and heels. It is also practical and easier to dress this way. The few times I wear heels now I get cramps in the arches of my feet, and getting on the floor to play with my toddler grandson is so much easier if I am not wearing a dress or skirt. Ha, ha. Let’s look at the details.

This flowy chambray top is a brand called Earl Jeans and was thrifted. I never used to own anything that was chambray, but over the last decade I have added numerous pieces to my wardrobe. Chambray is basically a lightweight fabric that usually looks like denim. It is typically made from cotton or linen and its uses vary, but it is most often seen in the clothing industry for everything from tops, to pants, to jackets to shoes. Here is an interesting article on the fabric that is known as chambray, cambric, or batiste.

My cropped skinny jeans are old and are A.N.A brand. I believe I got them at JCPenney. Here is a similar style at a decent price.

My open weave poncho has been around for a long time. I have no idea where I got it, but it is a cute piece that I hang onto for just this type of occasion where I want a little extra texture, and it adds a little warmth in an air conditioned coffee shop (where my hubby went after I took these pictures). I can wear it with the two points down the front and back, which it a more traditional way of wearing a poncho. Or, I can wear it with the points extending down the length of the arms.

A few easy accessories and I was good to go. My crossbody wallet is a great piece for shopping and doesn't allow for all the weight a more typical cross body bag would. I found this on clearance at Kohl’s a number of summers ago. Jewelry is a hodgepodge of pieces I have collected over the years, and my Keds were also a Kohl’s clearance find.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you own any chambray? How do you like to wear it? I love to get your feedback. Your thoughts are always important to me, so thank you.

I hope you all are having a great week. Check back later in the week for a new Faith post revolving around those Wonderful Words of Life.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to peruse. These are affiliate links brought to you at no cost. If you purchase something through one of these links I might get a little kickback. I appreciate all the support. All opinions are my own.

My Style - Pantone Spring 2023 - NY: Classic Green, Love Bird, Leek Green

For today’s look, I decided to combine the three greens on the New York Palette into one outfit. These greens are all different, but go together making a fun, bright, spring outfit perfect for any casual occasion.

You know my go to is always casual and comfortable, but aIso like my outfits to look put together, so it at least appears that I gave a little thought to what I am wearing. I always try to plan my outfits out the night before, so that I don’t have to take the time in the morning to make those decisions. Do you pick out your outfits the night before, or do you just throw things on at the last minute?

This outfit is my style: casual, cute and comfortable. It is the type of outfit in which I feel most confident and most like myself. I love wearing button downs as a topper over a graphic tee or light weight long sleeve tee. Skinnies are always going to be part of my wardrobe, no matter what the trend forecasters say. I will definitely style other types of pants from boot cut, to straight, to wide leg and flares, but skinnies will still hold a place in my closet.

I thought this Periodic Table of Muppets tee perfect for the Classic Green color on the NY palette. The thing I love about graphic tees is that they allow every individual to speak for themselves. They show the bands we like, the shows we watch, the activities and hobbies we groove on. A graphic tee can tell a lot about a person. What do you suppose this tee says about me? If you guessed that I grew up watching the Muppet Show, then you are right! Ha, ha.

This thrifted Jaclyn Smith Love Bird button down is such a great piece for spring and summer. Gingham always moves our minds towards the warmer days of spring and a summer full of outdoor activities and picnics at the park.

While these olive pants are not as yellowy as the Pantone Leek Green, it still gives you the idea of olive drab, which you know comes in a variety of shades from green gray to green brown and green yellow. I’ve had these Gloria Vanderbilt utility skinnies for a number of years and have styled them multiple times on the blog. You can see them with an olive utility vest, a light weight sweater, a floral bomber jacket, and a snakeskin print jacket.

The addition of my Steve Madden white sneakers keeps the outfit feeling springy and fun.

This brown and white bag was a thrifting treasure. It is Rafe NY brand. I really like the style and roominess of the this bag. The fringe tassel and woven buckle strap on the front pocket add such fun details. The bag is a bit heavy, so I won’t be using it for any long shopping trips, but it will make a great travel bag with room for a book and a few snacks. Ha, ha. I felt it went very well with the whole vibe of this outfit. What do you think?

I didn’t get a good close up of my necklace, but it is a simple short pendant and the colors mimic the other colors in the outfit.

Style Tip: Go monochrome without going monochrome. All of these colors are in the green category, but they are all different. Even still, the outfit does have a distinct monochrome feel. This is also a great way to put an outfit together. Pick a color category, then choose various shades from that category to make up your whole outfit. Use your accessories as a way to add a few pops of different color.

What do you think of this outfit? Does this mimic your style? What is your casual go to style? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Leave me some love.

I’m including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links and are brought to you at no extra cost. If you purchase something through a link I get a little bit of a commission. I also now have a Buy Me a Coffee link, so if you are so inclined you can support this little blog by doing that. Thank you so much.

Buy Me a Coffee

I wasn’t able to find anything in the Love Bird color, so you may have to track that one down yourself by Googling it or by looking for it at thrift stores.

Have a great week.

A New Year, A New Plan

Hi everyone. A month and a half has trudged by since I last posted anything on the blog. I say trudged because, as quickly as it has flown by, it has been difficult. The end of November I got a nasty sinus infection and did a round of antibiotics. It was actually a blessing, because by the time I took my last antibiotic I was able to taste and smell again, so I enjoyed all the delicious treats the Christmas holidays provided. I enjoyed Christmas with our kids and grandkids even though over the course of the month our one grandson got Covid again, and our son-in-law ended up with the flu. There were a few days where we were not even sure we were going to be able to celebrate Christmas on the day, but it all worked out.

During this time, my husband and I were also intending to go see his parents. First we were going to go the week before Christmas, and take our younger daughter and grandson, but with him having Covid we were not able to do that. We then decided we would go the day after Christmas, during the week, but with my son-in-law having the flu we did not want to expose my in-laws to any germs. We waited. Finally, just my spouse and I left on the 30th, to visit for a quick weekend, before he had to start getting ready for the semester. We arrived late afternoon on Friday along with a large Chicago style pizza that we had picked up along the way.

That evening we enjoyed a talkative dinner with my husband’s mom, dad and sister, and were so pleased that dad, who has struggled with Parkinson’s for years, enjoyed two pieces of the thick cheesy pizza and was animated and talkative. Saturday morning, with family by his side, my father-in-law walked into eternity with Jesus. Obviously, my husband and I made the decision to stay the whole week following and help his mom with the planning and implementation of the burial and Celebration of Life service.

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

I cannot emphasize enough the sovereignty and mercy of our mighty Lord. That we should be there at exactly the right time to be with our family, not only as dad passed, but during the long week of adjustment and planning after the fact is simply amazing. I saw on a daily basis how God gave strength and courage, as well as peace and calm. He used me as servant as the rest of the family dealt with all the details in the planning process. It is hard to say when facing all the loss experienced in this life, but the truth stands, God is good; His mercies are new every morning, and He loves us with a lavish love.

Image by Sophie Janotta from Pixabay

With the coming of a New Year I want to make an effort to get back to consistent posting on this little blog of mine. I came very close to completely giving it up when I got sick, but I believe this tiny piece of the internet has a place and purpose put into play by God. To the rest of the world this might seem like a waste of time. Why do I want to put effort into something that I am not even getting paid for? The answer is YOU. Every once in a while, one of you will make a comment or send me a short email saying, “I love what you are doing.” “You inspire me to look at my wardrobe differently.” “You have a gift from God.” Wow! And you know what? Those comments always come, just when I begin to think I need to stop doing this.

What I am learning is that we need each other. We need a little place we can go to, like a favorite coffee shop or bookstore, where we can spend a little time hanging out, laughing, telling stories and being encouraged. Encouragement is so important. Encouragement and inspiration can be a bright flame in a world that is filled with clouds and dreariness.

Image by Marlon Sommer from Pixabay

I have a few ideas that I would like to share with you about the organization and content of the blog. I still plan to post twice a week. One day will feature fashion and one day will feature faith. There might be occasions where I have more than two posts for a week, but that is my desired minimum. I want to work towards a more structured approach for the fashion page rather than flying by the seat of my pants, so that I can have an organized plan for upcoming content.

I want to go back to more of a weekly column of sorts, so this is my tentative plan.

1st. Tuesday - Outfit Inspiration - a look at sources for outfit inspiration including outside entities like Instagram and Pinterest, and inspiration hiding in our own drawers and closets.

2nd. Tuesday - Shopping Our Closets - on this day we will look to our own closets where we will start with basics that most women own, and build whole outfits around them.

3rd. Tuesday - My Style - here we will begin to explore what style is and how we can begin to find our own style. I will also talk about my own style and share some of my every day looks.

4th. Tuesday - Color Play - one of my favorite things to do is talk about color - think Pantone series - and try new combinations. This will also include patterns, textures, print mixing and sources for color inspiration.

5th. Tuesday (once every few months) - Topics - this will be a time when I discuss topics that are relevant to aging and fashion including: ageism in fashion, sustainability, modesty, being a Christian in the fashion arena, and others.

I am also looking at a few ways to bring in a little income without cluttering up my posts with advertising or pushing products. I do not feel that either of those things is part of who I am or what I want this blog to be. I am hoping to start a little resale shop, possibly through Facebook Marketplace or for those of you who are not on Facebook through Poshmark. I am also toying with the idea of adding a tip jar button to my blog, so if the Spirit moves you, you can buy me a cup of coffee or send a small thank you gift if a post was particularly helpful for you. I am not pushing for money, I just thought it would be a way for you to support something you enjoy and believe in without having to buy new products or wade through ads. I will still try to include shopping links so you can peruse at your leisure. As always, your comments and input mean more to me than anything monetary.

There is a lot to think about, research and figure out, so I covet your support and prayers as I try to make this blog a better place through consistent, quality content. If you have any ideas, thoughts or feedback, please shoot me an email or leave a comment below. Your input is what helps this be a better blog.

If you have made it this far thank you so much for reading. I appreciate all of you. On Thursday I will be sharing my plans for the Faith page, so if you enjoy reading those posts as well please come back then. Next week look for my first outfit post for the new year. Until then, love and hugs!