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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Fashion Fun: Boho Maxi Dress

I do apologize, again, that I am not getting as much content out as I would like, and I am also forgetting to send out a weekly email. Life has been busy and we have been continually bombarded by life bombs including those minor inconveniences like car problems and bigger things like family illnesses and issues. Sometimes we get to a point where we want to give up and just go hide in a nice warm hole, but in the words of Tim Allen of Galaxy Quest fame, “Never give up! Never surrender.”

This week I wanted to share with you three looks revolving around a dress I got as a gift for Christmas. Most of us are aware of the prairie/boho vibe that invaded Target this past year. Long, flowing, tiered maxi and midi dresses hung from every rack. I heard many women complaining that the retailer had lost their mind and that there was no way they were going to keep shopping there. However, I noticed these options are still strong with new colors and prints for spring.

My dress is a solid, rusty color, which will be great for fall, but I tried to think about how I could style this for spring. Let’s take a look.

Outfit 1 - With a Knit Vest

I have long been a fan of gauze. I can remember as I was growing up having a few different tops made out of the light weight, textured fabric. It is the perfect warm weather fabric. This dress is fully lined with a polyester underlay, so actually great for cooler temps. As you can see, the dress has an empire waist and four tiers layering down from the bodice. No worries about pinching or feeling like this piece is too tight. It is like a muumuu, but a little more stylish and classy.

This knit vest was in a style box I won through an Instagram Style Challenge. I hardly ever win anything, so this was a pleasant surprise and was gifted by Instagrammer Rae, @forensicfahsionnotes . There were lots of other goodies in the box including a dress, scarf and necklace. Most of the pieces were thrifted, which I love. This vest is a heavy weight yarn and the oxford gray will go with so many things.

To complete this look I added some beaded jewelry, my gray combat boots and a Sonoma tote bag that I picked up online at Kohl’s last fall. These are a great addition to your wardrobe. They are light weight, but sturdy; very roomy and will carry everything from your laptop or tablet to a notebook and all your other essentials. Check out all the glorious colors and prints by clicking on the link above.

Style Tip: When wearing a lower cut neckline, fill in the exposed area with several layers of beads.

Outfit 2 - With a Corduroy Jacket

I found this wide wale corduroy jacket while thrifting a few years ago. I have been very close to getting rid of it, because I just don’t wear it, but for some reason I keep hanging on to it. It is as though this jacket wants to be mine. It wants to belong to me, because it knows both it and I have such great potential together. The sleeves are a little short, but I love the off white color, the roomie box cut and the texture.

I thought my fringy boho scarf the perfect complimentary piece. After that it was just a matter of a black bag and white sneakers. Done!

Style Tip: When adding a scarf to an outfit with only one or two colors pick one that also has at least one or two of the same colors.

Outfit 3 - With a pullover sweater.

I was going to try just wearing the dress with a belt, but to me it didn’t look quite right. Part of it might be the need to find the right belt. Instead, I decided to make my maxi dress into a maxi skirt by topping it with this Christopher and Banks pullover sweater. This works wonderfully for the cold weather as it gives you an extra layer and using the belt allows you to cinch in your waist for a more streamlined look. The belt is another thrift find as it the necklace.

I added my suede boots and an older tote bag from many years ago. Once again, I love the pattern and the corduroy texture. Plus, it adds to the boho flare of the entire look.

Style Tip: Trying looking at your maxi dresses as skirts and see what sweaters or tops you have that would go with the bottom.

Here are the three outfits side by side.

Which outfit do you like best? Would you wear a prairie/boho dress like this? What other ways would you wear a dress like this? I’d love to have your feedback, so leave a comment below, or on my Facebook page.

I’m including a few shopping links, just for fun. Feel free to look them over. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few pennies every time you click on a link. I appreciate every click.

Have a great day!

Spring/Summer - 2021 - Eyelet, Luxe Leather, and Long Necklaces

I am continuing my look at Spring/Summer trends today with a focus on eyelet, metallic faux leather, and long necklaces. I have always like eyelet. I think it is a pretty, feminine material that is light weight, making it perfect for the warmer weather. Besides the feminine aspect of eyelet, I also like the textural element that a fabric like this adds to the outfit.

This top is Universal Thread brand. I added a similar colored tank top underneath for warmth. I thought it was appropriate that this top also has puffed sleeves since these are trending as well, as you saw last week. I personally like the puffed sleeve better when it is puffed at the end of the sleeve on a long sleeve top like last week’s. However, when I saw this top at Target, I fell in love with it, and I do like the way it looks. It will be a fun piece for summer with cropped pants and sneakers, or a skirt and flats.

The choice to wear my straight leg high waisted Gloria Vanderbilt jeans was a no brainer. The embroidered flowers on the leg, not only fit in with the fantasy floral trend, but they also went so well with the top. As I have said before, I am not getting rid of my skinny jeans, but I will gladly wear a pair of straight leg jeans on occasion.

You’ve seen this metallic faux leather moto jacket on the blog before. I got it at Nordstrom Rack and is a brand called Coffee Shop NY. It is a tad tight right now, due to my excess pandemic bulge, but I can still wear it open and I think it looks perfect with this outfit. You can see how I styled it with a camo shirt, and with a graphic tee and pin striped shirt combo.

Long necklaces are in this spring, as I mentioned before. I have quite a collection of pendant necklaces, like the one above, but I don’t think the trend is strictly limited to pendants. I think long dainty chains and multiple layers are trending too, so it really is what you want to make of it. I find almost all of my jewelry on clearance racks and at thrift shops. Once in a while I’ll get something brand new from one of my family members as a gift for Christmas, Mother’s day or my birthday, but otherwise I prefer cheap. Ha, ha.

My large pale green tote is making another appearance. I have used this numerous times on the blog and it was a purchase a few years ago from Charming Charlie. Big tote bags are also trending for spring. I think this often comes around again, because people are looking forward to traveling and going to the beach. We will see if Covid allows these simple pleasures in life again.

I figured since I was styling a moto jacket I might as well add my moto boots as well. You’ve also see these on the blog before too. These were a Kohl’s clearance purchase and are Sonoma brand.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like eyelet? Do you like to wear moto jackets? Wear do you get most of your jewelry from? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. You are what keeps this blog going. I know I don’t spend time talking about make up or hair products, and other fashion related ideas, but if you would like to see more of that kind of content, just leave a comment and let me know.

I am including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few pennies if you click on a link. I appreciate all your clicks. All opinions are my own.

Have a great Tuesday!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Summer Outfit - Leopard Print Skirt - Dressy

I decided after finishing up my Pantone series, to do a few weeks of summer outfits, using pieces from my closet and showing how to wear them two ways; a dressed up version and a more casual version. Today’s summer piece is a thrifted leopard print, asymmetrical skirt that I scored at a Goodwill back before the pandemic ever hit. This is a Who, What Wear piece, which is typically found at Target.

These photos were taken at the beautiful Botanical Gardens here in Toledo, which are very close by. I tend to forget they are there, which is ridiculous, because they are so nice for walking, taking pictures, clearing your head and they even have a huge playground, which is now reopened. I may have to get my grandson over there on a day when it is not too hot.

Here you can see up close the uneven hem of the skirt. The skirt is very light weight, but unfortunately when I put it on, it became full of static. I ended up putting a slip on, which helped a little bit, but static was still an issue. I guess I need to add fabric softener next time I wash it.

Here is a better view of the skirt from the front.

For more of a dressed up work look, I added my polka dot Black Label -Evan Picone blazer. I have styled this on the blog before. You can see me wearing it with a burgundy tunic dress, a blue maxi dress, and a scarf print blouse. Because I knew we were going to be taking pictures at a location that might not have their bathrooms open yet, I decided to make my changes from dressy to casual as simple as possible so I could just do it at the car. When I was completely done with one outfit my daughter and I would drive back to her house where I would change into the next outfit. Yes, we get creative. Ha ha.

The thrifted, off white, St. John’s Bay tank top, was an easy top to just throw different jackets over without any fuss or muss. You’ll see that in Thursday’s post.

I kept my accessories fairly simple since I had some print mixing going on. My necklace used to belong to my daughter, and when she didn’t want it any more, I grabbed it. I like the ribbons and dangling beads. It makes for a unique piece. I opted for a simple wood bracelet and a off white clutch type cloth bag.

These Kenneth Cole - Reaction - black wedge sandals were also a thrift find and I have used them on the blog before. You can see them worn with two outfits styled around a bag. and an outfit with shorts.

Do you own a leopard print skirt? Is it one you could wear in the summer. I have two other leopard print pencil skirts. One is corduroy and great for cold weather and the other is a more medium weight, so could be worn in any season.

Did you like this outfit? Be sure to check back on Thursday to see how I used this same skirt and tank for a completely casual look.

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

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Seeing Red - Red with Tan - Velvet Jacket

(For those of you who entered the Bloggiversary Givaway, be sure to read to the bottom to see who won.)

As I was preparing for this series, I knew there were certain pieces I wanted to feature. Today’s red velvet jacket is one of those. This thrifted Briggs NY blazer is such a fun and unique piece. I originally got it as a holiday blazer when I was doing my 20 Days of Christmas series back in 2018. You can see the post featuring that Christmas outfit here. I wanted to be able to style this jacket in another way and what better than to wear it for the month of February. Whether you celebrate Valentines Day or are wearing red for Heart Disease awareness month, a red jacket, or blazer is a great way to do it.

Let me share a style secret with you. I typically don’t button or zip my sweaters or blazers. If I am using a piece as outerwear, then I do want to be able to zip or button it. More often though, I add a jacket or sweater as a layering piece for warmth, but leave it open, so the under layer, whether it be a graphic tee, button up or a textured sweater like the one in this outfit, can be seen. That also allows any necklaces or scarves to be an added focal point in the outfit. This blazer is too tight, but it fits well through the shoulders and back so I bought it, knowing this is exactly how I would wear it. The fashion gurus might say I am committing a crime worthy of jail, but I don’t care. After all, part of the reason many of us blog about fashion is to remind people to wear what makes you feel good and is completely you.

Just like the red and black of last week’s post, red and tan also make a wonderful statement. My tan Sonoma sweater is older than the hills. I don’t wear it too often, but it goes with so many things and was the perfect topper for this recently thrifted Worthington skirt. I like that the sweater is an open weave, so I can layer any cardi under it and you’ll be able to see the color. For this outfit I just did white, but it would have worked well with black or red too.

I fell in love with this skirt when I saw it. I have way too many skirts and don’t wear them very often at all, but I like having them, if just for the sake of showing you outfits on the blog. Plus, I like to have choices. My problem is, I have too many choices. Ha, ha. Anyway, the skirt is easy on and easy off with an elastic waist. It is a medium weight swingy knit. I wasn’t sure about the pattern at first, and even when I put it on and looked in the mirror I wasn’t sure if it would make me look too wide on the bottom, but I think the diagonal pattern works well for both narrow and fat bottomed girls. ( Do you hear Freddy Mercury singing, “Fat bottomed girls make the rockin’ world go round”?)

I found this fun necklace on clearance at Meijer. The pretty leaf is what sold me.

I also chose my bracelet with the gray stone and my silver clutch.

The same suede Aerosoles that I wore in last week’s post are making another appearance. I opted for the black hose for two reasons. With the black shoes, they make my legs look longer and thinner. In addition, the fact that it is still winter and they were a heavier weight seemed like a good choice.

What do you think of this outfit? Do wear printed skirts or do you choose to wear only solids on your bottom half? Do you like your sweaters and jackets to be worn closed or open? I’d love to hear your thoughts

For those of you who entered my Bloggiversary giveaway, thank you so much for participating. I didn’t get nearly the response I did last year, so I’m not sure if people are just too busy, or if a Target gift card isn’t that big of a draw. Ha, ha. Anyway, for those who took the time and my one new person who subscribed, thank you, thank you, thank you. You all are truly the reason I keep doing this. I also want to say thanks for your kind remarks. You all made my day and my week.

The winner of the $30 Target gift card is Karen Anderson. Congratulations, Karen!

Thanks again, everyone who supports the blog. Have a great Tuesday.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

I’m including a few shopping links for red blazers and jackets, just in case you find your closet lacking. Have fun shopping. These are affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Outfit Inspiration - Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

One of my favorite Christmas tunes is Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee. When I was in high school I hung out with a girl a grade ahead of me named Sherry. We had tons of fun together and had a very special friendship. Though our ways parted after high school, we still keep in touch through Facebook. Sherry and I were in my church’s youth group together and often found ourselves with other church friends at local restaurants. One particular pizza/sub shop had a juke box. Seeing as it was that time of year, Christmas songs had been added to the playlist. Sherry and I chose a few songs, and one of the ones she picked was Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. The funny thing was, Sherry decided to be silly and kept going up, inserting more change and playing that same song over and over. We all had a giggle fest as we ate our food. Now, every time I hear that song, I think of my dear friend and all the fun we had together.

The song, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, was written by Johnny Marks and sung by Brenda Lee in 1958. The interesting thing about Brenda Lee was her age when she recorded the song. She was only thirteen. Her mature sounding voice lead her to a career in country music, but it is the blend of rockabilly and country style that makes this song a forever hit. To this day most radio stations from adult contemporary, to top 40, to country play Mark’s and Lee’s version of Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree more than any other version.

Of course with the 50’s rock and roll feel of the song, I had to dress with a 50’s vibe. Rolled up jeans, a mismatched sweater set and a ponytail with a fun Christmas scarf brought in the 50’s details, most of which I got from watching shows like Happy Days. Ha, ha. Probably not exactly historically accurate, but you get the idea.

I hadn’t gotten my full sized Christmas tree up yet, but I wanted the pictures to look somewhat festive. When my daughters were both still living at home, we had gotten them each a tiny, Charlie Brown, type tree for their rooms. This one still resides at our house, so I thought it would add a touch of Christmas cheer to the pictures. Plus, how do you rock around the Christmas tree, if there isn’t one?

As you know, high waisted mom jeans are back in style. I had gotten rid of all of mine, not because they went out of stye, but because I gained weight and had to buy new jeans. Personally, I don’t really like the confines of high waisted jeans now that I have muffins to stuff into them. I prefer jeans that fall just below my belly button, but when I found this pair on clearance at Kohl’s, I thought I would add one pair of high waisted jeans back into rotation. These are Wild Fable brand. Target carries this brand and has a number of different washes, as well as various amounts of distressing.

You may think pink and red an odd color combo for Christmas, but it just makes me think of candy canes, Christmas cookies and wrapping paper. Both of these pieces were thrifted. The red cardigan is Merona brand and the pink pullover with rabbit fur embellishment is Emma James (a Liz Claiborne company). I am not a proponent of real fur, but if I have the choice of saving a clothing item from a land fill and part or all of its component are real fur, then I am a fan. Here is a pic without the cardi.

Since I wanted the outfit to be simple and fun I didn’t wear any jewelry. I don’t own a pair of saddle shoes, so the next best thing was a pair of Converse high tops. These are the only Converse I own. They typically do not fit my feet very well, but I found these on clearance at DSW. I popped on the white socks as a topper and it reminded me of how girls would wear their socks back in the 50’s.

Of course, in my opinion, no outfit is complete without a bag. What if you realize as you are rockin’ around the Christmas tree, baking cookies or decorating that you’ve run out of sugar or you’ve discovered another string of lights that won’t light (I swear, it happens every year)? You will need to run to the store. I chose this white, Jaclyn Smith satchel. This thrifted bag can be carried by the top handles and it also comes with a long strap to wear it as a cross body bag. This is also a thrift find.

My final addition was the scarf in my hair. Over the years I have collected a number of Christmas related pieces. I have a number of long sleeve tees, a couple sweaters and a few scarves. If you followed my Instagram feed last year, I featured most of those pieces in my “20 Days of Christmas series”. This cute snowman scarf is a narrow oblong scarf that works perfectly as a hair tie. I wore it to work yesterday around my neck, with a snowman pin.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like high waisted mom jeans? Is Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree a favorite song of yours? Do you think I did justice to the song with my outfit? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Here is Brenda Lee singing Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.

I’m including a few shopping links. I hope you are having a good month leading up to Christmas. I especially hope that you do not feel stressed out and that you are staying healthy. Take care of yourself. There is only one beautiful you. Have a great week.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.