Color Play - Building an Outfit Around Jewelry

Since my Color Play column can encompass all aspects of color, I thought it would be fun to show you how I build an outfit around a colorful piece of jewelry. Let’s face it, not all of us are into fine jewelry. Yes, I do have a few silver and gold items that my spouse gave me over the years, but those are mainly rings and a few chain necklaces. Most of my jewelry is costume jewelry that I have either found on clearance at regular retail stores like Kohl’s, JC Penney, or Maurice’s, or it is from a thrift store. The piece I will be using today was actually gifted to me by a friend.

I love all the colors in this piece, but it does make it more difficult to combine with printed pieces, of which I have many. However, that makes it more challenging, which I love. Today, I decided to go for more of a color block style, and used solid colors for each of the pieces in my outfit. Take a look.

I am grooving on my wide leg cropped pants right now, so if they are not your cup of tea, then just swap them out for your own version of pants. You could also just as easily choose a skirt. Remember my job is to inspire you to look at your own clothes in a new and innovative way, to make them work for you and your style preferences.

Today’s style tips are going to cater to styling an outfit around a piece of jewelry.

Style Tip 1 - Choose a piece of jewelry that makes a statement, then figure out how to monopolize on that statement effect.

As you can see in the first picture my necklace contains so many colors: orange, dark blue, turquoise, or aqua, purple, olive, light green, orange and a light yellowy orange. If I wore this piece with a printed top it might easily get lost, but pairing it with this navy popover blouse was the perfect way to make the colors of the necklace pop. You could have used any of the colors in the necklace, but I love the way it looks against the navy.

I have two of these Knox Rose tops. The other is a pale purple color. I love the lace, the longer length short sleeves and the flowy silhouette. The trim on the bottom is pretty as well. I honestly can’t remember if I found these on the clearance rack at Target, or at a Goodwill store where I often find like new Knox Rose items.

Style Tip 2 - Choose pieces that go with the colors in the jewelry or at least compliment it.

The navy top almost matched exactly the navy beads on the necklace. However, I chose to wear a pair of pants that was less matchy and more complimentary. The light green borders on olive, but not exactly. It’s almost a very pale chartreuse. I know in the picture they look more gray or beige than green, but believe me they have a green cast to them.

These raw hem jeans are Sonoma brand and they were a clearance find at Kohl’s a summer season ago.

After choosing my main two pieces I decided on shoes and a bag. I also added a few other bright beaded bracelets for fun. My SO ankle boots have been around for a while. I thought it appropriate to start throwing in a few fall like pieces since we all know it is coming at some point. My thrifted orange suede bag is not one I use very often, but I simply love the bright color, and it works so well as an accent piece.

Style Tip 3 - Pull in one or two other colors from you chosen piece of jewelry (if it has more than two colors) by adding them in as accessories: shoes or boots, bags, scarves or a sweater or jacket.

I thought about adding a sweater to this, but I wanted to still look summery, and it was nearing 90F when I took these pictures. I was already beginning to sweat. Ha, ha.

What do you think of this outfit? Have you ever styled an outfit around a piece of jewelry? If so, what was it? I’d love to hear your thoughts. You feedback is always welcome, good or bad.

I’m including a few shopping links for fun necklaces. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Have a great day!

Winter Trend - My Take on Color Block and Shearling

The trend of color block isn’t new. It has been around for a very long time. Some attribute the inspiration for color blocking to Piet Mondrian, an artist who used dark lines and bright colors to form paintings with block like components in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. In fact, in 1966, Yves Saint-Laurent designed a line of dresses called Mondrian dresses, after the work of the late artist.

Image by Andrew Martin from Pixabay

Often when color blocking is done, it follows a formula of sorts, where one color will be paired with an opposite color from the color wheel, creating a bold, bright outfit that really stands out and makes a statement. You can easily make your own color block outfit by combining solid colored pieces from your closet.

I am not a huge fan of color blocking, because I love patterns and textures so much. I did, however, find a beautiful color block sweater when my girls took me out birthday shopping, so that is what I built today’s outfit around.

I bought this glam brand, color block sweater at Eden Fashion Boutique. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to try it on. It is so soft and cozy. We have some below freezing temps coming down the pike and I know I will be wearing this to stay warm. I also like the drop shoulder sleeves and the more neutral color tones. I’ve included a shot of the back. As you can see the back is a little longer than the front.

My cognac colored pants are another pair of thrifted jeans. They are Michael Kors brand. I like the color and feel it is one of those colors you can use for all seasons.

You can also get a closer look at my thrifted Unisa wedge heeled shearling boots. I have not really had the opportunity to wear these for anything other than the blog, but they are so cute, I can’t stand the thought of letting them go. For now they still have a home with my many other boots. You can see the fun side decorative gold zipper and the shearling trim in the next picture.

You can see how I styled these on the blog with a fringe vest, and with a floral dress.

My thrifted, leather, Fossil bag is making another appearance in this post. This bag is so durable and goes with everything, plus it is a cross body bag which is my go to when I am going out shopping.

The only jewelry I added was this necklace which was a clearance purchase when I made my Christopher & Banks store closing run. I love the peachy coral colors on the beads. This will be a nice piece for spring and summer.

You noticed that these pictures were taken inside (sorry about the glare on my glasses). I just didn’t have the energy to trudge out into the snow with the camera in tow and take pictures. My incision is starting to heal, and it occasionally hurts a little. I have no complaints, because I think the doc did a great job getting rid of my little fatty tumor, but I decided to take it easy this week, until my appointment on Monday for a recheck.

Here are a few other posts I did, that show off how you can do color blocking with solid pieces from your wardrobe. These do not follow any particular formula as far as colors go, but you get the idea. If you don’t particularly like print mixing and have lots of solid colors in your closet, this is a great way to create outfits that are colorful, fun, stylish and trendy.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I am including a few shopping links for you to enjoy. Have fun with it. These links are affiliate links and are brought to you at no cost. If you click on a shopping link I get a few cents and if you purchase something through my links, I get a little bit more. Think of it as a way to get yourself something special and buy me a cup of tea. Ha, ha.

Have a great day everyone. Be sure to check back Thursday for a post on how you know it is time to get rid of certain pieces in your wardrobe.

Photos in photo grid Rebecca Trumbull.

Winter Trend - My Take on Bohemian Chic

The idea of bohemian style always brings to my mind, gypsies. I think of long, tiered skirts, bright colors and all manner of patterns. I also think of the 1960’s hippies with fringe, headbands and bell bottoms. When I went to put this outfit together, I knew I wanted to incorporate a few of those characteristics into the outfit, but still stay true to my own style. Let’s face it, the 1960’s brought the women’s lib movement, so many women were burning their bras while I was still in diapers and just learning to walk. I personally like to keep the “girls” covered, except when I am ready for bed, so that aspect of the 1960’s boho vibe will not be part of my style.

I found this pretty Westbound medallion print top a while back during a thrift run. I love the bright, happy pattern, the ruching on the front yoke and the unique sleeves.

My Vera Wang distressed cropped jeans have made multiple appearances on the blog. You can see them with a holiday sweater, a red plaid jacket and a graphic tee and long fringe vest. I typically don’t wear them until warmer weather, but occasionally I will pull them out and use them with a pair of boots. Another thrift find, these are great for a casual look. If you look back at the other photos you can see they are starting to show some wear.

I chose beads for my jewelry, since beading also seems to be a bohemian statement.

I chose my black suede Massini slouch boots, as they made me think of the 1960’s styles again. Suede has long been associated with the days of flower children and Woodstock in the form of fringe on bags, jackets and vests. Typically, the suede would have been a natural looking brown, but you get the idea.

My bag is an older Liz Claiborne brand called Axcess. It doesn’t really match, but I thought the pattern, the shape, the colors and the corduroy material was channeling a bit of its own boho chic.

I ended up adding my Chico’s fringe trimmed cape. Not only did it add one last element of bohemian flair, but it helped keep me warm while I was messing with my camera. This piece was a clearance find via Chico’s online about four years ago. I can’t believe it’s been that long already!

Do you like the Bohemian trend? What are the things you like about it? What don’t you like about it? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I am including a few shopping links for a plethora of things with that Boho vibe. I hope you will spend a little time shopping. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

I will not be posting for the rest of the week. I have several articles on the docket for the community magazine I am writing for, I have to houseclean tomorrow and on Friday I am having minor surgery in the morning. I have a small mass on my upper left thigh that needs to be removed.

I hope you all have a good rest of the week and a great weekend. I hope to be back at it next Tuesday. I have a few ideas for posts, if I can’t get out and take pictures, so we’ll see how things go.

Winter Trend - My Take on Bold Checks

While I have always loved plaid for as long as I can remember, my affection for checks has come about more slowly. When I was younger I always thought gingham was meant for tables, not clothing. I thought it was silly to wear checks. Wouldn’t someone think I looked like a table cloth, or a cutesy picnic ground covering? As gingham evolved and grew, the types of clothing pieces adorned with a gingham pattern grew as well. Dresses, blouses, and now, even pants, tees and all manner of accessories can be found with these colorful little checks.

The checkered pattern has evolved over time and the popular pattern Buffalo Plaid really had its time this past holiday season. Perhaps that is partially due to the fashion trend that I am talking about today, that of bold checks. The idea of bold doesn’t necessarily refer to its color, although that is certainly part of what makes this pattern so fun. Bold references the check itself which is big and makes a statement, no matter what color it is.

My outfit today centers around a bold black and white piece that is perfect for the cold days still ahead of us. I would not wear this as an outer piece except, perhaps in the cooling days of fall. My thought is to wear it as a a layering piece for when I am at a coffee shop or even at home. Being a writer means I am often sitting for long periods of time and I do tend to get cold, so a piece like this is perfect for taking the chill off.

This black and white checked ruana is a heavier weight flannel. I honestly don’t remember where I got this, and I don’t know what the brand is, but it might have been Kohl’s on the clearance rack a few years ago. If you don’t remember what the difference between a ruana and a kimono, here is a quick refresher. A ruana is one piece of material cut into a t-shape. It typically has no sleeves, but simply drapes over the arms. A kimono is usually a longer t-shaped piece with side seams and sleeves. A ruana might be a little more like a poncho, except you don’t put it on over your head.

Here is a back view. You can see that this particular piece hangs a little longer in the back than in the front.

I decided I wanted to do something other than my typical jeans, so I went for a skirt. The fact that it was a denim skirt is a reflection on my love for this sturdy material that literally goes with everything. I’ve styled this stretchy pencil number on the blog before. You can see it style with a tee for a casual look, and with a asymmetrical tunic for a more dressed up approach. This was a thrifted piece and is a brand called NoFazeJeans.

My white sweater with the tour Eiffel on it is Elle brand. I like the texturized picture, which seems to be made out of something like velvet. I thought it was the perfect piece to go with the bold, checked ruana.

I thought the look would be cuter and more winter appropriate with knee high boots and black tights. Funny story. I bought these tights at Kohl’s and the way they were sized I ended up getting a plus size, because you know how tights and hose can be. I mean, it really is like trying to cram sausages into those skinny paper straws. Well, I thought I was safe with the size I chose and when I unfolded them from the package they were plenty long and the part at the top seemed plenty stretchy. When I went to put them on, it was hilarious. The top is very stretchy and they are very long, but the spandex ended when they got to the actual leg part of the hose. I could barely get them up past my knees. I managed to struggle into them and luckily the stretchy part at the top was also long enough that it stretched around my chubby thighs. It is absolutely ridiculous! Those tights were made for a very tall person with extremely skinny legs. No lie! They were not made for an average size girl, let alone a plus size one! Ha, ha.

These old boots, I have had for a while and are a brand called Rialto. I have worn these over many winters and about two years ago, the soles started separating from the rubber bottoms of the shoes. My hubby got some Shoe Goo (yes it is a real product) and glued them back together. They are showing a lot of wear, and I probably won’t be wearing them when it is really wet out, but I’ll get a few more years out of them.

My bright yellow bag was a birthday gift from my younger daughter. It is a simple tote bag, and I love the color. I was thinking about making this my go to bag for my writing stuff. It doesn’t have a label, so I have no idea what brand it is, but it will be used.

I added a few gold items for jewelry. A couple of gold bracelets and this fun large link, gold and black chain.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like the bold checks? Do you have bold checks in different colors? I’d love to hear what’s in your closet!

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

Winter Trends - My Take on Quilting

I have always loved handmade quilts. I think they are beautiful testaments to the women who work on them, tirelessly sewing, piecing together and creating a work of art in the form of a wall hanging or full sized quilt for a bed. When we went to the fair, back when that was allowed, I used to love to visit the hall where all the quilts were displayed. I always thought it would be cool to be part of a group of women who worked together to create these masterful pieces.

The winter trend of quilting is, once again, more present in outerwear, than in every day clothing. However, I wanted to show you something other than my quilted outerwear vests, so I reached for an older piece that for some reason I do not wear very often and a new piece that I just got. The blatant truth is, I have way too many clothes and one of these days I need to really pare things down, but for the time being, I would like to wear more of the things that I don’t wear as often.

This jacket is a new purchase from Christopher & Banks. It was marked down and then had another percent off. I like that it is light weight and on the day I took these photos it was quite cold and it kept me toasty warm. The shiny, olive green color was a nice addition to my outerwear wardrobe and this is a jacket that I will be able to wear fall, winter and spring when the temps are still cold. It appears, that Christopher & Banks, while closing all their brick and mortar stores, is still going to have on online presence. I know they still have these available on their website, so check it out.

The other quilted piece I want to show you is the gray vest I have on underneath the coat. This vest is also a Christopher & Banks purchase, but from a number of years ago. The quilting detail is much more intricate and unique on the front portions of the vest.

My fun printed pants were a recent thrift find from when my girls took me thrift shopping on my birthday. I saw these on the rack and I have always had this thing for plaid pants. I threw them in my cart thinking there was no way they’d fit, but why not try them on. I was so happy that they did. These are a brand called cabi jeans. Once again, a brand I am not familiar with, but they are a current online retailer, so you can check out their website here.

I will be able to use these jeans all year round and I am already thinking of spring outfit styled with a chambray shirt.

The next photo shows, not only my beaded necklace, but the gray, Worthington turtleneck sweater I wore under the vest. There is nothing like a cozy turtleneck to keep you warm in the winter months. This was the same one I styled a few weeks ago in my post, A Dickens’ Christmas - The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

The only other accessories I had besides my beads were my faux suede boots and my gray convertible bag. These navy SO ankle boots have been on repeat this winter since I purchased them online from Kohl’s. My Evan Picone bag was a thrift find. I like that it can be carried as a top handle tote bag and also as a smaller cross body bag.

Do you have any quilted pieces in your closet besides the comforter you throw on the bed? Quilting is hit or miss. Most of us have heard of Vera Bradley and I almost pulled out one of my tote bags, but it didn’t really go with what I was wearing. I do like many of her things, but it has to be the right pattern and style for me and I usually just look for them at thrift stores. I’ve included some of her products in the shopping links.

What did you think of this outfit? Would you wear patterned pants like these? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two.

I’m including a few shopping links, for all things quilted. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I apologize that there are not more varied sizes available. I think a lot of things are selling out.

Winter Trends - My Take on Puffer Outerwear

Once again we are overrun with puffer outerwear. Puffers vests, and coats are all the rage this winter and the reasons probably include the colors, styles, warmth, and price points. You can find reasonably priced puffers at almost any department store. With the end of season sales soon upon us, be sure to shop your local faves, in store, or online, to get what you are looking for. I had a few things to return to Kohl’s earlier and since my hubby gave me a gift card for Christmas, I did a little shopping. The junior’s department had the cutest puffer jackets and I really wanted to scoop one up, but I don’t really need another coat. Ha, ha. I ended up with a pretty pinstriped orange blazer, a pair of floral pants/joggers for spring, a cute sweatshirt and a scarf. I still need to try everything on, since the fitting rooms are still closed, but if the pieces fit, you will be seeing them eventually on the blog.

I’ve styled this neutral puffer vest on the blog before. You can see it with an olive tee and jeans. I have had it for a number of years. It is a brand called StyleWorks Sport. I honestly cannot remember who used to sell this brand. It might have been Sears, but I don’t recall.

I decided I liked the combination of gray with this more neutral tan, so I added my thrifted, striped, thermal, Sonoma long sleeve tee. That is a long description for this one piece of clothing, but that tells you everything about it. Being thermal, it is a heavier weight so a warmer layer for the colder weather.

My jeans are my well worn Rock & Republic jeans from Kohl’s. Do you have a favorite brand of jeans you like to wear? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

To add a little fun to the outfit, I added both a longer pendant necklace and my faux fur leopard print infinity scarf. This is a thrifted piece I love to wear, because it is so warm and soft.

My thrifted boots are by Guess. One of the drawbacks of buying boots and shoes that aren’t make with real leather, is that they often wear out quickly. When I got these about two years ago, they looks brand new, but now they are already showing signs of wear. Still, I like them and will keep wearing them with a distressed look. Ha, ha.

This bag was a Christmas gift from my daughter. I love the expensive bag look. It is a little heavy, but holds all my junk in a more organized fashion and I can carry by the top handles or as a cross body bag. The brand is Aidebam and can be found on Amazon.

How many of you have some sort of puffer outerwear; either a vest, coat or jacket? I have a few items that are quilted and not true puffer pieces and I’ll show you that next week. I hope you liked this post. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. As always, I love to hear from you!

I’m including a few links for puffer jackets and vests, so if you are looking for something take a few minutes to check out the links. These links are presented at no cost to you. They are affiliate links, so if you click on a link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through my link I get a few more pennies. Thanks for supporting me and my little blog.

Have a great weekend.

Winter Trends - My Take on Patchwork

Last Thursday, I shared a few of the 2020/2021 Winter Trends. I know many of you don’t really care about being trendy. You are comfortable in your own style. However, I know many of my followers are interested in learning and growing in their fashion sense. Taking a look at what is trending for each season is a good way to explore different fashion ideas and take the plunge to try something new. While there are numerous trends out there for each season, I try to focus on those that best coincide with my fashion philosophy. If you missed my post on My Fashion Philosophy just click on the link to learn more.

I’m starting my Winter Trend series with my take on patchwork. Patchwork isn’t a trend that I would like to have a lot of. While patchwork is a step up from the casual hobo look of distressed jeans, I feel that patchwork is too contrived and thought out. I know that might sound silly, especially coming from a woman whose mother always put patches on our wholly jeans and elbows when I was growing up. I do like patchwork in the form of varied colored patches on jeans or a jean jacket, but it becomes a bit much when it is a whole skirt or top.

How fortunate that I found these fun patchwork jeans when my girls took me on my birthday tour. I found these at Style Encore in Findlay, OH, and they were on clearance at 50% off, so I got them for $9.00. Thrift stores like Plato’s Closet, Clothes Mentor and Style Encore are at the top of my thrifting price point, so when I can find things at half price, I feel like I am paying a price I feel more comfortable paying for a second hand piece. They are definitely higher quality stores with brands that are more top notch, so if you like brand shopping, but want the price points of a second hand shop, these are the stores to look at.

These patchwork jeans are a brand called Est. 1946 Denim, and have a soft, stretchy feel, so are definitely comfortable and made for real life. They have a high waist and while not a super skinny leg, narrow towards the ankle. I like that the patches are a lighter shade of blue. I also really like the cross hatching on the left leg (my left, ha, ha) between the two patches. The patches add texture and interest to an otherwise simple pair of jeans.

I found this long sleeve tee at the same shop as the jeans and it was also on clearance. When I saw the word Shine I knew I had to bring it home with me, even after I tried it on and realized it was a pajama top; Ambrielle brand from JC Penney. Never say never to wearing a pajama top as a regular tee shirt. We wear regular tee shirts for pajama tops, so why not the other way around. Heck, these days women wear their bras and camisoles as attire to be seen by the world! Ha, ha.

Let me tell you more about why the word Shine has special meaning for me. A fellow blogger Debbie Stinedurf of Fashion Fairy Dust, last year decided instead of having a list of New Year’s resolutions to choose a word for the year. I thought about doing that last year, but I never did. This year, when she mentioned it on Instagram, I was immediately struck by the word “light”, so that is the word I chose for myself for this year. I want to incorporate light into my life in the form of truth, and revelation, especially through God’s word and works written by fellow Christ followers. I also want to be a light of hope and encouragement to my family and to you all who follow my blog. Lastly, I want to incorporate light into my writing. I have always had the thought to have light, somehow be a part of my stories, in a similar way to Thomas Kinkade incorporating light into his paintings. When I saw the word Shine on that tee, it just seemed that it was a confirmation that I had chosen the right word to focus on.

To make the look more monochrome with an emphasis on winter textures, I added my light blue chenille cardigan. I love this soft, cozy piece and it gets plenty of wear time in the cold months.

I though earth tones would be a good compliment to this mix of gray and blue. My George satchel from Walmart a few years ago, was the perfect accompaniment as it has the patchwork vibe going on as well. From there I chose my Nine West ankle boots from Kohl’s go go with the dark brown on the bag.

Do you like patchwork? Do you have anything patchwork in your closet? What do you think of this outfit? What sort of patchwork piece might you add to your wardrobe in the coming months? Do you have New Year’s resolutions? If you picked a word for the year 2021 what would it be? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I’m including a few shopping links for things with a patchwork look. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Thanks for following along. Have a great day.

My Intro to Winter Trends - 2020/2021

I know that the current winter trends have been on the market since last fall, but as I have said before, I am not one to jump on the early trend band wagon. We have plenty of winter left here in Northwest Ohio and I am sure, many other northern areas as well. While we don’t have snow, we definitely still have temperatures in the 30’s, so our sweaters, long sleeve tops and boots are still going to see plenty of wear. In addition, seeing as how I am living in the land of eternal gray skies, I need a motivational boost for getting out of bed, and into clothing that doesn’t resemble pajamas.

For today’s post, I am going to talk about a number of trends that I find interesting, and I will show you samples of each trend via my affiliate links. If you see something that looks fun, just click on the link and it will take you to the retailer, where you can purchase it. These are affiliate links. I get a few pennies for each click you make and a little bit more if you purchase something through my links. All opinions are my own. My hope is that the next few weeks, I can show you what these trends look like by giving you posts of outfits from my own clothes.

Patchwork - This is a fun trend that seems to come around every so often. I wouldn’t want a whole closet full of patchwork things, but I think a few things, make for a more fun wardrobe. I especially like the bags and shoes.

Puffer Jackets and Vests - These might not be your first choice for outer wear, but there is something to be said for these warm pieces. The puff needn’t be overly voluminous to keep your warm. There are many thinner, packable versions that offer toasty warmth as well.

Quilting - This technique is very similar to the puffer style when it comes to clothing, the only difference is in the pattern and the amount of filling. Once again, you see this trend most specifically in outerwear.

Bold Checks - If you like plaid, you might also like the more structured print of checks. I love Buffalo plaid, which is really just a checkered pattern and we have been seeing a lot of it this fall and winter. I especially like the checked white and green skirt below.

Bohemian Chic - There are many things I like about the Bohemian style of dressing and this winter Bohemian Chic is trending. The Boho vibe is not for everyone, but a little dash of Boho in a blouse, a bag or just in the details of a piece of jewelry or an accessory can really make an outfit more interesting. I think one of the reasons I like it, is the bright, pretty colors and patterns.

Color Block - This is a style that seems to always be around, sometimes lingering in the background and other times pushed to the forefront of what is trendy. I decided to put this one on the list, because it is not something I do. Wanting to try new things and keep my content fresh, I am going to give this a try.

Shearling Trim - Shearling trim is a fun, textural addition to any winter wardrobe. Just a little bit can make your outfits extra cozy and cute.

There are a few more trends that I hope to give mention to, when I show you the actual outfits. I hope you enjoyed this quick look at a few of the winter trends that I like. I’m getting off to a little bit of a slow start, but hopefully next week, I’ll have a few outfits back up on the blog. Until then, have a great week.

A Look Back at 2020 - My Favorite Outfits

Before I launch into a short series on some of the current winter trends, i wanted to revisit my favorite outfits from this past year. 2020 was a year unlike any other with the Covid Pandemic, racial unrest and the election overwhelming our newsfeeds. There were times where I just didn’t feel like being a blogger any more. I just wanted to crawl into a nice, cozy hole and not come out until all of the bad news went away. Fortunately, I didn’t do that. I had a sense that every single one of you that regularly follow me, needed a brief respite from all the bad that was going on around us. The normalcy of looking at and talking about faith and fashion, just seemed to be a good thing to do, so I kept at it.

I have a feeling that 2021 is not going to be a whole lot different from 2020. Change is going to continue to happen and change is what often pushes us well outside of our comfort zones. However, my little blog is still going to be here, as long as God gives me the health, energy and brain power to continue, I will do so. Many of you have become like family to me. Those of you who have regularly commented or even taken the time to send me a personal email have been a great source of encouragement to me, so thank you.

Here is a look back at 2020. As I have done before, I go month by month and pick out my faves. I’d love to know which outfit really inspired you.

January

Actual Amy - Waterfall Cardigan

Why I like It: This whole outfit is very much me. I love the rusty textures of the waterfall cardigan and faux suede boots. As you all know, I love my jeans and the striped long sleeve tee is the perfect choice for this ultra casual outfit. I also like the subtle print mixing going on between the stripes, snakeskin patterned bag and the speckled bead pendant.

February

Seeing Red - Thrifted Thursday - Burgundy Skirt

Why I Like It: In all honesty, I had three outfits, all together, that I liked from February. I decided to post this one as my favorite, because it was totally unexpected. I honestly did not think this outfit was going to look as good as it did when I started putting it together. I wasn’t sure about the color combo or the mix of smooth faux leather pencil skirt with oversized textured sweater, but I absolutely love everything about this outfit. The color combo was perfect and the unexpected mix of textures and lengths honestly works well. The only thing I might have changed is the shoes. I’m wondering if a burgundy shoe would have been a better choice, but overall it worked. The other two that I liked from February were, Seeing Red - Red with Tan - Velvet Jacket, and Seeing Red - Actual Amy - Plaid Jacket.

March

Spring Trends 2020 - Maxi Dresses, Psychedelic Prints and Vests

Why I Like It: March was the month I focused on the Spring Trends for the year. I will do that again this year. I like the boho, hippy vibe of this outfit with the medallion printed maxi dress, the striped tee and the denim vest. It just presents a fun, eclectic mix that makes for a great casual date night look.

April

Transitional Spring Outfit

Photo credit Rachel Christensen

Why I Like It: Who doesn’t like a kimono? They are just fun, fabulous pieces and every woman should have one or two in her closet. I have many more than that, but there are so many pretty styles, prints and colors. This pink, burgundy and white piece is no exception. I especially like the fringe on the sleeve and bottom hems. Every since I learned about print mixing, I have become obsessed and nothing pairs better than stripes and flowers. The burgundy colored accessories complete the look perfectly.

May

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Sunlight, Flame Scarlet and Ash

Photo credit Amy Christensen

Why I Like It: There is nothing special about this outfit, other than it is something I would actually wear. Though all of the outfits I post are things I actually own, I don’t necessarily wear everything that you see, exactly as you see it. The reason for this is, I am trying to show a varied audience outfits that could be used for every day, work, going out or traveling. Right now I am not working outside the home and we really aren’t going anywhere, yet this outfit is something I would still wear.

June

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Tanager Turquoise, Heritage Blue and Blanc de Blanc

Why I Like It: This look is classic. It could be worn by any woman, anywhere. It is a great outfit for work, but could also be worn for a date night, or lunch with the girls. It also exudes spring and summer with the bright floral top, crisp white ankle pants and silver ballerina flats. The blue bag, beaded necklace and bracelets add fun matching elements to the ensemble.

July

Summer Outfit - Geometric Maxi Dress - Casual

Why I Like It: Honestly, I like this outfit, because I think it is fun! I love the hat, the tee and the geometric print on the maxi dress. The top is a light weight sleeveless tee material, so adding the other tee did not add bulk, weight or make it hotter. This would be a great look for traveling, going to the beach or on a picnic.

August

Outfit Inspiration - Dressed Up Casual Style

Why I Like It: What is not to love about this dressy casual look. The star piece is the thrifted kimono. It took a simple white tee and boyfriend jeans up to a new level of style. The fringe necklace compliments the purples in the kimono and the rusty orange bag the oranges. This was a nice transitional outfit for the waning days of summer.

September

Pantone Fall/Winter 2020 - Samba, Fired Brick and Sleet

Why I Like It: September was another month where I had several favorite outfits, but this one still stands out as a winner. Once again, the combination of colors, as well as the print mixing, really goes a long way to making this dressier outfit perfect for the office. I also like how my last minute addition of blush accessories pulled everything together. Two of my other faves were, Pantone Fall Winter 2020 - Peach Nougat, Sandstone and Military Olive, and Color Play - Fall Mix.

October

Pantone - Autumn/Winter 2020 - London Palette - Samba, Tawny Birch and Sheepskin

Why I Like It: I don’t wear neutrals all that often, but a combination like this really pops. The neutral palette colors of Tawny Birch and Sheepskin, combined with the bright Samba red makes an exceptional outfit. The added joy is that everything in this outfit is thrifted, except the pearls. When I can put a whole outfit together with thrifted pieces and it ends up looking like this, I am all for it.

November

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

Why I Like It: This outfit is just very me. I love wearing tees, and jeans and throwing a nice blazer and a pair of boots on really levels up a very casual outfit. The addition of a fun statement necklace and a cute bag also provide a dressier look, even with the distressed jeans.

December

A Dickens’ Christmas - The Ghost of Christmas Past

Why I Like It: Out of my whole Christmas series, I think this outfit and these photos were my faves. Winter white is really trending right now and when I put these pieces together for my Ghost of Christmas Past persona, I didn’t realize how popular these creamy whites were. The outfit itself was cozy and in keeping with my love for pants and flats. Ha, ha.

There you have it, my favorite picks from 2020. What were your faves? I would love to hear back from you. Also, if there is anything you would like to see more of on the blog, or a different topic you would like me to talk about, please let me know.

I hope your New Year is off to a great start. Check back on Thursday for a look at some of the current winter trends.

Photo credit unless otherwise stated, Rebecca Trumbull Photography.