Outfit Inspiration: Chambray for Summer

I looked around on Pinterest trying to get my creative vibes moving and saw a few outfits with chambray shirts that reminded me what great pieces these are to have in our closets. Whether you have one chambray shirt, a dress, a skirt or a simple accessory, chambray next to linen is a great fabric for summer. Of course, chambray can be worn all year round, but due to its lighter weave and weight it is ideal for these warmer days.

Girlfriends, summer is still here for a while, and while our feeds, and the retailers are doing their best to move us forward into fall, Halloween and yes even Christmas, I am choosing to embrace these dog days of summer and live them to the fullest.

To me there is nothing more crisp and summery than chambray with white, and a little bit of tan. Thus, though Pinterest was the initial inspiration for this outfit, it is completely my own idea pulled together with pieces from my closet.

While, I have numerous chambray pieces, I went with this thrifted Cremieux, rolled sleeve button down with raw hemline. It needed its time in front of the spotlight. It can be worn on its own as a top, or as I did today used as a topper to add interest to the outfit. It also would provide a bit of warmth in the air conditioning, which in some places can be quite fierce. I’ll include a few options in the shopping links at the end of the article.

My under layer is a simple striped Croft & Barrow tank top, clearance at Kohl’s a few seasons ago. I chose blue and white, but any striped color combination would work for this look. You could also change the look by using a floral print or a graphic tee. Do what you love.

You also know, I have to add a little jewelry, so my necklace, a gift from my spouse, and the bracelets, seen in the previous picture were my add ons. I chose not to bother with a belt. I typically wear them all the time, but it is starting to seem silly when there is no chance of my pants falling down. Ha, ha.

My distressed, white, Stylus jeans are thrifted. I still have to laugh at how I was so against distressing for years, and now I actually look for it. I know not everyone is on the distressed bandwagon, but to each her own. Wear the things that make you feel comfortable and confident. The pieces I don’t feel good in are shorts and short skirts, due to my bad varicose veins. Rather than bemoaning that I don’t feel comfortable in those pieces, I just reach for the things I enjoy and live life.

My bag is a recently thrifted Fossil piece. I have been on the search for a few neutral colored bags. Shhhh! Don’t tell my hubby. He thinks I have too many bags already. Now, that can’t possibly be true! Ha, ha.

Another option with a chambray button down is to tie the bottom, for a cute cropped look.

It occurred to me I could also pull the tank out so it hangs below the tied up chambray piece for an additional fun look.

I thought about wearing white sneakers, but chose my denim Keds instead.

Here are a few possibilities if you are looking for something similar.

Do you have any chambray in your closet? How do you like to wear it? Do you wear it just in the summer or all year round. I love to hear from you, so please leave a comment or two. What did you think of this outfit?

Check out a few of my past chambray outfits by clicking on the links. Denim Daze 2.0, White with Denim, Denim Daze, Long Sleeve Chambray Shirt, Light Wash Chambray, With a Maxi Dress, Chambray Dress with Denim Vest, and With a Poncho.

I am including a few shopping links for chambray pieces, and neutral colored bags. Use these for inspiration or to buy yourself a little something. If you purchase something through one of my links, I get a few pennies, but every cent counts. These are affiliate links brought to you at no additional cost. All opinions are my own.

I hope you have a great day!

Outfit Inspiration: Floral Sneakers

I find inspiration for outfit building in many interesting places. I was reminded by an Instagram account I follow, Rosemary @lifefashiongo of how inspiring our accessories can be. For today’s look, I decided to revisit the idea, but rather than a scarf, jewelry, or a bag, I looked a bit lower, to the level of my shoes. These thrifted, Vans floral, Off the Wall, skateboard shoes were the inspiration for this transitional spring outfit.

I did a bit of research over the last few days, looking at accounts on Pinterest on transitional winter to spring outfits. I found a few good articles on how to make the transition while it is still quite chilly, and still give a nod to the inevitable onset of spring time. I know many of us are looking forward to the next season, and in fact, are already enjoying longer days, buds on trees, and the early signs of the greening of spring.

How to Wear Your Spring Clothes When It Still Feels Like Winter by My Chic Obsession has six how to’s to take your heavier layers and make them work for spring. From that same account this article suggests things we can pack away and things we can keep out as we make the transition: 6 Item to Pack Away for Spring (And What to Replace them With). I thought about that as I was putting today’s look together.

I knew I wanted to pull in at least two or three of the colors in the shoes. Green is a main focal point, but there is also bits of orange, pink, and a neutral tannish, yellow, that is close to cognac. I ended up using green, and orange as the main colors, and added a touch of pink. I’m going to include a few style tips for transitioning a casual outfit like this from winter to spring.

Style Tip: When transitioning from winter to spring don’t give up the layers, just modify the weight and chunkiness of those layers.

For this look I chose my lighter weight, thrifted, striped pullover. I do have a long sleeve tee on underneath, but the layers are much more streamline, and less bulky that what I might have chosen back in January. On the day I wore this outfit it was quite chilly starting out, and my hubby surprised me with a day date to a little tea shop for lunch about half an hour away. I added the vest as a good layering piece. I was glad I did. With my coat on, in the sunshine in the car, I got too warm, so the vest was perfect for our little trip.

Style Tip: Vests are a great way to add interest and layers when the days just aren’t warm enough to go without a jacket. Vests are good all year round just for fun.

Another way to create seasonal transition in casual outfits is through your jeans (not DNA :)). You can do this either by wash, or by length, or both, as I did in this outfit. Light wash, while wearable all year round, is especially telling in the spring as we reach for lighter fabrics, not just in weight, but in hues. Also, nothing says warmer temperatures and sunshine like raising the hems on our pants, especially when paired with loafers or sneakers. However, until those temperatures rise, pairing shorter pants with ankle boots or high tops sneakers is perfectly acceptable.

Style Tip: If you prefer a dark wash denim for the slimming effect, try lightening them up a notch with a medium wash. Also choose a straight leg like those below, or even a girlfriend silhouette for a more streamlined vibe.

I kept my accessories light to complete the transitional look. I love both the light weight eternity scarf and the floral tote. Remember totes are back in, especially oversized ones. My tote bag was from Kohl’s a few seasons ago, the scarf was thrifted.

My jewelry was a nod to the pinks in the shoes.

Style Tip: Remember you do you. Whatever the trend setters say are merely suggestions. You don’t have to go buy a new tote bag when you already have three perfectly good ones in your closet. You have them, because they are statements of who you are. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

I hope you enjoyed learning how to find outfit inspiration in things you already have in your closet.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links and are brought to you at no cost. All opinions are my own.

Outfit Inspiration: Valentine's Day Inspo from Pinterest

Today I am showing you an outfit that was inspired from a Pinterest pin. I have a number of Pinterest boards and with this being the month of Heart Health Awareness and Valentine’s Day I thought I would create a new board and pin outfits that contain the color red. This is the pin that inspired today’s outfit.

Red on red is definitely a bold choice, but so is any bright color combo. I knew I wanted to do this when I rediscovered this red coat out on our back porch covered with a plastic garbage bag to keep it clean. I hang a few of our winter things out there when we are off season. How could I have forgotten this beauty? Truth be told it is a tad tight around the middle since I have put on a few pounds, but that doesn’t mean I need to get rid of it.

This lighter weight, thrifted jacket works well for those not super cold days. It is Worthington brand. I love the textured fabric and the buttons on the back. My pictures do not do it justice.

Style Tip: If you are a thrift shopper always check out the coats and jackets. You never know what beautiful piece you will find, especially in the off seasons. If you don’t do a lot of thrifting, buy coats at the end of the season. This is when you will find the best sales, and if you shop stores like Kohl’s or JCPenney you might get an additional percent off with coupons.

My bright red mock turtleneck sweater was just thrifted; I didn’t even wash it yet. When I decided to do this outfit, I knew it would be a perfect partner for the coat. This is A New Day brand.

My jeans were also thrifted and are Jennifer Lopez brand. I know Kohl’s used to sell her clothing, but they stopped carrying her line in 2020. These are slightly distressed skinnies and comfortably stretchy, making them perfect for boots.

I found these leather, Clarks boots at the same thrift store as the red sweater. How awesome is that? I have really been trying to find a least a couple of pairs of leather boots at thrift stores. They are so expensive to buy full price, even though they do last almost forever. When I saw these I was so excited they were in my size. They had a little bit of scuffing, but my hubby has a shoe polish kit and was able to shine them up.

Style Tip: Whether you are a pro second hand store shopper or and avid fan of regular retail, it is always helpful to make a list. Keeping a running list of things you are regularly looking for or in need of is good planning and will help you save money in the long run and keep you from overbuying.

My bag was from Amazon and a gift.

Style Tip: I think most of us know we don’t have to match our bag to our shoes anymore, but what about matching our bag to our clothes? Isn’t that too much matching? You tell me. I think anything goes, and I am loving this monochrome look on the top. Plus the little bits of gold on the bag goes perfectly with my gold jewelry.

As is the outfit is great, but what if you want just a little bit of extra color or warmth around you neck by adding a scarf? Why not? I chose my Southwest oblong scarf that I have had for a number of years. It does a great job of pulling it all together with the reds, browns and blues of my outfit.

What do you think of this outfit? Does this look like a good Valentine’s outfit? Would you wear something like this? What would you do differently to make it your own? I love to hear what you think. Those of you who take time to comment always give me things to think about as well.

A few shopping links for you to peruse. We are coming to the end of boot and coat season, at least in the retail world. Ha, ha. Have a great week.

Hello 60! A Woman of Faith

Out of everything in my life that is important, my faith in Jesus Christ is at the top. I was raised in a Christian home, attending a small Bible church from the time I was small. My mother still has pictures of her and I going to church in matching dresses that she made for us. It wasn’t until I was twelve that I truly committed my life to Jesus. I always felt a pull toward Him, from the time I was very small, but at twelve, the same age I began to write, I finally understood He wanted my whole heart, and He wanted me to commit to believing in Him.

I honestly believe God’s hand was on me, and it was Him who kept me from going down a much different path. Just as with most junior and senior high schools there were plenty of opportunities to get involved in activities that weren’t glorifying to Him, but for some reason, I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to party. I didn’t want to drink, smoke, or do drugs. I was boy crazy, but most of it was worship from afar. It wasn’t until I had graduated from high school and was looking to go to Bible college that I got involved with a guy who didn’t know Jesus. I met him at the grocery store I was working at in my home town. If it was a test, I was going to fail, but God. He protected me from going too far physically, and helped me to break up with him. I was going to Bible college. I was going to be a missionary, because I couldn’t outrun the burning flame of His love.

I would not trade my three years at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL for anything. All of the learning, and experiences are part of who I am today. I grew in my knowledge and understanding of His word and of Biblical history. I participated in ministries, and mission trips that stretched my ability to get along with others, and die to my own selfish desires. It was during my time there on one of those trips that I met my husband Mark. I never did end up on the mission field, other than a summer trip to Africa where I almost died from Malaria. Mark and I married after I graduated in 1987.

Becoming a wife, and eventually a mom, and now a grandmother has brought about growth in my Christian life that I may never have experienced on the mission field. There are certainly other struggles and challenges for missionaries in addition to marriage and family. Perhaps God saw that I would not have been able to handle it. Perhaps, I would not have been a good fit in an intense ministry situation. The only thing that matters is trusting that He has it all figured out, and that He knows what is best.

I continue to grow in my faith, and God is amazing. He daily meets me right where I am and I try to remember to invite Him in to whatever I am doing, and feeling. He is certainly capable of handling my “issues”, and He gives me the strength and help to handle them as well.

Today’s outfit is truly a tribute to what I deem important in my day to day outfits: comfort, warmth (in the winter), texture, and modesty.

My pullover, Fair Isle type sweater was a Maurice’s piece from a few years ago. I love the colors. I found the Chevron print scarf at a thrift store this past year. I thought the colors very similar to those in the sweater, so I thought a bit of print mixing might be fun. I also added the flower medallion pendant necklace as another nod to the 70’s decade.

Style Tip: Choose similar colors in prints for print mixing ease.

This lovely thrifted denim midi skirt is so roomy and versatile. I used it for my Murder Mystery birthday party when I dressed up as Jessica Fletcher. This is a piece I will be able to use all year round. Right now it is perfect to pair with tall boots, for a fun dressy casual vibe.

Style Tip: Basics always stay in style. A denim skirt is essential for any wardrobe, but you don’t have to have a voluminous circle skirt. Go for a simple a-line or even a pencil shape for a more narrow silhouette.

This Liz Claiborne bag was another thrift treasure. I love the rich green color and the brown trim. I may just fill this up in the next few days and use it for a while. It isn’t there just to look at. Although with all the bags I have you would think that is the case. Ha, ha.

Style Tip: Purses are expensive, even the ones that aren’t leather. Try shopping second hand, or wait for end of season sales to help take the hit out of your pocket book.

These brown faux suede Sonoma boots were on clearance at Kohl’s, again from a few years ago. These are one of my favorite pairs of boots. I like the color, the strap and buckle and the slouch. I think this skirt would also look cute with ankle boots and cute tights or knee highs.

What do you think of this outfit? Would you wear something like this? What is your go to style? I’d love to hear your thoughts so leave me a comment or two.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. I hope you enjoyed this post.

Hello "60"! Growing up in the 70's.

To spend time celebrating me is outside of my comfort zone, but one thing I am learning from the Lord, and from really listening to other people is that I am valuable and I have something to give back to the world. Many of you have reached out to me over the years and some of you are regular supporters of this blog and I appreciate all of you. When you have felt invisible most of your life it is hard to get outside of that box and start thinking differently, but I want to think in a way that is accurate to who I am in God’s eyes, and He has called me, Beloved, so it’s time I start acting like it.

My birthday is January 7th, and this year I turned 60. Wow! For six decades God has given me the grace and strength to walk this planet and He has also drawn me closer and closer to Him, showing me more than ever how important it is to be in His word and in fellowship with others who walk in His ways.

My faith is the spring board to everything I do, but the last few years as I have been dealing with illness and the stress and fatigue that comes with it, I have really not been walking and doing with excellence, and I truly believe that is what God wants from us. That doesn’t mean we don’t screw up, get tired or fall of the wagon once in a while, but when we start to use difficulty as a crutch to not show up or to let things slide, then we need to do some self examination.

Once again, I am evaluating where I want this little blog to go and you know what? I am happy to let it keep going the direction its going, but with just a little more effort and planning. This month I just want to celebrate me and the person God has formed me into, so my outfits are going to revolve around that theme.

Today’s look is celebratory. My spouse got us tickets to go to an Abba cover band on Sunday evening. This is not the outfit I wore, but since Abba was big in the 70’s, I thought it would be fun to build an outfit from my memories of that decade. While I was born in the 60’s, it is the 70’s that had the most influence on my clothing, my music and my memories.

The decade of the 70’s saw great changes in the world of music, fashion, and government. With the death of Elvis Presley in 1977, and the official split up of the Beatles in 1974, the music industry continued to look for bands and beats that appealed to people buying albums and listening to the radio. Along with hard rockers like Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, the Rolling Stones carried over from the 60’s and soft rock like the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac appealed to a maturing generation. In addition, disco splashed onto the scene in the form of Abba, the Bee Gees, KC and the Sunshine Band, and others. Rock also took an angry turn in the form of punk with names like the Sex Pistols, the Ramones and the Runaways.

While the United States, much to its’ citizen’s dismay, had troupes fighting in Vietnam, our country pulled out in 1973, leaving South Vietnam to be assimilated into the Communist control of North Vietnam. War found a new front in the form of nuclear threats and posturing between capitalist West and communist East. Did you have to do “bomb” drills in school? I remember doing them when I was in early elementary school, where the alarm would go off and we would have to get under our desks. Things have changed. Now our kids and grandkids just have to worry about school shooters! Ugh!

Fashion continued to influence the world and everyone was looking to music and Hollywood to determine what we would be wearing. Pant legs got wide with wide leg flares and bell bottoms. Clothes were bright, colorful and printed with flowers, animals and our favorite brands and bands. Clothes were made to show movement, and sass. Vests and jackets were often trimed with fringe, and dresses and tops donned crocheted embellishments. Turtleneck sweaters replaced button down shirts under sports jackets, and monochrome sweater outfits with slouchy boots were seen regularly in the work place. Jewelry was bold, and layered.

It has been fun to look back at this decade I grew up in. Of course my outfit might not be exact to some of the trends and styles of the time but I thought each piece gave a shout out to some of the fashion vibes of those years. My kimono was a gift from my younger daughter for my birthday a couple of years ago when she and her sister did a spa day for me at her apartment. That was fun. I think the kimono has that 70’s feel with its bright colors and the peacocks going up the one side in the back.

My wide leg flares, the turtleneck, and the boots were all similar to things I remember people wearing. The pants would have been more likely worn with platform shoes, but I don’t have any of those anymore.

What do you think of this outfit? Does it remind you of the 70’s? What fashion trends do you remember from the 70’s? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I hope you enjoyed this post.

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2023 - New York Palette: Rose Violet, High Visibility, and Doe

Today I am bringing you another outfit in my Pantone Autumn/Winter color series. I find these colors on the Pantone website. My renditions of their color palette may not always be an exact match, but I shop my closet and try to find the pieces that come as close as possible to their color choices. I want you to be able to shop your wardrobe as well. You may not have all of these colors in your closet like I do, but you will certainly have two or three. The idea is to take those colors and use them in new ways to make outfits you never thought of before.

I love the boho vibe of this outfit. The bright colors, tiered skirt and fringe bag are all indicative of many Bohemian outfits.

I was having a hard time decided which piece to use for the Rose Violet color. It is a bright, fuchsia pink and though I had my Button Front Maxi Dress from Closet52 (no longer in business), it was too overwhelming. I felt the bright pink and the bright yellow were needed in small doses, thus this fun, thrifted, tiered maxi skirt.

I added the old Christopher and Banks cat eye necklace to pull the Rose Violet color upwards, and I also wore make up allowing for a softer version of the bright pink on my face.

My Doe colored sweater was a fabulous thrift find. I thought the neutral color with the glistening, metallic dots would be great for the up coming holidays with a versatility that allows for dressing up or down.

High Visibility is certainly so. This bright yellow is so cheerful and definitely a pick-me-up on a cloudy, rainy day. Again, the skirt uses a paler version of the yellow to keep the outfit completely compatible through out.

Here is another way to wear the pashmina.

My accessories remained in the neutral shade to allow the bright pink and yellow to be the focal points for the outfit. The sweater is quite long, hanging below my bottom so I tucked it in and added the belt. It brings additional interest, texture and gives me a more refined hour glass silhouette.

I added the thrifted fringe bag, and my older suede ankle boots which have a low heel helping to keep the skirt off the floor.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like the combination of bright colors with more neutral colors? What would you do differently? I love to hear your ideas and thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

I hope you enjoyed this outfit featuring the Pantone New York Palette colors: Rose Violet, High Visibility, and Doe.

No shopping links this week, but I hope you are having a great day and a good week. Check back next Tuesday for another outfit post.

My Style: Collection of My Favorite Fall Looks

It was an extremely busy weekend with two birthday parties, housecleaning, set up and take down, and so on. I am starting the week exhausted so I thought I would put together a collection of my favorite fall outfits from past falls. These are outfits that exhibit my style best. I will include a little synopsis on what I like about it. I hope you enjoy these pics and outfits.

2016

September

I love this all brown look. It really says fall with the medallion print on the dress and the long fringe vest. I am sad that I got rid of all of these pieces, but the reality is the vest was a little bit small and I have put on weight since then, and I don’t wear dresses much at all any more.

October

This is a look I would wear again. I still have all of these pieces including the large tote bag. It is relaxed and casual, but perfectly stylish for a day of shopping or hanging out with the grandkids. Although, these days I would swap out the flats for more supportive sneakers or shoes.

November

I think the contrast of prints and textures is part of the allure of this outfit. Another fun look for a date night. Unfortunately, I washed the skirt and it was never the same. I got rid of it. I still have the top, belt, necklace and bag.

2017

September

I love this purple and mustard yellow combination. It has a bit of a boho Halloween vibe, but it is right up my alley as far as comfort and color.

October

I had to pick two for this month.

I absolutely love this skirt and still have it. I really need to pull it out and try some other combinations with it. This look is so full of texture, rich color and detail making it one of my faves.

This fall look is all about the contrast between the deep rich berry color of the sweater, and the lighter green of the top and skirt. I still have the skirt, boots, sweater and bag, but got rid of the top.

November

I wore this for Thanksgiving that year, and I absolutely loved it. I’m a fan of tiered skirts, sweatshirts, flannel, boots and scarves so this whole look was fun and definitely outside my normal wheel house, but I think it worked and was fun. Unfortunately, the skirt is gone, the boots are worn out, and the bag started showing signs of wear.

2018

September

This cute cropped moto jacket was a find at Nordstrom Rack. With the camo shirt pecking out and the Rock & Republic jeans I thought it was a fun look, and very much my style.

October

I loved this look. The velvet top with the velvety leopard print jacket complimented each other. Adding the jeans made it one of those dressy casual looks that I love to wear.

November

This is actually a summer maxi dress that I wanted to make work for fall. Adding the yellow sweater, boots and a brown moto jacket did just that.

2019

September

Once again, just like me, a study in contrasts. Print mixing, different blues, different textures along with a lovely pop of red. And yes, I am carrying an Aerosmith tote bag. Ha, ha.

October

I just love the colors and the flowing, fun lines of this look. A fun work outfit, or lunch out with friends.

November

Plaid with plaid? Why not? Especially when the one plaid is flannel! A great office look with superb print mixing. (Yes, I can say that about my print mixing ability. Ha, ha.)

2020

September

Who can resist a color mix like this for fall? Doesn’t it remind you of the many colors as the leaves change?

October

Fashion reasons I love fall: print mixing, layers, scarves, boots, dark hues, and jeans, always jeans!

November

This is my go to casual outfit: jeans, fun sneakers, graphic tee, sweater and bag. I love incorporating similar colors into my outfits and accessories like the dark maroon in the bag, sneakers and tee in this outfit.

2021 (This was the fall I was sick, so I wasn’t doing a lot of regular posting, but I found a few things.)

September

Vests are always popular in the fall as a layering piece and for me I love them all, from puffers, to waist coats, to pieces like these with fringe, they provide warmth, texture and interest.

October

I think we all have pieces we look forward to pulling out every fall. This jacket is definitely one of those! As you can see, it is on repeat in my wardrobe.

November

Many of these outfits are from Pantone color palettes, which I usually try to do in the fall and spring. I am still debating about this year. But this outfit proves we can wear pastels in the fall.

2022

September

Why not wear red and green in the fall? It is all about shades and textures. Plus the American flag gives the outfit an end of summer feel.

October

Though these may not be the “typical” fall colors, I really like the romantic, fall vibe this outfit is giving off.

November

This was actually an Instagram post, but the inspiration for it was a fashion trend called Dark Academia, which I really have gotten into. I don’t wear it as much as I would like, but perhaps I will do a blog post about it soon.

I hope you have enjoyed this look back at my favorite fall outfits since I started the blog. It was fun for me to look back and see what I have done in the past. It is challenging me to re-up my game plan to bring ideas and outfits to you that will continue to inspire and help you grow in your fashion knowledge and abilities.

Have a great evening!

Shopping Our Closets: Monochrome Madness

I know I typically talk about color in my Color Play column at the end of the month, but this week I decided we should shop our closets for similar colored pieces to create a little monochrome magic. After all, I wouldn't go out shopping for same or like colored pieces to create a monochrome look, because generally we have pieces already in our closets that match.

The creation of a monochrome outfit in the fashion realm occurs when clothing pieces of similar or same color are combined to make an outfit that appears to be a column of a single color. Once you get started this is as easy as matching pants or skirts with tops or sweaters. An easy way to create a monochrome look is to use a dress, either short, midi or maxi with matching shoes and even, if you dare, matching hose.

Today I will show you step by step how I came up with this perfectly fall outfit.

I guess I should have taken these pictures outside because I am blending in with the cedar planking in our house. Ha, ha. I decided to use this cognac color to create my monochrome look. Here are the steps I took to put this look together.

Step 1 - Choose your color.

This might seem rather obvious, and for some this will be easier than it was for me, because I have so many darn clothes in just about every color. I thought this cognac brown a good color for fall, but I also thought about rust, burgundy and green. You can also use prints in a monochrome outfit as long as it stays mainly within the color scheme.

I started with my StitchStar jeans as I knew I had a pair of ankle boots that matched perfectly. My top is older and is Mudd brand. The idea that your shoes, pants, or skirt and top should all be pretty close to a match makes sense for a monochrome look.

Step 2 - Decide on a topper.

For my topper I chose an open front Tahari cardigan that I had found on clearance at TJMaxx a number of years ago. You could pick anything that matches your monochrome color from a pullover to a blazer.

Step 3 - Choose your jewelry.

I chose a piece that was in the same color scheme as the rest of my outfit, but you certainly don’t have to do that. Your jewelry can be whatever your choose and the outfit will still exude a monochrome vibe. My goal was to stay as close as possible to the cognac colors.

At this point you could be done with your monochrome outfit, but you know me! Why stop there? Ha, ha. While I love monochrome looks, I am too much a fan of color, texture and interest, so I had to add a few colored accessories.

Step 4 - Add a little interest.

I chose a scarf and a thrifted Liz Claiborne bag that matched the green in the scarf.

Step 5 - Finish it off.

Since fall is truly just around the corner layers are going to be essential, so I decided to finish this look with a recently thrifted Merona utility jacket. When I saw this cognac colored jacket I knew I had to have it. While it is a little snug for me, it works great as an open front piece and still allows the under layers to be visible.

Style Tip: When thrifting make sure to look at all different size racks. You never know what you will find if you think outside the box in how you wear various pieces.

I hope you enjoyed this post and that it gave you quick and easy tips on building your own monochrome look. Shop your closets with new eyes. You will find new outfits you never knew existed. No shopping links today, because I know you are all running to your closets right now to see what you can create!

Until next time, think creative and be creative. Your wardrobe is yours to explore and have fun with.

Outfit Inspiration - Knit Vest

The outfit I am showing you today was styled around a knit vest. I didn’t post anything last week as life was extra busy and we had company for the Labor Day weekend. Today, Monday, I was feeling tired and unmotivated, so I decided to just you give a post on what I had on. It’s certainly nothing fancy, but it incorporates some last minute print mixing and fun textures.

This longer knit vest is a Christopher & Banks piece. I like the colors, and thought they were perfectly suited for a summer day in the air conditioning. We are having a little heat wave right now, which puts off wearing layers, but this worked for being at home all day. This vest is great for spring, summer, and fall. My biggest trouble is remembering I have it. Ha, ha.

I chose my cute a.n.a. pineapple print tee which went well with the coral/orange in the vest. My girlfriend visiting this weekend has several pineapple tees and tanks, so she inspired me to wear mine. I love the gold pineapples and they make it easy to accessorize with gold jewelry.

Style Tip: Remember when picking pieces for a print mix try to coordinate at least one color. This is part of what makes print mixing fun and easy to do.

My jeans are a thrifted pair of Merona’s. I finished out the look with my olive Sperry suede sneakers, and my thrifted American Eagle hobo bag. I also added a green with gold wrap bracelet.

This outfit is casual but cute. I still look like I made an effort, even though the pieces are comfortable and easy to wear. Do you like to wear long vests? What is your every day, go to outfit? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of my links I might get a little kick back. All opinions are my own.

Have a wonderful evening.

Outfit Inspiration - Pinterest Summer Look

When looking for outfit inspiration I used to look at catalogues and adds that I would get from various retailers like Christopher and Banks, Kohl’s, JC Penney, and others that would send flyers with outfit possibilities to get you to go purchase various pieces from their stores. It seems these days there are fewer and fewer who do the paper adds, choosing to stick to online marketing with only occasional pushes via snail mail.

I have also used fashion magazines like In Style, Vogue, Elle and others to get inspiration, but lately I can’t even bring myself to look at those magazines due to the political and social agendas so many of them have. I’m all for human rights and treating one another fairly and with kindness, but I get frustrated when various entities try to shove it down my throat, when all I want to do is put an outfit together. The same is true of retail stores, but my purpose in this blog is not to create hate and controversy. My desire is to encourage and inspire.

That being said, I now frequently turn to art, as you saw at the end of June when I styled an outfit around the colors in two paintings. I am also trying to remember to look at my Pinterest Boards, after all, I pin those outfits, recipes, home decor and so on for a purpose. They are suppose to inspire me to try new things and give you styles that are fun and easily duplicated.

Today’s outfit is an easy style that can be replicated with any a-line skirt, tank top or tee, and accessories. You can make it completely your own, by using a different print and color skirt, adding black or other colored accessories instead of brown, and by switching in a graphic tee for the solid colored tank top. This outfit was inspired by this pin.

This thrifted skirt has been in my closet for a number of years and it is starting to show some wear. I don’t wear skirts that often, but this one is a piece I often reach for in the warmer weather. It is a brand called Outback Red. So, I did a little poking around on the internet and discovered that this brand used to be sold by The Limited. Do you remember that store? I do. It was very popular in the 80’s, thus the style of this skirt. Since the 80’s were over forty years ago, can we now say that item made in that decade are vintage? Ha, ha.

My white tank top is also a thrift find, along with the layered bead necklace, and belt. The skirt has no belt loops, but I think the belt adds a touch of polish to the outfit. What do you think?

Style Tip - Adding a belt to skirt or dress can add interest to your outfit and give the appearance of a narrower waistline.

I found two of these tank tops at different times thrifting. This one is a creamy white, while the other has a taupe vibe to it. They both have a banded bottom, which is nice if you wear it out with jeans in that it doesn’t show off the love handles like some ribbed tank tops do. For this outfit I tucked it in. In fact the necklace would go well with either of the tank tops I am talking about.

You have seen my bag on the blog before. This one I got a Walmart a few years ago when patchwork was the rage. I think it is a very classy looking, structured piece, and the low key tans and browns go with many outfits.

Style Tip - While bright colored handbags are fun to use (I have a number), bags in classic colors like neutrals, black or navy add a touch of class to any look.

I wanted a similar look to the pinned outfit, so I knew I wanted to wear sandals. I got these gladiator sandals last year, and when I want something different from my usual sneakers these fit the bill. They are easy to get on and off, with a zipper on the back of the heel. They are airy, comfortable and you don’t have to worry about them falling off. They also cover most of the varicose veins on my feet.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you use Pinterest for outfit inspiration? Where do you get your outfit inspiration from? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, or you can also leave me a comment on Facebook.

(Pardon my arm flab! Ha, ha.)

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Color Play - Peach and Sea Foam Green

My grandson was here for the weekend, so I asked him to give me an unusual color combination. First he came up with orange and purple, which is definitely on my list of colors to pair in the future. He also mentioned red and green, but when I said Christmas, he decided not that. Finally, he said, “Peach and Sea Foam Green.”

We proceeded to have a mini discussion about what peach and sea foam green or blue actually look like. I finally had to Google both colors to see what the internet said. Sea Foam green is pretty straight forward. It is akin to minty green, but with a touch more blue in it. Peach, however, is another story. There are so many versions of peach: yellow-pink, pink-orange, yellow-orange…the list goes on. When you open up the peach fruit, the center is a yellowy orange, but the skin can have shades of pink in it.

When I started looking for these colors in my closet I was leaning towards the pinky orange, but everything I have leans more towards coral than peach. I finally settled on this floral tee blouse. I call it a tee blouse because it looks and feels like a tee, but the sleeves and front have a sheer material, giving it a lovely dressy vibe. The sea foam green jeans were just right for this post.

Style Tip: Think outside the box when it comes to color. You don’t have to wear the same colors all the time, because that’s what the color gurus say you look best in. Try adding color in small amounts with a bag or shoes, or other accessories. I know I have said this before, but color is just too fun to not wear it.

This pretty floral piece is Alfred Dunner brand and was either a thrift find or a clearance find at Kohl’s. It has been a few years, so I can’t remember. Ha, ha. I like the water color feel of the flowers. Since peach is yellow, but also pink, I thought this blend of colors a good compromise. You might not think it looks very peachy, but the point is not about perfect matches, but color inspiration.

Style Tip: Let color be a guide rather than a prison. Maybe you don’t have anything peach, or orange or yellow. Maybe your clothes revolve around neutrals. Why not use beige or tan with your sea foam green instead?

These bright green jeans are a brand called NYJD. I found these thrifting, but they do have a website and it looks like a decent brand. I love the fit and feel of these jeans. They are a bit stretchy, but not so much so they get slouchy. Check out their website, NYJD. I am not receiving anything in exchange for telling you about this retailer, it just looks like a decent place to get jeans that fit well.

I decided to add a pinky-peach cross body bag to tie in the pink colors in the top. I also added my pale yellow Universal Thread sneakers, clearance from Target. Isn’t the embellishment on this bag so much fun? It looks like embroidery.

When you really pay attention you can see that this top isn’t really peach. You can also see that the green in the top, which is almost a citron green is nothing like the sea foam green of my pants, but I think the outfit works. Again, think in terms of inspiration rather than firm rules.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you think these colors work together? What is the brightest pair of pants you have in your closet? Do you have anything in the sea foam color? I love hearing your thoughts so leave a comment or two.

Don’t forget you can buy me a coffee by clicking on the link below. It is a great way to support people like me who bring you inspiration and ideas without receiving compensation for it.

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I’m including some shopping links for you to peruse. These are affiliate links. I do not receive any compensation unless you buy a product through the links below. All opinions are my own.

Color Play - Finding Inspiration in Wall Art

We don’t just have to go to Pinterest to find inspiration for our outfits, although that is a great source for all sorts of color combinations. All you need to do is type in your color combo and outfits of all sorts will pop up. For example if I type in, “Neon green with brown outfit,” or “Outfits with neon green and brown,” you’ll get a variety. If you want to only search casual outfits, add the word casual to your search.

I am one who likes variety when it comes to where I am getting my color inspiration, so it is a good thing the sources are unlimited. Besides nature, one of my favorite places for inspiration is wall art. From water colors to oils, to photographs to tiles in kitchen back splashes or bathroom trim, I love to create outfits using those colors.

Today’s outfit revolves around two pieces of wall art that were hanging at the house we staying at on our trip to Kentucky. I loved the colors in each. (I had to take the pictures at an angle to cut the glare on the glass that was over the prints.)

As I started looking through my closet I was struck by how many different outfits could be derived from these prints. I may have to revisit these at a future date. Today’s casual outfit pulled out the bold red, dark and medium blue, and the creamy light brown.

Everything in this outfit is second hand, except for the tee shirt. My white v-neck tee is Time and Tru brand from Walmart from a year or two ago. These make great basic tees and are totally affordable. If you click on the Walmart link you’ll see they have two packs of these types of tees in various colors.

I pulled out a pair of straight leg jeans as it was going to be a little cool and rainy on the day I took these pictures. These are Old Navy brand and are called The Sweetheart. As I usually do, I rolled these. Having my ankles showing makes me stay cooler and it just seems more appropriate for the summer weather.

My print jacket is a Christopher and Banks piece. It seems to be a blend of leopard, and floral. I thought the lighter colors would be good for the warmer weather. It is also lighter weight than a denim or utility jacket. Once again, the beauty of thrift shopping is that you can find all your favorite brands at reduced prices and keep them out of the landfill.

Since the jeans incorporated the darker blue of the picture, I added the brighter blue crossbody bag to pull in the pretty blue of the vase in the second print. This is Tignanello brand.

Now let’s talk about the color red. Red provides such a wonderful pop of color in any outfit that is somewhat understated. I think the red flower necklace and the red shoes make this outfit more fun and interesting. I just found these awesome red shoes at my favorite dollar thrift store. They are like brand new and are a brand called Comfortiva.

If you want shoes that are super comfortable, and affordable, check out their website. They have some cute sandals like the Erena, the Parrea, and the Ganata. I’m not getting any compensation to recommend this retailer, I just know my dollar thrifted shoes are super comfy and cute.

So what do you think? Did my outfit look a little like the prints I took inspiration from?

As I said before, I might have to revisit these color inspiring prints for another outfit. Do you ever get your outfit inspiration from paintings, wall tiles or nature? I would love to hear your sources for outfit inspiration, so leave me a comment or two below.

I hope you are having a great week.

Color Play - Brown and Pale Green

Brown is a color that not everyone likes to wear, but you know me and my motto which is all colors for all women. Color and how we wear it and look good in it has to do with shades of color, and placement of the color on our bodies.

Today I am showing you an outfit that uses different browns, as well as different pale greens. The thought that brown and green go well together is not new, just think about trees and their branches. Many of the color combinations we see in nature work in the fashion world too.

It is hard to tell that these pants are actually green, but they are. They almost look gray, but when you set them next to a gray pair of pants, they definitely have a green tint. I found these recently on a thrift run and they are Chico’s Girlfriend style.

My plaid brown top was also a thrift find and is Lauren Conrad brand. I love the poofy sleeves and the smocking around the neckline. The fact that it is brown and plaid are what ultimately made me buy it. I have a hard time finding the color brown, especially for summer weight clothing. This one is perfect for the season. Of course, it also helps hide one thousand sins, you know the ones, the extra ice cream sin, the extra serving of potato chips sin, the double serving of just about any kind of chocolate sin…Ha, ha. Ugh! I can’t even really taste things right now, but I just keep on eating.

I added this other second hand treasure, the Apt. 9 vest, for interest and to tone down the volume of the top. The vest adds its own volume, but I think together it looks cute .

For accessories I added my Keds sneakers, a minty green necklace and some beaded bracelets with mint and silver like the necklace. I am also showing off this Rosetti bag that I recently found at a thrift store.

The only things in this outfit that aren’t second hand are the necklace, bracelets and sneakers. It is a satisfying feeling to be wearing an entire outfit that didn’t end up in a land fill.

What do you think of this outfit? I would like to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments below, or leave a comment on my Facebook page.

I hope you are having a marvelous week.

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Outfit Inspiration - Cottage Core with an Edge

This week’s source of inspiration started with an Instagram challenge that I am trying to participate in for the month of May. The challenge, #mismatchmay revolves around outfit combinations that might seem unusual or outside the norm. It isn’t just a matter of putting different prints together, although that does have something to do with it. Every week has a different focus. For the first week we are to build outfits with the ideas in mind of character play, pose play and mix of hard and soft.

I thought I would focus, at least for one of the days on the mix of hard and soft. This would be combinations of fabrics like soft silks, tiered tulle, lace, and other feminine fabrics with moto jackets, structured vests or blazers, or leather and vinyl. As I began shopping my closet, I wanted to get a little more knowledge, which led me to Pinterest. There I discovered something I had heard of but didn’t know a lot about, Cottage Core.

Cottage Core delves into fashion that examplifies a romanticized version of pastoral life. You will find floral prints, feminine tiered skirts and maxi dresses, and oversized cozy cardigan sweaters. There is a focus on natural fibers, vintage inspiration and a closeness to nature. There is a Cottage Core aesthetic in the architectural realm as well with home decor turning towards English gardens, and rustic baskets and floral arrangements.

This outfit is my attempt to do Cottage Core (for the soft) with an edge (for the hard). There are two things in this outfit that fall into the Cottage Core aesthetic: the white tiered, lacy skirt, and the floral print on the sweater.

My floral pullover was a clearance find a few years ago from Maurice’s. It is a good piece for spring, as it is not the heavy weight of many of my pullover sweaters. Unfortunately, the weather has been cold and rainy, so my warm weather clothes are on hold.

I have had this skirt for a while. It is St. John’s Bay from JCPenney. I have styled it on the blog before. You can see it styled with a green blouse and jacket, with a pink striped pullover, and with a striped tee and navy eyelet jacket.

My brown moto jacket has been around for a while too. A thrifted piece it is Celebrity Pink brand and you can see how I styled it with an orange medallion skirt, a Grinch sweater, olive utility pants, a printed maxi dress, and a peachy monochrome look.

I added a bit of gold bling in the form of my layered necklaces and multiple bracelets. I addition I thought it would be fun to add another print, so I reached for my thrifted leopard print bag.

I chose a pair of hand-me-over ankle boots from my daughter to finish the outfit.

What do you think of this outfit? Are you familiar with Cottage Core fashion? Do you have tiered skirts, and florals in your closet? What about this style do you like or dislike?

I hope you enjoyed this post. I am including a few shopping links for Cottage Core types of pieces. These are affiliate links which means if you purchase something through the link, I get a little bit of a commission. These are brought to you at no additional cost. All opinions are my own.

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Outfit from Clara Sunwoo

This outfit was gifted to me and I was not paid to do this review. All opinions are my own.

Recently I was contacted by retailer Clara Sunwoo to do a collaboration. Clara Sunwoo started sewing clothing in 1968. In 1975 she moved from Seoul, Korea to New York City. Twenty years later Clara and her daughter Roseann, saw a need for women’s clothing that fit better and in 1997 started their own clothing line in Manhattan’s fashion district. In 2004 they designed their own soft, stretchable knit fabric, a fabric that is breathable and wrinkle free. Their clothing has reached all across the United States and is loved by women including Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Kathie Lee Gifford.

This outfit features the side tie watercolor top paired with the brown signature straight leg pant. (Please note, the links only take you to their main website, but you can look each item up by it’s name, or click on the link for tops, or the link for pants, etc. and scroll to find the item.) Each item is made from a soft, breathable knit created by the mother/daughter team.

Their website states that this knit is breathable and perfect for traveling. On the day I took these pictures, it was only in the forties, so I will have to let you know how this light weight fabric does in the heat of summer at a later date. The fabric is pleasing to touch and feels great on. It stretches as you move, making it perfect for our busy lives.

I love the elbow length dolman style sleeves, and the cute detail of the front tie. The muted neutral tones will be fun to style with other items in my closet.

I was concerned when I took these straight leg pants out of the bag, that they were going to be too small. I chose a size Large (14). I would say these are just about spot on. I am between a 12 and a 14. I was actually surprised that they looked as nice as they did with my wider hips. I would like to try a pair of their wider leg, or split leg pants to see how they compare.

I decided to use silvery gray for my accessories. My shoes and bag were both thrifted.

Clara Sunwoo is a retailer I can get behind. Their story (be sure to watch the piece from the Today show) is a picture of the American dream. Most of their products are designed and manufactured right here in the United States. The clothing is well made with quality fabric that moves with you as you move throughout your day. Their sizing is fairly inclusive running from an extra small (4/6) up to a 1X (18). I think they allow for larger sizing due to the stretch in the fabric, but I don’t know that the pants or certain sleeve types would necessarily fit all body sizes and types. Keep that in mind if you are interested in ordering anything.

I also like that this is a Slow Fashion manufacturer. They only make a limited number of pieces for each season, so there is less waste. The price points are higher than what I would normally pay, but I would consider these investment pieces. These are the perfect pieces for a resort trip or cruise, walking the beach or going out to dinner. They would also translate well into the work place where comfort and classic style is a plus.

I have signed up to be an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo, so if you want to purchase something on their site just use the code, STYLINGRANNY10 and you’ll receive a 10% discount site wide. They always have free shipping in the U.S. Check them out!

Outfit Inspiration: Pantone's Color of the Year - Viva Magenta

I still want to bring you a look at the Pantone Color Institutes color selections for this year, so this month I am going to feature a few of the New York Palette Spring/Summer 2023 colors for each of my monthly columns. The Pantone website has become increasingly user unfriendly for just the average joe. If you want to buy their services and products they are great, but I can no longer get specific color info. If you look at their page for the Palettes, the colors are now featured as these tiny, almost imperceptible to the human eye, swatches. Ha, ha.

Before I start, let me reiterate, these are my interpretations of the Pantone colors. They are not exact matches, but correspond as closely as I am able to make them with my limited information from the website and my limited wardrobe.

Viva Magenta is a bright, rich pinky red that easily catches the eye. It is a pretty color that can be combined with loads of other shades for a spring and summer worthy outfit palette. I don’t have a lot of pieces this color in my closet, so I was glad to see I had this Sonoma 3/4 bell sleeve top and the thrifted Libby Edelman shoulder bag.

I decided to combine the Viva Magenta with two of the other colors from the Spring New York Palette. Summer Song is a soft, light blue that reminds me of a light wash denim, which is why I chose my thrifted J. Jill - Out of the Blue embroidered, jacket as a topper. I love the embroidered details on this piece. I’ve worn this on the blog before. You can see it with a white skirt for summer, and with a pair of wide leg jeans.

Vanilla Cream is one of the classic colors on the palette this year. I would say it is a cross between a pale pink and a pale coral. The Crayola Crayon box might call this one Flesh, ha, ha! These thrifted Refuge jeggings, seemed to come pretty close to the Pantone color. I don't typically wear leggings or jeggings without a longer top, but these have back pockets and do look more like jeans than leggings, even though they are incredibly soft and stretchy. You can see how I styled these with a black floral top, a belted orange tank top, in a pink monochrome look, and in a flat lay.

My SO ankle boots were a clearance find from Kohl’s a number of years ago. You can see how I styled them with my cognac jeans, a yellow knit cape, dark pink cords, and gray plaid cropped pants.

Are you a fan of Pantone’s color of the year, Viva Magenta? Do you like it combined with these other spring Pantone colors? Do you have any of these colors in your wardrobe? Leave me a comment or two. I always love to hear your thoughts. I do try to respond to all of your comments, so be sure to check back after a few days.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. I do apologize that I have not yet gotten linked up with some other affiliate partners. It’s all about the research which takes time. I haven’t given up, but for now I will keep bringing you at least some possible options through my ShopStyle affiliate program. These are brought to you at no additional cost, unless you purchase something of course. Ha, ha.

Fickle Fashion

In an effort to speak more intelligently about fashion I often browse the latest fashion magazines at the bookstore, or scan online articles on the latest trends and colors. Recently, I have been reading information on fashion through the ages. We may have thought that it was only recently that fashion trends were influenced by movie stars, music and the socio economic status of the world around us, but that has been the case ever since Adam and Eve sewed the first fig leaves together.

Image by Ulrike Leone from Pixabay

In today’s world fashion is now being influenced by several other factors which include technology, social influencers, environmental factors and identity. With the influx of technological advances there is an influx of information. In other words, we now have instantaneous exposure to the latest trending outfit, colors and accessories. We live in the information age and we are inundated with info to the point of being regularly overwhelmed.

Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay

Social influencers have taken advantage of the tech revolution and many are earning a good living showing their followers the latest Coach bags, Jimmy Choo shoes or Giorgio Armani fragrance. There are also many sharing their ideas on enjoying fashion within a budget and learning how to better put outfits together from the clothes they already own.

It is only in the last decade or two that the idea of sustainability has really been making inroads into the fashion realm. Manufacturers and retailers are beginning to be more environmentally conscious and they are taking a long hard look at practices and outcomes that are hurting the environment and discussing and putting changes into place. Unfortunately, the idea of fast fashion is probably here to stay. It is quick, which caters to the constant stream of new trends every season and cheap which caters to many younger people who are working minimum wage jobs and still want to be able to have a fun, changeable wardrobe.

Image by annca from Pixabay

Finally, the idea of identity has definitely influenced the fashion world. Identity has always been involved in our fashion choices from a Goth wearing black to a Grunge wearing ripped jeans and oversized flannel, but now we also have added identifying terms like non-binary, gender fluid and pansexual as well as other gender choice related terms.

My reason for saying fashion is fickle lies in the fact that what goes around comes around, and what is here today is gone tomorrow, but will be back again in a season or two. All cliches aside, I believe the most important influence in fashion is you. You determine what you are going to wear on a day to day basis. You decide what clothes you are going to invest your money in, and which ones you will overlook. As a consumer, you are the one who decides if your fashion buying choices are hurting or helping the world around you. You decide how much time you are going to invest in looking at social media influencers and how much they are going to influence you. You decide what you believe about your identity.

Fashion will continue to be fickle, at the whim of societal influences, trends and consumer demands, but fashion for you and I doesn’t have to be fickle because we can choose how we dress, how we spend our money and who we allow to influence our fashion choices.

Have a wonderfully, fashionable day!

Color Play - Black and Olive

I love color. Bright color, dark color, bold color, muted color, neutral color, pastel color, and all manner of prints and print mixes. I do not think I have met a color I didn’t like, or at least that I didn’t see potential for its use. Many people will disagree with me when I say, every woman can wear every color, but my reasoning is based on two factors: the shade or hue of the color, and where the color is worn on the body. While it is true that not every woman can wear a stark black next to her face, there are numerous shades and hues of black from gray black, to blue black and even brown black. In addition, if a woman just doesn’t like any shade of black near her face, there is no reason she can’t wear black pants, or have plentiful black shoes and bags.

My desire with this monthly look at color is to open your mind to embracing colors outside your normal comfort zone. There is no problem with being an all neutrals kind of gal, but start thinking about adding a little pizzazz to your outfit with a bright pink beaded necklace and earrings , or a lovely printed scarf with rusty oranges, reds and yellows. This isn’t just about how you look to the outside world. This is also about loving yourself and enjoying all the beautiful color in this world we live in.

For today’s post, I decided to start with two colors that are fairly classic and unobtrusive: black and olive.

Let me first say, having a daughter who is a professional photographer always makes me keenly aware of what I lack in the picture taking realm. I will give you pictures. I will either take them on my phone or on my camera, but they won’t be to the standard I would like, ha, ha. Now that I have said my piece, on with the post.

Olive is one of those greens that can come in a variety of shades. Check out this page from when I Googled olive color shades. The olive color of my older Sonoma cardigan from Kohl’s, and on this thrifted, Forever 21, camouflage sweater is what I would call olive drab, or military olive. It leans more towards brown than a true olive green. However, if you put it next to a brown sweater, it definitely looks green.

It is easy to pair olive with black. For that matter, any color pairs just as well with black as with white. Just envision this same outfit with a pair of white wide leg jeans instead of the black skinnies. It would work perfectly and give the look a whole new vibe.

My black skinnies are Simply Vera by Vera Wang and I either got them on the clearance rack at Kohl’s or at a thrift store. I really can’t remember. Yes, I know! I am still wearing my skinnies. They will likely come back around, as most things do, so I won’t be getting rid of them.

My Seven Dials combat boots are starting to show some wear, but they are one of my faves and so comfortable.

I added a few pieces of jewelry and a thrifted Tignanello bag.

I actually got this cute little bag when we were in Wisconsin for my father-in-law’s funeral. Since we ended up staying the whole week we were a bit underprepared, so I went to a thrift store to get us a few things for the funeral.

Olive and black are a great color combination for any season. In the spring you could combine a pair of black joggers with an olive zip up hoodie for a cozy, casual lunch as the temps are still cool. In the summer try pairing olive trousers with a black silky sleeveless for a classic work look. In the fall reach for that warm olive pullover to wear with your black maxi skirt.

Remember you don’t have to go full bore with these colors. You can just use each of these colors as accents with any other colored outfit. Wearing a navy dress? Reach for a set of olive beads and an olive bag and shoes. You can still have fun with a variety of colors without having to invest a lot of money.

What do you think of these colors? Do you wear olive and black together, or do you wear them separately? I’d love to hear your thoughts so leave me some love in the comments.

I’m including a few shopping links. I am going to try to find a few other affiliate programs so I can bring you more moderately priced shopping and brands you know and love. Keep an eye out for that.

Have a great Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Thursday for the first installment in a creative fiction series brought to you by me. Ha, ha.

Love and hugs!

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!

What I Wore to a Fall Wedding (or a Great Thanksgiving Outfit)

I see numerous bloggers do posts on what to wear to a wedding according to whatever season it is. Since I was actually going to a wedding, I figured it would be good content for a post. The wedding was at night and it was a very cold evening, so those factors contributed to my outfit choice.

I knew I was going to wear pants instead of a dress, but initially I was thinking black, as it is typically a more classic color. However, I saw this recently thrifted Eva Mendez floral blouse in my closet and thought it would be a pretty piece to build a dressy, but warm and comfortable outfit around.

I just loved the pussy bow tie on this piece and its pretty floral print. It is sheer, so I added a dark cami underneath for coverage. Once I chose the blouse I started looking at my pants. I have a black pair, and I think that would have worked as well, but I decided on the brown Worthington wide leg.

After I had the top and pants figured out, I knew I wanted a sweater or topper of some sort. Once again I was thinking about a black sweater or even a light pink one, but neither of those seemed the right choice. Then I remembered another more recent thrift find.

I love the duster length, the rusty color, the drape, and the lighter weight of this A New Day sweater. It makes a great layering piece and it was perfect for giving me an extra layer of warmth without making me too hot.

Besides my belt, the only accessories I had were my boots and my bag. The brown suede ankle boots were a Kohl’s purchase a couple years ago and are Nine West brand. They have a bit of a western vibe with a shorter block heel and the pointier toe. Originally, I was going to wear my “witchy” boots from last week’s post, but because my knee has been painful, I decided to not take the chance of the taller heel making things worse.

My b.o.c. bag is a hand me over from my bestie. I really like the tritone color and the large metallic ring detail. It is also a bit smaller than some of my other bags, so less weight on my shoulders and neck. I typically wear a longer bag like this as a cross body bag.

This outfit would be great for work, a night out with your significant other or going to church. This also would be perfect for your Thanksgiving Day celebration. In all honesty, when we got to the wedding, I felt a bit underdressed, but at least I was warm and comfortable. Since we were not family of the bride or groom, I didn’t feel too out of place with all the suits and dresses. Ha, ha.

To top everything off, and to stay warm, I finished the look with my ESpirit Outerwear, brown, wool, winter dress coat. This is another thrifted piece and I keep it around for just this type of occasion: to look fairly nice and also be warm.

What would you wear to a fall wedding? What do you think of this outfit? Would you wear this? How would you change it to make it your own? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!