Pantone Autumn/Winter 2025 - Desert Sun, Magical Forest, and Wispy Clouds

This week we are looking at three more colors from the Pantone London Palette for Autumn/Winter 2025. Today’s colors include, Desert Sun, a rich, golden yellow; Magical Forest, a dark green reminiscent of the deepest woods, and a light, airy grayish white called Wispy Clouds. You can see the actual colors in this pin.

My Desert Sun cardigan is a brand called Callaway V and was a thrift find a few years ago. I love the fun details on this piece including the ruffle around the neck line and the tiny jewels at the center of each button. My phone does not do closeups well, so I didn’t bother trying to get a photo, but trust me those tiny jewels are there. Ha, ha. This golden yellow is a perfect color for fall. You can see how I styled this cardigan with a multi print maxi dress here.

It was hard to find any cardigans in this color so I added a few other Desert Sun items.

My Magical Forest tee is Sonoma brand and was a piece I found at Kohl’s a few seasons ago. Being a not-so-basic sort of girl, most of my basics have to have a few details like interesting prints and even a bit of bling.

I thought these second hand, Gloria Vanderbilt utility pants were a close match to Wispy Clouds. They are a lighter weight so will be put away for the winter, but they are a great pair of pants for a dressy casual vibe. The utility details of extra pockets and rivets make it more casual, but the wider legs give them a dressier trouser vibe.

I kept my jewelry minimal with my fall themed, silver pumpkin necklace. This is a fun piece, with an orange leaf and an orange bead, making it perfect to wear all fall long. I honestly can’t remember where I got this. Ha, ha.

I chose black for my shoes, belt and bag. Honestly, I like how matching a shoe and bag, or a belt with a bag makes an outfit look polished and finished off, but that is just my opinion. Matching is a matter of personal taste these days, so do what works for you.

My belt was thrifted. My bag was a gift from my daughter and is Aidebam brand. My shiny Oxfords are a brand called Sugar. I have had these for a number of years, because I used to wear them to work and I haven’t worked at the bookstore since fall of 2019. Yikes! It’s been six years since I lost my job. Wow! Where does the time go?

What do you think of these colors? Do you like this combination? What colors would you have combined with this golden yellow or this dark green?

I have included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links brought to you at no cost to give you possible shopping options for similar items or colors. Not every color is easy to find, so that is where your closet or a thrift store come in handy. You would be surprised how often I have these colors in my closet, or a close enough match to make it unnecessary to go shopping…although I enjoy that too. Ha, ha.

Thank you for following along on the blog. I appreciate all your support. Have a great day.

Shopping Our Closets: Print Mixing Style

It has been almost a month since I posted here and I do apologize. Our summer seemed to get increasingly busy and we had additional bumps along the way. In May I was dealing with another sinus infection and was back on antibiotics and steroids. In June my spouse was dealing with an old ankle injury from decades ago that has decided to act up. The end result of several doctor’s appointments and an MRI is an eventual invasive surgery that for the time being we are choosing to put off. He is doing okay as long as he doesn’t overdo. That also has meant taking on the responsibility of mowing the lawn for me. I honestly don’t mind, but it does take up another day and leaves me feeling pretty tired. However, God is good and always gives the strength I need to get the job done. Right now I am putting it off due to the increased heat. The grass will have to wait.

I decided to take a few pictures of the outfit I wore today and try to get it posted for this week. I have another very busy week coming up as I will have a few extra days of babysitting my grandson as his other grandma is taking the week off. I am hoping to do a few fun things with the three year old as these days of summer are quickly passing by.

Today’s look revolves around a few different prints that I think work very well together. I find it very fun to mix prints together, and it is much easier to do than you realize. The basic guidelines are as follows:

1- Pick similar color prints. As you will see in my outfit, the floral top has the some of the same coral shades as the pants, and it also contains the creamy white like my vest.

2 - Pair larger prints with smaller ones. This is not a rule, but for a beginner this makes it easier to decide which prints you will be comfortable pairing. For my look I paired the busy, larger floral print with the very small polka dots on my pants.

3 - If you are not sure about colored prints remember that textures count as prints as well. For instance, my crocheted vest is a print and pairs beautifully with the florals on the top and the polka dots on the pants. I could have just as easily paired the floral print with the textures of the vest and had a perfect print mix.

This floral tee was a thrift find this summer and is Loft brand. I love florals, especially dark florals, and this top caught my eye for the pretty colors, making me think of fall, and for the elbow length sleeves. I also like the neckline which gives it added interest.

Since the top is a little wide, adding the vest helped to give the outfit a little more shape. I was wearing this to church this morning, so I didn’t want to look too casual. Another second hand piece, this Jordache vest makes multiple appearances all year round. (I do not believe this manufacturer to be the same one that makes the jeans.) You can see the vest styled with olive pants here.

These polka dot Gloria Vanderbilt jeans were in a box to donate, but since I lost a little bit of weight, I decided to revisit the boxes that I hadn’t dealt with yet, trying everything on and setting aside things I still wanted to hang on to. I don’t wear these often, but I do like them as an alternative from regular blue denim. Plus with the polka dots it makes them a good choice for a print mix like this. You can see I folded the hems a few times to give them more the appearance of cropped pants.

My Aldo bag is the current one I use, and was another thrift find. Sorry about the stain. I didn’t even look it over before I went outside to take pictures. I have been using this one all spring and summer.

I added the charm necklace right before we left for church, thinking that it dressed up the outfit just a little bit more.

Finally, I wasn’t sure what shoe to wear, and still am not certain that these white and gold ones were the right choice but it seemed to work okay. I’m sure sandals would have been better, but I don’t wear those as often with my veiny feet. I found these at DSW on the clearance rack. They are Soul brand by Naturalizer.

What did you think of this look? Do you regularly print mix? What prints do you like to put together? Let me know in the comments. I always love to have your feedback.

I hope you are having a great week!

Shopping Our Closets: Summer Trends - Pinstripes and Polka Dots

This summer two patterns that seem to be trending are pinstripes and polka dots. I thought it would be fun to mix these two patterns for a smart, casual style that can be worn for dress down Friday at the office, or a lunch date with your girlfriends.

The star of this show is the a.new day blazer that I got off the clearance rack at Target a number of years ago. I don’t wear blazer’s as much as I used to, but I love these structured pieces and keep them around. After all, every now and then a girl wants to wrap herself in a lovely jacket, just to make her feel fabulous.

My polka dot tee is a thrifted brand called maxcare. I have never heard of this brand. I did a little searching and the only thing I could come up with was a medical supply company offering scrubs, etc, and a cosmetic company. I supposed this could have been a tee for a medical uniform, but who knows. It is interesting to try to track down some of these lesser known brands that I find at second hand shops.

My jeans, which are also a very light pinstripe pattern are thrifted Gloria Vanderbilt brand and I have had them for a number of years now. They are great for summer as they are light weight. For today’s look I rolled the hems up, but you could easily leave them down. I think rolled hems give an outfit a more playful vibe.

At first I was wearing my white sneakers, but I just wasn’t satisfied, so I went with my denim blue Keds that are from Kohl’s a number of years ago. Keds are one of my favorite casual sneaker brands.

My bag is also old, and another clearance find from Kohl’s. This Sonoma tote is big and roomy. I like the rose gold threads woven in for extra interest and texture. Tote bags are back in as purses, so don’t be afraid to carry one around as your regular bag. I like to occasionally have the extra room a tote bag offers to carry a book, a notebook, or a sweater for those extra chilly air conditioned spaces.

I threw on a little bit of jewelry and was ready for fun.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you have pinstripes and polka dots in your closet? Would you wear them together? I always love to hear your opinions, ideas and thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

The included shopping links are brought to you at no cost. These are affiliate links which means if you click on a link I get a few pennies, and if you purchase something through one of my links I get a small commission. Every little bit helps.

Thanks so much for following along on the blog. I hope to get back to regular posting on here and my Faith page soon. Life, as usual has been dishing it out on us, so sometimes I am not able to get to it. For me this is a hobby started to encourage women like me and you on getting dressed and walking out our faith.

Have a fabulous day!

My Style: Cozy Textures and Print Mixing Fun

When we think of winter, one print and one texture always come to mind: buffalo plaid and sherpa. Today’s outfit combines both the fuzzy, cozy texture of sherpa with the casual print mix of dark winter florals and buffalo plaid while still giving a nod to our winter color of burgundy. This outfit is one I might have worn to work back in the day, but would be perfect for lunch with a friend or a casual date night out.

My base pullover is one I got this last fall from Maurice’s online. It is so soft, and perfect to wear all winter long. I threw on a pendant necklace that also makes me think of snowflakes, but you can’t really see it. A shorter necklace would have been better.

My Gloria Vanderbilt, floral jeans were a Kohl’s clearance find a few seasons ago. I love dark florals in the fall and winter and with the burgundy color being popular right now I felt these fit in quite well.

I added this Sonoma sherpa jacket for the fun of print mixing, and it is a shout out to the wonderful textures of winter that keep us warm and cozy. This was another clearance find at Kohl’s a few seasons ago. It was marked way down and I think they were not very popular as there were a few left. I think the cut is a bit boxy and I got it more as a piece I could wear around the house on these polar vortex days. Ha, ha.

I decided on my thrifted, olive, hobo bag to go along with the bits of green in the pants. This is a great bag that I have had for a number of years. It is made of some sort of vinyl blend and really isn’t showing any sort of wear or pealing like so many of the fake leather hand bags show after just a few years. I added a fun snowflake pin for a bit of bling.

My ankle boots are the same ones I wore the week before last with the embroidered cardigan and burgundy pants. They are thrifted Forever 21 brand. Please excuse the dust and cat hair. Ugh! Real life.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you have a sherpa jacket? Do you like buffalo plaid? I always love to hear your thoughts.

I hope you are having a wonderful week.

I’ve interspersed shopping links throughout. These are affiliate links. I appreciate you taking the time to check out the blog.

Color Play: Pantone Autumn/Winter NY Palette - Tomato Cream, Moonstruck and Buckthorn Brown

Today I am combining the last three colors from the Pantone Autumn/Winter 2024 New York Palette. Tomato Cream will definitely remind you of the familiar soup. I still have cans of Campbell’s Tomato Soup in my pantry and use them regularly. My mom always used water to make the soup when I was growing up, but when I got married to a Wisconsin man who loved dairy I learned to use half a can of milk and half a can of water, or if I have skim milk, I use a full can. It makes the soup creamier and it takes on this orangey red color.

Moonstruck is a medium gray and reminds me of the gray skies of fall and winter that just hang around, but don’t produce any rain or snow. For this sufferer of Seasonal Affective Disorder those gray clouds are the worst! Just rain or snow, already. Ha, ha.

Buckthorn Brown is an earthy sunshine color. It tends towards yellowish gold, but is not truly yellow. I think their idea was buckskin, but without the bad press that animal skins or prints have for many people. I do not have an issue with leather, but I do prefer it is sustainably and responsibly sourced. Fast fashion is not good for our environment and certainly not for animals who are used just to make a buck…pardon the pun! That being said, I do like this color. It is a nice change from our darker browns, and gives our wardrobes a peppy vibe.

My outfit for these last three colors is very casual. This is more in line with my every day looks, so for those of you who are not working, or are working from home, this might be for you.

To see the actual Pantone Autumn/Winter 2024 New York Palette colors just click on the link. I do the best I can to match the colors with what I have in my closet, so they differ slightly.

My Tomato Cream Tahari open front cardigan was a clearance find from TJMaxx a few years ago. You can see how I styled that with a white sleeveless sweater, a fall graphic tee, and in a monochrome fall look from last year.

My Gloria Vanderbilt Moonstruck jeans have been around for a while. It seems every time there is a Pantone series, I bring these out as there is always some sort of gray. You can see them styled with a red and white striped tee, and with a red plaid blazer.

Buckthorn Brown is really more of a brownish gold or yellow, but I thought this Sonoma tee from Kohl’s was a pretty good match. Kohl’s has always been a great place to find basics like short and long sleeve tees, pullover sweaters for the cooler weather and fun tees with holiday motifs. I don’t shop there much any more due to my lack of need for clothing, and due to my love of thrifting. Ha, ha.

I kept my accessories pretty minimal. My necklace was a more recent thrift find, and might seem a little to fancy for this casual look, but I like the contrast of dressy and casual, and the color goes well with the Tomato Cream cardi.

I chose blue for my bag and my sneakers, just to play off the blue flowers in the tee. My bag is an old thrift find, a brand called Nine & Co. My sneakers are Keds.

What do you think of these colors? What did you think of this fall’s New York palette? What colors were your favorites? I’d love to get your feedback, so leave me a comment or two.

I’m including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Color Play: Building an Outfit Around a Bag

When I found this cute color block bag on a recent thrift store run, I knew I had to style an outfit around it. The colors are perfect for spring, summer and fall, and for me, the size is just right. I have gotten away from carrying large bags, because they tend to bother my shoulders. Even a cross body bag that is larger becomes problematic because I put too much stuff in it. You know the saying, “If it’s big, fill it up!” Ha, ha. I may have just made that up.

Aren’t the colors on this piece so cute? This has no brand name on it anywhere.

There were lots of choices I could have went with for an outfit. For a little while I was looking at a white maxi, but decided to save that for another day. I also pulled out a pair of coral pants, but ended up with the look you see here.

For this look I decided to have a similar color block vibe to the bag. I am looking forward to using this bag again for inspiration with a print mixing outfit.

I was pretty sure I wanted to use this thrifted teal blazer as it matched so well with the bag. Obviously this is a great outfit for these spring days where the temps fluctuate, but once summer hits the heavier layers will disappear. This blazer is a brand called Weekenders. It is a medium weight with a longer silhouette, and textured cuffs that match the shawl lapels.

Once I decided on the white Gloria Vanderbilt jeans that I have had for years, and can still squeeze into…and I do mean squeeze…I knew I wanted a coral piece to match the coral in the bag, so I chose this thrifted Cherokee shell, which I decided to use as a knit vest.

I also wanted to add a little black, so decided on this thrifted Chaps blouse with polka dots. Once I had that the only jewelry I added was this fun pendant necklace I found at the second hand shop around the corner.

I have always like the classy look of oxford shoes, so I pulled out this black patent leather pair I have from my days as an assistant manager at the bookstore. These are a brand called Sugar.

Do you have a bag that you can use to inspire an outfit? Have you ever tried building an outfit around a fun, colorful bag? What do you think of this outfit? Would you wear something like this? I would love to hear your thoughts.

I’m including a few shopping links for you. I bring these to you at no extra cost. These are affiliate links which means I get a few cents if you click on a link, and a bit more if you purchase something through one of the links I provide. I appreciate all your support. All opinions are my own.

Have a super week!

Shopping Our Closets - Utility Vest

Today’s outfit revolves around a utility vest. Vests are great pieces to have in your closet. Whether you wear them as an extra layer in the winter, or style them as a fun topper in the summer, a vest can add interest and depth to an outfit. Spring is the perfect time to pull out those lighter weight vests and change up your looks from dark, cozy colors to lighter pastels and brights.

Style Tip: Try using olive as a neutral in your outfits. It is a nice change from the typical tan, beige or gray, and works great in any season.

My Mudd brand vest was a clearance find at Target a few years ago. I have a few utility jackets, but I liked that this was a vest, and is made of a soft, medium weight fabric making it perfect for warmer days. For those of you who like pockets a utility vest is a practical workhorse for your wardrobe.

I just nabbed this Croft and Barrow puff sleeve top on the Kohl’s clearance rack. You know how I love embroidery and the sleeves on this were pure perfection. While the whole print isn’t embroidered, but the combination of print and embroidery really stands out.

I wanted to show you another ankle length jeans look. Last week I showed you a wide leg jean. This week is a thrifted, Gloria Vanderbilt, straight leg version, and once again, it is in a lighter wash. These are also a pinstripe, which is harder to find, but you can’t really tell unless you get close.

I knew I wanted to do something pink and gold for my jewelry so I chose this floral statement necklace and the gold bracelet for a bit of bling.

My bag was a clearance find at Meijer a few years ago when velvet was trending. My sneakers are Sperry’s.

What do you think of this outfit? Is this a style you would wear? Do you have a utility jacket or a utility vest? How do you like to wear them? I love to get your feedback, so leave me a comment or two.

I am including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. They are brought to you by me and I do not receive compensation for your clicks, but only if you make a purchase through the link. These are provided for your benefit, to give you ideas and options for items you might like to purchase. All opinions are my own.

Buy Me a Cup of Coffee. I provide this link for you to monetarily support my blog. I do not make money on my blog, but I do sacrifice my time to bring you fresh ideas and thoughts. If you enjoy these posts this is a small way to support my efforts.

I hope you are having a great week.

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022 - New York Palette: Samoan Sun, Martini Olive and Chiseled Stone

Today is my last post for the Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022 New York palette series. I decided to do a flat lay for a change due to several factors that are affecting my ability to get posts done. The first is time. I do not know where time goes, but it sure seems like I have less of it than ever before and I am not even working a regular job right now. Second, I injured my knee a few years ago and recently I tweaked it and it has been very painful. I have an appointment Thursday to have it checked out, but I knew it was going to be hard to get pictures done with changing clothes, running up and down the stairs and going outside, so I thought a flat lay the next best thing.

The three colors today’s outfit revolved around are great colors for fall and I think this outfit would be perfect for a casual Thanksgiving celebration. My yellow Samoan Sun sweater is a thrifted Old Navy piece. It has more orange undertones to it, but I still think it works great for this outfit.

My Chiseled Stone striped tee is another thrift find from a brand called Company Ellen Tracy. I looked up Ellen Tracy and it is a clothing retailer with some nice pieces. You can check it out by clicking on the link. The brand seems to exude class and modesty. Prices are a tad high for my limited resources, but I like to show you retailers you might be interested in. If I had the money, I would definitely shop this brand more often.

My Martini Olive utility skinny pants have made multiple appearances on the blog. They are Gloria Vanderbilt brand. You can see these pants styled with a floral bomber, a light weight pullover, a snakeskin print jacket, a floral dress, a lace vest, and a floral dress as a jacket.

My accessories were simple and I chose to emphasize the black to coordinate with the stripes in the tee.

I love this simple charm pendant necklace. It adds a touch of interest to almost any outfit without being overly garish. I couldn’t even tell you where I got it, but knowing my past shopping habits it was either thrifted, or bought at Kohl’s or JC Penney. Ha, ha.

I’ve shown you this black Aidebam bag on the blog before. I got this one from Amazon, but Amazon’s inventory changes pretty regularly and I don’t see this exact style on there anymore. I will include a few shopping links at the end. Here is a very similar one.

These black boots are a very recent thrift find. They were my size and I loved the “witchy” vibe of them. They are a brand called Rampage. I have a wedding coming up and right now I am planning to build my outfit around one of two pairs of ankle boots. I also found a blue velvet pair, another thrifting treasure that I wasn’t lookin for, (but I was). I hope to do a blog post next week on what to wear to a fall wedding using the outfit I come up with. Keep a look out.

Style Tip - The right shoes or boots with an outfit can absolutely make the outfit. If you are not sure about which pair of shoes to wear when going to an event or celebration, try on a few different pairs. Remember, heels of any height will upgrade a look, even when wearing distressed jeans and a tee. If you are going for a more casual look, then think flatter souls and a heel that is an inch or less.

I hope you enjoyed this flat lay and the conclusion of my Pantone series. From now through the end of the the year I hope to bring you holiday inspired and winter looks. Leave me a comment or two, letting me know what you thought of this outfit. Which was your fave in the series? 1 - Lava Falls, Amazon, and Arctic Wolf, 2 - Orange Tiger, Nosegay, and Autumn Blonde, 3 - Rose Violet, Caramel Cafe, and Polar Night, 4 - Waterspout, Midnight and Loden Frost or today’s.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. Remember these are affiliate links, which are brought to you at no extra cost. You do not pay anything extra to purchase something through one of my links. In fact, it helps me by putting a few cents into my pocketbook. I really appreciate every little bit.

Have a great week!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022: Lava Falls, Amazon and Arctic Wolf

Here we are, once again, looking at another color palette from the Pantone Color Institute. For the next few weeks I will be concentrating on the New York colors. In the past I have tried to give you both palettes, but with changes in life, so too come changes with the blog. For now, I want to bring you the New York palette which was where the institute was founded in 1962. From the Pantone website it looks as though the London palette was added in 2017.

For this look, I wanted to combine the bright red of Lava Falls with the energetic green of Amazon and see if I could come up with an outfit that didn’t look like I was getting ready for a Christmas get together. Let me know in the comments if you think I pulled it off.

My Lava Falls flag tee was a thrift store find this summer. Unfortunately, I didn’t have it washed to wear for Independence Day celebrations. When I was pulling clothes for this series, I saw the tee and thought, why not. Our gratitude for our country and our freedom shouldn't be restricted to one or two days a year, just like Thanksgiving shouldn’t be the only time we dwell on what we have to be thankful for.

This Amazon green sweater was new from Christopher and Banks a few years ago. I love a longer cardigan like this for fall, and an open front cardigan has no buttons or zippers for things like coats or bags to get caught on. Most of the time, I leave my cardigans open anyway to show off the top underneath, so an open front piece is a great choice.

Arctic Wolf is a creamy off white and these thrifted Gloria Vanderbilt pants probably tend towards a little more gray where as the actual Pantone color has more yellow undertones. However, you get the idea and when it comes to the color cream, off white, ivory or whatever title you want to give it, they are all in the white family.

For accessories I went with black to go with the black stripes on the flag. My black bag was an Amazon purchase a few years ago and is Aidebam brand. My sneakers are new to me, a thrifted pair of Vans high tops with a fun floral design.

For jewelry I added a simple choker pendant. I found this at a thrift store and love the pressed flower look of the pendant.

What do you think of these colors? Would you wear them together, or do you think red and green are strictly for Christmas? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I’m including a few shopping links for items in similar colors. These are affiliate links, which means when you click on a link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through my site, I get a little bit more. I appreciate each and every click.

I just tested positive for Covid yesterday, after my hubby tested positive on Friday. Our two friends who came for the weekend have also tested positive. I feel so bad, but here we are. I would appreciate good thoughts and prayers, as with my asthmatic condition it puts me in a higher risk category. Thank you everyone!

Have a good week and stay healthy.

Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 - NY Palette: Spun Sugar, Coca Mocha, and Perfectly Pale

Today’s Pantone colors are a blend of earthy and pastels. Spun Sugar is a light, airy blue reminiscent of hazy summer skies. Coca Mocha makes me think of a double scoop of chocolate ice cream and Perfectly Pale is the perfect summer alternative to basic white. See the actual Pantone colors here.

I think these colors are a great pairing for spring and summer. We often think of brown as a fall color, just like we think of white as only a summer color. Well, girlfriends, we definitely needing to change our thinking about color, as in all colors work at any time of year. I will forever love my darker browns, oranges, yellows and burgundies in the fall, but that doesn’t mean I won’t occasionally put them on in the heat of summer. God made color and color is good, all year round.

My Sugar Spun tee is a Sonoma piece. I don’t know that I consider myself wild, but I definitely am glad I live in a free country. That is something I never want to take for granted. I am thankful for all who have fought for so many years to keep our country the free nation it is. I have come to have a deep affection for graphic tees, especially those with words on them.

This outfit is all me. The colors work for me and the pieces are all thrift finds except the necklace, bag and sneakers. The Coca Mocha velvet blazer is a brand called SSA, and is definitely showing wear. I need to do some stitching around the cuffs as it has been wanting to come apart. But overall, I think the blazer still has some wear left in it. This is not something I would normally gravitate towards in the summer, but with our weather being so wacky, I think I will keep this available.

Style Tip: Don’t put your blazers away for spring and summer. Think of them as light weight jackets that you can throw on with cropped pants, capris and even shorts. They make any casual outfit look classy and put together.

My pants are Gloria Vanderbilt and a newer thrift purchase. I knew I wanted a few other lighter weight and lighter colored pants for spring, so this utility pair does the trick.

Style Tip: If pure white is not your bag, find light colored bottoms for summer in pale creams, tans and yellows. You’ll get a similar effect to wearing white and won’t have to worry as much about your colored underwear showing through.

Summer for me means less in the accessory department. I can’t wear most scarves as I get too hot and many of my jewelry pieces make me break out in the warmer weather. These warm months are where I turn to pieces with hippie vibes that use cording, or heavyweight string for pendants and bracelets. I am thinking about taking a few of my hubby’s metal detecting finds and turning them into jewelry, so I guess this would be the time.

My daisy necklace was a Christmas gift from my husband. I like the little quirk it has, because that’s me, just a little quirky. Ha. ha. I am also showing off my round Nine West snakeskin print bag, that I got a few seasons ago from Kohl’s on clearance. Last, but not least, I had to use my bright blue Converse again, since they went along with the Spun Sugar color.

What do you think of these colors? Do you like the colors together, or would you put them with other colors? I love hearing your thoughts and ideas. You inspire me too!

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

Have a great day!

Oh, Olive! Workwear Look

Tuesday I showed you a casual look with olive pants and today I am showing you a workwear look that might be doable for the office. We are looking at the color olive as a neutral. I know many of us have olive in our wardrobes and are becoming more aware of what a great color it is. Tuesday, I showed you how well it goes with orange and white. Check out today’s outfit, which combines dark florals and black for a sassy look.

I found this fabulous dark floral Time and Tru dress while thrifting on one of our trips. I had started really looking over the dress racks at thrift stores recently after seeing Instagram gal, jbowenandcompany using a button up dress like a kimono. It makes a piece like this so much more versatile. When I decided to do this series on olive pieces, I knew this dress as a duster would be a perfect topper for a fun workwear look.

Once again, my olive Gloria Vanderbilt skinny pants are the focal piece. This time I paired them with another neutral, black. My black v-neck polo is a sleeveless piece that I found thrifting a few weeks ago. Black and olive has always been a classic combination. Throwing the dark floral piece over the top really makes the outfit pop.

You’ve seen these Clark peep toe shoeties on the blog before. They are great shoes, I just really have no place to wear them right now. I know many bloggers and Instagram babes who post outfits they are actually wearing, but some of us have a more laid back approach. I would wear these and this whole outfit if I had an office job, but right now I don’t. Still, it is fun to have choices, and to be able to show you all a few of my fun wardrobe pieces, even if I don’t wear them as often.

I thought adding the light blue bag would pull out the light blue in the duster and with the dark florals it still gives the outfit a summer feel. You could have done the same thing with the light pink, yellow, or white. For the same reason I went with the light blue pendant. Just that little extra pop of color adds more interest to the outfit.

What do you think of this outfit? Have you ever worn a button up dress as a duster or kimono? It is a great way to extend the use of your dresses. If you are like me, you don’t have too many excuses to wear a dress. I know some ladies wear them all the time, and if my legs were less blemished by veins, I probably would too, but using a dress in this way still gives me an excuse to get more dressed up.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I am going to include a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend. I will not be posting next week once again, as I am going to spend the week with my mom while my brother and his family are out of town. I’ll be back the following week. Until then, take care.

Oh, Olive! Casual Look

It is old news that olive is the new neutral, but that doesn’t mean everyone knows how to wear it. Olive is not everyone’s perfect color, although, you know me. I think everyone can wear every color, if you find the right shade. Olive is not olive, is not olive. In other words, there are varying shades of olive, just as there are varying shades of red, yellow and every other color. Olives can vary from yellowy browns to almost gray. My husband has numerous types of camo for various types of hunting, but almost all of them have olive in common. However, they are not the exact same shade of green. Knowing this, I decided that a few posts on how to wear olive, might be a good idea for this middle of the summer time. Do you feel like summer is zipping by faster than the Eurostar train running from Britain to France? Before you know it, it will be time for the Autumn/Winter Pantone series.

If you follow my Instagram account, you know that I styled this look over there, minus the vest on Monday. We started a style challenge this week called #stretchyourstyle . Using things we already have in our closet we come up with outfits to go along with the daily or weekly theme. We are doing colors this time and yesterday’s was olive and orange. That was all I needed to inspire me for what I wanted to do next on the blog.

You’ve seen these Gloria Vanderbilt skinny pants on the blog before. They were a Kohl’s purchase from a few years ago. These are a work horse in my closet and the fact that they are olive was the frosting on the cupcake of fashion. They have a good amount of stretch, but don’t loose their shape. They are casual, but can also be dressed up, which I will show you on Thursday and they make a great neutral color. You can see them styled with a floral bomber jacket, a lightweight graphic sweater, an olive vest and top, a snakeskin jacket, a floral dress, and peachy print top. If you click on the links they will take you to the original posts.

Let’s talk for a minute about what makes a color neutral. The best way to describe it is a color that can go with all other colors. Colors like black, navy, tan, and white have long been considered neutrals. More recently olive has become a favorite neutral, able to be combined, not only with the other neutral colors, but with colors that vary from light to bright and everything in between. I honestly cannot think of a color that I would not pair well with olive.

My thrifted pineapple top is Elle brand. To go along with that I put on a gold belt and did the front tuck, so the belt is visible. I also added a simple gold necklace.

The open weave knit vest was a thrift find on our anniversary trip. It is Jordache brand. I just love the pretty detailing on this boho piece.

For Mother’s Day my husband gave me a gift card for Nordstrom. I only shop there occasionally, as their prices are a little higher than what I usually feel comfortable spending. However, Nordstrom Rack is a better option as prices are slightly less, and the gift card works for either. I got online and started looking at clearance and sale items, and came across these Sperry olive colored sneakers. I knew they were going in my cart. I have been looking for a pair of olive colored shoes for the warmer weather and these are perfect. They are comfy too, so that is a plus.

You’ve seen this pale green tote on the blog before as well. This is from Charming Charlie. I love the metal stud detailing along the sides and the contrasting green hues.

Do you have an olive pair of pants? Do you consider olive a neutral? How do you like to wear your olive? I will be showing you a work wear look on Thursday, so be sure to check back for that.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links and are brought to you at no cost. If you click on a link, I get a few cents and those cents do add up after a while, which I really appreciate.

For more outfit fun, be sure to check out my Instagram, where I post almost daily with my typical every day looks.

Have a great day!

Pantone - Spring/Summer - 2021 - London Palette: Illuminating, Marigold and Ultimate Gray

Illuminating and Ultimate Gray are the two colors of the year, so just like I did for the New York Palette, I decided to pair the two colors together and for this one I added Marigold, which was also on the New York palette.

We decided to go to the Toledo Botanical Gardens again for these pictures and we did come across some beautiful blooms. This particular bush is a rhododendron. I just did some research and found out that all azaleas are rhododendrons, but not all rhododendrons are azaleas. Whether you like azaleas or rhododendrons they are all beautiful.

Once again, I chose my recently thrifted bright yellow jacket to serve as the Illuminating color. The jacket is D&Co. (Denim and Co.). It has a nice stretch to it and I like the 3/4 length sleeves for a change of pace.

I’ve styled my medium yellow tee on the blog before. You can see it styled with a leopard print skirt. Having tees in a variety of colors comes in handy when you want to put an outfit together. This thrifted tee is Apt. 9 brand.

My Gloria Vanderbilt jeans were another Kohl’s clearance find. They are soft and stretchy, so great for my fluctuating weight. I say fluctuating, but it really doesn’t go up and down. It either stays the same or goes up. Ha, ha.

I wanted my accessories to make a statement since the outfit itself was not overwhelmingly interesting. I found this pretty layered necklace in gray tones somewhere along the way. I think it was a thrift shop nearby. I added a few beaded bracelets to tie the jewelry together.

When I decided on the thrifted tan loafers, I knew my Nine West snakeskin print circle bag would be the perfect piece to complete the whole look and bring everything together.

What do you think of these colors together? Do you like the lighter yellow of Illuminating or the richer tone of Marigold? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. I appreciate when you give me your feedback. It can be kind of lonely as a blogger, when I don’t know if anyone is reading my content or looking at my posts, so I really love to hear from you.

I am including a few shopping link for you to enjoy. These are affiliate links and are brought to you at no cost. If you click on a link I get a few pennies and I appreciate all of your clicks. I do not get paid to write my blog, I do it as a hobby and as a service to whomever wants to follow along. I hope that I inspire you to take a second look at your wardrobe and see new ways to put things together, that you never thought of before.

Photo and graphic credit Rebecca Trumbull.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have a great Tuesday!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone - Autumn/Winter - 2020 - London Palette - Exuberance, Ultramarine Green and Sleet

We are looking at the Pantone - Autumn/Winter - London Palette and just like last Thursday’s post saw a repeat of Samba from the New York palette, today’s outfit offers a repeat of Ultramarine Green. You can see the original outfit from the New York palette here, where I paired it with Classic Blue. Today I am pairing this pretty green with a fall orange called Exuberance. Unlike New York’s Amber Glow, Exuberance is a smidge brighter and more bold.

You have seen these bright orange Gloria Vanderbilt pants repeatedly on the blog. I never would have thought they would have been part of so many outfits for the blog, when I bought them. When I was working as an assistant manager at the bookstore, I used to wear them as they are a nice trouser for work.

My Ultramarine Green button up is a thrifted Westbound piece. I have had this top for quite a while and don’t wear it that much, but every time I do, I think, I should wear it more often. It has such a pretty mottled green color and I love the embroidered texturing throughout. It just makes it a unique piece.

I also thought this cute little foxy infinity scarf worked perfectly to bring the whole outfit together. In the picture below you can see this statement necklace I got a while back from a shop in Grand Rapids, OH. They have the cutest shops and restaurants. Unfortunately, I haven’t been there since Covid came upon us.

Since there is just a touch of yellow in my necklace I grabbed this bright yellow, thrifted Bueno bag. I love the bright color and the buckles.

These gray boots were another thrift store find and are Guess brand. I was very excited when I found them, because I was looking for a knee high gray pair.

I also added a few bracelets in the Ultramarine color.

My Sleet colored jacket was a J.Jill find at a thrift store. It is a tad tight if I try to button it, but I hate to get rid of it, since it is such a beautiful piece. I has a fabulous paisley print lining in pinks and purples.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like these colors? I love to get feedback from you beautiful ladies, so leave a comment or two below. I appreciate all of your input.

I am including a few shopping links. All opinions are my own. These are affiliate links.

Graphic and photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Chambray Dress - Look #3

This is the final look from the sunflower fields at Hirzel Farms. My Massini chambray dress has proven to be a versatile piece and very easy to combine with accessories and toppers to create new and different looks. I think you could do a similar thing with any solid colored dress. For today’s outfit, I wanted to show a look that was more ready for fall.

This pretty, open weave sweater was a clearance find from Kohl’s. I have a number of Liz Claiborne pieces and I really like the feminine, lacy look of this cardigan. The sweater has no closures, which is fine, but what I have noticed is if the piece isn’t folded or hanging just so, the front tends to fold back. I solved that little problem by adding a small brooch to keep it closed and laying flat.

I added the leaf print scarf as another way to add interest. The colors of the sweater and scarf were very similar, so I like how this looks. This is an infinity scarf, which I like when I don’t want to worry about how to tie it.

Since the leaves on the scarf are black, I added this recently thrifted Scarlton bag. Amazon has a lot of these vegan leather bags. I have many purses that are not real leather. They are sufficient for looking nice and serving the purpose a purse serves, but what they don’t do is last. I have several real leather bags that I bought second hand that look brand new. Many of my non leather bags start showing signs of wear after only a few seasons. We’ll see how this vegan leather bag holds up.

My ankle boots are my old, trustworthy, Sonoma suede boots. The neutral color was perfect for this look.

What did you think of this outfit? Do you have a chambray dress, or any other solid dress that you could do looks like these? Leave me some love in the comments.

Here are the three looks side by side. Which one is your favorite?

I hope you enjoyed these sunny pictures. It was fun to take pictures with these yellow beauties. Isn’t God’s creation amazing?

I am including a few shopping links, so be sure to take a look at those. These are affiliate links, so every click you do gives me a few pennies. I appreciate every click. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Thrifted Thursday - Dots and Stripes

Today’s outfit is another one pulled together from my many thrifted pieces. I wanted something casual that wasn’t the same old outfit formula that I have been wearing all summer, which has been skinny jeans or ankle pants rolled up with some sort of warm weather top, whether a sleeveless button up or a light weight tee. I knew I wanted to still wear pants, since I still have to watch my grandson and I never know what I’ll be doing, but I wanted something different. I remembered these salmon colored polka dot pants and knew I had the start of my casual thrifted outfit.

I have several pairs of Gloria Vanderbilt jeans. I am not a huge fan, although I have worn them on and off through out the years. Don’t get me wrong, they are very comfortable and if you want a fairly high waisted jean, most of hers fit the bill. I like my jeans to fit a little tighter. I also like either a skinny jean or a wider bootcut jean. That gives me the notion that I need to do a post on jeans. Ha, ha. So many things to blog about and so little time.

I decided to try a blue top with my bright jeans, for a fun contrast. I tried several solid colored navy shirts, but when I saw this thrifted striped tee, I thought it would be fun to do a little print mixing. This is a comfy tee and is a brand called Cotton On. Some people only buy certain brands and that is fine, but one of the many things I like about thrifting is I get to try so many brands that I would have never heard of otherwise. Cotton On has a whole website with all sorts of pieces for men, women and children, from sweats and tees, to jeans and button ups. Their price points don’t seem too bad and I do like the quality of this tee, so they might be worth checking out. My tee is a Large for reference.

Since we are thinking ahead to fall with cooler mornings and evenings, I thought it would be appropriate to show this outfit with a layering piece. This Dalia Collection button up is another thrift store find. I like the dark wash and it has a soft feel.

You can see that I added a navy belt to my pants. The reason I did this is three fold. First, I almost always wear a belt. That is just me. The second reason has to do with the print mix. Since the prints on both of these pieces are so small, a dividing line is not really necessary, but sometimes a belt provides a border between the two prints, making it more pleasing to look at. The third reason has to do with interest. The belt is wide, bold and has texture; all things that add to the interest of an outfit. I did the front tuck, to make the belt visible.

This is the last thrifted piece in my outfit. I just found this glass pendant necklace at a local charity shop. I thought it was a very unique piece and will go with just about any outfit.

I wanted to make this outfit look more like fall, thus my choice of bag. I think velvet is the perfect touch for an outfit that is transitioning from summer to fall. It adds texture and an element of warmth to any outfit. This was not thrifted, but a Meijer clearance find from a few seasons ago.

My white Keds are a frequent choice during the summer. I know there is not longer a “wearing white” rule, but I do prefer to put away my white shoes in the winter, mostly because I have way too many cute boots to wear that keep my feet a lot warmer. These were also not a thrift find. I think I got these at DSW on clearance.

What do you think of this outfit? How do you make the transition to fall while still using some of your summer pieces? Leave me some love in the comments. I always like to hear you thoughts.

I am leaving you with a few shopping links. If you click on a link, I get a few cents. Every click helps. These are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

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

There are so many ways to combine these colors. I have had a few of you make comments about which colors you like and love to combine. Susan told me she loves today’s pale yellow, Sunlight, combined with Tuesday’s medium pale blue, Faded Denim. What a great combination. I had Karen tell me she usually veers towards the Classic colors, but suddenly realized she had a few new outfits in her closet when she saw last Thursday’s combination of Classic Blue and Chive. I would love to spend most of my blog time just talking about color combinations, because the more I do these Pantone series, the more I realize how many more beautiful combinations there are. However, I know there are other fashion topics to talk about, so I’ll keep the color talks to the Pantone series and my monthly Color Play posts, which will be back soon. Thank you, all of my beautiful subscribers, for your input and support.

Today’s color combination may not have been your first choice. When we think of combining yellow and red my mind immediately goes to McDonald’s. Anyone else have that reaction? Yellow and red seem almost clownish together, but you may change your mind when you see how a pale faded yellow pairs with a stark red. I like it. Let me know what you think.

This thrifted Christopher and Banks corduroy jacket was the perfect Sunlight color. This jacket is soft, flexible, and great for those in between days when it is still cool.

Another thrift find, this Nautica 3/4 sleeve tee is a great spring and summer staple. Not only does it have the bright Flame Scarlet and white stripes, but it bears the nautical sign of the anchor. It makes me think of the anchor of the Lord, that moors my boat in this ever stormy sea called life.

These Ash gray jeans are another thrift find, and are Gloria Vanderbilt. I used to wear Gloria’s jeans all the time, then got away from them. This pair is soft and have just enough stretch to make them so comfortable to wear. I think the length of these is great for summer. How do you like to wear your pant length in the warmer months?

I kept the jewelry minimal and threw on this opera length string of large beads. Doubling it, gives it a fun layered look.

I chose this simple thrifted Jaclyn Smith top handle bag to keep the look light and fresh. This also comes with a longer strap so it can be converted into a crossbody bag. You can see how I styled this bag with white jeans, Bermuda shorts and high waisted jeans.

My Dana Buchman tweed loafers are making another appearance. Loafers are a great shoe for this in between time, before you really want to go out in sandals.

What do you think of this color combination? Have I changed your view on wearing red and yellow together? It would not be my first choice of colors to combine, but I am glad I did it for this series. It helps me to think outside my box. As always I love to hear you thoughts.

Graphic created by Rebecca Trumbull.

I’ve included a few shopping links which mimic this look. These are affiliate links and all opinions are my own.

Flat Lays in the Flesh - Animal Print

On Thanksgiving I will be starting a holiday series that I think you might find inspirational and interesting. That is all I am saying about that right now, just to whet your appetites. Until then I thought it might be fun to revisit a few of the Fall Trends 2019 that I talked about through the medium of flat lays. If you don’t know what a flat lay is, it is simply a way to show an outfit by laying out the pieces on a flat surface, rather than showing them on a person. I find so many flat lays look amazing, but I am always left wondering, what does the outfit look like on an actual person. I hope you don’t find this too repetitive, but I decided to take four of the flat lays I did for my Fall Trends 2019 series and show you what they look like, in the flesh. Let’s get started.

This first outfit features a snakeskin jacket that I found thrifting last spring. This was the flat lay from the original post, which focused on the fall trend of animal prints.

Photo by Amy D. Christensen

This is what the outfit looks like in the flesh.

It was only about 10 degrees outside and as much as I like to play the tough chick, I decided, forget that nonsense, so my daughter/photographer turned her spare bedroom into a studio. She is so good at being flexible and working with what we have. She does such a great job with natural light. There was no flash in any of these pictures.

This Liz Claiborne snakeskin jacket has a little bit of stretch to it, making it very easy to move in. I paired it with a thrifted Banana Republic sweater for this outfit, but you could easily swap in other pieces like a button up blouse, a graphic tee or a lighter weight turtleneck for all manner of stylish vibes. A jacket like this is a work horse in your wardrobe and can be dressed up with a skirt or dress and heels; or dressed down with distressed jeans and sneakers.

I went for a work wear look, pairing the sweater and jacket with my Gloria Vanderbilt cargo skinnies and my Impo wedge ankle boots.

I chose the yellow tote bag to enhance the sunshiny vibe of the outfit, making this a good combination for a cloudy, fall day. This was another thrifted piece.

I thought layering a few fun necklaces would make for an added statement. In the original flat lay I only had the shorter necklace, but just recently I found the long pendant necklace at JCPenney on the clearance rack. They don’t match, but I think the combination works well against the yellow back drop.

Do you think this flat lay turned out to be a good outfit? Do these pieces work well together? Why or why not? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two.

I’m leaving you with a few shopping links for fun animal print pieces. Remember Christmas is coming soon and there might be a person or two on your list, who would love an animal print piece. These are affiliate links, which means if you click on a link, I get a few pennies, and if you purchase something through one of my links I get a few more pennies. Ha, ha. I appreciate every penny I get.

Hope you all have a great weekend and thanks so much for taking the time to stop by the blog.

Photo credit (unless otherwise stated) Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone - Autumn/Winter - 2019 - Summer Fig and Bluestone

You’ll remember from the New York Pantone series the color Bluestone. This is one of only two colors that showed up on both palettes. I’m not sure how the Pantone Color Institute comes up with the colors they choose. Is there a committee? If so who is on the committee? How do they come up with the names for each of the colors? Yes, these are the things a fashion blogger wonders when she is tired and needing a burst of writing motivation. Ha, ha. I am speaking the truth when I say, I had to look up what a fig looked like to understand where they came up with this red color. This red coincides with the bright red interior of the fig fruit. I have never eaten a fig, have you?

This bright red tee is SO brand from Kohl’s. It is a few years old. I find Kohl’s and JCPenney my go to’s for things like short and long sleeve tees.

The Bluestone vest is a LuLaRoe piece. This particular style is called Joy. I like that some clothing companies name each of their styles. Not that I will remember what they are called, but I just think it adds another dimension to a retailer, that they have taken the time and effort to specify a certain line has a name. This is the only vest I have that is this length and I like how it looks in this outfit. The fabric has plenty of stretch, but doesn’t lose its shape.

Once again, I turned to the classic color of Olive Green for my pants, bag, and belt. Olive just seems to be an easy color to pair other colors with and it grounds an outfit and keeps it looking chic with a bit of an edge. These utility pants are Gloria Vanderbilt brand and I’ve styled them before on the blog. You can see them styled with an olive utility vest here and in a flat lay with a snakeskin jacket here. I got the tote bag from Charming Charlie a couple years before they went out of business. Belts are so expensive, I usually try to pick them up at thrift stores.

I kept the jewelry simple with a gold pendant necklace and a gold bracelet.

This old pair of Sonoma ankle boots has been with me for a while, but they are the perfect neutral finishing touch and the suede texture is just right for a fall outfit.

What do you think of these colors? They are very similar to the New York palette using Bluestone and Chili Pepper. Do you like to wear vests? Do you have a long one like this? What are some other ways you could style a long vest? I’d love to have your feedback.

I’m including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo and graphic credit Rebecca Trumbull.