Begin Again, and a Look at What I Have Been Wearing

Hi everyone. What was originally going to be a one month hiatus has turned into nearly two, thanks to my new normal. I am trying to come to terms with the idea I have a chronic illness; a muddled mess of chronic sinusitis and asthma, each one individually trying to be managed, and at the same time exacerbating the other when one goes awry. In my vast experience (ha, ha) of 3 years I am seeing a pattern of sinus infection almost always leading to worsening of asthmatic symptoms. There seems to be a definite connection, though you will hear little of it from the medical community. Indeed, I am learning it is imperative we do our own research and keep looking for answers while trying to maneuver an overburdened medical landscape.

That is part of the reason for my disappearance from regular posting on my little blog. My hubby and I were able to take our meandering vacation in May without any issues, other than the car having a few hiccups. I am so thankful, because it was after that I got sick, and that would have ruined a really relaxing trip.

Here I am doing what my counselor so often tells me to do and that is, begin again. I will be starting out slow, but I do want to get a little bit of content out there before the summer is over. Today I am going to share a few of my daily outfits that I was able to post to instagram.

Outfit 1 - Long Denim Skirt and Graphic Tee

I wore this while we were visiting my mother-in-law, before we left for our Meanderings. It was the perfect combination of comfy and cute. I have this skirt in my rotation to be worn again, so I am thinking it deserves its own spot in a blog post.

Outfit 2 - Olive Pants and Peach Top with Lace Cut Out Yoke

I love this thrifted top. It has a cotton liner in the bodice area, and since the entire thing is cotton it is very comfortable for our warmer temps. I thought the combination of pastel peach with olive and blue chambray a fitting outfit for late spring and early summer.

Outfit 3 - Subtle Camo Cropped Pants, Floral Tiered Tunic and Open Weave Shrug

This is one of my favorite outfits I put together since we got back from our trip. Everything but the Sperry sneakers was thrifted. The outfit came together as a result of a print mixing challenge in Instagram, and I always love a good print mix. It was one of those cooler, late spring days, and these pieces kept me completely comfortable.

Outfit 4 - Rewear of Camo Cropped Pants with Floral Peasant Top and Blingy Vest

I always rewear my pants over the course of a couple of weeks between laundry sessions. Rewearing helps keep our clothes from getting worn out due to over washing and saves water and detergent. Do you rewear your clothes before washing? Isn’t the floral mix of print and embroidery beautiful on the sleeves of this piece? The Christopher and Banks vest makes regular appearances on the blog and Instagram.

Outfit 5 - Purple and Blue Striped Maxi Skirt and Graphic Tee

It is a struggle for me to wear things outside my comfort zone. This comfort zone revolves more around what is going on in my life than things not being comfortable due to size, fit, or type of piece. I love skirts and dresses, but my life rarely is conducive to wearing them. In order to not be too stuck in a rut, I am trying to reach for a maxi skirt on occasion and style it for my writing grandma lifestyle. Ha, ha.

This outfit is so me. I love the purple hues in the skirt and the tee is right up my alley. The tee was thrifted, and the skirt was another past Christopher and Banks purchase. I haven’t bought from them since they closed down their brick and mortar stores, but I sure did like them when I was able to shop in person. Since they went to an online only presence I have been less than underwhelmed. Sad!

Outfit 6 - Embroidered Chambray Shirt, Graphic Tee and Dark Wash Jeans

I have had this light wash chambray shirt for years and I absolutely love it. If it has embroidery on it I am sold! I used it more as a shacket, but occasionally wear it as a button down. I don’t like to layer it under other things because I want the embroidery to be a focal point. The floral graphic tee was a Maurice’s find several years ago. The dark wash, ankle jeans are a pair of Lee’s petites that I found at Kohl’s on clearance a while back. I don’t normally buy petites but when looking for an ankle pant they often work.

Outfit 7 - Pineapple Bling Tee and Jeans

A fun, easy outfit. What more can we ask for during the busy, hot, days of summer?

Outfit 8 - Floral Kimono, Oversized Tee and Reworn Jeans

I had an eye doctor appointment the morning before I took these pictures, and my eyes were dilated. That’s always fun. When I stepped back outside after I got home to take these pics, I was pretty squint eyed. Ha. ha.

Style Tip - There are so many ways to take an ordinary jeans and tee outfit up a few notches with accessories including layered necklaces and kimonos. Just because you have a routine of wearing the same type or style doesn’t mean it has to get boring. Jazz up the routine with colors, patterns, layers and bling, even if it just for a grocery store run or a doctor’s appointment. It is amazing how much better it makes me feel to put in the effort. Even when I am struggling with my physical heath.

Outfit 9 - Jeans with Bling and an Oversized Tee

I could not resist this recently thrifted tee. It is not cotton, so definitely not one I will wear when it is super hot, but it is so me. I love murder mystery shows, all the comfy clothes, and feel most comfortable with just a small number of people; although I can handle more like 8 or 10. Ha, ha.

Finding pieces that perfectly fit both your body and your personality is really what makes fashion fun. Graphic tees are great ways to show off the bands, movies, books, and philosophies you like. In the same way accessories can further show off your amazing sparkle. Don’t be afraid to play dress up every day, even the days you don’t feel good.

I hope you enjoyed this look at a few of my more recent outfits and I hope to be back at regular posting soon. Have a great week!

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.