My Favorite Animal...Print, I Mean

November 15, 2018 by Amy Christensen in Fashion blogger, Fashion over 40, Fashion over 50, Fashion photography, Fashion style, Fashionista, Style blog, Style blogger, Styling over 50, Women's Fashion, Women's fashion blog, Women's fashion over 50, Worthington brand, Leopard print jacket, Leopard print skirt, Leopard print shoes, Leopard print scarf

I thought it would be fun to show you some of my own leopard print pieces. I would say, out of all the different animal prints, leopard is probably my favorite with snakeskin print being the second. I have never been into zebra print. I love the animals and think it is very pretty in home decor, but the jazzy black and white stripes never seemed to appeal to my fashion preferences. But never say never.

Over the last few years I have been drawn to leopard print and have found a few fun pieces, some of which you have seen already. The first piece I acquired was a leopard print skirt. This was a JC Penney find and is Worthington brand. The first picture was from spring of 2016; the second is just this fall.

I also snatched up another leopard print skirt at a thrift store. Why do I need two leopard print skirts that are almost the same as far as shape and length? I could say the colors are a bit different and the second has a richer texture because it is corduroy, but in all honesty, I just forgot that I had the first one when I saw the second one in the thrift store. Ha, ha. This one is Jones, NY brand.

The next piece I acquired was a thrifted 3/4 length sleeve cardigan sweater. I liked the extra classy feel of the black band around the hem, sleeves and buttons. This is a brand called Karen Scott.

One of my favorite pieces you have seen recently on the blog and that is my leopard print blazer from JC Penney. This is a faux velvet piece and while it is not rigidly structured, it has enough shape to make it look classy. Thus far I have only styled it casually, but I think I will think about a more dressed up look.

If you are interesting in reading those original posts, just click on the links below the pictures. You might have fun seeing how different my hair was before I decided to start growing out my gray. Ha, ha.

I have a few other leopard print pieces for accessories including a pair of flats from Christopher and Banks and a scarf.

Those are my current leopard print treasures. I’m hoping at some point to acquire a pair of booties and a bag of some sort, but I’m in no hurry. I think leopard print is here to stay.

Do you have a favorite animal print? What ways do you like to wear those types of prints. I’d love to hear from you. Leave me some love or a few sassy remarks about my past pictures in the comments. Ha, ha.

Have a great weekend!

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

Pantone Spring 2017 - Pink Yarrow

May 02, 2017 by Amy Christensen in Clothing pieces, Dressing After 50, Fashion over 50, Layering, Pantone Spring 2017, Pink Yarrow, Skinny jeans, Sweater vest, Textures, Women's Fashion

To continue my series on the Pantone Spring 2017 color palette I am now looking at a deep, dark pink. While Pale Dogwood reminded us of the beautiful lacy trees that bloom in early spring, Pink Yarrow moves us into the deep, dark hues of mid summer blooms.

I know that my outfit is not. very spring like, but if you live in Northwest Ohio, you know that the days are not always pleasant. Sometimes it is still quite cool with wind that makes the temps even lower. Add to that rain and you have the perfect combination for still wearing long pants and long sleeves. Yesterday was the first of May and our temperatures are barely breaking the fifty degree mark. I'll take that over the twenties and thirties any day, but I still feel like I need to put on layers.

For this outfit I pulled out an older Worthington piece I have had for many years, my dark pink blouse. While this is not my first choice for a comfortable blouse because it has no stretch, I still wear it from time to time. It has held its color and shape so well. (Similar color here.)

The Kale colored skinnies, you have seen before. They are Gloria Vanderbilt brand and I am glad I got this pair from Kohl's. I styled these for our original Pantone Sneak Peek with Liz of With Wonder and Whimsy, back in February. You can see my original post here. (Similar pants here.)

Over the top I decided to add a bit of texture and fun with a long gray sweater vest from a thrift store. You can see how I styled that vest in this earlier post on Denim. The vest is actually a sleeveless sweater dress for a person thinner than me. Ha, ha. I decided to use it as a vest. (Here is a cool patterned version from Neiman Marcus on clearance.)

To add a touch of print to my, otherwise, solid outfit, I wore my leopard print ballet flats and a skinny leopard print belt.

I decided to use my cognac cross body bag to go with the cognac color in my shoes. It is not always necessary to have your shoes and bag match, but sometimes I still like to go by that rule, not because I have to, but because I am a person who likes an outfit that looks polished and finished. However, it is good to mix it up a bit, so just for you gals that like to not match things this outfit would look great with a blush colored bag, which is on trend right now, or even a pretty blue bag. Challenge yourself to think outside the fashion box. That is what I am trying to do, at least once in a while.

For jewelry I wore a beaded necklace that has a bit of a taupe color and for bracelets I used simple gray beads with a little tassel.

What do you think of Pink Yarrow? Do you have any clothing pieces that are this color? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Below I've included a few shopping ideas for Pink Yarrow pieces. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jennie in the Ageless Style link up, Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish and Shelbee in the Spread the Kindness link up. Wednesday linking up with Hannah and Sara of The Perfect Storm. Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style.

Piece Perfect - Basic Cardigan

October 06, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Casual dressing, Clothing pieces, Dressing After 50, Fall Colors, Layering, Over 50 Fashion Blog, Pantone, Women's Fashion, Basic Cardigan

I'm pretty sure most of us have, what I would term, a basic cardigan. What makes it a cardigan is that it serves the function of a sweater and usually has long sleeves, along with a button up or zip up front. In today's fashion world, cardigans are anything but basic. There are sleeveless, short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve and long sleeved versions. There are buttons, snaps, toggles and zippers. There are also versions that have no closures, such as tie front and fly away. They vary in length from short to long and anything in between. However, I think a wardrobe is incomplete without the basic cardi.

Today I am styling a brown cardigan two ways. I will not admit to the number of basic cardis that I have, just as I will not admit to the actual number of sweaters that are residing on various shelves throughout my home. Just don't ask my hubby. Ha, ha. For me, brown is a fairly basic fall color, so that is what I chose for my outfits.

1. A Casual Look -

For this basic look I styled the brown cardi over a Spicy Mustard tee. You'll see this top again in the Pantone Fall 2016 color line up when I feature it in a few weeks. I added my comfy boyfriend jeans.

My accessories included a large multi colored tote which pulls together the browns and the yellows. I also wore a bead and antler necklace that I found on clearance at Cabela's. In keeping with the natural theme I added a simple wood bracelet. To finish off the look I wore my leopard print flats.

2. A Dressed Up Look -

For this look I kept the same Spicy Mustard tee and basic brown cardigan. Instead of boyfriend jeans I wore eggplant colored hose and a leopard print skirt

In choosing my accessories I went for the purple, gold and brown. My jewelry was mainly gold with a few clear beads. My ankle boots were brown and the small clutch pulled in the purple of my hose.

Here's the two looks side by side.

Yes, the vine is trying to eat me!

So there you have it, my take on styling a basic cardigan. I think a cardi is a great piece to invest in, whether you have a couple or one in many different colors. They are versatile and an easy addition to any outfit casual or dressy.

I hope you enjoyed this piece perfect edition. Let me know what color cardi's you have in your closet. I love to have your feedback. Have a great weekend.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping for Cardigans:

JCrew Factory - $32.50

Target - $15.99

Christopher and Banks - $24.00

H&M - $14.99

Saturday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb in the Saturday Share Link Up.

Between the Lines: Final Week and Styling a Light Pink Pair of Jeggings - Post 2

June 21, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Casual dressing, Dressing After 50, Jeggings, Layering, Women's Fashion

It is hard to believe that our Between the LInes series, started by Katherine at http://katherinescorner.com/ is drawing to a close. This series featured all sorts of bloggers over the age of 50. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the link for the final installment.

This week I took my light pink jeggings and styled them in a fun, casual way. I used to find it hard to pair things with pink, but my fashion eyes have been opened and I think color matching or mismatching is all about what you love and what you want to say with your clothes. I still have a disposition towards matching, but I am trying to get away from that more and more. A real statement can be made by putting "clashing" colors together.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

I never used to think that orange and pink went together. Or that it was just too much, but pairing a bright, true orange with these pale pink jeggings is a perfect blend of bright and subtle.

This cute little jacket that I found at a thrift store is a colorful statement piece. It is full of varying shades and psychedelic patterns that pair perfectly with the solid top and pants. I can't wait to try this jacket with some other pieces. The gold belt is a great way to pull in my waist and the color matches perfectly with the embellishment on the tank top.

I ended up wearing my leopard print flats with the outfit, just as another way to mix things up. I think adding a leopard print or a gold clutch would have pulled the whole outfit together. I also would have added a bracelet or some bright colored bangles. Rolling up the legs on the jeggings adds to the casual look.

I enjoyed putting this outfit together and felt it expressed a little of my bohemian, gypsy inner vibe. Trying to stretch ourselves as fashion bloggers and as women, I am finding that there are things I like and things I don't. I am trying to be more open minded to different color combinations and find my own sense of fashion. I am a work in progress and so are you. Embracing that fact is the first step in becoming your own person with your own style.

Shopping the Look:

Light pink jeggings - Chico's - $39.98

Embellished tank - Kohl's - $30.80

Print jacket - Chico's - $44.98

Gold belt - J.C.Penney - $30.00

Leopard flats - DSW - $49.95

Click on the link below for the last installment of the Between the Lines series.

Tuesday linking up with Catherine from Not Dressed as Lamb and Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Thursday linking up with Nicole from High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with JoLynne Shane for Fashion Friday, and Jennie from a Pocketful of Polka Dots.