February Outfits: Colorful Combo 1 - Pink, Red and Salmon

Hi everyone! I am making an attempt to get back in the saddle as they say, or in my case, get back to posting on my blog. January was a difficult month, as I lost my mom on Christmas Day, traveling for the funeral and then ending up with the flu. I wanted to take the month off as a way to lean in to grieving, but I ended up leaning in to trying to recover from illness and nurse my spouse back to health. Yikes! Anyway, I am going to give it a go for February and we’ll see how things develop.

I decided to focus my attention on the month of hearts including both Valentine’s Day and The American Heart Association’s Heart Awareness month. This month I will be featuring outfits with the colors of “love”: pink, red, burgundy, purple, white and everything in between. I decided to do a few different color combinations. I hope you enjoy these outfits.

I apologize that these pictures are so grainy. I need a new phone, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Also, my pants are very wrinkled. I took these yesterday and just wasn’t feeling like I had very much energy. Between grief, Seasonal Affective Disorder and my ongoing health issues, I didn’t feel like ironing. Ha, ha.

Let’s look at how I put this look together. The first piece I chose was this fun, bubblegum pink, pullover sweater. This is a thrifted piece, and looked to have a tag, but no longer has one. It is a heavier piece and doesn’t have a lot of stretch, so if I gain too much weight, or when the temperature warms up I won’t be wearing it. However, I love the color, the open weave and the cuffed sleeves and bottom.

Just for a bit of contrast I added the white button down shirt underneath. I like the pop of white and feel like it ties in well with the polka dots on the pants. This is a thrifted, men’s shirt; a brand called At Collins. I will try to show it to you in the spring as a shacket. It has some beautiful white embroidery on it, but when I put it on for this post, I realized it is itchy, so it will probably be worn most over another shirt. :)

After I chose the pullover I decided to go with the red vest. I am becoming more comfortable with these bright color combinations and they are a definite dopamine boost in these drab winter months. This is another second hand piece and is reversible, so all red (with the black stretch) on one side and then this floral pattern on the other side. This was another piece without a tag, as many reversible pieces are.

I was going to just grab a pair of jeans, but then I thought, why not try another bright color, so I reached for these thrifted Gloria Vanderbilt pants that I have had for a number of years. I had worn these a while back so they were folded on a shelf waiting for another wear. Do you launder your pants every time you wear them, or do you wear them a few times before washing? I always get at least two or three wears out of a pair of pants as long as they haven’t gotten spilled on and don’t smell.

The outfit has a lot going on with the multiple layers and the print on the vest, but I did add a couple of pieces of jewelry. My charm necklace is old, but still a fave when I want something red, and my bracelet was a more recent thrift find.

I went with basic black for my shoes and bag. Since it is still winter, and there is a little black in the vest I thought it would be a good choice. My bag has been on the blog before. It was gifted to me a few years ago for Christmas, and is a brand called Aidebaum. My combat boots are Seven Dials and were purchased a number of years ago. You can tell up close they are getting a little worn. Ha, ha.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like to wear bright colors or you more of a fan of muted tones? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two below, or on Facebook. I also post regularly on Instagram, so if you have an account please follow.

No shopping links today. Have a great Tuesday evening!

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!

Seeing Red - Actual Amy - Plaid Jacket

Today is the last post for the month of February and for my Seeing Red series. If you are new to the blog, I do a lot of series, as it gives me a theme around which to style my outfits, so seeing as February is Valentine’s month and Heart Disease awareness month, red was my color of choice.

Today’s focal piece is a recent purchase from Maurice’s clothing store. This plaid jacket with its sherpa collar called to me as soon as I saw it. “Amy! Hey, Amy! You know you want me. I would look amazing on you, and you would look amazing with me wrapped around you. I’d also keep you cozy, as well as ramp up your casual, biker-chic vibe.” I do believe the jacket was right. Take a look at today’s outfit and see if you agree?

There are so many things I love about this jacket. The color, the pattern and the sherpa along the collar, cuffs and zipper inside, are the main characteristics that drew me to it. The deciding factor was the price. Since it was a winter/seasonal item, the price was only $19.99. I was doing a return to Maurice’s so I considered it an exchange and got it. The other nice thing about this piece is the fit. I could actually wear a bulkier item underneath and still zip it up without looking like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Ha, ha. It was a cold dat when we took these pictures and I clearly felt warm with this jacket on.

I was obviously going for a very casual look, so I chose my thrifted, distressed, Vera Wang cropped jeans. I wear these a lot in the summer, but thought they would give a fun, edgy vibe to this look.

It also seemed appropriate to have a thrifted band sweatshirt. I like the Beatles, but I was more of an Alice Cooper and Aerosmith chick as I was growing up. My younger daughter and I went to a Cooper concert a few years ago and it was such a blast. I guess I should have gotten a tee shirt!

To go along with this tough girl vibe, I chose accessories that included metal and black. Please don’t judge me for adding flowers to my olive hobo bag. Ha ha. It may have been a wish for spring, my inner flower child feelings or the fact that I really just love flowers.

Finally, my Seven Dials combat boots finished the look. What do you think?

Why is this outfit actually me? I was the one that beat up boys when I was in elementary school. I was the one that chased after my brothers on their motorcycles on my bicycle. I was the one that swam in the creek behind our house. I’m the one who would really like to have a motorcycle of my own. I’m the one who would like to be a warrior princess, if I could. This outfit just seems to sum me up. I told you that jacket was speaking to me. Ha, ha.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Thank you for all of your support. I hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

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