Color Play: Burgundy and Gray - Classic Fall Color Combo

Burgundy is one of many colors that I look forward to wearing in the fall and winter. These days there is no reason that we can’t wear those darker, richer colors all year round, but for me, I like the special feel of pulling out colors I haven’t seen for a while to embrace a new season.

This outfit was inspired, once again by an Instagram challenge where today’s prompt was Academia. I love the classic vibe of the full range of academia inspired clothing combinations. There is something cozy and chic about layering plaid blazers, knit vests and button down shirts with the university silhouettes of trousers, a-line or pleated skirts or nicer jeans in a variety of washes and colors. Obviously, in today’s society, the university campus is a rainbow of styles, colors and nationalities making it an interesting melting pot for both fashion and learning.

To build an academia inspired outfit, I typically start with my topper. Today’s choice was this beautiful gray, plaid blazer. This was a second hand find a number of years ago and is Talbot’s brand. It is a lovely, wool blend piece and fully lined. This one from Kohl’s is a brownish color; here is an oversized twill version from Old Navy; here is another brown piece from JCPenney; and here is a pretty one from Chadwick’s. Always check the second hand stores for blazers, especially if you are looking for something vintage.

If I look a bit peckish in these pictures it is because I just started an antibiotic yesterday for a sinus infection. Today I didn’t roll out of bed until almost 11. Yikes! You know I don’t feel well, when I stay in bed past 8 or 9. I think the stress and grief of this past year has definitely caught up with both my husband and I, so If we are still in bed at 11, so be it. Right now we are able to do that and we’ll take that as a sign that we need the extra rest. This too shall pass.

Once I chose the blazer I chose the vest. This knit piece is a men’s Docker’s brand. I just found this at the beginning of this month, when we were on our getaway with friends. I had been looking for a few more knit vests that were not bulky. I got this one and a creamy white one, both in the men’s section. Here is a blue vest from Kohl’s; a button down style from JCPenney; a plus size cable knit style from Woman Within; and a pretty gray from Lee. There is also this burgundy one from Oliver and Blake.

The button down shirt is an older thrift find and is Apostrophe brand. This is a nice, structured button down with a little stretch, which I like in a more fitted shirt. I really like how the vest and the shirt look like they were meant to be together. It is always fun when that happens. Here is one from JCPenney; a 3/4 sleeve one from Walmart; another version from Kohl’s; and a petite version from Macy’s.

I wasn’t sure what sort of pants to wear. At first I just had a pair of regular jeans, but then I remembered my thrifted, gray Gloria Vanderbilt jeans that I have had for years. Though I don’t use these a lot, they commonly get worn a few times a year. They are comfy and hold their shape well. Here is a pair from JCPenney; a pair from Lee; and a cute pair from Old Navy.

I knew I had a couple of burgundy colored bags so I grabbed this one out of my purse pile. This is a thrifted Libby Edelman piece. I will be throwing this one in the trash, even thought it is a cute piece. It is peeling all over, so it is time to go.

I chose silver for my jewelry. I have way too much jewelry and with not working anymore, I do try to put something on most days. I actually did wear this outfit today…once I got dressed. Ha, ha.

I also knew I wanted a more academic type shoe so I dug out this old pair from when I still worked at the bookstore. I love this pair of suede oxfords. They are a little snug, but like a good pair of leather gloves they seem to stretch and fit after you have them on for a bit. These are Naya brand and I got them at DSW. Here is a page from their website for black oxfords.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like the academia vibe? Do you own a plaid blazer? How do you wear it, or do you prefer to wear solid color blazers? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from each of you.

I have provided shopping links for you to explore. These are brought to you at no cost, and I do not make any money through any of these sites. These are just for your benefit.

I hope you have a great day!

My Style: Getting Dressed Up - Black Cardigan and Leopard Print Skirt

Today’s outfit pictures were actually taken a month ago. I was going to do an Instagram post where I copied someone else’s style. Unfortunately, I never got around to making that post, so I thought, why not use it for this week’s Fashion post on the blog.

I rarely get dressed up anymore, and this outfit was only put together for the IG challenge that I was going to do. I never actually wore this anywhere. However, if I had a reason to dress up and look fancy this would definitely work. Here’s the original inspiration. Zilla is a beautiful Instagram gal who posts from Australia. I love her classic, chic style. This is the outfit I came up with to mimic her style and still stay true to myself.

I decided to use a 3/4 sleeve black cardigan for my top that I have posted on the blog before. This has been in my closet for a number of years and still gets occasional wear. I typically use it as a topper rather than an actual top, but I wanted something that would look classy and still cover my muffin top, and was a tad bit warmer for the changing season. This is Croft & Barrow brand and was originally from Kohl’s. Here is a similar version from Kohl’s. There is also this version, and this one.

Style Tip: If you are ever looking for a specific piece and don’t know where to look just go to your browser and type in what clothing item you want to search for and it will bring up numerous options that you can then navigate to for specifics on store, sizing and pricing. Easy, peasy.

I got this fully lined skirt this past summer while thrifting and I think it was the perfect alternative to polka dots for this outfit. I had been looking for a long pleated skirt and when I found this print in a neutral and white color I knew I could use it all year round. I hope to do a future post on this skirt with knee high boots, and a comfy, oversized grandpa cardigan or a pullover sweater in a similar neutral color or in a dark brown. Check back for that. Here is a solid neutral from Walmart, a berry color from Kohl’s that would be pretty for the upcoming holiday season, a floral print from Nordstrom Rack, and this gorgeous plus size version from Woman Within.

I decided to keep my feet more neutral to elongate the lower half of my body and match the print of the skirt. I have had these Sonoma suede, block heeled booties for years. Sorry for the crummy pics. Ha, ha. You can see how I styled them for another fall outfit here.

Style Tip: If you can find, or afford good leather or suede boots, shoes or bags they are worth the investment. They last forever, and wear well, especially if you use suede spray or keep your leather polished. Clean them as best you can after they have been out in the elements and they will keep giving back for a lifetime.

In keeping with Zilla’s copy of the original outfit, I layered a couple of my pearl and faux pearl necklaces, and added a faux pearl and gold layered bracelet.

To dress things up just a smidge more I opted for my grayish black sparkly clutch. I always think sparkles snazz things up a little more, and for some reason, to me a clutch is more dressy than a hobo bag.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you think I did a good job taking inspiration from Zilla’s post, but still kept it my own? Do you have pieces in your closet that you could do a similar look with? I always love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

I have included some shopping links for you to look over. I hope you have a great week!

Hugs!

Shopping Our Closets: Casual Fall Look with Print Mixing

I am honestly trying to get back to regular posting, but 2026 has been kicking our butts. I have been struggling with my health symptoms as per usual, but yesterday I felt like I was getting a full blown sinus infection. The problem with these types of infections is that they simmer for weeks before actually turning into an actual infection. Unfortunately during that simmer time I feel extremely fatigued and unable to do anything extra. Yesterday, besides the pressure and pain in my head and face, I also had the congestion and the fatigue was overwhelming. I actually laid on the couch at one point in the afternoon and took a power nap just to get through the day. I started using colloidal silver in my neti pot yesterday morning and today, I already am feeling a little better. Hopefully, the upward progress will continue.

For today’s post I am using an outfit I wore one day last week and thought to take pictures of. I was going to post last week, but we were just too busy, so I gave myself some leeway. When you are already stressed because of what life is bringing to the table, you certainly don’t need to add getting down on yourself for all the things you feel you are not doing.

Since my Autumn/Winter Pantone series is over I decided to get back to my regular monthly columns. Today we are shopping our closets for simple easy printed pieces that can be combined for a fun, casual and comfortable look that is perfect for watching the grandkids, running to get groceries, or just hanging out at home.

If you have been reluctant to get on the print mixing wagon, now is the time to try it out. Fall is perfect for layering, and fun fall prints like dark florals, rich plaids and holiday graphics are just waiting to be seen together. For this outfit I chose plaid and autumn leaves for a color clash that seems like it was made to go together.

Style Tip: When mixing prints try to pull similar colors from both pieces. Also, pairing a larger print with a smaller print usually makes a more eye pleasing mix.

For this look the first piece I chose was this fun leaf print tee that I thrifted at the end of the summer. This is a brand called Hybrid. I love the burgundy background color and the pretty red, gold and light brown leaves. It is a light weight, stretchy knit so perfect for layering under other pieces. Even though the front tuck seems to be on again, off again I still use it to help disguise my love handles. I lost those pesky things when I lost weight. Unfortunately, I have gained it all back so they thought it necessary to return. Ha, ha. Here are a few long sleeve fall tee options from Cabelas, Kohl’s, and Talbots.

Once I chose the long sleeve tee I remembered this yellow and burgundy, SO plaid that I thrifted a few years ago. I was so tickled that these two pieces when together so well. Here are some options from Kohl’s, Land’s End, JCPenney, Old Navy, Walmart, and Amazon.

As you can see in the above picture there are light blue stripes in the shirt, thus my reason for choosing light wash jeans, and light blue accessories. My jeans were a sale purchase at Maurice’s a few years ago. These are a great in between seasons jean as they are lighter weight, and quite comfortable due to the stretch factor. These pics are a bit washed out due to the bright sunshine. Usually the best light for my phone is deeper shade. Check out some of Maurice’s jeans.

You’ve seen these Converse sneakers plenty of times since I got them on sale at DSW. The light blue is a great color for spring, summer and into fall, but I will put them away once the temps decide to be more fall like. Boots are my norm for the cooler weather. Here are some Converse sneakers from DSW.

My bag was a thrift find. I like the distressed, almost denim look to the material. Cross body bags are my bag of choice since I like to have my hands free when I am out and about. Here are a number of blue crossbody bags also from DSW.

My jewelry was blend of pieces. The leaf necklace I purchased up north at an art gallery a few years ago. The bracelets are pieces I have collected over the years mostly clearance purchases.

If you are interested in a leaf necklace or pendant for fall here are some beautiful options from Etsy.

What do you think of this outfit? Would you be able to put something together like this by shopping your closet? I’d love to hear your thoughts so leave me some love in the comments.

Shopping links are included for you to enjoy. These are brought to you at no additional cost and I do not receive any money through these sites.

Have a great week.

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2026: Muted Clay, All Aboard and Poseidon

This is the last outfit for this Autumn/Winter 2026 New York Palette. Today’s look combines a grounded pinky orange called Muted Clay; a pretty light blue named All Aboard, and a dark blue called Poseidon. You can see the actual Pantone palette here.

I struggled to find Muted Clay in my closet, but then I remembered I had this Always Be Kind sweatshirt from Love in Faith. Yes, I do buy a lot of tees and sweatshirts from them, but I am always pleased with their quality and their designs. The prices are great too, especially when they have a sale. Be sure to check them out as they already are selling Christmas designs.

For All Aboard I decided on this blue gingham button down blouse that hasn’t seen a lot of wear. It is a very nice shirt and I got it on clearance from JC Penney. It is St. John’s Bay brand. I decided to roll up the sweatshirt sleeves by tucking the wrist band under, pulled out the collar and left out the tails to give a bit of checked whimsy to the look. Here is a similar long sleeve version from Walmart, a dark blue version from Land’s End, and another style from Shein.

My Poseidon jeans were a recent thrift find. They are definitely more of an ankle pant on me, but would look equally cute with ankle or combat boots in the cooler weather. These are Old Navy. Here is a wider leg pair from JCPenney, a straight leg pair from Kohl’s, and a slim leg pair from Chico’s.

I decided on brown leather accessories for my shoes and bag. My shoes are an older pair of loafers and are a brand called Etienne Aigner Luxe. My bag is new to me. I was immediately drawn in by the needlepoint print on both sides. This is a brand called Rivage Classic. Both the loafers and the bag were thrift finds.

My necklace was a Christopher and Banks piece back when we used to have a brick and mortar store here in my area. I used to love to shop there and was very sad when they closed. They still have an online store, but it just doesn’t appeal to me like the actual store did. Here is a look at their accessories.

What do you think of these colors? Do you have any of these in your closet? How would you put these colors together, or would you combine one of these with a few other colors? I always love to hear you thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

I’ve included a few shopping links for you to look at. These are just for your use. I do not make any money off of those links. I try to give you samples from retailers that have a more reasonable price point, but I also strongly recommend checking out second hand stores. Not only do you save money, but you are also helping to keep clothing out of a landfill which helps our planet.

Have a great week!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2026: Green Envy, Foxglove, and Candied Ginger

Happy first day of fall! It looks and feels like an autumn day with clouds, wind and a chill in the air. If you hop on over to my Instagram account you’ll see I pulled out one of my favorite flannel button downs and am wearing it as a shacket, which is perfect for today’s temps.

Today on the blog I am featuring another trio of Pantone colors from the Autumn/ Winter New York Palette. Today’s colors are Green Envy, a darker yellow green than our early feature of Acacia; Foxglove, a pretty pinky purple that falls in the mauve category; and Candied Ginger, a soft neutral medium tan. You can see the original Pantone colors here.

Once again let me say my pieces do not match the colors exactly. My jacket is a darker green, and my pants are definitely lighter. My bag and boots are probably a little closer to the actual colors. Again, this is just for fun, to try different color combinations by shopping the clothes we already have in our closets.

I thrifted this Fieldgear suede jacket years ago. I have thought about getting rid of it, but it is really a well made piece and a pretty color so I keep it around and wear it once in a while. I use it more like a blazer than an actual jacket, although for this in between wear it is a nice weight. Here’s a cute wrap jacket from Old Navy; here’s a pretty option from Shein; and Walmart has this short blazer option.

I really struggled with finding a piece in my closet that was close to the Foxglove color. Everything was either too pink or too purple. However, I finally came upon this tee in my tee pile and had to change the whole look to work around it, but I really wanted this color to stand out. This is Pink Republic brand and I got it a few years ago at Kohl’s. Here are a few solid versions from Life is Good, LLBean, and Gap.

Originally I had a leopard print pleated skirt picked out for this post whose spots matched the Candied Ginger color perfectly, but as I mentioned above, I had to switch things out when I picked the tee. I chose this pair of Croft & Barrow pants that I bought from Kohl’s a few years ago. They definitely have a tan or beige vibe, but they look almost cream or white in these pictures. Oh well! Here is a pair from Land’s End; Old Navy; Maurice’s; and JCPenney.

I chose this leather ILI NY bag because it was a similar color. This is a great bag. I prefer a cross body shoulder bag so when I am out I can be hands free. To me it just seems more secure. This one also has a number of extra pockets. I would give you a few shopping links for bags this color, but they all top out at around $100. If you are interested in an odd colored bag like this be sure to check out the thrift stores.

I decided to wear this layered bead and antler necklace. I thought it was a good way to bring in the tan of the pants and the boots. Plus I thought it did a good job of grabbing attention against the stripes of the tee. I can’t remember where I got this, but it is a fun piece.

I have had these Sonoma boots for a long time. Made of real suede and leather with a block heel I keep them around as a way to dress up a pair of jeans in the cool weather. I don’t wear heels at all any more, but an occasional date with these stacked heels works well. Here is a page of options from DSW.

What do you think of these colors? Do you have any of these in your closet? What other colors do you think would look good with Foxglove or Green Envy? I always love to get your feed back so be sure to leave a comment or two. I appreciate it.

Shopping links are included for you. I do not make any money off of these links and they are offered to you at no cost unless, of course, your purchase something. Ha, ha.

I hope you are having a fabulous week!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2026: Neptune Green, Festival Fuchsia, and Toffee

Today I am showing you another outfit with three more colors from the New York, Autumn/Winter palette. Today’s outfit includes Neptune Green, a bright green similar to a sea foam; Festival Fuchsia, a party ready purple, and Toffee, a classic medium brown. I wouldn’t naturally think to put these colors together, though I could easily see the green with the brown, or even the purple with the brown. Combining bright colors like Neptune Green and Festival Fuchsia has never been easy for me, but I love when other people are not afraid to wear the bold, bright colors. This is one way, I have been trying to get outside my own outfit “rut”. You can see the actual Pantone colors here.

For Neptune Green I chose my thrifted Zylos men’s button down. I do like this color. It is not your typical grass, olive, or forest green. My personal “color brain” - yes, I just made that up - thinks this is a better color for spring and summer.

Personal Fashion Philosophy: Let me just sit here for a moment. I guess it is true that for most of our lives, those of us who grew up in the mid twentieth century, were trained to accept certain seasonal color choices: white for summer, rust and burgundy for fall, black and orange for Halloween, red and green for Christmas, icy blues for winter, and pastels for spring and Easter. How many of you know what I am talking about?

Now, let me take that a little further. We all know that certain smells, sights and sounds remind us of certain holidays, childhood experiences and so on. What if part of my “color brain” is my own way of finding peace, coziness and hope during seasonal change? To me there is just something about digging into those dark, rich colors for the fall season as life begins a transition from long, sunny days spent outside to the shorter, cooler months of spiced cider, snuggly layers and blankets, and gatherings in doors. Just something to think about. Let me hear your ideas about seasonal color change.

This is a darker long sleeve choice from Cabela’s; a short sleeve tee, closer to the actual Pantone color from Old Navy (and not a bad price currently); and I really like this print tee from Life is Good. There is also this 3/4 length sleeve tee from LLBean.

The next piece I chose was the skirt. It seems whenever brown is once again on the Classic palette I reach for this skirt. I have many times thought of getting rid of it since I rarely wear skirts, but it always gets pulled out for something or other. My skirt is a bit darker than the actual Pantone Toffee color, but you get the idea. I do this series to inspire you to shop your closet, not match the color palette’s exactly. This skirt is St. John’s Bay brand from JC Penney and is old. Here is a few versions from Target, a patterned print from Natural Life, a midi length from JC Penney, and a pull on faux suede version from a place called The Vermont Country Store.

I chose this thrifted Faded Glory striped tee for Festival Fuchsia. The combination of Neptune Green and this pretty purple is a fun vibe, though I certainly wouldn’t think of it for fall. Here is a striped boat neck version from JCPenney; an embellished top from Kohl’s; and a peasant style from JC Penney.

Instead of a necklace I chose a large brooch and pinned it right at the point of the v. I like how it looks. What do you think. I want to incorporate my pins and brooches more often, as they are such fun pieces to use, but often get overlooked.

My wrap bracelet was a fun thrift find from a few years ago. I like all the different colors of the beads, so it can be worn with many different things.

If you have been following me for a while then you know I have had this thrifted corduroy hobo bag for a number of years. Here are a few different ones: Kohl’s, JCPenney, and DSW.

My second hand, brown, suede Keds are getting old, but I still use them regularly. I should probably try to spiff them up with a brush and some suede spray. Here are numerous brown sneaker/shoes from DSW.

What do you think of these colors? Do you suffer from “color brain” like I do? What are some things that are part of your fashion philosophy? If you are interested here is an article I wrote a few years ago on what is behind my Fashion Philosophy. I would love it if you stopped by and read that article too, and leave a comment or two!

I have included a few shopping links for you to look over. These are just suggestions and I do not make any money through them. I do, however, appreciate so much when you leave a comment on the blog. Your thoughts and friendship really do warm my soul and remind me I am not doing this just for myself. Thank you.

Have a wonderful day!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2026: Arabian Spice, Acacia, and Underworld

This week we are looking at three more of the New York Autumn/Winter Pantone colors. You can see the actual colors by clicking here. Today’s outfit is a color block style of sorts and uses the colors Arabian Spice, a warm, earthy brown with a little heat; Acacia, a green infused yellow, and Underworld, a medium gray. Let’s take a look.

I really had a hard time finding a piece in my closet that closely resembled Acacia. Greenish yellow is not a color that I lean towards. I don’t have a lot of light or bright yellow. With my coloring I typically lean more towards dark or sunny yellows. The first piece I picked out was too green, so after several more attempts I remembered I still had this thrifted, v-neck, short sleeve sweater by Gap. It still seems a bit lighter than the Pantone color, but you get the idea. Here is a possible long sleeve piece from Kohl’s, and a cardigan from Banana Republic,

I pulled out these Chico’s So Slimming Ponte knit pants that I bought on sale a number of years ago. Since I no longer have an office job I rarely wear dress pants, but this is a pair I hang onto because they are dressy, but easy to pull on and there are no belt loops or zippers. Those are sun spots on my pants, not bleach stains. Ha, ha. I had the worst time on this day trying to find a spot in the shade that didn’t have dappled sunlight. Here is a straight leg jean from Cabela’s, a pull on pair from JC Penney’s, and a corduroy pair from Kohl’s.

My Underworld vest was a recent thrift purchase. Again, I had to look through a number of pieces in my closet to find the gray that was closest to this color. Gray’s like olives have various undertones and shades. This is Relativity brand. I love vests, especially as the weather cools. The day I took these pictures was not cool!! If you don’t mind a higher price point this is a pretty one with a unique hemline from Coldwater Creek, a fleece one from L.L. Bean, a vintage waistcoat from Kohl’s, and this quilted one from a retailer called 32 Degrees.

I chose a simple silver, seasonal necklace that has a pumpkin, an orange bead, and leaf. I think I got this a couple years ago at Maurice’s.

For my shoes I chose one of my many pairs of SO ankle boots from Kohl’s. This pair has a black snake print pattern with a brownish background. Here is a page from DSW with a number of snake print patterned boots.

My Anne Klein bag was a thrift find this past spring. I love to look at purses and if you talk to my spouse he will tell you I have too many purses. What nonsense! Ha, ha. Unfortunately, it’s true, so these days I do try to steer clear of the purses so I am not tempted. However, I did grab this cute bag.

I would have never thought to put these colors together, but that is part of what makes this color series so fun. I hope you enjoyed learning more about Arabian Spice, Acacia and Underworld!

Leave me some love in the comments. I always like to hear your thoughts on these colors and on my outfits. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2026: Red Mahogany, Burnt Olive and Egret

Happy September, everyone! It has been a very long time since I have been regularly posting on the blog, and I hope starting this Pantone series for fall will be the catalyst to bringing this little blog back to life and bringing me back to the things I am most passionate about: fashion, faith and writing. I will be sharing more on my Faith page on the difficulty we have had over the last six months, so if you are interested you can visit there later this week. I hope to get back to my regular posting schedule of Fashion on Tuesdays, Faith on Thursdays and perhaps an occasional post on a different day of the week when time and energy allows.

While access to the Pantone Fashion Week colors seems to be getting harder and harder to find, I was able to find a link to the original article so you can see those colors by clicking on the link here. These fall colors are interesting, and I will be the first to admit that I rather like these bright colorful hues and noticed a few that remind me of colors I like to wear in the fall and winter like Arabian Spice, Red Mahogany, Toffee, and Poseidon.

You will see that most of the looks in this series try to incorporate transitional pieces. For those of us who live in the midwest, the transition from summer to fall often means cool mornings and evenings with the heat returning in the late morning and throughout the afternoon. We have to be able to layer light weight fabrics in a way that accounts for the midday heat and the still working air conditioners. In this first look I layer a light weight utility vest over a light weight peasant top, along with lighter weight crop pants.

Red Mahogany is dark, rich burgundy color and we often see this color come back in the fall and winter seasons. I chose a peasant top that I discovered last spring at a thrift store. I love the pretty floral and bird pattern, the embroidery around the neckline and the shirring along the neck and shoulders. It definitely has a feminine and Boho vibe which is a fun alternative to my practical tees, sweatshirts and flannels for cooler weather. This is a brand called Sundance. Here is a pretty solid colored piece from Lucky Brand; a floral version from Natural Life; and a Croft & Barrow version from Kohl’s.

Interesting Tidbit: Robert Redford founded the original Sundance clothing company in 1969 in Utah with a paper catalogue coming out in 1989. Pieces were originally crafted with interesting prints and Bohemian vibes. In 2004, Redford sold the company in 2004, and in 2025 the company closed. There is a current Sundance Boutique based in Cape Cod that features skirts and dresses with a coastal influence.

Since the top is rather voluminous, I opted for a vest rather than a belt or tuck. I have had this Mudd piece for a number of years. I used to shop more frequently at Kohl’s in the past, but not as much these days. The changes they have made, the increase in prices and more recently their involvement in political issues has me less likely to shop there. I have no problem with others shopping there and I will still occasionally check out their sales for Christmas or birthdays, but I personally would rather shop at a second hand store.

This piece falls easily into the Burnt Olive color. In my opinion olive can have a yellow undertone or a gray undertone. Burnt Olive seems to lean more towards the gray, and many of my olive pieces fall into this category. Here is one from Walmart, a shorter, insulated version from Duluth Trading, and a actual utility jacket from LL Bean.

I decided to use my copped pants for the Pantone classic color called Egret. I have had these thrifted St. John’s Bay pants for a number of years. They get pulled out every summer, and will continue to be worn with frequency as long as I can still fit into them. Ha, ha. This looks like a nice pair from Coldwater Creek; a barrel shaped pair from Land’s End, and a capri length pair from Kohl’s.

For my accessories I chose gold for my necklace and a sparkly bracelet, both of which I forgot to take pictures of. My bag was a gifted piece from a company called Saddleback Leather, and you can see my review for that here. It is a fun little piece if you want something easy to carry that doesn’t take up much space; perfect for a wallet and few odds and ends.

My Natural Soul loafers are also a second hand find from quite a few years ago. Sorry for my wrinkly elephant ankles! Wearing compression hose in the summer is not any fun, but it is better than seeing my pasty, purple and blue, bulgy veins. Ha, ha. Here are a page of options from DSW.

What do you think of these colors? Do you have any of these in your closet? It’s that time of year again to start wearing your fall colors. Isn’t it crazy how fast time flies by. Leave me a comment or two. I love to hear from you.

I hope you are having a great week. Be sure to stop by on Thursday for a new series on my Faith page. Hugs!

What I Have Been Wearing Lately, and a Look Forward

Hi everyone! It has been a long while since I last posted on my Fashion page, or my Faith page. Life has been busy and filled with all manner of difficulty and struggle, so the blog has taken a back seat for a little while so my spouse and I can try to catch up and recover from all the various challenges.

I have thoughts in mind about when and how to proceed with getting back to a more regular posting schedule which I will share at the end of this post. For today, I thought enough time has passed where I could get away with another post on what I have been wearing lately using outfits I posted on Instagram.

I enjoy the ease and quickness of posting on Instagram. The descriptions are short and usually include a little blurp about a challenge I am participating in, the outfit I am wearing and what was happening on that particular day. Lately, they have been shorter than ever because I am so tired and unmotivated, but I keep trying to show up because I know if I give up I will crawl under a comfortable rock and probably never come back out. Here we go!

Italian Coastal Chic

I put together this fun look from the above prompt for one of the IG challenges I was participating in. The idea of an outfit that exemplified the Italian coast was way outside of my wheelhouse, so I began with Pinterest. I typed in Italian Coastal Chic and most of what popped up where beautiful, lanky women in their mid thirties dressed in lovely tiered dresses, flowy neutral pants, crisp white tees or tanks, carrying cute straw bags and wearing strappy sandals. As much as I would love to look like they did, I don’t, so I created this look from what was in my closet, using the embroidered, lace topper as a jacket of sorts over a tank top. Keeping the colors neutral definitely gives it more of a European vibe.

Bohemian Vibes

Most of these outfits, you will see, are the direct result of a daily Instagram challenge. The prompts are meant to inspire whoever joins to shop their own closets and come up with an outfit that goes along with the prompt. For this look the prompt was Urban Boho. I had fun combining this pretty Sonoma kimono with the thrifted tee that matched perfectly. It’s always fun when that happens.

Print Mixing Fun

I always love a good print mix and this outfit was a cute combination of summer stripes and textured waves on the Chaps knit vest. Vests are great pieces for summer layering. They are perfect when you are going to an air conditioned restaurant or coffee shop.

Ultra Casual

I put on this very casual look after I had housecleaned. The tee has been around for a number of years, while the wide leg capris are a brand called Westbound. They are so incredibly comfortable. The perfect pants when you just want to chillax.

Cherry Tones

Who doesn’t love the sweet, black cherries of summer? I buy several pounds every time I get to the grocery store during the season. This outfit was born of three separate challenges: Chic Cherry Tones, “Cherry” On My Wayward Son, and Wear It. The last one had to do with sustainable pieces in our wardrobes and my focus was this cute Christopher & Banks vest that I have had for many years. It is such a well made piece and always looks great, no matter how often I wear it. That is what I look for in a sustainable piece.

Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday

I’m showing you two outfits that I wore right around the 4th of July. I was tapping into the traditional reds, whites and blues and liked how both of these turned out. I’m so glad I found these Comfortiva red shoes. These are probably one of the best buys I have found. This brand of shoe runs around $105 new. I got them for $1. In the second outfit I am showing off a new pair of thrifted jeans with fun, floral embroidery.

Preppy Neutrals

The highlight of this outfit is certainly the striped top with embroidered flowers. It is a brand called Jane and Delancey. I paired it with a light weight pair of Sonoma utility pants, for a breezy traveling outfit.

Vanilla Raspberry Fudge

This outfit revolved around two IG prompts: Vintage Revival with Distressed Denim, and Style an Outfit Based on Your Favorite Summer Treat. The pretty lace tee was a recent find, and reminded me of the bodice of an old timey dress. My favorite summer treat is ice cream from a little shop around the corner from where we live, called Vanilla Raspberry Fudge. It is so creamy and delicious.

I hope you enjoyed seeing these everyday outfits. When you start feeling like your closet has gotten boring and you no longer have anything to wear, trying looking at it differently. Try taking inspiration from a painting, a paint swatch at the hardware store, or even the tiles in a public restroom. Perhaps you never thought to combine those colors before. Another way to find inspiration is by pulling out various pieces in your wardrobe without worrying about what goes with it. For instance, pull out three bottoms; perhaps a pair of jeans, a tiered skirt, and a pair of capris. Now pull out three tops that you haven’t looked at in a while. Start imagining how one of the tops could go with one of the bottoms. Now you have the beginnings of a completely new look. Add a belt, a bag, some shoes and maybe a light weight jacket or sweater and you are set to go.

I am hoping to get back to more regular posting in August, or at the latest, September. Whenever I do I will be starting with my Pantone series to kick things off for fall. Isn’t it crazy that we are already thinking about fall? The New York Palette has some very pretty colors on it this year which I will be exploring.

I hope you all are doing well, and I appreciate your patience with me and the blog. Have a great week1

My Style: Pre July 4th Look

It is hard to believe the first full day of summer, the longest day of the year is already past and we are heading towards Independence Day, the 250th birthday of our country. When we celebrated the 200th birthday I was 12 years old and I do remember going to the parade and seeing fireworks. It was a big deal. No matter who you are, what you believe or who you voted for, I hope we all can set aside the negativity and simply enjoy the freedom and benefits we have living in the United State of America, and that for just a little while we can concentrate on all that we have to be thankful for.

Today’s outfit revolves around this idea of celebration of the red, white and blue.

I didn’t really want to go full on red, white and blue, so I chose olive green as the back drop for the rest of the outfit. I started with this Love in Faith tee that I purchased a few summers ago. If you have followed me for a while you probably know my love for this online retailer. They do not pay me to endorse their products, I just love their faith-based tees for their fun graphics, their soft material and their decent pricing. Here are a few of this year’s patriotic tees.

I wanted to keep the olive theme going so chose these thrifted Supplies cropped utility pants. With their zippered pockets and fun camo pattern they are a good summer alternative to white. Here are a few possibilities from Torrid, Chicos, and Walmart.

The next thing I chose were my shoes. I got these red, Comfortiva sneakers at a thrift store a couple years ago and I just love them as a fun alternative to white sneakers for summer. I found these for $1. It really does pay to check out second hand stores on the regular. You may not find exactly what you are looking for, but you might just find something you would have never tried otherwise. Here are some possible red options from DSW.

I also chose red jewelry.

At the last minute I decided to add a topper and chose my thrifted Ralph Lauren navy blazer. I might have chosen a lighter weight cardigan, but I was trying to get these pictures taken so I could get this post up for Tuesday. I like the juxtaposition of the classier, structured blazer with the more casual vibe of the tee, pants and sneakers, but I also wonder if the cardigan would have been a better choice. Oh well, live and learn. Here is a pretty one from Land’s End, Chico’s, and Kohl’s.

The last piece I chose was my Charming Charlie tote bag from a number of years ago.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like to dress up for holidays like the 4th of July? What kind of outfit will you be wearing for our country’s 250th birthday? I love to hear you thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

Thank you for all of your support, and have a wonderful week!

Shopping Our Closets: Casual Summer Vibes

I am trying to get back to my monthly posts, at least for the summer, so this week I am shopping my closet to bring you a casual summer outfit that would be good for a coffee shop date, an afternoon of shopping or a trip to the theater with the grandkids to see a movie. We all know that indoor activities during the summer can often come with too much air conditioning, so thinking ahead about what to wear is essential for being comfortable.

Today’s look revolves around pieces that most of us have in our closets, or at least pieces that are similar: a Breton striped tee, light wash jeans, and a light weight cardigan.

A casual look like this is easy to put together and anyone who is reading this can probably find similar pieces in your own closet. Let’s look at each piece individually.

My Breton striped tee is an older thrifted piece and is J. Crew brand. I love the structure of this piece and the beautiful, sparkly bird embellishing its upper right hand corner.

I wondered what exactly made a shirt a Breton striped piece, so I looked it up. The Breton stripe originated in France and was made specifically as the official uniform for the French Navy back in 1858. The shirt was typically white with navy; the white stripe being wider than the blue, and it was usually a 3/4 length sleeve. In addition the neckline was a wide boat neck. In 1910 Coco Chanel took inspiration from the French navel uniform and it began its iconic journey through the decades as a fashion statement.

Here is an elbow length sleeve version from JCPenney; a red version from Eddie Bauer; a short sleeve version from Land’s End, and a plus-sized version from Kohl’s.

Style Tip: While tee shirts that are cotton/polyester blends are soft and comfy, they don’t always give us the coverage we desire as far as our extra rolls. A medium to heavier weight cotton will typically give you more structure, and is less see through for both your extra bits and your undergarments.

The next piece we’ll look at are my light wash, cropped jeans. I love this pair of Talbots that I found at a second hand store. They are a little heavier weight, but are soft, and I love the added detail of the stripes that go along the outside seam. Once again, the heavier weight cotton fabric is still doable for summer because it is still breathable.

Here is a mid-rise version from Land’s End; a higher rise pair from J.Jill; a lighter weight version from L.L. Bean; and this pair with the fun pocket detail from Christopher & Banks.

Style Tip: Jean washes don’t really matter any more as far as seasons are concerned, but If you are old school like me, I like to get out my light wash, and white, or bright colored jeans for summer just to lighten my wardrobe up a bit.

I decided to tap into the black stripes on my tee, and yes, mine are black, not navy, for the cardigan I chose. The stripes on my jeans are also black, so that added to the reason I went for a black sweater and black shoes. My cardigan is Croft & Barrow brand and I bought it at Kohl’s many years ago. Time goes so fast, it is hard to keep track. The 3/4 sleeves are perfect for when you want extra coverage, but not too much.

Here is a Croft & Barrow, open front version from Kohl’s; one from Macy’s; another version from Chico’s; and a couple from JC Penney - regular size, and plus size.

My Oxford shoes have been around for quite some time considering I haven’t worked at the university bookstore since fall of 2019, and I got these while I was still employed. These are a brand called Naya, and I got these at DSW on the clearance racks.

It’s funny, of all the pictures I struggle with, shoes are the worst. Ha, ha. If my feet are in them, I don’t feel like I can ever get the right angle for the picture. Either my feet look super long, as in the first picture, or my ankles look like tree stumps, as in the second picture. Ha, ha. It’s okay. I am no flighty influencer and that is okay. I just keep doing this for fun, and for you, my lovely followers!

My woven bag is also thrifted, and the label says, icing, which was Claire’s Boutique’s brand for many years. I don’t shop there any more, since I no longer have young daughters, but it was a fun place to go, especially for their special sales and clearance jewelry.

Pull out your straw bags, I mean doesn’t everyone have one? They are always spot on for the warm weather months, and always seem to be trending for summer. Here is a whole page of possibilities from DSW.

What do you think of this outfit? Is this something you would wear, or that you could put together from pieces you already have in your closet? What would you do differently: wear shorts, or a skirt; pick different shoes? Let me know in the comments. I love to hear your ideas.

I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday!

What I Have Been Wearing Lately

Hi everyone. It has been a crazy few weeks since I last posted on this page. Since I don’t have an outfit picked out for today, I thought I would just share a few of my Instagram outfits, just for some content until I can get back to regular posting. My spouse and I are making progress on his retirement, but it has been one roadblock after another. Who would have thought getting all the things in place for retirement would be a full time job, and a job without all the perks! Ha, ha.

A Little Bit Boho

Most of these outfits were put together for a monthly Instagram challenge, but I have also been trying to challenge myself to wear things I don’t regularly reach for. This tiered blouse was a thrift find a number of years ago. On the day I wore this it was chilly so I added a long sleeve tee underneath. The asymmetrical vest is older, but I bring it out every warm weather season since it is lighter weight.

Floral Midi Skirt and Denim Vest

This combo includes a Christopher and Banks skirt that I fell in love with before our brick and mortar store closed. I love that it contains so many fun colors and is light weight making it perfect for summer. On this day it was cool, so I added my Joy light weight sweater that I have had for a number of years, and a dark wash denim vest that I thrifted more recently. My Converse were also thrifted.

Wearing a Scarf a Different Way

One of the Instagram prompts was to wear a scarf, not around your neck, so I decided to used this square plaid piece as an interesting addition to my waist with a thrifted embellished tank top, thrifted gray jeans and my older Saucony sneakers.

Linen Pants Outfit

This look revolved around my striped linen pants. Linen is one of those fabrics most of us have a love hate relationship with. It is a marvelous fabric for the hot weather months, but it wrinkles terribly. Most people don’t worry about the wrinkles and wear their linen pieces with pride and less sweat. Others of us look for pieces that won’t show the wrinkles quite as much and these striped pants fit the bill. This is another Christopher and Banks piece that I have had for a while. For this outfit I paired them with a tropical print tee and a denim vest, also C & B.

Airy Neutrals

I don’t reach for my neutral pieces enough, but when I do I always like the way the outfit turns out. This prompt gave me the opportunity to wear this cute “fashion girl” tunic tee, the knit ruana, and the light colored Chico’s pants all together. The tee was thrifted, and the pants were a hand-me-over from my besties in NY.

Floral Button Down Casual Style

This pretty floral top is a recent thrift find. I fell in love with it because it reminded me of my mom. She always wore these types of collared button downs during the summer months along with her culottes. Due to my veiny legs I no longer wear anything short, but I made it my own style with my dark wash jeans and another pair of Converse sneakers. Yes, I do seem to be accumulating Converse, a shoe I never thought I would own! Ha, ha.

Striped Pants Outfit

I found these St. John’s Bay striped pants last fall, and I knew they would be perfect for the warm weather months. I wasn’t completely sure how I felt about them, but now that I have taken them for a spin around the block I love them and will definitely be styling them again for summer and maybe early fall. They fit great, have pockets, and a roll up hem. The one side is missing the snap to hold the tab in place, but I just used a safety pin to keep it in place. My top is a few years old and is Liz Claiborne brand from JC Penney. My Keds sneakers are also a few years old.

I hope you have enjoyed this look at what I have been wearing. These are outfits I actually wore. I post on Instagram almost every day, so these are definitely outfits that allow me to live my life.

I hope to get back to some regular posting in the next few weeks, and I will also give you an update on all the things my spouse and I have had to deal with. I appreciate your support, and hope you are having a fabulous Tuesday!

Spring/Summer Trends 2026: Another Bright Color Combo and Romantic Details

I have been taking a look at the spring and summer trends for this year, and while I might be a little behind, as usual, these are definitely ideas that will take you well into fall. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, the bright color combinations are trending. Me being a lover of color, I decided to look at another of these combos and add another of the spring trends, romantic details.

Today’s color combo is orange and white, although the fashion gurus also mentioned orange and gray, so I decided to incorporate all three colors into this color block outfit ( another trend for the warm weather season), and we will also talk about what gives an outfit a bit more of a soft, romantic vibe.

Since I knew I wanted the color orange and also wanted a look that had more romantic vibe I searched my closet for a good starting piece. This Old Navy eyelet top was just the thing. I have had this for a few summers now and have worn it every warm weather season since I thrifted it. I love eyelet. I think it is one of the textures and fabrics that whispers romance without having to be overly frilly or immodest. I added a Faded Glory tank underneath for coverage, but you could certainly just wear a nude colored bra for a cohesive color underneath. Since the tank has lace trim I think it works perfectly.

Style Tip: Whether you are wearing jeans or a satin skirt you can upgrade you look to include romance by making a few simple choices. Choose lace, eyelet, tulle or silky fabrics. These speak volumes to making an outfit more feminine and fun. You can also add embellishments like embroidery, ruffles, and pearls in the form of buttons or jewelry. My personal opinion is less is more…not less fabric or coverage, but less embellishments and textures. Here is are similar colors from Shein, Ann Taylor, Bloom Chic, and Macy’s.

I knew I want to have white pants or a skirt and opted for these lighter weight cropped pants that I thrifted last year. These are Talbots brand and very comfortable for the warm weather season. Capris are back in style. I won’t go back to those, but some people really like them. I might if my legs were pretty, but they are not, so I accept that and move on. Here are some from JCPenney, Macy’s, and Chico’s. Here are a few pairs of ankle pants too: JCPenny, Old Navy, and Macy’s.

When I decided to incorporate the color gray as well, I knew I wanted gray shoes, a bag and jewelry. I have several pairs of sneakers in different grays and this pair of medium gray Skechers seemed the most complimentary with the white and orange. I bought this pair at Gabes a number of years ago. I keep them around, because they are cute, although not the most comfortable. It baffles me how a pair of sneakers can be uncomfortable, but they can be! Ha, ha.

My bag was a thrift find and has no identifiable tag as to what brand it is. I love a cross body bag all year round, but a light weight bag is perfect for summer. This seemed perfect with the sneakers and the jewelry. Here are a few gray options from Kohl’s.

The two pieces of jewelry are both second hand. The necklace was from my bestie in NY, and the bracelet was a recent thrift find. I love both of these pieces for their interesting blend of metal shapes and textures. The bracelet is a reminder to me every time I wear it of what Christ did for me on the cross.

What do you think of this color combination? Do you wear bright white in the summer? How about all year round? I tend to lean more toward the creamy, winter whites in the cold weather and bright whites in the summer. I’d love to hear from you, so please leave a comment or two.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Pantone Spring/Summer 2026 - New York Palette: Burnished Lilac, Amaranth, and Angora

Sorry, I was not able to get this post up last week. This is the last set of colors from the Pantone Spring/Summer 2026 New York Palette. Today’s colors consist of two purples at opposite ends of the spectrum, Burnished Lilac, and Amaranth; and a perfect summer neutral named Angora. You can see all the colors on the palette by checking out this pin.

I decided to take pictures inside today, though the lighting outside would have been great on this overcast afternoon. However, I am feeling extra fatigued and might be coming down with something, so I decided to keep it easy by staying inside.

The first piece I want to focus on today is the pale purple, Burnished Lilac mini floral print tee. This was a thrifted Chaps piece, and I love the print, the color and the ruffled neckline and elastic wrists. The shopping links I have included are pale purple, but nothing quite matches the Burnished Lilac color. Here is a cute eyelet sleeved tee, a basic v-neck tee, and a pretty bow tie blouse.

For the darker Amaranth purple I chose this thrifted Christopher & Banks open front cardigan. I thought the open weave of the fabric would make it perfect for spring, summer and fall. Here is a page of purple cardigans from Amazon. I cannot speak to the quality, but usually if you read a few reviews you can get a sense for whether the product is worth purchasing.

For my Angora color, I chose these light weight Liz Claiborne ankle pants that I got from JC Penney a number of years ago. I loved the embroidery on the leg and these come out every summer. Here are a few possibilities from JC Penney.

I chose gold for my accessories to give the outfit a tiny bit of bling. The necklace was second hand from a friend and the bracelets are old. The gold, striped clutch is thrifted and a brand called icing. My gold sneakers are second hand Sperry’s. Here are some pretty gold clutches from DSW. Here are few gold sneakers from DSW, Keds, and Skechers.

What do you think of these Pantone colors? Do you have these in your closet? I always love your feedback, so leave me a comment or two. These shopping links are provided for your benefit. I do not get any sort of commission or kick back for sharing them with you.

Thank you for stopping by and supporting the blog. Have a great week!

Pantone Spring/Summer 2026 - New York Palette: Dusty Rose, Lava Falls and Rhodonite

Another week has flown by. Can you believe it is already the middle of April? We have been having summer here in the midwest. Today it was in the 80’s so my grandson and I spend some time at the park and played outside. I don’t really like that it is this warm already. I like a more gradual warm up and truly enjoy the temps that hover around 65 to 75. Any warmer than that and I start to wilt.

Today I put together an outfit using pieces in my closet for the next three colors on the Pantone New York Palette: Dusty Rose, Lava Falls and Rhodonite. You can see the original colors on this pin on Pinterest.

For this outfit I pulled out my Sonoma corduroy’s from Kohl’s. I love this color and think it can look pink, or even rusty depending on what other colors it is paired with. These are very comfy, though they would be even more comfy if I got back on track with my Weight Watchers app. It has been a real battle lately, and all the stress of grief, my hubby losing his job and my ongoing health issues does not help.

Here are a few similar colored pairs of pants from Chico’s, Land’s End, and Talbots.

Rhodonite has been on the Pantone palette before. You can see that outfit here. This purply blue is unique as far as darker blues go, and it doesn’t always pair up with other blues, but I do like that it is different which makes it fun to find combinations to go with it. This is a thrifted Old Navy shirt, and appears to be a men’s vintage piece.

Since this color is very hard to find in clothing I am linking a few pieces in a navy blue or a dark blue for you to look at. Check out Kohl’s, J.Jill, and Land’s End.

For the Lava Falls color, I decided to use this thrifted Croft and Barrow cardigan. The color has almost a burgundy tone to it, but not truly, so I thought this red sweater with the marled yarn a closer option.

This is a pretty one from a retailer called Mayberry. This one is also cute from Nordstrom.

I chose my navy blue ankle boots, and while they are not the exact same blue as Rhodonite you can hardly tell the difference since they are not right next to each other.

I wanted something a little different for my necklace and bag, so I chose to use similar colors with the cognac brown. I don’t remember where I got the necklace, and the bag is a thrifted, leather Fossil piece.

Here are a few bags from DSW.

What do you think of these colors? Would you have ever thought to combine these into one outfit? Out of these three colors which do you like the best?

I hope you are enjoying these Pantone colors. If you like this series and the blog, please leave me a comment or two. It helps to know there are people out there following along.

Have a great Tuesday!

Pantone Spring/Summer 2026 - New York Palette: Burnt Sienna, Alexandrite and Coffee Bean

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend this past weekend. We went to Wisconsin to visit family. We had a good time with lots of yummy food and the warm chaos of children enjoying time together. We are fully into the season of spring, but the temperatures are doing their usual roller coaster pattern. Today as I type this it is a balmy 34 degrees (F), and the furnace is continuing to keep us warm. These temperature fluctuation make getting dressed a challenge, but as usual I enjoy the many aspects of layering.

Today’s outfit revolves around layers in the next three Pantone colors: Burnt Sienna, Alexandrite and Coffee Bean. You can see the actual colors here. My Alexandrite is definitely more blue than the actual color, but as I have said before these are guidelines for you to shop your own closets for similar colors.

Let’s start with that jacket. This is a piece was a clearance purchase from the online retailer called ShopNational, which actually ended their operations in February of 2024. The brand name of this jacket is Erin London. You can see how I styled this piece with a floral top, and with a purple print tee. Christopher and Banks has a similar color. J. Jill has this Light Sage quilted piece. Here is one from Coldwater Creek that is closer to the color.

For the Burnt Sienna color I chose this waffle weave pullover, that I think I got at Kohl’s. For some reason the tag is gone, but it is probably Croft and Barrow. Here’s a long sleeve tee in that color from Land’s End; a linen top from Old Navy; a cute lattice sleeve top from Christopher & Banks, and a pretty textured piece from Mayberry.

Coffee Bean is one of the Classic colors off the palette and is a deep, rich brown. I have a couple pairs of brown dress pants from when I was still working and these were the perfect color. These were a JC Penney purchase from a number of years ago and are Worthington brand. Here’s a few from LL Bean, Coldwater Creek, Kohl’s, and Target.

I decided to wear my Nine West ankle boots from Kohl’s to elongate my leg and give me a small heel for these longer trousers. Here are a few options from DSW.

I chose black for my necklace and bag to go along with the black on the jacket. I thought the beaded necklace a fun choice that creates extra interest against the waffle weave background. The bag you’ve see before and is Aidebaum from Amazon.

I added the scarf to pull the whole look together and on the day I was taking pictures it was only in the 30’s. Brrrr.

I hope you enjoyed this post. As always I love to hear your thoughts so leave me a comment or two.

Have a great day!

Pantone Spring/Summer 2026 - New York Palette: Tea Rose, Acacia, and Sycamore

If you are new to my blog, I typically do a series twice a year on the Pantone seasonal colors. The Pantone Color Institute is an entity that works with the world of fashion, art, and interior design, sharing their seasonal color choices twice a year: Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter. The two major fashion venues of New York and London each have their own set of colors, though there is often some overlap. Last week I started with the New York Palette. Click on the NY link and you’ll see a Pinterest pin of the colors. My colors may not be an exact match to the palette colors, but I provide these combos to give you an approximation of colors that you might already have in your closet.

Today I am combining Tea Rose, Acacia, and Sycamore. It seems any more color palettes do not strictly lean towards what we once thought was traditionally spring or what we traditionally thought of as fall. Now we see dark tones on the spring palette and light pastels on the fall palette. The biggest challenge is getting my own brain to accept these colors for each of these seasons. I like my dark greens, rich burgundies and earthy golds in the fall, but I too am still open to learning and change, although it is harder than it used to be.

For the pretty Tea Rose pink I chose this Chaps, plaid skirt that I found on clearance at Kohl’s. My mom used to have tea roses growing in her yard many years ago. She had a yellow, a white, and a pink variety. The pink was very similar to this color, and they had such a beautiful smell. You can see how I styled this same skirt for a transitional summer to fall outfit here. For a few plaid skirt options, check out these on Amazon.

It was windy and cold when I took these, so I didn’t spend too much time trying to get perfect shots. Ha, ha.

My Sycamore colored sweater is Croft and Barrow brand and was a thrift find. The lighting was definitely playing with the color of this sweater. It is much darker, but you can see the picture was very bright, even though I was in the shade. Check out this pretty Lauren Conrad sweater from Kohl’s, and this Natural Reflections one from Bass Pro.

I am not a huge fan of the Acacia color. It is an odd yellowy green, or greenish yellow, depending on how you want to look at it. The only thing I had with this odd color were a couple of scarves and this is the one I settled on as I thought it went well with the sweater, and wasn’t too overwhelming for the skirt.

I decided to keep my shoes and bag in a darker green color, though not as dark as Sycamore. My Adidas sneakers are newer, bought this January with a gift card from Christmas. They were on clearance at DSW. Here is a page with a number of green sneakers from DSW.

My bag is a thrifted Gloria Vanderbilt piece. Check out these green bags at Kohl’s, Portland Leather, and Target.

What do you think of these colors? Do you like the mix of dark with light? How do you feel about darker colors in the Spring and lighter colors in the fall? I’d love to hear your thoughts so be sure to leave a comment or two. I leave you with a picture of my crazy, wind blown hair. Ha, ha.

I’ve included a few shopping links. I do not make any money off of these links, but I want you to have options for purchasing in a color you like.

Have a great day!

Pantone Spring/Summer 2026 - New York Palette: Muskmelon, Marina, and Sage Green

Hi everyone! It is time for another Pantone color series. If you are new to my blog, every spring and every fall the Pantone Color Institute comes out with a palette of colors for the coming season. Due to life being relentless, I usually don’t cover these colors until we are well into the spring and/or fall season, but I have had many of you tell me that you enjoy this series, so I decided to just keep doing it even if I am a bit behind.

Instead of trying to put together the colors on the palette by my own choices I made it easy on myself and simply went down the column of colors on the Pinterest pin which you can see here. As you can see in the first column we have today’s colors: Muskmelon, Marina and Sage Green. As per usual the first ten colors on the palette are the new colors for the season and the last six are the classic colors. Both the New York and the London palette contain a color named White Onyx, which I may or may not include in an outfit or two. I feel that white is a personal choice when it comes to fashion. Some women look better in cream, others look better in a crisp white, so I leave the whites for you to decide.

Style Tip: You can easily add white, in whatever variation you like to wear, to an outfit in the form of a bag, beads, a scarf, or a pair of sandals or sneakers.

Let’s start with this pretty Muskmelon orange. It is not pink, but also not as orange as an orange would be. I think this one has been named appropriately. I chose my Natural Reflections flannel shirt from Bass Pro Shops, due to the color and the cozy factor. It might say spring on the calendar, but in my area spring is here one day and gone the next. Right now Bass Pro has a number of flannel shirts on clearance. It is a good time to stock up. See more here. Kohl’s is also having a good clearance sale right now, so check them out too.

For the Marina blue, I decided to use these thrifted Sidefeel jeans. These have a wider leg, and a bit of stretch, which makes them comfortable, but also a tad bit dressier. I had never heard of this brand before, but if you click on the link you can check out their website. I know nothing about where their products are manufactured, but I get a feel they are a fast fashion retailer due to the low pricing and the statement that they purchase their items “in bulk.” I prefer to stay away from the fast fashion manufacturers and retailers, but I am also a thrifter, so I feel there are plenty of gently used items that need a new home. However, I realize not everyone wants to thrift and everyone also needs to buy according to their own budget.

For my Sage Green color I chose this thrifted Jenny Buchanan quilted jacket. I love this piece, and it is reversible, so it can be worn with the sage green out or switch it and it will be a pretty forest green. My biggest complaint about this piece is that it doesn’t have pockets. Ha, ha. Here is a very pretty quilted jacket from Kohl’s, not in the same color, but a fun piece.

I felt there was enough going on in the outfit between the plaid and the quilting on the jacket that I didn’t need to overdo the accessories. My second hand Tignanello bag was like a brighter version of the Marina blue.

My jewelry was all over the place as far as the blue color was concerned and I almost feel I should have went with something orange to bring out more of the Muskmelon color, like a scarf, but I didn’t have anything that was close to that color. It is obvious my bracelets were too much of a purple color. Oh well. :)

My booties were a thrift purchase last spring and I haven’t really worn them, but they are so cute. They are Merona brand and actually wool. I love the wedge heel. I am also amazed that they are as comfortable as they are. I need to remember these next fall to wear with skirts.

What do you think of these colors? Do you have any of these in your closet?

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have a moment leave me a comment or two. I always love to hear from you and your feedback helps keep my blog alive.

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Have a great day.

A Thrifting Adventure

My oldest daughter gifted me a thrifting scavenger hunt for my birthday. While my actual day was back in early January, we just recently got to go on this fun little adventure. When she showed up at my house she gave me this cute little printout with the instructions and the list of fashion items I was to look for. This was for fun, so most of the items for the outfits I did not purchase, but we both succeeded in buying a few things. Ha, ha.

I didn’t find everything on the list as our time was limited and we also had to stop for lunch, but I was able to find 17 out of the 26 prompts. It was a lot harder than it seems because you are dealing with limited inventory. For instance my first prompt was Cowgirl Chic. While you might be able to find a western shirt, or skirt, or even a vest, you might have a harder time finding boots, or a cowboy hat. This is the outfit I came up with.

Cowboy Chic

Becky found the dress and I found the tee shirt. I should have looked for a pair of ankle boots or a jacket, but as I said time was limited.

Neon on Neon on Neon

I must say, this is a pretty cute outfit, but I generally am not a leggings type of girl, and I don’t wear neon very often. Maybe if I found just the right pieces I would be more inclined to wear it, but this was what I came up with for the prompt.

The Most “Not You” Thing that You Actually Look Great In - or Mary Ann Vibes

I most definitely felt like Mary Ann from Gilligan’s Island in this cute cropped top and navy blue capris. Actually, I thought I looked pretty cute in this outfit, but it just isn’t my normal vibe, and the fact of the matter is, if I don’t feel comfortable in it I probably won’t reach for it.

Impossible Patterns

I had to ask my daughter for a bit of clarification on this, but it was pretty wide open. It could be a pattern, like this, that was just out of the ordinary, or it could have been a wild print mix. I actually liked this button down so much I bought it. It has all the artsy feels and I do love a good artistic rendered clothing piece. Plus it has so many colors in it, so unlimited possibilites.

Touch Me Texture

I saw these wide wale corduroy overalls and thought, “My dream come true.” I have been looking for overalls for a number of years, but have not been able to find a pair second hand. These were cute, and cozy, but unfortunately too small. I wasn’t able to zip the side zipper all the way up, even when I untucked the heavy sweater, which I did purchase. Oh well, I will keep looking!

Neutrally Neutral

This was a fun combo, and both my daughter and I benefitted from it. I bought the cozy, soft textured pants, and she bought the waffle weave sweatshirt.

Heels Made for Sitting

If only, I could still wear heels like this! Actually, I never wore heels like this. Ha, ha. But they are cute. I did stand up in them, but being that I have osteoporosis, I decided to not risk trying to walk.

Breaking the Rules

This was a hard one, because frankly all the rules have been broken in the fashion industry. From wearing underwear as clothing, to men dressing like women and so on, I really don’t think there are rules any more. I decided to go for a bit of an eclectic print mix and also the skirt is like a very soft blanket. I think it was meant to be worn as a a swimsuit cover up of sorts. It is very much outside of my fashion box.

Something from the Men’s Rack

This was another piece I purchased. It is a beautiful men’s shirt with a textured feel. I wanted to add a few more neutral pieces to my wardrobe since so much of what is in my closet falls into a color category. Neutrals are great to have when you just want something more understated, or want to emphasize your accessories or another piece you are wearing.

Weirdest Handbag

What can I say about this bag? It’s just very, well…weird. Ha, ha.

Wear it Backwards

This was a fun challenge and I was lucky to find this stretchy jumpsuit. You can hardly tell the back from the front, except that worn backwards the butt area is a bit tighter and the pelvic area looser. This was a cute piece, but neither of us bought it.

Wear it Inside Out

I wish I would have take a picture of this dress worn the right way. It was a fully lace piece with this nude underlay. While it was a bit short for my taste it worked well for the prompt.

Inspired by a Fictional Character

If you guessed Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote you are correct. Jessica is my fictional persona. What could possibly be more fun then being a writer who jets all over the world and helps solve mysteries?

A Color You Don’t Think You Look Good In

If you have followed me for a while, you know that I say, no color is off limits. With that being said, I do think certain colors look better than others. I am not an Oxford gray girl. I think I look much better in a charcoal gray. This was a cute and comfy sweatshirt, but I didn’t buy it. I just would wear it when I have so many other better color choices.

Sentimental and Significant

As soon as I saw this button down shirt it reminded me of tops my mom used to wear in the summer time. I felt like crying. I almost bought it just for the purpose of wearing her close to me, but I didn’t. There will be another lady somewhere that will enjoy wearing this piece.

Four Seasons in One Outfit

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

This was actually the first outfit I put together, and I really liked how it turned out. I did end up purchasing this dress, and the navy blue tiered dress that I used for the Cowboy Chic prompt at the top. I really want to get out of my jeans with everything rut, but with everything going on in our lives right now it has been hard. However, we have a wedding of a friend coming up in April, so I will probably wear one of these depending on the weather.

Stay at Home Cozy

I wanted to just wear this outfit out of the store, it was so cozy. I thought long and hard on the oversized sweater dress, but I didn’t buy it. I did, however, purchase the sweat pants. They are amazingly soft and comfortable. They are a heavy weight, drapey fabric, so they might work as a pair of pants. I’ll have to do some playing around with them.

This was a very fun day with my oldest girl and it made me feel so good to be able to spend time with her and enjoy the fun of shopping. We also had a great lunch and a good talk. Rebecca also took all the pictures on her phone. Thank you!

I hope you enjoyed this thrifting adventure. I am going to look at starting the Pantone Spring color soon, so please keep checking in. I appreciate all you love and support.

Have a great day!

February Outfits: Color Combos - Cloudy with a Chance of Red

It’s the last week of February. I am glad that we are getting closer to spring, aren’t you? I am finishing out the month with another outfit that gives a nod to Valentine’s Day colors. Today’s look was actually inspired by an Instagram challenge to use a Pinterest pin for inspiration. You can see that pin here.

I have been wanting to get back to including a few style tips in my fashion posts to give you other ways and ideas to look at your wardrobe and what inspires you to dress the way you do. If you click on over to the pin that inspired today’s look, you will see that my outfit is not an exact copy.

Style Tip: Resources for fashion inspiration are meant to be just that, resources. Do not feel forced to buy more clothes or adopt a style that is not quite you. If it is an outfit you’d like to “copy” shop your closet for similar pieces and then add your own personal touches with shoes, bags, and accessories.

What drew me to this particular pin was the bold combination of red and gray. I love how it looks and thought it would be a perfect look to end the month of February. Plus, it is completely me: casual, cute and comfortable.

The first piece I chose was the gray cardigan. Just so you don’t think these combinations come easily to me, I spent probably an hour and numerous iterations of red sweaters and tops; gray cardigans and blazers, and washes of jeans, before I finally settled on what you see. Ha, ha.

This dark gray, cardigan is Gap brand and was thrifted a number of years ago. This is a v-neck, but a crew neck would work just as well.

Style Tip: Neckline’s are important, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear any neck line you want. Here is a good article comparing v-neck versus crew (round). Because I am more broad shouldered, I typically reach for v-necks in my cardigans, or open fronts. I do have plenty of crew neck sweaters, but more often will choose a v-neck. While the points the author is making refer to a pullover, the same points are true of cardigans. I think it’s up to you what you like to wear, and how one versus the other works for the outfit.

Here are some cute cardigans for spring from maurices, Old Navy, JC Penney, Loft, Land’s End, and Kohl’s.

I tried on many of my red pullover sweaters and soon realized a sweater weight fabric was too bulky to wear under this lighter weight cardigan, so I began looking through my long sleeve tees and turtlenecks and settled on this thrifted J.Jill piece. An extra large, I snatched it up thinking it would look cute over cropped pants in the warmer weather, so for this look it was too big. Instead of doing a front tuck, I opted for a back tuck to make the top look more fitted. This works amazingly well, and no worries how it looks since it is covered by the cardigan.

Style Tip: Not everything has to fit exactly. There are plenty of ways to alter a piece without elaborate sewing skills. Tucking things in, rolling long hems up, using hair bands to gather fabric, and even using brooches and pins can help to make a piece more wearable. A great blogger to follow for more ideas is Jodie from Jodie’s Touch of Style. In my opinion she is one of the queen’s of fashion hacks and ideas for making your clothes work for you, no matter how big or how small.

Here is a page of red and white striped shirts from Amazon.

Style Tip: If you are looking for a particular clothing item from a regular retailer, just type what you are looking for into the search bar at the top of your browser and it will do the searching for you. This is a little easier than going to each retailer and searching through them.

I settled on this thrifted pair of Gap, straight leg jeans. Are you, like me, still trying to figure out what shape of jeans to wear? It seems so many things are in right now, but I have found that a straight leg, not skinny, and a boot cut are both reasonably spot on for anyone to wear. The barrel jean is all the rage right now, but I am not enamored with that shape. I would need to try some on to see if I like it or not. Do any of you have experience with the barrel shaped jeans? Do you like them, and do you have a retailer you recommend?

For my accessories, I went with a thrifted leaf necklace, a few bracelets, my thrifted Converse, a red and black second hand scarf, and a Buffalo print Arizona Jeans tote bag that I got from somewhere, but I can’t remember where. Ha, ha.

What do you think of this outfit? Is this something you would wear? If it is would you choose red or a different color? What color would you choose? I love to hear from you, so be sure to leave a comment if you can.

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