My Style: Tomboy/Tomboy Femme

Tomboy or Tomboy Femme style is a mix of masculine and feminine elements that involves pieces as simple and casual as flannel shirts and sneakers to ones more classic and complex like trousers and button downs. I have always deemed myself a tomboy. I loved chasing after my older brothers when I was growing up, especially when they were riding dirt bikes in the field near our house. I would follow them on my bicycle, longing for the day when I could join them on their noisy, dirty motorcycles.

While my longing to race motorcycles never came to fruition, to this day I love the rumble of a Harley Davidson, and all the leather and denim that goes along with it. I enjoy playing outdoors whether it be hiking, camping, fishing or even hunting, occasionally, with my spouse.

When puberty came with all of its teenage angst, it also came with a full swing into things that were girly. I did play with dolls growing up and definitely loved Barbie and all of her friends, but after puberty I noticed I became acutely aware of clothes, boys, and hair styles. Make up came later when I was in college.

To this day, I still prefer jeans and sneakers to dresses and heals. I can totally dress up for a special event, but the bulk of the time I feel most confident when I am wearing a casual look that involves both feminine and masculine vibes.

This look came together after I picked out this multi-print babydoll top with peasant sleeves. This is a fun piece I thrifted a while back, but it is definitely made for cold weather as it is a heavy weight material. I wore a tank top underneath to keep the chilly air from coming up under the top. This is definitely a feminine piece by its silhouette, but the colors keep it more grounded and even masculine in nature.

After I picked the top I knew I wanted to use an oversized button down to hone in on the tomboy nature of the look. I remembered I had this wonderful thrifted corduroy shirt so I dug through my cold weather clothes, which are slowly being transitioned back into my closet after their summer hiatus. This piece matched perfectly with the rusty orange in the top.

Style Tip: Look for heavy weight, oversized button downs in the men’s section at thrift stores. You will most likely find a few gems. Use these like a cardigan, blazer or jacket for a casual, relaxed tone.

Knowing my top half was going to be more bulky and oversized I wanted to go for a slimmer leg jean. I grabbed this slightly distressed, high waisted pair from Maurice’s on clearance. I rolled the hems to add to the tomboy demeanor, but I look forward to wearing these with boots later this season and into winter.

My high top Converse seemed the perfect choice to drive home the tomboy nature of this look, however I wanted a few more feminine touches so chose a pastel pink cross body bag, and two rosy gold necklaces that my bestie gave to me a while back. She gave me a box with multiple necklaces and scarves that she was no longer using, so I finally pulled it out of my closet and took everything out so I can use it. I love the layered look these two necklaces provide. I also added my sparkly rose gold faux leather bracelet.

Do you think I pulled off the tomboy, or tomboy femme look? Do you wear outfits like this? Do you have pieces like this in your closet? Do you own a corduroy button down? Be sure to leave me a comment or two. I always love to hear from you.

I was also participating in an Instagram challenge yesterday that involved our favorite hat, so I added my hat to the outfit and took a few more pics.

I am including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Note I included a few men’s corduroy button downs as they will provide a bigger, oversized look. I typically get a men’s Medium or Large so there is a bit more room in the hip area, but if you are petite order a small.

Have a great week!

Shopping Our Closets: Fall Florals

I don’t know about you, but I love the rich, vibrant colors of fall. Unlike spring and summer when we focus more on white, navy and all manner of pastels, fall allows us to indulge in dark maroons and earthy browns; golden yellows and rusty oranges. I love floral pieces in any season, but I especially love the dark florals of fall and winter. I am hoping you have a few fall florals in your closets and you will join me in putting together an outfit with those pieces as a focal point. Whether it is a top, a scarf, a bag or a skirt, fall florals make for outfits that are fun, whimsical and stylish.

For my fall floral I chose a thrifted Croft & Barrow tee. The rusty background, pinky reds in the flowers and the black leaves are a perfect choice for this fall look.

This top is just a basic Croft & Barrow tee. It fits well, and is perfectly comfy. It is a great piece for these early fall days where the temps are starting to get cooler, but it isn’t yet full on sweater weather yet.

I also chose simple beaded jewelry in similar fall tones.

I was going for a casual look, so chose jeans as my bottoms, but you could easily dress this up with a pair of black dress pants, or a rust or white colored skirt. These thrifted, boot-cut jeans are Apt. 9 brand.

My fun duster was a purchase from Cracker Barrel General Stores a few years ago. They always have beautiful holiday displays of their products and fun seasonal clothing. I would buy many more pieces there, but I just have a hard time paying full retail prices for anything I don’t really need. This is a brand called Linda Anderson.

My accessories really completed this casual look. I chose my thrifted Converse sneakers, my burgundy saddle bag purse, and an oversized, light weight, thrifted scarf. I like how the scarf has a similar color vibe to the tee, yet it is completely different. It also makes for a fun print mix.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you have any fall florals in your closet? If so, what sort of pieces do you have? I think it would be fun to style a fall outfit around a floral bag, scarf, skirt or dress. Let me know you thoughts.

I hope you enjoyed this post and that it provided a bit of inspiration for you in shopping your closet to build a fall outfit around a fall floral piece.

I’m including a few fall florals, bags and scarves below. These are affiliate links brought to you at no extra cost. If you purchase an item through one of my links, I get a few cents. I appreciate all you do to support the blog.

I hope you are having a great week!

Outfit Inspiration: Fall Look Inspired by Pinterest

As I finished up the Pantone Autumn/Winter 2024 NY Palette last Tuesday, I thought about where I wanted to go from there. Should I follow that up with the Autumn/Winter 2024 London Palette, or do I just let that go and do posts that are fall oriented, but of my own making? For today I chose to create my own outfit with just a little inspiration from Pinterest.

As you will see, I drew inspiration from the pin in the black pants and chambray top, but I opted to use a different color for the cardi, boots and bag, and I added a scarf.

Style Tip: Use things like Pinterest, art, magazines, and other inspiring ideas as a jumping off point. If you want to copy the style or the colors exactly that’s great, but leave room for you own interpretations. Not every style is for every woman, and not every woman wears every color, and so on. Inspiration is to be just that, something from which you get ideas and direction on where you want your style to go.

I started with my long sleeve chambray shirt. This Sonoma button down has been a work horse for years every since I purchased it at Kohl’s. I just love the embroidery on this piece.

Style Tip: Chambray comes in various washes, just like any denim, so don’t be afraid to experiment with various shades to see what works best for you and for the outfit you are trying to put together. I liked the contrast of the black with this lighter shade.

These black, cropped, raw hem jeans were a thrift find. They are very stretchy and have a higher waist, so are great if I want a smoother look under a top or sweater.

Style Tip: Be aware that most black jeans will look “weathered” after a number of washings, but here is an article on how to keep them looking top notch. In addition, if you want to keep a black pant truly black, and don’t want to re-dye them, look for a trouser with fabrics like polyester, rayon or viscose. These fabrics hold their color better than cotton or cotton blends.

My olive duster has also been one that gets regular wear in the cooler weather. This is another Sonoma piece from Kohl’s. The weight of this piece is perfect for these transitional temperatures, and it has pockets!

As I said previously I opted for all olive colored accessories: SO Ankle boots, thrifted hobo bag, and thrifted camo scarf. However, you could easily take this outfit formal and change up the color and style of sweater, boots and bag and have a completely different look.

Unfortunately, it has been too warm here in the midwest to wear an outfit like this. I did wear the pants, boots and button down the rest of the day, but it was too warm for a scarf and sweater. Okay summer, you can go now! Ha, ha.

Would you wear an outfit like this? What is the weather like where you are?

I hope you enjoyed this outfit. How would you style an outfit like this? Would use olive, tan, gray or some other color to top black pants and a chambray shirt? As always, I love to hear your thoughts.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links brought to you at no additional charge. If you purchase an item through one of my links I get a little commission. All opinions are my own.

I appreciate all you support. Thank you for continuing to following the blog.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Shopping Our Closets: Fall Trends

I think it is always fun to look at what is trending for the up coming seasons. As we look to fall, we will be seeing much that is familiar, thus patterns and pieces that you probably already have in your closet. Be prepared for a resurgence of animal prints, plaid, sherpa, faux fur, and leather. Silhouettes will revolve around skirts from narrow denim to fuller midi lengths and will also continue to feature wide leg jeans. However, the news is out, skinnies will be back in the not too distant future, so I hope, like me, you hung on to your narrow legged jeans.

Style Tip: It seems in this ever changing fashion scape it is good to keep a few things that are timeless and classic, like a good, straight leg trouser or jean. They are neither wide nor skinny and can be worn with anything, and dressed up or down.

In addition fall will bring wonderful, earthy tones such as dark green and various shades of brown. Pantone revealed both a New York Autumn/Winter Color Palette 2024/25, and a London Autumn/Winter Color Palette 2024/25. I am thinking about delving back into these color palettes, so if that is something you’d like me to do, please let me know.

Today’s outfit revolves around a few of the fall trends that I have in my closet including a structured military jacket, an animal print scarf, a full denim skirt, combat boots and a brown bag.

This look is crossing a bit into a Dark Academia look, which I have featured in a What I’ve Been Wearing post on the blog here. The more somber hues with the structure of the military jacket give it an interesting vibe.

My younger daughter gave me this Torrid military jacket a number of years ago for Christmas. It is not a piece I reach for often, but I keep it in my closet because it is so unique. The olive drab color is such a contrast against the dark black trim, and the fit and flare silhouette makes it additionally interesting. It is a heavy knit fabric akin to sweatshirt material, so very comfy and stretchy.

Style Tip: Military jacket vs. utility jacket, what is the difference? Usually, a military jacket is a cropped piece and will have decorative buttons on both sides of the front opening, and some sort of contrasting piping, ribbon or stitching that gives it a formal military vibe. A utility jacket is usually longer, has a drawstring, large pockets and often both a zipper and snaps or buttons, and is meant to be a casual or functional type jacket.

I thought this thrifted, Express, “honor” graphic tee was the perfect piece to go with the military look.

I found this LizSport, full, midi or tea length, denim skirt while thrifting last year, and it has been coming in handy. It is a lighter weight which is nice with it being such a full piece. If the fabric was thicker it would definitely be very heavy. It is a tad bit tight around my waist, but I am willing to put up with it. Ha, ha. The things we gals do for fashion!

I just added this thrifted scarf to my scarf pile, and yes it is a pile, but I do so love scarves! Since animal prints are back in force, I thought this blend of zebra and leopard a fun mix. I didn’t add any jewelry since there is already plenty going on in this outfit.

If you look up Fall Bags 2024 you’ll see bags in all shapes and sizes, but in one very distinct color, brown, or the hues and shades thereof. It also looks like most of the bags are leather or faux leather, rather than a soft fabric like this corduroy one of mine. Here are a few to look at, including a few small animal print ones.

Combat boots seem to be around to stay, so if you haven’t hopped on that trend wagon, it’s not too late to start. I love my combat boots. They are so comfortable, and my inserts fit it every pair I currently own. This pair is Joe Boxer brand. I find most of mine at thrift stores, but have gotten a few pairs on sale at Kohl’s.

So what do you think of these fall trends? Do you have any similar items in your closet? Let me know what you think by leaving a comment or two below. I always love to hear from you.

I hope you enjoyed this post. All links included are affiliate links. If you click on a link, I might get a few cents. If you purchase something through one of the links I get a tiny commission. These are brought to you at no extra cost and are provided to give you inspiration and ideas as to where you can purchase similar pieces to those featured in the post. All opinions are my own.

Have a great week!

Color Play - Building Outfits Around an Abstract Print Skirt

I have been wanting to build an outfit around this pretty abstract print maxi skirt ever since I thrifted it a few seasons ago. In order to get a bit outside my normal jeans and tees kind of casual outfits, I have been purposefully meandering through my maxi skirts in an effort to build a few fun, summer outfits that would work for backyard bbq’s, dressy casual dates with a friend or significant other, work or a more casual summer wedding. Today, I am showing you two different outfits using the same skirt.

Outfit 1 - Dressed Up

This skirt is a brand called Maeve by Anthropololgie. The outer layer is cotton, and it has an attached slip, making it easy to wear with no show through. The wide elastic band is comfortable, and easily covered with a wide belt, as you’ll see in the next outfit.

My bright pink jacket is a Chico’s thrift find. It is actually a petite, but I don’t have a super long torso, so I occasionally can get away with a petite size. You don’t really notice, especially if the sleeves are rolled up.

My tank top was a St. John’s Bay basic that I got at JC Penney a few seasons ago. I was excited to see it matched the blue in the skirt spot on. Of course with this skirt you could use pink, orange, white or black, or even mix it up with a totally different color like mint green, or sunflower yellow. That is exactly why I like to call this monthly column, Color Play, to stretch our minds as to what sorts of colors go together.

The jewelry wasn’t made to go together, but they certainly work well together. The necklace I got a few months ago at my favorite thrift store around the corner. The bracelet was a clearance purchase probably from Kohl’s or Penneys.

I have had this Relic canvas tote for a number of years, and it is a great work horse for summer. While I regularly carry a cross body bag, I occasionally reach for a tote bag to run to the coffee shop or library, or when packing for a trip. Sorry about the bits of cat hair. You can’t have a pet without there being a bit of fall out, especially in these warm temps. Ha, ha.

Our silly curmudgeon, Plato Aristotle Radcliffe Christensen. A large cat had to have a large name!

I had to rummage through my shoe boxes to find these cute espadrilles. These are Chaps brand and were a Kohl’s purchase a few years ago.

Outfit 2 - More Casual

I couldn’t resist doing a bit of print mixing with this fun skirt, and polka dots and embroidery seemed a great companion for the abstract print.

Both of these pieces were second hand finds. Like so many pieces that I thrift, I don’t always have an idea in mind of what they are going to go with, but find I am pleasantly surprise when things line up. My button down is Jones New York Sport, and the embroidered vest is Van Heusen. I’ve heard of Van Heusen in men’s shirts, but this is clearly a women’s vest, although a man might like it as well, but it is cut more for a feminine body. Walmart and a few other stores carry this brand.

I decided to add a wide belt for this look. Another thrift find, this wide braided belt is a soft material that adds interest and texture. I thought the belt and my Vera Wang bag were a good match. You can also see I swapped out the black pendant necklace for my lovable owl, and replaced the metal and bead bracelet for some fun white and gold stretchies.

I chose my denim Keds as a way to compliment the vest and create more continuity to a busy printed outfit.

So which look do you like better? Would you have purchased a skirt like this? Do you have any skirts in your closet that you are just not sure how to style? I hope this post gave you a little inspiration for shopping your closet and thinking outside your color box.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of my links I get a tiny percent. I appreciate every click and purchase. All opinions are my own and you are not charged anything extra for purchasing through my site.

Thank yo for all you do. I hope you are having a great week.

Color Play: Building an Outfit Around a Bag

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have a super week!

Shopping Our Closets: Tweed Jacket

The origin of tweed fabric is Scotland, and it is still the informal outerwear choice of most of Great Britain. A wool fabric it was originally “woven with a plain weave, twill or herringbone structure.” (Wikipedia - Tweed) It was known to be quite weatherproof, and for a time was only worn by the upper crust for outdoor activities such as shooting and hunting.

What we here in the USA call tweed, while manufactured to look like the rough, textured fabric is much more colorful and typically made from polyester, and cotton with a small percentage of wool, or none at all. Of course there are true tweed pieces to be found but it is mostly seen as suiting, although there are jackets here and there that would meet the true tweed standard.

When I was newly married, I owned a faux tweed suit. It was a beautiful light blue. Unfortunately, tweed became less popular as a fashion trend, and I outgrew my suit so I got rid of it. Now tweed is in and out of the spotlight much like polka dots and satin, but it will always have a place in this girl’s closet; maybe it does in yours as well.

Today I am showing off one of several tweed jackets that I have thrifted over the years. This piece is great for spring and fall. It offers just the right amount of warmth on a cool day, and makes any outfit look work or date worthy. Just for fun I am showing you two looks.

Look 1 - Work Appropriate

I love the colors in this Marshall Fields piece. Brown, yellow, rust, and creamy white form a beautiful blend for any season. This piece is 30% wool, so perfect for the chilly days of fall, winter and spring. During summer, this might just be the piece you put over your shoulders when the air conditioning is blasting. I also love the fringe detail along the collar and middle seams.

To make this look more work worthy I chose a pair of Croft and Barrow Chinos purchased some time ago from a Kohl’s clearance rack. I thought about a light weight sweater, but decided on my dressier, Christopher & Banks button down. This was also thrifted.

You can see my belt, and necklace above. I thought the rusty colored belt and my second hand loafers would subtly pull out the rust color in the jacket. The shoes are a brand called Etienne Aigner. I had to do a little research, but found Etienne Aigner, the man, was born in Hungary and established a fashion line that now caters to buyers all over the world dealing in luxury bags, shoes, clothing and more. Aigner, the retail company now hales out of Munich, Germany. Etienne, the man, died in the year 2000 at the age of 95.

Sorry for the crummy picture.

You’ve see this satchel bag on the blog before. I purchased this from Walmart a number of years ago, and is a brand called George.

Look 2 - Casual Day with the Kids or Grandkids.

To give the look a more casual vibe, I went with a dark brown tee shirt tunic. I also swapped out my Chinos for a pair of light gray Chicos ankle pants. Both are thrifted.

I swapped out my jewelry for a long, pressed flower pendant, and chose my thrifted Rafe for Target bag, which has also had a day or two here on the blog.

Instead of loafers I went back to my Steve Madden sneakers. Yes, they still need a good scrub! Ha, ha.

What do you think of these outfits? Which one do you like better? Do you have a tweed jacket? How do you like to wear yours? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to leave a comment or two.

Thanks for following along. Until next time!

I’m including a few shopping links for tweed jackets. The sizes are sparse, but I tried to find a variety. Besides these you can always search for tweed jackets in your search bar and see what pops up. In addition, thrift stores are great places to find these kinds of pieces. Happy hunting!

Shopping Our Closets: Graphics on Clothing

Today I thought I would spend a little time talking about graphics on clothing. When I refer to graphics, I am talking about specific pictures, words, sayings or branding that make a statement. I read an article called A Brief History of Graphic Tees. I was surprised to find that the first printing of a word on a tee shirt happened in one of my favorite older movies, The Wizard of Oz. In one of the scenes after Dorothy and her companions reach the Emerald City, they are all getting cleaned up. Three workers, all wearing tees with the word "Oz” printed on them, are seen re-stuffing the Scarecrow. That was 1939.

The article goes on to show how graphic tees gained popularity being used by presidential candidates, Walt Disney, and artists like Andy Warhol. Graphic tees really took off as a “messaging platform” in the 1960’s and 70’s with the explosion of rock and roll and anti-war protests. Tee shirts became an easy way to show what you believed and who you wanted to associate with.

Today, graphics are not just common place on short sleeved tees, but can be seen donning sleeveless and long sleeve tees, as well as pullover sweaters, sweatshirts and tops with added textures and trims. Graphics can also be found on sneakers, bags, water bottles and bedding.

A few years ago, I came across a company called Love in Faith. All of their tees and products have to do with the Christian faith. This is not a sponsored post. I have not been given any products or money to endorse this retailer, I just like what they do, and the products they produce. Today’s outfit revolves around one of their tees.

You know my style is casual, but even with a tee shirt I like to look like I made some effort in putting the outfit together. This look was entirely put together from things I already had in my closet. I have loads of tees, and over the last couple of years since I found out about Love in Faith, I have purchased a number of their fun, tees which are always spot on either with verses, lines from hymns or Christian songs, or specific holiday graphics.

I chose this particular tee because it has the words, It is well, with my soul, which is the first line of the chorus from one of my favorite hymns, When Peace, Like a River. I was totally taken in by the bold, white flowers and the unique cognac color. I decided to layer a black tee underneath since our weather is still very unpredictable.

To keep me cozy I grabbed my fuzzy, chenille cardigan. This was a hand me over from my oldest. I had actually gotten this for her one Christmas a few years ago, but it didn’t really grab her attention. When I saw she was getting rid of it, I snatched it up. It is a perfect topper fall, winter and spring and it’s cream color makes it a very versatile piece.

To keep this look light and more fitting for spring, I grabbed my medium wash, thrifted, Bandolino, straight leg jeans. These are very comfortable. Since they are not all that interesting, I added a hem roll on the bottom to give them more of a boyfriend vibe.

I opted for gold jewelry, but you could easily swap in white or black, or go for a more bold choice and pick a medium blue necklace or scarf to pull in the color of your jeans. That would also make the outfit look even more springy.

I wear these thrifted, moto boots several days a week. While they are completely man made materials, they seem to be holding up very well. My cute, little, woven bag is a recent thrift find, and I thought it would be perfect for Easter.

Do you wear graphics? If so, what sort of graphics do you wear? What do you think of this outfit? Would you wear something like this? Let me know what you think, in the comments. You can also comment on Facebook if that is easier for you. I just love to have your feedback.

Here are a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Have a great week.

My Style: Classic Look

As fashion bloggers we talk about style all the time, but not everyone knows what their style is. Style types vary, and while many people stick mainly to one type or another, others of us tend to blend our styles. I believe blending is taking elements and components from various styles and mixing them together.

What I would like to try to do over the next few months is show you outfits from various named styles that I do borrow from, and then follow that with a few outfits I would consider blended. Since I am talking about my style, everything I show you will be taken from my own closet, but I hope to give you plenty of info and style tips, so you can decide if any of these styles are for you.

I found an article through Pinterest and thought you might like to read it too, so here is the link: Classic Outfits: Timeless Fashion Choices. It talks specifically about classic wardrobe pieces. If you have a classic style then you probably already have most of these things in your closet. Classic style revolves around clean lines and pieces that are simple to use and combine with other pieces in your wardrobe.

For today’s look I chose a black blazer, white tee (my v-neck was in the wash), classic wash (medium to light) ankle length jeans, and white sneakers. Since bags and jewelry are constantly changing I decided on my bird print tote bag, and a layered gold necklace.

This vintage, double breasted, Aldolfo, wool blazer is a thrifted piece that I have had for years. I seriously thought about getting rid of it, but I like the cut, the buttons and the fact that it is wool. Upon preparing for this post, I started a list of things to look for at thrift stores, and one thing will be a black blazer that is more appropriate for spring and summer and with a single button front rather than the double layer.

Style Tip: When looking for a black blazer decide what fabric texture and weight you would like. If you wear blazers often it certainly wouldn’t hurt to have two; one for cold weather and one for warm.

A simple white tee is the perfect piece to layer under your black blazer. This scoop neck is long sleeve, but you could also use a short sleeve one when it get’s warmer. This is Hanes brand. I did the front tuck to give the look a little more class, even thought I opted to keep it casual by not adding a belt.

Style Tip: Make your classic casual outfit more work wear appropriate by swapping out the tee for a white button down shirt. Tuck it in and add a thin belt for a sleek, polished vibe.

The classic wash, Stitch Star jeans were a clearance purchase at Meijer last year. They have a good amount of stretch, and I know I will be wearing these more in the warmer months ahead.

Style Tip: You can’t go wrong with a classic or medium to light wash jean. I love my dark wash jeans in the cold months, but when spring and summer comes I really want to lighten things up a bit. While a light wash may not be your style, anyone can pull off the classic medium wash.

These Steve Madden platform sneakers are on rotation in the spring, and summer. I need to clean them, but seeing as they are made of a vinyl type material they do clean up quite easily with a little baking soda, water and a toothbrush.

I really need to take this bag out and use it! Ha, ha. I love the color and the beautiful blue birds printed on it. Since bags are constantly changing I’m going to say use whatever bag you want. A more classic bag would probably be a crossbody bag in a light brown or tan color, especially with spring coming. I’ll leave some other choices in the shopping links below.

I thought a simple layered necklace completed the look, although I think a silk scarf might be better seeing as this is a heavier blazer and it is still cold. It was freezing when I took these pictures. This more delicate necklace might be better with a spring/summer weight blazer.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like the classic look? Is classic your style? Do you have these pieces in your closet. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I always love to hear your ideas.

I’m including a few shopping links. Use these to purchase something or just to give you ideas. I appreciate all your support.

Have a great week.

Shopping Our Closets: Spring Trends Edition

Today’s post revolves around several Spring 2024 fashion trends. While I don’t follow every trend that comes along, I like to be aware of what is happening from season to season. Frankly, most things have already been done, and just keep coming back into the trend rotation. Certain colors and prints, fabrics and styles come around again and again. For instance, leopard print is once again in; not that it really went out. I always hang on to a few leopard print pieces. That choice is less about what is trendy and more about what I like.

I’m not even going to give you links to forecasted spring trends because they are all so different. One says high waisted pants are out, another says they are in. The same thing for corduroys, and other styles. As I always say, wear the things that make you happy and feel good about how you look and who you are. You don’t need a high priced fashion entity to tell you what to wear. That being said, in today’s post I will share a few of the trends I like.

Prep School

Academic blazers, button down shirts and polos are all part of this preppy aesthetic. You can’t go wrong with a thrifted Ralph Lauren blazer. This is my second Ralph Lauren blazer. You can see my navy blue one here and here.

Style Tip: Second hand stores, and retailers like Poshmark, Ebay and ThredUp are great places to find cast off high end brand names.

Color Combos

This dark gray and brown pairing was another item on the trends list for this year. It seems there are few color combinations that seem a little different, but you know I love a color combo challenge, so this was perfect. Dark gray and chocolate brown would not be my first go to color combo, but I like it.

Cherry Red

Red is in and it speaks volumes, adding a pop of color to any outfit dressy or casual, and there are so many ways to make a statement with red. Try a red top, a red skirt, a red jacket or coat, a red scarf, a red bag, red shoes, or keep it simple with bright red lipstick.

Wide Legs

The wide leg look is sticking around, and you can wear it in any fabric or texture. Dress up in a wide leg trouser for work or a night out, or dress casual with a variety of wide leg jeans.

Metallics and Flats

Metallic fabric is shimmering on the run ways, but that doesn’t mean we have to go all out. Just a little dab of metals is all you need to take an outfit up a notch. I added mine in the form of my gold clutch and my silver SO flats. Flats are also on trend this spring, so take those ballet flats from the back of your closet and let them shine.

I added a few silver necklaces for a layered jewelry look, along with a few silver bangles.

Before going out shopping for new trends, be sure to take a look in your closet. Without a doubt, you have one or two pieces that are back in the trend revolving door. Out of the trends I listed above a nice structured blazer, and metallic shoes or a bag are great pieces to hang on to. They are easily styled with dressy or casual outfits, and are perfect for parties, special events and work.

I hope you enjoyed today’s outfit, and that it will inspire you to check out the spring 2024 trends on the web. You might find you have some of the ones I mentioned or others already in your wardrobe.

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

Have a great day!

Hello 60! Being a Grandma.

When I got married, I didn’t think about the fact that one day I would have grandchildren. At the time, I wasn’t even thinking about children. My husband and I had discussed kids, and we both agreed that we wanted to have them at some point in time, but we figured that was maybe four or five years in the future. Two years later I had our daughter, Rebecca. Nineteen months later her sister Rachel came along. Neither of our daughters was planned, at least not by us, but God, the master planner has it all figured out.

In the same way, eighteen years after we had our youngest, she had our grandson Quintin. I won’t tell you it was a beautiful time. Our daughter had walked away from the belief system we had raised her in, and she struggled to figure out who she was. When that little guy came along, all of our worlds were upended, and she was in the throes of becoming an adult, but still needing to be a child, and having a child to now be responsible for. Eleven years later, our oldest had our next grandson, Lewis.

My mother-in-law used to tease me when the girls were young. She’d say, “Just you wait until you become a grandma. There is nothing quite like it.” The first time I got to hold Quintin in the hospital, the proverbial lightbulb came on and I realized she was right. Having grandchildren is something very different than having your own children. You love your kids, and would die for them, but grandkids, well, that love just goes a bit deeper. Maybe it is the fact that grandchildren and grandparents now have a common enemy. Ha, ha. I don’t know how many times I have muttered under my breath, “Pay back,” when my younger daughter bemoans something about her newly turned teen, or when my older daughter complains about how much work it is having a toddler. Not a very Christian attitude, I know, and as I grow closer to the One, these thoughts come less frequently.

Being a grandmother is awesome. I have had the privilege to be part of both of my grandsons’ lives on a very regular basis. I helped my single daughter take care of Quintin from the time he was very small. Now, he’s moved into the time of school, video games, and friends and grandma doesn’t see him very often, but I am still here if he needs to be picked up from school, or if mom wants him to hang out with us for a few hours when she has a long shift at the hospital. I also watch Lewis once a week, or sometimes more if needed. I have enjoyed every minute with both of them.

Style for grandmothers is a bit different than it was when I was a child. My grandmother wore dark, floral dresses, often with an apron over the top, sturdy block heeled shoes, and never got down on the floor to play with us. She did, however, make a mean pot roast with gravy and mashed potatoes. These days you can’t tell who is a grandmother and who is not. Most women have been influenced by the anti-ageism movement, as well as social influencers and bloggers who remind them to wear what they want and age is just a number.

When I’m on grandma duty, I dress in an outfit that is stylish and comfortable. I want to be stylish in case I need to run to the store, the mall or somewhere else with the boy(s). I also want to be comfortable so I can get down on the floor to play or move furniture around to make a fort. Quintin is much more likely to just want to sit on the couch watching YouTube videos, but occasionally we will venture out to a movie or to get lunch at the mall. The toddler loves to go outside, play with Play Dough, and pull things out of grandma’s drawers and cupboards. I do a lot of bending, lifting and getting up and down when he is here.

My 70’s style SO hoodie was a recent purchase from Kohl’s. I saw it and fell in love. The black, distressed Stitch Star jeans were from Meijer. The boots, scarf and bag were all thrifted. The Eiffel Tower sweater is Elle brand and has been around for a while and I think was also from Kohl’s.

I hope you enjoyed this little look at the Grandma side of me. I have been enjoying sharing with you more about the person I have become. Don’t worry. February will be back to my regular Fashion posts and not nearly so wordy. Ha, ha.

Heading Toward the Holidays - Blazers and Scarves

One of the things I like about the cold weather seasons is the ability to wear layers. Layering is possible in the warmer weather, but we reach for light weight tops, sweaters and kimonos. In the winter I can get out my blazers and layer them over sweaters, buttons downs or long sleeve tees. I can also add scarves and boots to the ensemble for a warm work wear look. Today’s look is just that.

I thought I would go step by step to show you how I put this look together. I wanted to give you a less casual outfit than last week since I know some of you like to get more dressed up for holiday gatherings. I thought this look, while still leaning towards casual works perfectly for an office Christmas get together.

Step 1 - Pick a top. I got this cute tee from Kohl’s online when I was looking to use some Kohl’s cash and a 40% off coupon. I paid less than five dollars for this tee. I got this one and a navy blue with a woodsy vibe, both of which will work all winter, not just for the holidays. You certainly don’t have to pick a long sleeve tee. You could go with a light weight pullover sweater or a button down blouse. You do you.

Step 2 - Pick a blazer. Blazers are such versatile pieces and I think most of us have at least a couple in our closets. I have plenty (yes, clothes horse, most likely a Clydesdale - ha, ha), but I opted for this one I thrifted this past summer due to the green in the plaid. Green has been on my radar over the last few months. You could just as easily choose a plain colored blazer. I love plaid, and this definitely works for a holiday look.

Step 3 - Choose your bottoms. Since my outfit was business casual, I chose a wider leg, dark wash jean, because I think they look a more dressy than a skinny, and definitely more appropriate than a distressed pair with holes. I love those, but that would not necessarily be the right choice for a more corporate setting.

Step 4 - Pick a bag and shoes. I wanted my bag to draw out the reds in the jacket, so I chose my burgundy saddle bag.

I tried on several pairs of boots and ended up choosing my Nine West brown suede boots, also from Kohl’s a couple of years ago. I wish I would have tried on my burgundy ankle boots, because they might have looked just a tiny bit better.

Step 5 - Choose a scarf. A scarf is the perfect finishing touch on an outfit, especially when you want a little more class, and a little more warmth. You never know when you go to a gathering what the temperature is going to feel like. Often where there are a lot of people someone might open a door or a window because they are feeling too hot (this often happens when alcohol is being served). A scarf will be that added touch of warmth, and you can always take it off if you feel too warm. Again, I chose burgundy. I think this thrifted piece has a bit of a Christmas feel.

Would you wear an outfit like this? What would you do differently? I love to hear your thoughts and ideas, so leave me a comment or two.

No shopping links this week. I think all of us are trying to watch our spending as things have gotten so expensive. I do not like to push buying products because I feel we have enough pressure to spend, spend, spend. I just watched the Grinch, so I can hear his voice saying “All the noise, noise, noise…” I will continue to make recommendations and provide shopping links on occasion, but my motto is, if you haven’t tried thrifting it is a great way to find all sorts of fun and interesting clothes and try brands you might not know about.

As always, thank you for following along. I appreciate each and every one of you who support me and my blog. Have a great day!

If you follow my Faith page, be sure to stop by in a day or two to see my next installment as I head towards Christmas by looking over the names of Christ in Isaiah 9:6.

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2023 - New York Palette: Viva Magenta, Red Orange, and Eclipse

I have been wandering in the wilderness for a few weeks trying to maneuver the hard bits of life and the emotional drain that comes with it. That said, I want to keep bringing you content as often as I can and I appreciate your support and patience during these times when I am struggling.

Getting back to my Pantone color series we are looking at another combination of colors from the Autumn/Winter New York Palette. This trio is perfect for fall and I thought the classy, casual vibe of this outfit would be great for your Thanksgiving Day festivities.

I really like how this outfit turned out. Let’s look at each piece.

This Viva Magenta top was actually a piece I gifted to my daughter, but it ended up on her get rid of pile, so of course I snatched it back. Ha, ha. I have so few really classy, dress tops and I just love the bishop sleeves on this piece.

This Red Orange utility jacket was one of the first few utility pieces that I bought, so I have had it for six years. I purchased this at Nordstrom Rack because I fell in love with the color. You can see another Pantone post I did using this piece here.

Another thrift find, these Eclipse pants are so fun with their embellished velvet flowers. I have a feeling I will be pulling these out multiple times for the holidays. Not only are they unique, but they are comfy.

The accessories really pulled this whole look together. The scarf actually had all of the colors in it. My bag, and patent leather ankle boots added a classy element to the outfit, and the pendant necklace was a nice finishing touch.

What did you think of this outfit? Do you like these colors? Do you have these colors in your closet? Let me know what you think in the comments.

I hope you are having a great week!

My Style: Collection of My Favorite Fall Looks

It was an extremely busy weekend with two birthday parties, housecleaning, set up and take down, and so on. I am starting the week exhausted so I thought I would put together a collection of my favorite fall outfits from past falls. These are outfits that exhibit my style best. I will include a little synopsis on what I like about it. I hope you enjoy these pics and outfits.

2016

September

I love this all brown look. It really says fall with the medallion print on the dress and the long fringe vest. I am sad that I got rid of all of these pieces, but the reality is the vest was a little bit small and I have put on weight since then, and I don’t wear dresses much at all any more.

October

This is a look I would wear again. I still have all of these pieces including the large tote bag. It is relaxed and casual, but perfectly stylish for a day of shopping or hanging out with the grandkids. Although, these days I would swap out the flats for more supportive sneakers or shoes.

November

I think the contrast of prints and textures is part of the allure of this outfit. Another fun look for a date night. Unfortunately, I washed the skirt and it was never the same. I got rid of it. I still have the top, belt, necklace and bag.

2017

September

I love this purple and mustard yellow combination. It has a bit of a boho Halloween vibe, but it is right up my alley as far as comfort and color.

October

I had to pick two for this month.

I absolutely love this skirt and still have it. I really need to pull it out and try some other combinations with it. This look is so full of texture, rich color and detail making it one of my faves.

This fall look is all about the contrast between the deep rich berry color of the sweater, and the lighter green of the top and skirt. I still have the skirt, boots, sweater and bag, but got rid of the top.

November

I wore this for Thanksgiving that year, and I absolutely loved it. I’m a fan of tiered skirts, sweatshirts, flannel, boots and scarves so this whole look was fun and definitely outside my normal wheel house, but I think it worked and was fun. Unfortunately, the skirt is gone, the boots are worn out, and the bag started showing signs of wear.

2018

September

This cute cropped moto jacket was a find at Nordstrom Rack. With the camo shirt pecking out and the Rock & Republic jeans I thought it was a fun look, and very much my style.

October

I loved this look. The velvet top with the velvety leopard print jacket complimented each other. Adding the jeans made it one of those dressy casual looks that I love to wear.

November

This is actually a summer maxi dress that I wanted to make work for fall. Adding the yellow sweater, boots and a brown moto jacket did just that.

2019

September

Once again, just like me, a study in contrasts. Print mixing, different blues, different textures along with a lovely pop of red. And yes, I am carrying an Aerosmith tote bag. Ha, ha.

October

I just love the colors and the flowing, fun lines of this look. A fun work outfit, or lunch out with friends.

November

Plaid with plaid? Why not? Especially when the one plaid is flannel! A great office look with superb print mixing. (Yes, I can say that about my print mixing ability. Ha, ha.)

2020

September

Who can resist a color mix like this for fall? Doesn’t it remind you of the many colors as the leaves change?

October

Fashion reasons I love fall: print mixing, layers, scarves, boots, dark hues, and jeans, always jeans!

November

This is my go to casual outfit: jeans, fun sneakers, graphic tee, sweater and bag. I love incorporating similar colors into my outfits and accessories like the dark maroon in the bag, sneakers and tee in this outfit.

2021 (This was the fall I was sick, so I wasn’t doing a lot of regular posting, but I found a few things.)

September

Vests are always popular in the fall as a layering piece and for me I love them all, from puffers, to waist coats, to pieces like these with fringe, they provide warmth, texture and interest.

October

I think we all have pieces we look forward to pulling out every fall. This jacket is definitely one of those! As you can see, it is on repeat in my wardrobe.

November

Many of these outfits are from Pantone color palettes, which I usually try to do in the fall and spring. I am still debating about this year. But this outfit proves we can wear pastels in the fall.

2022

September

Why not wear red and green in the fall? It is all about shades and textures. Plus the American flag gives the outfit an end of summer feel.

October

Though these may not be the “typical” fall colors, I really like the romantic, fall vibe this outfit is giving off.

November

This was actually an Instagram post, but the inspiration for it was a fashion trend called Dark Academia, which I really have gotten into. I don’t wear it as much as I would like, but perhaps I will do a blog post about it soon.

I hope you have enjoyed this look back at my favorite fall outfits since I started the blog. It was fun for me to look back and see what I have done in the past. It is challenging me to re-up my game plan to bring ideas and outfits to you that will continue to inspire and help you grow in your fashion knowledge and abilities.

Have a great evening!

Color Play - Building an Outfit Around Jewelry

Since my Color Play column can encompass all aspects of color, I thought it would be fun to show you how I build an outfit around a colorful piece of jewelry. Let’s face it, not all of us are into fine jewelry. Yes, I do have a few silver and gold items that my spouse gave me over the years, but those are mainly rings and a few chain necklaces. Most of my jewelry is costume jewelry that I have either found on clearance at regular retail stores like Kohl’s, JC Penney, or Maurice’s, or it is from a thrift store. The piece I will be using today was actually gifted to me by a friend.

I love all the colors in this piece, but it does make it more difficult to combine with printed pieces, of which I have many. However, that makes it more challenging, which I love. Today, I decided to go for more of a color block style, and used solid colors for each of the pieces in my outfit. Take a look.

I am grooving on my wide leg cropped pants right now, so if they are not your cup of tea, then just swap them out for your own version of pants. You could also just as easily choose a skirt. Remember my job is to inspire you to look at your own clothes in a new and innovative way, to make them work for you and your style preferences.

Today’s style tips are going to cater to styling an outfit around a piece of jewelry.

Style Tip 1 - Choose a piece of jewelry that makes a statement, then figure out how to monopolize on that statement effect.

As you can see in the first picture my necklace contains so many colors: orange, dark blue, turquoise, or aqua, purple, olive, light green, orange and a light yellowy orange. If I wore this piece with a printed top it might easily get lost, but pairing it with this navy popover blouse was the perfect way to make the colors of the necklace pop. You could have used any of the colors in the necklace, but I love the way it looks against the navy.

I have two of these Knox Rose tops. The other is a pale purple color. I love the lace, the longer length short sleeves and the flowy silhouette. The trim on the bottom is pretty as well. I honestly can’t remember if I found these on the clearance rack at Target, or at a Goodwill store where I often find like new Knox Rose items.

Style Tip 2 - Choose pieces that go with the colors in the jewelry or at least compliment it.

The navy top almost matched exactly the navy beads on the necklace. However, I chose to wear a pair of pants that was less matchy and more complimentary. The light green borders on olive, but not exactly. It’s almost a very pale chartreuse. I know in the picture they look more gray or beige than green, but believe me they have a green cast to them.

These raw hem jeans are Sonoma brand and they were a clearance find at Kohl’s a summer season ago.

After choosing my main two pieces I decided on shoes and a bag. I also added a few other bright beaded bracelets for fun. My SO ankle boots have been around for a while. I thought it appropriate to start throwing in a few fall like pieces since we all know it is coming at some point. My thrifted orange suede bag is not one I use very often, but I simply love the bright color, and it works so well as an accent piece.

Style Tip 3 - Pull in one or two other colors from you chosen piece of jewelry (if it has more than two colors) by adding them in as accessories: shoes or boots, bags, scarves or a sweater or jacket.

I thought about adding a sweater to this, but I wanted to still look summery, and it was nearing 90F when I took these pictures. I was already beginning to sweat. Ha, ha.

What do you think of this outfit? Have you ever styled an outfit around a piece of jewelry? If so, what was it? I’d love to hear your thoughts. You feedback is always welcome, good or bad.

I’m including a few shopping links for fun necklaces. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Have a great day!

Shopping Our Closets - Light Weight Jackets

I thought it would be useful to do a post on light weight jackets. As the summer draws to a close and fall meanders its way into our areas we all will be reaching for those light weight jackets to ward off the early morning or late evening chill. There will still be plenty of warm days ahead, but having a few light weight jackets, not only gives you something to throw on when chilled, but adds a touch of class to any outfit.

I have been blogging since 2016, so for 7 years I have been showing different outfits in this space. Instead of showing you a new outfit this week, I thought I would go back and cull my posts to find photos for the different types of jackets I am going to talk about. As I always tell you, make it your own. Shop your closet and figure out which light weight jackets will work best as the season of summer transitions into the season of fall.

Denim Jackets

I wanted to start with this one, because it is one of my faves and a regular go to. Denim jackets are much more versatile than in the day when they were thought of as work wear only for the farm, or a style worn by teens looking to get into trouble. Boy, times have changed…Ha, ha. Today jean jackets come in every cut, color and wash, and they are still relatively inexpensive.

Cropped:

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull

Embellished:

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Colored:

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Denim and jackets cut in a similar silhouette are great, casual choices for transitional weather outfits.

Utility Jackets

I love my utility jackets and they are the perfect light weight piece to add to your transitional wardrobe. Utility jackets, like denim, now come in assorted colors and prints. They are the perfect casual topper for spring or fall when the temperatures are beginning to fluctuate, and they offer a little more coverage than the standard denim option.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Blazers

I love blazers all year round, and they do double duty in making an outfit look stylish and providing a light layer of warmth for the cooler days of fall or the air conditioning of the office or retail store. The following are a few of my blazers. From solids to prints, a blazer is a fun option for adding interest to your outfit and keeping warm as the weather cools off.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

It was fun going through my blog looking for light weight jackets. Many of these pieces I still have, and a few I have gotten rid of. As we grow in our fashion journey, we realize what works for us and what doesn’t. Sometimes that has to do with what phase of life we are in. Losing my assistant manager job and coming home to help with the grandkids and dabble in the freelance writing arena has definitely changed what I wear on a regular basis.

I’m including a batch of light weight jackets in my shopping links. These are affiliate links, brought to you at no cost. If you purchase something through my link I get a small commission. Every purchase you makes helps me keep this blog going. I really appreciate it. All opinions are my own.

Have a great day!

Outfit Inspiration - Cottage Core with an Edge

This week’s source of inspiration started with an Instagram challenge that I am trying to participate in for the month of May. The challenge, #mismatchmay revolves around outfit combinations that might seem unusual or outside the norm. It isn’t just a matter of putting different prints together, although that does have something to do with it. Every week has a different focus. For the first week we are to build outfits with the ideas in mind of character play, pose play and mix of hard and soft.

I thought I would focus, at least for one of the days on the mix of hard and soft. This would be combinations of fabrics like soft silks, tiered tulle, lace, and other feminine fabrics with moto jackets, structured vests or blazers, or leather and vinyl. As I began shopping my closet, I wanted to get a little more knowledge, which led me to Pinterest. There I discovered something I had heard of but didn’t know a lot about, Cottage Core.

Cottage Core delves into fashion that examplifies a romanticized version of pastoral life. You will find floral prints, feminine tiered skirts and maxi dresses, and oversized cozy cardigan sweaters. There is a focus on natural fibers, vintage inspiration and a closeness to nature. There is a Cottage Core aesthetic in the architectural realm as well with home decor turning towards English gardens, and rustic baskets and floral arrangements.

This outfit is my attempt to do Cottage Core (for the soft) with an edge (for the hard). There are two things in this outfit that fall into the Cottage Core aesthetic: the white tiered, lacy skirt, and the floral print on the sweater.

My floral pullover was a clearance find a few years ago from Maurice’s. It is a good piece for spring, as it is not the heavy weight of many of my pullover sweaters. Unfortunately, the weather has been cold and rainy, so my warm weather clothes are on hold.

I have had this skirt for a while. It is St. John’s Bay from JCPenney. I have styled it on the blog before. You can see it styled with a green blouse and jacket, with a pink striped pullover, and with a striped tee and navy eyelet jacket.

My brown moto jacket has been around for a while too. A thrifted piece it is Celebrity Pink brand and you can see how I styled it with an orange medallion skirt, a Grinch sweater, olive utility pants, a printed maxi dress, and a peachy monochrome look.

I added a bit of gold bling in the form of my layered necklaces and multiple bracelets. I addition I thought it would be fun to add another print, so I reached for my thrifted leopard print bag.

I chose a pair of hand-me-over ankle boots from my daughter to finish the outfit.

What do you think of this outfit? Are you familiar with Cottage Core fashion? Do you have tiered skirts, and florals in your closet? What about this style do you like or dislike?

I hope you enjoyed this post. I am including a few shopping links for Cottage Core types of pieces. These are affiliate links which means if you purchase something through the link, I get a little bit of a commission. These are brought to you at no additional cost. All opinions are my own.

Buy Me a Coffee.

Color Play - Dark Plaid in the Spring and Summer

Today, I am going to show you how to take a darker plaid and make it spring and summer ready. I know many of us put our darker colors away replacing them with pastels and the bright happy colors of warmer weather, but not everyone has as big of a wardrobe as I do. Indeed, for those who are more into a capsule wardrobe, this is a great way to use a darker print all year round.

I found these plaid Croft and Barrow pants a few months ago while thrifting. When I tried them on, I liked the way they fit, and knew they would be great for the holidays, but I also thought it would be fun to wear these any time of year by just adjusting what I pair them with. I decided to pull them out for this post.

As you can see in the picture below they are a simple pull on knit, thus the name inside the waist band - Effortless Stretch Pant. The older I get, the more I like that idea. Ha, ha. But then, the younger generation all wear leggings, which is really just a stretch pant, right? You can see these are perfect for Christmas with the red stripes, and green and blue plaid.

Style Tip: Roll up the hems on your straight leg pants, creating a narrow cuff, to give them a current, casual, and youthful look.

You might be wondering how I chose the sweater and the tee. I wanted to keep to the color scheme of the pants, but with lightening up the shades to a pastel, minty green, and a pastel, blush pink, it changes the feel of the whole outfit. I could have done a similar thing with a lighter reddish orange, and a lighter blue, but in similar shades to the original.

The whole idea behind Color Play is to play with colors and color combinations. I am not a color “trekkie”, boldly going where no woman has gone before in my color combinations. I still like things to look classic, polished, and put together in a way that makes a person think, wow, that’s a cool outfit. But, I still want to experiment and try new things, and I hope I am inspiring you to do that as well.

Style Tip: In order to lighten up an outfit when using a darker print, think in terms of shades of the darker print’s colors. If it is navy, evergreen and maroon, think in terms of light blue, minty green and pink.

My pink sweater was a Nordstrom Rack find, and is a brand called BYdesign. You can click on the link for a variety of color options. This is a great spring, and summer sweater as it is light weight. I got an XL, as I often like a roomier option. These are also on sale right now, so feel free to click on through.

My minty green v-neck tee is Hanes brand and a second hand find. Long sleeve and short sleeve plain colored tees are great pieces to stock up on at thrift stores. It doesn’t matter as much if they are not new as they are typically worn underneath other things.

I decided to wear a few red pieces of jewelry to coordinate with the red stripes in the pants.

My white bag is another thrift find that I typically pull out in the summer. I still have that “wear white in the warmer months” mentality, not so much about pants or tops, but definitely bags. In our current time anything goes, as they say, but we certainly still have our own personal preferences.

These cute sneakers were another thrift find. They are brand called vaisb, which looked to be a brand that used to be sold on Amazon.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you think I accomplished a spring or summer look by incorporating lighter colored pieces with the darker plaid pants? I personally like the way the outfit turned out, but I know it is not for everyone. However, the idea is to play with color. Don’t be afraid to think outside the crayon box when it comes to what colors you are brave enough to wear, and the color combinations you might create. Getting dressed should be fun and that is one of the reasons I share this blog with you.

I am including a few other shopping links below. Don’t forget to check out the BYdesign link above if you are in need of a light weight cardigan for summer. These are affiliate links. I do not earn any money from these links unless you purchase the item through the link. I provide these links to give you information and they are brought to you at no additional cost. All opinions are my own.

Buy Me A Coffee.

Outfit from Clara Sunwoo

This outfit was gifted to me and I was not paid to do this review. All opinions are my own.

Recently I was contacted by retailer Clara Sunwoo to do a collaboration. Clara Sunwoo started sewing clothing in 1968. In 1975 she moved from Seoul, Korea to New York City. Twenty years later Clara and her daughter Roseann, saw a need for women’s clothing that fit better and in 1997 started their own clothing line in Manhattan’s fashion district. In 2004 they designed their own soft, stretchable knit fabric, a fabric that is breathable and wrinkle free. Their clothing has reached all across the United States and is loved by women including Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Kathie Lee Gifford.

This outfit features the side tie watercolor top paired with the brown signature straight leg pant. (Please note, the links only take you to their main website, but you can look each item up by it’s name, or click on the link for tops, or the link for pants, etc. and scroll to find the item.) Each item is made from a soft, breathable knit created by the mother/daughter team.

Their website states that this knit is breathable and perfect for traveling. On the day I took these pictures, it was only in the forties, so I will have to let you know how this light weight fabric does in the heat of summer at a later date. The fabric is pleasing to touch and feels great on. It stretches as you move, making it perfect for our busy lives.

I love the elbow length dolman style sleeves, and the cute detail of the front tie. The muted neutral tones will be fun to style with other items in my closet.

I was concerned when I took these straight leg pants out of the bag, that they were going to be too small. I chose a size Large (14). I would say these are just about spot on. I am between a 12 and a 14. I was actually surprised that they looked as nice as they did with my wider hips. I would like to try a pair of their wider leg, or split leg pants to see how they compare.

I decided to use silvery gray for my accessories. My shoes and bag were both thrifted.

Clara Sunwoo is a retailer I can get behind. Their story (be sure to watch the piece from the Today show) is a picture of the American dream. Most of their products are designed and manufactured right here in the United States. The clothing is well made with quality fabric that moves with you as you move throughout your day. Their sizing is fairly inclusive running from an extra small (4/6) up to a 1X (18). I think they allow for larger sizing due to the stretch in the fabric, but I don’t know that the pants or certain sleeve types would necessarily fit all body sizes and types. Keep that in mind if you are interested in ordering anything.

I also like that this is a Slow Fashion manufacturer. They only make a limited number of pieces for each season, so there is less waste. The price points are higher than what I would normally pay, but I would consider these investment pieces. These are the perfect pieces for a resort trip or cruise, walking the beach or going out to dinner. They would also translate well into the work place where comfort and classic style is a plus.

I have signed up to be an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo, so if you want to purchase something on their site just use the code, STYLINGRANNY10 and you’ll receive a 10% discount site wide. They always have free shipping in the U.S. Check them out!