Flying Solo

Well, it was inevitable that at some point this newby to the blogging world would have to start taking pictures on her own. My hubby got me a new camera for our anniversary, but I have not had much time to acquaint myself with it, at least not until today. Seeing as how my daughter and I have had not time to schedule another photo shoot, I had to take it upon myself to try to, not only put an outfit together, but take pictures of it, edit them and put them on this post. Since Rebecca taught me how to download pictures I have no problem with putting a post together, but I have never had to actually take pictures of my own outfit. So today (and one other day last week) I have taught myself how to set up the tripod, turn the flash on and off and use a remote. Wow! Look at me! I am exhausted. Ha, ha. 

So here goes.

I guess you could call this a military jacket. It is an olive drab color and has metal buttons up both sides which can be buttoned open as I have it or buttoned closed, which I might have to lose a few pounds to do. 

I styled the jacket with a wine colored long sleeve tee and white pants with a light gray snakeskin pattern. The tee is quite long so I did the magic front tuck to give my waist definition. I thought about putting on a belt, but decided against it.

I added a square scarf which I folded into a triangle and put it around my neck so the point of the triangle is in the front then wrap the ends all the way back around to tie in front. Because the scarf is then worn shorter I could also add a bit of bling by wearing a longer necklace.

You can see by this photo the jacket does nip in at the waist due to the multiple panels and seams in the back. Great pic of my butt, huh!

Finally the shoes! I found these at a thrift store and absolutely love them. They are a wine/burgundy suede and have the perfect size heel with a bit of a platform on the ball of the foot. It makes walking in them so much easier. They are a low cut bootie and have zippers for easy on and off. 

So there you have it! What did you think of my first solo flight? I would love to hear your thoughts. Rest assured I do have another photo shoot scheduled with my daughter, but you'll have to put up with my unprofessional pictures for a couple of weeks. Ha, ha. I hope to get outside for a stab at natural lighting, which I generally prefer. It is much harder to take pics in natural light when it is dark! That gives you an idea of what sort of Monday I had today. But that is a story for another time.

If you get a chance on Thursday in between the turkey and the pumpkin pie, come back and see what I do for my Color Crash Course column. 

Have a blessed Thanksgiving. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. and Michelle of Michelle's Pa(i)ge. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up with Allison of Sydney Fashion Hunter,  Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style. 

Beautiful Blogger Bests - Styling a Scarf with a Bag

There are so many fun bloggers to follow, that I actually have a hard time, deciding who I should feature next on my Beautiful Blogger Bests column, but this week I was pressed for time and needed a fairly simple look that didn't require a ton of prep or thought. Enter in the English beauty Gemma of Jacquard Flower. 

Gemma is a part time professional and a full time mom to twins. Her style language is fairly simple, a few good quality items mixed with clothing pieces that can be used every day. I always look forward to Gemma's posts. In this particular post Outfit Ideas with Scarves and Bags, Gemma takes two simple pieces and creates a fabulous casual outfit with eye popping color. Be sure to click on the link to see her original post. I especially like her orange shopper bag and blanket scarf. The scarves and bags Gemma used in her post were all from Laura Ashley.

While Gemma wore jeans and a black sweater, with tan knee high boots, I wore jeans and a gray sweater with black boots. 

Look 1 - Red and Gray Scarf with Red Bag

We were at my daughter's (photographer) house meeting our new grand "dog". She's a big puppy with some mastiff and a few other things in her lineage. I should have had my daughter include a photo! Anyway, my girl and my son-in-law have this wonderfully large and comfy chair. It just felt like the perfect pose!

Look 2 - Blue and Gray Scarf with Blue Bag

This one doesn't have the pop of color like the red does, but I like the textures involved in the outfit as a whole.

Here are the two looks side by side.

You might be asking yourself, why follow all of these different fashion bloggers? My answer is to be inspired. I have learned so much from all of these lovely ladies and their creativity inspires me daily to look in my closet and ask myself, "How can I look my best today?"

I hope you will check out Gemma's site and give her some love. As bloggers we benefit from your comments and your views! We all thank you. 

Have a great weekend!

Pantone Fall 2016 - Recap

This week I wanted to show all of the outfits I styled based on the Pantone Fall 2016 color line up. To see my original posts click on the color.

Week 1 - Bodacious

Week 2 - Airy Blue

Week 3 - Potter's Clay

Week 4 - Riverside Blue

Week 5 - Sharkskin

Week 6 - Warm Taupe 

Week 7 - Spicy Mustard

Week 8 - Aurora Red

Week 9 - Dusty Cedar

Week 10 - Lush Meadow

Which one is your favorite? Which color(s) would you wear? Let me know in the comments section below or on my Facebook page.

I hope you enjoyed this series. I will be exploring the Pantone Spring 2017 colors next Spring, even though they are already on their website. Let me get through Christmas first before I start thinking about outfits for next spring! Ha, ha.

In the mean time, keep checking back. I hope to begin a series in a few weeks on my own color choices for winter, called Winter Wonderland. Keep an eye out for that. Check back on Thursday to see which Beautiful Blogger I drew inspiration from this week. 

Have a great day.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up with Tania of 50 is Not Old, and Allison of Sydney Fashion Hunter. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. Friday linking up with Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots and Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style. 

Awesome Accessories - The Pashmina Scarf

Since the weather here in the Midwest is beginning to cool down considerably, I thought I would take another look at scarves, but focus on a heavier, longer variety of scarf that we refer to as the pashmina. The original pashmina was type of cashmere wool woven into a garment meant to be worn as a shawl. Today we have a variety of pashmina colors and prints as varied as the flowers and plants in creation. Many of the scarves or shawls that we now term pashmina, are made from a variety of fabrics and realize different weights and textures, thus, not true pashminas. However, there are many stores that sell real wool/silk blend pashminas for very reasonable prices. 

Today's post will look at a variety of ways to wear these longer, rectangular shaped scarves.

This scarf, while having the shape of a pashmina is not made from the soft, silky cashmere wool. It doesn't feel scratchy so I do not think it has any wool in it. It is probably a blend of man made materials. A thrift store find, I thought I could use it like a blanket scarf, but then as I did more research realized a true blanket scarf is square not rectangular. I am learning new things all the time!

1. The shawl - 

2. The simple flip over one shoulder - 

3. Flip ends to the back then pull ends to the front - here the ends are the focal point of what hangs in the front - 

4. Flip ends to back, but leave front loose. Pull front down into more of a long bib, then bring just the fringy ends to the front - the messy look.

5. Triangular bib - similar to above, but make the bib more triangular and tucks the ends under the bib. 

6. Left long and belted - 

Here is a look at all of them:

I hope this post inspires you to dig that pashmina out of your closet and start wearing it. I have quite a few in different colors. It is the perfect toasty addition to any outfit or just wear one with your coat to keep your neck warm. The pashmina is not only stylin' it's practical.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

If your are looking for a true pashmina check out The Pashmina Store.

This store is only a recommendation that I found while perusing on line. I have never bought anything from them, but might some time in the future! 

Pantone Fall 2016 - Lush Meadow

The final installment in the Pantone Fall 2016 series is a vibrant, rich color called Lush Meadow. I am not sure I would have given this color that name, because to me it seems to express more of an emerald tone, than a field of green. Unless you are in the jungle, meadows are typically more of a grassy green and perhaps filled with flowers. Something like this:

Pixabay

However, I was not on the committee to name these colors and I am sure they had a reason they named this green what they did. Now that my little tangent is over. Here is my outfit.

I have had this maxi skirt for a long time and just could never find the combination of top and accessories that made me say "Yes! This is it!" When I paired this top with the skirt and then added the belt, I thought I had hit the mark. 

Even though the top is a single color, there is a definite print to it. I am not sure what the process was, but it looks like lace and crochet mixed. I didn't realize it at the time, but seeing these pictures now, I see that the shape of the print on my top, matches the shape of the print on my skirt. How's that for some fancy mixing? Ha, ha.

For my accessories I wore a bead, ribbon and chain necklace which had beads that whisper Lush Meadow and ribbons in the line of Spicy Mustard. I also added a Spicy Mustard bracelet. (To see how I styled Spicy Mustard as an outfit click here.) My bag was a simple charcoal gray clutch that matched one of the colors in the skirt. The skirt also has white and a bit of tan, thus the inclusion of the brown belt and brown ankle boots.

In this shot of the boots, you can also see a bit of the lining of the skirt. (You can also see the mud on the heel of my boot - ha, ha - squishy ground!) It is fully lined from top to bottom, so it provides an extra layer of warmth and no need for a slip. This is a great transitional skirt for fall, but I think I will be wearing this again in the winter with a chunky sweater, knee boots and tights for added warmth.

I hope you have enjoyed this series on the Pantone 2016 Fall colors. Next week I will be doing a recap of all the outfits, so I hope you'll check in again next Tuesday. 

Thursday I will be looking at the Pashmina scarf as another awesome cold weather accessory. Be sure to check back. Until then take care and keep stylin'!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. 

Shopping for Lush Meadow:

Tops -

Nordstrom - $70.00

Kohl's - $28.80

Roaman's - $49.99 - 54. 99 (Plus Size)

Bag's - 

Kohl's - $69.30

Kohl's - $55.30

DSW -  $49.95

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up with Allison of Sydney Fashion Hunter, and Tania of  50 is Not Old. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, Jennie of a Pocketful of Polkadots,  JoLynne Shane on Fashion Friday and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge.

Piece Perfect - The Navy Blazer

Today's Perfect Piece is going to be spread out over two months, because I found so many ways to style this fitted navy blazer by Ralph Lauren. Today's post will feature wearing the blazer with a dress and a skirt. Next month I will look at styling it with casual and dressy pants. 

Navy is one of those colors that can be worn with just about any other color. If you look up navy blue on the internet it shows a range of blue from what I would term royal blue to what I would call true navy. For the sake of ease I am referring to this blazer as navy, even thought it is a bit lighter than true navy.

The term blazer refers to a jacket that resembles a suit coat, but more casual. For more info on the origin of blazers see the Wikipedia article here. 

The three above pictures give you an overview of the fit of the blazer. Blazers can be fitted, flowy or boxy. I like a fitted blazer best because it cinches in at the waist giving me that girlish figure. Ha, ha. This blazer has a breast pocket on one side with the Ralph Lauren initials, two front flap pockets and two buttons. You can also see the split in the lower back allowing movement and flexibility. 

This blazer is also fully lined which means the lining not only covers the entire body, but the sleeves as well. The silky lining not only adds a layer of warmth, but makes it easier to slip into and out of, especially if you have long sleeve layers underneath. 

Here is the first outfit with the blazer. I just threw it on over a striped tee shirt dress, then paired it with my navy Keds. Not to get to matchy, I carried my Lush Meadow tote bag. I accessorized with blue beads and a blue bangle. 

Note the line where the sleeve hits my hand. It is just longer than my wrist, which is where I like most of my jackets to hit. This allows you to show just a little bit of sleeve if you have a top that you want to stick out or if you want your bracelets to show. Some people wear their sleeves longer and some shorter. I'm sure there is a standard, but in the fashion world it's more about personal preference. I also like that the initials are not overwhelming. If you look up Ralph Lauren jackets you will see that many of them have his crest on the pocket in gold. I got this at a thrift store and I am not a huge brand buyer, especially if it is advertised on the pocket, but I like the fit and look so well, that it didn't bother me that the RL was on the pocket.

Here is the blazer paired with a skirt and sweater. The skirt has a navy, red and cream pattern, so I chose a creamy sweater with Joy printed on it. I kept my accessories in the gold/pewter line to go with the lettering on the sweater.

This will be a fun sweater to use again at the holidays. 

Here are the two looks side by side:

So what do you think of this blazer? Do you wear a blazer? How do you style it? I'd love to have your input. Just leave a comment in the comments section below.

Next month in this Piece Perfect column, I'll show you the outfits I put together pairing the blazer with a pair of dress pants and a pair of snakeskin jeans. 

Thanks so much for your support. Be sure to like and share on my Facebook page. You can also see what I've been pinning on Pinterest, and peek at some of my other outfits on Instagram. 

Have a lovely weekend!

Photo credit, Rebecca Trumbull.

Shopping for Blazers:

Ralph Lauren version - Black - Dillards - $198.00

Other brands:

JC Penney - $34.99

Target - $29.99

There are a number of navy blazers available including Ralph Lauren on Poshmark, ModCloth and eBay.

Color Crash Course - Spooky Color Combo (without being scary)

One of the ways I wanted to challenge myself in this Color Crash Course column, was to come up with color combinations that we usually associate with something else. For instance red and yellow make me think of McDonalds; red and green Christmas; green and yellow the Green Bay Packers (my husband's team) and so on. With Halloween only a few days away, I had to look at colors traditionally associated with this holiday. 

It used to be Halloween colors were restricted to orange and black, but in the more recent decades green and purple have been added to that mix. Images of pumpkins, witches, the Frankenstein monster and ghosts flying through a purply black night sky all come to mind. I decided to take those four colors and combine them into an outfit. 

Black jeans make the color subtle, rather than a stark black pant or skirt. Plus the jeans add texture to the outfit. Remember we have been exploring the idea of texture for making an outfit more interesting. 

This orange sweater was from Christopher and Banks last year. I like that it is light weight so perfect for layering and it has.....texture. The little raised bumps give it a polka dot effect. 

You can see the button up I wore under my sweater is black and has little owls on it. What better for Halloween. With the black background the little tan owls really show up as well as the little bits of purple and green in the pattern. I decided to add the lighter purple necklace so as to not overwhelm with a too Halloween-ish outfit. 

I left the shirt tail out to add some color and dimension between the sweater and the black jeans. 

For my bag I decided on a Lush Meadow clutch (more on that color in a few weeks). My shoes are an older pair I just love. A dark purple velvet kitten heel with sequins. They sound quirky, but I really like the way they fit my foot and the dark purple and sequins remind me of that Halloween sky. 

And, of course, I had to throw in a silly one. For another lovely look at black and orange check out Laurie at Vanity and Me. She shows an orange sweater styled two ways.

What do you think of wearing these colors together? What do you think of this outfit? I'd love to have your input. Just leave a comment below. 

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend. Thanks for hanging out with me on the blog!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone Fall 2016 - Aurora Red

We only have three weeks left of our Pantone 2016 Fall color series. Today's feature is Aurora Red. By the time we took this picture on the evening we were scrambling to fit some photo's in we were both exhausted. The evening was hot and humid for September and I was literally wilting. My daughter had just worked a full day, then came over to squeeze in a few photos before the light was completely gone. 

So yes, our photos were getting a little silly. I styled the Aurora Red 3/4 length sleeve tee with a pair of Palazzo pants. I styled these before here. For this look I added the vest to give the outfit an extra layer of warmth. Granted on the day we took the pics I didn't need it, but with the cooler weather we are now having this vest is perfect. In keeping with the edgy vibe the vest adds I opted for chain link and coin belt and necklace.

I wore simple black heels, which are hardly visible due to the grass and the length of the pants. The taupe bag I am carrying is a thrift store find. 

I have given these pants a second go round and have decided I am getting rid of them. They are very comfy, but in all honesty are not flattering on me at all. I think it might be the way the pattern encircles the leg. It makes me look stumpy. Ha, ha. I only share that, not to get down on myself or because I have body image problems, but to show that some pieces can flatter and others can detract. 

However, I do like the look of the red tee under the vest and the fun chain link and coin belt and jewelry, perhaps with a skinny pair of jeans, a pencil skirt or a maxi. Aurora Red is a beautiful rich color to add to your wardrobe. If red is not your color, try adding it to your outfit as an accessory. In the shopping links below I listed a pair of ankle boots, and a red bag. You could also add a scarf or a necklace to bring that red pop to any outfit.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know your thoughts good or bad in the comments section below. I appreciate input of all types, because it helps shape me as a blogger and a fashionista. Check back on Thursday for my Color Crash Course. This week I'll be styling a spooky color combo, just in time for Halloween. Have a great day.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping for Aurora Red:

Red ankle boots - JC Penney - $44.99

Red skirt - Loft - $59.50

Cross body bag - JC Penney - $24.00

Red tunic - J.Jill - $44.99

Beautiful Blogger Bests - Monochrome with Print and Texture

This week on my Beautiful Blogger Best column, I am featuring the lovely Liz of With Wonder and Whimsy. Liz is a firey red head who is not afraid to wear any color and has a knack for styling outfits that are feminine, flirty and fabulous. 

Today I am referencing Liz's post Outfit Formula: Monochrome, Texture, and Print. To check out her original post just click on the link. The neat thing is, Liz was taking something she learned from another blogger Janeane of Designing from My Closet. I featured Janeane in my original Beautiful Blogger Bests column on styling an outfit around a bag. See that post here. 

In her post Liz styles an outfit using the colors black and white. If you follow Liz you know this is not her norm. She loves pastels and lace, colors and frills, but she wanted to challenge herself to step outside her norm. The challenge for me was to put an outfit together that had two basic colors, a print and some texture. This is what I came up with.

This photo was taken on one of the last really hot afternoons we had before it started to cool down and become more fall like. Thus, I look a tad wilty. The skirt is thrifted and the top is actually a tunic that I recently acquired from Charming Charlie's end of the season sale. I put the tunic on and then layered the skirt over top.

The eyelet jacket and the bag with it's gold rivets and extra buckles add great elements of texture to this otherwise monochrome outfit. I did cheat by adding the red beads, but I love the contrast of the red against the white and blue. The large beads also add additional texture to the look.

These are my navy loafer heels. Funny thing, I really didn't know what this type of shoe was called. That just shows I am still a newbie to the fashion world, so I thought, "Well they look a bit like a loafer, but with a heel." I typed in loafer heels and up they popped. Isn't the internet amazing? Ha, ha. This is a great shoe to wear with a skirt for a more casual look or with pants for a more dressed up look. Funny how that works!

Are you seeing spots? I'm thinking this would have looked better with a belt of some sort. What do you think?

So there you have it. I am so thankful to all the beautiful bloggers that I follow. Liz has been a great inspiration to me, not only with her knowledge of fashion, but with her kind and attentive comments on my fashion posts. Be sure to click on her link and give her some love. 

Check back next week for more fashion fun! Have a great weekend!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping Options (I chose black for the color):

Polka Dot Dress - Kohl's - $69.99

Black Eyelet Jacket - Jacket Society - $155.00

or

Bomber Eyelet Jacket - Macy's - $55.99

Black Loafer Heels - Belk - $89.00

Black Tote - JC Penney - $85.00

Pantone Fall 2016 - Spicy Mustard

Of all the Pantone Fall 2016 color line up, Spicy Mustard is the one that surprised me most. I am not a big fan of yellow. I think yellow is a lovely color, but I don't tend to reach for it and don't have many yellow pieces in my wardrobe. Spicy Mustard, however,  seems to be a versatile yellow, one I keep reaching for. In fact as I write this I am wearing the same tee you see in this post, with a pink fly away cardi and flared jeans. Check out my Instagram post from Monday.

For today's post I decided to style the Spicy Mustard, 3/4 length sleeved tee with a snakeskin print skirt that I have had for a long time. The skirt itself seems to carry a bit of that same yellow throughout the pattern. 

Since the skirt takes on the role of pattern for the outfit, I decided to downplay my accessories and keep them a relatively neutral color. 

The bag and shoes are a pewter color, while the jewelry brings in the browns and creams in the skirt. 

It is hard to get a good picture of shoes when you are standing in grass and the ground is soft! Ha, ha. 

Here is a close up of the skirt snakeskin pattern. 

Be sure to check out Liz at With Wonder and Whimsy for her take on Spicy Mustard. 

What do you think of Spicy Mustard? Would you wear it? How would you style it in an outfit? Let me know in the comments section below. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. Be sure to check back on Thursday and see which Beautiful Blogger inspired my polka dot outfit. Until then, have a great day. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping Options:

Spicy Mustard top - Nordstrom Rack - $34.97

Snakeskin pants (skirts available at Poshmark and other online used retailers) - Macy's - $35.99

Strappy Shoe - DSW - $39.95

Bag - DSW - $49.95

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb. Wednesday linking up with Allison of Sydney Fashion Hunter and Tania of 50 is Not Old. Thursday linking up with Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge and Nicole of Hight Latitude Style. Friday linking up with JoLynne of JoLynne Shane, Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots, and Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style.

Awesome Accessories - The Infinity Scarf

Whenever I see the word, infinity, all I can hear in my head is Buzz Lightyear saying, "To infinity and beyond!" The word infinity as defined by Webster means to have no limits or end. So how exactly Buzz could go to infinity and beyond is quite beyond me! Ha, ha. I may not understand the physics behind infinity, but I am here today to tell you how to wear an infinity scarf.

Basically an infinity scarf has no end. It is a loop. The following are pictures, albeit goofy ones, of me showing the different ways you can wear this type of scarf. I wore a white top and chose a bright colored scarf so you could get a better idea of what each style looks like. I do want to preface this by saying, I did this outside, on an 80 plus degree evening, without a mirror to look at what I was doing. Ha, ha. As I said, my daughter and I both agreed, next time we will figure out a different way to do this type of thing.

1. The first and probably most common is the simply double loop:

2. Next is the triple loop:

3. Here is the end through the loop. This is accomplished by putting the whole scarf behind your neck, then bringing both ends forward. Now take the one "end" and put it through the "loop" of the other end. Pull it so it is as snug as you want it to be. If you wanted it a little looser you could use a pretty pin or brooch to hold it in place.

4. This one is done by simply tying the scarf rather than looping it.

5. Next is the vest. This one didn't turn out in the picture as I had practiced it in front of a mirror, but you get the idea. It is a simple way to add a pop of color or pattern to an outfit. I'm showing you the front and the back. Sorry for my mug shot!

6. Finally I did a shawl type look, by taking the whole scarf open, putting it over my head, so my shoulders are inside the loop, then gathering the front excess and making a simple knot.

I hope you enjoyed this post on how to wear an infinity scarf. For a whole different take on scarves and other ways to wear them check out Janeane at Designing From My Closet. In Three Unconventional Ways to Style a Large Scarf she shows three great ways for taking those big scarves and adding them to more than just your neck. In an earlier post she shows how to wear a variety of scarves. Check out How to Wear a Scarf. 

What about you? Do you like to wear scarves. I have three drawers full of scarves and I love to wear them. I am even excited about finding more different ways to add them to my waist, bag or wrists. I hope you found today's post helpful. Let me know what you think.

Have a great rest of the week.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Pantone Fall 2016 - Warm Taupe

When I think of the color taupe I think of it more as a paint color, not necessarily a color I would wear. However, over the years I have realized that taupe is another one of those colors that can be paired with many other colors. For this post, I decided to keep the look clean and classic, by pairing Pantone's Fall 2016 color Warm Taupe with black.

Here I am checking out what is left in our little grape arbor. Unfortunately, this year, we hardly ate any of the grapes. The squirrels were much quicker at harvesting them, than we were.

To keep my look classic, as I said, I paired my shimmery taupe top with my patterned black ankle pants. I kept the bag similar to the top and the shoes black to go with the pants. However, I could see this outfit taken up a notch with the pop of a red sweater or a teal colored bag or pair of shoes. The warm taupe would easily harmonize with many bright colors.

These two pictures show you more detail. The top is basically a tee shirt, having the tee material in the back and the shimmery material in the front. The other picture shows you the detail of the lace pattern on the black crop pants and the added dimension on the multicolored taupe bag.

The only other colors I added to the outfit was in a single strand of fall colored beads and the blush color of the bracelets. Here you can better see the sparkly detail on the top.

What do you think of my take on Warm Taupe? Is this a color you have in your closet? If not, would you wear it? I'd love to have your input.

Help me out. If you follow me, but haven't subscribed to my blog, do so today. If you are a subscriber leave me a comment either in the comments section below or on Facebook. You can also like and follow me on Instagram. I'm also starting to used Pinterest too. Any of my pics can be pinned to your Pinterest boards by clicking on the little red P button in the top left corner of the picture. Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog and have a great day.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping Options:

Taupe top - Chico's - $79.98, Chico's - $34.99

Black patterned crop pants - Nordstrom Rack - $42.97

Taupe bag - Target - $34.99

Black block heels - Macy's - $80.00

Fall beads - Chico's - $45.00

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up with Tania of 50 is Not Old and Allison of Sydney Fashion Hunter. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style , Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots and JoLynne Shane on the Fashion Friday Link Up. 

Piece Perfect - Basic Cardigan

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

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

1. A Casual Look -

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

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

2. A Dressed Up Look - 

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

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

Here's the two looks side by side.

Yes, the vine is trying to eat me! 

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

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

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping for Cardigans:

JCrew Factory - $32.50

Target - $15.99

Christopher and Banks - $24.00

H&M - $14.99

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

Pantone Fall 2016 - Sharkskin

When I think of sharkskin, I think of every range of gray imaginable from light to dark and everything in between. After all they don't call the ominous star of Jaws, the Great Gray, or the Great Blue. The shark that starts eating people near Amityville, NY is called a Great White. However, the color Sharkskin on Pantone's Fall 2016 color palette could be classified as the gray we often think of when we think of sharks. The range of shades within this color varies, just like the large fish that swim the ocean waters, from light gray to dark gray. 

When I first started searching my closet for a piece that would represent this color, I wasn't able to find just exactly what I was looking for. Every time I would compare a sweater or top to the shade found in Pantone's site, it just didn't match. There is a clarity to Sharkskin that speaks to clear fall days and bright new fallen snow. So what follows is my take, one that I am not completely satisfied with, but then that is all part of the learning process.

This popover top is from Loft, though I found it at a thrift store. The light gray background falls in the lighter shade of Sharkskin and is then pocked with white spots. I paired the light gray with a light pair of khakis.

Here's a close up of the top. I did a front tuck to give a bit of shape to the outfit. The pendant necklace is a simple ball which also mimics a darker shade of Sharkskin. I added a gold belt with silver rivets and buckle. For a bag I chose my cognac cross body. For shoes I went with my Sharkskin gray oxfords.

And, just so you don't think I forgot, here is my silly picture. I look like I am practicing for the opera. Ha, ha.

For another great post on Sharkskin check out Liz at With Wonder and Whimsy. She does a beautiful job styling this new neutral.

I hope you enjoyed this post on Sharkskin. Is this a color you would wear? How would you style this color? I'd love to hear your comments. Thanks for hanging out here on the blog. Be sure to check back on Thursday for a look at my Piece Perfect column where I'll be styling a simple cardigan.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping Options:

Popover top - JC Penney - $19.99

Khakis - Old Navy - $20.00

Cognac Cross Body Bag - Target - $27.99

Oxford Shoes - Macy's - $49.00

Ball pendant - Target - $15.99

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish and Tania of 50 is Not Old in the Ageless Style Link Up. Wednesday linking up Allison of Fash Packing by Sydney Fashion Hunter. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with JoLynne Shane in the Fashion Friday Link Up , Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style and Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots. 

The Season of Fall

Today's post centers on the season of Fall. Autumn officially started a week ago to the day on the calendar and the weather has changed to reflect the beginning of this glorious season. My husband and I spent this past Saturday raking the leaves that had already fallen and enjoying a fire in our fire pit in the evening, while sipping on mugs of tea. It was cool enough that I threw on a hoodie. 

As the temperatures begins to fall our thoughts turn to changes in our wardrobes. As you can see from my Tuesday posts, the Pantone Fall color report included rich reddish brown and jewel tone green, as well as yellow and red reminiscent of the leaves that we will be raking out of our yards. But the colors are not the only thing that changes with the seasons. Our choice of clothing pieces change as well.

In the past we have usually put our whites and pastels away and opted for darker colors. Now anything goes. I have seen a number of articles and bloggers feature ways to wear white well into the season. Deborah of Fabulous After 40 shares three distinct outfits for wearing white into the fall in her article Can You Wear White After Labor Day?  JoLynn Shane, one of the many wonderful bloggers I follow, shared her take on wearing white jeans in the fall. Her White Jeans Outfit for Fall post is worth reading. You'll see me styling a pair of white jeans in an upcoming post in a few weeks. 

Since we are going to keep our whites out, we might as well rethink those pastels. Here is a good article from the site Bustle called 7 Ways to Wear Pastels in the Fall written by Emily McClure. While this article is from a year ago, her tips are just as applicable today. The one statement that really stands out to me is:

“When it comes to styling pastels, it’s all about adding in different textures. Personally, I love pairing pastel pieces with suede or leather in the fall, as it’s such a lovely juxtaposition of sweet and edgy staples. However, if you’re into bold prints and colors you may want to add bits of pastels as well. Bold cranberry pieces mix great with mint and cool blues. Basically, pastels are for everyone, all the time.”

— Emily McClure

I love that she talks about adding textures. That is something I am just learning how to do. I also like that she says, "...pastels are for everyone, all the time." Now, does every pastel look good on every complexion or skin tone, maybe not, but you can find the pastels that work for you, or as she says, mix textures. Choose a light pink top under a edgy wine colored moto jacket and maybe throw on a scarf that complements your skin tone. 

Liz of With Wonder and Whimsy, another beautiful blogger I follow, does a perfect job of pairing pastels with fall pieces in this post titled, Color Palettes featuring Pantone's Sharkskin Gray. You can see how she combines light blue and light pink with the darker, edgier Pantone Sharkskin Gray.

In addition to colors, we also think about patterns and how they change in the fall as well. This year in the stores and on the runways we are seeing animal prints like leopard, snakeskin, zebra stripes and tiger stripes. Leopard seems to be the rage right now. Here area a few of my own photos of pieces in my wardrobe.

As you can see in the above pics, I have a few things that have the snakeskin pattern. It is a fun pattern and can go with many different colors, depending on if you want to dress it up or dress it down. 

And just like on the fashion runways and in the stores, leopard print has turned up a few places in my closet. In addition to this fun skirt, I have a button up short sleeve blouse and a pair of flats which turn up occasionally in a blog post. 

Besides the animal prints I have mentioned, florals are also trending, but whereas in the summer the florals were light and backed by whites and pastels, the fall florals are darker shades backed by navy, wine and black. Check out Gemma's take on florals on her blog post The Cherry Blossom Midi Dress. This is the perfect floral look for transitioning to fall. 

Besides colors and patterns the other thing that significantly changes as we move into fall are the textures. Summer fabrics are usually light weight, breathable and moveable. The whole point is to keep you cool. As our weather changes, especially in the northern part of the country, our fabrics become heavier, bulkier and warmer. As women we still appreciate breathability and movement in our clothes, especially if you are menopausal, but we like textures that are soft to the touch and make us feel cozy. Cozy, after all, drums up images of roaring fires, hot cocoa and good books. 

One of the trending textures for fall is velvet. This jacket (which will be featured in a future post) is not real velvet, but it is so soft. Real velvet can be somewhat stiff, so I like this "faux velvet" if you will. It is moveable and fairly light weight.

There are so many other things we can talk about as the season of fall takes center stage. Our shoes transition into boots; our light weight sweaters transition into light weight jackets which transition into trench coats and we pull out scarves to accessorize and add warmth to our necks. Our sweaters become longer and eventually heavier and we begin adding hose or tights to our once bare and sun tanned legs. As I write this, I feel a little sad, but also excited because as you know I am a woman of layers and as the cool weather closes in, I get to create new and interesting outfits full of layers of texture, color and depth. And that will be fun!

Pantone Fall 2016 - Riverside Blue

I have plenty of blue in my closet. Blue just seems to be one of those colors that appeals to me in so many shades and textures and styles. So when I saw that there were two blues in the Pantone Fall 2016 color line up, I was excited to search my closet and see what I could come up with. I showed you how I styled Airy Blue in this post here. Today's post features Riverside Blue.

This blue is a medium blue and I think would look good on everybody. Never say never to a color. So often it is more about how you put an outfit together than whether it is a good color for you. It is true that some colors can make a person look washed out or even peckish, but a color can still be worn on the body while adding a sweater or jacket or scarf closer to the face to brighten up your look.

I found this 3/4 length sleeve tee at a thrift shop and found that it matched the subtle blue lines in this pair of dress pants that I've had for some time, making this an easy outfit to throw on for work. What I especially liked on this top was the embellishment around the neckline.

Here you can see the detail. The lines are raised and the blue threads are interspersed with silver ones. Because of that, I decided to keep my jewelry simple and opted for a cute cross necklace.

I decided to add a little pop of extra color with this mustard and white tote bag. We often think of yellow as a summer color, but it is a fall color as well, think leaves and goldenrod and sun flowers. 

Here you get a better look at my shoes. I featured this pair of oxfords in my Great Transitional Shoe post which you can view here.

Do you like Riverside Blue or Airy Blue better? I think blue is a great color for everyone to wear and because there are so many shades everyone can find a blue that suits them. I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know in the comments section below or leave me a comment on my Facebook page. 

You can also follow me on Instagram, though I am still working on doing more with that. I don't have a smart phone, so I have to take a pic and then send it to my daughter who posts it for me. I know, I am so living in a cave. Ha ha. At least I am a fashionable cave woman, don't ya think?

Check back on Thursday for a look at the changes our wardrobes make as we move into Fall. Until then have a great week. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping Options:

Blue Top - JCrew - $29.99

Plaid Trousers - Lord and Taylor - $89.00

Tote Bag - Macy's - $46.20

Black Oxfords - DSW - $59.95

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up with Tania of 50 is Not Old. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style and JoLynn Shane on Fashion Friday link up and with Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots. 

Pantone Fall 2016 - Potter's Clay

I absolutely love this color. It's earthy and edgy all all the same time. It reminds me of the fringe jacket my oldest brother used to wear back in the late 60's and early 70's. I always wanted one of those. It was suede, had fringe and was the color of late summer deer and it had that wonderful leather smell. Since I wasn't ready to go out and drop hundreds of dollars on a leather jacket with fringe, I got the next best thing, a thrift store vest with fringe. Ha, ha. Again, I try to find pieces that will closely mimic the colors that Pantone puts out, but they may or may not match perfectly.

This swingy dress, I discovered while thrifting a few years back. It is covered in a fun print of geometric circles that look a bit like mums or zinnias. The dress is sleeveless, so in keeping with the transition idea, I layered a dark brown lace tee underneath and added the duster length vest for a playful fall look. I kept to brown for my low wedge shoes and accessorized with orange.

And of course, being a girl, if it twirls, I had to try it! Who can say no to a twirly dress or skirt, even if it is not a huge twirl.

Here you can see the pattern on the dress, and the dark brown lace patterned tee, as well as my orange beads on my necklace and bracelet and my orange bag. I think these colors together give the whole outfit a monochrome look of sorts.

Here you can see how long the fringe is on the vest! Also, my low wedge brown shoes. These are a faux suede material and the elastic band/strap is great for easy on and easy off. 

And of course I had to include the pic where I am looking somewhat sultry. Ha, ha. You also get a closer look at the pattern on the tee and the texture of the vest. Texture, as I am learning from so many of the other bloggers out there, is a big part of making a stylish and interesting outfit.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Do any of you remember the days of those fringe jackets like my bother used to wear? How many of you actually own one? I'd love to hear your answers. Also, let me know what you think of Potter's Clay. Don't forget you can receive emails letting you know when new posts are up by filling in your name and hitting subscribe. Or you can follow me on Facebook and Instagram. 

Thanks for reading. Thursday we'll be looking at mixing orange and red in my Color Crash Course column. Until then, keep stylin'!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping for Potter's Clay:

Faux suede vest - Maurice's - $39.00

Faux suede skater dress - Express - $50.99

Faux suede seems to be the closest color match to Potter's Clay that I could find. Finding an item you like in a certain color can be a fun treasure hunt. Enjoy!

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up with Tania of  50 Is Not Old, and Allison of Sydney Fashion Hunter. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style and JoLynne of JoLynne Shane in Fashion Friday.

Beautiful Blogger Bests - Wearing Fringe - Accessories

This week's featured beautiful blogger is Jodie of Jodie's Touch of Style. Jodie's blog specifically caters to women ages 50 and over. She offers a multi-generational perspective on fashion by using herself (50's), her step mom, Nancy (60's) and her mom, Charlotte (70's) to model in all of her fashion posts. You can read more about Jodie and her two other beautiful family members and models on her About page. 

Jodie is a fantastic fashion blogger based in Colorado. She is down to earth, creative and honest, not only about fashion, but about herself. I anticipate Jodie's posts as she models everything from tee shirt dresses, to faux leather skirts, to wearable art, for all three decades. 

Today's post was inspired by a series of posts Jodie did last spring on wearing fringe. Jodie did a three part series which you can see by clicking on these links: Fringe 1 (On a Clothing Item), Fringe 2 (On a Necklace), and Fringe 3 (On an Accessory). 

I have decided to divide this up as well, with my first post today dedicated to fringe on accessories. Somewhere down the line I will dedicate another post to fringe on clothing. 

Fringe on a Scarf:

Fringe on a bag:

Fringe on a necklace - a tassel:

Fringe on a bracelet:

Fringe on a poncho:

I would also include shoes with the accessories, but my moccasin pics weren't ready, so I will include those in my next fringe post at a future date.

As you can see there are many ways to wear fringe and what was once a style statement of the 60's has made a strong resurgence and is probably here to stay. I will say that Jodie was really the inspiration behind my getting on the fringe band wagon. 

Jodie of Jodie's Touch of Style is a fashion blogger that actual women can follow and be inspired by. Be sure to visit her site and give her some love. 

Next Tuesday we will feature another of Pantone's Fall 2016 color choices and my Color Crash Course on Thursday will spotlight red and orange, just in time for fall. I hope you will be back for more fun on Stylin' Granny Mama.

Have a great weekend!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull (all except bracelet photos). Make up Rachel Christensen.

Fringe finds:

Scarf - JC Penney - $22.40

Bag - Kohl's - $36.00

Tassel Necklace JCrew Factory - $23.50

Tassel Bracelet - Nordstrom Rack - $12.97

Poncho - Macy's - $36.99

Pantone Fall 2016 - Airy Blue

This week's post concentrates on the Pantone Fall 2016 color choice of Airy Blue. When we are talking blue, it is easy to say, light blue is light blue is light blue and in all reality, if I am wearing a light blue item, I could tell you it is Airy Blue or I could tell you it is Serenity (from the Spring collection). I am not a fashion designer, nor an interior decorator. If I see two light blues side by side, I can tell you there is a difference and I might even be able to tell you one is more blue based and one is more red based, but over all light blue is light blue. That being said, here is my take on Airy Blue.

I have had this open weave poncho for a number of years. I have worn it occasionally, and was thrilled when I found it similar to the Airy Blue Pantone color. I think my poncho is a tad bit more blue, but it works. I styled this poncho over a sleeveless blouse with a similar color blue, as well as red and brown. Then I added red jewelry with gold tones, brown sandals and a brown bag. For the bottoms I wore a dark wash pair of jeggings that are soft and comfortable.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my take on Pantone's Fall 2016 color Airy Blue. Who remembers having a poncho like this when they were younger? Would you wear it now? Let me know what you think in the comments sections below. 

If you like my posts help me out, by subscribing to my blog. Go to bottom of the page and fill in the info to subscribe. That will get you an email once or twice a week letting you know about my latest posts. I promise to not fill up your mail box with tons of emails! 

Check back Thursday for my Beautiful Blogger Bests column and see who I'll be gushing on this week. Until then, have a great day!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping the look: 

Blue Poncho - Chico's - $54.98 (more of an aqua)

Dark wash jeggings - Maurice's - $29.00

Sleeveless print top - Dillards - $39.00

Sandals - 6pm - $39.99

Bag - Kohl's - $48.30

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up with Tania of 50 Is Not Old in Wednesday's Wardrobe link up. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Jennie of a Pocketful of Polka Dots , JoLynn Shane in Fashion Friday and Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style. Sunday linking up with Allison of Sydney Fashion Hunter.

Awesome Accessories - The Oxford: A Great Transitional Shoe

When it comes to shoes there are so many choices. From sandals and flats to heels and boots. At times the number of choices can be, well, overwhelming. There is also the question of what do I wear when it is not warm enough for sandals anymore, but not cold enough for boots? This week I want to look at the simple, but classic Oxford.

The Oxford shoe originated in Scotland and Ireland and was called Balmorals, after Balmoral Castle. Later the name changed to Oxfords after Oxford University. These particular type of shoes didn't come to North America until the 1800's. Women's Oxfords, which do not adhere as closely to the actual shape and stitching of the original have become a trendy fashion piece stemming back to the early 1900's.

Let me introduce you to my family!

As the assistant manager of a small university bookstore, I am required to dress professionally, and I also have to wear close-toed shoes. Trying to find shoes that are both comfortable for walking, standing or even receiving heavy boxes of books and that look nice is no easy feat (I know that's puny). The Oxford has provided me with a shoe that meets both of the aforementioned requirements.

Though this was not my first pair of Oxfords they are definitely one of my favorites. I found them at DSW on the clearance rack and as real suede often does, they fit perfectly. These are much less formal so I would call them my "casual" Oxfords.

This gray pair adheres a little more closely to the true Oxford form with the stitching on the toe cap. The open stitching makes the shoe less formal, so I would call these my "cute" Oxfords.

This black pair is much more formal and is reminiscent of the early men's wingtip shoe. The patent leather gives it a polished shine and the closed stitching gives the shoe a much more finished look. These are my "formal" Oxfords.

These were my most recent thrift store acquisition. The color is perfect for fall and the open woven look, make it a great shoe to transition from summer to fall. These are my "fun" Oxfords.

Oxfords are the perfect menswear inspired accessory and will go with anything in your wardrobe. There are so many lovely versions out there that you could find a pair to wear with pants, skirts or dresses and it won't break your bank account. 

I hope you enjoyed meeting my "family". Do you own a pair of Oxfords? How do you like to wear yours? Do you think they are a good shoe for transitioning from summer into fall? I'd love to have your input.

Have a great weekend and keep stylin'!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. 

Shopping for Oxfords:

Suede - Zappos - $79.00

Cute - Aerosoles - $49.95

Formal - Nordstrom Rack - $46.97

Fun - Nine West - $89.00