Romance is in the Air - Final Week

Here it is the last day of February. I can't say that I am disappointed. January, February and March are not my favorite months, but I also don't want to wish them away. Time goes so fast as it is. Today is the last post in my Romance is in the Air series. I tried to pick fabrics and patterns that are reminiscent of the idea of romance, such as velvet, florals and lace. Today's outfit is a more casual look, but still incorporates the softness and frill associated with romance.  

For today's look, I went back to my berry colored velvet jacket. This time I layered it over a light pink chiffon top with a hi-lo hemline. I added a pair of Christopher and Banks skinny pull on pin striped pants and my gray over-the-knee boots.

For my accessories I wore a matching necklace and bracelet that I had bought when my oldest got married. For a little bit of fun I carried my bird tote bag and added a light blue fringe key fob to match the birds. 

Because the blouse is fairly sheer I wore a light pink cami with lace trim underneath. I think the peek of lace adds another romantic dimension to the outfit.

This photo provides a better look of the hi-lo hemline of this blouse and the lace trim on the cami underneath. You can also make out the pin stripe detail on the pants.

Here is a view from the back. 

I featured these boots on a previous post here. I wasn't too sure about getting an over-the-knee boot, until I actually tried them on. There are many different styles of otk boots, so if you are thinking about purchasing a pair at the end of this season, be sure to do your research and see what is available. Trying them on is the best idea.

Let me know what you think of this outfit. I appreciate when you make comments. It helps my blog out as well. Next week, I will have a recap post on all of these outfits so you can see them side by side. 

Check back on Thursday for March's Piece Perfect column where I will be showing how to transition a shift dress from winter to spring.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on a shopping link I get a few cents. If you purchase an item through one of those links I get a little bit more. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Happy shopping.

Sunday linking up with Rena of It's All Fine. Whatever Tickles the Fancy. Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish and Shelbee in the Spread the Kindness link up. Friday linking up with Jennie of  A Pocketful of Polka Dots, Jo-Lynne Shane in the Fashion Friday link up and Laurie of Vanity and Me. 

Color Crash Course - Wearing White with White

I would have never thought to put white with white for an outfit. All I can think of is the Man from Glad of my childhood days. He was impeccably dressed in white pants, white shirt, white trench coat and white shoes. The point was, that with Glad cling wrap for your food, things wouldn't smell up the fridge or leak over. Strange, the things they used to do to sell products....even stranger the things they do now....but that is for another post. Ha, ha. Anyway, I never thought I would try white with white. I was just getting used to the idea of white pants in winter and was feeling pretty comfortable with that, but then some of my blogger friends had to go and do the white with white look. You know what? I loved it!

Jodie's Touch of Style: How to Wear All White in the Winter

Jodie from Jodie's Touch of Style was the first one to inspire me to try this look. She seriously pulled it off and not one of her beautiful models made me think of the Man from Glad! Ha, ha. If you click on the link under the picture you can see the full post. 

Mummabstylish White Jeans in Winter?

Jacqui at Mummabstylish was my other source of inspiration. She nails the white with white look and I love the classy, casual vibe of her outfit. You can click on the link under her picture and see her full post as well. I figured if these lovely gals could pull off the white with white look, maybe I could too. 

There are several keys to pulling off this monochromatic look:

1. The whites don't have to match. They can, but they don't have to. You can pair snow white with ivory and ivory with pearl and so on. Differing whites make it easier to go with an all white outfit.

2. If you are going for a more matched white outfit, then change up your textures. Pair white corduroys with a white silk blouse and throw on a white handmade scarf. 

3. If you are still unsure about going totally white, add a little bit of color. Both in Jodie's post and in Jacqui's you can see a touch of color in the accessories. A pop of color in your shoes, jewelry, bag or a scarf can be just the right touch to soften the outfit.

These same tips would work for styling a white outfit in the summer. 

This is my take on white with white! For this outfit I wore my white boot cut jeans, a white button up top and a white cardigan. Because my outfit didn't have as much texture and the whites matched, I decided to add a scarf for a bit of color. I went for taupe or tan colored accessories. 

Here you can see I left the blouse untucked under the sweater, just to give the outfit more texture by breaking up the line of white. It also makes the outfit a bit more casual. 

The scarf I picked has blues, green and a little of that taupe color. I also added a few bracelets in the same color scheme. You can also see the little silver dots on my sweater, which also add a bit of texture and bling. 

A close up of my suede ankle boots. 

What do you think? Would you wear white with white? I would throw in a word of caution here. Do not wear this if you are planning to eat anything with red sauce! Ha, ha, ha. Especially, if you are as clumsy as I am. 

I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below. Also, if you get a chance check out my Instagram page and my Pinterest page. I'm trying to grow all these different aspects of the blog and social media. Be sure to check out Jodie and Jacqui's blogs as well! They'd appreciate the love. 

This post does contain affiliate links which means if you click on a shopping link, I get a few cents. All opinions in the blog are my own.

Thursday linking up with Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. Friday linking up with Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots, 

Romance is in the Air - Week 3

As you all know, Valentine's Day is over, but in keeping with the idea that romance is a year round affair, here is another outfit for a date night with your significant other. The last two weeks I showed you two outfits that were a bit more dressy. This week and next week the outfits will be more casual. You can see Week 1 and Week 2 by clicking on the links. 

This J.Jill knee length velvet jacket was a thrift store find. It is a beautifully tailored piece with a full floral lining, which I forgot to take pictures of! The jacket has roomy pockets on both sides and buttons for closure. As soon as I put this on at the thrift shop, I knew I wanted it and for only six dollars who's complaining. 

I decided to pair this jacket with a floral long sleeve blouse with hints of pink and berry. I tucked the blouse into a pair of bootcut jeans and wore a navy belt. For my jewelry I decided on pink an  gold to highlight the pink in the blouse. 

Accessories included a Vera Wang bag that I thrifted and my berry heeled booties. 

This would be a great outfit for a date to a quaint little outdoor shopping area. We have a small town about a forty minute drive from where we live that was built along a picturesque river. It is a nice place to go for lunch and a walk through antique and craft shops, as well as down by the water.

While this outfit isn't as flirty and feminine as the first two, this is one that makes me feel warm, comfy and confident while still looking stylish. What would you wear on a more casual outdoor date? Let me know your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below. I love to hear from you. 

Also, do me a favor, if you like my blog, but have never subscribed please do so now. I promise not to clutter up your in box and usually only send you an email once a week with links connected to each of my posts. The content will still be relevant to the week, but you won't have a whole bunch of separate email in your inbox. 

Thanks for all your support. Check back on Thursday for this week's Color Crash Course.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a shopping option below I receive a few cents. If you actually purchase something through my site I get a little bit more. However, all opinions are my own. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, and Shelbee in the Spread the Kindness Link Up. Wednesday linking up with Sara and Hannah in the Wearable Wednesday link up. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge and Ada Elegance and Mommyhood.  Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style and JoLynn Shane in the Fashion Friday link up.

Beautiful Blogger Bests - A Casual Valentine's Look

Just because Valentine's Day is over, doesn't mean we need to pack away all our reds and pinks, velvet and lace! After all, romance is not just a day, it is a choice we make to bring love and passion not only to our relationships with our significant others, but to the way we dress. Back in January I came across a post by a blogger I had more recently started following, Tif of Bright on a Budget. Tif is a beautiful brunette with a big smile and a love for fashion. If you check out Tif's blog you can read on her About page that she is a lawyer, mom of a toddler and a wife. She loves to play with style and creates her looks with affordable flare. 

The post that I found inspiration on was Casual & Cozy Valentine's Day Outfit. Be sure to click on the link to see the original blog post and the outfit that I derived my outfit idea from. 

I love this clean, simple, casual look. The red flannel shirt and the white sweater pull in the Valentine's look without being overly frilly or feminine. However, the skinny jeans and the heels keep it from being too masculine. This is a look you could recreate any time with any colors. It's just that simple.

In Tif's original post she styles her outfit with a red and black checked top, a fuzzy white sweater, skinny jeans, a cute black bag and the cutest heels that match her shirt. Since I didn't have the matching heels and I only had a red and navy plaid shirt I decided to keep my purse and shoes blue. 

Still working on my focus, so I apologize for the fuzzy photo. You've seen these shoes numerous times on my blog. They are comfy and even though they aren't real dressy they still elevate the look of this outfit as opposed to wearing sneakers.

This bag that I got from my younger daughter for Christmas is a lovely mix of clutch and cross body. The handle is adjustable to make it shorter or longer, or it can be removed completely to use as a clutch. I love the texturing on this bag. 

Tif is wearing turquoise jewelry with her outfit and I absolutely love the look. The light blue really pops against the dramatic red background. For my outfit I wore my turquoise and gold pendant necklace, adding a turquoise and silver bracelet with a gold bracelet to bring all the pieces together. 

I hope you enjoyed my version of Tif's outfit from Bright on A Budget. Be sure to stop by her blog and give her some love.

I hope you have a great weekend. Spring isn't here yet, but it is on the way, so hang in there! 

This post contains affiliate links to give you shopping options. While your clicks might generate a few cents for me, all opinions are my own. Thanks for all your support. 

Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with JoLynne Shane in the Fashion Friday Link Up and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. 

Romance is in the Air - Week 2

I decided to run this series for the whole month of February, even though today is Valentines Day and after today we will be buying our heart shaped chocolates at fifty percent off. Even though the special day is over, doesn't mean romance should be. 

Today's post centers around a dress that I have had for a few years. 

It's a simple pull on dress made from a heavier weight silky material that stretches in all the right places. It has short flutter sleeves, which I did not take a picture of since it was cold. It also has an A-line shape, being more gathered and fitted in the bust area, then flaring out.

For my topper I added a white lace hoodie that I found at a thrift store. I thought it was the perfect way to add a layer of warmth, but still keep with the feminine and romantic vibe of the outfit.

Here you can see the detail of the lace fabric. 

The only jewelry I opted to wear was this lovely brooch.

I kept my shoes and bag more of a neutral color, but used my bag with some bling.

Once again, I wear nude support hose to help give my legs shape and compress some of the varicose veins. Ladies, if you have these you know what I am talking about. Some day I need to get these treated, since they have better ways of doing things now than they used to. 

Photo credits Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

What are you doing for Valentine's Day? My husband and I went to see Elvis Lives, this past Thursday evening as part of our celebration, but we probably will go out for dinner tonight. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know what you think of this outfit in the comments section below, or comment on Facebook. You can also visit my Instagram and Pinterest pages as well. They are a work in progress, just like me. 

Be sure to check out the blog tomorrow where I will be collaborating with Liz of With Wonder and Whimsy in a Pantone Spring 2017 sneak peek post! 

Have a great Tuesday and be sure to check back Thursday to see who my Beautiful Blogger will be. 

Here are some possible dresses and cardi's that would give a similar look to what I have on.

I just noticed the Lord & Taylor is sold out. Sorry about that. I am knew to these affiliate links and when I worked on the post yesterday everything still had inventory. Shows how fast things can go.

This post contains affiliate links which means I receive a couple of cents if you click on the provided links. A cent here or there adds up so I really appreciate your clicks! 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, and Rena of It's All Fine. Whatever.... 

Awesome Accessories - The Statement Necklace

Accessories are the fashion flare on our outfits. An accessory can do more to pull an outfit together and give it a bit of sass than spending a mint on certain labels or brands. I am not against brands. Being a thrift shopper, I have actually found my hands going towards high end labels at my favorite second hand stores, because I have been educated by following other bloggers as to what is a good quality, well made piece. However, I have oodles of clothes that are not high end. After all, when I do shop at regular retail stores I usually find myself back at Kohl's, Penney's or Christopher and Banks. What I have found, however, is that my cheaper selections can actually look more high end by pairing them with great accessories. 

Today I want to take a look at statement necklaces. This will be an ongoing series over the course of several accessory posts to show you what is available in the necklace category and how one statement piece differs from another. There are so many options available, sometimes it is hard to know what piece to wear with what outfit. 

For this post I will be looking at short statement necklaces that are made with beads and metal. 

A statement piece does what it says. It makes a statement. Often the statement is bold, an exclamation of "Look at me! Aren't I pretty?" Statement pieces can also be unique, whether it be the arrangement of the materials involved or the colors. 

The above necklace is more simple, but simplicity can also be a statement. The uniqueness of this piece is found in its shell, stone, metal and wood beads and in the rawhide used to hang it around the neck. 

Sometimes during the heat of the summer I will get a rash wherever I have metal against my skin. I have a nickel allergy, so usually stick to silver or gold, but I love cheap costume jewelry. Having a rawhide chain rather than a metal one, can alleviate some of those issues. 

Isn't this one fun? I love all the silver circles, the way it dangles and the way it shimmers. This piece can be worn with just about any color and really dresses up and outfit. 

Most of these statement necklaces have an adjustable clasp in the back so you can make the necklace a little bit longer or shorter depending on your outfit and your preference. 

I have this necklace in two or three different colors. I know! I have a jewelry fetish, just like some people have purse and/or shoe fetishes. Ha, ha. I just love the way the beads cascade downward, reminiscent of a waterfall. 

I love everything about this one. The color of the beads, the strings of bling, and the chains all give it a more expensive feel. It almost looks like something a princess would wear! Here is a pic from when I wore this for a recent blog post. You can see the whole post here.  

Finally, this last one is just layers of fun. I love the color, the differing sizes of beads and even the way it feels when I run my fingers over it. 

What sorts of short statement necklaces do you have? Do you have just one special piece that you love to wear for special occasions or are you like me and have hooks full? I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments. 

Adding a special statement piece can serve so many functions for your outfit. It can add color, pizzazz and texture. It can draw attention away from problem areas and put the focus on your neck and face. A lovely statement necklace can make you feel and look more confident and vibrant. 

Thanks for hanging out on the blog today. I appreciate all your support. Check back next week for more fashion fun. Have a great weekend. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Shopping for Statements:

Black multi - Venus - $19.00

Sage - Modcloth - $5.99

Blue - Chico's - $34.99

Crystal - Francesca's - $20.98

Light pink - Charming Charlie - $10.00

Linking up with Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge , Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, Laurie of Vanity and Me, 

Romance is in the Air - Week 1

February is a month that has long been loved and hated by those who are in love and those who wish they were. Whether you are in a relationship or not, you can still enjoy the idea of romance! Watching old romantic movies, reading good books or dressing in a way that puts forth the idea that you are a special person can all give you a sense of joy and satisfaction outside of a relationship. 

I have been blessed to be married to the same man for almost 30 years. We have had our ups and our downs, but we made a commitment at the start of our life together that we wouldn't give up on each other. My hubby loves when I dress up and I don't do it nearly enough. This month, I thought it would be fun to do a series centering on outfits that are a little more romantic. I'm not talking negligee and fishnet stockings, though you could certainly add those things to any of these outfits. I talking more about going on a date to special place or event. Dressing up, just a little bit more, not only pleases the person you are going with, it makes you feel good as well.

This outfit consists of a velvet floral bell sleeve top, pleated skirt, and leggings. I opted to wear the leggings for a bit of added warmth over my nude hose. Hey, when it is cold outside, I get creative in my layering. Thinner layers are key in making an outfit warmer, but not adding bulk. 

To give my waist a bit more definition, I tucked the top in and added a woven yarn belt that ends in fringe. I tied this to the side giving the outfit a little bit of a boho vibe. 

Here you get a good look at the bell sleeve. I think this sleeve type can be very pretty, but it also has to be managed, especially when you are eating. Be careful you aren't dragging the sleeve through your food. Ha, ha. Once again I reached for my dark gray/black clutch with bling. It just goes with all things fancy! You can also see the fringe on the belt. And yes! I did paint my nails a dark maroon! 

My black leggings have a bit of bling on them. I used these just two weeks ago in this Chasing Away the Winter Blues post. I shopped these in a friend's closet and they fit really well and are made of a thermal type fabric. For this outfit I donned my patent leather heels. This is an older pair of shoes I found at a thrift store. I like the height of the heel and the patent leather stays shiny. 

This choker was my first and I got it when I went to Nordstrom Rack on my birthday. I won a gift card from Jodie on Jodie's Touch of Style when she was celebrating her two year anniversary on her blog. This choker was one of the things I bought with the gift card. 

While very simple, the choker adds an element of edgy elegance and allows the square neckline of the top to show off some skin.

My hubby and I are going to a show Thursday evening and I think I will probably wear this outfit. I hope you enjoyed this post. Be sure to check back next week for another outfit made for romance. 

Also, check back on Thursday for another Awesome Accessory post.

Have a great day!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Sunday linking up with Rena of It's All Fine. Whatever Tickles the Fancy. Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, and Shelbee in the Spread the Kindness link up.  Wednesday linking up with The Perfect Storm, Tania of 50 is not Old. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. 

Piece Perfect - The Cropped Denim Jacket

I don't know about you, but I am thankful, January is over. It means we are a little bit closer to spring and the days are starting to get just a smidge longer! Yay! When thinking spring I start to think about outfits that can transition me out of winter. I still want to layer pieces because it is still very cold, but I want to get away from some of my heavier sweaters, jackets and boots and start thinking about lighter layers and brighter colors. 

Today's Piece Perfect post centers around a cropped denim jacket. 

I have worn this jacket in a number of posts and I will be including pics from each of those. I found this cute jacket at a thrift store, but they are very popular right now and you can find them just about any where. This particular jacket is a medium wash, has a good amount of stretch and has just a little bit of distressing. 

It has taken me a little while to warm up to the idea of clothing with rips in them, but when I found this jacket I knew it was perfect for me. The distressing is minimal and the "wounds" are showing threads, not skin. That is just my personal preference and has nothing to do with whether the clothing is appropriate or not.

For this post, I styled the denim jacket with my leopard print skirt, a gold button up blouse, black hose and black boots. I kept the accessories minimal with my gold woven clutch and my chunky pendant necklace. 

Now that I am looking at this picture, I am wondering if a black turtleneck would have been better. what do you think? I think the necklace would have popped more and black would have hidden my bulges. Ha, ha.

A medium or dark wash denim jacket is quite versatile. You can style it casually or dress it up. Here are a few of the other outfits I styled this jacket with in the past. 

Click here to see this post. 

See the full post for the above two looks here.

As you can see I styled this jacket in a number of different ways. Which one is your favorite? Here are all four looks side by side. 

Each piece that I have selected over the last few months in these Piece Perfect posts is meant to serve as a source of inspiration. The reason I like the cropped denim jacket as opposed to a normal length denim jacket is that it gives the wearer a plethora of ways to style it. If you prefer a light wash or a darker wash you can still style it in many unique and fun ways. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. Tell me in the comments section which outfit you liked the best, or tell me how you like to wear a denim jacket. I appreciate all of your comments. I currently don't have a way of letting you know that I responded to your comments, but I do try to respond to everyone, just check back on the original post to see my reply. 

Be sure to check back next Tuesday for the start of my Romance is in the Air series. I'll be styling lace and velvet and other pretty things. Have a great weekend.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping Options:

Cropped Denim Jackets

Macy's - $49.99 (on sale now)

JC Penney - $34.99 (on sale now)

Forever 21 - $29.90

Color Crash Course - Brown and Navy

It's time for another Color Crash Course column. You have seen me style denim with denim, orange with red, Halloween colors including black, orange and purple, red and burgundy and the Christmas colors of red, green and gold. This month's color combo is not as bold as some of the other choices, but it is what I would call comfortable.

For this outfit I wore my brown mid-calf boots with navy blue jeggings. I chose a vertical striped sweater tunic as my top. For added warmth and interest I topped the sweater with my cropped denim jacket...sneak peek...this jacket will be featured on my Piece Perfect column next week. To add a little print mixing I threw on a fun blue and brown infinity scarf.

I got this blue bag from my younger daughter for Christmas. I just love the color and the texture. It has an edgy vibe, and can be used with the strap or as a clutch.

Here you can see more of the fun texture of the sweater. 

For a pop of bling I put on my gold pendant necklace. 

Just a closer look at the boots. 

A view from the back. There was a time, I would have never had my top hanging out below my jacket, or sweater, or vest, or whatever, but now I love to do this. It adds an element of interest to the outfit and allows you to show off a piece even if there is something over the top. This is especially fun if you have something like this with a unique texture or print. It also allows you to show off the color.

I hope you enjoyed this Color Crash Course today. Would you combine brown and navy? How would you wear it? I'd love to see your comments below. If my post inspired you to put together an outfit post a picture of it on my FB page in the comments section. I'd love to see them.

Have a great weekend. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping Options:

Navy jeggings - Old Navy - $25.00

Brown tunic sweater - Venus - $26.00 (Not familiar with this brand, but this has some great detailing)

Cropped denim jacket - Macy's - $69.00

Mid-calf boots - Walmart - $43.99

Blue clutch - Charming Charlie - $16.99

Beautiful Blogger Bests - Outfit for a Special Night Out

If you have not been introduced to Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, then I hope you will click on over to her site and see what a beautiful lady she is. Another red head, her sweet and gentle spirit touches all who come into contact with her, whether in person or over the internet. Jess was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome nine years ago. An illness that affects the muscles and joints, Jess hasn't let this stop her from being a very active and popular fashion blogger.  You can see more about EDS on Jess' About Me page on her blog. 

One of the many posts that Jess has inspired me with, was this one from just before Christmas, called Rockport - What to Wear to a Holiday Show. You can see her full post by clicking on the link. While Jess was doing the post for the Rockport shoe company, I just loved the look of her outfit and thought it could be incorporated for any dress up occasion, such as a concert, theater or other function. The following post is my take on the inspiration Jess provided from her post.

While Jess wore a beautiful strapless black dress, I opted for a slightly less formal look by wearing this navy dress that I got from Christopher and Banks. It is a heavy weight polyester knit that hangs perfectly. The area on the bodice has a sort of criss-crossed ruching and a v-neck. 

I opted for a black pair of loafer heels that have some fun buckles and stitching on the top of the toe. Dressy, but casual.

The dress having short sleeves also prompted me, like Jess, to add a jacket over top. The berry color of this velvet piece pairs beautifully with the navy dress. You can see how I styled this jacket in these other posts here and here. 

This is a fun little jacket with its 3/4 length sleeves, the velvet covered buttons and the ruching on the pockets. I am finding it a great blazer for dressing up or down. Here you can also see the statement necklace I added. Jess added a lovely necklace that adorned her neck with just the right amount of delicacy and bling. I tried to do a similar thing with this necklace I found a few years ago on the clearance rack at H&M.

For my finishing touches I added a few silver bracelets and carried a black blingy clutch, which I have featured with other outfits. 

I love the way this outfit turned out. The sleek fabric of the dress and the jacket are a perfect back drop for the texture and bling of the statement necklace, sparkly clutch and buckled loafer heels. 

Please follow the link to Jess' site and give her some love. She has inspired me in so many ways and I know she will inspire you too. Let me know what you think of this outfit in the comments section below. Do you like to go to the theater and see live shows or are you more of a stay at home and cuddle on the couch kind of person? I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

Shop the Look:

Navy Dress - Kohl's - $89.99

Berry jacket - Make Me Chic - $37.00

Black loafer heels - Nordstrom - $114.95

Black clutch - Target - $29.99

Statement necklace - Charming Charlie - $24.00

Chasing Away the Winter Blues - Week 3

I have been talking about chasing away the winter blues this month. January can be a long, cold and typically overcast month here in the mid west. As I discussed the last few weeks, wearing bright colors and getting out to do something fun can be two "blues" chasers. This week I wanted to take another look at color, but approach it from a more spiritual aspect.

For those of you who follow my Faith page on the blog, you know that I am a Christ follower and what some would term a Bible thumper, not to be confused with Thumper, the rabbit from Bambi fame. I am a supporter of intelligent design, believing that an almighty God crafted us and the world we live on, from nothingness. This being said, I am not here to preach at you or convert you to my way of thinking, but to share with you a fashion idea that makes perfect sense to me. 

Think about the colors in nature. Green grass, red cardinals, purple flowers, yellow sun and blue skies. Since these things were put into place by an intelligent creator for our benefit and pleasure wouldn't it also make sense that color and how we wear it can affect our mood and outlook, as well as affect how other people perceive us.

For this outfit, I was dreaming of blues skies, blue seas and gentle warm breezes. 

Cobalt blue is really in right now, so when I spied these ankle pants in my dresser I joyfully pulled them out! That made me remember my cobalt suede heels. I wore these in this Denim Days post from back in the summer. In keeping with the blue theme, I lightened up the sweater and scarf near my face.

My younger daughter gave me this pretty scarf for Christmas. The button up cardigan was from Kohl's last year. The three strand gold and bling necklace was thrifted.

To add a bit more interest to the outfit, I added the snakeskin clutch. I think it adds a fun contrast to the "same color" theme of the outfit. 

I hope you enjoyed this post on another way to chase away those winter blues. What is your favorite color out in nature? Have you ever tried to incorporate that color into an outfit? How did it make you feel? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below or leave me a comment on my Facebook page. 

Thanks for following along. Check back on Thursday to see who my Beautiful Blogger is for this month.

Have a great day.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen. 

Shopping Options:

Cobalt ankle pants - JCPenney - $48.00

Cobalt heels - DSW - $39.95

Light blue sweater - Lord & Taylor - $59.95 (cashmere on clearance!)

Light blue scarf - Target - $14.99

Snakeskin bag - Charming Charlie - $22.00

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb, and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style,  Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, and Carrie of Curly Crafty Mom. Friday linking up with JoLynne in the Fashion Friday Link Up, Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots, and Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style.

Chasing Away the Winter Blues - Week 1

January can be a difficult month for many people. The days following the busyness of the holidays can be cold, dark and conducive to illness, depression and fear. How do I know this? Because I am a sufferer of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Probably more of us suffer from it than even realize. With the lack of sunshine during the shorter days of winter, especially in the north we can become reclusive, emotional and even fearful. I have already experienced that descent into darkness this year and I still find myself asking, "Why am I feeling this way?" However, now that I am aware of the issue, and have been for several years now, I can reassure myself, "This too, shall pass!"

There are numerous things that I, or you can do if you suffer with mild SAD syndrome. If your case is really severe you may need to see your practitioner who might prescribe light therapy or mild anti-depressants. I need to get my light out and put it to use! I find there are other things that help me through these gray days. Exercise is very important, if you can get out of bed! Eating well is also a plus, if you can pull yourself away from the carbs that your body craves during this syndrome. Another thing that I try to do is up the color factor in the outfits I pick our for each day. Thus, the outfit for today's post!

Once again I am taking my own pictures, so the quality is not great. Thank you for bearing with me as I continue to learn about taking my own photos. One of the issues I noticed is that when I try to focus my camera, I am not standing there to be the focal point for the lens. A good friend suggested I get a card board cut out of someone like Johnny Depp and have it be my stand in. Ha, ha. 

As you can see I opted for light pink. The bright color, not only reflects light up into my face, but makes me feel like spring might not be too far away. Seeing as it is winter, I layered a lighter pink long sleeve tee underneath and added an orange marled sweater vest over top. 

I added a multicolored scarf to add interest and texture to the outfit. The scarf with its orange and pink floral pattern drew together the pink of the blouse and the orange of the sweater.

I also had this silver and bead necklace that coordinated with the yellow green in the scarf.

I decided on a pair of dark brown jeans. I like the way these colors compliment each other. The dark brown still keeps me connected to the winter season, but the bright colors on top lighten up my whole visage. 

Because my pants are a little bit short I opted for dark brown ankle boots to elongate the leg and keep the eye from noticing the shortness of the pants. 

The thing I like about this pair of shoes is the elastic inserts on the back of the ankle. It makes getting into the shoes easy and it also avoids that cutting feeling that some stiff leather or non leather ankle boots can give.

To keep the colors bright I decided on my Lush Meadow colored bag. You can see it has a few defects like a missing rivet and a little wear on the bottom. But overall it is a lovely bag and makes a statement all on its own.

Next week I will share another idea for chasing away the winter blues. I hope you enjoyed today's post. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. Check back on Thursday for this month's perfect piece.

Have a great day.

Due to time constraints I am not including any shopping options in this post. If you ever have any questions as to where you can find a particular item, please leave me a comment in the comments section below and I will do my best to find something similar and let you know where to find it. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots, Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style and JoLynne Shane in the Fashion Friday link up.

Winter Wonderland - Week 3

Here we are less than a week away from Christmas! What????? I cannot believe how fast time flies by. When I was playing with my grandson today, I spent a few moments just looking at his cute little face (something we grandmas like to do) and I wondered what happened to that little tiny burrito that I held in my arms six years ago! Time keeps its own pace and doesn't ask how we feel about it, even if we would like it to slow down a little.

This week's day to night outfit revolves around a faux leather pencil skirt. Once again, I reached for the burgundy color to pair with my grays. I just love how these two colors work with one another, almost like a lovely dance with the burgundy confidently taking the lead and the gray coming along for the ride.

For my day look, I chose to style an outfit for work. The look is still casual, but more professional. This would also be a great look for a lunch get together with the hubby or the girlfriends.

Wearing a light gray tunic sweater I wanted to add a little more color by my face so I chose this oblong, multi colored scarf. I love the way the scarf draws in the burgundy of the skirt.

Here is a closer look at the scarf. Try to imagine the look without the scarf and I feel I would be a bit washed out, but adding the scarf and my Mary Kay Mystic Plum lip color adds a wow factor. This close up of the scarf shows you the lovely purple and burgundy tones. I added a brooch to hold the scarf together. A shout out to Jodie of Jodie's Touch of Style for motivating me to get reacquainted with pins and brooches. Another way to add some bling to our outfits.

I added a dark gray clutch that can be used as shoulder bag. It has a chain for a strap so I wouldn't put anything real heavy in it. To keep the look more casual, I wore my gray suede wedge heel ankle boots. 

To transform the look into more of a night time go out on a date look I swapped out the scarf for a chiffon kimono and gold layered necklace. 

Instead of the gray clutch I carried a gold woven one to go with the gold necklace. I also swapped out my casual gray ankle boots for a low heeled black pump.

Here is a back view of the kimono. It has a bit of a hi lo hemline and while for this outfit I wore it more as a jacket, I could see pairing with a belt and leggings for more of a tunic look.....oooo good idea for another post. I really need to write these ideas down when I get inspired or I will forget! 

After my daughter had loaded these pics onto her computer she said she wasn't real happy with our back drop because of the busyness. Now I see what she meant. Too many leaves and branches and lights. Ha, ha. But she's the professional. I still think it looks pretty. 

So here are my two outfits side by side. 

Let me know what you this of these outfits. Do you think the look transitions from day to night? What would you have done differently? I love to hear your comments, because I don't know everything and fashion has so many aspects to it that I don't even think of. So don't be afraid to leave a comment. I appreciate the input. I do respond to all comments and you can just check back on the post later to see what I've said.

Shopping the look:

Faux leather skirt (black - other choices in burgundy available on ebay, etsy, etc.) - Macy's - $59.50

Gray tunic sweater (many sizes in light gray sold out - this is another option) - Macy's - $41.99

Kimono - Essential Apparel - $28.80

Ankle Boots - DSW - $49.95

Clutch - Charming Charlie - $29.00

Necklace - Charming Charlie - $18.00

Monday linking up with Michelle of Michelle's Pa(i)ge and Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb.

Beautiful Blogger Bests - Leopard Print with Maroon/Burgundy

This month the Beautiful Blogger I am sharing is Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots. Jennie is an amazing fashion blogger. I love her sense of style and the fact that she is not afraid to try different looks. Jennie does everything from casual to dressy, boho to edgy. Check out Jennie's About page to learn more about this actual woman, wife, mother to four sons and full time administrative assistant (how does she do it all?). 

If you click on this link Shhh! It's Secret Celebrity, it will take you to the post outfit that I derived my inspiration from. While Jennie was specifically showing off the shoes that were gifted to her from Camtrade Footwear, I just loved the outfit she put together. The mixing of the leopard print sweater with the maroon lace top, the black jeans and the maroon shoes simply called out to me to give it a try. 

Let me preface this by saying, I never knew there were so many variations on the colors we refer to as maroon or burgundy. If you look at Jennie's top in her post, I would say it is more of a maroon, as maroon has more of a purple undertone. In my post I think my top is more red, so I would probably say it is more of a burgundy. Ha, ha. Once again, you can call it whatever you want. 

Here is my outfit. My leopard print cardigan is a button up with 3/4 length sleeves. With the single digit temps we are having here in the Midwest, I will generally wear long sleeves with layers underneath. I might save this sweater for when it warms up again, or wear a long sleeve top underneath and let the longer sleeves show. This is an older pair of black ankle jeans.

Would you say I am doing some print mixing? The pattern on the lace top and the print on the sweater are definitely mixing it up! Print mixing doesn't always have to be pairing different colored prints together. It can also be pairing different textures and patterns together. Why does this work? I think it is due to the fact that the top is one solid color. Try imagining it with a leopard print blouse under a lacy solid color jacket. It still works. I think the black trim on the top also helps pull the two pieces together with the black trim on the cardi. 

In Jennie's post she wears a gold necklace. Gold looks great with both the leopard print and the maroon/burgundy top. 

Here are those shoes again! They just seem to keep popping up in my posts! Ha, ha. I never knew when I tried them on at the thrift store that they were going to be so versatile.

I love the inspiration I receive from following other bloggers. Not only do they inspire me to try new things, but they inspire me to share ideas with you. I hope you will check out Jennie's blog and give her some love! 

Thanks for following along today. I hope you have a great weekend! 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Shop the Look:

Leopard print cardigan - Target - $13.79

Maroon/burgundy lace top - JC Penney - $14.99

Black ankle pants - Macy's - $23.99

Shoes - DSW - $44.99 or DSW - $49.95

Winter Wonderland - Week 2

This series for the month of December focuses on taking a more casual day time outfit and making it more party ready. Last week my efforts focused on a pair of jeans and a graphic sweatshirt. This week I take the casual day time look up a notch picking pieces I would be more likely to wear to work.

Here I am featuring a piece in the line of the berry or wine color again. Last week it was my shoes and two different jackets. You can see that post here. I love this color paired with gray. I topped the dress pants with a thin long sleeved cowl neck sweater. Over that I layered a holiday sweater that I got last year at Christopher and Banks. 

What drew me to this zip up cardigan was the design on the front. It looks like a winter city scape with pine trees and sparkles which represent the stars in the night sky. It doesn't have to be for Christmas and that is part of why I liked it. I can wear it all winter long.

I carried my berry colored fringe bag and wore a simple silver fringe necklace.  You can also see I kept the look more casual by leaving the cowl sweater untucked.

Here is a close up of the necklace and you can see a little of the detail on the sweater.

For shoes,  I chose my shiny Oxfords. I have worn these shoes to work on several occasions as they look nice, and are quite comfortable. 

To take this look from day to night I made only a few simple changes. First I changed shoes from the Oxford to the higher heeled black ankle boot. 

Sorry that my boots were looking a little less than spiffy! 

I removed the sweater and donned a brocade vest. When I looked at the pictures after my daughter had downloaded them for me, I realized how similar the color scheme was between the vest and sweater. When I first looked at the pictures I couldn't even tell that I had made a change. So maybe next time a different color vest would be better. I don't know, what do you think?

To add to the dressed up look, I accessorized with gold. The gold fringe necklace took the silver one's place and the gold woven bag added some shine to the outfit. In addition I added a front tuck and wore a thin belt with some gold detail. 

When I put these pieces together, I really liked the combination of colors. The gold adds rich detailing when combined with the wine colored pants and gray sweater. 

Once again, here are the outfits side by side. As you can see, just changing a few details can change the attitude of an outfit. The first outfit says, professional, but warm and comfy. The second outfit says festive and rich with textures and colors. 

I hope you enjoyed today's post. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. 

Have a great day!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. 

Shopping the look:

Pants - Kohl's - $36.99 (skinny ponte pants)

Gray Cardigan - J.Jill - $49.99

Gray Cowl Neck Long Sleeve Tee - Kohl's - $17.99

Brocade vest - Etsy - $25.00

Black oxfords - DSW - $49.94

Black ankle boots - DSW - $59.95

Gold clutch - Charming Charlie - $22.00

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 Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Tif of Bright on a Budget,  and Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style. Saturday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb. 

Awesome Accessories - Boots

Do you ever have one of those days? Or weeks? Or months? Or years? Ha, ha. Where you just feel like, "i'm tired!" Or maybe even like giving up? You feel like you really aren't making a difference and all the work is not worth it! That is how I am feeling this week. Between my daughter's plumbing problems (which turned into two nights of water streaming into her closet), extra running back and forth, working extra hours and various other annoyances that I won't go into, like the fact that I typed this whole post once already and then it all disappeared! Don't you love technology? Ha, ha.

Oh well. Enough of my rant. Just being real here folks. Now onto my blog post.

Let's talk boots! Whether we are talking work boots, rain boots or fashion boots, boots have long had a place in our wardrobes. From farmers to construction workers, to officers in the military to fashionista's and fashion bloggers we all need or want to wear boots at some time or other. Winter is  prime boot season and today I just wanted to share a few of my favorite styles with you.  

These berry colored suede booties are one of my new favorites. Another thrift store find, I love the color, the texture, the height of the heel and added platform under the ball of the foot. They are very easy to walk in and versatile enough to wear with jeans, skirts, dresses, dress pants and leggings. 

This style and the ones following are what we would refer to as ankle boots. They fall just above the ankle and again are versatile enough to wear with many different clothing pieces. Ankle boots come in a variety of fabrics, patterns, and heel heights. They also zip, lace up or just pull on. They are a great staple for any wardrobe, especially for seasonal transition times like fall to winter.

I really like the wedge on this gray suede pair. It is just talk enough to say I have a heel, but super comfortable. I wear these to work and even out for a day of shopping.

This brown pair of boots is what I would call a mid-calf height. I like this height as I can still tuck my pants into them, but then I can also wear leg warmers which can add warmth, color and texture to the outfit. These are super comfy and I love the motorcycle vibe they give off.

The knee-high black boot is one I find myself wearing again and again. I actually have two pairs right now. These which are a typical riding boot and then I have a pair that have a low heel, for a little dressier look. Again, these are very comfy and can be worn in many different ways. 

The only other boot, I have yet to attain is an over-the-knee boot. Maybe for Christmas! If I do get a pair you will be sure to see them in January! 

I hope you enjoyed this post on boots. What height boot is your fave? Be sure to leave me some love in the comments section below or on Facebook. I appreciate your input and support.

Photo credits Rebecca Trumbull.

Shopping for Boots:

Dress Bootie - Payless - $22.00 (also this - $25.00)

Wedge heel - Tom's - $69.90

Ankle boot - Steve Madden - $75.00

Mid-calf boot - Rogan's Shoes - $56.24

Riding boots - DSW - $69.95

Winter Wonderland - Week 1

As I begin writing this post, it is 9:30 at night. I usually get started a tiny bit sooner, but my younger daughter had an emergency, so my husband and I, after finishing our dinner out, drove over to her apartment to see if we could help. The cold water supply pipe to her water heater burst! By the time we got there, maintenance was on site vacuuming up gallons of water that had sprayed out in Niagara Falls type form in my daughter's bedroom closet. Obviously, in apartment living these sorts of disasters not only affect you, but your neighbors as well. While maintenance was doing their job of fixing and cleaning, I held the chinchilla who had been doused with cold water. I wrapped the fat little guy up in a blanket and he soon stopped shivering. After the two men left with their huge shop vac, I helped my daughter go through dresser drawers, bags and boxes that had become soaked in the flood. I cannot imagine what people who go through actual flooding feel. This was overwhelming enough!

All that said, it is time for the start of my Winter Wonderland series. When I stared thinking about this, I was envisioning snow as my backdrop, but all I got was gray and drab. A typical midwest winter! Ha, ha. So we did what we could for our photos.

The idea behind this series was to show some of the textures and styles that we often see in the winter months. This being December I also wanted to choose outfits that could be taken from day to night or work to celebrations with just a few minor changes. 

This day time look is all about casual and warm. Rock and Republic skinny jeans, black knee high boots and a black double breasted jacket look sharp and classic. 

To add some fun to my casual outfit, I wore a short sleeve gray tee with a light weight Beatles sweatshirt over top. I added a scarf with some silver threads and my maroon fringe bag. Voila!

Details of scarf.

Details of the bag. You are going to see this color come up again and again in this series. Whatever color you want to call it, burgundy, wine, maroon, it doesn't matter. I think is is a beautiful winter color, so I'll be working it!

In the above photo you get a better look at the jacket buttoned. This is not a jacket I would wear to be warm. It is more like a blazer than an actual coat. However when you layer pieces you can get away with wearing this for a coat. Especially if you are not going to be spending hours outside.

And here is a closer look at the boots. I wore a pair of leg warmers with them as well, just for extra warmth and texture.

For the night version of this casual outfit I swapped out the heavy dark jacket and threw on my faux velvet one. I changed from knee hight boots to maroon heeled booties and changed the fringe bag for one with a bit more shimmer. I was having problems with the heels on these shoes, not only sinking into the ground, but getting attached to leaves. Ha, ha.

Instead of the scarf I wore three silver necklaces, just to add some bling. It is amazing to me how just a little bling or shimmer can take an outfit from casual to dressy.

I was having a hard time standing with these shoes on this ground.....

I had this other longer jacket, so I threw in a picture of that as well. I just wanted to show you different ways you could style the same outfit.

Can you guess which of these three was my favorite? I'd love to hear your favorites in the comments section below.

Thanks for following along. Be sure to check back on Thursday when my Awesome Accessories column will take a look at boots.

Have a great Tuesday.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Shopping the looks:

Rock & Republic Jeans - Kohl's - $59.99 (on sale)

Double Breasted Blazer - Macy's - $64.99 (this one is velvet)

Beatles shirt - Fab Four Store - $34.99

Black Knee High Boots - DSW - $69.95

Scarf - Charming Charlie - $19.00

Velvet Jacket - ModCloth - $79.99

Suede Heeled Booties - DSW - $49.95

Longer Jacket - Nordstrom - $89.00 (also velvet)

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, Tania of 50 is not Old, and the Ageless Style Link Up. Friday linking up with JoLynn Shane in the Fashion Friday Link Up Party, Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots,  Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, 

Piece Perfect - The Navy Blazer - Part 2

Last month I showed you two ways to wear a navy blazer with a dress and a skirt (click on the words to see that post).

Because I found so many ways to style this navy Ralph Lauren blazer, I felt I needed another post to give it, its due! Today I'll be wearing the blazer with two different pant outfits. As usual I try to do one that is more casual and one that is more dressy.

Casual Look - 

Being a woman of layers, I took advantage of all the pieces I possibly could! I started with a gray tee with bling, put a rusty orange cardi over that, then threw the blazer over the top. I paired the tops with my white/gray snakeskin jeans and a pair of gray, suede mid-calf boots. Finally, I pulled the whole look together with an oblong scarf with similar colors.

You can see how I styled the gray tee, here and the snakeskin jeans, here in previous posts.

I am using my orange bag as well. 

Dressy look -

For my dressier pant look I wore these dark color dress pants. Sometimes they look gray and sometimes they look brown, so I will say they are brownish-gray. I wore my printed pussy bow blouse and threw on some simple, non-colored jewelry. 

There you have it. A good quality, fitted blazer is a must for every woman't wardrobe. Here are this week's outfit's side by side. 

I hope you enjoyed seeing all the ways you can style this versatile piece. A blazer can take your wardrobe from small to large and it can take it from dull to dynamic. Whether the blazer is blue, black, gray or red, it can be a great piece to have in your closet.

Be sure to check back next week for the start of my Winter Wonderland series on Tuesday. 

Have a great weekend!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Shopping for Pieces:

Blazer - J.Crew Factory - $79.00

Snakeskin jeans - Macy's - $21.99

Orange cardi - Target - $19.99

Gray Tee - Kohl's - $14.99

Oblong Scarf - Kohl's - $7.99

Gray/brown dress pants - Macy's - $69.99

Printed Pussy Bow Blouse - Lord and Taylor - $40.27 (clearance)

Family Weekend Getaway

The day after Thanksgiving we drove to Shipshewana, Indiana to meet my husband's family. All of us were able to be there and it was a lovely time of too much good food, a little bit of shopping and tons of visiting. Our daughters were both there; our eldest with her hubby and our youngest with her son. Both of my husband's parents were there in addition to his sister and her spouse along with their two boys and their families. The cousins all have so much fun together and the children of those cousins are now continuing the tradition of celebrating the holidays. There is nothing quite like the enthusiasm of a six, five and three year old!

Since Rebecca was there I had her snap a few pics one of the days so I could use them for this post. 

Many bloggers talk about a capsule wardrobe, especially when traveling. While I think it is an awesome idea, I have the same problem with clothes that I do with food. I love food! I love variety! I love different tastes and textures. When we are talking Christmas cookies, I can't just make one or two kinds and save myself the work. I have to make four or five kinds. Sugar cookies are a must, though I am not sure why only cut outs are called sugar cookies (and a few others), but don't all cookies have some amount of sugar in them? But, I digress! I can't just have a Christmas tree shaped cookie. I have to have stars and snowmen, Santas and bells. And, they can't be plain, they have to have various colored frostings and sprinkles! Maybe that is why my Grandson loves to make cookies with me!

The same is true for my clothes. I love clothes. I love the colors and the textures. I love jackets and sweaters, pants and skirts....and my husband just interjected, "And you love to wear all of it at the same time!" Ha, ha. Anyway, when I travel, I still like to have variety, but I have been experimenting with choosing a color theme when I pack. For this weekend away, I chose the colors, cream, gray and brown.

This outfit was one of the choices that I packed. Keeping in the same color theme for the weekend I only needed one pair of shoes, plus the pair I wore on the drive. I wish I would have gotten pictures of all three outfits I included in the weekend, but that didn't happen. Too much partying and little picture taking.

This thrifted gray fly away cardi is the perfect addition to many ensembles. It is light weight, so I will be able to use this through many seasons. While I didn't get a picture of it, the cardi has a band in the back which gathers the material and gives it a fitted look. I love the drape of this piece. I wore the cardi over a multi- print popover top which had an elastic band on the bottom giving the top room and comfort. I wore my off white corduroys which, I felt added a casual vibe to this holiday outfit. 

Here's a closer look at the top. I also wore a gold pendant necklace.

For shoes I wore my gray suede ankle booties. I wish I would have pulled my pant leg up higher. The boots have a cute chain on the outside of each ankle. I love the low wedge heel on these. They are the perfect boot for shopping and can be worn with a dress or skirt as well. 

Just for fun, I asked my stylin' sister-in-law Sue to take a few pics with me. 

We were having too much fun!

I thought Sue came up with a great outfit for our holiday get together. Her tunic sweater set shimmered with gold threads and the mix of skinny jeans and cowboy type boots kept the outfit casual, but festive.

I love how Sue kept her accessories minimal. The simple bead dangles on the necklace pull together the creams, browns and golds in her outfit. Isn't she beautiful? She's also has a beautiful heart! I am very blessed to have her for a sister-in-law.

I hope you enjoyed this peek into my world. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. I appreciate all your support and input. Don't forget to check out my Instagram page and Pinterest as well. 

Have a great Tuesday.

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Thursday linking up with Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, Nicole of High Latitude Style, JoLynne Shane in the Fashion Friday Link Up, Jennie of A Pocketful of Polkadots.

Color Crash Course - Red and Burgundy - A Thanksgiving Outfit

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. This morning as I type this post, I am thankful for a dry home and a furnace to heat it. I am also thankful for family and their safety as they travel. I am thankful for my physical health and my relationship with the God of the universe. What are you thankful for today?

Another thing that I am thankful for is the community of bloggers out there that have taught me so many things about faith and fashion. One thing that I particularly admire is the attitude of throwing the fashion "rules" out the window and dressing how we want to dress. That doesn't mean I dress like a slob or that I dress in barely nothing at all. For me throwing out the rules allows me to experiment with colors, textures and styles of clothing that I formerly might have scoffed at. The very reason I decided to start this Color Crash Course column was to challenge myself to think outside the box when it comes to color combining. 

In the first attempt at color combining I paired orange and red (here). Next I combined the colors of Halloween, orange, black, green and purple (here). Today I am trying my hand at burgundy and red. My first thought was, "There is no way I can make this work, without looking like some sort of clown!" But that caused me to be all the more motivated.

I chose a red turtleneck sweater, burgundy dress pants and my burgundy suede booties, which I just styled on Tuesday's post here. Sorry about my muffin top! Ha, ha. And I haven't even eaten Thanksgiving dinner yet!

Then I threw on a thrift store find, a open front chiffon and knit cardi with a water color type pattern. What drew me to this piece were the variety of colors combined on its surface. Here is a closer look at the actual pattern from the back.

Just to make things even more interesting I added a gold necklace that has some burnt orange in it.

I feel that the open cardi adds dimension and texture to the outfit as well as pulling the whole look together. 

Add a simple gold clutch and gold bracelet and the outfit is complete! I found this gold woven bag at H&M when I was Christmas shopping for other family. At less that five dollars, I thought this little gem filled my need for a gold bag.

So how are you celebrating Thanksgiving today? My husband is out hunting this morning and we will be having a small turkey later for the two of us and one of his students from the university who couldn't make it home to be with family. Our girls have their own celebrations with their significant others and families. However, we will all be together over the weekend. I'm looking forward to that.

I pray God blesses each of you who are following my blog with a happy and fun filled day! Don't eat too much!