Print Mixing Mash Up - Plaid Bomber Jacket - Outfit 2

This second look featuring my plaid bomber jacket from Eden Fashion Boutique, might seem a tad overwhelming if you are new to print mixing. Some might say there is too much going on, but I think it works. In fact, it was this combination that inspired me to use the plaid bomber as a print mixer in the first place. Besides, why not get a little crazy once in a while!

When I saw this multi print tunic hanging in my closet, I thought this might be a good opportunity to get it out. This festive, colorful roz & Ali piece is a past purchase from dressbarn. I think of it as a party shirt. It seems so bright, cheery and happy, that it just wants to dance and party. That’s a little bit of a contrast to my more subdued, introverted nature, but it is good to get out of our comfort zones once in a while.

Pairing it with the plaid jacket, I let it hang around for a while and kept looking at it, wondering how I could make it work for this print mixing series. Then I remembered my thrifted, cobalt blue, Gloria Vanderbilt jeans.

You can see more of the details in this photo. The tunic has a lace up v-neck. Since there is already so much going on with the print, I opted for shorter necklaces in a more classic style. Rev it up and tone it down. I know some might go for bright beads in various lengths, but my objective with this outfit was to party, but party conservatively. That’s me in a nutshell. I don’t drink, but I do like to dance. I also liked the way the pearls and black cord on the choker, compliment the black and white stripes on the jacket.

Funny story about these cobalt shoes. I have had these shoes for a long time. I’ve worn them on the blog before with various outfits and I really like that they are so bright. The last time I remembered wearing them for the blog was summer of last year. My daughter and son-in-law were in the process of moving out of their apartment into a house and we had planned a shoot at the apartment complex so I could help do some packing. That was the last time I ever saw them (the shoes, not my daughter and son-in-law). I thought for sure, they had gotten thrown away in the chaos of helping to pack and purge at the apartment. I gave them up for lost, even though I searched my house all over thinking I may have just misplaced them when I got home to put things away after the shoot.

The other day when I was working on outfits for this series, I was going through shoe boxes looking for some of the pairs I had put away that were more spring/summery. Lo and behold there my shoes were in a box in my closet. Ha, ha, ha. Maybe I am starting to lose the plot, as my hubby likes to say. Dementia is highly likely with my family history, but I just pray I’ll be sweet!

This bag is another thrift store find. I like the style. Now, being a fashion blogger, I do have a few Pinterest boards, that I like to play with. I need to do more with those, but there are only so many hours in a day, as everyone of you know. However, I do have a board that is called Fashion Vocabulary and I put things on there like different types of bag styles, dress styles, skirt lengths, heel heights and so on. Anyway, I looked for the proper name for this bag and I would say that it is a hybrid between a doctor bag and a barrel bag. A true doctor bag style would have a metal frame connected to the opening. So now you know.

I personally feel, what makes this outfit work is the bright blue pants and shoes. Obviously, you could have done the same thing with black pants or a skirt, or orange. The solid color ties the two pieces together, and compliments the blues in each pieces.

What do you think? Am I helping you to get over your fear of print mixing? I certainly hope that these posts are inspiring you to think outside your fashion box.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

I’ve included a few shopping links for you to have fun with. These are affiliate links. If you click on a link I get a few pennies. All opinions are my own.

Print Mixing Mash Up - Plaid Bomber Jacket - Outfit 1

If you are just joining me here on my blog, I am doing a series on print mixing. Week one focused on a yellow and white long sleeved tee ( Outfit 1, Outfit 2). Week two focused on a printed skirt (Outfit 1, Outfit 2). You can see the original posts for each outfit, by clicking on the links. My goal for each of these outfits is to show you three things: 1) You don’t have to spend buckets of money to look fashionable and be trendy, 2) Print mixing is not that hard, and 3) Your ability to print mix starts in your own closet. The only way I learned to print mix was practice, just like so many things in life that we aren’t born with an innate knowledge of.

This week’s outfits revolve around a plaid bomber jacket. I found this fun piece at Eden Fashion Boutique. It was marked down and I also had a coupon, so it was one of those win, win combos. Eden is a local boutique with stores in Sylvania, Ohio and Bowling Green, Ohio. I did a post on the Sylvania location and if you are interested, you can read about that here.

My daughter and I were doing some thrifting and shopping in Bowling Green and stopped in at their location. We both tried on numerous fun pieces and I bought this bomber jacket and a long sleeve tee that I posted on Instagram last Thursday.

The plaid jacket is a mix of orange and blue stripes on a gray background. I thought it would be fun to pair it with a print containing those same colors. When I came across this longer denim skirt, I thought to give it a try. While, I think the print mix works, I really don’t like the silhouette of the outfit. Just a little too baggy for my taste.

Here you can see the mix of prints closer up.

The fact that the outfit was going to be ultra casual made me reach for this olive hobo bag that I have used on the blog before. It is always fun to add a pretty brooch or two, to an otherwise more plain piece, whether it be a blouse, a jacket, a scarf or a bag like this one.

I also decided to wear my Seven Dials black combat boots. The reason I chose these was to bring together the black and white cuffs and collar on the jacket with the shoes.

To keep the edgy look I went for a necklace that I have had for many years. A combination of metal and beads, I like that it has a utility look to it.

The dark orange tee is a thrifted Chico’s tee. It really brings out the orange in the plaid jacket, as well as the rusty orange floral print of the skirt. This is another way to bring printed pieces together in a harmonious blend. (Yes, I am listening to Celtic music right now and I love the harmonies in their music, whether instrumental or vocal.) Pick a solid piece that is a common color in both pieces. You’ll see this idea again in Thursday’s post with this same jacket.

As always, I love to hear your thoughts on these outfits. Is this something your would wear? Do you like denim skirts? Do you like skirts that are this length or shorter? Do you have a bomber jacket that you like to wear? I value your input, so leave a comment or two below.

My hubby and I had a nice weekend away, but now I am fighting the crud. I was hoping to get through the whole winter without getting sick, but my grandson and daughter both got it, so I had to join the fun. Hope this post finds you all well.

Have a great Tuesday.

Print Mixing Mash Up - Printed Skirt - Outfit 2

Tuesday’s rendition of this skirt was meant to be a more casual take. To me it was something I could wear to the mall, if I wore skirts more often. Today’s outfit is meant to be more of a work wear look. Adding a button up blouse, and heels takes the look up a notch.

In Tuesday’s look the print mix wasn’t as obvious, as the two prints were not side by side. In this look the print mix is more pronounced, but I still think it is subtle enough that it works. Here again, the colors work together, even though the skirt doesn’t actually contain the green or the olive. The darker squares in the skirt are more of a brown, but seen here with this olive sweater, they look olive.

i found this button up shirt at H&M on clearance. I think I paid $6 for it. I love the sage green color and the feathers. Once again, I didn’t even think of this skirt when I bought it, but don’t they go well together?

When I started putting things together, I thought of this light purple bead and metal necklace. It really pulls out the lighter purple of the feathers in the shirt and the lighter purples on the skirt.

I opted to go with this Nicolle Miller bag. I wanted to put an adjective in front of the word bag in that last sentence, but I honestly don’t know if this is a tote, a shopper, a shoulder bag or something else all together. Usually a shoulder bag has a longer strap and a shopper is larger, so this is probably a tote bag, or I guess could even be considered a satchel. Whatever you want to call it, I chose it for the purply color and the fun straps. Once again, details say a lot.

These gray Comfort Plus heels have made plenty of appearances on the blog over the last three years. I like that they are simple, but textured. I also like that the heel isn’t too high. Even in my younger days, I always preferred a little bit lower heel, due to my clumsy gene.

You’ve seen this olive Sonoma sweater before as well. i love clothing pieces that work over and over again in my closet. I have that same olive sweater on right now, with a buffalo plaid tee and jeans, showing that it is indeed a versatile piece. Another Kohl’s clearance rack find, just showing that fashion and versatility does not have to be expensive.

Here is another shot of a very cold fashion blogger.

If it looks as though I am in pain, I think I was. That cold wind was biting. Ha, ha. Hopefully, those will be the last really cold pictures we had to take. I am hoping when we do our Pantone series pictures at the beginning of April, that it will be sufficiently warmer.

I hoped you liked this outfit. How many of you have a print skirt that you have been wondering how to style? Try a little bit of print mixing and see what you can come up with. I’d love to hear about what sort of things you have been inspired to put together.

I’ve included a few shopping links to look at. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Print Mixing Mash Up - Striped Tee - Outfit 1

As i started pulling pieces out of my closet to do this print mixing series, I had no idea how much fun it would be and how many outfits I would come up with. It is amazing how many pieces I have that actually go together in a way that creates real life, wear it to work, outfits. The way I decided to put this together, was to feature one printed piece a week that will be the foundational piece that I build the rest of each outfit around. For this week it is a yellow striped Sonoma tee. The outfit you see today and the outfit on Thursday’s post will both be built around this same piece.

Let me preface this by saying, it was 18 degrees with a wind chill factor that made it feel like 4, when we were taking these photos. It was cold and that wind bit, but we got it done. My daughter is pretty quick at taking pictures, although in those temps, even the camera wasn’t always willing to work properly.

Today’s outfit was a casual look, that I might wear to a get together with friends, or a fun date night with my hubby.

It’s a little hard to see the print mix in these photos, but I showed the top and this kimono in last Thursday’s introduction to print mixing. You can see that post here, if you missed it.

This yellow striped long sleeved Sonoma tee is a recent purchase from Kohl’s. It is light weight and a great layering piece for spring.

This floral kimono was a clearance find at DSW. If you are a clearance shopper like me, it is always a good idea to check out the clearance rack at all stores you go into. DSW is a great place to find shoes on clearance, and I would have never thought to go in there to look for a pretty kimono like this, but there it was. In fact I got two other ones that will no doubt make it on to the blog at some point.

These white Gloria Vanderbilt jeans you just saw on the blog, last week when I was wearing them with my scarf print blouse. You can see that post here. These are my favorite white jeans. They are thick enough that my underwear don’t show through and I like the wider leg.

I wanted to keep this look more casual so I opted for my navy blue Keds. After we took these photos are were on the way back into the house, I realized we needed to take a picture of my shoes, thus the snow.

I grabbed this bright blue tote to go with the bright blue in the kimono. This bag is thrifted and Nine & Co. brand. I do like a good sized tote bag like this for traveling. I can fit a lot more in it, like a book and a pad of paper, in case i get the urge to read or write. I know there are electronic versions available, but I still like the feel of a book in my hand or moving a pen on a piece of paper.

You could easily replicate this look by using a color of your choosing for the striped tee and then picking a piece with a complimentary color for the kimono or even a floral cardigan or bomber jacket. It’s not that you create an outfit that looks just like mine, but that you find things in your own closet that will give you a similar look. You wouldn’t have to wear white jeans. Any wash of denim would look cute with a print mix like this or pick out another color that goes with one of the other colors in your print pieces. For instance, my kimono also contains brown and is on a black background. Either color could have worked for my bottom piece.

Why this works:

The main reason this works is the color. The yellow of the striped tee goes perfectly with the yellow in the kimono. The other reason it works is that the stripes are small and narrow, which works well with the busier, bolder pattern of the kimono.

What do you think? Do you like this outfit? Do you have pieces like this in your closet that you like to pair together for a fun print mixing look? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave me some love in the comments section.

I’ve included a few shopping links for you. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Revisiting Print Mixing - An Introduction

While print mixing may come naturally to many of us, I think I can safely say for me it wasn’t always the case. I didn’t know the first thing about print mixing before I became a fashion blogger, and even now, I wouldn’t say it comes naturally. For me, as with cooking, I really have to have a recipe, or at least have my brain working on 3 of its 4 cylinders to be able to figure out a good print mix. Back in March of 2017, I did my first how to print mixing post. You can read that post, by clicking on the link here.

I have decided to do a short series on print mixing. I have had numerous people tell me, that while they are trying the print mixing trend themselves, they do not always feel confident with how to put pieces together that mix prints. After all, most of us don’t want to look like a walking garage sale. I am far from an expert on this, but I thought I would put together a series of posts, that will lay out what to look for when mixing prints and how to mix prints without having to put a lot of time, thought or effort into it.

This week I want to do an introduction of sorts and give you a few basic how to’s, then the next few post will show you outfits of my own and give explanations for what I chose and how I put the prints together.

There is a method to this madness. There are all sorts of prints including stripes, florals, polka dots, paisley and a plethora of others. How, then, do you decide which patterns to put together? Here are a few pointers.

Start with a foundational print.

1 - Stripes, whether vertical or horizontal, are one of the easiest patterns to pair other patterns with. Here are a few examples.

This striped yellow tee goes quite well with the floral kimono and the plaid blazer. The floral kimono contains yellow leaves which really draws the two pieces together. The plaid blazer doesn’t contain yellow, but has a light neutral colored stripe, which almost looks yellow when paired with the tee. I also think it goes splendidly with the leopard blazer and the Aztec print jacket, even though neither of them contains the same yellow color.

Here is another example with a vertical striped blouse.

As you can see from these examples, all of these prints are different, but the stripes work with all of them.

2 - Gingham is another pattern that is easy to pair with almost any other print.

3 - The one other pattern that is easily mixed , besides stripes or gingham is polka dots. Polka dots show up here and there in fashion trends, but I find, like stripes and gingham, polka dots are classic and timeless.

Stripes, gingham and polka dots can be easily mixed with other prints, partly because they are spatially consistent. Usually the stripes are the same distance apart, the squares are the same size and the dots are equally sized as well. If you are just starting to mix prints, look for pieces in your wardrobe or at the store that have those characteristics.

Next find pieces with coordinating colors.

You probably noticed that in the photos above, not all the print mixes have similar color schemes, but for an easier time of print mixing once you choose your foundational print find other pieces in your closet that have similar colors. For instance, the striped yellow tee that I chose above pulls in the yellow leaves on the floral kimono. The coral striped blouse coordinates with the coral colors in the jacket and the navy polka dot cardigan is a natural compliment for the navy gingham or floral blouses.

Here is another example.

I got these two pieces at completely different times. The Jaclyn Smith gingham top was thrifted and the skirt is from LuLaRoe. Matching the green in each piece make it a perfect print mixing combination. You could have also used the black gingham top that was shown above. I hope to include this in my series of outfits over the next few weeks.

This might seem overwhelming at first, but read on for another tip.

Try choosing pieces that have the small/large print ratio.

One of the other techniques for making a perfect print mix outfit is to pair a small pattern with a large pattern. This is especially helpful if you are choosing pieces that include a skirt or pants with a top or jacket. In the previous picture I used the smaller gingham pattern with the larger pattern of the skirt. This is also a good way to mix outfits that are monochrome in appearance. Here is another example.

This combination would be great with a black pullover tee or sweater, silver jewelry, and then a brighter color for shoes and a bag, like yellow, or red.

Using the small/large print ratio as well as choosing pieces that have at least one coordinating color will take you a long way to creating outfits that are not only spot on in the print mixing realm, but outfits that you can be proud of because you created them yourself.

Walk on the wild side.

Once you get the hang of print mixing you might want to venture out into combinations that are a little more bold. This is the one I came up with.

I recently acquired this plaid bomber jacket at Eden, a local boutique. I featured their Sylvania location on the blog a few months ago. You can see that post here. I love the colors that make up the plaid and the bright black and white stripes on the collar and cuffs. When I was going through my closet and came across this tunic, I thought I would see how the two pieces worked together. This is a perfect example of using the print mixing tips to create a unique looking outfit.

The plaid represents the foundational piece. Plaid, in this case is the more subtle print. After choosing the jacket, I looked for a piece that had at least one of the colors in the jacket. When I saw that this tunic contained all the colors, I thought, why not. The more subtle plaid, tones down the busy pattern of the tunic and all of it is pulled together by pairing it with the bright blue pants. I hope to feature this outfit in my series as well.

I hope this post will help you find your own love of print mixing. It takes practice, but over time you can be a print mixing whiz, just by following these tips and by not being afraid to give it a try.

What print combinations do you like to see put together? Are you a print mixing diva, or is it a trend you have shied away from? Did you find this post helpful? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I hope you have a great weekend.

Spring Trend - Scarf Prints

As I mentioned in last Tuesday’s Spring Trend post on crafted pieces, print mixing is bigger and better than ever. One of the patterns that you will see gracing the stores is scarf print. Scarf prints started a come back back in the fall of last year, but seem to be showing up more and more. Scarf prints are an easy way to mix prints effortlessly. The prints are already picked out for you and all you have to do is take it off the hanger and decide what you want to wear it with. Whether you choose jeans, skirts, leggings, shorts or some other combination, scarf prints will leave you feeling like a print mixing pro.

I’ve had this Apt. 9, scarf print blouse for eons. Every time I think about getting rid of it, I end up hanging on to it. Now I am glad I did. I wish I would have thought to have taken a picture of the blouse without the jacket on, but it was freezing outside and we were just trying to get the pictures finished.

I did the front tuck with the blouse and added a black studded leather belt, just to add a little more interest and texture.

I thought my white Gloria Vanderbilt jeans the perfect bottom piece for this look, to make it more spring-like. While white can be worn all year round, I am a bit of a traditionalist, in that, I like to keep my whites more for spring, summer and a bit into fall. I do agree that white is a great color even in the winter and can really brighten up an otherwise mundane time period. I guess that is one of the reasons I would rather have snow in the winter time, than just brown grass and gray trees.

Since the emphasis was meant to be on print mixing, I decided to add my Black Label, Evan Piccone polka dot blazer. A JC Penney clearance find, this cute little number goes with so many things and is the perfect way to add a print to any outfit without going over the top. You can also see in this picture the blue bead necklace that I chose to wear. This was another hand-me-over from my daughter. It is fun to have girls to be able to swap stuff with.

These Easy Spirit black patent leather block heels I’ve styled on the blog before. I like the lower heel and that the toe is not pointy, but also not rounded. The bit of gold is the perfect amount of bling.

This cute cross body bag was a Christmas gift from my younger daughter. Both my girls do a good job picking out gifts for me. The light blue color is perfect for spring and compliments the blue in the blouse.

What do you think of scarf prints? Do you own any scarf print items? How do you like to wear your scarf prints? How do you like to wear your scarves? Leave me some thoughts in the comments.

I’ve included a few shopping links for scarf print items. Please enjoy looking these over. These are affiliate links. If you click on a link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through my site, I get a little commission. All opinions are my own.

Thanks for stopping by the blog today. Have a great Tuesday.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Spring Trend - Crafted Pieces

If you have followed my last few posts you know I am doing a short series on some of the Spring 2019 trends. The crazy thing about this whole trend idea is that there are many differing opinions on what exactly those trends are. I tried to narrow it down to some of the more prominent ones, but I may have missed some and picked up on others that I thought were more interesting. Today’s trend is definitely one I like, crafted pieces.

What is a crafted piece, you may wonder. Basically, crafting means that it is or is like home made. Think of pieces that are crocheted, knitted, tie dye or various forms of weaving, beading and so on. These pieces are going to make a statement all on their own, but will easily add pop and pizazz to any outfit. Think sixties hippy meets stylin’ granny. If that sounds a little too funky for you, hang in there and you might change your mind.

I grew up with a mom who crocheted and she had numerous sisters, my aunts, that also worked their wonders with yarn and needle(s). Mostly, my mom made afghans and doilies. One of my aunts made bears and clowns and sold them at craft shows. Occasionally something would come across our doorstep from cousins’ and others’ hand-me-downs, that would include a crocheted piece of clothing. I remember a vest, in particular that I really liked made of separate crocheted squares pieced together. I guess it was my exposure to these crafted pieces that has given me the love I have for them still.

This knit ruana is Sonoma brand and I found it at Kohl’s on the clearance rack at the end of last summer season. I like that it is a neutral color and that it has actual sleeves sown into it. Many ruanas merely drape over the arms and down the back, which always makes me feel a little less at ease, for fear it will shift and I will have to keep arranging it to keep it in place. Having a bit of a sleeve solves this problem. You can see another post on a ruana without sewn in sleeves by clicking on the link to this post from last summer.

I love the mix of open and more closed weaving on this piece.

Another trend that I didn’t do a specific post for is pattern mixing. This spring pattern mixing is bigger than ever. For those of you who still haven’t come on board the pattern mixing trend, the fashion gurus are making it easier by manufacturing pieces that have patterns already mixed on them. We saw some of the last few seasons with baseball type tees donning both stripes and flowers. You’ll see more of it this year and the patterns are going to be bolder than ever. I’ll give you more examples on Thursday’s post where I talk about the scarf pattern trend.

I decided to do some of my own print mixing on this outfit by pairing this subtle paisley print top with my thrifted plaid Mossimo trousers.

Once again, the key to print mixing is in both color and pattern. Although, I have a feeling this spring we’ll be seeing more pieces with a more Anything Goes feel.

I kept my jewelry minimal since this Liz Claiborne top from JC Penney already has some of its own embellishment. This leaf necklace was a recent find, also from Penney’s.

My shoes are thrifted and are Natural Soul brand. My cute little clutch was a recent clearance purchase from DSW. Make sure you check out the clearance sections at these types of stores. I found this clutch and three kimono/ruana’s that are going to be perfect for spring and summer. The prices were too good to pass up.

Even though palm print was last spring’s trend I feel that it is one of those that could become timeless, sort of like leopard print. Especially when in a complimentary piece like this that will easily become a go to for summer.

I guess technically you could say I am mixing four prints in this outfit. Plaid, paisley, palms and the weaving on the crafted piece. What do you know, I styled an outfit that is filled with prints and alliteration. Ha, ha. There is texture also happening in the woven bag, the chain, the crochet, the tassels and metal embellishments on the top and the gathering on the empire waist and sleeves. There is, indeed, much going on in this outfit. Do you think it works or is it too much?

I love to hear you thoughts, so leave a comment or two in the comments section.

Now, to announce the winner of the $30 Target gift card. First of all, I want to thank all of you who are my regular followers, who regularly leave some love on the blog. Your input means so much to me. Secondly, I want to thank all the new subscribers who signed up as part of the giveaway and I hope that my blog will not disappoint you and that you will find inspiration and encouragement on a regular basis here.

And the winner is: Shirley Hulbert

I will be contacting you via email, to get your info, so I can get the card out to you as soon as possible. Congratulations!

I’ve included a few shopping links for crafted pieces. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I’ve included a number of pieces I thought looked fun. Enjoy perusing!

Spring Trend - Neons and Pastels

In contrast to last week’s post, Spring Trend - Head to Toe Neutral, this week I am focusing on the Spring Trend of neons and pastels. Rather than divide this into two posts, I decided to combine the trends and the colors into one outfit. If we can wear neutral on the top and bottom, why not create an outfit with neon and pastel together?

This bright neon yellow top is sleeveless and there was no way I was going out in the snow in a sleeveless top, so I added a recent purchase from Forever 21’s clearance racks, this citron yellow chenille sweater. The top is H&M and is a hand-me-over from my daughter. The sweater is as cozy and soft as it looks, so I was glad to add it to my outfit on this very cold day.

These blush jeans are H&M and you’ve seen them before on the blog in my 20 Days of Christmas series. They have a little bit of distressing on them, but because they are so light you can hardly notice. Since I was going with light pink for my pastel, I added my blush SO flats and my blush clutch.

My necklace was a thrift store find. I thought it added another splash of neon in a different color. If you don’t like neon, this is a simple way to add just a splash of color without being overwhelmed by it. Accessories are always a good way to add color that you wouldn’t necessarily wear near you face.

What do you think of the neon trend? would you wear these bright colors or do you prefer neutrals like the ones in my post last week? Are you a pastel lover? I’d love to hear you thoughts.

I’ve included a few shopping links for all things neon. If you don’t like wearing bright colors like this try adding a little splash by wearing neon earrings or by carrying a neon purse. You’ll be right on trend.

These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Outfit Inspiration - Bold & Bright

My outfit inspiration comes from many places. Sometimes it is a picture in a magazine or catalogue. Once in a while it comes from something I see in a book, but many times it comes from other fashion bloggers. This month my inspiration is coming from Liz of With Wonder and Whimsy. Liz has been a fashion blogger for a number of years now and specializes in outfits and styles for plus size women. She is sweet, fun and very knowledgable about clothes, styles, fabrics and working with retailers. I had the honor of doing a collaboration with Liz in the spring of 2017 on the Pantone Color palette for that year. You can see that post here. 

Liz has a whimsical, colorful approach to not only her outfits, but her life in general. This is a gal who is not afraid to wear pale pinks, purples and yellows, but she also knows when to take the color palette up a notch to make a statement. The post that inspired me for this month's Outfit Inspiration column is from June 1st and is called, Packing A Capsule Wardrobe for Summer Getaways.  You can see her original post by clicking on the link. 

I have never been a big fan of a capsule wardrobe, because I am a clothes horse and like to have options when I travel. However, I think it is an idea worth visiting so I thought I would give it a try for this post. I did not give too much thought ahead of time as to how I would put this together, but I chose four key pieces for my capsule wardrobe. At the end I will give you list of the extras I would throw in to make this a weekend worthy wardrobe. 

Outfit 1 - Casual But Cute

White pants whether cropped at the ankles, capris or longer are always a must have travel piece in the summer. They are versatile, going from casual to dressy and can be worn with anything solid or print. I have styled these Christopher and Banks ankle pants on the blog before.  Like Liz did in her post, I styled mine with a Simply Vera  - Vera Wang floral top. 

For this look, which would work well for perusing the shops in a cute little village and then having lunch or dinner with my husband, I chose simple accessories that draw on the colors in the blouse; blue heels, light pink clutch, silver bracelets and my new Marina Griffin necklace that I won in a drawing on Jodie's Touch of Style. 

I couldn't believe how perfectly the necklace goes with the colors in the blouse. Unfortunately, the necklace does get a little lost in the print of the blouse, so I'll be choosing a solid top next time to show off the necklace. This is a very pretty piece that is well made. Be sure to check out Marina's Facebook page by clicking on the link above.

Outfit 2 - Dressy But Comfy

When packing for a getaway it is nice to include pieces that will not wrinkle easily, especially if you want to get more dressed up. I chose my LuLaRoe maxi skirt for the bottom piece. these maxis are made out of a silky, stretchy medium weight knit. They pack well and you don't need to wear a slip as the material is thick enough to keep light from showing through. Any skirt that has some give and is made from material that won't easily wrinkle will be a good choice for your get away wardrobe.

For the top I chose another comfortable piece made from a similar material as the skirt. This knit peplum top is Liz Claiborne from JC Penney. 

This is such an easy top to wear. You just pull it on and go. there are no clasps or zippers or buttons. It's like wearing a tee shirt, but more dressy. As you can see I threw on a string of olive colored beads to go with the olive print in the skirt. 

I was also doing a fair bit of print mixing in this outfit. This works well, because the print of the top is smaller than the print in the skirt and it coordinates with the black in the skirt. 

Once again I kept my accessories simple with a little black clutch and a new pair of shoes I found on the DSW clearance rack. These may be my favorite black heels ever. I love the retro vibe and they are so easy to get on, as well as incredibly comfortable. Win, win! These are Aerosoles brand. They still have these in a number of sizes here. 

Here are my two outfits side by side. 

Now what would I add to these four pieces to make it the perfect weekend wardrobe?

1. One other shirt like a tank top that could be worn with either the pants or skirt.

2. A pair of flip flops or more casual sneakers.

3. A jacket or sweater that would go with either the pants or skirt. I think my dark wash, distressed cropped jean jacket would be perfect. 

Add to those three things a swim suit, sunglasses and a good book to read and you'll have just what you need for a fun weekend away. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. As always, I love to hear from you. What is something you can't live without when you travel? Leave me some love in the comments. 

Have a great day and a perfect weekend!

Old Becomes New - Tiered Maxi Skirt

This Old Becomes New column was put together to help me reach for those things in my closet that I have had for a while. The goal is to come up with an outfit that feels fresh, and modern, then decide if it is a piece I want to keep. Today I pulled out this brown tiered maxi skirt.

The goal of this outfit was ease and comfort. This St. John's Bay skirt from JC Penney is made of a medium weight knit, much like a heavier tee. It has four tiers. Sometimes a tiered skirt can add bulk, making our bottoms look bigger and heavier, but this fabric drapes really well and almost gives the appearance of long pleats.

My 3/4 length sleeve top is Dana Buchman, from Kohl's  and is also older. What drew me to this silky tee were the spots and the neckline. I wish I would have straightened it out a bit for the pictures, but that's what I get for trying to rush. The neckline is a pleated v-neck and lays quite nicely, except for the big wrinkle in this pic! Ha, ha. The print is not really leopard and not really cheetah, but it has that same wild looking effect. 

This is an old bag that I got at a thrift store. I love the sheen, which makes it great for dressing up an outfit. I also love the simple muted taupe and silvery tan color. You really could use a purse like this with any outfit. The brand is Tignanello. Most of their products seem to be sold through QVC or Macy's and are made of leather. The price points are higher than I would pay for a purse, thus thrift stores are a great place to find quality name brand pieces at much more affordable prices. You just have to be vigilant and visit your thrift establishments on a regular basis. 

I've styled this pretty necklace on the blog before and always look for ways I can incorporate it into an outfit. I got this at H&M a number of years ago on the clearance rack and thought it was a unique and fun piece. 

Once again, I chose my peep toe, perforated sandals to complete the outfit. I am really finding these Sonoma brand shoes versatile and comfortable. I actually made the effort to paint my toes before we took pictures, so they could get some sun. Ha, ha. 

So what do you think? Do you like this type of skirt? I think a maxi skirt can be a versatile piece to wear in the summer. It gives you coverage, but also gives you a wealth of options for dressing up or dressing down. You could swap our the silky tee for a tank top and the heels for flip flops. You could also dress it up by throwing a cute black blazer or sweater over the top, then switching out the more casual sandals for a pair of black heels or black wedges. Add a cute sparkly clutch and your all ready for a date night. 

I'd love to hear your feedback, so leave me some comments below. 

I've included a few shopping links for you to peruse. These are affiliate links which means if you click on a link, I get a few cents and if you purchase a piece through one of these links, I get a small commission. All opinions are my own. 

Have a great weekend.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Spring Transition - Striped Jacket

This last outfit in my Spring Transition series features a striped jacket that I got from Christopher & Banks. This jacket was one of the first purchases I made from Christopher & Banks after I became familiar with the retailer. The material is a heavy weight cotton, almost like a denim or canvas. This jacket makes me think of an old time train conductor's suit or hat. Actually, I think I used to have a hat that looked very similar to this pattern. 

The jacket has long sleeves that can be rolled up and kept in place with a snap tab. It has a full zipper and a thick collar that can be stood up and kept in place with drawstrings. This makes the jacket a great piece for a cool summer evening outing as you can lengthen the sleeves and zip it up all the way, to keep yourself a bit cozier. 

i am not sure why these jeans are so wrinkly. These are ANA brand. A dark wash skinny ankle jean is a great piece to transition to the warmer weather. In fact, when the heat goes up, I just turn up a pair of pants like these to form a cuff and have a pair of crop pants. 

This red tee has 3/4 length sleeves and a lace up v-neck. The lacing makes for a fun added detail. I found this Chaps tee on the clearance rack at Kohl's. 

For shoes I chose my SO floral flats. Yes, I have three pairs of these fun and comfy shoes. They are great to wear with jeans, skirts and would probably be cute with shorts. Here is a link for the same flats, but in different colors. I have fairly narrow feet and they fit me perfectly. 

I chose my green Style & Co. bag, just because the shoes have a little bit of green in them. I added the blue fringe dangle to add a little bit of fun to an otherwise plain bag. 

To add a little bit of jewelry, I threw on a couple bracelets. 

This is a very casual outfit and you could easily put your own version of this together with your own jeans, tee, jacket and shoes. You could even use a pair of fun sneakers like Keds, Converse or Vans, if you don't like the ballerina flat option. If you like a little more color, you could use a hand bag that has a bright, fun pattern or a jacket with a floral pattern. This is easily an outfit that you can put together from things you already have in your closet. 

Let me know what you think. What would your version of this outfit include? I love hearing your thoughts.

This is a late post today. My hubby and I just got back from our vacation late last night and I spent most of the day trying to restock the fridge, unpack and, of course, I had to pick up my Grandson from school. It was his last day, so summer officially has begun.

I hope this post finds you well. Until next time, thanks for stopping by the blog. 

Outside the Box - Joggers as Pants

Since I started this column called Outside the Box, to force myself to try clothing pieces, trends and combinations I don't normally wear, I knew at some point I would have to try using a pair of joggings pants in an outfit. When I say that, I do not mean, an outfit that is meant for a walk at the park or going to your kid's soccer match. I wanted to create an outfit that would be a fun alternative for a date night to a nice restaurant or a show.

Jogging pants, to me, have only ever been meant to be worn as an active piece for jogging, walking, exercising or other activities of that nature like yoga or tai chi. Obviously that means that I do not own lots of jogging pants. I have a couple pairs from the bookstore where I work, and bought them to be worn when I exercise or feel the need to be extra comfy, usually only when I am sick. For me to wear a pair of joggers as part of an outfit is way outside my comfort box, but hear we go. 

Here is my outfit. I found these pinky purple velour joggers at Meijer on the clearance rack. This soft, pretty pair had a lovely sheen to them and I felt that made them perfect for a more dressy outfit. This was a size medium and I wish they would have had a large. They fit, albeit snuggly and I think next time, I will choose a tunic that covers my front to avoid the front crack. The joggers are a brand called Cupio.

My younger daughter had this gray lace Apt 9 top that she no longer wanted as it was a little big on her. I thought this would be a great topper for this look. Under the lace top I am wearing my blush Relativity tank top that has some bling on the front. The gray top also has a split back, which adds to the dressed up vibe of the outfit. 

I got this lovely colored bead necklace at JCPenney recently, on clearance of course, and I thought it would make a great statement piece for any number of outfits and will be a regular go to in the fall due to its berry, olive and teal colors. You can see a little bit of the bling on my tank top through the lace. 

Once again I grabbed my Comfort Plus gray heels. I also thought this Nicolle Miller bag pulled the whole look together. 

Here's the whole outfit again. 

What do you think? Does this outfit work? Would you wear joggers as pants? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below. I know it it hard to take the time to comment, but I really do appreciate when you do. It helps to know what my followers are thinking, as well as your interactions with my blog, help it to grow. Thank you!

I hope you have a great weekend and a wonderful Memorial Day!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. 

Spring Transition - Layering with a Vest

There are other ways to keep warm in the spring, besides adding jackets, although with our crazy weather, a light weight jacket is a perfect option. This week, however, I wanted to include a vest in the spring transition mix. Wearing a vest is a great way to add a layer, not only for warmth, but to add interest to an outfit. 

There are all sorts of vest options, ranging from heavy weight knits to lighter chiffon styles, as well as those that are more structured. Vests range in size from short to long, streamline to those with extra material made to cascade down the front. For today's post I am using a longer knit vest.

This long, brown knit vest is a piece I picked up at a thrift store. It is a brand called Fever. It has a belt, so can be belted for a different look. I usually wear it open, although, I think it would have worked just as well for this outfit if it had been closed and belted. I keep the belt attached and have one side tied to the belt loop to keep it from slipping out. Doing this keeps the belt with the vest and gives me the option of tying it, should I desire. 

These plaid ankle pants I have styled on the blog before. You can see that post here. I am a firm believer that as many pieces as possible, in my closet, should be able to be worn over and over as different outfits. Obviously a pair of pants is still a pair of pants, but one time it can be styled with a long knit vest and the next time with a chambray shirt. One time it can be worn with boots and the next time with sandals. Try to look at those pieces in your wardrobe as the beautifully versatile things they are, and start imagining all the many ways you can change them up to style whole new outfits. 

The royal blue, short sleeve embellished sweater is a favorite from Christopher and Banks. I like that I don't have to worry about jewelry, although in this case, I did add a simple bead on a leather strap. The bead has brown, gold, navy and bright blue flecks and really pulls the whole outfit together. 

I decided on my ivory Simply Vera Wang cross body bag for my purse choice. It is quality leather and simple enough to go with any outfit. For my shoes I went with my newer Sonoma perforated peep toe heeled sandals. 

Here is another shot of the whole outfit.

This is a great outfit for work, or even for a lunch date with the hubby or friends. What do you think of this outfit? Do you own a pair of plaid pants and you have been wondering how to wear them? Do you like to wear vests? I'd love to hear from you. I always appreciate the input and I always respond to your wonderful comments. I learn a lot from you all so keep up the feedback.

I've included a few shopping links below. Please feel free to click around and see what options are out there. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. 

Thanks for stopping by the blog. 

Have a great day. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. 

Ordinary Amy - Lace Hoodie

It is time for another Ordinary Amy post. When I started thinking about this column, I thought it would be fun to let you see a little bit more of who the regular, normal, Amy is. Sometimes, bloggers look as though they have it all together and life seems like a continuous stream of happy thoughts, great outfits, travel, meet ups and food. However, I am an actual woman and I live real life. I like clothes that are easy and comfortable, have always been a jeans sort of girl and don't usually take pictures of my food. If I had done so this morning, you would have seen a small bowl of dry Cheerios! Ha, ha. This virus, has my appetite a bit wonky as well. Oh well, this too shall pass!

I found this lace hoodie a while back at a thrift store and fell in love. After all, what is better than the comfort of zip up hoodie made with a soft lace fabric that makes it look elegant and classy. I've styled this lace hoodie on the blog before. Check out that original post here. 

When I was growing up my mom and a number of her sisters used to crochet doilies, and other lace decorative items like toppers for dressers and lovely table clothes. Maybe it was those pretty pieces that fueled my fascination with lace, but for some reason I have always loved lace. Maybe it is my inner romantic or my writer's mind that associates lace with epic tales of love, magic and danger. I have always liked the look of a wedding gown that has lace, at least in some form or other on it, as well as curtains or shears made with lace designs. While we have long associate lace with women's underwear and bridal veils, I like that lace is now taking front and center stage on the fashion scene as a functional, wearable clothing piece. 

You can see the all over lace design on this piece has a floral pattern. While lace can come in many patterns and be made today from many different materials, all of them have the quality of being woven or sewn in an open web-like fashion. That is part of what makes lace so beautiful. To me, lace is like art work for the body. Here is a Wikipedia article that gives a bit more information on the different ways of making lace and its early origins. 

For this look, I wore the jacket over my Greenery Merona popover blouse. Remember, Greenery was the Pantone 2017 color of the year. I like this green color as it is more of a true green rather than a yellow green or a blue green. I also wore my Rock & Republic jeans from Kohl's. 

This particular day from a number of weeks ago, we were just running some errands. I still like to try to look put together, so I threw on the silver and bead necklace and the green bracelet.

Since I was going for ultra casual I chose my SO ankle boots and my green velvet bag. Even though the weather is warming up, I think this pretty green bag with its blue flowers is perfect for spring. If I can wear lace as clothing, more than just underwear, then I can also carry a velvet bag all year round!

Do you have any lace pieces like that, that you love to wear? I'd love to hear your comments. 

I've included a few shopping links below to pretty lace items that would be perfect for spring or summer. Take time to click on a few. Each of your clicks earns me a few pennies. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. 

Have a great weekend!

Outfit Inspiration - LuLaRoe

Last August I was introduced to LuLaRoe by a friend of my daughters, who was a styling consultant with the retailer at the time. I purchased a few other pieces from her since then, and while she has moved on from the business to finish her nursing degree, I think the idea of a small business selling modest clothing for women and girls is a great idea. You can see my original post here, as well as this other post on a different piece, here. 

One of the other pieces I purchased was a dress. I was a bit hesitant to try the Julia dress (each style has its own name), because it has a more fitted silhouette. However, I'm trying to get outside my box (see my Thursday Outside the Box column) and be open to other styles and pieces that I haven't tried before. 

This lovely number has a blue colored background with aqua and white diamond shapes as well as white dots in the foreground. At first I wasn't sure how to style this, but once I pulled it on and felt how comfortable it was, I knew I wanted to evoke a casual, date night look. 

The LuLaRoe website describes the Julia in this way:

“The Julia dress is a form fitting, knee- length, knit dress with mid-length sleeves and a high neckline. Its simple silhouette makes the Julia dress a great canvas for layering and accessorizing. This dress is a staple for every season’s wardrobe. It is feminine, flattering, and you may not ever want to take it off.”

I think this perfectly defines this dress. I love the longer sleeves and it is so comfortable, I almost feel guilty wearing it, but not that guilty! Ha, ha.

I am wearing an extra large, because I prefer to not have a body con fit. You can see from the two photos below, the material, which is a mid-weight knit skims my hips, but clings in the right places. 

I went for my cropped slightly distressed denim jacket to wear as a topper. I think the jacket adds an extra dimension of interest and texture to the look and makes the outfit seem slightly edgier. 

Once again I reached for my textured blue clutch, which I felt paired well with the blue in the dress and the denim jacket. 

For jewelry I added a light yellow pendant necklace and a darker yellow bangle. 

While I could have went for a wedge sandal or a heel, I decided to keep the look casual with my blue SO flats. 

i was pleased with how this outfit turned out and I am excited to try a few other combinations with this dress. I think a chambray shirt tied at the front would look cute too or a cropped sweater or tee. I think there are many possibilities. 

Do you like this look? What do you think of this dress? Do you like to wear more form fitting dresses or do you like silhouettes that are more swingy and flowing? I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

I hope you all have a great weekend! 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Jo-Lynne of Jo-Lynne Shane, and Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots. 

Spring Transition - Bomber Jacket Outfit

Last week, I started a series on transitional outfits that take us from winter to spring to summer. Last week's post featured a red jacket worn with a graphic tee, bootcut jeans and peep toe sandals. You can see that post here.

What exactly makes an outfit transitional? An outfit becomes transitional when it crosses over one season to the next or when it takes you from a daytime work wear look, to a night time date look. Usually, an outfit that transitions will incorporate different layers and things that can be taken off or swapped out easily for a different look. 

For today's look I chose another outfit from a Chico's catalogue that inspired me. This look centers around a summery dress, worn like a tunic over leggings, topped by a bomber jacket. 

I've styled this Simply Vera dress before on the blog, when we went to Florida, last December. You can see that post here. I found this cute piece on the clearance rack at Kohl's a few season's back. Here, and here are few cute styles for this season. 

This black bomber I picked up somewhere and I don't remember where! Ha, ha. It is an off brand, but I'll provide a few shopping links for jackets, bags and shoes at the end. 

These black leggings became mine, when I shopped a friend's closet. They are super comfy and thick, but not too thick. I am more inclined to wear leggings at this transitional time, as they are warm, but not overly warm. 

I chose my purply blue agate pendant necklace. I received this as a gift and it is one of my favorite pendant necklaces to wear because of its unique color and shape. Here are some very pretty options from an Etsy seller. i might need to buy myself another one, or two!

For my bag I chose this beauty that I've featured before on the blog. I really love the color and the texture of this pretty clutch, that my younger daughter gave me. It also has a strap so I can wear it as a cross body bag. It goes perfectly with the bluish green in the dress. 

I'm loving these peep toe shoeties from Clarks. They are not only cute, but comfy and the zipper up the back makes them pretty easy to get on and off. 

Here's a look at the outfit without the jacket. If it gets too warm, just take the jacket off and you have a light weight sleeveless dress. If it got real warm, you could take the leggings off as well. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. Do you have any light weight summer dresses that you are dying to wear, but don't feel that it is quite warm enough yet. This is the perfect way to extend the wearability of those pretty summer styles and still be warm and comfy. 

Thanks for stopping by the blog. Leave me some love and don't forget to check out my Instagram and Pinterest pages. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen. 

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through my site, I get a small commission. All opinions are my own. 

Tuesday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb, Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. Thursday linking up with Jacqui of Mummabstylish.  Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style. 

Spring Transition - Red Jacket Outfit

Now that it is officially spring on the calendar and has been for over a month, and now that the temperatures are starting to feel like spring, I thought I would do a series of outfits that revolve around transitioning from winter to spring to summer. 

Here in Ohio, our temperatures can vary on any given day during the spring as much as 30 degrees. It can be 32 degrees when we head to work in the early morning and be 65 when we leave work in the afternoon. Spring dressing can often be a conundrum that is not easy to maneuver. That is why I love my layers. 

I cannot emphasize enough that layering can be, not only a way to keep warm when the temps are cool, but a way to add interest and pizzazz to any outfit. This first outfit in this series was inspired by a previous Chico's catalogue. 

The Chico's outfit included a red jacket, a graphic tee, jeans, and a chain belt. For my outfit I started with my Christopher and Banks quilted jacket. This is a perfect spring piece. It is not heavy, but has a certain amount of insulating value, so if it is cooler, it will still keep the wind out and the heat in. The jacket is fitted through the middle and has snaps for ease of closing and opening. Here is a red faux leather moto jacket from Off 5th, a cute zip up from H & M and a very similar one to mine from Kohl's.

My graphic tee, I picked up at Kohl's a few years ago. The symbols reminded me of our trip to England back in 2012. It was a wonderful trip and one to be long remembered. This one is Thakoon brand. Thakoon Pnichgul is originally from Thailand. You can read the Wikipedia article by clicking on his name. 

You can also see my chain link belt in the above picture. This one I found thrifting and has fake money hanging on it. Is this what they mean when they say "money belt"? Ha, ha. 

i got this cute choker at Nordstrom Rack a couple years ago. You can see a few other cute options here, here and here. 

I've styled these Rock & Republic boot cut jeans on the blog before. You can see that post here. These are figure and leg flattering, have some stretch and the dark wash is perfect for making an outfit have a little bit more of a dressed up feel. Here is a pair from Kohl's and they are currently on sale. 

This George satchel from Walmart keeps popping up here and there. Satchels are a great way to add structure to an outfit without actually having to wear something that is uncomfortably fitted. This bag is still available at Walmart.com and is only $19.00. While they don't have my neutral pattern they do have a floral one, that is perfect for spring and summer. Check that out here. There are lot's of pretty options from other brands, such as this Nanette Lepore version from Lord & Taylor, and this pretty pink and black floral from DSW. 

Let's not forget shoes. Once again I am styling these perforated peep toe sandals. You'll see these pop up on the blog through out the summer. One of the reasons I like these has to do with my varicose veins. We are often told to embrace our flaws, and show them off, rather than cover them up, but I am more about doing what makes me, and you, feel most confident. I do not like showing off my purply blue bulgy veins. I have chosen to wear support hose when I wear a skirt or a dress and wear shoes that cover more of my foot. Believe me, I love the look of a sexy, beautiful leg, but that is not what I have. However, I do have strong legs that still take me on walks and hikes and still are fairly healthy, even with the vein issues. 

These sandals still allow me to show off a pretty painted toe, but keep the more unsightly veins covered up. Plus they are pretty dang comfortable! I did have my toes painted, but they are such a light pinkish orange you can't tell from these pictures. Time to get out the dark pink polish!

These types of sandals are fairly popular and not too pricey. Here is a cute neutral wedge from Kohl's, a similar color to mine from Nordstrom, and a pretty dark blue pair from DSW. 

Here is a look at the tee without the jacket. 

I hope you enjoyed this outfit post. How do you make the transition from winter to spring and spring to summer? Do you like to wear layers? I'd love to hear your thoughts. If you ever want to show off your outfits, I'd love for you to post a pic on my Facebook page of an outfit I've shared that inspired you. The more the merrier. 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a shopping link I get a few pennies. If you purchase something through one of my links, I get a small commission. 

I've included a few links for fun graphic tees as well. Enjoy! 

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. Thursday linking up with Jacqui of mummabstylish and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge.