Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022 - New York Palette: Waterspout, Midnight and Loden Frost

Today’s Pantone Autumn/Winter colors include a bright blue, a dark blue and a light green. Waterspout is a bright aqua blue which seems an odd choice for an autumn palette, but the color gurus will do what they do, and actually it is rather nice to have a few brighter, lighter choices as the days get shorter and the skies begin to gray. Midnight is not really like the midnight blue crayon we all had in our big boxes of Crayolas growing up, but perhaps more like the night sky just after the sun sets, but before the stars start to come out. Loden Frost is a sage green with a little bit of depth and richness.

So far in this series, I think this is my favorite outfit. I like the combination of blues and greens and thought it was an appropriate look for a warm fall day.

I’ve styled this thrifted dress before on the blog. I have had it for years and it is getting a little snug since all my weight has done its post menopausal thing and moved to my mid section. Ha, ha. But that is the beauty of layering. You don’t notice it as much. This is a brand called Oliva Rose, however, there are numerous brands out there with that name, so I have no idea where it originated.

I found this Maurice’s brand sweater at a thrift store. I really like Maurice’s, but I try to stay out of that store. They have so many cute things every season. I like their tees, tops and jeans, but I wait for good sales and coupons, because things cost more now than ever. I am also really trying to curb my buying all around.

My sea turtle scarf is from the dollar store. Back when my oldest was pregnant and we were putting together the shower the theme was Sea creatures. I found a few cute scarves for game give aways and this was a left over. My necklace was a product of two different thrifted pieces that ended up breaking, so I put them together.

My olive Fossil hobo bag is also thrifted. It is another work horse in my closet and is continually in and out of rotation. Fossil brand is a good quality brand and while I never buy them full price, I do love when I can find one on clearance or at a thrift store. This one is a great utility bag with multiple pockets and compartments for everything you need.

I found these navy boots last year online at Kohl’s. They are Journee brand. I am not too adventurous when it comes to my boot colors. I like browns, black, and gray, but I thought it would be nice to have a navy pair, specifically of knee high boots, for a different vibe. Do you like your boots to be a more basic color, or do you like a bright, bold look for your feet?

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know what you think of these colors. I am including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. When you click on a link, I get a few pennies. When you purchase the item through the provided link, I get a little bit more. I appreciate all you clicks. All opinions are my own.

I hope you are having a great week.

Fall Trends 2022 - My Take: Outfit 3

For today’s look I am combining the Fall 2022 trends of a fitted vest, feminine sheer top, floor length maxi skirt, and western style boot into a trendy boho style outfit. Let me know what you think at the end and whether you think I pulled it off.

When I first started putting this outfit together I originally had a black pleated type skirt, but I got to thinking I wanted something that gave the look a more boho vibe, and there is nothing like a tiered skirt and a fringe bag to add that element. This brown skirt, has been in my closet for a while. You can see how I styled it before with a dot print shirt. It is St. John’s Bay brand and I got it from JCPenney.

I’ve styled this Manteau gold dot blouse from Macy’s on the blog before. You can see it styled with jeans, and with a leopard print blazer. Sheer is in, and while I appreciate a pretty sheer blouse with the appropriate coverage underneath, I do not feel the sheer outfits I have seen on the runways and the celebrity news photos are justified, practical or modest. Ladies, please show a little respect for yourself and leave something to the imagination.

My Cabin Creek vest was thrifted and it really is too big. However, once in a while a piece is just worth the problems. How could a book nerd, writer like myself say no to this fun piece? I am going to try to make some adjustments to it, so it fits a little better.

This fun Mossimo fringe bucket bag has made multiple appearances on the blog. Here it is with a navy blazer and jeans, an olive utility vest and pink sweater, a burgundy dress. a burgundy pleated skirt, a grey city scape cardigan, and a floral pleated skirt.

These thrifted boots are not truly Western gear, but they have just a little bit of that vibe and apparently Western is also trending this fall. These lovely leather boots were made in Brazil and are a brand called Nurture. Apparently this brand is no longer viable, but you can find the brand second hand on Ebay, and on Poshmark.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like longer maxi skirts? Do you like button down vests? I love hearing your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two.

I’m including a few shopping links for you. These particular styles might be better found in thrift stores or shops like Poshmark, Ebay or Facebook Marketplace. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great week.

Dreamy Dresses from Closet52: Floral Print Maxi Dress

Today I am featuring the last of the three dresses gifted to me by Closet52. This company based in New York City is a dress boutique featuring various styles for casual, work and special occasions, all at fairly reasonable prices. I have found the quality, drape and material of all the dresses I received very good. The fabrics are thick enough to hang well and provide full coverage without the need of a slip. There might be certain ones where a slip would be essential, but it appears that most of the more sheer fabrics have full slip liners under both the top and the skirt.

Today’s dress is the Floral Print Maxi Dress. This one is currently on sale, so if you are interested now would be the time to make a purchase. I do not receive any additional compensation if you buy, but I am pleased with all three of the pieces I received and I think you will be too.

I decided to keep the look casual for this piece, but I think this would be a great wedding guest dress. Glam it up with heels and a sparkly bag and your all set. This dress has a halter style top with a a gathered neckline that ties in back at the neck. I slipped my arms out of my bra so you could see it without my straps showing. I think this would also look cute with a tee shirt underneath.

The long pleated skirt is gathered at the top with an elastic waistline. I felt the elastic looked a little wonky when it was hanging on the hanger, but once I put it on it looked fine. I added a belt just for a little extra pop of pink.

With the close up of the pattern you can see the pretty flowers with a bit of gray and a very light pink in the center. All my accessories except my sneakers are thrifted.

I thought the floral embroidered jean jacket went well with the dress, even though the flowers are shaped differently, there is enough similarity to give it a cohesive feel.

Adding my white Steve Madden sneakers completes the casual look of the outfit.

I can see styling this dress in a few different ways like adding a pullover sweater and boots for the cooler weather, or a long cardigan and some loafers for a dressed down office look. When you shop for a dress, be sure to think outside the box for other ways to style it.

What do you think of this dress? Have you stopped by Closet52 to check out their selection? What did you think? I always love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two. I appreciate all your support, especially over the last year as I have been trying to get back into a more normal rhythm for the blog.

Have a great week everyone!

Photo credit Jessica Trumbull with Rebecca Trumbull Photography.

Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 - NY Palette: Spun Sugar, Coca Mocha, and Perfectly Pale

Today’s Pantone colors are a blend of earthy and pastels. Spun Sugar is a light, airy blue reminiscent of hazy summer skies. Coca Mocha makes me think of a double scoop of chocolate ice cream and Perfectly Pale is the perfect summer alternative to basic white. See the actual Pantone colors here.

I think these colors are a great pairing for spring and summer. We often think of brown as a fall color, just like we think of white as only a summer color. Well, girlfriends, we definitely needing to change our thinking about color, as in all colors work at any time of year. I will forever love my darker browns, oranges, yellows and burgundies in the fall, but that doesn’t mean I won’t occasionally put them on in the heat of summer. God made color and color is good, all year round.

My Sugar Spun tee is a Sonoma piece. I don’t know that I consider myself wild, but I definitely am glad I live in a free country. That is something I never want to take for granted. I am thankful for all who have fought for so many years to keep our country the free nation it is. I have come to have a deep affection for graphic tees, especially those with words on them.

This outfit is all me. The colors work for me and the pieces are all thrift finds except the necklace, bag and sneakers. The Coca Mocha velvet blazer is a brand called SSA, and is definitely showing wear. I need to do some stitching around the cuffs as it has been wanting to come apart. But overall, I think the blazer still has some wear left in it. This is not something I would normally gravitate towards in the summer, but with our weather being so wacky, I think I will keep this available.

Style Tip: Don’t put your blazers away for spring and summer. Think of them as light weight jackets that you can throw on with cropped pants, capris and even shorts. They make any casual outfit look classy and put together.

My pants are Gloria Vanderbilt and a newer thrift purchase. I knew I wanted a few other lighter weight and lighter colored pants for spring, so this utility pair does the trick.

Style Tip: If pure white is not your bag, find light colored bottoms for summer in pale creams, tans and yellows. You’ll get a similar effect to wearing white and won’t have to worry as much about your colored underwear showing through.

Summer for me means less in the accessory department. I can’t wear most scarves as I get too hot and many of my jewelry pieces make me break out in the warmer weather. These warm months are where I turn to pieces with hippie vibes that use cording, or heavyweight string for pendants and bracelets. I am thinking about taking a few of my hubby’s metal detecting finds and turning them into jewelry, so I guess this would be the time.

My daisy necklace was a Christmas gift from my husband. I like the little quirk it has, because that’s me, just a little quirky. Ha. ha. I am also showing off my round Nine West snakeskin print bag, that I got a few seasons ago from Kohl’s on clearance. Last, but not least, I had to use my bright blue Converse again, since they went along with the Spun Sugar color.

What do you think of these colors? Do you like the colors together, or would you put them with other colors? I love hearing your thoughts and ideas. You inspire me too!

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

Have a great day!

Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 - NY Palette: Gossamer Pink, Skydiver and Poppy Seed

Hi everyone. It is time for another set of colors from the Pantone Spring/Summer New York Palette. These colors include the pastel Gossamer Pink, the pretty, bright, Skydiver blue, and a charcoal gray called Poppy Seed. I was glad to see a darker gray on the Classic color palette, as that has always appealed to me more than the lighter gray. These are my choices from my closet for each of these colors. To see the actual Pantone New York palette colors, click here.

My blue cardigan is not a perfect match for the Pantone color, but I try to give you ideas for outfits with interesting color combinations, not do a paint by number. I love this light Gossamer Pink with the bright contrast of the Skydiver blue. This would have been another pretty combo for Easter, but any spring activity where you have to dress up a little would welcome these colors. This would be perfect office attire as well.

I have had this Christopher and Banks cardi for a few years. It is a lighter weight sweater that is perfect for the spring, or for summer when you need a little something in the air conditioning. They don’t seem to be carrying this same type of sweater, but you can always check here at Kohl’s for a few solids and prints on a basic button down cardigan.

My pink blouse is Elle brand, and was a clearance purchase from Kohl’s a few seasons ago. It is a sheer material with little sparkles throughout, which are not visible in the picture. It has 3/4 sleeves and ties to make a bow. I also added this pretty spring scarf that one of my daughters gave me a few years ago.

My Poppy Seed gray plaid trousers have been around forever. They are Style & Co. brand. I know Macy’s and a few other retailers sell Style & Co. brand, but I honestly can’t remember if I got these at Macy’s or if I thrifted them. Macy’s isn’t a retailer I have typically frequented, but I have gone a few times with my bestie and might have bought these on one of those trips.

My black belt was a recent thrift find.

My shoes are my Aerosoles black heeled pumps. I like the lower more stocky heel in my older years. My feet are not used to wearing heels at all anymore, so when I do they have to be ultra comfortable. Aerosoles fit the bill in that regard. Check out their website for great looking shoes at reasonable prices.

My bag is a thrifted NY & Co. and can be a tote or fold it over for a smaller clutch option.

Do you have these colors in your closet? How would you were these, with each other, or with other colors? What is your favorite spring color combination? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave a comment or two below.

I’m including a few shopping links below. These are affiliate links, which means I get a little money when you click on a link. These are brought to you at no cost and I appreciate all the clicks. All opinions are my own.

Have a super week everyone!

Pantone Spring/Summer 2022: Glacier Lake, Daffodil and Snow White

Welcome to the New York Palette of the Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 colors. Pantone has changed the way it allows usage of products, so images are no longer free. Now you have to have a subscription to use the color swatches via the internet, so I have had to get creative in putting together my graphics. I am also not using my daughter’s photography services now, as she is very busy with her business and her baby. I am definitely creating new pathways in my brain, but that is good.

If you want to see the actual Pantone colors click on the following link: Spring/Summer 2022 - New York Palette. I try to get my colors as close to the palette colors as possible, but they are not exact. I appreciate the Pantone Institute’s use of color and always enjoy seeing what the colors are for each season.

For today’s outfit, I thought the mix of yellow, blue and white perfect for spring and even for the upcoming Easter holidays. This color combo makes me think of the sunny flowers the color is named for, and the many blues of summer including skies, lakes and denim. White is always classic, not only for summer, but every season.

My Glacier Lake vest is a Christopher and Banks piece that I found at a thrift store. It has the utility look with the larger, square pockets, encased drawstring and metal buttons. I love using my utility vests in the spring and fall.

Style Tip: If you want an extra layer but don’t want all the bulk choose a light weight vest. A utility vest or a dressier suit vest will provide extra warmth, but won’t add the bulk of a quilted, or sherpa type piece.

My bright, yellow cable knit pullover is St. John’s Bay piece. I honestly can’t remember if I bought it at JCPenney or if I got it thrifting. Ha, ha. My white Gloria Vanderbilt jeans I have had for a number of years now. They are just the right weight and thickness for no-show issues, and can be dressed up or down.

My floral scarf is a piece I recently thrifted. I love scarves. I think they add so much to an outfit.

Style Tip: When styling an outfit with two or three solid colors, add a printed scarf for additional color and interest.

You’ve seen my Merona thrifted bag a few times now on the blog. I thought it was a good choice for this springy look. I also opted to wear my Steve Madden platform sneakers. When it comes to platforms, these are very low, which I like. I really don’t like all the extra bulk of a thicker platform or a really thick lug sole on boots.

What do you think of these colors? Would you wear them together? Do you have these colors in your closet? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two. I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links, which means I get a small commission when you click on a link. All opinions are my own.

Have a great week everyone!

Fashion Fun: One Blazer Three Ways

Everyone should own at least one or two good blazers. What I consider a good blazer is a piece that fits well, is made well and doesn’t show wear after only a few years. I have my own stockpile of blazers, because they are timeless. I do have wool based blazers that I only wear in the fall, winter and spring because they are the perfect classy layer to keep me warm. I also have a few that serve me well in the warmer months in overly air conditioned restaurants and theaters. Today, I want to show you a thrifted piece that I recently found.

I have been looking for a tan colored blazer for a few months. I didn’t care if it was tan, or beige, or camel, I just wanted something in that color family. I now have two. The one I will show you today being the first one I found. Last week I found a darker one at the dollar thrift store in the town south of us. How could I possibly pass up a beautiful blazer that fit me well and made me look like a girl straight out of Pinterest, for only a dollar? I couldn’t! Ha, ha. Do I need two tan blazers? No, and eventually, I will probably get rid of one, but for now I have two.

Outfit 1 - Casual with Jeans

This piece is a brand called Collections for Le Suit and I got it at Goodwill when my husband took me out for my birthday back in January. Looking at it in these pictures shows me that it is a little big. I lost a few pounds when I was sick and have not gained it back. Not being able to taste anything helps with that. Ha, ha. However, it will be nice to wear with bulkier sweaters and sweatshirts in the cold months.

My Apt. 9 jeans are also thrifted, though from a few years ago. I like the darker wash and bootcut of this pair. I have found most of my favorite jeans at thrift stores. It is a great place to find and try brands you haven’t heard of or can’t afford at regular retail prices. My patterned turtleneck is a thrifted brand called Investments Essentials. The funky pattern is what drew me to it.

To complete the look I added a beaded layered necklace, my Very Peri thrifted Merona bag and my old Sonoma heeled ankle boots from Kohl’s.

Outfit 2 - Workwear with Plaid Trousers

These plaid trousers are another dollar thrift find. I didn’t even try them on, figuring for only a buck, I could just donate them if them didn’t fit. What drew me to them were the light blue stripes. These are Mossimo brand.

I decided to pair them with my light blue Sonoma shirt. I got this from Kohl’s a number of years ago. A good chambray shirt, whether a light wash or a dark wash, is always in style and can be worn with so many things.

I finished off the look with silver accessories, and my blue Converse sneakers.

Outfit 3 - Dressy with a Polka Dot Skirt

I found this fabulous black and white polka dot skirt at the same dollar thrift store where I got the pants. How could I resist this classy, flowy piece, especially when black and white is trending for spring. It is a brand called Urban Coco. It has a white elastic band waist making it very comfortable. It also has a partial lining which hits just above the knees. I hope to see this one get some wear this summer.

White tees are all the rage for pairing with blazers, so I thought why not bring that into play here. My simple white tee is a Time and Tru piece from Walmart. This brand has definitely given Walmart a place in the fashion world, and they seem to be affordable pieces meant for real life wear.

For the rest of my look I kept it simple by adding a thrifted pendant necklace, a blag sparkly clutch and my Clark’s open toed shoeties.

If a girl’s got a twirly skirt, the girl’s got to twirl!

Here are the three looks side by side.

Which outfit do you like the best? Do you have a blazer this color? How do you like to wear it? Leave me some love in the comments. I really appreciate it. I am including a few shopping links for items similar to pieces in these outfits. Feel free to look them over. These are affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Fashion Fun: Men's Oversized Button Down

When it comes to thrifting for fashion, I like to think outside the box. I always peruse all the sizes, because so often size is relative. What I mean by that is, it is relative to the brand. A size 12 in one brand might fit you perfectly, but a size 12 in another brand, might be too big or too small. I honestly believe sizing is different than it used to be. If you shop vintage clothing, at all, you will see that most of the pieces are relatively small. Women tended towards being smaller in the waist, hips, and shoulders than we are now. Not sure why, but it does seem to be the case.

I have also started looking in the men’s section of thrift stores for fun pieces like tees and printed button downs. I like the roomier cut of a men’s medium or even large shirt and they often have textures, prints and fabrics that are different than those on the women’s racks. Today, I am going to show you three different outfits using three men’s button downs that I purchased while thrifting.

Outfit 1 - Men’s Button Down as a Tunic

When I saw this paisley madness, I knew I had to have it. This is Visconti brand. If you type the name be sure to type in Visconti clothing. and you’ll see they have them at Dillards. They also have their own website, but I am not here to encourage you to buy a new shirt. This to encourage you to look at the men’s racks if you thrift, or even if you shop clearance. I absolutely love the colors in this piece and it is easily worn all year round as a top or as a “shacket”.

I topped this look with a thrifted, black Nadia brand, corduroy vest. I added my Simply Vera, Vera Wang skinny jeans and my black knee high boots. The black embroidery on these jeans are what sold me. The abstract floral print goes with so many other pieces.

I didn’t really need to add any jewelry since the print is so busy, but I thought it would be fun to add this piece that has a variety of colors and textures. It blends in, yet also stands on its own.

Outfit 2 - Men’s Button Down as a Work Wear Top

This shirt is Izod brand. This year’s Pantone Color of the Year is called Very Peri. I think it is a very pretty color reminiscent of the Periwinkle flowers, which can come in blue, purple or white. I thought this checked shirt fit the color well. One thing I have to do with most of the men’s shirts I purchase is roll up the sleeves, but rolling up the width of the cuff is just the right amount, so you can hardly tell.

My denim pencil skirt is also thrifted and Gloria Vanderbilt brand. I like the length of this and if I still had a reason to wear a skirt would definitely be wearing this often. I added the navy hose to cover my veiny legs and thought the black, thrifted Nine West loafers gave it a work wear look. I also added the denim blue cloth belt and the dark purple agate pendant necklace. My thrifted, Merona bag, also brings in that Very Peri vibe.

Outfit 3 - Men’s Button Down as a Shacket

I’ve had this thrifted, Ruff Hewn corduroy button down for a few years now. I love the color and typically think of it as a fall piece. It is soft, warm and roomy, so a perfect piece for wearing over lightweight sweaters, sweatshirts or long sleeve tees.

I wanted this outfit to have more of a spring vibe, so I went with my Sonoma floral joggers, and a thrifted light pink Express short sleeve tee. I opted for metallic accessories including my silver Sketcher sneakers, pewter hand-me-over bag, and my silver and copper necklace.

Here are the three outfits side by side.

I hope you enjoyed this look at how to style a men’s oversized button down. It is fun to explore other options in your fashion wardrobe, and you never know when something you try will become your new favorite style. Which outfit was your favorite? Do you wear men’s clothing? How do you like to style a men’s or women’s oversized shirt? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by the blog. I have provided a few shopping links for your enjoyment. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

What's Trending for Spring 2022?

Even though I don’t follow trends closely, I still like to do a post for you about what the fashion gurus are saying is trending for the upcoming season. I typically look at websites known for their fashion panache such as: Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and a variety of others. You certainly can do a search under Spring Trends 2022 and you’ll get a list of websites to visit. Just understand these are fashion websites, not sites for real women like you and I. We can go to these and find inspiration, but don’t buy into the craziness that they often call fashion. It is not only impractical, but often times extremely immodest.

With that being said, there are always a few trends I like, and that I am willing to spend time thinking about how to work them into my daily wardrobe. This spring it was tough. To me it seems that fashion, in keeping with the rest of the world, is just getting crazier and more out there. It is definitely getting further and further away from what I think is appropriate for women to wear. If you have followed me for a while, you know I can be quite earthy and real, but I am also a girl who highly values modesty and self-dignity. I will save my deeper thoughts on the subject for a different day.

Here are a few of the trends I found interesting for Spring/Summer 2022:

Gingham

I love that this simple check pattern is back. It is a wonderful print for spring and summer, reminiscent of picnics and warm days at the beach.

Style Tip:

Add a gingham blouse under a pullover, cardigan or vest for a smaller touch of this pretty print.

Crochet

Crochet is something I look for when I thrift. I personally probably wouldn’t wear a crocheted dress or tank top, but I like the top with the crochet trim. Crochet can be a beautiful addition to an outfit in the form of a sweater, shawl, handbag, or trim on a top, skirt or dress.

Style Tip:

For summer, look for open weave crocheted pieces to keep you from getting too warm. If buying a crocheted handbag, look for ones that are fully lined to keep small things like pens and change from slipping through the weave.

Everything White

Once again, white is trending for the warmer weather. Wearing all white is where it’s at, but of course, don’t let that stop you from just wearing a little white here or there. I really liked this idea for the creamy winter whites, so now I need to try it with the brighter whites for spring and summer.

Style Tip

Not everyone likes to wear white near their face, so try adding a printed scarf or a bright pink or red lipstick for a colorful touch.

Black and White

There is just something so classic and chic about the combination of black and white. You all know I am a color girl, but I really like this trend and there are lots of cute styles out there. I already have numerous black and white striped sweaters and tees and I am sure a few other things as well.

Style Tip:

Be sure to shop your closet for trends. It is most likely these have been around before. Otherwise, build the trend yourself by combining black and white pieces. Wear a black skirt with a white tee, or a black cardigan with white pants.

Metallics

I love things that bling, so metallics are always on my radar. This is the type of thing you can do a little or a lot of and it still looks fabulous. Type metallic tops, shoes, bags, jackets and so on in your search bar and you will get all sorts of pieces. Metallics are a great way to take an outfit from okay to spectacular, just by adding a simple bag, pair of shoes or a top.

Style Tip:

Wear a gold or silver metallic blouse with black or navy pieces and you’ll easily get an outfit that can take you from the office to a night out.

Colorful Bags

Who doesn’t love a bright colorful bag for the warmer weather? Purses are one thing I have too many of, so I will be digging through my pile to find my brightest ones for this spring/summer season.

Style Tip:

Try styling a neutral outfit of tans, creams or blush with a bright bag and jewelry. You will look beautiful and confident with just a pop of color.

There are many other spring trends and I will be talking about a few of the others over the next few weeks. I hope you enjoyed this post. Feel free to shop the samples I gave. I try to include pieces that I think are fun and interesting as well as try to keep the price points below $100. These are affiliate links, which means every time you click I get a few pennies. I appreciate each and every click. All opinions are my own.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Updating Your Wardrobe: Part 2 - Old Becoming New

I thought I would take another week to look at ways we can update our wardrobe using older style pieces by showing you my own rendering of a couple of outfits with a recent thrift purchase I made. This two piece set is from Blair. I don’t know about you, but I have often felt that mail order retailers like Blair are old school and really gear their products to women, who like the simplicity of shopping via mail and buying products that are easily mix and match and easy to take care of. Don’t get me wrong, they do have many lovely pieces, like this Fair Isle sweater, this spring jacket, and these cute Skechers sneakers.

What I am going to attempt to show you is how you can use this two piece set three different ways for looks that are up to date and appropriate for work, date night or church.

I think the pattern and the colors of this set are lovely. It can be worn all year round, but will be especially pretty in the spring and the fall. The under piece is short sleeve and the over piece is sheer.

Look 1 - Casual

The first way I wanted to style it was casual, since that is pretty much all I wear right now. I decided to wear both pieces together, and added a heavier sweater coat that I recently thrifted as a warm layering piece. I love the winter white of this sweater and the textured waffle weave. It has two silver clasps in the front, but I wore it open so the two piece set could be shown off. I added my old olive combat boots, an olive belt and a dark olive bag. I did the front tuck to show off the belt. This is a great casual look and I would definitely wear it for a date night with my hubby.

Look 2 - Church

Obviously, this look doesn’t just have to be for church. You could also wear it to work or on a fun day out with your girlfriends. In this look I got rid of the sheer overlay piece and used a Kohl’s moto jacket I purchased last year. The jacket is rather heavy, so would definitely be better as an outerwear piece rather than just a layering piece. Often, I will use jackets as layering pieces in the winter, but this one will be better as a spring or fall jacket when the temps are cool, but not freezing.

The skirt is another thrift find. I like the buckskin look of this piece, and thought it could be styled with lots of other colors. The skirt actually could be hemmed up, if you prefer at the knee or above the knee. With these tall brown boots, which were a hand me over from my older daughter, I almost think having the skirt above the knee would look a little better. I added a gray thrifted bag as a point of contrast.

Look 3 - Work

For this last look, I got rid of the short sleeved under piece and donned the long sleeved over piece. I do have a cami on, so I could have worn it like that, but I wanted to add another layer for the cold and more texture. I switched to corduroy winter white pants, heeled suede ankle boots and added another layering piece that could be removed if I got too warm. The office I used to work in was cold in the winter months, so layering was essential. The dark olive jacket is thrifted and is probably a dress. The vest was a Christmas gift two years ago. I went for my dark brown, thrifted corduroy bag as a final touch.

There are so many options when it comes to your clothing. Your closet is a space with unlimited possibilities. Don’t worry about what the media says about what women should or shouldn’t wear at this or that age. Wear what you like, just figure out how to wear it to make yourself feel your best and most confident.

Thanks to everyone who follows along with my blog. I really appreciate it. I hope to bring you more fun content in the weeks and months ahead. If you like to read my Faith posts, be sure to check back Thursday for a new post on what I am learning about the word rejoice! Until then, I hope you are having a great week.

I am including a few shopping links for you to peruse. These are affiliate links, which means I earn a few cents every time you click on a link. I don’t receive compensation for what I do on the blog. I do it for myself, because it stretches my creative boundaries, and I do it for you, because I want to encourage and inspire you.

Pantone - Autumn/Winter - 2021 - London Palette: Green Bee, Downtown Brown, and Olive Branch

Hi everyone! November is zooming along and I am still trying to get back into some sort of rhythm, not only here on the blog, but in life. Anyone who suffers from a long term illness can relate to what I am talking about. Not being able to sleep for such a long period of time and still dealing with unresolved symptoms make it hard to get back to what I would say is a normal routine. However, I know there are people who are struggling with much worse situations and I am thankful that I am able to do as much as I can. In fact, this past weekend, we were able to travel to celebrate my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday with her, so that was good.

Unfortunately, there has also been other difficult things along the way. My son-in-law lost his grandfather this past week and I know that has been a great loss for the whole family. He was a dear man, a wonderful painter and loved his family, so he will be missed. As many of you can relate, it seems as we get older, we see loss happening around us at a more frequent pace. This too is part of life, and for me knowing God is holding me and my loved ones during these times, makes it a little less painful.

Now on to another outfit. As I said last week, while I am wildly behind, I decided to go ahead and show you these Pantone London Palette outfits as possible sources of inspiration for Thanksgiving Day wear. Many of you will be celebrating with friends or family and it is a good reason, to get out of those sweat pants and dress up a little bit, if just for your own mental well being.

You can’t go wrong with a pair of trousers, a pretty top and a fun scarf and bag. Obviously, you can pick your colors, but I chose to combine these earthy tones for a look that is a mix of military meets, moto chic.

My Downtown Brown moto jacket is a thrifted piece that I have styled on the blog before. It is a brand called Celebrity Works. I do like this medium milk chocolate brown. Browns can be tricky to wear, especially when they contain a little too much gray or a little more red, or well, you get the idea. A true brown is hard to find, but I think this brown hits the mark, so thank you Pantone for that one.

You’ve seen my Olive Branch pants numerous times on the blog as well. As I look at them in these pictures, I am thinking I might need to find a replacement pair. These are starting to look worn and really don’t look very flattering. Of course that may have had something to do with my chubby thighs. Ha, ha. These were Gloria Vanderbilt brand and I probably got them at Kohl’s.

For the Green Bee color I chose a thrifted Studio Works popover top that I did the front tuck on, which gave it the blouson effect. I also added the Green Bee paisley print scarf. The thought to add the Dana Buchman floral bag was a last minute addition, but I like how it pulled everything together. A fun floral bag is a great addition to your wardrobe, especially when it can serve multiple season duty. This one works just as well in spring, summer and fall.

I chose my trusty Olive Branch SO ankle boots for my shoes. My ankle boots definitely get used in these cooler fall temps.

What do you think of these colors? Would you wear an outfit like this to your Thanksgiving celebration? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments below.

I am including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links and are brought to you at no extra cost. If you click on a link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through one of my links I get a few more pennies. I appreciate every penny! All opinions are my own. Please note, I am not familiar with all of the retailers I list in my links, so be sure to read and understand their return policies in case something doesn’t fit or isn’t to your liking.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post. Until next time, have a great day.

Photo credit Jessica Trumbull with Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone - Autumn/Winter - 2021 - New York Palette: Pale Rosette, Root Beer and Olive Branch

I want to start off with an apology for my lack of consistency with the blog lately. It has been a rough couple of months and I just haven’t had the motivation to post as regularly. It seems every time I want to make more of an effort at getting more disciplined or being more consistent, I get blindsided by something. At the beginning of the summer it was a broken wrist. Mid summer, I came down with this stuff, that still has me coughing. I just have no idea if I will ever be back to “normal”, whatever that was.

There have been some good bits along the way as well. Early summer we were able to take my in-laws on a nice trip up through the Upper Peninsula, down through Michigan and back to our place where they enjoyed visiting family for a few days. I also got to see my mom, two different weeks and spend time with her. That also afforded me the opportunity to see my best girlfriend, and do some thrifting. On September 19th, our second grandson arrived. He is a doll and I am enjoying opportunities here and there to see him, even if I do have to wear a mask. He’s been born into a world of half blue faces, but that is okay, if we can give him a healthier start. He, my daughter and son-in-law are doing well.

Today’s outfit revolve around three colors on the Pantone New York Palette that I thought combined well into a work wear ready fall outfit.

I am still trying to get used to seeing pastels during the fall season. This year, they were quite popular and besides this pale pink, also included a pretty lavender. I guess, we like what we like right, so pastels for me might be more of a spring and summer color scheme, while rusts, browns and burgundies are the colors I reach for in the fall. While we still live in a free country, you are in control of what colors you wear when. Ha, ha.

The Pale Rosette, 3/4 length tee is a thrifted piece, and a brand called Suzanne Betro. It is actually a longer tunic, but I just tucked it in for this outfit. I love the detailing at the bodice.

You’ve seen my Olive Branch utility vest on the blog before when I did my series on olive pieces. This vest isn’t quite the right shade. Who would have thought there are so many shades of olive? Another clearance find from Kohl’s, I don’t have a ton of Mudd pieces as it typically has more of a junior’s fit, but the few that I have, I really like.

You’ve also seen these brown trousers when I talked about wide leg pants back in the spring. I am not a big fan. I have enough bulk on my bottom. However, I will hang on to this pair, as I like the color, and occasionally it is nice to have a different option when it comes to pants. These were thrifted and are St. John’s Bay brand.

I added the multi-print scarf to add an extra dimension of color and interest to the outfit. I like how it ties the whole look together.

You can also see the fun necklace I scored while thrifting at the local shop around the corner. I have found some great jewelry there. I goes perfectly with the pants.

Even though this little thrifted, Rosetti bag screams summer, I thought it was a great way to keep this outfit looking modern and updated, yet still in tune with the fall vibes.

My SO snakeskin print boots were a clearance purchase from Kohl’s last season. I haven’t really had the opportunity to wear them very much, so hopefully this season they will be out and about.

What do you think of these colors? Do you like them combined? Do you like them each separately?

I’d love to hear your thought, so leave me some love in the comments.

As I usually do, I am adding a few shopping links in things similar to these colors. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Thanks for following along on the blog. I hope you are having a great week.

Photo credit Jessica Trumbull with Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone - Autumn/Winter - 2021 - New York Palette: Fuchsia Fedora, Leprechaun, and Coconut Cream

The colors I am showing you today were ones that surprised me a bit for a fall palette. The bright Fuchsia Fedora is not a color that I have very many pieces in, thus why I used it more as an accessory color. Leprechaun was also a different choice. I was thinking there would be a darker, more forest green color, but this bright, cheeky color is what appeared on the palette. However, that is one of the reasons I like doing this color series. It forces me to think outside the box.

Even though I wasn’t particularly fond of these colors for fall, I actually liked the way this outfit turned out. Even though the light jacket looks nothing like Coconut Cream, these colors and their combinations are just guidelines for us. Not rules…and just for fun….

I loved The Pirates of the Caribbean movie, and that whole idea of rules versus guidelines was amusing as it kept coming up in the movie and was used according who benefited the most. I guess we could take a lesson from that when we look at our closets. The combinations you put together are for your benefit. You get to decide what you like and what you don’t. You make the choice of what colors or prints to put together, and whether you want to buy into the trends or not. I think we can safely say those fashion “rules”, are really more like “guidelines.” My job as a fashion blogger is to give you ideas of how to make these combinations and hopefully inspire you to think outside your own boxes.

My LuLaRoe skirt was the perfect choice to build this outfit around. I actually had the thrifted striped tee already pulled out as a match for Leprechaun, and as I started figuring out which colors and pieces to put together, I remembered this skirt. I always have a little celebration party when pieces come together. When I try things on I do a little dance in front of the mirror and say, “This is it!” Ha, ha. The stripes in the tee are actually navy, but with the two prints taking center stage, you can’t really tell the colors are different.

My cream jacket by Sanctuary is a thrifted piece you have seen before on the blog. You can see it with a leopard print skirt and with my bright blue pants. It is actually more of a canvas than a denim, but it works much the same as a denim jacket providing light weight coverage for cooler weather and adding a casual touch to a dressier outfit.

You can see my Fuchsia Fedora necklace and bracelets. I think I have jewelry in just about every color under the sun, but you know, a girl can never have too many fun accessories! Is that a rule, or a guideline? Ha, ha.

My bestie, Stacey, gave me this beautiful, leather the Sak bag last time she came to visit. I thought the berry color went perfectly with the darker berry color in the flowers on the skirt.

These beautiful black suede heels never get to go anywhere, so I do like to bring them out and show them off on the blog. These are Aerosoles and I bought them a few years ago at a Clarks shoe outlet. I like that they are comfortable, have a reasonable heel, stay perfectly in place and look classy.

What do you think of these colors? Do you like them for fall? Now that I am thinking about it, I might need to revisit the idea of fuchsia as a fall color. I could see it with other fall colors like golden yellow, burgundy and rusty orange. Hmmm. I may have to get a little further outside of my color box.

Let me know what you think. I’m including a few shopping links for things of similar color. These are affiliate links and are brought to you at no extra cost. If you click on a link, I get a few pennies. If you purchase something through my site, I get a few more. I appreciate every click.

Have a great day!

Photo credit Jessica Trumbull with Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone - Autumn/Winter - 2021 - New York Palette: Illuminating, Fire Whirl and Ultimate Gray

Over the weekend, I became grandmother again. My oldest daughter had a little boy and we are very excited to meet him, as soon as we can. Obviously, with all the restrictions for visitors in the hospital, we were not able to meet him before he came home.

I am going to being this Autumn/Winter series, as I usually do with the New York Palette. It wasn’t until recently that the Pantone entity added the London Palette to its long list of color tools. Today’s outfit revolves around the two Colors of the Year, the sunny yellow, Illuminating and the classic gray, Ultimate Gray.

In all honesty I was having a hard time putting the outfits together for this series. I think most of it had to do with being plagued by this stupid sinus stuff and cough for so long. I am finally sleeping in my bed again, but I still have a wheezy, chronic cough. We’ll see how long it takes to get some sort of resolution, or maybe it has moved in permanently, but it is a pain. It is hard to have long conversations and I cannot sing at all, not that I really could before I got this cough, but it was better than now. Oh well, life is just that way sometimes.

The other problem I think I was having, was the weather. It was so hot, I was having a hard time really getting into styling fall outfits. I love fall, and am excited about that change, but it has just been slow to actually feel like the season to wear layers. Here in my area, by Wednesday, the highs are only going to be in the 50’s. That definitely feels like fall.

You can see that I only used Illuminating in very small doses with my yellow beaded necklace and bracelets. The Fire Whirl red tank top is a thrifted Loft piece. It is actually more of an a-line or swing silhouette, so I gathered the shirt underneath in the front, then secured the little “pony tail” with a hair band. The result is to give the top a more fitted look with a fun swirl at the front.

For this outfit, it worked out that Ultimate Gray takes center stage with just a few pops of Fire Whirl and Illuminating. My thrifted, plaid, Sag Harbor trousers are actually petites, so I expect they would be closer to an ankle pant than a crop pant, but I like the way it looks, especially with my darker gray Impo booties.

The next picture shows you a closer look a the Illuminating jewelry and the detailing on the yoke of the top. The gray moto jacket is a no name brand and I am not sure where I got it. I wanted to say it was thrifted, but for some reason, I think I bought it at a store. I really cannot remember. Is that bad? Ha, ha.

My tote bag was going to be a gift for one of my daughter’s one Christmas a few years ago and I ended up keeping it. Many times, I just end up buying too many items, so I have to return stuff, but this was a cheap purchase, I believe from Kohl’s and I really liked it.

Fire Whirl is more the color of my top, but I kind of liked the contrasting shades of red, as well as the two differing plaid patterns. It just gives the outfit a fun vibe.

What do you think of these colors? Would you pair these colors with one another? Do you have these colors in your closet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links, brought to you at no extra cost. If you click on a link, I get a few cents, if you purchase something through my site, I get a little more. Thank you for all of your support.

Photo credit Jessica Trumbull, with Rebecca Trumbull.

Oh, Olive! Utility Vest - Workwear

Tuesday you saw the casual look with the olive utility vest. Today we are going to look at a casual workwear look, that would be easy to take from the work place to a casual evening out. Once again the vest will take center stage, but will be complimenting a floral blouse, instead of floral pants and a denim skirt.

Just as a refresh, the olive vest is Mudd brand, a clearance find from Kohl’s. My blush floral print top (Fall Trends) is this season’s purchase from Maurices and branded Coco and Jamison.

This blouse reminded me of things my mom used to wear as I was growing up, so I felt it almost had a bit of a retro vibe. The cut is more boxy and the sleeves longer making it a great piece to put under this vest. I actually put a cami underneath. You know I am all about modesty and I guess I really am a bit of a prude when it comes to things being low cut or too short, but that is me and that is what I am comfortable with. This blouse is really not that low, but I wanted to feel like if I bent over I was safe. It’s probably just me, but hey that’s who I am.

My medium wash denim skirt was a thrifted Gloria Vanderbilt piece. A denim, pencil skirt like this is so versatile and not restricted by the seasons. Wear it with a casual sweatshirt and sneakers in the spring. Style it with a blouse like this for summer. Add tights, ankle boots and a sweater for fall and try it with knee high boots and faux fur in the winter. You can’t go wrong with a denim pencil skirt.

I thought gold accessories would be a good compliment to this outfit. I then finished off the look with my SO olive colored ankle boots and my blush bag.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you have a utility vest?

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know what you think of the color olive and how you would style it.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few pennies every time you click on a link. If you purchase something through my blog, I get a few extra cents. I appreciate all your clicks. Even more I appreciate your comments and encouraging feedback. All opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend!

Oh, Olive! Utility Jacket - Workwear Look

Depending on where you work, you might be able to be in your sweats or pj’s. So many people have been working at home through the Covid pandemic, that people have gotten rid of many of their business style pieces since they really have no need for them. However, many places have opened back up and have called people back into the office. When I was working as an assistant manager at a university bookstore, I could wear my jeans to work, and very often did, but I could also wear skirts or dresses if I chose to do that. Usually, when we talk about workwear style, we are talking about a business or business casual type of outfit consisting of blouses, nice pants, blazers and other similar pieces. We do have a more casual type of style that has moved into the work place in many business realms, allowing their employees to have more flexibility and comfort. I would say today’s look tends towards business casual due to the utility jacket and the tennis shoes, and I would have been perfectly comfortable wearing this to my previous job.

As I told you in Tuesday’s post, I am featuring the olive utility jacket as my olive piece. This is St. John’s Bay brand from JCPenney. This jacket is roomy, so I can wear multiple layers underneath if I want to use it in the cooler weather. Right now, it is a great piece for overly air conditioned restaurants, retail spaces and business offices. This piece also has adjustable tabs at the sides to make it more fitted, as well as a double front closure which includes a full zipper and buttons.

Fall Trend Alert - Lavender

Certain colors are always trending for each of the major seasons and fall is no exception. Surprisingly, rather than the typical fall hues of orange, brown or yellow, we are seeing pastels like lavender and blush. I’ll cover blush next week, but for today lavender is my color of choice. My thrifted eyelet top is Old Navy brand. I love this light weight piece.

You’ve seen my polka dot skirt on the blog before. Amazingly with my weight gain and redistribution (aka spare tires), I can still get it on. Ha ha. This older thrifted piece is a brand called Outback Red. It is a great piece for any warmer weather season, spring, summer or fall. Not a full length maxi skirt, it is more of a tea length. Another plus, it has pockets.

I kept my accessories pretty low key, except my layered necklace is fairly blingy. I added a few bracelets, my white cross body bag again and my Steve Madden sneakers that I got recently at DSW.

Do you like this outfit? What would you wear to the office? Let me know what you think.

I hope you enjoyed this look. I’m including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great rest of your week!

Pantone - Spring/Summer - 2021 - Both Palettes with all the Outfits.

I always think it is fun to do a post featuring all the outfits from my Pantone color series. I really spread these out this year due to scheduling issues, so that’s even more of a reason to look back at all of the outfits. I will also let you know, which ones were my faves.

New York Palette

Illuminating, Rust and Ultimate Gray

Amethyst Orchid, Green Ash and Inkwell

Raspberry Sorbet, Mint and Willow

Burnt Coral, Marigold and Desert Mist

French Blue, Cerulean and Butter Cream

I would have to say, from the New York Palette, my favorite combination is the Amethyst Orchid, Ash Green and Inkwell. I love the contrast of the dark navy blue and the pastel colors. It just makes the outfit pop. I also love the light green with the light purple. It is a very pretty combo for spring and summer. In addition, I really liked the casual vibe of the French Blue, Cerulean and Butter Cream combo. both of these are outfits I would wear. What were your favorite colors? What is your favorite outfit from this series?

London Palette

Illuminating, Marigold and Ultimate Gray

Pirouette, Indigo Bunting and Polar Night

Purple Rose, Lava Falls and Baby’s Breath

Pickled Pepper, Orange Ochre and Sphagnum

Beach Glass, Blue Atoll, and Macchiato

I really liked this palette over all, because I love all of the colors. My favorite combination was the outfit that I got the most positive feedback on, Beach Glass, Blue Atoll and Macchiato. There is just something so summery and uplifting about these tropical blues and warm brown. I also liked the challenge of combining Purple Rose and Lava Falls. I would have never thought to pair this medium purple with a bold red, but I think it worked. What were your favorite colors from this palette? What is your favorite outfit?

I’d love to hear back from you. Your comments help me to know if the content I am putting out is pertinent to your life. I hope that my outfits and posts are inspiring you to shop your own closet and to think outside the box when it comes to the clothing pieces you wear and how you put them together.

Have a wonderful day!

Spring Outfit with Orange Pants

Just like I did for the blue pants, I wanted to show you a new outfit with my Worthington orange pants. For this one I focused on a work appropriate look. With many people finally returning to their jobs I thought it would be a good time to feature an outfit that would be perfect for the office, especially as air conditioners come back on.

I wish I would have thought to get close up of the details on this thrifted Maurices vest. I snatched it up, because I don’t have any summer weight white vests and I thought the eyelet detail and the texturing on the pockets made this such a unique piece. It has the utility vibe with the patch pockets and drawstring, but is dressier.

You can also see my H&M button down top. I found this one on the clearance rack a few years ago and just loved the botanical print with its flowers, butterflies and birds. I thought tying the front shirt tails made for a more summery look, but one that remains work appropriate. I also like the soft contrast between the stark white of the vest and the more off white of the blouse.

I added a double layered purple necklace and a few purple metal bangles to pull out the purple in the top.

I opted for more neutral shoes and bag. I thought the outfit had enough color with the bright orange pants and the flora print in the top. The neutral accessories give it not only a summer feel, but a polished and professional look. If I ever go back to an office job, I would definitely wear this. My bag you have seen on the blog before and is from Walmart and George brand. My perforated peep toe sandals are Sonoma brand from Kohl’s.

I was pleased with how this outfit turned out. What do you think? Would you wear something like this to work? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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

Have a great day, everyone and thanks for following along on the blog.