Pantone Spring/Summer - 2019 - Toffee & Mango Mojito

I am continuing my Pantone Spring/Summer - 2019 series with two more fun colors called Toffee and Mango Mojito. I was glad to see this lighter brown on the palette this year. Usually brown doesn’t show up until fall and often it is more of an orangey brown, so this brown is a perfect neutral. I absolutely love this pretty yellow and I think the name is perfect. It makes me think of sunflowers and sunshine and what could be more reminiscent of summer.

I didn’t really have anything that was this particular brown. As I have said before, when I talked about Brown Granite in the last Pantone post I did, I like brown, but it is not something I have a lot of in my closet. For this Toffee color, I decided to use my Worthington leopard print skirt. Animal prints are still in, so hang onto your snakeskin, zebra and leopard.

When I saw this Apt. 9 tee at a thrift store, I chose it for the color alone, not realizing how perfectly it would mimic the Mango Mojito color. Then when I chose the skirt, I knew this tee would be the right piece to pair with it.

As with any outfit, accessories can make everything even better. I’ve had this thrifted white jean jacket by Sanctuary, for a few years and pull it out every now and then for the warmer weather. I thought it was the perfect topper for this outfit.

I kept my other accessories simple and earthy in keeping with the leopard print. A black pendant necklace, a beaded bracelet and my woven basket bag with black trim seemed the perfect accompanying pieces for this outfit. Do you own a basket bag? They are fun, and much more versatile than I once thought, especially in the summer.

I decided to wear these thrifted loafers to keep the look more casual. You could easily take this outfit up a notch by adding a sweater instead of the jacket, a sparkly clutch and heels, along with some jewelry with a bit more bling. As is, it is a nice outfit for work.

We had fun taking these pictures inside a local mall that is no longer a “normal” mall.

What sort of photos do you like best? Outdoor or indoor? I’ve always been a fan of natural light, but I think these indoor shots are kind of fun, don’t you?

Do you like these Pantone colors? I think Mango Mojito is one of my favorites. I know not everyone will like it, because not everyone can wear it, but remember, you don’t have to wear a color that’s not really good with your complexion, you can always carry it in the form of a bag, wear it on your feet, or even tie a scarf in the color to your purse.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I’ve included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links, which means, when you click on a link, I get a few pennies. All opinions are my own. Thanks for all of your support. If you know someone you think might enjoy my blog, be sure to tell them about it. If you aren’t already a subscriber, please subscribe. It keeps my blog going.

Have a great week.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Spring Outfit with ShopNational

I’m taking a brief break from my Pantone Spring/Summer 2019 series to introduce you to a clothing retailer called National. This is a sponsored post. National gifted me the clothing items in this post and gave me compensation for writing the post. All opinions are my own.

National is a family owned business that was started by Eddie Smith. After the influx of women into the workplace nearing the end of WWII, what started as a small mail order operation selling women’s stockings, has now grown into a prospering clothing platform specifically catering to women who like classic styles and clothes made for real life. National sells everything from cardigans and dresses to hosiery and bras. They have kept up with the times, moving from a strictly catalogue based clientele to the inclusion of a more recent online presence. Knowing the history of National, I am excited to bring this retailer to my readers.

The pieces I chose from National revolve around a spring theme, but will work well through the summer. The first few pictures will show the pieces as is, with the later pictures including my own accessories.

The two pieces I chose are the Southwest Embroidered Top and the Spring Blossoms Embroidered Jeans. i have always been a fan of embroidery. It adds both texture and interest to so many different clothing pieces and these two from National are no exception. I saw the jeans first when I was perusing their website, after they contacted me about a collaboration. I fell in love with the embroidery, especially the splashes of yellow and blue. You can see in the pictures below, the embroidery is both on the thigh of the right leg and the lower shin area of the left leg. I like that the floral images are on both legs, yet in different places.

These pants are light weight and have an elastic waist and slimming front panel. I was surprised at how well they fit and how flattering they were. The straight legs could also be worn rolled up for a more breezy summer look. The only drawback of these light weight pants in the white is they are a bit see through. I chose to wear nude underwear, so it was no problem. Just don’t wear those red, hot pink or black panties, or everyone will know. Ha, ha. I ordered these in a large and the fit was perfect.

I chose the top because I thought the denim blue color went well with the blue in the pants. Once again, the embroidery was the selling point for me. This top has a southwest boho vibe, which I love. Look at all the details on this lovely piece.

The v-neck boasts embroidery detail and fun fringe.

The neck ties end in tassels.

The embroidery on the elastic gathered sleeves adds a black and white color contrast.

The shirt tail hem makes it perfect for wearing untucked.

The fabric this popover blouse is made of is a fabric called lyocell, which is a form of rayon. It is machine wash and dry, so easy to care for. However, the fabric is not stretchy and the bust area is a tad tight. I ordered a medium and think I would have felt a tad more comfortable in a large. Overall, another great clothing piece from National.

Here is the outfit with my own accessories.

I really like these pieces and was pleasantly surprised with National. I have never been a big catalogue shopper, but now that National is available on line, I have a feeling I will be purchasing from them again. It is convenient, easy and quick, and their clothing and accessories are classic pieces easily worn by busy women like us.

I hope you will check out National. Right now they are offering my readers a discount. If you use the code Natl20Amy you will get 20% off your entire order and free shipping. This would be a great time to give this family owned retailer a try.

Have a great day.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2019 - Pink Peacock & Pressed Rose

Today’s Pantone Spring/Summer colors include a hot pink and a pastel pink. Pink Peacock could be a close cousin of fuchsia and reminds me of the bright pink flowers that begin to appear in many people’s gardens at this time of the year. Pressed Rose is a medium pink that appears only on the London color palette as a companion to New York’s Sweet Lilac. To me it is a more adult version of pink, that almost any woman could wear.

For this series, I thought it would be fun to pair colors that had similar roots, so for this pairing it was pink with pink. You will see another post where I pair yellow with yellow. Whereas, in last Thursday’s post with Turmeric and Sweet Lilac, the colors were quite different, almost to the point of being too different to put together. However, as we are beginning to realize with many fashion faux pas, never say never.

This bright pink thrifted, Worthington sweater was a purchase I made, just for this series. I have a number of bright pink things, but nothing seemed quite right, a little too red, or a little too purple, so when I saw this for a dollar I snapped it up without even trying it on. I like the ribbing around the neck line. Little added details like that are part of what make clothes special.

This David & Young kimono was a clearance find from DSW. Who thinks to shop for kimonos at a shoe store? Me, that’s who. Ha, ha. They have all sorts of great accessories there, like bags, wallets, key chains and of course shoes!

It is hard to see in these pictures, but the kimono’s flowers include the Pressed Rose color. I like the fringy details on the sleeves and it is also on the hem line. This will be a great topper for the warmer weather.

For this outfit I decided to try finding a piece that would mimic the Brown Granite color from the classic neutral palette. It is not often we see an actual brown on this palette. More often they choose a gray. I was disappointed there wasn’t a gray, but then I realized it would force me to think outside my box again. I actually like brown and my hubby loves when I wear it as it brings out my brown eyes, however, it is hard to find brown pieces that aren’t just drab and boring.

I got these brown Worthington trousers at JC Penney. You can obviously tell, I have a lot of Worthington pieces. For me it is a brand that fits my figure pretty well and has a lower price point. I think they make great work wear pieces. Here are a few pairs of pants in various colors: gray, various, bright pink, pull on skinny (similar to the orange ones from last Thursday’s post). This pair is more of a wide leg and very comfortable.

These cute ankle boots I found at Kohl’s in the clearance section. Do you shop clearance? It really pays off at Kohl’s as long as you don’t mind getting stuff at the end of the season. I don’t worry about being spot on as far as the trends and timing. I like what I like and I will wear it, whether it is trending or not.

Along with my light pink ankle boots I grabbed my little pink clutch, and added a few simple pieces of jewelry to keep the kimono and sweater center stage.

What do you think of these colors? Do you wear pink? My husband does not like pink, not even on me, but I wear it anyway. I’m such a bad wife. Ha, ha. But he puts up with me and loves me even in my pink moments.

As always, I’ve included a few shopping links for all things pink! Enjoy shopping. These are affiliate link, which means I get a few cents when you click on a link. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2019 - Turmeric & Sweet Lilac

Today’s outfit revolves around two more colors from the Pantone New York and London Spring/Summer 2019 color palettes. As I stated in my introduction to this series, the two palettes concurred on ten of the twelve palette colors, but each also included two of their own colors. This week I’ve paired the spicy orange Turmeric with New York’s pretty pastel, Sweet Lilac.

I’ve styled these Worthington brand pants from JC Penney, several other times on the blog. You can see those three posts here, here, and here. The reason I refer back to other posts where I have worn a piece is to show you the versatility of the individual pieces in your wardrobe. It is not unusual for us to wear the same jeans, our favorites, over and over again, but a piece like this pair of more dressy pants that keeps showing up again and again, shows its versatility and its value in taking up precious space in our closets.

Before I became a fashion blogger, I would have never thought to pair orange and pink. That is why I love doing this color series so much. It makes me think outside my comfort zone. Who says we can’t pair orange and pink? Pairing colors is really no different than print mixing. With a little practice you will be a color mixing pro in no time.

This crew neck, H&M, sweater was a thrift store find. It is lighter weight which makes it perfect for spring or even a chilly summer evening once the sun goes down. I like the speckling through out. When I searched my closet for a piece to use for the Sweet Lilac color, I thought this came the closest to the warmth and femininity the color was trying to display. Once, I added this silver and bead necklace, which can be pink or a light purple, I knew I had made the right choice.

I decided to pair this look with the Eclipse classic color again, along with another classic color labeled Soybean. I do like, that the Pantone Color Institute has included a palette of neutral, classic colors that can be used with any of the other color palettes. These four colors give you options for how to put your outfits together. You could have an entire outfit of Eclipse (navy) with just a few fun pops of other palette colors for your jewelry, bag or shoes. You could even throw on a scarf or a hat. Now, that sounds like a good idea for another series. Ha, ha. I love color, can’t you tell?

This long, Isaac Mizrahi, trench vest is actually a heavy weight stretch denim dress. Right now, at my current weight it is a little snug to use as a dress, but I think it makes a great vest. When I got it a few years back at a thrift store, I knew I could use it either way.

I’m a big fan of Keds. I like the look of Converse sneakers on other people, but I always feel that they make my feet look like skis. I have a rather narrow foot, to begin with, so I don’t want a shoe that is going to make them look even longer and skinnier. Ha, ha. I know that seems silly. This pair of shoes are called Grasshoppers. I also like the way these fit. They are pretty comfy and have a pretty reasonable price point. You can see more of these here.

This thrifted Simply Vera/Vera Wang cross body bag is a great size for shopping. I am a fan of cross body bags, simply because they are easier to carry for hands free shopping. I don’t like to be fumbling with my purse if I want to take items off the rack to look at. I also think it is more secure to keep it attached to my person rather than leaving it in a cart , where I might not be paying attention.

What do you think of these colors? Would you wear pink and orange together? Have you ever worn a button up dress as a vest or even as a jacket? I’d love to have your feedback.

I’ve included a few shopping links for all things Turmeric and Sweet Lilac. Be sure to check those out. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2019 - Jester Red & Pepper Stem

Today’s Pantone colors are the rich saturated relatives of red and green. These two pair perfectly for a tropical vibe mixed with a punch. Jester Red jams with a touch of blue and Pepper Stem is green with lilting yellow tones. I love how these two mix together to create a colorful summer vibe.

This Jones Wear printed midi-skirt is a great piece for spring, summer and fall. It is fully lined, so in the summer you don’t have to worry about wearing a slip. The length is modest, and pairs well with anything from heels to flats to flip flops. I’ve featured this skirt on the blog before in a fall Pantone palette. You can see that post here.

This Field Gear jacket is thrifted. I have also featured this on the blog before too. You can see that post here. If you take a look at that post, you’ll see it was also for the Pantone palette from last spring, where the color of the year was Greenery. This is a softer, light weight suede, which makes it the perfect piece for spring and summer.

This 3/4 length sleeve tee is a bit more red than the Jester Red color, but I thought it was pretty close. What drew me to this Rafaella Studio thrifted piece was the embellished neckline. The cowl neck is covered with beads in a hematite type sheen. I didn’t need any necklaces with this pretty piece in place. Tops with embellished necklines are a nice, easy way to dress up an outfit, without having to think about jewelry. You can see the intricate beading below.

For my accessories, I chose a thrifted Simply Vera/Vera Wang navy bag and thrifted Relativity loafer heels, to go along with the classic color Eclipse. Once again, let me reiterate, this is not a contest to see how close to the Pantone color palette you can get, but a spring board for inspiration and new color combinations that you may not have thought of before. We often think of red and green as a Christmas color combo, but when you make the green a little more tropical it pairs well with any red without looking Christmasy.

I added this belt too, just to make the outfit a little more polished. This is a stretchy belt that just clasps together in the front. A stretch belt is a fun way to add fun to an outfit and cinch in our waists.

I thought this was a fun, festive outfit that could be worn to a party. If the weather is hotter, sub out the 3/4 length sleeve tee for a tank top and use a light weight sweater or hoodie with flip flops or sneakers for a more casual look.

What do you think of Jester Red and Pepper Stem? Do you have any of these colors in your closet? If you do, have you ever worn them together? I love to hear you feedback.

I’ve included a few shopping links for similar colored items. Have fun perusing. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2019 - Living Coral & Terrarium Moss

I want to take a moment to apologize for my absence this past week. I went to visit my mom and ended up bringing her home with me for a couple of weeks. We came back on Monday, and between unpacking, work and getting ready for Easter weekend, I just didn’t have the time or energy to get my blog posts done. I promise, I did try a few times, in the evening to get them written, but always ended up getting bleary eyed and needing to go to bed. Ha, ha. However, I hope to get back to a normal schedule this week, if I can get my computer to upload my pictures accurately. It’s always something!

Every year the Pantone Color Institute puts together a palette of colors that are the basis for the fashion and interior design color choices. Since I started blogging three years ago, I decided to draw upon these palettes as a source of inspiration for putting outfits together. I do a series using these colors in both the spring and the fall, as these are the two palettes Pantone puts out each year. Pantone, also, chooses a color of the year. This year that color is Living Coral. I wanted to feature this pretty pinky orange color to kick off this spring’s Pantone series and decided to pair it with the darker green of Terrarium Moss.

For my Living Coral piece I chose a thrifted Liz Claiborne polka dot blouse. I actually have quite a bit of this color, so I was pleased that this was chosen as the color of the year. However, as lovely of a color as it is, it is not my favorite color, so I don’t reach for it with regularity. I’m not sure why, because it is a great color for spring and summer and it goes well with many other colors.

This fun paisley jacket was a recent clearance find at Chico’s. I don’t shop frequently at Chico’s as their prices are a bit higher than what I would normally pay for a single item of clothing. However, if you have a coupon and can use it on clearance, then you can find colorful and fun pieces like this at a significantly reduced rate.

My Sonoma pants were a clearance find from Kohl’s. They are a tad darker than the Terrarium Moss, but basically are an olive green. These are a nice weight for spring, not too heavy and not too light.

As I have done before, I wanted to incorporate one of the neutrals with each outfit. For this one I chose Sweet Corn. This is a light, airy color that reminds us of the lighter kernels of mouthwatering sweet corn. I used this canvas clutch and my thrifted Sonoma sneakers to represent this summery neutral.

What do you think of these two colors? I know many people who have Living Coral already in their closets. It is a good color for the warmer weather, as the sun begins to shine more regularly. It always makes me think of the seaside. Where as, Terrarium Moss makes me think of hiking under a canopy of trees in full leaf mode, in a place that is quiet and cool.

I’ve included a few shopping links for you to peruse featuring the colors Living Coral and Terrarium Moss. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few cents when you click on a link. I get a tiny bit more, when you make a purchase through my page. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Print Mixing Mash Up - All the Outfits

After doing a longer series, like the one I just finished, I like to do a post that shows you all the outfits in one place, side by side. When I started this series, I let all of you know that I was a newcomer to print mixing when I started fashion blogging. The question could be asked, why even bother? Many people enjoy more solid colors, monochrome looks and outfits that incorporate prints in a more conservative manner, so why the push to print mix?

There are several rationales I have for learning how to mix prints and I’d like to take a moment to share these with you, before I do the recap of the past few weeks’ outfits.

1 - Print mixing challenges our brains.

I have a history of dementia in my family and understand that there is a very real possibility that I or one of my brothers, or all three of us, could end up with dementia later in life. The reality is I am much closer to that now, than I was 20 years ago. All the research has shown that there are factors that can help delay this unfortunate inevitability for many of us. Diet, exercise and using our brains by learning new things like taking a class, learning an instrument or a language can all prolong our brain health. Even the practice of putting outfits together helps our brains. Every time you challenge yourself to think outside the normal box you are helping your brain health. Print mixing is a great way to challenge your neural net to grow and expand.

2 - Print mixing is good for the environment.

There is a lot of focus these days on waste management. With the need for plastics and metals decreasing in other countries, we are now looking at a garbage and recycling dilemma in our own neighborhoods. Buying used clothing and being a consumer who makes better choices is a way to help our growing garbage problem. I’ve heard many people say, “Well, my not using a straw isn’t really going to make that big of a difference.” That may be true, but each individual who makes that choice, adds up to a great number. The same is true for clothing. Thrift stores are popping up all over, and with online retailers, like Poshmark, Thread Up and more, you can buy and sell used clothing with ease (something that is on my list to learn how to do).

What does that have to do with print mixing? Think about your closet. What percent of your clothing are solids and what percent are prints? If you are like me, I have a plethora of prints. To only wear these fun pieces with solids, really does the piece a disservice. Think about how many more outfits you could have if you started mixing in prints with prints. And the best part is, you didn’t have to go out and buy anything. Your new outfit came entirely from your own closet.

3 - Print mixing is fun.

There is something about putting prints together that really appeals to my inner artist. Just like a interior decorator, a painter or a photographer like to create spaces and pictures that have a message or are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, putting outfits together can be a very satisfying activity. I’m sure you are all familiar with those adult coloring books that flooded the market a few years back. Probably a few of you got one or two for Christmas, or a birthday. I did. What is it that makes coloring so much fun? We might think of it as a rather mindless activity, but in reality, coloring is another way to exercise our brains. I love to put different colors together to see how they are going to look. I especially love putting colors side by side that I normally would not have thought to put together. like pink and orange, purple and red or black and navy.

I do hope that this series has prodded, inspired and encouraged you to look at your wardrobe in a whole new way. Here are all the outfits side by side.

Yellow striped tee.

Multiprint skirt.

Plaid bomber jacket.

Checked trousers.

Printed dress.

I hope you enjoyed this look back at all of the outfits. Have a great Tuesday and be sure to check back on Thursday for the intro to this years Spring/Summer Pantone color series.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Print Mixing Mash Up - Print Dress - Outfit 2

For today’s print mixing outfit, I used the same dress from Tuesday, but instead of layering a printed tee underneath, I chose to layer a tee, and also add a printed jacket on the top.

This Apt. 9, tweed jacket, was a thrift store find. I like the light pink trim and polka dots. The brown, faux lace tee that I have on under the dress is also a thrift store purchase and is Croft and Barrow.

For this outfit, I decided to emphasize pink for my accessories. I found this necklace at JC Penney on the clearance rack. I thought it would be a fun statement piece for spring and summer, as it has flowers on it. I also grabbed my little pink clutch.

I’ve had these thrifted A2 Aerosole heels for a while and they are starting to show their age, but I hang onto them, because I really like their retro look.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you feel that it has a rather retro vibe? What have you been challenged to put together since starting this print mixing series? I’d love to have your feedback.

I’ve included a few shopping links for tweed jackets. Everyone should have at least one of these in their closet. They can be dressed up or down and no matter what your style, a tweed jacket will work. These are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Print Mixing Mash Up - Print Dress - Outfit 1

This is my last week for the print mixing series. I hope you have enjoyed this, and that it has made a difference in your ability and desire to print mix. You’ll see more print mixing on in future posts, because I really like doing it and I feel that it is so much easier, now that I have had to come up with outfits to share with you all.

This last piece is a thrifted print dress. The brand was an unfamiliar brand called Kari NY. I have featured this dress on the blog before. You can see that post here. I love the print and the colors. It is meant to be a sleeveless summer dress, but I usually wear it with a tee underneath.

I chose this thrifted elbow length sleeve Loft tee because of the color similarities to the dress. Once again, we can see the ratio factor that makes for a great print mix - large with small. This ratio, along with color similarities makes it much easier to mix prints with ease.

I love the ruching around the waist on this dress. It hides so many bulges. Ha, ha.

On this particular day it was freezing, so I thought I’d add a dark brown scarf as a shawl. I also chose dark brown tights and my cognac colored SO ankle boots. Since this is a time of year that we think more about transitional outfits, we have to be conscious of reaching for lighter weight spring pieces, while still needing to keep warm with layers. Layering is a great way to do this and this outfit is the perfect example.

I chose a summery dress, then I added a layer underneath, by choosing a tee shirt. I also opted for heavier tights rather than nude hose, with a pair of ankle boots for added warmth. Believe me, on this day, I needed it!

I chose jewelry with orange tones, to pull out the orangey pinks in the tee and the dress.

I decided, once again to match my bag to my shoes. Once in a while I choose to do this, because there is enough going on in the outfit, especially with print mixing. Adding a completely different colored bag or another print, might have been toon much. I think a black or brown bag would work well with this as well, but I opted for the cognac color of this thrifted hobo bag.

It seems there is a big push towards recycling in our country, especially with clothing. With retailers like Savers, Good Will, Salvation Army, American Cancer Society and others, used clothing can be found for a fraction of the price of what things cost brand new. The added benefit, we aren’t putting those things into a land fill. Everything in this outfit, except my underclothes, my tights, the shoes and the jewelry was thrifted. I have devoted my shopping lust to mainly second hand purchases, although even I am a sucker for a good sale at a store, like Kohl’s, Penney’s, Christopher and Banks and so on. I’ve devoted two full blog posts to my thoughts on thrifting. You can read those by clicking on the links - Thoughts on Thrifting - Part 1 - The Stores, and Thoughts on Thrifting - Part 2 - How To.

Just a funny picture of me getting attacked by snowflakes.

Would you ever mix prints like this? Why or why not? I’d love to have your feedback. Leave me some love in the comments section below.

i’ve included a few shopping links below. These are affiliate links which means 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.

I hope you are having a great week.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Print Mixing Mash Up - Checked Trousers - Outfit 2

I wanted this second outfit with the checked trousers to be a little more dressy. This could be something worn to work, or out on a special date. This is a more monochrome look, using mainly the black, gray and white, except for the accessories.

I got this 3/4 length sleeve jacket from a clearance rack last fall at dressbarn. It is roz & Ali brand. The southwest pattern was part of what drew me to this piece. When I decided on these trousers i knew this jacket would be a perfect print mixing piece.

There are two things that make this work. One is the print size on each piece. The pants have a smaller print and the jacket has a larger print. The other is the color similarities.

I decided to go with a black short sleeve sweater top. I could have chosen a colored top or even white or gray. Just about any solid would work with this outfit. I opted to have my color pop be with my bag and my jewelry.

A charm necklace with red beads, beaded bracelets and a red clutch, really stand out with this black and white outfit.

I added my thrifted Ralph Lauren heeled ankle boots. You could probably tell from Tuesday’s post, these pants are pretty long and rub on the ground when I have flats on. This heel gave them just the right amount of lift.

I have one more week on this print mixing series. I hope that this has been beneficial, especially for those of you who have been timid about print mixing. Not every fashion trend is for everyone. You can be fashionable and look put together without having to spend money on new pieces for your closet. It is likely, that you already have many fashionable pieces in your closet. A well structured blazer, a cardigan or two, a couple of pairs of jeans and a pair of dress pants, a dress or a skirt, are all pieces that can be used to make great outfits, print mixing or not.

Think of it this way. If you are just getting started, by being more conscious of your clothing and how you look, you have already taken the first step. Print mixing is more like frosting on the cake. What you want to do first is make the best cake you can, whether it be chocolate, vanilla, or lemon. Once you have that done, then you can think about frosting, sprinkles or whatever other embellishments you want to add.

I hope that my blog and all the other wonderful bloggers that are out there, will provide the inspiration you need to look better and feel more confident. Have a great weekend!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Print Mixing Mash Up - Checked Trousers - Outfit 1

This week the Print Mixing Mash up features a pair of Worthington black and gray checked trousers. The checkered pattern on these is very subtle, but it is definitely a print, rather than a solid. Worthington has been making reliable dress pants and women’s work clothes for JCPenney since 1985. I have several pairs of their pants, and they are long lasting, wrinkle resistant and fit pretty well.

I have had these pants for many years and have worn them to work and for special outings where I need to be more dressed up. I wanted this first look to be a bit more casual, so chose a thrifted, pinkish red, Merona, gingham blouse, along with my City Streets floral bomber jacket, also from JCPenney. So, yes, I am mixing three prints here. Ha, ha. See how easy it becomes after a little practice.

The prints on the blouse and the trousers are almost an exact match for size, which gives the outfit a more uniform look, even though they are a different color. With the floral bomber on top it pulls the two colored prints together.

This black and gold fringe necklace on a berry colored cord was the perfect accompaniment.

Hello, again, my favorite ballerina flats. These SO flats have a memory foam footbed that make them very comfy. Right now Kohl’s is having a sale on these for only $19.99. They also added a few new colors, so if you are looking for a fun, comfy flat check those out here.

It used to be the trend to match our bags with our shoes. Now the trend has gotten away from that, but every once in a while, I like to match. It just makes an outfit looks polished and balanced. This NY & Co tote was a thrift find. Do you like to match your shoes with your bag? Do you carry the same purse all the time, or do you like to change them frequently? My hubby put me on a purse fast, because I have so many. I keep telling myself I need to use more of them, so they aren’t just laying around, but I get lazy and don’t want to take the time to change everything to a different bag. Ha, ha. How about you? Are you a purse hog like me?

What do you think of this outfit? Do you have a pair of printed trousers, jeans or ankle pants in your closet? How about grabbing a few of your printed tops or jackets and see what new combinations you can come up with.

I’ve included a few shopping links for Worthington pants and floral bombers. Have fun shopping. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

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 1

This week, I’ll be styling a printed skirt two different ways. Remember, the goal of this series is to show you how you can take a printed piece in your closet and combine it with another printed piece for a print mixing mash up that will make all your girlfriends and colleagues envious of your print mixing panache.

Today’s outfit centers around a thrifted Gianni skirt I have had in my closet for a while. I love purple, so when I found this purple, blue mix, I thought it would be fun to work with. I like the a-line style. It is light weight, but fully lined, so easily wearable for at least three of our four seasons. You could probably extend its season into winter if you wore leggings or a heavy pair of tights. Since we are talking about and looking forward to spring, I wanted to make both of these outfits more transitional looks.

What I love about this skirt, is its ability to change hues. When you look at the skirt by itself, the purples look more purple and the blues look more like a denim blue. When I started looking for a piece to pair this with, I saw this Knox Rose top that I found at Bass Pro Shop a while back on the clearance rack. I thought, even though the colors weren’t exact, at least they were similar enough that it might work. Once I put the SO sweater, from Kohl’s, with it, I knew I had a winner.

Technically this print mixing, isn’t so much mixed, because the print on the top is not next to the print on the skirt. However, the whole point of trying to print mix is to think outside the box. I would have never put these two pieces together, had I not been thinking about mixing prints and colors. The top, which is more of a greenish blue, looks as though it pairs perfectly with the blue of the skirt, just as the more reddish burgundy color on the top and the sweater, look as though they combine perfectly with the purple. Isn’t color wonderful? Ha, ha.

It was so cold when we were taking these pictures. My daughter was running back into the house after each outfit was finished, and she had on a hat, coat, gloves and boots. Ha, ha. My face is set in defiance of the blustery cold! That is definitely not my most flattering face.

I decided to draw on the little bits of yellow in the top for my necklace and purse. Once again, I would have never thought to pair yellow with this color combination, but once I put it together, I loved it.

By the way, those are little fleck of snow on my sweater, not dandruff or lint. Ha, ha . Just thought I had better clarify.

I think this thrifted yellow Elle tote is a great number for spring. I love the shirring on the front, the sunflower yellow color and the metal rivets, rings and Elle charm. This just goes to show, you don’t have to spend lots of money to have a nice bag.

I have a tendency to get into a rut with my bags. Right now I am using my yellow thrifted cross body. It is so convenient for shopping. Often, if I am carrying a large tote like this one, which already has some weight to it, I overfill it and then wonder why my shoulder and back is bothering me. What kind of purse do you like to use?

These burgundy Naturalizer loafers were another thrift find. When I put the outfit together, I knew these would be the perfect casual finishing touch.

One of the things I like about thrift shopping is the ability to try different brands without spending a ton of money. I normally don’t buy high end. My hubby and I just don’t have the income, to support a shopping habit of that nature. Ever since I was a young girl, I have always been somewhat conscious of getting more for my money. My mom used coupons, made our clothes and made the most of what we had. Things were not always easy for our family, but I grew to appreciate the ability to save money by looking for cheaper options. Now when I thrift I am drawn to higher end name brands, because often they are a better fit and are well made. I still like my Kohl’s, Penney’s and Target clearance finds, but thrifting is always my first muse.

I hope you are enjoying this print mixing series. Let me know your thoughts. Have you done any print mixing in the last few weeks? Tell me about what you mixed. I love hearing from you and you are what keeps this blog going, so thank you.

I’ve included a few printed skirts to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Print Mixing Mash Up - Striped Tee - Outfit 2

On Tuesday you saw the yellow striped tee mixed with a floral kimono. If you didn’t see that you can check it out here. Today I am going to mix that same tee with a light plaid blazer for a great work wear or date night look. The reason I chose this Sonoma striped tee is simple. Stripes are easy to print mix with. As I said in my introductory post, Revisiting Print Mixing, stripes go with just about everything, even other stripes. It is relatively easy to pair stripes with florals, polka dots and plaid as I am about to show you with this outfit.

This plaid blazer I found on the clearance rack at H & M. I didn’t really need another jacket, but then I realized, I didn’t really have anything that was specifically this color and this weight. The price was too good to pass up and this cute little number is going to be a workhorse this spring and summer. I like that it has 3/4 length sleeves with shirring, making it look like they were pushed up.

Although the jacket does not contain any yellow, to match the striped tee, it does contain a lighter stripe through out. The stripe is actually more of a light tan or beige, but will have that chameleonic ability to look like whatever lighter color it is paired with. In this case, it is yellow. But I can also see this light stripe taking on a blush appearance when paired with pink.

I decided to make this more of a work look so chose my dark gray, Liz Claiborne, pencil skirt. Originally, I was going to wear my gray heels, but seeing as we are still in the throes of winter I opted for my gray, wedge heel ankle boots. I think I would have liked it a tad better if I had worn dark gray tights. What do you think? Gray hose or tights would have given a sleeker more elongated look. As it is now, I feel that my legs are cut off, both by the skirt and the boots. Live and learn

These are my favorite wedge heeled booties. I like the chain detail, the color and the fit. These are a brand called Impo.

In keeping with the gray mode I was in, I decided to keep my accessories gray as well.

This Cosmopolitan sparkly, envelope clutch is making another appearance here on the blog. I use this one whenever I am going to something worth getting dressed up for. I like that it is glitzy for those special occasions, but also chic enough to carry to work. It is a good size as well. Some clutches are so small, you can barely get your cell phone and driver’s license into them, let alone keys or other necessities. Believe me, us girls got plenty of necessities. Ha, ha.

What do you all think? Did I do okay with this first print mix mash up? Do you ever mix prints like this? I’d love to have your feedback. Leave me some love in the comments.

I’ve included a few shopping links, just for fun. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few pennies for every click you give me. If you purchase something through my site, I get a small commission. All opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend, everyone and thanks for taking time to hang out on the blog.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Friday linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style.

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!

Valentine's Day - Romantic Clothing

Valentine’s Day seems to have snuck up on me this year. While many of my blogger friends are showing off their great Valentine inspired outfits, I have been busy watching my Grandson due to extra days off and working a few extra hours as well. My hubby and I also agreed to watch our grand puppy, Beatrice, while her parents are gone for a few days, so she arrived just this morning. We decided to do a stay-at-home Valentine’s Day date with the dog, so she doesn’t have to spend too much time alone. In leu of that, we went out for dinner last night.

Instead of showing you an outfit I thought it would be fun to show you a few clothing pieces that I feel inspire a Valentine’s look all year round. Valentine’s Day is a holiday we associate with romance. Whether you are married, a couple, partners or just friends who want a reason to celebrate, here are a few timeless pieces that inspire romance all the time.

Silk Tops

Besides cashmere, silk is probably the second fabric that people are willing to spend a fair amount of money on. Silk not only looks pretty, but feels pretty as well. Donning a silk top or a silk dress is the perfect way to make yourself look and feel, not just romantic, but sexy as well.

Ruffles

This is just my opinion, but there is something sensual and romantic about pieces with ruffles. Being the tomboy that I am, I rarely wear ruffles, but I do think ruffles exude femininity better than most other textures.

Lace

What is more romantic than lace. Think of the dresses and gowns that ladies used to wear back in the day. Lace wasn’t and isn’t just for negligee or wedding gowns. Lace can be worn any time. It not only adds interest and texture to an outfit, but a splash of romance.

Floral

Once again, I think of floral patterns as subtly romantic. Since we associate the giving of flowers with love or friendship, it seems to make sense that floral pieces would evoke a sense of romance, whimsy and love.

I thought I would include a few pictures of my own from the past three years of blogging that show you each of these romantic pieces “in the flesh”.

Silk

This silk light pink sweater set was a thrift store find. I have always wanted a sweater set for some reason and when I saw this one and felt how soft and literally silky it was, I knew I had to bring it home. If you are interested in the original post, just click on the picture.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Ruffles

As I said, I am not a huge ruffle fan, but occasionally I will find a piece that calls to me. With this fleece jacket I found on the clearance rack at Kohl’s I saw The Three Musketeers in all their swashbuckling glory and knew I had to take it home with me. After all what is more romantic than those handsome, swordsmen on their speedy steeds, trying to save the fair maidens in distress and get rid of the bad guys at the same time?

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Lace

This top is not real lace, but it gives the appearance of lace, which is even better, because you don’t have to worry about wearing a cami underneath and it is soft and stretchy. I have other pieces that are actual lace, but I thought it would be fun to show you something different.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Floral

Finally florals. I have a number of floral pieces from jackets to tops to tunics to dresses. What can I say? I like flowers and since I don’t always succeed at having a greed thumb, the next best thing is being able to wear them, and I don’t even have to worry about killing them! Ha, ha.

This floral bomber jacket was a cheap JC Penney find and I love it’s versatility. I love how it gives this New Years Eve outfit an edgy, yet feminine vibe.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

As I said before, if you want to see any of these outfit posts in full, just click on the pictures. Also, if any of the clothing links I included interested you, just click on the picture and it will take you to the retailer where you can find all the details on size availability and price. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

I hope this Valentine’s Day finds you feeling loved and warm with happiness, joy and peace.

Have a good day.