Denim Daze 2.0 - Pencil Skirt - Dressy

Tuesday you saw this dark wash, thrifted, pencil skirt styled with a pair of sneakers and a graphic tee. Today I want to show you how to style this same skirt for a look that would be night time and party ready. When you want to take a casual piece and make it more dressy, you need to think about the piece you are going to pair it with and the accessories. Bling and heels are always a quick way to bring a casual piece up a notch.

For this skirt, I decided to add an asymmetrical hem, tunic for a new and more upscale look. My daughter was getting rid of this Fred David tunic and I really liked the color of the print. The tunic is more free flowing and I’ve worn it with skinny jeans, boots and a turtle neck sweater underneath for a colorful cold weather look. You can see that look on my Instagram account here. This time I wanted to have a more feminine, body con look, so I chose to wear a wide black belt.

The high-low hem line allows the skirt to still be seen, so you could do this with any other skirt or even a dress for a different look.

Black seemed to be the right choice for accessories, but you could have also chosen shades of the pinky purple in the top, white, gray or even navy to tie everything together with the skirt.

This cute little necklace I found on a clearance rack some where. It has two layers and each of the little dangles holds a sparkly stone.

I chose my sparkly black clutch, as well. Sparkly, to me, always says dressed up, rather than dressed down. Don’t get me wrong, I have tee shirts with bling, but even those make me feel more dressed up, as opposed to a graphic tee like in Tuesday’s outfit.

I haven’t had many opportunities to wear these cute shoes. They are Aerosoles brand and so comfy. The heel, for me is just the right height, and I like the band across the top. They are easy to get on and stay put.

Here is a look at the outfit from the side.

Do you own a denim skirt? Is it a pencil skirt, a-line, pillar or tiered? There are lots of options for denim skirts these days, especially if you go to thrift stores. They are not tied into the trends or seasons, so there are more options available. If you don’t own a denim skirt, you could do this same thing with any pencil skirt you own. Dress it down with a tee and sneakers or dress it up like I have done here with a flowy top and heels.

I’ve included a few shopping links for fun clothing pieces and accessories. I hope you enjoyed this post and that it inspired you to see what you have in your closet that you could play around with to make great outfits.

These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Denim Daze 2.0 - Pencil Skirt - Casual

What could be more versatile than a denim skirt? You can wear it spring, summer, winter and fall. You can dress it up or dress it down. You can wear it with heels, flip flops, ballerina flats, and boots of every configuration. A good, pencil skirt in any fabric with stretch can be a great addition to your wardrobe. It can take you from work to date night and has unlimited potential for other outfits. When I found this stretchy denim pencil skirt at a thrift store. I knew I had found a piece that would get repetitive use.

This skirt is a brand called No Faze Jeans. This brand is no longer available, except for on Poshmark and other 2nd hand retailers. This is a case, where the brand is not as important as the type of skirt. As I said before, a pencil type skirt should have a little stretch in it for bending and sitting. While I like a medium wash in a jacket or vest, a dark wash is a good choice for bottoms. Darker usually gives a slimmer profile.

For this casual look I grabbed a thrifted No Boundaries tee with the word, happy, embellishing the front in different colors. This is a light weight semi-sheer tee, so great for summer, but opaque enough that you don’t need a cami, unless you are wearing a very bright or dark bra.

This next picture shows you the front tuck. The shirt is quite long. Doing a front tuck defines your waist and provides an interesting line from front to back. Some people call this the French tuck, as well. I have mentioned this before in an earlier post, but I like the front tuck because it allows me to show off a belt, yet doesn’t take as much effort as tucking the whole piece in.

Even though the belt doesn’t match any other colors in the shirt, I like how it makes the outfit look bright and cheery, after all, the shirt does say happy.

This choker was a clearance find either at Kohl’s or Penney’s. I like that it looks dressed up, but can also be worn with something casual like this. The faux pearls add just the right class. In addition I threw on a few faux pearl bracelets to match.

Besides a cross body bag, I like a small hobo bag like this, when I don’t want to carry my full load around. This small shoulder bag is just big enough for my wallet and a few other items.

Keeping the vibe casual called for my well worn pair of sparkly gray Keds. These sneakers see a lot of wear in the warmer months and have been through the washer numerous times. I’m not sure how much longer they will hold up. Ha, ha. Who doesn’t have a pair of well worn shoes that they pull on all the time?

This is a simple outfit formula: denim skirt, graphic tee, jewelry, bag and sneakers. If you wanted to, you could swap the graphic tee out for a plain colored one and wear layers of chains, pearls or even a scarf for a whole different vibe.

Thursday, I’ll show you how I chose to dress this skirt up.

Do you own a denim skirt? Do you like to wear it? How do you like to style it? As always, I love to have your feedback. Just leave a comment below. I always read and respond to your comments, so you can check back the next time you are on the blog to see how your comment helped me out.

I’ve included a few shopping links for denim skirts. I hope you see something you like. I usually try to stick to retailers I am familiar with and I also try to include at least one plus size option. These are affiliate links. I get a few pennies when you click on a link. All opinions are my own.

Have a great Tuesday!

Summer Pieces - Floral Jeans

Florals seems to be here to stay, just like animal prints and I am glad. Both florals and animal prints are great patterns around which to build an outfit. Today I am showcasing a pair of floral jeans that I have had for a number of years. I was surprised that these still fill as I have gained more weight than I want to admit. That’s what happens when it rains and the Seasonal Affective Disorder continues to hold me in its grip. I am tired, so I have a hard time getting out of bed. Exercise eludes me, both because it is raining and because I am tired. In addition the craving for chips and sweets adds to the weight gain. But enough about that and all my silly excuses. The struggle is real girlfriends!

These jeans were a Kohl’s clearance find from a few years ago. These Lauren Conrad ankle jeans have a fun, but subtle floral pattern with touches of white, blue and purple. They are a great piece for pattern mixing, but for this outfit, I chose to keep the other pieces solid.

This open knit, front zip cardigan is from Christopher and Banks. To zip it right now is a little snug, but I’m fine with wearing a cardi open, just like a blazer or light weight jacket that is more for layering. I love the rich orchid color and as you can see I found some metal bangles that were an exact match.

This pastel tee borders on blush, but has a more purple tinge to it. This was a thrift find and I love the embellished bling neckline. It is a brand called Cynthia Rowley. She is an America fashion designer based in the West Village of New York City. Click on her name to see her online site. Her pieces are deliciously feminine with ruffles and florals. They are not something most of us can afford, but it is fun to look and to know that I scored a fancy designer label at the thrift store.

I found this cute owl necklace thrifting and knew it had to come home with me. In this next photo you can see the necklace and the embellished neckline on the tee up close.

I decided to keep the colors similar so chose my blue Keds and blue Rosetti bag. You’ve seen these bright blue sneakers before on the blog. Another thrift store find, I am getting to the point where I can’t wear them for as long a period of time. As we age, our bodies change, as you well know. Our noses and ears tend to get more elongated and I think our feet do as well. I used to take an 8.5, but now I need a 9 in most shoes. I also have a bunion that is starting to bother me, so I need to wear shoes that have a little more room in the toe area. Oh the joys of getting older, but my husband always says, “Well, the alternative isn’t so good either.” Ha, ha.

Would you wear floral jeans like this? Do you prefer to wear pants that are solid or do you like to wear fun prints? I know some people prefer to not draw extra attention to their lower half, but I think printed pants keep things interesting. Tell me what you think.

I’ve included some shopping links as usual. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Be sure to check in next week. I’ll be starting my Denim Daze 2.0 series. Until then, have a great weekend.

When Summer Doesn't Feel Like Summer

Since the beginning of January, Toledo, OH has gotten more days of rain than Seattle, WA. I have a feeling many other mid-west areas could make the same claim. Obviously, the rainy days do their own thing to make me want to feel comfortable, but in addition, the temps have been much cooler than normal. I can remember a number of years ago, when the girls were very small going camping in May at a campground that is only about 45 minutes away. That year, the average temperature in May was in the mid to upper 80’s. I don’t know that we have broken the 80 degree mark yet this year and it is now the middle of June.

The thought came to me this morning that it might be good to share a post on how to dress when summer isn’t exactly acting like summer. We all want to wear our lighter colors and lighter weight clothes, along with short sleeves, shorts and sandals. I see many people doing just that, rebelling against the weather, but I like to be warm or at least comfortable, so I still find myself wearing long pants and cardigans over my short sleeves. Today’s layered looks revolves around three key pieces: a pair of thrifted jeans, a bell sleeve top and a knit ruana.

When I saw these Banana Republic jeans at a Goodwill store, I tried them on. I almost wasn’t going to buy them, but they were 50% off, so I think I paid $2.50 for them. I like the wide legs, the applied pockets, the subtle distressing, and the lighter wash, but the right leg has a wonky seam. You know how it is, when the leg seam doesn’t stay lined up with the other leg seam. It isn’t too noticeable and for the price, I decided it was worth it.

This knit ruana was a clearance find at Kohl’s. If you learn nothing else from me, then I, at least, hope you have learned to shop clearance, or second hand. Ha, ha. The texture and feel of this piece drew me to it. I love hand crafted pieces and really wish I had the time to learn to knit or at least pick crochet back up, as I learned it from my mom as a child. This ruana is made of a very soft, almost silky yarn. It is light weight, so the perfect topper for a cool summer day or an air conditioned office. It gave me just the right amount of coverage, so I wasn’t uncomfortable in the cooler temps today. This one has a small seam at each side, which I think helps keep it in place, and runs a little shorter in front than the back. Here is a couple of back views.

I got this Liz Claiborne bell sleeve top last year at Kohl’s and today was the first opportunity I had to wear it. I like the design and colors and the bell sleeve is at just the right spot so I am not dragging them through my food. Yes, I am that clumsy! I liked the way the bell peeked out from the bottom the the ruana sleeve. I did the front tuck and wore a gold belt for a fun statement.

Since, I chose the gold belt, I thought to accent the rest of my outfit with gold as well, so grabbed this three layered necklace, and a few rose/gold bead bracelets.

The outfit was decidedly boho, so I went for my burgundy fringe bag, which I thought lifted the burgundy color in the blouse.

I had to think about shoes for a bit before I decided on my SO booties. It was cool enough today, that this wasn’t a bad choice. My little toes were happy to be warm and cozy in these light weight faux suede booties. I’m serious. It really felt more like a late September or early October day today. So sad! The other reason I chose these was that they have a little bit of a heel. These pants are long and as you can see were already hem worn by the previous owner. I don’t mind pants dragging a little bit, but I don’t want to be walking on them.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you own pants with wonky leg seems? Do you like bell sleeve tops? Do you like to knit or crochet and do you wear your own creations? I’d love to hear from you.

I’m including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links, which gives me a few pennies when you click and a few more when you buy. All opinions are my own. Have fun shopping.

Remember to check back on Wednesdays for my Faith post and Thursdays for my second weekly Fashion post.

Until next time, have a great day.

Summer Pieces - Bright Floral Blouse

Summer seems to be the season that I like to wear colors that are brighter and bolder. I know that most fashion rules have been thrown out the window. We now wear white all year round, older women can wear things that younger women only used to wear and colors don’t have to be season specific any more. With that said, please don’t make not following the rules become a rule. I like colors that are season specific and while I will wear white all year round, I do not always feel comfortable in things that the younger generation is wearing. Let’s remember, fashion for each of us is unique to, well, each of us. Wear what you want, but allow other women to bask in the security of a bra or the modesty of a tunic over their leggings. Fashion should be what makes you comfortable and for many of us that revolves around clothes that are classic, comfortable and modest. But I digress…back to color.

This bright, neon piece was a thrift store find. Actually, everything in this outfit is thrifted except the bag and the jewelry. When I saw this bright top flashing its beautiful boldness at me, I had to try it on. I would call this a popover blouse. It has long sleeves that can be buttoned up, a v-neck with a button placket that only has a few buttons, and can be tucked in or left out. I decided on a front tuck, which has been my go to this summer.

You might wonder, why do the front tuck, rather than tucking the whole blouse in. Personally, I like the way the front tuck looks. It gives me a waist, lets you see the front of my pants, but doesn’t take as much time to arrange. It also allows for a bit of air circulation and many of you who are going, or have gone through menopause, know how important air is when you are having a hot flash. The front tuck also allows you to wear a belt and still have it seen, without having too much shirt inside your pants. Ha, ha.

I chose gold for my accessories. The floral necklace has a bit of a purple hue, which is also why I chose the bag and the sandals I did. It is always fun to me, when all my accessories come together. I know it is not necessary to have our accessories match, but I still think it is fun to do, once in a while.

Remember back in the spring, when I did a post on spring trends? One of those trends was neon colors. This pretty blouse fits the bill perfectly, but doesn’t seem overwhelming, like some neon colors can. I think the backdrop of white really helps keep the blouse bright, but not obnoxiously so.

What do you think of this blouse? Would you wear neons like this? What are some other ways you can think of to wear a blouse like this? I hope you’ll give me some feedback. I always look forward to hearing from my cyber girlfriends! You gals are the best. Thank you so much for supporting my little blog.

I’ve included a few shopping links for fun. These are affiliate links. Every click gets me a few pennies, so have fun perusing these options.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Summer Pieces - Graphic Tee

What is summer without a fun graphic tee? I found this Smokey the Bear tee at Kohl’s at the beginning of the spring season. Do you remember Smokey the Bear? Originally this, real, bear cub that was found in 1950 during a major forest fire in the Captain Mountains in New Mexico, was called Smokey Bear and you can read his story here. There are lots of Smokey the Bear tees out there, so I’ll be sure to include a few choices at the end of this post.

I paired this tee with my Angle jeans from Kohl’s. They seem to be getting pretty faded. That’s was happens when you wear your jeans often. Comfortable jeans are my favorite thing to wear. These have a good amount of stretch and are technically skinny jeans, but I decided to wear them more like a crop pant. This time I only rolled them once, but sometimes I roll them up twice. Today was pretty cool, so I added my Mudd camo jacket, another clearance find from Kohl’s.

Here is a closer look at the tee.

I chose fun accessories as well. This multi-strand gold necklace makes it easy to layer necklaces. This one is all connected, but I have a few others that can be separated into individual necklaces. This one has a green chain, a green charm and the lowest charm is like an small green agate. You can’t see the color as well in this picture, but it is a nice piece to add to lots of outfits.

I also found this mixed metals bracelet and thought the two pieces worked well together.

I thought this thrifted bag was a good companion to this casual outfit.

Once again I went for my Keds. This brand is my go to for warm weather foot wear. This is an older pair which is a slip on, rather than a regular shoe.

In all honesty I threw this outfit together at the last minute. My in-laws have come to spend the week, so the family has been spending time together for meals and so on. However, a graphic tee or two is a great addition to your summer wardrobe. You can pair it with jeans like I have, or you could throw on a pair of shorts, a skirt or try it on over a summer sleeveless dress so it looks like you are wearing it with a skirt. Graphic tees can be anything from a gold standard like Diet Coke, or Smokey the Bear, to your favorite band, movie or sports team. I have a few different ones including, Wonder Woman, Mickey Mouse, The Beatles, and lots with words, here, here and here.

Do you have very many graphic tees? How do you like to wear them? Leave me some love in the comments.

I’ve included a few shopping links for you to check out. These are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

Until next time, have a great day.

Summer Pieces - Water Color Maxi Skirt

With my photographer on vacation I have to resort to taking pictures myself for a week or two, meaning relearning how to use my camera. Ha, ha. I thought I would talk about a few of the fun summer pieces I have recently acquired. Every seasonal change, I have to go through my wardrobe to purge what I do not wear, what no longer fits or what I realize was one of those, why did I buy this, moments. As I have said before, I love clothes and I love shopping, so you can imagine that I am inundated with clothing. I also, (true confession time), often shop in spurts, somewhat like an addict trying to get my fix. It is sad, really, but for many of us, shopping is a hobby. To keep myself from ending up on the show, Hoarders, I decided that when I buy, I also need to purge. I am in the middle of this process right now and the fun part of it is, I get reminded of all the fun pieces I do have, and it inspires me to put together a few new outfits.

This water color maxi skirt, I found at a Goodwill store along the way, when my hubby and I were on vacation. It is a brand called eci New York. Macy’s does carry a few eci pieces that revolve around bright, bold florals and patterns. I love all the colors, because it provides a myriad of options for putting outfits together. Made of a medium weight polyester, this piece is easy wash and wear with no ironing needed. It has a wider elastic waist which provides comfort, as well as ease of wear.

I first thought of pairing the skirt with a light pink top, but then when I pulled this top from last year out of hibernation, I knew that was it. The yellow, St. John’s Bay top, from JC Penney, has a bit of a boho vibe already so I thought it was the perfect companion for this unique skirt. I love the textured aspect of this top, from the eyelet on the bodice, to the poms along the bodice edge, to the tasseled cords. I also like the flowy sleeves.

When I started veering towards the Bohemian feel, I chose a woven belt that ties, leaving long fringe hanging along the skirt. You could position this belt wherever you wanted, with the fringe in the front, back or off to either side. I chose the left side, since I typically carry my bag on my right side.

I also chose jewelry that I felt epitomized that characteristically gypsy feel, like a multi-layered beaded bracelet with a dollop of fringe and a unique amber pendant choker with an aesthetically pleasing swirl.

My bag, bought many years ago, is the only true macrame piece I own and what says boho more than macrame? Ha, ha. It is small, but I have used this piece over and over as a cross body bad when we travel. It is big enough to hold the essentials, but not so big that it hurts your neck. This probably could use another washing. Bags like this are easy to wash. Be sure to put it in a laundry bag, then throw it in with your lights or towels. It isn’t meant to be a true white, but more of a cream.

For shoes I chose my No Boundaries black, gladiator sandals. These are ankle high gladiators, unlike the ones that go all the way up the calf. I’ve had these for a long time. They are comfy for a flat sandal and easy to pair with so many outfits for summer. I finally painted my toes, so summer must be pretty well here to stay. It is not that warm, but perfect in my opinion. If I owned a pool, I’d be happy with temps in the mid eighties, but as it is, I really like it to be about seventy five with a slight breeze.

Do you like this outfit? Would you wear a skirt like this? What sort of artsy or uniques pieces do you have in your closet? I’d love you hear from you. I don’t mean to be a nag, but I really do like when my followers give me a little feedback. It is good for my blog as well. It helps me to know what you like and what sorts of things you would like to see on the blog. Even if you made a commitment to comment once a month, that would mean a great deal to me. Thank you so much, for all of your support, whether you comment or not! I appreciate you.

I’ve included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. When You click on a link, I receive a few cents. Every little bit helps. These links are to things I think you might like and that follow along with the outfits I am posting. All opinions are my own.

Have a great Tuesday.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2019 - Recap

I think it is always good to do a recap of these series so that you can see all of the outfits in one post. This is especially helpful, when I have had a few interruptions in the flow of the series. When I do a recap, I like to spend a little time talking about various things related to my fashion journey.

Growing up I wasn’t really that fashion conscious, although looking back, I remember my love for bell bottoms and tie dye in the early to mid seventies. I remember having a pair of red bell bottoms that were cuffed. Oh my goodness, how fashionable I was and I didn’t even know it. Ha, ha. Obviously, with a love for red bell bottoms, I had no fear of color. I have never been a black and white sort of girl. I have always loved color and for a long time purple was my fave. Now I love all color, including black, white and gray. Yes, those are colors too.

With my love of color, it only made sense once I became a fashion blogger, that I figured out how to make color a central part of my blog. Once I found out about the Pantone Color Institute and their twice yearly color palettes, I knew I would have to do a regular series on color, thus the Pantone Spring and Pantone Fall series. All that being said, here is a recap of this Spring/Summer 2019 series that I just finished.

Living Coral & Terrarium Moss

Jester Red & Pepper Stem

Turmeric & Sweet Lilac

Pink Peacock & Pressed Rose

Toffee & Manjo Mojito

Fiesta & Princess Blue

Lemon Verbena & Aspen Gold

Here are each of the outfits side by side.

Which colors are your favorites? Which of my outfits do you like the most? What makes it your favorite? Which of my outfits do you like the least and why? I love to hear from you. Even if you think you have nothing to say, I love to know what you are thinking and your feedback is what helps me make a better blog. Just leave a comment below.

I think my favorite outfit is the Toffee and Mango Mojito. I just love how the leopard print skirt and the tee went together so well and how the white jacket added a crisp, polished look to the outfit. I also love the Fiesta Red and Princess Blue colors. They are so bright and happy and it makes me smile when I look at that outfit! Overall, I was pleased with this whole series. I loved all of the colors and had an easy time finding most of these in my closet and putting outfits together.

I hope you have enjoyed this series. I will be on vacay for the next week with my hubby, but I am hoping to still get a few posts up about our travels. Have a wonderful Memorial Day everyone!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2019 - Fiesta & Princess Blue

Today’s Pantone outfit revolves around two, rich, party ready colors, called Fiesta and Princess Blue. Fiesta is another red on this spring’s palette, with a leaning towards orange undertones. This bright, cheerful red is perfect for pairing with this royal blue. We’ve had other versions of this royal blue color appear on multiple palettes over the last few years. You can see a few of my renditions and other names for this color by clicking on the links. Riverside Blue, Marina, Lapis Blue, Palace Blue, and Nebulas Blue. While each of these is not exactly the same as the other, you get the point.

I found this Popsugar Fiesta Red top at Kohl’s on the clearance rack. I was very excited, because all the the reds in my closet either lean more towards a purple/brown base - maroon/burgundy or towards a blue base - a truer red. This red definitely has more yellow undertones, which when you see it compares to other reds, makes it look more orange.

You’ve seen these Ruby Rd. pants on the blog many times. When I went through all of my pants, I thought about getting rid of these, but then realized I don’t have anything else in this exact color. They were a thrift find, when shopping a friend’s closet, and they fit pretty well and are made of a denim type fabric, so a perfect for more colorful looks. I just don’t think to grab them that often for everyday wear.

This Do Everything in Love, kimono is from DSW. I absolutely love this piece and when I saw the Fiesta Red top and Princess Blue pants next to it, I knew I was going to get my party on. This has so many amazing colors in it, so it will be useful for many outfits. This would look really cute with a white tee, and jean shorts, or a pair of crop pants with some fun sneakers.

Again, I kept my accessories simple, lest the outfit get too overwhelming. I thought the yellow flower pendant necklace a good choice to bring in the yellow in the kimono. The bag is a clearance find from Meijer and the gladiator sandals are Massini brand.

Do you have your toenails painted yet? I need to do that pretty soon. It’s lovely when you can go to a salon and get a manicure or a pedicure or both, but I don’t do my finger nails very often as they tend to chip and tear easily. I do try to paint my toes when the weather gets warm enough that I can put my flip flops on. It hasn’t warmed up quite to that point here, but my hubby and I are hoping to go on vacation next week and it will be warmer then.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like these colors and would you wear them? I love to have your feedback. If you have the time, leave a comment below. It helps me to know what you are thinking and as always, if you have any suggestions for the blog, I’d love to hear that as well.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Thank you for spending time on the blog. I appreciate all your input.

Have a great day.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

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 - 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 - 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.