Color Crash Course - On the Bright Side

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I love color, as some of you already know. However, there are times when I can be a little fearful of putting certain colors together, or of wearing too much dark or too much bright. I decided to challenge myself for today's post and put together a combination of bright colors to see if it is not only pleasing to the eye, but able to get me past my fear of brights. 

For this outfit, I combined two bright blues, a royal blue for the top and an aqua blue for the skirt. Once again I am styling a maxi skirt. These are a great way to keep your legs covered, but still look summery. See my Marvelous Maxi series, by clicking on the links: Pleasantly Pleated, Playing it Straight,  and Wearable White. There will be one more post in that series, next week. 

To add a touch more bright, but also add some pizzazz to the outfit I added this colorful zip up top that I found at thrift store. My royal blue embellished short sleeved tee is from Christopher and Banks. 

To keep the look from getting too colorful, I added black accessories, which drew from the black in the zip up top. I found my black velvet choker at Kohl's, the bracelet was something my daughter had and the little black clutch with heart appliques was another thrift store find. It is really more the size of a large wallet, but it is big enough for a phone, some cash or a credit card and keys. What more do you need?

Here is a closer look at my choker. I love the vintage style of this piece. For my shoes, I opted for a pair of patent leather slip on sandals with silver trim.

What do you think of this outfit? It was really windy when we were taking pictures, so I look a bit wind blown. Ha, ha. Do you like to wear bright colors like this? What is your favorite color combination?

I had to add a silly picture too! I get pretty silly

I hope you enjoyed this post. I appreciate all of your support. Be sure to check out my Facebook page, Instagram and Pinterest. I am still a work in progress, but I keep trying! 

Have a great weekend!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Sunday linking up with Rena of It's All Fine. Whatever.... Friday linking up with Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots. 

Marvelous Maxis - Wearable White

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White has long been a summer staple for many women. I can remember when I was a girl, going shopping with my mom before Easter to get a new pair of white church shoes. Back then, we didn't wear white until after Memorial Day, with the exception of Easter Sunday. White is now a year long embraceable color. Spring, summer, winter and fall are all appropriate seasons for wearing white. In the warmer months our white clothing will usually gravitate to capris, shorts and lighter weight tanks and sleeveless tops. I have also found white skirts are a fun item to have in your wardrobe. 

Today's skirt is St. John's Bay brand from JC Penney. They currently do not have a white maxi version, but they do have a knee length version here. 

Look 1 - Casual

I topped the white skirt with a simple orange and white striped tee that I found at a thrift store. I like the bright color of this tee. 

I added my antler and bead necklace from Cabelas and a bracelet that matched. It's funny how sometimes you can buy two separate pieces of jewelry, at two different places, at two different times and end up having them look great together. 

To keep the look ultra casual I wore my black flat espadrilles. These are Easy Spirit brand and have a nice cushy insole. Here is a very cute low wedge version. Espadrilles are a great shoe for summer as they are usually made of canvas, which keeps your feet from getting too hot. They also look cute with just about everything.

Look 2 - Dressier

I didn't dress this outfit up as, much because I wanted to show you that making only a few little changes can make a casual outfit look a bit more dressy. 

I kept the same tee, but topped it with a Joe Fresh navy eyelet jacket from JC Penney. Penneys no longer carries Joe Fresh, but they have their own website. Here is a cute version from Old Pueblo Traders. 

You can see I also kept the same bag. This roomy top handle bag is from shopping a friend's closet. It is an Aldo brand bag and is well constructed with a burlap looking body and tan leather trim and handles. 

I swapped out my antler and bead jewelry for a few orange beaded bracelets and a bird pendant, with a gold chain and pretty faux rhinestones. 

I also swapped out my flat espadrilles for my Croft and Barrow Ortholite sandals. These are very comfortable, look stylish and come in two other colors. You can see them here. 

Here are the two outfits side by side.

Do you own a white maxi skirt? How do you style it? Do you wear it all year round or just in the summer? I actually could see wearing this skirt with a heavy sweater and boots in the colder weather, so I may just have to try that. I'd love to hear your input in the comments section below. 

Check back Thursday for a colorful outfit on my Color Crash Course column.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

This post contains affiliate links. All opinion are my own. 

Linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb, Nicole of High Latitude Style, 

Awesome Accessories - Summer Bags

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Summer is a wonderful time, fashion wise. We can get rid of all the layers and start wearing clothing that is light weight, sheer and fun. Everything from our shoes and jewelry to our skirts, jeans and tops take on a more flirty and free vibe. We love to go outside without socks or boots and without jackets or sweaters. In addition to our clothes, our accessories take on a more summery feel, with woven bags, open toed shoes and jewelry in a rainbow of colors. 

For today's post, I thought it would be fun to look at some of the fun summer trends for bags. 

Perforations

These perforated bags are so fun. Who would have thought adding a few strategically placed holes would make a bag look so chic and different. The three bags above are all reasonably priced. You can click on the picture to find out more about each bag. 

This was my perforated bag purchase. I found this at a thrift store. 

Macrame Bags

Macrame bags have been pulled out every summer for many years. I think they are fun bags that add an element of texture to any of your outfits.. Here are some fun choices. I love the tasseled tote from Kohl's and the denim and leather mix from DSW. 

These are my oldies, but goodies. They are each made of different yarn. The cream one is more of a rope material and the drawstring has a more nylon type material. 

Straw Bags 

Straw bags are back! This is a blast from the past, but with new style and flair. Here are a few to whet your appetite. Isn't that tote with the pom, poms too cute? The floral one is from JC Penney and very reasonable. Just click on the picture for more info.

I tend to look for trending items at thrift stores first, because that is where I like to shop. I never know when a trend comes along, if I will really like it or not. I never thought much of straw bags, so this is the one I picked up. However, after seeing some of the other ones out there, I think I may have to change my mind. 

The reason, I'm showing you the second picture is for the lining. You might want to consider this when purchasing a straw bag. If you are just using it to carry towels and sunscreen to the beach an unlined bag would be fine. However, if you are going to use it as a regular purse, you might want to consider a lined bag, so all those little things we tend to throw in our bags, like pens, pins and so on, won't work their way through the weaving of the straw. 

Colorful Tote Bags

Tote bags seem to make more of an appearance in the summer than in the winter. I think that may be due to their versatility. A tote bag can carry sunscreen, a book, sunglasses, and a light weight sweater along with the usual wallet, and keys. You can also use a tote bag to carry a smaller purse along with a few of the aforementioned items if you are going on a quick day trip or short weekend get away.

There are tons of adorable tote bags out there and you will find them at almost any store. The black floral version below is from Target and the multi colored woven one is from Bauble Bar. 

Here are a couple of my fun tote bags. The green one, I bought myself for Mother's Day from Charming Charlie and the multi print bag is a Vera Bradley, that a friend got on clearance and gave to me for my birthday!

Unique Clutches

A clutch is always a great go to, if you are going out and don't want to be encumbered with a large bag. If all you want to carry is a small id holder, for your credit card and id, your phone and your keys, a clutch is the perfect choice. Why not make it a unique clutch that will tell everyone you are on top of your fashion game. Here are some fun ones to think about. 

These are just a few of the many, many cute versions around. Check at your favorite retailers. You'll probably find just what you are looking for to upgrade the outfit you are wearing to that wedding, graduation party or back yard picnic. 

This is the cute one I found while thrifting when the hubs and I got away for a few days last month. I was surprised when I grabbed it knowing I wanted it, that it turned out to be a Relic brand. 

I hope you enjoyed this peek at summer bags. There are so many fun options out there. I hope you have been inspired to find that perfect summer bag. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts. What is your favorite summer bag? Do you use the same one all summer, or do you switch it up from one event to the next? 

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on an item link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through my blog, I get a little commission. All opinions expressed are my own. I really appreciate your support. 

Have a great weekend. 

Linking up with JoLynne Shane in the Fashion Friday link up. 

Marvelous Maxis - Pleasantly Pleated

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This is the first week in a series that centers around the marvelous maxi skirt. For me, a maxi skirt is a perfect option for summer dressing. As I have probably mentioned before, I have bad varicose veins. These began after my second daughter was born and then I started gaining weight. They are ugly, bulgy and cause my legs to be discolored a rather purply blue. While these can be somewhat treated, insurance companies can be rather persnickety about paying for a procedure that isn't an absolute necessity. Believe me, my veins are more of a pride issue than a health issue. Eventually, I will look into having something done, but they really don't bother me that much...I've had a kidney stone, so I do know pain. Ha, ha.

Back to the maxi skirt. These are great for running around town, hanging out at home, or going out with the hubs for a date night. They are comfortable and affordable. A maxi skirt extends all the way to the ankle and below. I prefer them to skim the tops of my feet so I am not tripping over the material.

Today's outfit is a pleated maxi. I love this piece and have featured it on the blog before, here. 

Look 1 - Casual

I wanted to show you two ways to style each of the skirts I will feature in this series. This first look is more casual. I topped the skirt with a gray slub tee. I love the drape and feel of this fabric. 

I opted for my macrame drawstring bag with wooden beads. It give the outfit a bit of a hippie look and the taupe color goes well with my shoes. 

I kept the jewelry very simple. I found this bead at a a little shop down near Mohican State Park called Creative Outlet Indian Store. They don't have a website, but you can click here to see some reviews. They have all manner of Native American jewelry, moccasins and CD's, as well as the usual touristy type stuff. I simply bought the bead, then looped a piece of leather through to make it into a necklace. Easy. 

Look 2 - More Dressy

For the second look, I swapped out the slub tee for a sheer top with a fancy crocheted area around the neck and down the front. 

I tucked the top in and wore a wide brown belt, to give the outfit a more polished feel. I carried my multi colored clutch and added a necklace and bracelet with a coppery tone.

For shoes, I swapped out the ankle boots for a pair of dark brown heeled cage sandals. 

Here's a look at the two outfit side by side.

A long pleated maxi skirt is a great addition to your wardrobe. I know for some petite women, finding a maxi that doesn't drag on the ground can be hard. There is always the option of having a seamstress hem it up for you. Also, check out the petites section of your favorite stores. Maxi's a pretty popular right now and they may have something just right for you. 

Thanks for stopping by the blog today. Be sure to check out Thursday's Awesome Accessory column, where I will be looking at summer bags. 

Below are a few pleated maxi's that I thought were pretty. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb, and Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots in the Ageless Style Link up.   Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Sunday linking up with Rena of It's All Fine. Whatever....

 

 

Piece Perfect - The Utility Jacket

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When I began thinking about this month's Piece Perfect column, I was thinking about showing a traditional jean jacket. I have shown a dark wash crop style denim jacket in a previous Piece Perfect column, which you can see here. I thought it would be fun to show a post with a more traditional cut and wash of denim jacket, but for lack of picture taking time, I will save that for another day. Today I am going to focus on the utility jacket. 

Looking for some definition for the utility jacket I was able to derive that our modern day utility jacket was modeled mainly after the Vietnam era military jacket. The color is most often olive green, but now can be seen in gray, black and even orange (see my Pantone Spring 2017 post on Flame.) These jackets are typically light weight with both buttons or snaps and a zipper, as well as multiple pockets. Most of them have elastic or a draw string to gather the waist more tightly against the body.

Today, utility jackets are all the rage. I like mine because it is roomy, which allows for a few layers underneath if it is cooler, but can also be worn as a light weight jacket over a tee or tank top. This is the look I came up with for my jacket.

If you follow my blog, you might remember this outfit from a post called Spring Trends 2017. I used these pieces for a flat lay. A flat lay is simply a picture of the clothing laying flat on the floor, folded, rather than on a person. See below.

I had another blogger tell me she would like to see the outfits from my flat lays on me, to get a better idea of proportions and fit. I liked the way this looked in the flat lay and I like it even better on me! 

As you can see I started with a pair of distress crop jeans, and a breton type tee.

Here's a closer look at the detail, both on the tee and the jacket. 

I thought the blush accessories looked perfect with this outfit. It keeps the outfit summery and fun. I also like the raw hem on the jeans. I kept the jewelry simple and gold to go with the gold sequins on my tee. 

If you've never considered a utility jacket you might want to invest in one. It gives an outfit a fun casual look and can be worn with so many colors. Do you like this outfit? Would you wear frayed hem jeans? I didn't used to think I ever would, but then here I am! Never say never!

Below I've provided some shopping options. This post contains affiliate links. If you do a little looking and/or buying through my blog, I make a little bit of money. I appreciate all of your support, especially your feedback. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Thanks for stopping by the blog and have a great weekend! 

Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots, Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. 

Piece Perfect - White Pants

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White used to be a color only worn during the summer, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, but now white has become a wardrobe staple for all seasons. When I thought about featuring white pants for this post, I didn't know I would be able to come up with three different length white pants. I even surprised myself by realizing, I really did like white as a way to brighten up an outfit. 

When I was growing up I never wore white. I have always loved color and thought of white as a non-color. Truth be told, however, I am quite clumsy, and knew if I wore white I would end up soiling it with, either tomato sauce in some form, or grease of the automotive variety. My father was an airplane mechanic who also loved to work on cars. It seemed there was always a car sitting in our driveway with the tires off or the hood up. Being the only girl in my family did not deter me from following Dad around as he rolled himself under the car fixing a break line or doing a rigged up muffler repair. There was no way, my mother was going to put white on this girl!

While both of my brothers followed my dad in the family business of airplane repair, the best I could do was change a flat tire. In thirty years of marriage I don't think I have ever had to change my own flat. My hubby has always been there to do the job. Still, it is reassuring that if I had to do it, I probably could. I just hope I'm not wearing white when it happens!

For this post, I decided to show you three different outfits using three different length pants. Unfortunately, all these photos were done indoors, as when I had the time to take the photos the wind chill was in the forties and it was raining. Spring in Toledo!

You might be wondering what the difference is between capris, peddle pushers, crop pants or ankle pants. JoLynne Shane did a great job of explaining this conundrum in a post from April of 2015 titled Capri Pants: In or Out?

Outfit 1 - Capri Pants 

My version of capris actually is rather taboo by the standard that JoLynne explains in her post. She says that the pants should not end at the widest point on your calf and these pants I have on pretty much sit right there or maybe a tad below. Tell me what you think.

The only thing in this outfit that is not a thrift store find are the sandals. I consider these capri pants as they end on the calf between the knee and the ankle. I think I got away with these in this outfit because I am wearing sandals that are neutral color which elongates the part of my leg that is showing. If I would have worn my Keds or other tennies, I think it would make my legs look stubby.

The top has a fun shark bite hemline edged with lace. I love the way the lace is inserted into the body of the tee adding more texture to an otherwise plain top. 

Since I kept the outfit simple I thought a printed bag would work well and the sandals which provide a cagey textured look. 

For my jewelry I went with silver tones. I had this necklace and thought it pulled some of the yellow in the bag, giving continuity to the whole outfit.

Outfit 2 - Ankle Pants

In this next outfit I am wearing my ankle pants. I define ankle pants as those that end at or just above the ankle.

For this outfit I paired the pants with a recent purchase from Kohl's. This Dana Buchman top also has an asymmetrical hem line, although this one only drops on one side. The fun ombre pattern is abstract geometric that reminds me of zebra stripes, so in keeping with the wild animal theme I carried my snakeskin bag. 

Here's another view of the top.

I wore my black wedge espadrilles to tie in the black in the blouse and my bag. 

Silver seemed to be my go to for jewelry with these outfits. A couple of silver bracelets and my silver cross necklace with a turquoise center work well with the blueish green of the top. I also added a beaded choker just for a delicate line of black. 

Outfit 3 - Full Length Pants

I own two pairs of full length white pants now, one heavier weight denim and then the pair I style here. This pair was another thrift store find and is J.Jill brand. Lighter weight material can be a problem in pants as it allows your underwear to show through. I don't know quite when women got obsessed with their underwear. Whether it is the question of wearing underwear or not, or the question of thong, hipsters, briefs, boy cuts or bikinis, we certainly have much to think about when it comes to our intimates. My solution is simple, white pants, shorts or skirt, wear white or nude underwear. Yes, I still might have panty lines, but the white will simply become part of your outfit, where as a darker or brighter color will become an accessory....an accessory to others noticing your panties! Ha, ha.

When looking for white pants, look for heavier weight with more structure. There are many good choices on the market right now as the push for white began a month or two ago. I'll list some options at the end of this post. I would suggest actually going to the store to shop for white pants. That way you can try them on and see if you are comfortable with the weight of the material and the amount your underwear can be seen.

For this final outfit I decided to go for a monochrome look. I feel it speaks of a fun summer get away to the French Riviera or some other magical destination.

The outfit formula is very simple: white short sleeve sweater top, white wide leg pants, copper and orange accessories. Done. If you missed my Mad About Monochrome post from last week's Color Crash Course column, be sure to check it out by clicking on the link. Going monochrome can really make getting dressed even simpler.

My wonderfully comfortable Sonoma brand sandals from Kohl's and a cross body bag. I think this outfit would have worked even better with a straw shopping bag and floppy sun hat.

Here's another look at the sandals. They actually zip up the back so are pretty easy to get on and they have a very cushy footbed, making walking a dream! A wedge heel always looks classy.

Cute neck scarves are in right now, so I thought this brown, white and orange version was the perfect accompaniment to the outfit. The orange bracelets add an additional pop of color.

Here are all three outfits next to each other so you can see the varied pant lengths. 

I hope you enjoyed this post and that you now have added inspiration for styling those white pants. Maybe you, like me, are very hesitant to wear white. I say give it a try. Find a pair on sale or at a thrift store, if you really don't like them you can always donate them!

Here are some shopping options. I provide these options as a way to show you what is out there and if you click on a link I get a little bit of a kick back. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. 

I cannot guarantee these options are see through. As I said before it is best to go and try them on before you purchase, so you can see how they will look.

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! Have a great weekend. 

Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots.  Friday linking up with JoLynne Shane in the Fashion Friday Link Up. 

Awesome Accessories - A Spring Bag

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I love purses, just like many of you love shoes or jewelry. I love it all, really! I just have to try to curb my buying for two reasons. I don't have that much money and I don't have that much room. It is a good thing that I live in a small house and that our income is not that of a Hollywood star or NFL player. Ha, ha. 

A fun purse can make an outfit even more interesting. Last summer I did a whole post on styling an outfit around a bag. The idea was inspired by Janeane of Designing From my Closet. You can see my original post here and her original post here. The thought is, if we can plan an outfit around a jacket, a pair of shoes or a scarf, why not plan an outfit around a bag. There are so many colorful, interesting bags out there, so why not make one the focal point of your outfit. 

I would first like to show you the bag, then I'll show you the whole outfit. 

Of all the places to find a bag, I got this cute little clutch on a Barnes and Nobel Bookstore clearance table. In all honesty I think it is supposed to be a case for writing instruments and other school type supplies, although B & N also sells Vera Bradley bags and wallets, so I guess this could have been an actual clutch. My thought is, there is plenty of room for a phone, wallet and a few other necessary items, so it makes a perfect spring bag. It even has a wristlet handle in case you need your hands free. Here is a look at the pretty pink lining.

Obviously, there are plenty of colors to chose from to plan an outfit. I decided to use the green in keeping with the Greenery color from Pantone and add my favorite color purple. 

I took these on Sunday, which was a beautiful day, but the wind was blowing, so my dress got a bit billowy. This is a maxi dress that I have styled before, in my Denim Days series last summer. The top and half of the skirt are lined. The sweater is a simple cardigan and the purple sash which matches perfectly was something I kept from one of my daughter's old pj's or bathrobes. 

Sorry that my toes aren't painted yet! I thought these sandals were the perfect foot wear for this type of outfit. Plus they have a purple tinge to them!

Here you can see the top of the dress without the sweater. I do have to wear a strapless bra with this one, although these days you could wear a natural colored bra with straps and no one would think twice. Or wear a bright colored bra and you'll be trending. I prefer the old fashioned no-bra strap look. 

For my jewelry I threw on this three layered gold necklace with beads that border on purple. The three layers all connect in the back. It is an easy way to provide visual interest to an outfit and with all three strands connecting in the back you don't have to worry about each individual one sliding out of place. 

Here is a quick close up of the sandals. These are your basic thongs, but I slip into them, then zip them up the back. Part of what drew me to them was the bling!

I hope this inspires you to think about that fun bag that is in your closet. You know the one. You loved the colors and how it looked, but now you don't know what to do with it. Plan your outfit around it. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. I'd love to hear from you.

Have a blessed Easter!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style.  Friday linking up with Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots, JoLynne Shane in the Fashion Friday link up, and Laurie of Vanity and Me. Saturday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. 

Color Crash Course - Print Mixing

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It is a beautiful day today, but the wind chill is only seventeen, so as much as I want to go outside and take pictures, I am going to be a wimp and stay inside in a sunny window and use some pics from past posts. 

We hear many things about print mixing and a plethora of bloggers do a wonderful job of mixing all sorts of patterns and colors. What follows are some tips on learning to piece together an outfit that has a mix of patterns and colors that will leave you feeling confident and stylish. 

1. Choose a mix of bold/large patterns with more subtle/small patterns. 

In the above post from January 24th (click on the date and it will take you to the original post), I wore a maxi dress with a bold black pattern around the hem line. The dress also has a more subtle print throughout. To top the dress off, after adding a similar blue pullover sweater I added a black blazer that has small white polka dots. 

2. Stripes can be mixed easily with anything - 

If you are at all trendy, then you know one of the big trends this spring is the mix of floral with stripes. I'm seeing this pattern mix everywhere and it works. 

This was my post from Tuesday, the start of my series on the Pantone Spring 2017 colors. The tee from Jacket Society is the perfect mix of stripes and floral. But for another take on this trend see Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb for her interpretation on floral and stripes together using her own pieces. 

Here is a different idea for mixing stripes with another pattern. This outfit was from a Color Crash Course column. In this outfit the stripes are vertical on the brown sweater. The scarf provides the other pattern. One reason this works is because the scarf pattern is kept tight around my neck and face, while my body is elongated by the stripes on the sweater. They are not competing with one another, but complementing one another. That leads me to the third tip for pattern mixing.

3. When mixing it up, think color, color, color -

Most people who do pattern mixing well, would probably tell you it has to do with choosing a color that complements both pieces. For instance in the above outfit, the taupe is found in both the scarf and the sweater. The blue is also found in the jacket and pants, but I am speaking directly to pattern mixing.

In this post from last week the pattern mix is masculine chic with the blue background of my top bringing up the blue stripe in my plaid trousers.

This outfit from my Denim Days series late last summer mixes different size polka dots on the chambray shirt and pink jeans. Part of what makes this work is the varied size of the dots, but also the muted, soft colors mixed with the more subdued neutral accessories. 

This next outfit was from my Fall 2016 Pantone series and actually fits into two of my mixing tips, so I'll start with it in this color category.

Originally this was just the skirt and top, which is its own version of print mixing. I will address that under the next tip. I added the scarf for a post I did on styling a pashmina scarf, only because the green in the scarf matched the green of the top. Voila! Print mixing with similar colors. 

4. Consider mixing prints with texture - 

If you a bit hesitant about mixing prints, try mixing a print with a texture. 

My Lush Meadow top is a textured pattern. My maxi skirt is obviously a print. Part of what makes this work is the pattern shape. The diamond shapes on the top are similar to the diamond shapes on the skirt. The other trick to making this look work well is adding the belt. The belt divides the patterns and keeps it from looking too busy. Adding a solid piece, like a belt, vest, cardi or jacket can help tone the busyness of prints down and give the outfit a cohesive look.

In this picture you can see the textured lace pattern of the top works beautifully with the leopard print cardigan. Inspired by Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots, you can see my original post here.  If you still feel a bit intimidated by mixing patterns. try envisioning this same look with a black lace top or a more neutral tan. You are still mixing prints because of the texture, but it will be more subdued. 

5. Go for a monochrome look - 

This outfit was based on a post by Liz of With Wonder and Whimsy (see her post here). Instead of trying to pull one central color out of two crazy patterned pieces, going for a monochrome look allows print mixing with a crisp, clean vibe. I seem to have this thing for polka dots that I didn't even know I had. Ha, ha. See my original post here. 

6. Try an accessory - 

If you want a more subtle look, try just adding a simple patterned accessory to your print. Check out the following ideas:

Patterned Scarf

Adding this scarf to my snake skin jeans is a perfect pattern mix.

Textured Bag

Patterned Bag

Textured jacket

Print mixing can be intimidating, but you probably are already doing it and you didn't even know it. Don't be afraid to mix it up. Print mixing can be fun and it can also make your outfit more colorful and interesting.

Even my daughter likes to print mix. She sent me this pic of her most recent attempt. She pulled this off by using the base color of both her top and her scarf as well as mixing the larger scarf print with the smaller dots on the top. 

We'd love to hear from you. Leave me some love in the comments section!

Have a great weekend!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style.    Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, 

How to Wear a White Blouse - Under Another Blouse

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This is the last installment in my collaboration with Jodie of Jodie's Touch of Style. We have been showing you different ways to style a white blouse. It is so easy to get into a rut, wearing the same clothing piece in exactly the same way. Jodie has a flare for mixing things up and for trying a new idea! I was intrigued when she said she was going to do a series on wearing a white button up blouse in new and innovative ways, so I asked if I could participate and she said yes. 

Monday we styled our white blouses under a tee shirt. Wednesday you can see us all wearing our white blouses under a sleeveless top. Today's post will show you how to wear a white blouse under another button up top.

For my look I chose a tunic. I am sure this particular piece was meant to be worn as a dress and I might style it over leggings as some point, but I thought it was a fun tunic length top that could be worn open or closed, belted or not. For this post, I chose to wear it like a jacket over my white button up.

If you click on the picture below it will take you over to Jodie's blog. Jodie has the joy of styling not just herself but her step mom, Nancy and her mom, Charlotte. I have trouble coming up with one outfit! I don't know how she styles three women. I love these unique takes on how to wear the white blouse. Jodie pretty much has hers only peeking out the top of her pretty floral blouse. Nancy is cool casual in her white and blue. Don't you love those cute shoes and her rolled up jeans? Charlotte looks so stylish and on trend with her white blouse showing beneath her belted chambray. Ladies you do us proud!

I found these bright red pants at the thrift store. They are Worthington brand from JCPenney. Worthington dress pants are wash and wear and unless you cram them in a drawer they don't need to be ironed. They also fit smoothly around the butt and thighs, which I love. Sometimes when I try on pants, they fit around the thighs, but then they gape around the waist. These being a wider leg trouser I am going to be able to style them in some fun ways in the future. 

I decided to cinch my waist in with a skinny belt and also chose brown shoes to match the belt. I think this would have looked better with a higher heeled shoe. For a bag I chose my navy Vera Wang.

If you look closely at this top you will see besides the blues and red, it also has a touch of teal green, so I chose that color for my accessories.

What do you think about this series on wearing a white blouse in different ways? Has it made you rethink that blouse that is hanging in your closet? Jodie and I both agree, this has given new life to button ups of all sorts, as a great piece for transitioning from the colder days of winter to the warmer days of spring. We hope you enjoyed following along.

Have a great weekend! 

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a shopping link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something by clicking on a link, I get a little bit more. All your support is appreciated. We couldn't be bloggers without you! 

Friday linking up with Laurie of Vanity and Me, JoLynne in the Fashion Friday link up, and Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots. Saturday linking up with Rena of It's All Fine. Whatever....

How to Wear a White Blouse - Under a Sleeveless Shirt

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This week I am doing a collaboration with Jodie of Jodie's Touch of Style. If you haven't discovered Jodie's fabulous blog, I hope you will check it out. Jodie, provides three generations of style for women in the 50's, 60's and 70's, but so many of her outfits can translate to younger women as well. She loves to help women look their best and is never afraid to try something different. She was the one who inspired me to come along as we rethink how we style our white long sleeve blouses. On Monday we showed how it can be worn under a tee shirt. Today we are going to take a look at styling the blouse under a sleeveless top. 

For my version of this I first tried a striped tank top, but the stripes looked a little wonky in the photos so I decided to go for the solid red instead. 

You can click on the pictures below and it will take you over to Jodie's site where you can read how these three lovelies styled their white blouses. I really like how each of Jodie's models have a different take on this idea. Jodie shows off a cute button up sleeveless with ruffles. That detail,  combined with her khaki colored jeans and peep toe booties make for a very stylish look that could be worn to work or to the mall. Nancy looks so cute with her floral pants and bright Pink Yarrow (see Pantone Spring 2017) tank top, and Jodie's mom is ever her elegant self wearing her light pink top with a pretty gray knit skirt and heels. Be sure to check out their post for the details!

I kept my look low key casual. I love the look of gray with red, so I wore my light gray skinny jeans.

To add a little bit of sass to my outfit I donned my Converse high top sneakers. I also added some red jewelry and a dark Kale (see Pantone Spring 2017) colored bag. 

It is fun to try new things. Wearing a long sleeve blouse under a sleeveless top is pretty much like wearing a vest. The sleeves and collar on the blouse are given ample exposure, but the sleeveless top can give the outfit a pop of color, a different fashion vibe and even a back drop for a pretty scarf or statement necklace. It can also extend your seasons allowing you to wear a summer top late in the winter or into the fall.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Don't forget to hop on over to Jodie's blog and read the whole scoop on how they styled their white blouses under a sleeveless top. You'll get even more great ideas about fashion! 

Be sure to check back tomorrow for my Beautiful Blogger Bests column where I will be featuring an outfit with masculine flare. Also, check back on Friday for the final installment of this white blouse series. 

Have you ever worn a long sleeve blouse under a sleeveless blouse? What was the occasion? Would you consider styling an outfit like this? I'd love your feedback. Also, if you do leave a comment you can always come back a day or so later and I will have left a reply. Sorry that right now I don't have a way of letting you know that I replied to your comments, but I always do! 

This post contains affiliate links. By clicking on a link I make a few cents. If you purchase something through one of my shopping links I'll make a little bit of a commission. I appreciate the support. All opinions are my own.

Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up the Sara and Hannah of The Perfect Storm. 

How to Wear a White Blouse - Under a Tee Shirt

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This week I am teaming up with Jodie of Jodie's Touch of Style to show you ways to style a simple white button up blouse. A long sleeve button up blouse is a piece most of us have in our closets. However, if you are like me, you only think of wearing it under a blazer or a cardigan. When Jodie told me she was going to show different ways to style a white blouse, I was intrigued. I told her to count me in for a collaboration and our posts this week will show you what we came up with. 

Today's challenge was to style the blouse under a tee shirt. In the photos below you can see Jodie styled her blouse under a striped long sleeved tee, while Nancy (Jodie's step mom) and Charlotte (Jodie's mom) styled theirs under a short sleeve tee. Nancy is wearing a solid colored polo shirt, while Charlotte is wearing a graphic crew neck. Aren't these three ladies the bomb?! Just click on the picture to see the whole post on Jodie's site. Be sure to give them some love!

I decided I would style my blouse under a graphic tee. Little did I know I was going to find the perfect piece when my husband and I went on our little get away last weekend.

With this fun graphic tee being the focal point, I decided to go biker chic for my outfit! 

I decided to add my burgundy fringe bag to bring in some color.

To complement the look I threw on my brown faux leather biker jacket. 

I finished with a few pieces of edgy jewelry.

Here is a closer look at the boots and bag! 

I hope you enjoyed this post on styling a white button up blouse under a tee shirt. Be sure to stop by Jodie's blog and check out the full post on how she styled her white blouse on three generations of lovely women! Also, check back on Wednesday to see another way to style a white button up blouse.

I appreciate your comments and it helps my blog to grow when you leave me some love. If you follow my faith page, I will be posting Monday's Mulling it Over post tomorrow, where I will be continuing to peruse Ephesians 6. 

This post contains affiliate links. All comments and opinions are my own. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Shelbee in the Spread the Kindness Link up, 

Piece Perfect - The Basic Shift Dress

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I have learned so much from other bloggers. One of the things I see repeatedly on other blogs is the clothing piece we refer to as a shift dress. A shift dress is basically a straight dress, that typically falls just above the knee. The dress is not fitted, allowing room to breath and hiding a boat load of flaws. However, I think today we have many dresses that would fall into the shift dress category albeit not adhering exactly to the true definition. 

I found this blue dress at my favorite thrift store and thought, why not give it a go. 

This is not the typical shift dress as it is more fitted through the waist. However, I can style it in similar ways to a true shift type dress, and the price was right. Ha, ha.

I want to show you two transitional outfits using this dress. These outfits can take you from the cold days of February to the warmer days of April.

Outfit 1 - Gray Days with a Pop of Color

For this simple look, I added a pair of gray leggings, gray ankle boots and a gray open front fly away cardi. The awesome thing about a shift dress is that it is so easy to style around. From throwing on a sweater or jacket, to pairing it with tights or leggings, it can take on a completely different look. Also, with this particular shift being a solid color I have so many options of how to accessorize.

Because we are already thinking ahead to spring and because I wanted this outfit to be a transitional outfit from winter to spring I decided to add my Flame colored accessories. For more on the Spring 2017 Pantone color line up see my collaboration post with Liz of With Wonder and Whimsy, Pantone Sneak Peek. (If you click on her website it will take you to Liz's post. If you click on the sneak peek link it will take you to my post.)

I love how the orange really pops with the dark charcoal gray and the rich navy.

To add just a bit more color I added this Vera Wang floral deep tote bag. 

Outfit 2 - Greenery is on the Way

As the temperatures start to climb we will want to lose our heavy leggings and ankle boots for bare legs or (for me) nude support hose and fun flats. I decided to wear the shift like a jumper and styled my Greenery popover blouse underneath.

One of the nice features of this dress is the heavier knit fabric. It allows me to style something under it without showing off wrinkles or other flaws, such as my pudgy middle. The darker navy fabric helps hide the flaws as well. 

To add a touch of whimsical elegance I added this long statement necklace. The white flower reminds me of Snowdrop flowers which were always the first to appear after a long winter back in Buffalo, NY where I hail from.

I kept my other accessories simple using a cognac colored bag and flats. 

Here's the whole outfit.

One of the things I liked about this dress is the pockets. They would come in handy for your phone or keys and so on.

This dress will probably show up again down the road when summer gets here. Do you own a shift dress? How do you style it?

I hope you enjoyed this post. Have a great weekend.

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Wednesday linking up with Sara and Hannah of The Perfect Storm Blog. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. 

Romance is in the Air - Final Week

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

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

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

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

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

Here is a view from the back. 

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

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

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

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

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

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

 

Romance is in the Air - Week 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

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

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

Beautiful Blogger Bests - A Casual Valentine's Look

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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