Spring Transition - Striped Jacket

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Outside the Box - Joggers as Pants

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here's the whole outfit again. 

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

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

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. 

Spring Transition - Layering with a Vest

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here is another shot of the whole outfit.

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

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

Thanks for stopping by the blog. 

Have a great day. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. 

Ordinary Amy - Lace Hoodie

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have a great weekend!

Spring Transition - Floral Dress

When dressing for spring in the mid-west, one must think in terms of layers. Either the layers need to be in the form of things like jackets or sweaters that can be taken off, or they need to be in the form of light weight fabrics that will be easy to wear even as the day warms up. My first two posts in this series centered around outfits with jackets. The first was a light weight quilted jacket from Christopher and Banks. You can see that post here. The second used a light weight bomber jacket for the top layer. You can see that post here. 

For this post, I am leaving the jackets behind and wearing a light weight, long sleeve floral tunic. The dress/tunic is from H & M, but I found it in a thrift store. I love the navy blue back ground and the orange, blush and light blue print. I am pairing the tunic with my pumpkin orange pants from JC Penney. I wore my same blue SO flats that I wore in my Outfit Inspiration post from last Thursday. For jewelry I kept it minimal since the top is so busy. I'm wearing a beaded choker. My bag is from Kohl's last summer season. A large woven tote, it is perfect for the beach or for travel, when you want to throw in a book or magazine. 

When the weather warms up just leave the pants behind and throw on a pair of flip flops and use this as a swimsuit cover up. I could also see this paired with white cropped pants and a pair of Keds or Converse sneakers. There are lots of options when you have a dress/tunic like this and it will cross seasons. I'm sure I will be wearing this often. 

Would you wear a piece like this? Do you have a dress in your closet that you are not sure how to wear? Try thinking outside the box, by pairing it with jeans or leggings. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. 

I've included a few shopping links for other pretty tunic type dresses. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. 

Outfit Inspiration - LuLaRoe

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

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

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

The LuLaRoe website describes the Julia in this way:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I hope you all have a great weekend! 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

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

Old Becomes New - Multi-print Tunic

For those of you who are just joining me on the blog, this Thursday column is focused on pieces that have been hanging around my closet that I rarely reach for. In March and April I devoted two posts to a suit wear jacket that I had thrifted from a few years ago. You can see those posts here and here. My final decision on the jacket was to get rid of it. I feel as though I gave it my best shot to style it various ways, seeing whether it gave me that "this is it" feeling. It never did, and after reading so many of your helpful comments, I decided to let it go. Cue Elsa! (That is Elsa from the movie Frozen, for those of you who still might be living in a cave, like me!)

This post I am devoting to an east 5th tunic that I got at JC Penney a few years ago. I love the colors, but for some reason, just wasn't sure how to style it. 

When I pulled it out, I almost immediately thought of my Apt. 9 faux lace black ankle pants. The reason I decided on these had to do with the weight of the fabric and that there were no pockets or buttons that might stick out. They are light weight, so perfect for a transitional spring outfit. 

The black knit knee length vest is a brand called harve benard which I got on clearance at Kohl's. I feel like this vest is fairly versatile, because it is an open weave and not too heavy, so can be used in most seasons.

Here you can see the bold, fun print. I wore a fringe bead necklace that blended in. I think next time I will go for something green. Speaking of the green, that was exactly why I chose my green axcess bag.

For shoes, I chose my comfort plus heels. 

What do you think of this tunic? Would you keep this, if it was in your closet? I'd love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two. 

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Spring Transition - Red Jacket Outfit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here is a look at the tee without the jacket. 

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

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest.

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

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

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Thursday linking up with Jacqui of mummabstylish and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. 

Outside the Box - All Over Pattern Mix

Since becoming a blogger I have learned about pattern mixing. I have done a little bit of it here and there, but usually with smaller pieces. I did a post about pattern mixing in March of last year. You can see that post here. Many of those outfits were examples of an all over pattern mix. While I have done it in the past, I thought it would be fun to revisit the all over pattern mix for a fun spring work outfit. 

I came up with the idea for this post when I did my Spring Trends post back in February. You can see that post here. When I lined up the skirt and top to show the plaid/check trend for spring I thought the combination would be perfect for a spring outfit. 

Everything in this outfit is thrifted except the shoes and bag. The skirt is a brand called Michelle. The black and white plaid is broken up in the lower left corner by two pretty embroidered flowers. 

This cute little clutch is actually a pencil pouch that I found at Barnes & Noble. It makes a great clutch and is perfect for spring. You can see how I styled an outfit around this bag in this post here. Since I was going for an all over pattern mix, I thought this bag was perfect for this outfit. 

My jacket is a brand called Madison and Max. I found this in a friend's closet. Shopping your friends' closets can be a great way to recycle and save money for all of you. 

The blouse is Jaclyn Smith brand and is a light green gingham. You can see the mixing better here.

You might feel this mix is over the top, but I really think the jacket pulls it all together and because it is a solid, keeps the mix from becoming too overwhelming. 

I decided on my black Cabela's flats. These are a great shoe for work, when I have to be on my feet. 

How are you at print mixing? Do you think this works or is it too much? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. 

I've included a few shopping links for some fun printed pieces for spring. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on a shopping link I get a few pennies. If you purchase something through my site, I get a small commission. All opinions are my own. 

Have fun with your print mixing!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style and Jacqui at Mummabstylish. Friday linking up with Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots, and Jo-Lynne of Jo-Lynne Shane.

Pantone Spring 2018 - Recap

Now that my series is over, I thought I would show you all of the outfits together for a fun review. Just a refresher, the Pantone Color Institute puts out a palette of colors twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. These colors are the basis from which designers, both fashion and interior, draw their inspiration for fabrics, clothing, paint and furnishings. I always consider it a challenge to draw outfit inspiration from these colors, even the ones I may personally not like. Let's face it, not all colors are necessarily pretty in everyone's eyes. However, I think it can be good for our brains to think outside the box and try new things. 

These were the two palettes. Many of the colors overlapped and I made reference to that in the posts. I personally think these two palettes were perfect for spring. Most of the colors were bright or light, with a few more earthy tones, which combined rendered great spring outfits. 

Here were my outfits. If you click on the picture it will take you to the original post.

I was glad that Pantone added the four classic colors of Sailor Blue, Harbor Mist, Warm Sand and Coconut Milk. These colors are perfect for grounding an outfit and keeping it from getting too over the top with color. Is there such a thing? Ha, ha. 

I think out of all of the colors from both palettes my favorites are Ultra Violet, (no surprise there, since I love purple), Arcadia, Pink Lavender and Ash Rose. All but Arcadia fall into the purple range. What can I say, I love purple! If I ever had a sports car it would be dark sparkly purple. Ha, ha. 

I hope you enjoyed this series. Let me know in the comments what your favorite colors were from this spring's two palettes. I always love to hear what you are thinking. 

Join me on Thursday for my Outside the Box column. You never know what I'll be showing off there. If you follow my Faith page, check back tomorrow for more on my Mulling It Over series as we delve further into 2 Timothy 2. 

Have a great Tuesday!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. 

Ordinary Amy - Casual take on Eva Trends Kimono

Last Thursday I introduced you to this gray lace body kimono from Eva Trends. I showed you two ways to wear the kimono, with a dress and with a long maxi skirt. You can see that post here. This week I wanted to show you two more ways to wear this fun piece by styling it over a pair of skinny jeans. 

I opted to put this on my Ordinary Amy column, because these two outfits are more what I would wear. I just feel more comfortable and confident in a pair of jeans, than I do in a dress. I'm sure that goes back to my tomboy days as a child chasing after my two older brothers. 

Look 1 - Jeans with Heels

This first look is a fun way to get dressed up for a date night.

For both of the looks in this post I used my dark wash Apt.9 skinny ankle jeans. I use these often in the warmer weather rolling up the hems to make them into crop pants. 

This black velvet top was given to me at Christmas. This City Streets brand, has short sleeves and a simple round neckline. Here is a similar one from Last Call by Neiman Marcus. Here is a cute tie-sleeved one from Nordstrom. 

This necklace I ordered from Christopher and Banks. The one problem with it, is that the chord is very stiff so it has a tendency to want to twist around. I make take it off that chord and put it on something different. It is really a unique piece. Here is a pretty fern one from Etsy. 

I grabbed my silver clutch and a silver bracelet. I finished off the look with my Comfort Plus gray heels. 

Look 2 - Jeans with sneakers.

For my second look, I really brought it down to completely casual. Using the same pair of jeans with the lace body kimono, I swapped out the velvet tee for my Wonder Woman tee. 

I did the front tuck with the tee. I think it would be even better with cuter belt. This black leather one is my go too and I wear it with everything, but usually it is functional, and doesn't show. 

I rolled my pant hems and my sleeves up for a more casual vibe. The only complaint I have about this lovely kimono is that the sleeves are narrow. It was hard for me to roll the sleeves up far enough to use the button on each side and my arms are not overly heavy. Someone with a larger diameter arm, would probably not be able to wear this. 

Here are two pictures that show you how the kimono is shaped. The truth is, it was a very cold day and the static was making the kimono stick to my clothes and itself, so I opened it up to let the wind blow away the static. 

I decided on a red clutch with silver handles and a few silver bangles. A couple of these have red on them too. 

You've seen these Keds before. They are like old friends. I told my daughter, don't get too close, because they are dirty. Ha, ha. 

Here are the two outfits side by side. 

The lace body button-up sleeve cardigan is a fun piece to add a different dimension to many of your outfits. You could probably belt is as well, though I didn't think of that for this post. 

What do you think of these outfits? Do you like these or the ones last week with the dress and skirt better? 

Don't forget Eva Trends is offering a 15% discount if you order using the code AC15. 

Thanks for stopping by the blog today. 

The items from Eva Trends were gifted to me. This post also contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

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

Pantone Spring 2018 - Ultra Violet, Ash Rose and Sailor Blue

This is the final installment in my Pantone Spring 2018 color series. I love doing this series, because using color as a spring board for putting together an outfit makes getting dressed so much easier. I know not everyone loves color, but I really enjoy the challenge of trying to make each of these colors work for me. After all, if we ladies, who are over 50, are not limited by the styles of the outfits we wear, why should we be limited by the colors we wear? 

This week's color line up features Ultra Violet, which appears on both the New York and London color palettes. You can see my first pairing with Ultra Violet here. Ash Rose is only found on the London Palette and is one of my favorite colors from this spring line up. Sailor Blue is one of the classic colors that appeared on both palettes this season and I feel is a perfect color to ground an outfit to keep it from getting to clownish. I also threw in a touch of Arcadia for an additional pop. You can see how I originally paired Arcadia here. 

If I had a choice, this is how I would dress most of the time. I love my jeans, a fun moto jacket, basic tee with fun details and sneakers. Throw on some easy jewelry and a roomy bag and voila, the writer's outfit. It's comfy, but stylish. I think my daughter did a great job of capturing me in my element. Ha, ha. 

These jeans are my Rock & Republic bootcut pair from Kohl's. Here are a similar pair. 

In this next pic you can see my Arcadia colored beads and bracelet. I love the way the necklace pops against the Ash Rose color of the shirt. Doesn't that green look so pretty with these two very different purples? You can also see the lace detail on my thrifted long sleeve tee. This one is Van Heusen brand It really takes a tee up a notch to have some sort of lace overlay or embellishment. Here is a  Croft and Barrow short sleeve one that comes in many different colors.  

My bag is Simply Vera, by Vera Wang. Here is a really cute one from Kohl's. 

Keds are always my go to for stylish, simple sneakers. I don't wear these when I want to hike or take a long walk, but for just hanging out, going to the mall or shopping, etc. they work great. Here, here and here are three cute pairs that would be perfect for summer. 

These were the last pictures my daughter took that day and we neglected to do a shot of me standing, so this is the best you get. 

What do you think of these colors? What is your go to outfit when you want to be stylish and comfy? I'd love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two in the comments section. Or you can leave me some love on Facebook. Also, feel free to check out my Instagram and Pinterest accounts too. 

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link, I get a few pennies. If you purchase something through one of the links, I get a small commission. Thank you for all of your support. 

If you enjoy reading my Faith page, be sure to check back tomorrow for another Walk with the Psalmist. Check back on Thursday to see how I styled my Eva Trends lace body kimono two more ways in my Ordinary Amy column. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. Thursday linking up with Jacqui of mummabstylish. 

Outfit Inspiration - Eva Trends - Lace Body Kimono

I introduced Eva Trends. back in March with an outfit styled around a tassel knitted sweater top. You can see that post here. My second post revolved around a bright color block cape sweater. You can see that post here. When I was contacted by Eva Trends, I was excited to try a few of their trendy, interesting styles. What I really like about this retailer are the unexpected color combinations and the pretty details. For featuring them on my blog I was gifted three pieces of my choice. All opinions are my own. 

This last piece from Eva Trends is a lovely knee length kimono. The lace body button-up sleeve cardigan is a versatile piece, so I decided to dedicate two posts to it, to show you different ways of styling. In this post I show you how to wear it with a dress and a longer skirt. 

Look 1 - Over a Little Black Dress

You can see from the picture the kimono is very flowy. It is made of a light weight polyester, cotton blend. The trim around the edges is a sheer chiffon type material. When I wash this I will put it in a laundry bag and then hang it to dry. Eva Trends recommends washing most of their pieces by hand to keep them in tip top shape. 

Here is a back view. You can see the pretty lace that covers the whole upper portion front and back. 

The black dress I am wearing underneath I bought about four years ago on the clearance rack at Kohl's. It is a cute little number made of thick knit material and is easy to get on and off. 

For accessories with this outfit, I chose gold. I love this elegant statement necklace. I think I got it at JC Penney. I also added a bracelet and grabbed my gold clutch.

I wore my black heels to finish the ensemble. 

Look 2 - Over a Maxi Skirt

For this second look, I wore my Chaps maxi skirt from Kohl's and a gray tank top.

It wasn't snowing when we took these pictures, but it was really cold out and there was a light breeze. That's fine, when it is 70 or 80, but not when it is only 32!

Since the tank top has an embellished neckline, I only wore a bracelet for my jewelry. 

I chose this little straw bag to keep the look a little more casual, but in a springy sort of way. For shoes I went with another pair of black heels, but this pair has a block heel and a pointier toe. 

Here are the two outfits side by side. 

Do you like this lace body kimono from Eva Trends? How would you style a piece like this? Be sure to check back for the second post on this piece on next week's Ordinary Amy post. 

Eva Trends is offering a 15% discount if you visit their site and use the code AC15. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. Have a wonderful weekend. We are supposed to have a few days of real spring weather, so I am looking forward to that! Have a good one. 

This piece was gifted to me by Eva Trends. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Friday linking up with Jo-Lynne of Jo-Lynne Shane, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. 

Pantone Spring 2018 - Rapture Rose, Palace Blue and Harbor Mist

Once again, this week, I am featuring two more Pantone Spring 2018 colors from the London palette, along with another of the classic colors, Harbor Mist. Rapture Rose is a bright pinkish red that adds a perfect pop of color to any outfit. Palace blue evokes a feeling of royalty and will add a classic element that says regal, complimenting any style. Grounding the whole look is a soft, light gray reminiscent of mists coming off the ocean. 

My sleeveless top, doesn't quite match the Pantone color, but it is clearly a mix of pink and red, so you get the gist of the idea. My Palace Blue cardigan is from Christopher and Banks. 

Someone was over visiting while we were taking pictures! She's such a ham!

My trousers are Lee brand, and have a classic fit. I use this pair more often in the summer for work, as they are lighter weight. Here is a pair from Kohl's and a pair from Macy's.

You've seen this NY & Co. bag on the blog before. I thought the blush color was a good compliment to the brighter pink and blue, as well as the gray pants. 

For jewelry I went with gold accents on my necklace and bracelets. 

I thought my Comfort Plus heels by Predictions were a good work wear option. 

I think this outfit is a good option for a work day, especially if you work in an office. It shows confidence and style, as well as comfort and ease. The bright blue sweater is a great option for summer, when many places are overly air conditioned. Although, the way our weather is going here in the mid west, it might be August before we have to turn the air on. 

What do you wear to work? Would you be comfortable in an outfit like this? Do you like these colors? I'd love to hear your comments.

Here are a few more pics of my grandpuppy, Beatrice. 

i've included a few shopping links. These are meant to serve as inspiration for you, as well as provide an easy link through which you can shop. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few pennies when you click on a link and a small commission if you purchase something through my site. All opinions are my own. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen. 

Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style and Jacqui of Mummabstylish. Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style. 

Old Becomes New (or Not)

Last month, I introduced this column with a look at a suit wear jacket that I had thrifted a few years ago. It is nothing outstanding and I didn't really like how it looked in my original post. You can see that post here. While I was nearly ready to get rid of the piece then, I had a few people, bloggers and other, comment that they would like to see the piece styled with a shift dress, pencil skirt or skinny jeans. I thought, why not! For today's post, I am styling this long blazer two different ways. The first with a shift dress and the second with a pair of skinny jeans. 

Look 1 - Over a shift dress.

I first introduced you to this navy shift dress March of last year in my Piece Perfect column. You can see that post here. A shift dress is a, streamlined dress that can be dressed up or down and accessorized in a variety of ways because of its simplicity. 

I have had it with trying to take pictures in the frozen tundra! Ha, ha. I know, I am a wimp. In my defense it was about 37 degrees. What kept me inside, however, was the wind chill. Hello, spring! I also have to make a comment about my hair. It is not looking its best and that may have to do with not having a trim since before Christmas. It gets pretty frizzy on the ends. I need to schedule an appointment soon! Okay, I am done complaining!

In the first post I did on this long blazer, I mentioned that it is a brand called Braeten. My shift dress is Land's End. This dress is made out of a heavy Ponte knit, which gives it some structure and hides things like panty lines and bulges quite well. Land's End has a similar one here.  

To bring a little spring color to the outfit, I added the green chiffon scarf and my bright green Imoshion satchel. This was thrifted bag, but I learned when I looked it up that this is a vegan bag retailer, that has become quite popular in Hollywood. Here are a few cute options from other vegan retailers here, here and here. 

Here is the dress without the jacket and me with more silly faces. I look like I am falling asleep. Ha, ha. 

I decided on navy hose, and navy heels. I think it gives me a more trim, elongated look. 

Look 2 - Over skinny jeans

This second look features a pair of Apt. 9 skinny jeans. For this look I decided to wear a bright yellow top to create a different look. The top really pops under the more sedate blazer. 

The yellow sweater is an old brand called East 5th. When I pulled the top out, I also thought of my Relic clutch, which led to grabbing a necklace with purple beads and a silver chain. The clutch also made me think of my brown Life Stride ankle boots. See how one piece leads to another and another? I love when that happens!

Here is a picture of the outfit without the jacket. 

Here are the three outfits side by side. 

What do you think? Should I keep this piece or get rid of it? What would you do? I really like the look with the skinny jeans. I think the darker color and the bright sweater make the outfit so much more interesting and appealing. The long blazer by itself is rather bland, but pairing it with other bolder colors can make the piece a perfect jacket for transitioning into spring. 

I would love to hear your thoughts on whether you think I should keep this piece or not. Let me know in the comments sections below. You opinions and comments really help my blog to grow. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Jo-Lynne of Jo-Lynne Shane, and Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots. Linking up with Jodie in the Ageless Style lInkup

Pantone Spring 2018 - Spiced Apple, Warm Sand and Nile Green

We are moving right along in our Pantone Spring 2018 color series. For those of you who may be new to my blog, the Pantone Color Institute are the go-to entity for fashion and design color choices. Twice a year, spring and fall, the Institute puts out a palette of colors, from which many designers find their color inspiration. As a blogger, who loves color, I enjoy building outfits around these colors as well. 

This week, I am featuring two of the colors from the London Palette along with the foundational color of Warm Sand. Say hello to Spiced Apple and Nile Green. 

As I said, last week, the last three posts for this spring series will feature indoor pictures. My daughter and I finally gave up on the snow that was falling fast and wet on the day we took these photos. 

Spiced Apple is a brownish red, bordering on maroon. My skirt might be a tad dark, but you get the idea. This faux leather skirt is a fun, thrifted piece that I have found to be quite versatile. This one is Worthington brand. I topped the skirt with another thrifted piece. This floral, ruffled, bell sleeve blouse is a brand called Sunny Leigh. The blouse contains snippets of Nile Green and I thought it went well with the reddish brown skirt. I added a beaded necklace that also was the Nile Green color. 

I threw the Warm Sand open weave vest over the top as my grounding color. I feel the vest not only adds a layer of warmth for these chilly spring days, but also adds textural interest. 

The bag I am carrying is a bit more yellow than the Nile Green, but it works with the outfit as a whole and without having the color tab right next to the bag, you wouldn't be able to really tell. 

You've seen these cobalt blue heels before on the blog. They go perfectly with the darker shade of blue in the top, so I thought they would be a good pop of color to complete the outfit. 

What do you think of these colors? While I do like both colors, I would not say these are my favorites. Nile Green is a tad light for my taste and the Spiced Apple is a color I would fee better in, come fall. However, it is fun to try out these different colors, because you never know when one of them will strike you in a way that makes you fall in love with it. 

I've included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links, which means if you click on a link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through one of my links, I get a little commission. All opinions are my own. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge and Jess of Elegantly Dresses and Stylish. 

Another Outfit Inspired by Eva Trends - Spell Color Cape Sweater

A few weeks ago, I styled an outfit with a piece I had received from Eva Trends. Eva Trends is an online retailer that features trendy pieces that are infused with bold colors, touchable textures and styles that defy what society classifies as the norm. Most of their pieces are made of materials like linen, silk and cotton and have a relaxed, oversized silhouette. 

When Eva Trends contacted me to see if I would want to work with them, I wasn't sure about whether the styles were well suited to the fifty and above crowd. In all reality, we are often consumed with making ourselves appear stylish without added bulk. However, when I received the three pieces they let me pick from their website, I quickly realized that it isn't about the size of the piece you put on, but what you do with it, that makes it work. 

In my first post for Eva Trends I styled a tasseled knit sweater. You can see that post and how I styled it here. Today's post is centered around a piece they call a Spell Color Split Cape Sweater. What drew me to this piece was that is was something outside my norm. See last week's post .  I have never had cape tops or poncho tops before, so when I saw this bright red, brown and tan number, I thought it would be a great way to break out of my box. 

I am going to be showing you a combination of indoor and outdoor pictures, because I added a few more detailed pics inside that I forgot to add outside. 

The cape sweater has 3/4 length sleeves. I wore a red, long sleeved tee underneath, which matched the color on the sweater perfectly. As you can see it is a cape, poncho, sweater and turtleneck all wrapped into a weighty wool and polyester blend. It did not feel itchy at all and I loved the thickness of the fabric. I felt like I was wearing a blanket! 

In this pic, you can see the split sides. The beauty of a style like this is two fold. First, movement. There is no way this piece is going to constrict my movement, unless I clumsily get it stuck in a door, and believe me, I am possible of that feat! Second, layering. You know how I love my layers. This fun piece could be layered over a simple tee as, I did here, or over something much more bulky like a sweater and even over a tunic or dress. 

In this photo you can see how wide this piece is. This is typical for Eva Trends. I think I would like this a tad bit more if it were about six inches longer. The next two photos are from a few different angles. 

As you can see from these photos, I styled this piece with my Rock & Republic skinny jeans and a pair of Clarks low heeled boots. I think this works because, it helps to trim down the bulk. While Eva Trends caters to a more relaxed baggy look, I like to have balance. I feel that if I have bulk on the top, I need to trim down the bottom and vice versa. The same would be true if I wore a bulkier skirt or pants, then I would want to have a more fitted look up top. A heel also helps to elongate the leg, thus making the legs have a sleeker look. 

If you think something like this would be to overwhelming for you, there is also the idea of adding a belt. This piece is a little heavy to belt, but I made it work. 

I changed my boots for this look, just to go a little more casual. 

Here is a closer look at my jewelry. I liked the silver tones against this bright topper. 

I am completely sold on this fun split cape sweater. With spring coming I won't be wearing this much until fall, but I will be looking forward to pulling it out again, when the weather cools.

Eva Trends is extending a a 15% discount if you visit their site and use the code AC15. Give their site a visit. You might just find something you want to try. 

The cape sweater in this post was gifted to me by Eva Trends. All opinions are my own. 

Pantone Spring 2018 - Spring Crocus, Almost Mauve and Little Boy Blue

This is already week four of my Pantone Spring 2018 series. You can check out the previous weeks' posts by clicking on the links: Week 1, Week 2, and Week 3. This week I am featuring the colors: Spring Crocus, Almost Mauve and Little Boy Blue.

Since my daughter and I have to arrange time to get together for photos, we often shoot as many outfits as we can fit in at a time. If you follow me regularly you already know these pictures were all shot on a wintery day. Not very spring like, but then spring is taking its sweet time to make an appearance this year, so I guess this is appropriate. 

I found this Chaps maxi skirt on the clearance rack at Kohl's back in January. When I began looking for pieces for this Pantone series, I thought the flowers on the skirt were a good representation of both Spring Crocus and Almost Mauve. 

My NY & Co tee is also Almost Mauve. I tucked the tee in to give more definition to my waist and topped it with an H & M Harbor Mist cardigan. Pantone has included four classic foundational colors with their palette this year, which serve as a great way to keep an outfit from getting too overwhelmed with color.

I decided to add the Little Boy Blue color as a bright pop against the floral back ground. It makes me think of a sunny blue spring sky. The crossbody bag is Rosetti brand. My SO flats are also blue and probably a tad bit closer to the actual Little Boy Blue color. 

For jewelry I wore a necklace and bracelet with light blue colored beads and silver embellishments. 

Here are a couple of pictures of me being cold! Ha, ha. Don't I make the goofiest faces? I have always thought I could mimic Lucille Ball and some of her funniest looks. Sound like a future blog post.

The things we do for the blog! Ha, ha. This was the last picture we took outside that day, so the next three weeks you'll see indoor pictures. We had had enough. 

I hope you enjoyed this look at three more of the Pantone Spring 2018 colors. Which one do you like the most? I really love Spring Crocus, but Almost Mauve makes a great neutral that can be paired with almost any color. Little Boy Blue will be great color for the transition from spring into summer. 

I've included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few cents if you click on a link. I really don't make any money on this blog, but your clicks will add up, so that maybe in the future I will. I appreciate all your support. All opinions are my own. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up by Rachel Christensen. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. 

Outside the Box - A Poncho Top

I started this column to force me to try new things. Most of us love to be comfortable, but it easy to get into a routine with our style. We automatically go for that same sweater, or that same pair of jeans because they fit well and we feel comfy in them. How, then, are we supposed to try new things when we are so consumed with remaining in our same comfortable rut? 

Last month I took a pair of pajama pants and showed you four ways you could style them for wearing outside the bedroom. You can see that post here. Today, I am wearing a piece that I recently found at a thrift store while visiting my mom. A poncho is a large piece of fabric with a hole in the center for the head to go through. I call mine a poncho sweater, because the sides are closed. Most ponchos are open on the sides, making getting into and out of them easier. 

This picture was taken at Mohican State Park. We love to stay in their little cabins! 

I have seen other people wear these types of ponchos and I have also looked at various styles on the racks in the stores, but this was the first one I saw and thought, "Wow! I like that." Since it is not something I have ever had before and I have never styled before, I thought this would be the perfect place to feature it. 

I like the neutral color and the black stripe adds just enough interest so that it is not too plain. In the above picture you can see a little bit how the sleeves hang down to almost the elbow and then the entire piece is sewn along the body on both sides under the arm. 

Since it is lighter weight I decided to wear it over my black and white gingham blouse. I liked how the blouse tied in with the black strip on the poncho. I also worn my dark wash, straight leg jeans. I went for my suede SO ankle boots, as they matched the poncho. My bag is the bright pop of color and is Vera Wang. The final touch is the black and gold fringe necklace on red leather. 

Here is a side view to show you the sleeve length, and the way the side fabric hangs. That was also the view of the river, right out our back door. 

I got this necklace on the clearance rack at Christopher and Banks. I love it! 

My conclusion on this piece is that I really like it. I am sure I will be wearing it again, and it will be a nice piece for transitioning to spring....just in case spring happens to come around again. Ha, ha.

What do you think of the poncho top? Would you wear this? How would you style it? Maybe you already have one. What is your favorite way to wear it?

Below are a few shopping links for ponchos. These are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own. 

Have a great weekend!

Pantone Spring 2018 - Pink Lavender, Blooming Dahlia and Emperador

Welcome to the third installment in my Pantone Spring 2018 series. The first week I showed you Chili Oil, Arcadia and Lime Punch.  Last week I featured Ultra Violet, Cherry Tomato and Meadowlark.  This week I am going to style an outfit that revolves around Pink Lavender, Blooming Dahlia and Emperador. 

I wish these photos were a little more spring like; more like the weather today, when I am working on this post which is brilliant sunshine and temps in the 50's, However, working with my photographer means scheduling shoots when she is available, so we make the best of it. In this pic, it almost looks like I am at a studio with a winter background, but I can tell you we were definitely outside and it was cold!!

Pink lavender is a very pretty purply pink. I happened to have this short sleeve Croft and Barrow faux lace tee in my closet and it matched perfectly. My husband also picked up this necklace at a garage sale and thought I would like it. I did! I've told him, any time he sees costume jewelry at estate sales or garage sales to take a peek and pick up things he thinks I might like. I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to jewelry! 

Emperador is a chocolate brown. I often wonder at how they come up with the names for the colors on each season's palette. Some are obvious. Pink Lavender looks like pink and lavender mixed together, but Emperador? I googled the word and a brandy company came up. Brandy is more of an amber color, so I am not sure if that is what they were thinking when they gave this brown it's name. I'm not an alcohol drinker, at all, but if you are interested here is a link to Emperador. 

My moto jacket is thrifted and is a brand called Celebrity Pink. This brand is sold at stores like Macy's and Burlington Coat Factory. Here is a similar jacket. Mine is a nice faux leather with a silver zipper and snaps. I should have taken a picture with the jacket zipped up. 

This skirt from dressbarn I have featured on the blog last summer in my Marvelous Maxis series. It is roz & Ali brand. The skirt with its fun, whimsical, floral pattern is fully lined and the perfect transition piece for spring. I thought it gave the illusion of Blooming Dahlia, even though it isn't an exact representation. Plus I felt the outfit benefited from a pattern. 

I added a stretchy woven belt to the skirt and chose to carry my George satchel for a bit of that classic color, Warm Sand. I also slipped on my suede American Eagle ankle boots. 

What do you think of these colors? Do you have any of these in your closet? I think all three of these can be great to combine with stronger classic colors like navy, green or black. If you are not real fond of a particular color because you don't think it looks good on you, don't be afraid to try a smattering of the color in the form of an accessory such as a necklace, bracelet or even a bag. That is a wonderful way to add color without letting it overwhelm you. 

Let me know your thoughts on these colors and my outfit. I love hearing from you! 

Here are a few shopping links for you. These are affiliate links which means if you click on a link I get a few pennies. If you purchase through one of my links I get a little commission. I appreciate your clicks! All opinions are my own. 

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.